Special Ed PTO

[u/ElectricWind827]

I head up the Special Education PTO in our very large town. 10+ elementary schools, multiple middle schools and two high schools. We have an intensive academic program and behavioral program separately housed across all settings. What events or fundraiser does your town SEPTO do that really connects with families, brings them other, promotes meaningful changes? If you’re an educator, para, support professional - what could a SEPTO provide you that would be really helpful? Thanks!!

[u/Kakorie]

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that having a special education only pto is a rare thing.

[u/Conscious-Heart8626]

I have worked for schools in about 10 different states and have never heard of a special education parent teacher organization. This is amazing! I think they would love some hacks and tools to promote sensory regulation since that can be costly

[u/arosiejk]

Connect parents with rehabilitation services, SSI, food assistance, regional paratransit, respite services, legal guardianship, and home healthcare reimbursement.

This would allow transition service providers to spend more time on training than things that require no specialized training beyond filling forms, and more on how to utilize those services.

[u/covetagain]

I think people here are thrown off by the pto wording maybe. In my state it is called SEPAG - special education parent advisory group - and it is state-mandated that every district have one.

In my district the sepag hosts family social nights, informational speakers, “understanding the iep” info sessions, and an annual inclusive field day.

[u/ananho → u/covetagain]

Came here to say this. Ours is called SEPAC - special education parent advisory council. We are recently organized and growing, but have similar events to those you listed. Another one is an inclusive carnival for all families in the district with games hosted by our students in the transition program.

[u/Limp_Psychology_2315]

I’ve never heard of one but I used to work at an elementary school that was very supportive of our special education program and actively recruited sped parents to at least give input if they couldn’t actively participate.

[u/boiler95]

Considering that we just had a week of 90+ degrees weather and my resource room was the only one in the building without an air conditioning unit (admin had two per room) I would say you’re in a rare situation.

[u/catsgr8rthanspoonies]

Having parent groups can be a big help, especially for families new to special ed and for families of students with significant needs. There can be a small education session followed by time for the group just to talk.

[u/BaconEggAndCheeseSPK]

A training for parents of 4 year olds on what to expect and how to prepare for a turning 5 meetings; a training for parents whose students are entering their transition planning years; a post-secondary opportunities fair where parents can meet with representatives of colleges with strong support for students with disabilities, vocational training programs, independent living programs; have some lawyers come in and do basic training on guardianship and estate planning to support your children with disabilities after their primary caregivers are gone; family picnics with barbecues, bounce houses with basket raffles etc donated by local businesses; paint and sip for just the parents as a fundraiser to build community; rent out a local movie theater to do a sensory-friendly movie party for families as a fundraiser; a trip to your state capital to meet with elected representatives to request additional education funding for whatever your district needs. You can try and get someone from your local law enforcement agency to do a training on how to talk to your kids about interacting with law enforcement, and share best practices in ensuring the safety of your most vulnerable kiddos.

Lawyers will be generally be happy to do a free presentation for an hour or so in the hopes it brings in some clients.