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For Professionals

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Information for professionals
Welcome to Our New Resource Page for Professionals and Educators!

We are thrilled to introduce a dedicated resource page designed specifically for professionals and educators who work with children and their families with special needs. This page is your go-to destination for valuable information and tools to enhance your practice and support the individuals you serve.

While we continue to curate and expand our collection of resources, we encourage you to check back soon for additional information. We are actively working on bringing you a wide range of materials, including articles, guides, case studies, and professional development opportunities.


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ED COVID-19 Handbook  Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools

This resource is provided by the U.S. Department of Education to assist with safely reopening our schools nationwide.


Download ED Covid-19 Re-Opening Handbook





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IRIS Center
Supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs and located at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, the IRIS Center develops and disseminates free, engaging online resources about evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students, particularly struggling learners and those with disabilities. 




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I've got Good News and Bad News
The bad news is that nearly 85% of appropriately displayed behaviors go unnoticed and unrecognized in the classroom. The good news, we can reverse this trend by implementing differential reinforcement. By increasing our focus on appropriately displayed behaviors, educators can reduce challenging behaviors. While "Catch'em being good" (a type of differential reinforcement) is not a new strategy, the evidence supports that consistently reinforcing alternative behaviors or zero occurrences of the interfering behavior will lead to a reduction in challenging behaviors. So, how do you do it? Here is a free checklist for implementing differential reinforcement.  Free Checklist for implementing Differential Reinforcement 



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New Online ADHD Certificate Course
that meets the educational requirements you need to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP).  67% savings!  Register today and join a world-class faculty of today's leading ADHD experts, including Dr. Russell Barkley and Dr. David Nowell, for this comprehensive clinical training on state-of-the-art advancements and proven strategies for working with children and adults with ADHD--so you can help them overcome their emotional, behavioral, relationshp and achievement challenges and reach their true potential.  You'll end this online course with a certificate in Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan--plus you'll have the education you need to become an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP).  Don't wait this invitation expires soon!  Earn up to 30 CE Hours and a Free Publication!  Your Partners in Education, The PESI Team, PESI Healthcare, PESI Rehab, Ed4Nurses, PESI Publishing and Media, PO Box 1000, Eau Claire, WI  54702   800-844-8260   



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Federal Quota Registration Permission 

Each December, the Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials Center at OCALI, on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children, conducts the Federal Quota Registration of Blind Students to qualify students for the federal quota allotment of funds to purchase accessible educational materials. These include textbooks and instructional products available from the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.  Parent permission is required to register qualifying blind students for the Federal Quota supplemental funding program. If you obtained parent permission for a student last year, there is no need to obtain permission again. If, however, you did not receive permission last year but think you have a student who would be eligible for Federal Quota funding, you should obtain parent permission using the form found on the AT & AEM website.  Now is a great time to send the permission form home, as parents will be taking the time to sign many other school forms at the beginning of the year. Please do not miss this opportunity to receive supplemental funding support for your students who are blind. The support can help in purchasing items such as braille and large print books, braille paper, assistive technologies and much more.  

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Latest News

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OCECD’s Fall 2023 newsletter: Behavior and related topics

This newsletter begins an exciting 3-part series on Behavior and related topics. Here, 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.  
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New OCECD Tip Sheet

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest Tip Sheet, focusing on the topic of "Medical Diagnosis Vs Educational Eligibility." This resource is designed to provide parents and caregivers with essential insights into navigating the intersection of medical diagnoses and educational support. 
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Now Available On-Demand!

Return to You: How to Avoid Self-Abandonment as a Caregiver and Get Your Own Needs Met
This presentation encourages us to redefine what self-care really means for caregivers while offering practical tools to help us identify and address our own needs. 
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OCECD Newsletter

OCECD Newsletter

Mental Health in Ohio Schools. Many children, parents, and educators in Ohio schools are facing mental health issues. Their emotional health can range from thriving to struggling.
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Ideas that work, Office of special education programs, U.S. department of education.