Transition Planning Workshop to replace Basic Rights

I regret to inform you that the November 8th Basic Rights Workshop, a Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) workshop, in Georgetown has been cancelled. We will be trying to reschedule the Basic Rights Workshop for sometime in 2012, either with a nearby town or by ourselves. In the meantime, a schedule of FSCN workshops in Massachusetts can be found at http://fcsn.org/pti/workshops/home.php.

We will still be meeting on Tuesday, November 8th, with Kerry Mahoney of the Greater-Haverhill-Newburyport ARC presenting an interactive discussion, Transition 101 - High School to Adulthood, regarding Transition Planning for student ages 14 and over. We would love to have some GMHS Special Education and Guidance staff, as well as our parents, to contribute to our discussion!

I am hoping that some people will be able to connect the Transition Planning meeting in a meaningful way to our Tuesday, December 13th meeting, Financial Planning for Special Needs Families. This workshop will feature a Financial Planner who is a Certified Special Needs Advisor, John Mahoney (not related to Kerry), to help our families consider their financial planning needs to provide for loved ones far into the future.

The two workshops are as follows:
November 8, 2011 - The Georgetown SEPAC Presents: Transition 101 - High School to Adulthood, 7:00-9:00pm, Penn Brook Library, 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA. We all have hopes and dreams, let's help students with disabilities plan to achieve theirs! From The ARC of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Kerry Mahoney, Transition Specialist, will speak about what transition planning is, the laws, effective use of IEP and transition planning forms (required by IDEA 2004) for students ages 14-22, transition map design, timelines, and family resources. IEP's of students 14 and over should include a post school vision statement that identifies the transition services necessary to support the vision. The workshop's goal is to help families plan for positive post high school outcomes and opportunities in education, training, and/or employment for students with disabilities. Starting the process early prepares students with disabilities to think about what they want to be able to do in adult life. Discussion includes age of majority, interagency collaboration, adult services, self determination and self advocacy, life skill development and preparing students to pursue as independent an adult life as possible. Find out more at www.georgetownsepac.blogspot.com or by calling Pam Lundquist at 978-352-5407 – Light refreshments will be served – Please join us!

December 13, 2011 – Georgetown SEPAC Meeting - 6:30-9pm, Penn Brook Library
Financial Planning for Special Needs Families – Learn how to streamline your financial planning from this panel of qualified professionals! Our keynote speaker will be John Mahoney, Financial Advisor, Certified Special Needs Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110.
John Mahoney and his professional advisor team are dedicated to simplifying the lives of families who have loved one(s) with special needs. Disability attorneys, social service experts, trust accountants and administrators together form an experienced cohesive unit, led by Mr. Mahoney.
This workshop will feature a panel of professionals in order to cover a lot of ground and answer questions while underscoring the team concept.
Families that include children with special needs must plan in the traditional ways that all families do, but also have the added concerns of how to provide continuing quality of life for their children long into the future. Expensive therapies and services may be needed on a long-term basis. How can effective planning for these financially significant needs and events be simplified by a team approach to help families provide for their loved ones?
Join us for this interactive workshop on Tuesday, December 13th, 6:30-9pm, at the Library in the Penn Brook School, 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA 01833. Please call Pam Lundquist 978-352-5407 if you have any questions, or check out Georgetown SEPAC on Facebook or at www.georgetownsepac.blogspot.com.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at these meetings! I am sincerely sorry that the Basic Rights Workshop has not worked out this year, we will keep on trying to make it happen.