Tricia Ellinger described the feelings of being in a boat, drifting among two oceans, and getting dashed among the shores where you just don't even know where to go. 

She went on to say, "We have a boat in the Atlantic Ocean, not that the Atlantic Ocean is good or bad. It just is that you have a boat and not a very large boat in this world. And then you have another year, same boat has to go all the way around to the Pacific Ocean to gain access to services in another ocean.

And that doesn't even include what I call Canada who is a neutral, pretty neutral country, but it's distant from my oceans.  And they have border guards. So you can enter public education under certain circumstances and the border guards are doing some checking to allow you to be able to do that."

Learn more from our conversation and changes you can create. You can watch the replay of our live show here. 

What changes can happen so children & adults can have fuller lives?

1. Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities systems can begin working more closely.  They can ensure both systems understand the language used
within each system.

2. Cross training between mental health workers, educators, developmental disability workers, advocates, families, private therapists and law enforcement would result in an increase in appropriate support for individuals.

3. Families need to know there are other options rather than legally abandon their children in order to get services. 

4. Have more staff and families trained in Collaborative & Proactive Solutions from Dr. Ross Green.

5. Parents can to continue to advocate for their children and network with others.

6. Families need to share their passion for their kids, and their hopes and  dreams with people, agencies, and departments.

7. Alternatives to restraint and seclusion need to be used.
 

Thurs. Sept. 17, 2020 How to Have More Influence at IEP Meetings