WESTFIELD – As the district continues to wait for guidance from the state on resources and expectations for remote learning for students with disabilities and English language learners, advocacy groups re sharing resources that are available right now.
Several suggestions came from parents in the Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
One said they found that the Autism Project at Boston Medical Center has a google doc at Autism Speaks that lists many resources for parents.
Another resource is Parents helping Parents at www.parentshelpingparents.org, which operates a parental stress line 24/7 at 800-632-8188. According to the description from the organization, “The current national health emergency is causing many parents anxiety. How do I protect my children? What do I tell them? Or simply, how do I keep them busy when there is no school? Parental stress line counselors are still there to listen to your concerns and problem-solve with you. 24-7, free and confidential.CALL: 800-632-8188.”
Another SEPAC parent leader suggested contacting Leslie M. Leslie, project director of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Leslie suggested directing parents to their website at fcsn.org which is updated daily to provide information and resources to families during school closures. She especially suggested reading the Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19. She said families may also follow the advocacy group on Facebook @fcsnfb.
“It is hard as we are trying not to overwhelm families, but still answer their questions. Families can also contact us directly by email/phone or best through the online form on the website,” Leslie said.
Leslie said the Federation, along with other advocacy groups, recently sent a letter to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to provide input on the impact to families of students whose access to special education services has been impacted by the school closure, and to advocate for equitable services for these students.
The text of the letter, sent on March 23, is on the fcsn.org website.
Westfield Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said he is also waiting for guidance from DESE.
“As the districts in the Commonwealth work together with a myriad of stakeholders to create and implement an alternative educational delivery system, we do look to DESE for their unwavering support in this unprecedented time,” Czaporowski said.
“Additionally, I believe it is DESE that will be able to uniformly address concerns such as time on learning while establishing protocols to address the school year calendar and the provision of direct instruction when schools reopen. It is DESE who all districts are looking to for well-defined expectations and clear direction on how to move forward,” he added.
