Summer Opportunities
SF Recreation and Parks Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services
- To qualify for early registration for summer day camps, your child must be a current scholarship recipient. If you have a child with a disability who is on Medi-Cal, they can qualify. Apply right away using this link. Our registration team is working hard to process all applications in time for early registration on March 13.
- If you are interested in applying for a scholarship and finding more information, please visit www.sfrecpark.org/scholarships.
- Link to apply: https://sfrecpark.seamlessdocs.com/f/scholarshiprenewal
- Note: The application may say the deadline to apply is February 28, but you should apply right away anyway. Our registration team is working hard to process all applications in time for early registration on March 13.
- If you do not qualify, or do not get your application submitted in time, you will still be able to register beginning March 18. (50% of all camp spots will still be available on March 18.)
Therapeutic Rec Summer Day Camp Offerings
Summer Day Camp general registration begins on Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m. Therapeutic Rec (TR) summer camp offerings include Everybody Plays, Everybody Travels and Teen City summer camps! Note that to register for these camps, your ActiveNet account must be approved by our TR team. For assistance with registration and TR team approval, email rpdtr@sfgov.org. To register and for more information on these camps, click the link below.
Learn more about Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion opportunities
Therapeutic Recreation is Hiring for Summer Staff and Beyond!
Rec and Park's Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services is hiring for its summer staff and beyond. Work with people with disabilities in a communal recreation setting. For more information and to apply, click the links below. Additional questions? Email rpdtr@sfgov.org.
Summer Resource Fair Features Enrichment Opportunities from SAN FRANCISCO RICHMOND REVIEW on MARCH 2, 2023 By Kate Quach
Special Education Community Event Calendar
Wed Mar 8 @ 6:00 - 8:00pm: Parent Empowerment Institute- IEP Myths and Facts
Have fun and gain clarity from an expert about some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about IEPs. Come prepared with your questions as well!
Click the link below to find more information: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rHoFeyGXiMVMq6rqYxollwivmI4eW9AgWPjJpvFZOLY/edit#slide=id.p1
Event organized by: Special Education, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Thurs Mar 16 @ 6:30-8:30pm: DREDF Training - Special Education: Understanding the IEP & Importance of Goals
Special Education: Understanding the IEP & Importance of Goals
March 16, 2023 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm PT | Online
IEPs are developed based on evaluation and data about your child’s educational challenges from which IEP goals are created. These goals are one important way that the IEP team determines whether your child is making progress over one year. This training focuses on how to understand the IEP document and why goals are SO important. Having appropriate individualized goals, and understanding how to read the IEP can help your child get the most out of special education. We will also discuss common pitfalls to avoid – goals too low or too high or based on insufficient data or understanding of how the child's disability impacts her access to education. You must register in advance for this training.
SATURDAY MARCH 18TH 9AM-4PM: SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES INFORMATION & RESOURCE CONFERENCE (IRC)! IN PERSON AT JOHN O'CONNELL HIGH SCHOOL
ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES INFORMATION & RESOURCE CONFERENCE
A FREE conference for families of children with disabilities, the professionals who work with them, and community members. Sponsored by SFUSD Special Education Services and SFUSD Community Advisory Committee for Special Education
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
Time: 9am – 4pm
Where: John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (limited virtual options available)
What: The theme and focus for this year's conference is Mental Health and Behavior with speakers and workshops on mental health supports, school avoidance and social regression, behavior support at school and many other disability specific topics as well as exhibitors providing community resources for families of children with disabilities. Featuring a Keynote from Dr Mary Bacon and a Lunchtime presentation from Nina G, comedian and disability advocate. NOTE: Interpretation is available if requested by March 8.
Conference Workshops
Session 1 - 10:30 - 11:30am
SFUSD Classroom Placement & IEPs, Transition to Adult Services Panel Discussion, Mental Health Supports, Navigating Special Ed for Students of Color, Benefits of Inclusion & Universal Design for Learning, What to Do When You Disagree with an IEP (This workshop will be virtual)
Session 2 - 12:30-1:30PM
IEP Related Services Overview, College & Career Panel Discussion, Parenting Support - School Avoidance and Social Regression, What to do when you disagree with an IEP, Literacy Strategies for Dyslexia, Healthy Sexuality for Teens with Disabilities (This workshop will be virtual)
Session 3 - 2:00 - 3:00PM
Understanding Special Education Assessments, Conservatorship for Adults with Disabilities, Behavior Support at School, Healthy Sexuality for Teens with Disabilities, Autism Support & Resources, Mental Health Supports (This workshop will be virtual)
See you at the Conference!
Thurs Mar 23 @ 6:00-8pm: CAC Meeting: Behavior Best Practices presented by Lives in the Balance
Presented by the CAC
TOPIC: Behavior Best Practices
Please join us for a parent training session using Ross Greene’s Collaborative-Proactive Model (CPS) to better understand and problem solve trauma informed behaviors. Our presenter is Kim Hopkins from Lives in the Balance. An organization that trains parents, educators and community organizations nationwide on behavior best practices.
CAC General Meetings are open to the public. The public can attend in person at Support for Families,1663 Mission St., Suite 700 or participate via Zoom.
Please register in advance for this meeting.
All are invited to participate in an informal community meet and greet from 6:00 pm until 6:30 pm. A light dinner will be provided.
ASL and interpretation services are available with advance notice. To reserve, please send an email to cacspedsf@gmail.com or call 415-447-7802.
Mon Mar 27 @ 9:30-11:30am: Educación Especial: Entendiendo el IEP y porque son importantes las metas
Educación Especial: Entendiendo el IEP y porque son importantes las metas |
27 de marzo, 2023 | 9:30 am – 11:30 am (hora del Pacifico) | Por Zoom |
Thurs Mar 30 @ 6:00 - 7:15pm: Community Focus - Filipinx-American Roundtable
Thursday, March 30 @ 6:00 - 7:15pm: Community Focus - Filipinx-American Roundtable
Staff members and volunteers who identify as Filipinx-American will discuss a variety of topics specific to their experience in the mental health space and in their community. Dedicated time for Q+A at the end. Zoom.
Saturday, April 15th - Therapeutic Rec Family Day
Save the Date: Therapeutic Rec Family Day on April 15
Rec and Park's Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services team invites you and your family to its Family Day on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the location to be announced in the near future. Meet other families, bring a picnic, and enjoy fun activities. Registration is required for planning purposes. Register online at the link below or call (628) 652-2900.
Monthly Events
Disability and Special Education in the News
Check out these articles about the disability and special education. Looking for more news? Check out the Support for Families Blog.
March 2023
- It’s time to screen all students for dyslexia risks by Carol Kocivar from Ed100
- Despite union opposition, many teachers support dyslexia screening for all students from Cal Matters
- Special Olympics Celebrates Women's History Month
- “Could I Be Autistic, Too?” Signs of Autism in Women with ADHD
- 20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls from VeryWell Mind
- Teens Are Struggling Right Now. What Can Parents Do? from the NYTimes
- What are SMART IEP Goals? from Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
- Using the IEP Meeting to Create an IEP that Works from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
February 2023
- U.S. based Legoland Parks to become certified Autism Centers by spring 2023 from Fox5 San Diego
- Celebrating Black History Month from National Center for Learning Disabilities
- Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic: Neurodivergent Heroes Tell Their Stories edited by Marcia Brissett-Bailey
- Black Women Leaders and Disability Justice
- 'Love on the Spectrum' shows what dating can be like for people with autism from NPR
- Learning to read by third grade requires evidence-based instruction, panel says from EdSource
- Five Step Emergency Preparedness in ASL from the Listos California Resource Hub
- Emergency Preparedness from the Cal OES (Governor's Office of Emergency Services)
January 2023
- DSPS Accessible Theater Arts Teacher Sparks Creativity, Self-Confidence, and Self-Expression by Beth Lederer
- The Best Way to Explain Learning Disabilities to Your Child, by Rick Lavoie via ADDitude
- IEP Progress Reports: What Should be Reported vs What is Reported, by Callie Oettinger via Special Education Action
December 2022
- Should We Say 'with Autism' or 'Autistic'? Here's Why It Matters
- New documentary "In A Different Key" follows first person diagnosed with autism
- Office of Special Education Programs Update - A Newsletter for OSEP Grantees and Interested Stakeholders
- Disability Rights Advocate Justice Maria Araujo Kahn nomination approved by Senate Judiciary Committee from Daily Kos
- By Rethinking How Reading Is Taught, Bay Area Schools Hope To Boost Overall Literacy by Ida Mojadad, The San Francisco Standard
November 2022
- Meet the Special Ed Advocate Who Ousted Ann Hsu for a Spot on SF’s School Board by Ida Mojadad
- Confronting Ableism on the Way to Justice by Keith Jones from Learning for Justice
- Inclusive Education Benefits All Children by Mellanie Willingham-Jaggers and the Glsen Team from Learning for Justice
- Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong hosted by Emily Hanford
- Unified Sports Level the Playing Field for Students With Disabilities by Sarah D. Sparks from Education Week
- SFUSD pleads for drivers to obey traffic laws after car hits school bus, flees scene by Lyanne Melendez, ABC7 News
- How to Document and Resolve Issues With the IEP Team from Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
October 2022
- “I am a Neurodivergent Black Woman — and I am Filled with Hope.” By Alyssa Tundidor
- Ensuring All Students with Disabilities have a Pathway to a High School Diploma in California from DREDF
- Roundup: Education policies passed, failed and vetoed in 2022 by Carol Kocivar
- New literacy standards for teacher candidates could be pivotal to improving student reading scores. by
Diana Lambert
September 2022
- **Year of the Tiger: Debut memoir by Alice Wong**
- NIH Awards $100 Million for Autism Centers of Excellence Program
- My Parents Are Hackers Out of Necessity: NY Times Opinion
- Office of Special Education Programs Seeking Input: Prioritizing Equity
- “Love on the Spectrum U.S.” Wins Multiple Emmy Awards
- Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig welcome friends with autism and 2 mommies
August 2022
- Dallas nonprofit aims to break down barriers that disabled people face
- Sonoma County teacher pens book celebrating her hearing-impaired students
- How to talk about disability sensitively and avoid ableist tropes
- Uber WAV provides affordable rides in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, where available
Past Articles
- Why “Special Needs” is Not Helpful | medium.com
- Creating trauma-informed individualized education programs | American Psychological Association
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - What to Ask for Kids with IEPs from A Day in Your Shoes
- Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors
- 5 Reasons Why Disability Issues Should Be A Higher Priority, Even Now | Forbes
- Nancy Armstrong Is Changing the Conversation Around ADHD with New Documentary The Disruptors. By Jessica Migala
- At a Loss for Words: How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers | APM ReportsU.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504.
- Microsoft unveils new adaptive PC accessories with modular components.
- Watch My Disability Roadmap about Samuel Habib in the New York Times "Op-Docs".
- Self-Advocacy: Participating in Your IEP Meetings.
- 2 UC Berkeley students make history as 1st nonspeaking autistic graduates.
- Access SFUSD presents its Insider Guide
- 504 and Me By Meriah Nichols, from the Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund Blog
- AB 1663: The Probate Conservatorship Reform and Supported Decision-Making Act
- Slate.com: Why Are Special Education Teachers Quitting Across the Nation?
- Washington Post: Disability Community Pushes To keep Masks Aboard Mass Transit
This page was last updated on March 20, 2023