I Have Questions
We are available to help with your questions and concerns regarding special education.
Please call our Help Desk Specialists at
414-374-4645 or 877-374-0511
I Need Resources
One of our most important tasks is directing you to high-quality resources on topics related to disability and special education.
I Need Training
You can view our upcoming and previous online trainings regarding special education topics.
Upcoming Trainings
October
07oct12:00 pm1:00 pmBuilding Your Child's Advocacy Skills12:00 pm - 1:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Event Details
Description: Advocacy is important for everyone, but for people who have a disability it become a life skill. It is important to start with teaching children who have a disability,
Event Details
Description:
Advocacy is important for everyone, but for people who have a disability it become a life skill. It is important to start with teaching children who have a disability, how to speak up for themselves, this is advocacy. Join someone who have cerebral palsy and use a communication device, he will tell you his story and how to help children with disabilities to advocate for themselves.
Presenter:
Mike Hipple is a young professional who has a disability. He is in the field of assistive technology and special education. He has been using a communication device for 30 years. He founded Wisconsin Augmentative Alternative Communication AAC Network. The network mission is to bring Wisconsin state holders for AAC together to have and one voice and to share the knowledge that we have. He enjoy going to conferences and seminars to network with other professionals. He also enjoy helping families and students who have a disability to impower them. He enjoy watching baseball all year long, watching the news, watching police officer shows, and listening to books.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar you will know:
Why advocacy skills are essential for children who have a disability
How to help your child to advocate for what they need in the community and at school
Have tools to support you and your child on this journey
Time
08oct12:00 pm1:00 pmServing on Groups: Tools and Tips (Sections 4 & 5)12:00 pm - 1:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Event Details
Description: Learning how to effectively communicate your viewpoint will help you to make a difference in your children’s education as well as in your community. Serving on Groups is a nationally
Event Details
Description:
Learning how to effectively communicate your viewpoint will help you to make a difference in your children’s education as well as in your community. Serving on Groups is a nationally recognized leadership tool that empowers family members to actively and fully participate in decision-making groups, such as their child’s IEP team, school advisory council or other government councils. Sections 4 and 5 will go over helpful tools, tips, and strategies often used by decision makers to improve communication and collaboration to help the group work together better.
Presenter:
Jan Serak is the Director of Serak Consulting Services, LLC, where she provides board training, interim nonprofit management, curriculum development, and related services to nonprofit organizations. Before retiring, she was the founder and CEO of WI FACETS and a founder and Parent Partner of the Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System. Jan has held extensive leadership and advisory roles with state and national organizations focused on education, disability advocacy, and dispute resolution, including the National PLACE, Autism Society, and the National Center for Deaf-Blindness. She earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Dispute Resolution from Marquette University. She is the parent of two adult sons, one of whom has autism.
Learning Objectives:
Learn about tools groups can use, such as facilitation, agendas, minutes and ground rules, to run more efficient and effective meetings.
Learn about specific strategies for improving group dynamics.
Learn ways to improve two-way communication and the importance of culturally responsive practices.
Time
Event Details
El proceso del Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP) incluye procedimientos de evaluación descritos en las leyes federales y estatales que una escuela debe seguir, para determinar si un niño es
Event Details
El proceso del Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP) incluye procedimientos de evaluación descritos en las leyes federales y estatales que una escuela debe seguir, para determinar si un niño es elegible para recibir ayuda adicional a través de la educación especial. Este módulo de la Serie de Mini Módulos del Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP) incluye procedimientos relacionados con: el aviso de evaluación, el consentimiento de los padres, la evaluación y las pruebas, la lista de verificación de elegibilidad, la extensión del tiempo de evaluación, la determinación de si el niño tiene discapacidad y necesita educación especial y servicios relacionados, el informe de evaluación y la línea de tiempo en educación especial.
Presentadora: Nathaly Silva
Nathaly Silva especialista bilingüe en WI FACETS. Soy mama de un niño con una discapacidad, él tiene Autismo y es no verbal y se lo difícil que puede ser navegar la educación especial por eso pienso que aprender lo más que se pueda sobre la condición de sus hijos y sobre la educación especial puede ayudar mucho para ser un mejor defensor de sus hijos
Objetivos de Aprendizaje:
Los participantes podrán describir la línea de tiempo del proceso de evaluación y determinación de elegibilidad.
Los participantes podrán identificar las partes clave del proceso de evaluación.
Los participantes podrán explicar el informe de evaluación y cómo se determina la elegibilidad.
Time
Event Details
This webinar has been pre-recorded. We will not have the ability to take questions during this webinar. If you have any questions about the webinar or your individual special education
Event Details
This webinar has been pre-recorded. We will not have the ability to take questions during this webinar. If you have any questions about the webinar or your individual special education journey, please call our office at (414) 374-4645.
Description:
A reevaluation to see if a child continues to be a child with a disability with special education and related services needs is required by law at least every three years. This module of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Mini Modules Series includes: when a reevaluation is required, other times someone could request a reevaluation, parent consent, and the independent educational evaluation (what it is, why ask for one, how it works).
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to discuss when reevaluations must or can be done.
Participants will be able to describe the reevaluation process.
Participants will be able to understand basics about the independent educational evaluation process.
Presenter:
Ann Zielke is the Parent Training and Information Center Trainer for WI FACETS. As a parent who understands firsthand the complexity of navigating the special education system in Wisconsin, she is passionate about the importance of accessible and informative parent education and training. She is a fierce advocate for her daughter and all children with disabilities and she looks forward to serving families across the state with WI FACETS.
Time
Event Details
Description: This workshop builds on a foundational understanding of neurodivergence and twice-exceptionality (2e) by centering strengths, support needs, and effective advocacy. Parents and professionals will explore how to identify and communicate a learner’s
Event Details
Description:
This workshop builds on a foundational understanding of neurodivergence and twice-exceptionality (2e) by centering strengths, support needs, and effective advocacy. Parents and professionals will explore how to identify and communicate a learner’s whole profile, including strengths, challenges, and contextual needs, in ways that foster collaboration rather than conflict. The session introduces tools to distinguish between strengths, support needs, and environmental mismatches, reducing blame and power struggles. Attendees will leave with practical, neuro-affirming language and strategies to support 2e and asynchronously developing learners through informed, strengths-based advocacy.
Presenter:
Teresa Nair is the Parent Community & Services Program Manager at REEL (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner), a nonprofit supporting twice-exceptional and neurodivergent learners and their families. She holds a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) in Cognitive Diversity in Education and a Certificate in Twice-Exceptional Education from Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity. With over 20 years of experience across education, business, and community leadership, Teresa designs and facilitates neuro-affirming workshops and trainings grounded in research, lived experience, and compassion as a neurodivergent individual and parent.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will: Identify core strengths and support needs common among neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners, and understand how these can vary across settings and over time. Apply neuro-affirming frameworks and language to advocate effectively for appropriate supports, accommodations, and understanding in educational and community contexts.
For parents and caregivers: Develop greater confidence and clarity in describing their child’s profile and partnering with educators and professionals to support their child’s growth and well-being.
