Articles include:

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. Guiding SPIN is our Advisory Committee: Ruth Akiona, Maggie Baxter, Mike Fahey, Amy Hogan, Laura Kealaiki, Steve Laracuente, Thalia Lehano, Donna McLanahan, Scott O'Brien, Christina Pilkington, Millie Rogers, Gurbachan Singh, Richele Thornburg & Lori Tokuhama.

SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd., # 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814

PHONE
586-8126
Enterprise 5270

FAX
586-8129

E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net

WEB
www.spinhawaii.org

FELIX TIMELINE EXTENDED

The Felix Consent Decree has been a six year court mandated series of efforts aimed at improving educational and mental health services for Hawaii public school students with special needs. In May Judge David Ezra found the State in contempt for failing to meet the deadlines set for full compliance.
At that point, the Felix lawsuit shifted from a consent decree to an order of the court. Judge Ezra stated that the State will do the following in stages:
Stage One (by 6/30/01):
Achieve substantial compliance in at least twenty-four school complexes
Have all needed services, resources and infrastructure in place to serve children
Guarantee that no Felix Class child goes without a needed service for more than 30 days
Stage Two (by 10/31/01):
Achieve quality, consistent performance in all school complexes and Family Guidance Centers
Stage Three (for 18 months following 12/31/01):
Maintain necessary services, personnel, and resources to stay in compliance
Guarantee consistency of services across the state.
In an August 9th hearing, Dr. Ivor Groves, the Court appointed Felix Monitor, credited the State with providing a lot more services to children. What is needed now is to make sure each service is a good match with the needs of the child. He sees future progress hinging on three critical core issues:

• Embracing a constructive attitude of engagement and problem solving with families
• Building on the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve quality practice, and
• Building capacity so that all complexes have the positions and expertise they need.

DOE KICKS OFF A NEW INFORMATION SYSTEM

One of the positive outcomes of the Felix Consent Decree is the creation of a new web-based information system. This system is targeted for students who are eligible to receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehab Act. It's called ISPED, which stands for Integrated Special Education.
ISPED uses state of the art technology to:

• Speed up the rate of providing services to students, and
• Improve student outcomes.

It does this by helping team members share knowledge and by helping to provide appropriate and effective services to the student.
ISPED was piloted this summer and is being started in all schools by September. Teachers and principals who have tried ISPED have seen a number of benefits over the old data collection systems.

Benefits of ISPED
Reduces paperwork. Data doesn't have to be entered twice. All documents created after September will be stored in the computer bank. There is no need for multiple copies in different locations.

Increases the ease and speed of transmitting information. Team members can look at documents from different locations. ISPED also allows them to communicate by e-mail.

Frees up more time to teach and plan for the student. By reducing paperwork ISPED gives teachers more time for classroom teaching and team planning.

Helps keep team members on track. The ISPED system leads members step by step through the 504 or special education process. It includes a tickler system to remind the user when a step is missed and what should happen next.

Makes it easier to track progress. Schools are able to better follow the path of a particular student's progress. They will also be able to see trends among groups of students. This information will be critical in planning for the future.

Improves security and confidentiality. The model for ISPED was borrowed from the banking industry. It is designed to protect the student's right to privacy.

*Questions & Answers about ISPED

Q. How does the ISPED system assure that a child's records are kept confidential?

A. For each student with an IEP or 504 Plan there is a list of designated team members with varying levels of security access. Only these team members will be able to access information in the student's folder. Data is centrally stored and documents are sent with a coded link to a file for viewing. To view the information, one must have a password. Once the viewer signs off, the information doesn't stay on the receiving computer.

Q. Will parents be given a password to access their child's ISPED electronic file?

A. Not in the near future. If parents want to review the information in their child's educational file, they should submit a written request to the school. The school will then arrange for a time and place to review the file within 30 days of the parent's request (see note). Information prior to this school year is still stored in paper files. New information can be viewed via computer screen by having a team member sit with the parent and access the ISPED data.

Note: The 30 day timeline for access to school records is part of Chapter 34. This Hawaii educational statute is patterned after the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act" or FERPA.

Q. Are IEP meetings going to be held around a computer screen?

A. In many instances, yes. Information about the student's present levels of performance and decisions made by the IEP team (about educational goals and objectives, related services, time to be spent in general education settings, etc.) will be entered into the database during the meeting. The advantage will be that all team members can receive a copy of the newly created IEP before they leave.

Q. Will information already be entered on the IEP before the meeting?

A. Yes. Some data will be on the draft IEP form to help start the discussion. ISPED has the ability to "import" data from other sources. So once student information is entered into the database (for instance, a student's identification number and school), that information will automatically be imported to future documents that require it. Data from recent evaluations will be imported into the Present Levels of Educational Performance (PLEP) section of the IEP. Of course, parents and other team members can edit or add to this information. The intent behind the "import" function of ISPED is to guarantee consistency and to reduce the need for duplicate paperwork.

If you have additional questions or concerns about ISPED, talk to your school principal or call SPIN.

MED-QUEST EXTENDS ITS COVERAGE TO MORE HAWAII CHILDREN

The Department of Human Services, Med-Quest Division is looking to offer health insurance coverage to as many as 4,500 additional children in Hawaii whose family income falls within 200% of the poverty level. That's roughly $3270 a month for a family of four.

In addition to the income restrictions, children must be Hawaii residents and under the age of 19. Those who qualify will receive medical, dental and mental health services at no cost. If your child or someone you know may be eligible for these services, call the numbers below for more information.

OSEP IS COMING TO TOWN

Last year we told you about a new and improved process for looking to see how well Hawaii is providing educational services to students with disabilities. It's called the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (CIMP).

The first step in the process was begun in August 1999 when Hawaii formed a Steering Committee that included teachers, principals, parents, advocates and agency representatives. Step Two-the Self-Assessment-followed with a careful review of present practices and policies to see what areas need improvement. The assessment also identified promising practices that should be reinforced.

Validation Planning
Now the third step, scheduled for mid-October, will bring a team from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in Washington, to take a closer look at Hawaii's Self-Assessment.
The OSEP team is especially interested in hearing from parents like you, along with teachers, students and other folks involved in special education. Once this input is gathered and validated through a series of school visits in December, OSEP plans to report its findings. These findings will help Hawaii to develop and implement an Improvement Plan.

Public Meetings
The OSEP public meetings are planned for October 16-19 (see the box for a tentative schedule). They are open to all stakeholders. Sites and times are still being arranged, but the structure of the forums is already set. The audience will be divided into those interested in early intervention services (ages 0-3) and those concerned with special education services (ages 3-20).

Targeted Questions
Then each large group will be divided into small groups to discuss specific questions. For the 3-20 group, these questions have to do with the major focus of Hawaii's Self-Assessment:
" Providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) with access to the general curriculum*
" Involving parents in the education of their children
" Providing effective general supervision of IDEA by the State, and
" Helping intermediate and high school students prepare for their transition to the adult world.
(Note: The general curriculum is the coursework and the educational opportunities offered to students without disabilities).
OSEP also wants feedback on two additional areas:
" Providing services that promote a high quality education
" Transitioning three-year olds into the special education system.

Parent Invitations
All parents of children receiving special education services should be receiving an invitation to attend one of these public meetings. If not, check with your school principal or call SPIN. SPIN plans to post the exact times and locations of the meetings on our website (www.spinhawaii.org) along with a copy of the invitation and registration form.

Share Your Views
These public meetings won't be effective without parent input. OSEP wants to hear your concerns along with what is working well for your child. Your voice can help to make the system work better for all of our students in Hawaii.

Tentative Schedule
October 16 ­ OAHU
October 17 ­ OAHU
October 18 ­ MAUI
October 18 ­ MOLOKAI
October 19 ­ BIG ISLAND
October 19 ­ KAUAI

BUDDY WALK

The Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress invites one and all to their 2nd Annual Buddy Walk to promote awareness and acceptance. The walk is planned for October 15th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Kakaako Beachfront Park. A potluck picnic and entertainment with Brickwood Galeteria and the Karaoke Kids will follow. Bring your own drinks and a dish to share. For more information call Elaine at 625-0118 or Connie at 949-1999.

DISABILITY ACCESS

If you missed the workshops on Chapter 56 at the SPIN Conference, they are being offered again at the 2000 Conference on Disability Access to be held September 26-27 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. There will also be an update on the Felix Consent Decree and dozens of other topics including assistive technology, employment, home access design and parking for persons with disabilities. Registration fees are $90 with lunches or $60 without. Parents and consumers can request a partial scholarship, but get those requests in right away!
For a conference brochure and more information call the Disability & Communication Access Board at 586-8121.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CONFERENCE

Special Olympics Hawaii will hold its 2000 Leadership Conference on September 16th & 17th for the athletes, coaches and families of Hawaii. There will be fantastic presenters for the four conference tracks:

1) Athlete Congress. Twenty athletes from around the State will come together to vote on issues that concern them and the Special Olympics movement.

2) Athlete Technology. Six athletes representing Hawaii will be trained in putting together a PowerPoint presentation. They in turn will train other athletes in this technology.

3) Families. This track is designed to help families learn more about Special Olympics and the community we live in.

4) Coaches. This track is designed to give additional coaching expertise to the coaching staff of Special Olympics Hawaii.

If you are interested in joining us for this two-day conference at the Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, please call Nip at 531-1888, ext. 23.

HAWAII'S FIRST SELF-DETERMINATION CONFERENCE (EVER!)

All of us want to live self-determined lives. We want the freedom to choose how we live our life and who we include in it. We want the power to control our own finances and follow our dreams.
Now, FINALLY, our society is honoring the wishes of people with developmental disabilities and their families to help create lives of their own choosing. Hawaii's Developmental Disabilities Division is welcoming one and all to Can Do: A Conference on Self-Determination to be held
November 16, 17 & 18 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The line-up of national experts and self-advocates is guaranteed to knock your socks off!
The State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities has been a major partner in bringing systems change to Hawaii. They are eager to sponsor parents and consumers for airfare and registration scholarships. You can call their office toll-free 586-8100 by using the following Neighbor Island access numbers: Big Island (974-4000), Kauai (274-3141), Maui (984-2400).
And call the UH Conference Center for registration information (956-8204).

kites

I see children as kites.
You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are both breathless.
They crash, they hit the rooftop.
You patch and you comfort,
You adjust and you teach.
You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they'll fly.
Finally they are airborne, and they need more string and you keep letting it out.
But with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy.
The kite becomes more distant and you know that it won't be long before that string will snap, and the lifeline that holds you together will no longer be the same.
A child, as a kite, must be prepared to soar, as they are meant to soar, free and alone, to the greatest extent possible.
And only then can we collectively say that we have done our job.
--Anonymous

Mahalo

to the wonderful folks at the Diamond
Head Life Skills Program for their
hard work and dedication in
putting together 25,000
copies of the Special
Edition SPIN News. You
are the best volunteers
on Oahu !

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE POLLS

The Mental Health Association in Hawaii (MHA) urges parents to become active advocates for mental health services by registering to vote and making your votes count. You must register by Monday, October 9th to vote in the General Election on November 7th.

The ANTIDOTE to Mental Health
Stigma and Discrimination
Now has a Name

The Vote
Become a member of the
Mental Health Voter
Empowerment Project.

Call MHA at 808-521-1846
to find our how to become part of this
national "awakening of a constituency."

MHVEP members will receive reminders
of election dates, educational opportunities
and mental health related legislative issues.
This is a nonpartisan project.

Quote

Remember, when it comes to
your child's future . . .
Anything is possible!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Sept. 16 Special Olympics 2000
& 17 Leadership Conference
Ilikai Hotel
Call 531-1888 or
e-mail: sohiarea@aol.com

Sept. 26 Disability Access Conference
& 27 Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Call 586-8121 or
e-mail: accesshi@aloha.net

Oct. 6 Early Childhood Conference
& 7 UH Campus Center
Call 942-4708 or
e-mail: Haeyc@aloha.net

Oct. 7 Annual Foster Care
Conference
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Call 263-0920 or
e-mail: hsfpa@lava.net

Oct. 9 Deadline to register to
vote in general election

Nov. 2 Autism 2000 Conference
& 3 by Future Horizons
Call 1-800-489-0727

Nov. 7 VOTE!

Nov. 16, Can Do: A Conference
17 & 18 on Self-Determination
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Call 956-8204 for regis-
tration information and
586-8100 for scholarships

Or Visit SPIN on the World Wide Web to get a look at all the conferences and workshops that are open to parents in the 2000-2001 www.spinhawaii.org