Announcements
Any information provided in our announcement page is for general information purposes only, and SPaN is not responsible for the orginal source's accuracy of content, nor does content necessarily reflect the views of SPaN
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Governor signs budget and issues vetoes
The Massachusetts Department of Education has issued a new set of forms and technical assistance documents that are to be used when finding a student eligible for special education with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). District eligibility Teams may begin using the new forms immediately and must begin using them by the beginning of the 2008-09 school year. A variety of training opportunities will be available to districts over the course of the next several months.
To read the complete DOE Memorandum, follow this link:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/sld/
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NEW! November 2007
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In an unprecedented move, Summit Academy School for Alternative Learners in Leominster is offering qualified students scholarship assistance for immediate placement. Summit Academy, with its classroom model of 12 students to two certified, highly qualified teachers, is specifically designed for students from age 6 to 15 with Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other related Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities. The non-profit school, which is pending approval for 766 status, has taken this courageous step so that Central Massachusetts students and their families can begin to reap the benefits of Summit Academy's advanced academic and social curriculum.
"We fully understand the financial constraints that our school districts are facing," explains Summit Academy Leominster School Director Michael Bishop, "and we also sympathize with parents' frustration in placing their children in the right academic and social environments. We believe we offer a solution for all. This represents an incredible investment for us, in terms of these children and the community - but it's one we believe we must make."
While many of the private 766 special education schools have an annual per-student tuition cost ranging from $45-$70,000 (plus
transportation) Summit Academy's proven educational model addresses the specific academic and social needs of its student population for less than $30,000 per year, a tuition which would be among the lowest in Massachusetts for this type of school. Still, the process of getting districts to refer students and realize the benefits of the program takes time-so Summit Academy has made the decision to provide immediate aid to parents who need to enroll their children now.
In September, the Leominster School Committee voted unanimously to approve the school, and Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella has said, "The city of Leominster and surrounding communities are very fortunate to have this therapeutic and education program available, with such talented staff, to reach out to students with ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome and other related Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities. Rick Lavoie, internationally-recognized author and education lecturer is an advisor for Summit Academy schools, and led several professional training workshops for Summit Academy staff, including a conference last June at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass that drew 1,000 outside educators and counselors. Mr. Lavoie, a native of Central Massachusetts, said, "There are communities across this country who would give anything to have the type of service that Summit Academy offers for their kids."
Located in the heart if the scenic Doyle Conservation Area, Summit Academy has chosen to locate its first school in Central Massachusetts because parents, community service agencies and organizations have indicated that there is a critical need for high-quality, cost-effective, therapeutic education options. While no institution can meet 100 percent of a community's out-of-district special education needs, Summit Academy's therapeutic model addresses the needs of the students with these conditions. "We are definitely not trying to be everything to everyone," explains Debra Beauregard, M.Ed., Director of Special Education at Summit Academy Schools in Massachusetts. "Our mission is to a small percentage of the population with very specific needs."
Although Summit Academy-Leominster opened only last month, some Central Massachusetts school districts have already referred students to the school. Educators, professionals or parents who would like to know more about the program or enroll a student should contact Massachusetts Development Coordinator Beth Foley-Cox, M.A., L.M.F.T., at 978-466-8002.
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Family Wins Case In Autism Coverage
Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:05 pm (PST)
EDUCATION Family Wins Case In Autism Coverage Lawsuit Anthem Ordered To Cover Costs Of Autism Therapy http://www.my58.com/health/14735922/detail.html Like most mothers, Jill Tappert searched for treatment plans --anything that would help her daughter live as normal a life as possible. Today, Abby is quite capable of having a conversation at the lunch table. She even has an extensive dinosaur collection that she loves to lineup and name off. Her mother credits Abby's remarkable progress to a treatment plan called Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA. The only problem with the plan was it wasn't covered by their insurance company and it wasn't cheap. In fact, two years of treatment cost the family about $110,000. But, Jill Tappert didn't give up. She launched appeal after appeal and finally called in a lawyer. Last week, an arbiter sided with the Tapperts and awarded them$110,000. It was an important decision for the Tapperts and other families of autistic children across the U.S. "I do think it sets a precedent for some families, families that have a PPO policy with Anthem including other states. (They) will be able to look at the ruling and go Anthem's policy is flawed. ABA is the standard of care in treating autism," said Tappert. But, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield said not so fast. In a statement the company said: "This decision is not a broad-based declaration that ABA therapy is 'medically necessary' in all cases. To what extent this type of therapy should be covered...should be made by legislators and/or the division of insurance." The ruling's implication is still unknown but the Tapperts said it's a step in the right direction. Anthem said several insurance companies do not currently provide ABA coverage. They said if a family would like to make a claim for ABA coverage they will evaluate them on a case-by-case basis. Family Voices of Colorado helps families with the appeals and filing process. You can contact them at 1-800-881-8272 or via the Web atfamilyvoicesco.org
Original posting by Sudbury SEAC & Newtonpac
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Massachusettes Advocates for Children is seeking volunteers for two advocacy activities: 1) to help MAC respond to calls to our Helpline; and 2) to help a low income family by providing pro bono advocacy.
1) Helpline Volunteer: Calls to our Helpline from parents and professionals for information, support and referrals to help children with special needs have increased by 50% in the past year. We are looking for a volunteer advocate(s) to commit at least three to six hours per week to respond to some of these calls, which come from all over Massachusetts regarding many issues and disabilities. We provide information, including sample letters, and advice to help parents advocate for their children. We provide referrals to other agencies, paid advocates and attorneys and, for low income people, to in-house representation at MAC, other legal services organizations, or pro bono attorneys and advocates
A volunteer would be trained regarding our agency and how we manage calls and refer people. We would give you the caller’s name, number and why they’re calling, and you would return their call. Our advocates and attorneys would be available for consulting and mentoring as needed.
2) For pro bono cases, we would contact you when there is a case in your geographic area and in your interest/expertise area. You would let us know if you were able to consider taking a pro bono case at that time and what time commitment you could make.
Our office is located at 25 Kingston St, Boston, MA 02111. Please contact Leslie Lockhart, Helpline Coordinator, at 617-357-8431 ext 226 or llockhart@massadvocates.org.
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BSEA Information
The Bureau of Special Education Appeals will conduct information sessions for interested persons, especially for those who do or may appear at the BSEA. The information session is designed particularly for non-lawyers, parents, school district personnel, and public and private human services agency caseworkers since the sessions will address process more than "the law". But, anyone may attend and everyone is welcome. There is no charge for the sessions. The first session will be held on Wednesday October 31, 2007, followed by sessions on Tuesday February 5, 2008 and Tuesday May 6, 2008. Each session will cover the same basic information. Each session will consist of one mediator and one hearing officer, introduced by the Director or Assistant Director of BSEA. The mediator will discuss the nature of mediations, the hearing officer will discuss the nature of due process hearings. There will be time for questions. The sessions will be held at DOE, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA, in conference room 3A on the third floor, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. The capacity of the room is not more than fifty (50) people, therefore we must ask for pre-registration. Please email Sitthikay Phongsa at sphongsa@doe.mass.edu to sign up for any of the three sessions. Each session will be limited to the first fifty (50) registrants.