OCECD has a long and proud history of sharing helpful, reliable information with parents, families, and professionals. One of our most consistent efforts in doing so has been our quarterly newsletter. OCECD has been publishing its newsletter for more than 40 years. During that time, we have covered timely and important topics. We've grown and adapted alongside the changing times, from printing newsletters in-house and mailing them out, to now primarily distributing them digitally through eblast and online posts. We still mail print copies upon request, but the world of information sharing has changed and so must we.

Now, we’re taking the next step into the future.

Based on thoughtful feedback from our readers and an in-depth review of usage data, we’ve learned that people access information in new and varied ways. Many prefer shorter, more digestible formats, while others still appreciate the ability to dive deep into topics with comprehensive resources. What everyone values, though, remains the same: high-quality, trustworthy content from OCECD.

So, we’re excited to announce that we’re transitioning from our traditional newsletter to a new format: digital postcards!

These digital postcards will meet the needs of diverse learners by offering brief, easy-to-read information on important topics, while still providing links for those who want to explore further. They’re a flexible and accessible way to stay informed, and they support our continued purpose to educate, inform, and empower.

OCECD’s digital postcards will be published bimonthly, six times a year. Our first edition will be released in late fall 2025, so be sure to watch for it!

In the meantime, we’ll be using our final two newsletters to reflect on the journey we’ve taken. We’ll revisit some of our most requested, most read, and most relevant issues over the years. OCECD has provided great content and resources, including the topics of behavior, truancy, reading, and advocacy that many parents, families, caregivers, and professionals have found useful.

Join us as we look back, celebrate what we’ve accomplished, and prepare for what’s ahead.

PBIS was introduced in the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). PBIS is the only approach addressing behavior that is specifically written in IDEA. Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports still remains in the 2004 amended version of the law, which is the most current.

OCECD Newsletter July-Sept 2016

Nothing can be more stressful for a parent than to get repeated calls from their child’s school requesting that they must come and pick up their child due to behaviors that are out of control. Many parents are also frustrated due to the school’s use of repeated punishments that have not resulted in behavior changes. The challenge for both parents and educators is to work together to find new ways of understanding the interactions between a child and his or her school environment so that useful interventions can be developed that lead to lasting behavior change. The focus of this newsletter will be to provide information for parents about the strategies schools may use to help children learn appropriate behavioral skills.

PBIS is the only approach to addressing behavior that is specifically mentioned in IDEA. IDEA requires the IEP team to consider the use of PBIS for any student whose behavior impedes their learning, or the learning of others. The IEP team also should consider the use of a functional behavior assessment [FBA] when appropriate, to address any behavior that results in repeated or long term removal. The focus of PBIS is prevention.

OCECD Newsletter April-June 2020

Behavior, Part 1

In the first newsletter in our behavior series we discuss behavior and discipline, including information about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and setting concrete goals and objectives related to behavior in the IEP.

OCECD Newsletter Fall 2023

Behavior, Part 2

Welcome to OCECD’s Winter 2024 newsletter! In the second newsletter in this series, we continued with a discussion about discipline related to violations of student code of conduct due to inappropriate behavior, which includes suspension, expulsion, and emergency removal, and important information about the Manifestation Determination Review.

OCECD Newsletter Winter 2024

Behavior, Part 3

Welcome to OCECD’s Spring 2024 newsletter! This newsletter is the final installment in our 3-part series on the topic of behavior. The third newsletter in this series, presented here, finishes the conversation with an important discussion about informal removals, Ohio behavioral health services, Ohio’s current funding for student wellness and success, and information about behavior toolkits and assessments.

Welcome to our newsletter on truancy. In Ohio, a student is now considered truant if they are absent without a legitimate excuse for 30 or more consecutive hours, 42 or more hours in one school month, or 72 or more hours in one school year. This edition covers a range of topics related to truancy, including the requirements of House Bill 410, truancy concerns that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of communication in preventing truancy. We also explore how chronic illness can affect attendance, as well as guidelines for excused and unexcused absences, family vacations, and suspensions. Additional topics include tips for minimizing truancy and knowing when to ask for help. Throughout the newsletter, you'll find links to helpful resources—just click the title of each article to learn more.

OCECD Newsletter Jan-March 2021

We know from the research that families want to help their children in reading, but often lack the knowledge and resources to do this. In this newsletter, we’ve highlighted valuable content for families to review and use, starting with babies and on through adolescent years. Many resources are also shown at the end of the newsletter. We’re hoping this newsletter has the information you need to support your child’s reading experience.

OCECD Newsletter Oct-Dec 2020

OCECD, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office for Exceptional Children, has a phenomenal website that provides reading tips, ideas, and resources for Ohio’s families. Be sure to check out this website, Reading Tips for Families!

To be an effective advocate for our children with disabilities, we need to know the laws that were written to help them, as well as provide the necessary protection. By helping families to be knowledgeable concerning the laws and understanding how they can support children with disabilities, we can better advocate for more services and supports in our schools and communities.

OCECD Newsletter July - Sept 2018

OCECD also produced a helpful tip sheet on this topic, Advocacy Tips for Parents. Be sure to check out this additional informative resource!

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We appreciate your taking the time to look back at our content and reflect on the various topics covered. A large majority of our newsletters are up on our website now (all the way back to 1999!), so be sure to peruse them for more learning at your leisure. We’ll see you for our Summer 2025 issue, which will be our final newsletter.

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)

125 Executive Drive, Suite 200

Marion, Ohio 43302

844-382-5452

www.ocecd.org