COMMITTEES/COUNCILS

There are many different committees both at the local level and state level that are looking to have parents as part of their groups.  Below is a list of a few organizations and their contact information.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

PLANNING REGION TEAMS (PRTs) are local interagency coordinating councils responsible for the provision of early intervention services for children birth to three.  Part of their responsibilities include looking at gaps and barriers in their communities for all families of children birth to five and coordinating with various community agencies to help bridge those gaps among other duties.

There are 29 PRTs across the state.  PRTs require 20% of their membership to be parents of children with special needs up to age 12. You can learn more about early intervention, PRTs and contact information here:  http://edn.ne.gov

You can find the contact for your specific Planning Region Team here, http://edn.ne.gov/cms/planning-region-teams/prt-contacts.

EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL (ECICC) is the state committee that was established to advise and assist collaborating agencies working in early childhood to carrying out state and federal requirements and education initiatives.   The council meets four times a year and is required to have 20% parent representation.  For more information go to:  http://www.education.ne.gov/ecicc/#

 ALL AGES

Nebraska Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is a state advisory panel for the purpose of providing policy guidance with respect to Special Education and related services for children with disabilities.  The responsibilities include becoming knowledgeable about research-based educational practices and reviewing state activities designed to improve outcomes for children with disabilities.  The Council consists of parents, professionals and representatives from various state agencies who serve children birth to age 21.  For more information go to:  http://www.education.ne.gov/sped/seac.html

Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Delays is a governor-appointed state council that focuses on improving the system of supports for persons with disabilities and their families. Goals concentrate on persons who experience a severe disability that occurs before the age of twenty-two, including persons with physical disabilities, mental/behavioral health conditions, and developmental disabilities. Support systems across the lifespan are examined.  http://dhhs.ne.gov/developmental_disabilities/Pages/ddplanning_index.aspx

• There are also six Regional Councils to meet the State Council’s goals at local levels and to assist with grant reviews, hosting public forums, and advocacy efforts. Information and contacts can be found here:  http://dhhs.ne.gov/developmental_disabilities/Pages/ddplanning_regcouncils.aspx

SCHOOL AGE 5-21

School Districts may also have committees or councils to look into:

• District Special Education Advisory Councils – some school districts may have their own councils to address concerns inside the district around special education such as Omaha Public Schools: Omaha Public Schools:  http://district.ops.org/DEPARTMENTS/CurriculumandInstructionSupport/SpecialEducation/ParentResources.aspx
• Parent Advisory Committees/meetings – these committees may have a different focus such as in Lincoln Public Schools where their Parent Advisory meetings have focused on educating parents of children with special needs on topics requested by the parents.  http://home.lps.org/specialed/2015/10/26/special-education-parent-advisory-meeting-notes-october-12-2015/
• Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs)
• Parent Teacher Student Organizations (PTSOs)
• Check with your local school district to see if there are other committees, associations, or organizations that are looking for parent involvement.

TRANSITION AGE 16-21

Nebraska Transition Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Nebraska Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) and includes professionals, parents and agencies that address issues and concerns around the area of transition.    http://ndetransition.site.esu9.org/transition-committees/

MEDICAL/HEALTH

Family to Family Health Information Center Advisory Committee.  Oversees and advises the work of F2F Health Information Center.  The committee reviews materials and addresses concerns with state and school systems to the Nebraska F2F staff for both the F2F program and potentially with state agencies.   Please contact Nina Baker at 402-403-3908 or at nbaker@pti-nebraska.org.

MENTAL HEALTH

NE State Advisory Committee for Mental Health Services:  http://dhhs.ne.gov/behavioral_health/Pages/beh_mh_sacmhs.aspx

Nebraska Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health – Family Member Leader:  https://nefamilies4kids.org/family-member-leader/

NEBRASKA BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

There are a variety of state boards and commissions for the state that require stakeholders from across the state.  Here you can find a listing and description of all the boards/commissions, the membership lists for each board/commission, a listing of openings and an application to apply.

https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req

BOARDS OF ORGANIZATIONS

• National Alliance on Mental Health: https://naminebraska.org/category/board-of-directors/
• Mental Health Association of Nebraska: http://www.mha-ne.org/about-us/
• Arc of Nebraska: http://www.arc-nebraska.org/welcome.html
• Ollie Webb: http://www.olliewebbinc.org/
• PTI Nebraska: pti-nebraska.org
• Disability Rights Nebraska: http://www.disabilityrightsnebraska.org/
• Autism Society of Nebraska: http://autismnebraska.org/
• Autism Center of Nebraska: http://autismcenterofnebraska.org
• UNMC/MMI: http://www.unmc.edu/mmi/about/ucedd/consumeradvisoryboard.html
• Down Syndrome of Nebraska:  http://www.dsafnebraska.org/
• Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands: http://www.dsamidlands.org/
• United Cerebral Palsy: http://ucpnebraska.org/
• Nebraska Centers for Independent Living: http://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory-results/NE
• Learning Disabilities Association of Nebraska: https://ldaamerica.org/lda-chapters/nebraska/

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Division for Early Childhood (DEC).  The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) promotes policies and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhance the optimal development of young children (0-8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities. DEC is an international membership organization for those who work with or on behalf of young children (0-8) with disabilities and other special needs and their families.

http://www.dec-sped.org/

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).  The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. They accomplish their mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development. https://cec.sped.org/About-Us/CEC-Leadership

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. They advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. https://www.naeyc.org/getinvolved

Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. They are committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities. http://fcsn.org/