EG SPEAKS

08/31/2026

Empower your journey on September 17th at our uplifting Caregiver Mixer! This month, we're gathering at Mendocino Farms during the EG S.P.E.A.K.S. Fundraiser (from 2pm-9pm). Come share your inspiring story 💫

08/28/2026

With Labor Day coming up, we will be postponing the Caregiver support group for September, with plans to pick up right on schedule for first Monday of October. With that in mind, EG S.P.E.A.K.S is planning a lot of events for September, so be on the look out for our Ask an Advocate, Board Meeting where we cover the WestEd study results, and the Small Bites, Strong Futures events. Check out our Eventbrite for more info on these upcoming events: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/108429815581

08/26/2026

🍦 TODAY’S THE DAY!🍦

We’re scooping up some goodness for EG SPEAKS! 💙

From 11 AM–10 PM today, every purchase at Handel’s Ice Cream can help support EG SPEAKS. Just mention EG SPEAKS Fundraiser” when you check out, and a portion of your purchase will go toward supporting local families and students with disabilities. 🙌

And PLEASE snap a pic while you’re there and tag us! 📸🍦 We want to see your ice cream, your crew, your favorite flavor, and all the fundraiser fun!

🍨 Grab a scoop.
💙 Support local families.
📸 Tag EG SPEAKS.
✨ Make a difference.

See you at Handel’s!🍦

08/25/2026

Tomorrow! Don't forget to cool off with an ice cream from Handel's and mentioned EG SPEAKS! 20% of proceeds will be donated to EG SPEAKS to support disabled youth and their families in Elk Grove 🫶

(PS Our team will be there between 5 PM and 6:30 PM if you want to come by and say hi!)

Save the Date! Get yourself a sweet treat AND support your local special education and disability nonprofit on Wednesday, August 26th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

20% of the proceeds will be donated directly to EG SPEAKS (Elk Grove Special Education, Advocacy, Knowledge, and Support).

Handel's Ice Cream: 7701 Laguna Blvd, Ste 400 Elk Grove, CA
See you there!

08/22/2026

Join our FREE Ask an Advocate session with Sarah Fetter, EG SPEAKS' Director of Advocacy Services, and get answers to the questions that matter most to your family.

As a trained non-attorney special education advocate, Sarah has extensive experience helping families:
✨ Understand their rights under IDEA and Section 504
✨ Navigate the IEP process with confidence
✨ Prepare for meetings and difficult conversations
✨ Better understand evaluations, services, accommodations, and supports
✨ Develop effective advocacy strategies for their child
Whether you're just beginning your special education journey or facing a challenging situation, this is a unique opportunity to receive guidance from an experienced advocate at no cost.
Bring your questions, leave with greater clarity, confidence, and practical next steps. These sessions are held just twice each month, so don't miss your opportunity to connect with an advocate and get personalized answers to your questions
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ask-an-advocate-tickets-1993271028303?aff=oddtdtcreator(link in bio)

08/19/2026

✨ Tomorrow night! Come connect with us. ✨

Caregiving can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to. 💛

Join us tomorrow at 5:00 PM at Christopher Cellars Winery for our Caregiver Connection Mixer, an evening to step away from the daily hustle, meet other caregivers, build community, and simply be around people who *get it.*

No pressure or expectations! Just connection and community!

Whether you’re a longtime part of the EG SPEAKS community or joining us for the first time, you’re welcome here. 🫶

📍 Christopher Cellars Winery
🗓️ Tomorrow
⏰ 5:00 PM

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995611618070?aff=oddtdtcreator

Come as you are. Bring a friend. Stay for a little while, or stay awhile longer. 💫

We’d love to see you there!

08/18/2026

Small Bites, Strong Futures 🍎✨

Mealtimes are about so much more than what’s on the plate.

Join us for SMALL BITES, STRONG FUTURES an engaging conversation about feeding development, Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD), and practical strategies for creating more inclusive, supportive mealtimes for young children.

Together, we’ll explore how feeding connects to sensory, motor, social-emotional, behavioral, and family development, and how educators, therapists, and caregivers can support children without turning mealtimes into a battle.

💡 Learn about responsive feeding and caregiver empowerment
🥄 Explore practical, evidence-based strategies
💬 Participate in interactive polls and real-world case studies
❤️ Build confidence in supporting diverse feeding needs

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, therapist, or someone who works with young children, this workshop will leave you with ideas you can put into practice right away.

Small bites can build strong foundations. Let’s make mealtimes more inclusive, responsive, and supportive for every child.

🎟️ Registration is open!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998342269522?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/18/2026

📚 The IEP World Can Feel Like A Lot. Let’s Make It Make Sense.

New to EGUSD?
New to the IEP process?
New to special education altogether?

Or maybe you’ve been doing this for a while and still find yourself thinking, “Wait… who is supposed to do what?" 😅

This orientation is for you.

Join EG SPEAKS for our **Special Education Orientation**, designed to help families understand the people, programs, processes, and practices they may encounter within EGUSD.

We’ll talk about:

✨ Who’s who on your student’s educational team
✨ What different programs and services may look like
✨ What to expect throughout the IEP process
✨ How to prepare for meetings and ask effective questions
✨ Where families can go for information and support
✨ How to become a more confident, informed advocate for your student

No jargon. No judgment. No prior IEP knowledge required.

Just practical information to help you understand the system, find your footing, and feel more confident advocating for your child.

Because you shouldn’t have to learn the special education system by being thrown into the deep end.

Come with questions. Leave with context, confidence, and a better understanding of where to go next.

📅 Tuesday, September 8th
🕐 6 PM
📍 Elk Grove High School Library 9800 Elk Grove Florin Road
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1996315633800?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tag a parent who needs this! 👇

08/16/2026

📣 We’re Launching Our Annual Giving Campaign Committee!

EG SPEAKS is gearing up for our Annual Giving Campaign, and we want YOU to be part of making it happen! 💙

We’re looking for volunteers who want to help us raise awareness, build community, connect with supporters, and make a real impact for local families navigating disability and special education.

Whether you’re a fundraising pro or have never been part of a campaign before, there’s a place for you on this committee. We’ll bring the ideas, tools, and support - you bring your passion and willingness to help!

✨ Committee Launch Meetings: (Links in Bio)
📅 Friday, September 4 at 7:00 PM
Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/582oNu5vQZi05zZOqaF3lQ
📅 Monday, September 7 at 5:00 PM
Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uwJLPJoDQOWWEfHjzfbuyA

We’re offering two meeting options to make it easier to join us. Come learn more, meet the team, and find out how you can plug in!

Let’s make this our biggest Annual Giving Campaign yet. 💙

Interested in joining? Register for one of our launch meetings or email our Development and Fundraising Chair Kiara Wyatt at [email protected]

08/13/2026

The team at Elk Grove Special Education Advocacy, Education, and Support sincerely wish you and your kiddos a great first day back to school!

First days often come with difficulties stemming from changes in routines, new friends and teachers, environments, and more. Let's remember to be kind to one another and ourselves as we adjust to all the changes that a new school year can bring.

Whether its advocating for supports for your child or finding a community to support you, EG S.P.E.A.K.S. volunteers are committed to our mission to empower and uplift students with disabilities and their families.