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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