This session of the radio show shares my conversation with two Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) board members; Arielle Shearer and Patty Middelmann. 

We discuss the creation of SEPAC which dates back to the education reform efforts in the early 1990’s where each community getting special education funding in MA needs to have this committee to work with the School District.

Our wide ranging discussion centers around education and accommodations for special needs kiddos, some of the many ways on how the support group helps other parents, and that the group is also open to the entire community as we are “interested parties.”

The audio recording runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Arielle and Patty about SEPAC and how you might get involved.

--------------

Franklin SEPAC links & information

Website -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/ 

Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/franklinsepac 

Mailing List and Survey -> https://forms.gle/TYuAJLeqvLzKNbNb8 

SEPAC September Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cEFAFNI_Cwg7uz45nFCwPYy6kunR8c0I/view?usp=share_link 

Franklin SEPAC Spring Letter  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qcis7TW6uxBML1xkEUI_t-tu2AxRSYz5/view?usp=share_link 

Contact Email: FranklinSEPAC@gmail.com 

504 plan info -> https://www.understood.org/en/articles/504-plans-a-guide-for-teachers 

Federal IDEA legislation  ->  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ 

MA Behavioral Help Hotline -> https://www.masshelpline.com/

Steve Sherlock referred to this book during the conversation: 

Steven Johnson - Where do Good Ideas Come from (TED Talk) -> https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from 

Where do Good Ideas Come from Book link -> https://www.amazon.com/Where-Good-Ideas-Come-Innovation-ebook/dp/B0046ZRZ30

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"