The Stream

Four times throughout this year, we will be gathering with our CRAEA staff colleagues during regional meetings for a session of learning. As a reminder, regional meetings are:

• October 2, 2023
• November 28, 2023
• February 15, 2024
• April 16, 2024

Our focus this year will be on considering how using four key mindsets can help increase our satisfaction in life. We will learn about one mindset each session, along with practices to support it.

Here is the learning goal and success criteria for October 2:

Learning Goal: 

We are learning to judge less in order to enhance our well-being and life satisfaction.

Success Criteria:

• I can explain the value of judging less.
• I can explain 5 practices that help me judge less.
• I can identify 1 practice that might serve me this week.

We look forward to learning together!

Every Wednesday, Amy Knupp, Executive Director of Special Education meets with staff for a Q and A session.

If you missed this week’s session, check out the recording on this document.

The Medicaid flowchart for billing is now available. Please note one small change in the center blue box that refers to the kind of associate found on Page F of the IEP.  This can now be found under Services on the IEP.

Central Rivers AEA is hosting STAR Comprehensive Training in October.  AEA special education staff are being asked to please share this upcoming training opportunity with district administrators and teachers. 

STAR Training is most appropriate for PK-8th grade teachers of students with significant intellectual disabilities.  It is not required that districts purchase the curriculum in order to attend the training; however, there is a $95.00 presenter fee for this two-day training. Further information, training dates and the registration link can be found online.  

Please note that Central Rivers AEA staff that may be interested in attending with a school team are asked to email Kari Christenson, Special Education Consultant, rather than registering online for the training.   

Competent Private Instruction Update (Home Schooling)

• Senate File 496 removed the prior approval by a Director of Special Education requirement for students with disabilities who will be home schooled.  Guidance regarding this approval process is removed from state procedures.
• Families of learners with disabilities who choose Competent Private Instruction (CPI) continue to have the ability to revoke consent for special education or to request special education through dual enrollment to the district.  Families will follow the same process of notifying their district of homeschooling, using “Form A” when appropriate.  The Home Schooling for Students in Special Education Parent Notification and Acknowledgement form will continue to be used by families to indicate their choice (revocation or dual enrollment) – the form has been modified, removing the Director approval requirement.

Questions should be addressed to Amy Knupp, Executive Director of Special Education.

Welcome to the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year! On behalf of the entire ACHIEVE team, I am honored to share with you a summary of the extensive list of enhancements and improvements that have been made to the system over the summer to improve user experience and enhance the quality of data reporting.

Allow me to introduce myself — my name is Shannon Grundmeier and I will be supporting the ongoing implementation of ACHIEVE.  We have many changes to celebrate and more in the works.

Please note the following:

• A summary of all Summer 2023 Enhancements & Improvements can be found by clicking the System Release Notes/Updates link in the left navigation panel under the Help section within ACHIEVE.
• Share this content with local LEA Special Education Directors at your earliest convenience.

If you have further questions please reach out to Ashley Sires, Central Rivers AEA Regional Administrator/ACHIEVE Lead.

All current openings at Central Rivers AEA can be found on the agency website under Careers.

Central Rivers Area Education Agency is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.