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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SPIN is co-sponsored by the
Disability & Communication Access Board and the Special Education
Section of the Department of Education. Services include a phone
line for information referral and support, a quarterly newsletter,
an annual conference and community workshops. SPIN is guided
by an Advisory Committee made up of parents, teachers and people
with disabilities.
SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd.,
# 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
PHONE
586-8126
Neighbor Islands dial the following exchange then 6-8126: Kauai
-274-3141; Hawai'i-974-4000; Maui-984-2400; Molokai & Lanai
- 1-800-468-4644
FAX
586-8129
E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net
WEB
www.spinhawaii.org
TWO
GREAT CONFERENCES
2004 Learning Disabilities,
ADHD and Teen Conferernce -
Waikiki Beach Marriott
This popular annual conference
has these goals:
© build awareness about dyslexia and other learning disabilities
© present current information and research about reading
and ADHD, and
© inspire, motivate and stimulate further discussion.
Dr. Larry Silver, child psychiatrist and noted author, and Dr.
G. Reid Lyon, research psychologist and national advisor, are
featured speakers. More information about the conference is available
from the Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii at 536-9684,
1-800-533-9684 or on their website: www.ldahawaii.org.
Pac Rim 2004: Promises to
Keep, Futures to Seek
- Sheraton Waikiki
Last year's Pac Rim Conference
drew close to a thousand participants, and this year's program
is a winner, too! Pac Rim's keynotes and workshops are organized
around five themes or strands:
™ inclusion in education and the community,
™ technology across the lifespan,
™ parent partnerships and family support,
™ life after high school, and
™ body, mind and spirit.
Registration fees are $160
for the two days, if you register by December 31st. There are
also a limited number of parent and consumer scholarships available,
but you'll need to act fast by calling Martha Guinan at 956-9810
or go to: www.pacrim.hawaii.edu.
MEDIATION
AND FACILITATION: TALKING THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES
The growing trend across the
country in resolving conflict is the use of mediation and other
processes that encourage cooperation. In a recent study by the
General Accounting Office (GAO), many states reported using mediation
and other strategies to resolve differences between schools and
parents of children with special needs. Hawaii's Department of
Education is keeping pace with this national trend by offering
mediation and faciliation options that can be used at any time
at no cost to the school or parents. Both options offer schools
and parents the opportunity to work through their differences
while focusing on the needs of the student.
What are mediation and facilitation?
Mediation is a voluntary process
in which a neutral person (a mediator) helps participants negotiate
and resolve their differences by meeting with the participants
in both joint and private confidential sessions
Facilitation is a structured
way to conduct an IEP meeting that helps participants talk through
their disagreements to come up with a program that benefits the
student.
(Mediation is less costly,
less stressful and faster than a due process hearing)
How does the process work?
Mediation and facilitation
require the assistance of a neutral third party-a mediator or
a facilitator. In Hawaii, once a school and parents agree to
use one of these processes, the mediators and facilitators are
randomly assigned to each case by the community mediation center
(see the box on page 3 for the list of centers). While both facilitators
and mediators avoid making any decisions or telling the participants
what to do, their roles are slightly different.
In mediation, the parties themselves
decide on the outcomes and all decision making is voluntary.
If an agreement is reached the mediator helps put the terms of
the agreement in writing. To insure compliance, all agreements
are faxed to the special education office for monitoring.
Mediators help parties:
ß get clear about what is important to them
ß understand each other's issues better
ß explore all options
ß come to agreements they can live with, and
ß create a helpful way of working together in the future.
Facilitation can occur even
earlier than mediation. In a facilitated IEP, the facilitator
talks to key participants (parents and school) in advance to
hear their concerns and identify desired outcomes of the IEP
meeting. Other duties include:
¸ creating an agenda that clearly defines the topics/issues
to address at the meeting,
¸ ensuring that the agenda items are addressed within the
agreed upon time frame, and
¸ helping the group listen to each other and reach agreements
for the benefits of the student.
When can mediation be used?
Although the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to offer mediation
when a request for due process hearing is made, mediation can
be offered at any time in Hawaii. In fact, parents and schools
are encouraged to use mediation as soon as there is a disagreement
that can't be resolved through informal discussion and negotiation.
The sooner differences are addressed in mediation, the more likely
the matter can be quickly resolved and positive working relationships
between school and parents restored and strengthened.
In Hawaii, parents and schools often wait until disagreements
escalate and then move directly to the hearing process, rather
than attempt mediation in the early stages of the disagreement.
In those instances, when mediation is ultimately offered as required
under IDEA, it is often declined because trust is lacking, lines
have been drawn and positions are hardened.
For example, between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002 a total of
forty requrests for mediation of special education issues were
made through the community mediation centers, but only nineteen
cases were actually mediated. In the other twenty-one cases,
either the school or the parents declined mediation and instead
opted to resolve the matter through a hearing or other means.
While accessing mediation early is ideal, it can work even after
a request for due process has been filed. The process generally
becomes more formal and structured with more private sessions
once there is a hearing pending. However, it is generally still
worth the time to work through the process and attempt to reach
a resolution. Even if an agreement isn't reached, the parties
can clarify the issues that will later be decided by a Hearings
Officer.
Why ask for mediation or
facilitation?
Conflict is a fact of life
and special education is fertile ground for conflict. Educators
and parents bring different perspectives and beliefs to the table
when they meet to discuss goals, objectives and educational plans
for a child. Mediation and facilitation provide new approaches
to these challenges.
Mark Twain once said, "If you do what you've always done,
you'll get what you've always got."
So, the next time team members disagree and can't seem to move
beyond the disagreement or reach a murally acceptable solution,
consider requesting a mediator or facilitator. With their help,
you and other team members will be able to express your views,
be heard, understood and ultimately agree on challenging issues
that impact the life of the child.
--by Tracey Wiltgen, Mediation
Center of the Pacific
Where to Find Mediation
and Facilitation?
On Oahu:
Mediation Center of the Pacific, 521-6767
On the Big Island:
East: Ku'ikahi Mediation Program, 935-7844
West: West Hawaii
Mediation Center, 885-5525
On Kauai:
KEO Mediation Program, 245-4077
On Maui, Molokai & Lanai:
Mediation Services of Maui, 244-5744
ARTS
EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific,
in partnership with the Department of Health Developmental Disabilities
Division and the Honolulu Academy of Arts (HAA) will award 10
arts education scholarships for classes offered at the HAA beginning
January 21, 2004.
Applicants must be in both the Department of Education and the
DOH Developmental Disabilities systems. They will also be selected
in the order in which they contact Patrick Norton at VSA arts
of Hawaii-Pacific, at 808-946-7300/V/TYY before Dec. 20, 2003.
Each student will be assigned a VSA arts ACCESS PASS Code to
sign up for a 12-week class.
VSA arts will assign an arts mentor to each student to act as
an arts education aide. Personal Assistants are expected to remain
on the premises to assist with personal needs.
Similar VSA arts education scholarship opportunities are being
arranged on Maui, Lanai, Kauai, Big Island and Molokai and will
be announced in the SPIN '04 February issue.
FOLLOW-UP
STUDY OF CHIDREN WITH HEARING LOSS IN HAWAII
More than 3 of every 1,000
babies born have a hearing loss. New technology (Newborn Hearing
Screening) permits the identification of possible hearing loss
within days of birth.
All hospitals in Hawai`i screen newborns' hearing. The Department
of Health keeps track to make sure all babies' hearing is screened,
and that babies with a possible hearing loss are referred for
an audiological evaluation.
But no one knows what happens to children born with hearing loss
as they get older and go through school. How many get early intervention
services before they are 3 years old? How many go to private
schools? How many are in Special Education, and for how long?
How many regularly wear hearing aids? How well can children with
hearing loss communicate with families and friends? Does it make
a difference how old the child was when his or her parents leanred
their child had a hearing loss?
The Department of Health is trying to answer questions like these
through Project EASI (Early Screening, Assessment and Intervention).
Project EASI is supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
When we learn more about the answers to these questions, we will
publish the results in this newsletter. Right now, we want to
talk with parents of children born between 1992 and 1998 with
a hearing loss. If parents (and older children) want to be in
the study, we will collect information from records at schools,
audiologists, etc. where the child received services. We may
provide evaluations if we can't find the information we need
in records. The more children we can include, the more accurate
our results will be.
If you have a child born between 1992 and 1998 with a hearing
loss, or if you know someone else who does, you can call Beppie
Shapiro, Project EASI Director, at 973-9644 to find out more
about Project EASI or volunteer to join.
SPIN
AWARDS
Every year, SPIN singles out
some key parents and professionals whose efforts make a positive
difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities
and their families in Hawaii. These outstanding individuals will
be honored at our '04 SPIN Conference, "Take a SPIN Through
Hollywood" on April 24, 2004.
We are asking for your help in identifying candidates for SPIN's
major awards:
*Parent of the Year
*Professional of the Year
*Family Choice Award
To request a nomination form, please call SPIN at 586-8126 or
e-mail accesshi@aloha.net.
We would like to hear about your "heros and heroines"
by March 3, 2004.
"WE
CARE" SUPPORT GROUP
The "We Care" Support
Group is a general group for any military family who has a spouse
or child enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).
Each month the focus is on a particular illness, disability,
or guest speakers, videos, and discussions. It's a good time
for families to let the EFMP Coordinator know what problems they
may be having with the hospital, housing, TRICARE, DOE schools
or other concerns.
The group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
and on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (same time) at the Fort
Shafter ACS Bldg. 330.
For more information call Janet Bamford at 655-2303.
PO`OHALA:
"To Carry on Family Virtues & Skills"
On October 24, 2003 at the
Third Annual Can-Do Conference, the Po`ohala Family Support Council
presented grant awards to two projects who will demonstrate unique
and innovative approaches to providing family support services
in Hawaii. Priority for these awards was given to family groups
whose project addressed the aging of caregivers, respite/social
recreation or consumer directed control and self-directed funding.
Big Island family members William Farr and Ellen Aoki received
a check for $2,562.00 for Po`ohala Kupunas. Their project will
try to identify caregivers who are 50 and above and help connect
them to community resources and supports. The project will also
develop a respite program for the caregivers as well as a mentorship
program for younger caregivers.
Honey Burns and Pam Haydon received an award of $14,880.00 to
carry out their project "Na `Ohana Ne'i Imua - "Families
Moving Forward". It will expand support for families by
training more people in the Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
process for individuals with developmental disabilities to include
the practice of self-determination and person-centered planning.
If you are interested in participating in these training efforts,
please contact Honey at (808) 965-7699 or Pam at (808) 328-2246.
The project will also produce a video sharing the lives of two
families in Hawaii who have used self-determination principles
in the development of the ISP.
******************
Many individuals with disabilities are
pursuing self-employment as a career option. Self-employment
offers more flexibility and celebration of unique strengths than
traditional employment. Another advantage is that profits can
be used to grow the business and provide long-term benefits to
its owners.
One private non-profit organization that is helping individuals
realize the dream of owning their own business is the Sea of
Dreams Foundation.
EMPLOYMENT DREAMS PERFECTED
(EDP)
On October 1, 2003 six participants
opened the door to abilities with their own retail business Second
Time Around Toys +(STAT +) Limited Liability Company (LLC) (page
7) at the Makaha Marketplace. This unique business offers the
community an opportunity to purchase refurbished and repackaged
toys below market prices.
The six individuals are working hard to build their inventory
with the support of Street Bikers United who pick up additional
used toys during their annual Toys for Tots drive on December
7. One of the most amazing things in this endeavor is that the
partners pushed to incorporate the 'plus' sign because they did
not want to limit themselves to only toys. Their dreams have
grown to include computerized products, crafts and other wholesale
items. In addition, they are working on consignment plans that
would allow them to share in the profits of local crafters.
The Kahuku counterpart, Sea Sun Things+ (page 7), is eagerly
producing handmade 'natural' products for their shop in Hauula.
The talented youth spend hours discovering the 'aina looking
for things that can be transformed into precious saleable products.
Glass has been fashioned into earrings, broken kukui nut shells
into chokers, and key chains are beautified by small shells.
Remarkable things can happen when folks reach for the stars!
One participant is gainfully employed since accessing the support
from the EDP program while several other participants are enrolled
at local community colleges.
For more information about the Sea of Dreams Foundation, Inc.,
please call 695-5877.
SPECIAL
EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEAC)
The Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state establish and maintain
an advisory panel for the purpose of advising the State special
education staff regarding the education of all eligible children
with disabilities. In Hawaii that advisory panel is the Special
Education Advisory Council.
The mission of SEAC is to guide and assist the Department of
Education in fulfilling its responsibility to meet the individual
needs of children with disabilities. IDEA requires the Council
to perform these functions:
* Comment publicly on DOE's
proposed rules and regulations
*Advise the DOE in developing
corrective action plans
*Advise the DOE in developing
evaluations and reporting on data to the U.S. DOE
*Monitor the implementation
of activities and timetablesrelating to consent decrees or court
orders
*Advise DOE in developing and
implementing policies relating to the coordination of services
for students with disabilities
*Advise the DOE of unmet needs
in the education of students with disabilities
*Advise on the education of
eligible students with disabilities who have been convicted as
adults and incarcerated in adult prisons.
SEAC is made up of a diverse
group of individuals with expertise on all aspects affecting
special education and related issues. The majority of members
are parents of children with disabilities or consumers, and each
school district is represented.
SEAC invites the public to participate. We want to hear your
success stories and the issues that concern you. Feel free to
write, call or visit. Our meetings are held at the Library of
the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and the Blind (3440 Leahi Avenue
in Honolulu) and are open to the public. You may receive minutes
of our meetings by contacting us, or you may view them electronically
on the SPIN website: www.spinhawaii.org/sap/
Have
you faced a closed door? Fair Housing: It's not an option! It's
the law!
Fair Housing is one of the
most basic civil rights that people have. Federal and state laws
protect people from being discriminated against on the basis
of race, national origin, religion, sex, family status, disability,
age, marital status, HIV infection and the use of service animals
If you, or someone you know, may have been discriminated against
in any housing related trans-action, call the Legal Aid Society
of Hawai'i Fair Housing Enforcement Program. They can take initial
complaints, give advice, provide information and help to file
a complaint. There are no income requirements and the services
are free of charge.
For moreinformation, call the Fair Housing Enforcement Program
at 527-8024, or from the Neighbor Islands, 1-866-527-FAIR.
PROJECT
TACT
(Teaching All ChildrenTogether)
The Center on Disability Studies
(CDS) at the University of Hawaii has just received an $800,000
grant to train educators to teach children with disabilities
together with typical children-- in general education classrooms
using the general education curriculum. One of the reasons that
the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) funded this grant
is that Hawai'i educates children with disabilities in regular
classrooms a smaller percentage of their school day than most
other states.
The four year grant will provide training and stipends to 75
educators. Courses begin in the Spring of 2003. For more information,
call Jean Johnson, Project Director, at 956-2653, or e-mail her
at jeanj@hawaii.edu.
HANG
ON TO THESE DATES
12/11 Deaf Santa Day
Pearlridge Shopping Center
9:30-1:00 p.m. Contact Doreen at 733-4999
AWARE Workshops
12/10 Section 504 (Hilo) - Call Phyllis at 968-7544
12/13 Development of the IEP (Kahuku) - Sarah at 293-4262 or
LDAH at 536-9684 x26
1/7 & IDEA/Chapter 56 (Keaau)
1/14 Call Phyllis at 968-7544
2/13 & '04 Pacific Basin Learning Disability & ADHD Teen
Conference
14 Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, Call HIDA at 538-7007 or LDAH
at 536-9684
EFMP & AWARE IEP Workshop
Series
3/2-4 Schofield
3/9-11 Fort Shafter ACS, Bldg. 330 Call 655-2303
3/29 PAC Rim Conference on
Disabilities 2004
& 30 Sheraton Waikiki, www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/ 956-9810 or
cds@hawaii.edu
4/24 '04 SPIN Conference "Take
a SPIN Through Hollywood"
UH Campus Center, Contact SPIN
