The annual OSEP Leadership and Project Directors' Conference allows special educators, researchers, state administrators, parent centers, technical assistance centers, and US Department of Education staff to connect and share knowledge to better serve students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act.
The 2023 conference was hosted in person
from July 24th to July 26th in Arlington, Virginia. Check out the 2023 conference playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOEcbgBUbdMeLAuFu-MTuMvIzFRAwx88N&si=t1z05_h9adJt3s_m
2023 Impact Panel and Tribute to Judy Heumann
David Cantrell, Deputy Director, OSEP, introduced this panel of young adults and associated with the NE-PACT Region A Youth Leadership Council (YLC).
Panelists included:
- Nathan Markley, Information Technology Specialist, RIPIN
- Emily Ball, Youth Educator, CPAC
- Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator, MPF
- Julio Vega, Lead Youth Mentor, HUNE.
The panel was moderated by Johan Mora Valverde, SPAN Youth Engagement Coordinator.
The panelists discussed the challenges of living with a disability and how it has affected them, their role in their parent centers, and how being a member of the YLC has benefited them.
The panel received a standing ovation and recognition from OSEP Director Valerie C. Williams. The panelists would like to recognize the incredible support they received from Carmen Sanchez, Project Officer, OSEP Education Program Specialist, and Dawn Monaco, Youth Engagement Program Director, SPAN.
Watch the video here:
2023 Policy Panel
Several SPAN staff attended the OSEP Leadership and Project Directors' Conference in Washington, DC. One of them, Diana Autin, participated in a Policy Panel during the event.
This session will feature knowledgeable experts on special education policy. The panelists will share their organizations’ perspectives about the current policy decisions being debated and made on Capitol Hill that affect children with disabilities.
Moderator: Shannon O’Neill, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Presenters: Sharon Walsh, Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy)
Kuna Tavalin, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Diana Autin, National Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment (National PLACE)
Find the video here:
Comments