Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenApril 25, 2013

Dr. Sabrina SalmonSpecial Education Coordinator

Oklahoma State Department of Education

Agenda

• Introductions• Families, Schools, and Communities• Special Education Services• Scenarios• Resources• Questions and Answers• Conclusion

Famous Quotes

• The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy. ~ Sam Levenson

• Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.~ Alex Haley

Share Your StoryVarious roads might lead individuals to the same destination. How did you become a grandparent raising a grandchild?

Building Relationships

• Families

• Schools

• Communities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

(IDEA)• IDEA is our nation's special education law.

IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.

• The IDEA was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to make sure that children with disabilities had the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE), just like other children.

Special Education and Related ServicesA multidisciplinary team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

Students who meet the criteria for special education services may receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The team determines the placement that a student needs, appropriate services, and a plan to provide those services.

The Evaluation GroupParent or Guardian

Special Education Teacher

General Education Teacher

District Representative

A Qualified Examiner

The Student if older than 16 years of age

Other Individuals or Agencies invited by the Parent or the School District or who have special expertise or knowledge of your child

Disability Categories• ■Autism• ■Deaf-blindness• ■Deafness• ■Developmental delay• ■Emotional disturbance• ■Hearing impairment• ■Intellectual disability• ■Multiple disabilities• ■Orthopedic impairment• ■Other health impairment• ■Specific learning disability• ■Speech or language impairment• ■Traumatic brain injury• ■Visual impairment, including blindness

• Your grandchild has a diagnosis of ADHD and has started to have trouble concentrating on tasks at school. What should you do?

• Your grandchild has an IEP. You spoke with your grandchild’s teacher and she keeps promising to provide accommodations, but does not. What should you do?

Scenarios

Resources

• Oklahoma State Department of Education http://www.ok.gov/sde/special-education 405-521-3351

• The Oklahoma Parents Center http://oklahomaparentscenter.org Phone: 405-379-6015

Community Support

Group MeetingsBehavioral Health ServicesCommunity AgenciesAdditional Resources

ContactJacquline Jackson, M.A. 405-919-4061