Upcoming Trainings

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:

Some children may need extra help in school through special education. Special education is for children who have a disability. Schools must follow federal and state laws to decide if a child is eligible for special education. This module in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Mini Modules Series covers some of the basics of special education: federal and state laws, the definition of important terms (special education, free appropriate public education, least restrictive environment, individualized education program), eligibility, and the special education timeline.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to identify some special education-related laws.

Participants will be able to describe some special education terms and timelines.

Participants will be able to explain how disabilities and needs relate to eligibility.

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.

Description:

Thinking about Supported Decision-Making (SDM) explores the things that families need to know about decision-making supports in Wisconsin for adults with disabilities, including SDM agreements, guardianship, and other legal tools like a Power of Attorney (POA) and Release of Information forms. This session is helpful for families with children ages 14 and older, and the providers and educators who work with them.

Presenter:

Danielle Tolzmann joined Family Voices of Wisconsin in 2022 and became Executive Director in 2024. A parent and grandparent of children with special health care needs, she brings lived experience and professional expertise. Danielle holds degrees and certificates in Community and Nonprofit Leadership, Disability Rights and Services, Public Policy, Business, and Nonprofit Management. She has served in leadership roles with the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin and continues to contribute through the Wisconsin Community of Practice on ASD /DD, Survival Coalition, CLTS Council, Respite Care Association of Wi, the National Council for Supporting Families, and the Wi Transportation Advisory Council, in addition to having consulting roles in community research projects. At Family Voices, her work centers on empowering families as they navigate systems, advancing collaborative improvements, and fostering parent leadership.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about legal status changes when a person turns 18

Learn about SDM agreements and how they can be used starting at age 18

Gain a better understanding of myths of guardianship and possible unintended consequences Explore decision-making and choice-making as a learned skills and how to work with your child to gain these skills

Description:

Family engagement and participation in decision-making is essential to school improvement and student achievement. 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 1 and 2 explain types of decision-making groups and offer suggestions on how to effectively participate to make a difference on issues that are important to you.

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 shared decision making, why it’s important, and how to fully participate in that process within a group.

Learn about tools for selecting groups that best fit their interests and time available.

Learn about the functions of 6 different types of groups and the roles of their members.

Description:

The Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS) provides free dispute resolution services for parents of children with disabilities and schools in Wisconsin.  This workshop will cover the various services provided by WSEMS and how to access these services.  This is an overview training with time for questions!

Learning Objectives:

Parents of children with disabilities will learn how WSEMS can help when disputes arise with their schools

Educators will learn how WSEMS can help when disputes arise with parents regarding special education

All participants will learn how to access and use the services provided by WSEMS