The new school year is just around the corner …
We’re sharing ideas to help your family prepare for a smooth transition and a successful start to the new year:
- Talk about feelings: Discuss the excitement of a new year and potential worries with changes. Acknowledge any fears or concerns and be reassuring.
- Practice self-advocacy skills: Help your child understand their accommodations and how to ask for them when needed. Use role play and let your child practice with other family members.
- Create an “About Me”: For younger children, include a picture of your child and their likes, dislikes, motivations, strengths, and needs.
- Use a visual schedule: Use pictures or written steps to explain transitions throughout the day and after school to help reduce anxiety.
- Set up a homework space: Choose a distraction-free area where your child can focus and feel comfortable.
- Get school supplies early: Help your child choose items that foster organization and independence.
- Set goals: If your child is older, help them identify personal goals they want to accomplish this year. This involves managing time, meeting deadlines (turning in homework), asking for help, or understanding their learning style and needs.
- Label technology: If your child uses assistive technology, make sure it’s labeled and includes a contact name and phone number.
- Practice social skills: If socializing is a challenge, practice introductions, joining group activities, and resolving conflict. Follow up throughout the school year, and practice if that helps.
- Establish routines: Start school-year routines, like consistent bedtimes and morning schedules, a week before school starts to help your child adjust gradually.
- Review coping strategies: Talk with your child about what they can do to stay calm during stressful moments. Practice breathing exercises and movement breaks.
- Give your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) a thorough review. Any changes your child has experienced over the summer or since the last IEP? Any assistive technologies that could help? Don’t hesitate to request an IEP meeting before school starts if needed. Keep a journal or digital record of your child’s progress, challenges, and successes throughout the year—it could be invaluable for future IEP meetings and tracking growth over time.
- Connect with your child’s teachers and service providers before school starts. Share your child’s strengths, interests, and hopes for the year. Collaborate on a communication plan that works for everyone. If your child is transitioning to a new school, start planning early. Work with the current and future schools to ensure a smooth transition and take your child on a school tour to familiarize them with their new environment. If your child is attending a before or after care program, establish a relationship with those staff, as well.
Every child is unique and, as their family, you know them best. Helping your children prepare for the new year can help boost confidence and ease the transition. Most importantly, remind your child you are there to help them.
Eligibility for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2025-26 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools. The Federally-assisted School Nutrition Programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school.
The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 are available to help families determine their eligibility.
The household size and income criteria will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official through direct certification. Foster children that are the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are considered categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.
Learn about the NC Innovations Waiver
The NC Innovations Waiver is a Medicaid program that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live as independently as possible in their homes and communities. Individuals who qualify can get support services like help with daily activities, job coaching, or home modifications.
School-age children with intellectual or developmental disabilities can benefit from services that support their daily needs outside of school. This may include autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury (if the injury occurred before age 22), and more.
The NC Innovations Waiver may also cover:
- Assistive technologies, like communication devices
- Consultations from I/DD specialists
- Crisis services
- Support for caregivers
The Registry of Unmet Needs is North Carolina’s waiting list for the NC Innovations Waiver. Being on the Registry means that the person qualifies for the waiver but must wait until a slot opens. Parents and families are encouraged to apply as soon as they know their child may benefit from services. Families may stay on the list for years, but being on the list is the first step toward eventually receiving necessary services for home and community support.
We encourage you to apply NOW! With the several year wait it is important to apply while your child is young so they can access the services once they graduate. Representatives from four regional Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations throughout the state are available to support you in the application process.
Navigating the IEP Journey: A Video Series
The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC), in collaboration with the Office of Exceptional Children (OEC), has developed a series of videos to help parents and families learn about the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and their roles as team members.
The IEP Process: A Framework for Success includes six videos that review:
- the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IEP)
- the members of the IEP team
- what’s included in the IEP
- suggestions to help parents prepare for a meeting
- the IEP meeting
These short videos lay the groundwork to help parents and families participate as intended, as partners in the development of their child’s educational program.
ECAC is North Carolina’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center, a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Their team provides training about all things related to the special education process for parents and professionals, supports young adults with disabilities to become self-advocates, and provides individualized assistance to parents and families.
Agencies of Interest:
Office of Special Education Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
N.C. Department of Public Instruction
Upcoming events:
Autism Society of North Carolina
Autism Speaks
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center
Family Support Network
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NC ABLE
NC Down Syndrome Alliance
Special Olympics North Carolina
Triangle Disability & Autism Services
Do you have an event you would like to share with the community? Please email with information.
Contact information:
Johanna Lynch, IDEA Parent Liaison
Office of Exceptional Children, NCDPI
Email: johanna.lynch@dpi.nc.gov
Historical newsletters can be found in the Parent Newsletter Google Folder.
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