NC College Connect
NC College Connect is a groundbreaking initiative offering direct college admission to eligible high school seniors across the state for the 2025–2026 school year! Open to public high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher who meet course requirements, students will be matched with colleges where they already qualify — no traditional application needed. Learn more by attending one of the events below.
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Fall EC Conference - Parent Institute
The Fall EC Conference is approaching and will host a one day Parent Institute on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The cost of registration is $50; lunch will be provided. Immediately following the parent institute, a local LEA will offer a session centered on post-secondary transition. The Parent Institute description and registration information can be found below:
Understanding the IEP Team: A Parent's Guide to Effective Collaboration
As a parent, you play an essential role on your child’s IEP Team. This session will give you the tools and confidence to actively participate in the process—from understanding how IEPs are developed, to knowing the responsibilities of each team member, to learning about the wide range of related services that may support your child’s learning. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies for preparing for IEP meetings, asking questions, sharing concerns, and communicating effectively with school staff. You’ll also learn what steps to take if you disagree with the team and where to turn for support. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with helpful resources, a meeting preparation checklist, and conversation prompts you can use to strengthen your partnership with your child’s school.
Registration:
The Office of Exceptional Children’s 74th Conference on Exceptional Children will be held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on November 19-21, 2025. Conference and hotel registration are now open and will close on October 20, 2025, or earlier if conference capacity is reached. Please be advised that adhering to the registration window is extremely important as it provides the OEC the opportunity to ensure accessibility for all participants, and ensures that the amount of space accommodates the number of participants. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Work Together NC
We have exciting news for people with IDD, their families and service providers in North Carolina. A statewide initiative, Work Together NC, has developed a website that serves as a "one stop" hub to plan for the transition to adulthood. Users can search for services based on their needs, access toolkits for key areas of adult life (i.e., community participation, employment, postsecondary education), and develop personalized action plans for goal achievement. Transitioning to adulthood is hard– no matter what– but now it is a bit less complicated! Check out http://worktogethernc.com today. Have questions or feedback? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu
LINK TO FLYERS (In English and Spanish)
IDD Inclusive Employer Alliance
We have exciting news for people with IDD, their families and employers in North Carolina. A statewide, federally funded initiative, Work Together NC, has developed an IDD Inclusive Employment Alliance, which (1) provides no-cost training in IDD inclusive practices (2) connects employers with local or statewide Community Rehabilitation providers for job candidate referrals (3) recognizes and celebrates IDD Inclusive employers through a storefront sticker program, the option to be listed on Work Together NC's website, and more...Check out the employers who have already received recognition here, and help us spread the word so that the list continues to grow! Any questions, or, want to join the alliance as an employer or community rehabilitation provider? Contact worktogethernc@med.unc.edu
Office of Exceptional Children Facebook Page
The Office of Exceptional Children has launched a new Facebook page titled “NCDPI Office of Exceptional Children”. Please go like and follow to support the positives going on in special education across the state as well as to stay updated with current activities.
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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!
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Contact information: Sara Self-Maddox, Section Chief, IDEA Dispute Resolution Office of Exceptional Children, NCDPI
Email: sara.self-maddox@dpi.nc.gov
Historical newsletters can be found on the NCDPI Website-Resources for Families and Students-Archived Paren/Caretaker Newsletters
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