Pathfinder Journeys - The Pathfinder Newsletter
News & Resources for North Dakota Parents, Youth, & Professionals | 
Pathfinder News
The ABCs of IEPs
The ABCs of IEPs

Are you a parent of a school-aged student who is currently on an IEP? Do you have a pre-K student who is or may be on an IEP upon entering elementary school?

The Minot A.F.B. School Liaison Office and EFMP Family Support have coordinated with Pathfinder Services of North Dakota to conduct an IEP info session. The Pathfinder team of specialists will give an overview of IEP basics such as timelines, responsibilities of team members, and guidance on building and maintaining strong partnerships. Plan to leave the session with an understanding of the IEP process and a handful of resources and contact information for agencies here to support your child's education.

Where
Lil' Riders Event Room at Bomber Bistro
Minot Air Force Base, ND

When
January 15 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 

This event is open to Minot A.F.B. parents of Pre-K through 12th-grade students. 

For more information, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 723-3950 or the School Liaison Office at 723-1447. More information is at: 
Life Launch
Life Launch: Keeping it Together

We are excited to present a new series of workshops free of charge for Youth with learning differences and their families. We think they will be both valuable and fun. The goals of these workshops are to empower, excite, and gain knowledge through self-discovery. The workshops are entitled Keeping it Together, The Road to Transition, The Road to Independence, The Road to a good Life, and The Road to employment. Through this series youth will discover how to be more independent and self-advocate. 

We will kick off this series with Keeping it Together! This will be an interactive workshop where youth will receive an Accordion File Folder that will help keep them organized and give them useful resources. We will be going through each section of the folder and explaining the resources and the need for basic organizational skills. The workshop will be short (30 minutes - 1 hour) and take place at Pathfinder Services of ND. We are excited to meet youth and their families around the area. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Please join us for this exciting new series!

Where
Pathfinder Services of ND
1015 South Broadway (Town & Country Center)
Suite 16
Minot, ND 

When
January 29 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

This event is open to Minot A.F.B. parents of Pre-K through 12th-grade students. 

To attend you must register before the event. Register here: https://forms.gle/gGZx28nsykukkfZMA

For more information: youth@pathfinder-nd.org
January
2020
In This Issue
Quick Links
 Resource Focus
Dispute Resolution in North Dakota_ Using the ND State Written Complaint Process to Resolve Disputes
Dispute Resolution in North Dakota: Using the ND State Written Complaint Process to Resolve Disputes
Pathfinder Services of ND

This brochure will assist parents in helping their children with special needs in the State complaint process to resolve disputes.
Experienced Parent Program logo
Would you like support through the early intervention process?

Follow the link below to get support or to refer a parent to the program.
North Dakota News
Parents Lead logo
Parents Lead

Parents Lead is a collaboration between the ND Department of Human Services, ND Department of Transportation, and ND University System. Its mission is to support parents in promoting the behavioral health of their children.  

Behavioral health is defined as a state of mental/emotional being and/or choices and actions that affect wellness. Put simply, it's our health and well-being. You play a powerful role in supporting the behavioral health of your children. By providing a safe and supportive environment that promotes health and well-being, your children can be led down a path where they can grow, learn, and thrive. 

Parents Lead is an evidence-based prevention program that provides parents and caregivers with a wide variety of tools and resources to support them in creating a safe environment for their children that promotes behavioral health.

Visit the website at: http://www.parentslead.org/

Early Childhood
Mother with baby
Autism Checklist: Babies & Preschoolers (Birth to age 5)

When your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there's a lot to learn. You're faced with new terms like "early intervention" and "positive behavior support." It's normal to feel overwhelmed. 

But don't worry - you're not alone. Many parents have walked this path before. Many resources and support services are available to you. This 7-step checklist from KidsHealth can help you find the best path forward.


 Elementary Students
Girl playing piano
How to Help Your Child Set a New Year's Goal-and Stick With It

Ideally, New Year's resolutions teach kids how to set and work steadily toward goals. That can be especially valuable for those who have learning and thinking differences. But your child may need some help creating meaningful goals she'll be able to stick with.  

In this article from Understood, find out why making New Year's resolutions can be important for kids with learning and attention issues, and how to help kids set goals they can keep. 

Read the article at: 

  Youth & Young Adults
Self-Advocacy Online site
Self-Advocacy Online

Self-Advocacy Online is a place to find accessible information on current topics in self-advocacy. On this site you can find self-advocacy groups, view stories from self-advocates, and learn about self-advocacy.

Visit the website at: http://www.selfadvocacyonline.org/

  Training Opportunities & Upcoming Events

Event
When
Where
Cost
Link
How to Help Your Child With Self-Advocacy (Understood Expert Chat)
Jan 6
11:00 am		Online
FreeMore Info
Parents Matter Session 2
Jan 8
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm		Zoom
FreeMore Info
Basic Beginnings - (Where are the Instructions?) Part 1 (NDSU EXt. Ward Co.)
Jan 14
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm		Administration Building
225 3rd St SE, Ste 123
Minot, ND
FreeMore Info
Living on Your Own Series : Part 3: Taking Care of Meal Planning - Technology for Grocery Shopping, Cooking, and More (PACER Webinar)
Jan 15
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm		Online
FreeMore Info
The ABCs of IEPs (Minot AFB School Liaison/EFMP Family Support/Pathfinder)
Jan 15
11:30 am - 1:00 pm		Bomber Bistro (Lil' Riders Event Room)
241 Peacekeeper Pl #202
Minot AFB, ND
FreeMore Info
Basic Beginnings - (Where are the Instructions?) Part 2 (NDSU EXt. Ward Co.)
Jan 21
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm		Administration Building
225 3rd St SE, Ste 123
Minot, ND
FreeMore Info
Parents Matter Session 3
Jan 22
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm		Zoom
FreeMore Info
Basic Beginnings - (Where are the Instructions?) Part 3 (NDSU EXt. Ward Co.)
Jan 28
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm		Administration Building
225 3rd St SE, Ste 123
Minot, ND
FreeMore Info
FERPA - The Federal Education Rights Privacy Act - What Parents Need to Know (Military Child Education Coalition Webinar)
Jan 28
11:00 am to 12:00 pm		Online
FreeMore Info
Life Launch: Keeping it Together (Pathfinder Workshop)
Jan 29
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm		Pathfinder Services of ND
1015 S Broadway, Suite 16
Minot, ND
FreeMore Info
504s/IEPs and Military Connected Students (Military Child Education Coalition Webinar)
Jan 29
11:00 am to 12:00 pm		Online
FreeMore Info

All listed times are in Central Time.
Pathfinder Services of ND 
701-837-7500 | info@pathfinder-nd.org | http://pathfinder-nd.org
Town & Country Center, 1015 S. Broadway, Suite 16
Minot, ND 58701

The contents of this newsletter were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M110021. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.