The Bureau of Special Education’s
22nd Annual Back to School Meeting

Friday, September 5, 2025

CT Logo

1A: Relationships and Belonging: Improving Attendance and Engagement for Students in Special Education

Presenter: Hedy Chang, Founder and Executive Director, Attendance Works

Students receiving special education services and their families face complex challenges that impact school attendance and engagement. Join Attendance Works to learn strategies to address chronic absence, along with key takeaways and resources that help make schools supportive and engaging spaces for students with disabilities.

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1B: MTSS: Imagine if…

Presenter: Brandi Simonsen, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Center on PBIS, Professor of Special Education, University of Connecticut

Imagine if we designed all our behavioral and social/emotional supports with students and educators who have the greatest support needs truly in mind? How can we collaboratively design supports that set each student, each classroom, each school, each district, and our state up for success? This session explores the essential elements of PBIS—the most evidence-based and widely implemented multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework—at each implementation level (classroom, school, district, and state) to consider how to create positive, predictable, safe, and inclusive environments where each student and educator can thrive.

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1C: Strengthening School-Family Partnerships with CPAC

Presenters: Leona Adamczyk and Laura Knapp, Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC)

Discover how the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) empowers both families and school districts through collaborative partnerships, training, and a tiered system of support. This session will begin with a brief overview of CPAC’s mission, programs and services. Following the overview, a panel of district leaders will share their firsthand experiences working with CPAC—highlighting challenges addressed, relationships built, and outcomes achieved. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits of engaging with CPAC to enhance family-school partnerships and promote student-centered practices.

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1D: Belonging Begins Early: Building Early Childhood Family Partnerships

Presenters: Renee Kleinman, Consultant, Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE); Karen Pascale, Director, Head Start Collaboration Office; Nicole Cossette, Director, Birth-to-Three; and Michelle Levy, Consultant, Office of Early Childhood

In times of uncertainty, strong partnerships are more essential than ever. Join representatives from CSDE and OEC to learn how CT’s statewide collaboration strengthens local partnerships during the transition from early intervention to special education and throughout preschool. This session will highlight effective strategies, resources, and training that promote inclusive, relationship-based practices between families, LEAs and community providers – ensuring families feel a sense of belonging and connection with their school district.

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1E: Understanding Secondary Transition Programs in CT

Presenters: Laura Luna, Nicole Deal, Ashley DiGangi, and Alexa Osterhout, Consultants, Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE); and Chelsea Barone, Consultant, SERC

During this session, attendees will learn about the two types of secondary transition programs recognized by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), Bureau of Special Education (BSE): Public Transition Programs (PTPs) and Transitional/Vocational Service Providers (TVSPs). The session will cover program criteria, reporting requirements, and the newly developed PTP Standards.

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1F: Beyond Compliance: Leading Equitable Threat Assessment Amid Today’s Challenges

Presenter: Jillian Haring, Senior Advisor, PCG
As schools face a rise in behavioral concerns, increased community scrutiny, and legal obligations to protect all students, leaders
are tasked with making high-stakes decisions under pressure. This session will explore how districts can implement equitable and
compliant Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) practices for students with disabilities. Attendees will gain
insights into navigating complex cases, balancing student rights with school safety, and leading multidisciplinary teams with clarity
and confidence, especially when the path forward isn’t always clear.

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