Island County Parent to Parent

10/23/2026

Stop by our resource table and say "Hello".

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

How much educational harm should a disabled student have to experience before a school is required to act?

When a disabled student is bullied or harassed, it can have a devastating impact on their education. Schools have an important responsibility to address bullying through the IEP process to ensure a disabled student is still able to learn.

We are proud to be joined in an amicus brief with University of Arizona Law, Disability Rights Arizona, Disability Rights Washington, Disability Rights California, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. for a case that involves a Black student with disabilities who experienced repeated racist harassment.

A lower court agreed that racist bullying had occurred, but held the student had to show “no” educational benefit to have been denied Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Our amicus brief explains schools must address bullying of the disabled child to ensure the student has a “meaningful” educational benefit. This appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is critically important because students with disabilities are already vulnerable to being denied access to educational opportunity and are more likely to be the targets of bullying.

Disabled students should not have to lose all educational benefit before a school is required to act.

Read the full amicus brief: https://www.dredf.org/aa-v-seattle-public-school-district-amicus-brief

10/22/2026

Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar, "Find Work That Works for You." On October 28th, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern

This free webinar will provide information about Social Security's Ticket to Work Program and resources that can help people receiving Social Security disability benefits explore employment opportunities that align with their goals, interests, and support needs. WISE webinars connect beneficiaries with practical information about work, employment supports, and available resources.

We would appreciate your help sharing this webinar with your clients, customers, members, and networks through your:
• Email newsletters
• Social media channels (Here are our posts from Facebook and X.)
• Website event calendars
• Community outreach communications

Register here: https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise

Thank you for your partnership and for helping connect people with resources that support their employment journeys. Your outreach plays an important role in helping beneficiaries learn about opportunities to achieve greater financial independence through work

Sincerely,
The Ticket to Work Team
Social Security's Ticket to Work Program

Attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar to learn about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives.

10/21/2026

Interested in seeing a real Due Process proceeding? Via zoom next week.

⚖️ REAL CHILDREN. REAL PARENTS. REAL JUSTICE.

Ever wondered what happens during a special education due process hearing? Here's an opportunity to observe the process LIVE and gain insight into how disputes are addressed under IDEA.

📅 October 26–28, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central each day
💻 Virtual Hearing via Zoom

Zoom Meeting ID: 165 762 0465
Passcode: TEA533

📌 Observer Guidelines: Keep your microphone and camera off, join using your real first and last name, and remember that recording is not permitted.

10/21/2026

Signing up for WIN's weekend meal program is a great way to alleviate some pressure on your grocery budget. They shared some information on Facebook this week, and I'll share it here! "Consider signing up for our Weekend Meal Delivery Program, which provides supplemental food assistance - right to your doorstep - every Thursday morning!
A few myths we want to dispel:
-You do NOT need to attend public schools - simply any child living in Clinton/Langley/Freeland can be enrolled.
-You can enroll if you’re between 18 months and 18 years old. If you’re 18, you can stay enrolled until your graduation date. (Sorry, we only offer solid foods, so we encourage the families of infants to check out the programs offered by our neighbor, Mother Mentors!)
-Parents do NOT get screened regarding income - you can work anywhere and still enroll your child! If you believe your child needs food support, then so do we. "
https://www.whidbeyislandnourishes.org/weekend-meal-program.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgVicmlkETFJM3BYQ1VuV000d1Z1akNpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiQT5vYxtowCACuoKXjYboTzJmu-Sy1L72Ww4nhD7jouflQX697n-H_YdDnB_aem_WpybB-e66rgNLcl1LER1_Q

Our 2026 Weekend Meal Program runs for the 2026-2027 School Year. This program is available to youth (ages 18 months to 18 years), who live within the boundaries of the South Whidbey School...