Family Empowerment

10/21/2026

ServiceNet's Prospect Meadow Farm's CarnEVIL will be a great night out for families with their sensory-friendly night on Friday, 5-7 p.m!

10/15/2026

Johanne Pino from Massachusetts Advocates for Children is hosting a webinar about student's rights for school discipline.

📆When and Where? 6-8 p.m. on October 15 over Zoom

This training focuses on the basic rights that all students have when facing discipline methods that would exclude them from school.

To register: https://hubs.la/Q04Bjczw0

If you have any questions, email Kansas at [email protected]

10/14/2026

Imagination Preservation Society and the Holiday Preservation Society are hosting Sensory Days on Thursdays for Imagination Awakened in Westfield.

10/07/2026

This free webinar explores the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) process and what it actually looks like in practice.

Participants will learn about common myths and facts surrounding CRA petitions, the potential harms and unintended consequences of juvenile court involvement for children and families, and practical alternatives to filing a CRA.

📆When: 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7,

📍Where: Zoom

To learn more and register: https://hubs.la/Q04zj5Kv0

For questions, email Kansas at [email protected]

10/07/2026

Family Empowerment's Transition Resource Fair is coming to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Nov. 5, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.!

The Transition Resource Fair is designed to provide students and families with valuable information, resources, and connections as they prepare for the transition from children’s services to adult services through DDS. It's an opportunity for families to connect with service providers, explore available resources, view a presentation from DDS, and ask questions about the transition process.

Students ages 14-26 and/or parents and caregivers, and the professionals who work with or support individuals in this age group are encouraged to attend.

Please email Meg at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Register and learn more about attending the fair:https://45760275.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/45760275/AC%20and%20FE%20flyers%20and%20related/FE%20events/FY27%20Transition%20Fair%20flyer%20for%20ATTENDEES%20AND%20EXHIBITORS%20Hampshire%20county-1.pdf

09/29/2026

Keila Torres from Conexiones Latinx-MA is hosting a free virtual training on Understanding the new IEP for parents, caregivers, educators, agency professionals, and all interested community members.

Every child who receives special education services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This webinar will review the development of the IEP, including:
• The importance of including parents’ and students’ concerns and vision.
• Understanding goals, benchmarks, and objectives: What should be included?
• The relationship among IEP team members.
• The individuals who may be part of the IEP team and their responsibilities.

To register: https://hubs.la/Q04yBc_d0

Please email any questions to Keila, at [email protected].

09/25/2026

URGENT FOR SAFTEYNET USERS:
We have just been informed that the SafetyNet Tracker website and servers are down. While SafetyNet is working hard to restore them, caregivers may not be able to directly access GPS locations for their loved one's tracker. However, the local police department that provided the tracker can still access the radio frequency and locate them in the event of elopement. If your loved one elopes, please reach out to your local police department directly in order to access the SafetyNet tracker location. We hope this issue will be resolved soon.

09/23/2026

Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Mass' Buddy Walk is right around the corner. The walk starts at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3 at Stanley Park in Westfield. Registration opens an hour earlier!

The Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Mass (DSRGWM) is hosting their annual Buddy Walk at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3 at Stanley Park in Westfield!

The Buddy Walk is an opportunity for people to come together to walk with, and celebrate, people with Down syndrome.

The DSRGWM offers a First Call support program for new parents, monthly all-ages playgroups, teen and adult social events, conference scholarships, accessible recreation activities and more!

09/02/2026

A2Z Science & Toys is holding a NeeDoh raffle for Whole Children and Milestones!

All you have to do is donate $5 or more to Whole Children and Milestones to be entered into the raffle for some fun, squishy toys! 🎉

Whole Children™ is an after-school and Saturday program for kids and teens of all abilities from ages 3-18. Milestones is an extension of our Whole Children™ program for adults 18 and up, as well as a DDS-funded day program for adults.

08/21/2026

Know your rights! We're hosting a free Webinar lead by Johanne Pino from Massachusetts Advocates for Children

📆12–1:30 p.m. On Wednesday, October 14, on Zoom
Registration deadline : Tuesday, October 13

This webinar will provide an overview of special education law and the supports and services school districts are required to provide so that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

The webinar also addresses legal standards, the special education process, parent and student participation rights and evaluation rights.

Families and caregivers of school-age children with disabilities who want to know more about processes, supports, and services that schools are obligated to provide, educators, agency professionals and community members are all invited to attend.

Register: https://hubs.la/Q04tVm460

For more questions, email Angie at [email protected]