Districts run one family engagement survey a year and call it listening. Family and community engagement offices are under real pressure to show that parents are involved — sign-in sheets, attendance at family nights, survey response rates. But a form filled out once a year rarely tells a district which families feel like partners in their child's education, and which feel like they're being managed. At Educo Research, we help school districts move past participation counts to ask: → Which families are showing up, and which are being missed — by language, schedule, or trust → What parents say they need to be real partners, not just consulted after decisions are made → Whether engagement efforts are changing outcomes for kids, not just attendance sheets A packed cafeteria at back-to-school night is not the same as a district that's earned a family's trust. If your district or campus is ready to evaluate family engagement as more than a compliance metric — let's talk. #FamilyEngagement #K12Education #SchoolCommunityPartnership #EducationEquity #EducoResearch #HoustonEducation

Youth engagement is the cornerstone of developing effective programming for adolescents, yet many youth-serving professionals struggle to authentically collaborate with youth. Child Trends’ resource aims to address this challenge by providing frontline facilitators and other youth-supporting professionals with a practical framework for understanding youth engagement and a series of related case studies. https://lnkd.in/e5jtskTg

Back-to-school brings new classrooms, routines and expectations. For students with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), these transitions may require additional planning, consistency and support. The Support4PWS Back-to-School Toolkit includes downloadable social graphics, banners and meeting backgrounds designed to help raise awareness and foster more informed, supportive school environments. Download the toolkit and share these resources with educators, school staff, caregivers and your community: https://bit.ly/4wHvcX9 Supporting students with PWS starts with awareness. #PWSAwareness #PraderWilliSyndrome #RareDisease #Support4PWS

Better coordination begins with access to the right information at the right time. On September 17, Maryland LINK will present “Leveraging the Power of Data to Improve Outcomes for Transitioning Youth,” a webinar focused on how secure data sharing can improve coordination across education, vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, workforce, and other youth service systems. Presenters will demonstrate a prototype tool that supports coordinated referrals, service planning, and real-time communication. The session will also address legal and privacy considerations and what it may take to adapt this approach in other states and communities. September 17, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. CDT Virtual via Zoom | 1.0 CRC available Register: https://buff.ly/U4hWIB6 #VocationalRehabilitation #YouthEmployment #DataSharing #CrossAgencyCollaboration #DisabilityEmployment

Schools have more information than ever before, but information alone does not create connection. When student, attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing data sit in separate systems, it becomes harder to see the full picture. Leading schools are tackling the "patchwork problem" by creating more connected school communities, improving visibility, strengthening relationships and supporting better outcomes for every student. How connected is your school community? Take the School Community Assessment to discover where you are today and identify opportunities to build stronger connections across your school. 🔗https://lnkd.in/e2MGECKG #Education #SchoolLeadership #EdTech #Safeguarding #StudentWellbeing #SchoolImprovement

This week's #TransitionTip is to build stronger partnerships by creating opportunities for families to hear directly from community service providers. Here's a way to do it: 🔘 Choose One Key Provider: Pick a local agency that most families can benefit from, such as vocational rehabilitation or a center for independent living. 🔘 Add Them to an Existing Event: Instead of planning a brand-new program, invite them to speak briefly at an already scheduled parent night or IEP information session. 🔘 Keep It Accessible: Ask the provider to share services in clear, parent-friendly language and provide a handout or contact sheet. 🔘 Encourage Follow-Up: Remind families to reach out directly to the provider for more information or to schedule an intake meeting.

Whether you’re an educator, service provider, or family member, knowing where to turn for state and community resources is essential for building a successful transition team. Our resource, Virginia Disability Services for Youth & Families, is designed to help you become familiar with the wide array of supports available across the Commonwealth. Explore the PDF to connect youth and young adults with key services for: 💼 Employment 🎓 Postsecondary Education & Training 🏠 Independence in a Community of Choice Strengthen your collaborative transition network and ensure no student has to navigate life after high school alone! 👉 Explore the PDF resource today: https://buff.ly/P35xpx5

I’ve been rereading the new IACC Strategic Plan, particularly its recommendations around housing for autistic adults with high support needs. Three words stood out: match support intensity. It’s exactly what we should be striving for. But as the parent of an adult with profound autism living in a group home, I also know the distance that can exist between a recommendation and reality. We’ve identified many of these challenges before. The question I keep coming back to is: What will make this time different? My latest piece, “An Open Bed Is Not a Housing Plan,” looks at housing, safety, workforce challenges, public input, and most importantly, what happens after a Strategic Plan is written. Because ultimately, a plan's measure isn’t what it recommends. It’s what changes. https://lnkd.in/gUXYFEVm

Schools have more information than ever before, but information alone does not create connection. When pupil, attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing data sit in separate systems, it becomes harder to see the full picture. Leading schools are tackling the "patchwork problem" by creating more connected school communities, improving visibility, strengthening relationships and supporting better outcomes for every pupil. How connected is your school community? Take the School Community Assessment to discover where you are today and identify opportunities to build stronger connections across your school. 🔗https://lnkd.in/ed-QrubT #Education #SchoolLeadership #EdTech #Safeguarding #StudentWellbeing #SchoolImprovement

NSSA staff often provide specialized training to schools, healthcare providers, law offices, government agencies, and other community organizations. Most recently, we were thrilled to be invited by Joanne Albano, Director of the Commack Public Library, to host two workshops for local library staff. Libraries provide free, welcoming spaces for the public to access technology, explore media, participate in recreational activities, and connect with the community. This can be a valuable resource for individuals with autism, especially when library staff have the tools and knowledge to foster informed, supportive, and inclusive environments. On September 15, nearly 30 local librarians joined us for training sessions focused on better understanding and serving patrons with autism. “I would recommend more people come to workshops like this because of how helpful it is to understand autism when working with the public,” shared one attendee. NSSA is eager to help more community organizations build knowledge about autism and feel better prepared to support the individuals they serve and interact with. Our staff can work with your organization to develop a workshop tailored to your needs. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Jen O'Malley at jomalley@nssa.net. #NassauSuffolkServicesforAutism #NSSA #AutismAwareness