2010 Job Readiness Workshop

The Arc of the Mid-South hosted its Two Day Job Readiness Workshop last Thursday and Friday at Anointed Temple of Praise. Seven Memphis area high schools attended the workshop, including Westwood High, Grizzlies Academy, Overton High, Kirby High, Oakhaven High, Avon Lenox, and Kingsbury High.

The first day of the event covered interview skills, dress for success, goal setting, communication, transitioning to work, and transportation options. The students received raffle tickets at registration and had a chance to win prizes throughout the workshop.

The students returned the next day for a career fair, dressed ready for interviewing. Dwaun Warmack, Associate Dean of Students at Rhodes College, kicked off the final day, speaking to the students about taking chances and achieving their goals. The students then had an opportunity to meet with local businesses and schools to ask questions and fill out applications.

We had a great time. Thanks to everyone who participated! We received some awesome feedback from teachers and students and hope that everyone walked away with helpful information and some contacts.

View more pictures from the workshop on our flickr photostream.

The next event we have coming up is the Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. This promises to be an exciting event and is free and open to the public. Come by Mississippi Boulevard Church at 70 N. Bellevue, Memphis, from 9:00am - 3:00pm and root for your team!

New IEP Checklist iPhone app helps empower families.

IEP Checklist, a new iPhone app, was created to minimize pen and paperwork and keep your notes and goals for your Individualized Education Plan organized and always within reach.

This is a free application developed by PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center). Their website includes a video posted in English and Spanish that demonstrates how the app works along with informative reviews from parents and professionals who use the app.

Action Alert--Bill allows isolation for Special Education students

Wednesday, February 10, legislation may be heard that would allow students receiving Special Education services to be locked in isolation.

The Tennessee Disability Coaltion sums up some of the key points in this bill:

• This bill would make it legal to lock a special education student – of any age or diagnosis – in isolation at risk to their health and safety

• Contradicts health and safety codes that prohibit locking students in an educational facility without a way out

• A child could be locked in an isolation room without parental notification

• There is no requirement in the bill that locked isolation only be used in an emergency situations

• With a locked door, a student is trapped with no mechanism to call for help if they are forgotten – even for a minute or two – by school personnel

• Places all special education students at risk of locked isolation

If your representative sits on the Education K-12 Subcommittee, we encourage you to send him or her an email or call to oppose House Bill 2538.

Bill Sponsors of HB 2538/SB 2517
Rep. Glen Casada R-63 Parts of Williamson Co. (615) 741-4389
Sen. Jack Johnson R-23 Williamson and parts of Davidson (615) 741-2495

House Education, K-12 Subcommittee
*represents part of a county
Les Winningham rep.leslie.winningham@capitol.tn.gov , Chair
D-38
Clay, Jackson, Picket, Scott and Anderson*
(423) 286-9090

Ron Lollar rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov , Vice-Chair
R-99
Shelby*
(615) 741-7084

Judy Barker rep.judy.barker@capitol.tn.gov 
D-77
Obion, Lake, Dyer*
(615) 741-0718

Tommie Brown rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov  
D-28
Hamilton*
(615) 741-4374

Bill Dunn rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov  
R-16
Knox*
(615) 741-1721

Beth Harwell rep.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov 
R-56
Davidson*
(615) 741-0709

David Hawk rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov
R-5
Unicoi, Greene*
(615) 741-7482

Joey Hensley rep.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov 
R-70
Lawrence, Lewis, Wayne*
(615) 741-7476

Ulysses Jones rep.ulysses.jones@capitol.tn.gov 
D-98
Shelby*
(615) 741-4575

Mark Maddox rep.mark.maddox@capitol.tn.gov 
D-76
Weakly, Carroll*
(615) 741-7847

Johnnie Turner rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov 
D-85
Shelby*
(615) 741-6954

Terri Lynn Weaver rep.terri.lynn.weaver@capitol.tn.gov  
R-40
DeKalb, Smith, Macon
(615) 741-2192

Awesome news for special education in Tennessee

The October 17-18 issue of The Memphis News reported that the Tennessee Department of Education has been awarded a $3.4 million grant for its special education students. The grant will be distributed over the next four years and will go toward increasing literary and math skills and improving early childhood outcomes for children diagnosed with autism. The grant will also go toward making sure that children from low income families are taught by experienced and qualified teachers.

This is great news for Tennessee's students!

You can view the press release here.