PATH Project

🎓 **Transition Thursday | October 1**
**From College to Career: Know Your ADA Rights**

Graduation brings new opportunities—and a new process for getting disability supports at work!

The **Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)** protects qualified applicants and employees with disabilities from employment discrimination. Title I generally applies to employers with **15 or more employees**.

A qualified person meets the job requirements and can perform the job’s essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

**This week’s action:** Identify your career interests, strengths, and supports that help you succeed. Knowing what works for you can help you prepare for workplace conversations!

IEP Clinic
Do you have questions about your child’s IEP, goals, or services? Are you preparing for an upcoming ARD/IEP meeting and want to feel confident and informed? Join our IEP Clinic for personalized support!
October 12th
9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-2:00pm
Appointments – 1-hour sessions
During your session, you’ll meet one-on-one with your Regional Coordinator for guidance on:
Understanding your child’s IEP and goals
Preparing for ARD/IEP meetings
Learning how to advocate effectively for your child’s educational needs
For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact:
Michelle Lassere
979-383-4044
[email protected]
Let’s work together to empower families and support every student’s success!

📣 Texas parents: Special education updates to know!

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released its 2026–2027 Special Education Back-to-School Update, highlighting changes to special education rules and when those changes take effect.

What should parents look for?
Updates cover evaluations, ARD meetings where your child’s education plan is discussed, and parent notification requirements.

Knowing what is changing can help you prepare questions, participate in meetings, and better understand decisions about your child’s education. Pay attention to the dates listed, because some changes take effect later than others.

🔗 Read the update: https://tinyl.co/54LY⁠

What does a PRN Regional Coordinator do?

Sometimes, it looks like sitting across from a parent who feels overwhelmed and helping them understand their options.

Regional Coordinators listen, explain special education information in plain language, and help families feel more prepared to participate in decisions about their child’s education.

PRN accepts resumes for Regional Coordinator positions at any time.

Send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to [email protected]. Include “Regional Coordinator Region #” in the subject line.

Candidates must live in the region they apply to serve.

Find out more at: https://prntexas.org/about-prn/job-openings/

🧰 SPED Toolkit Tuesday: What is LRE?

🏫 LRE = Least Restrictive Environment

Students with disabilities should be educated with their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.

💡 Parent Tip: Ask, “What supports and services can help my child be successful in the general education setting?”

Inclusion starts with looking at what supports a student needs—not simply where they should be placed.

❤️A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and professionals who joined us for the Finding Your Voice Conference!❤️

Your participation, support, and commitment to learning and advocacy helped make this event truly meaningful.

💝We also extend our sincere appreciation to all of our exhibitors who came out to share valuable resources, services, and much-needed support with families and professionals throughout our region.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Finding Your Voice Conference a success! 🌟

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing this guidance to assist LEAs in meeting their obligations under state and federal laws and regulations regarding the responsibility to identify, locate, and evaluate all children suspected of having a disability and who are in need of special education and related services, commonly referred to as the Child Find obligation. To ensure that all children who may need special education and related services are identified, it is important that LEAs establish and implement continuing efforts to seek out these children and inform the public of services available to children and families. This guidance is intended to serve as a resource for professionals who serve in a range of roles in schools across the state as they design and implement Child Find policies, procedures, and practices.

View PDF Here: https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/technical-assistance-child-find-and-evaluation-guide.pdf

💚 Thank You for Growing Stronger Together! 💚

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our incredible speakers, exhibitors, and parents who joined us for the Growing Stronger Together Conference! 🌱

Your time, support, knowledge, and commitment made this event truly special. We are so grateful to everyone who came together to learn, connect, share, and support one another.

To our amazing speakers and exhibitors — thank you for sharing your expertise and resources.
To all the parents who attended — thank you for showing up, asking questions, connecting, and investing in your families. 💕

Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community. We truly are growing stronger together! 🌟
✨✨

¡Gracias por Crecer y Fortalecernos Juntos! 💚

Un enorme GRACIAS a todos nuestros increíbles ponentes, expositores y padres de familia que nos acompañaron en la conferencia Growing Stronger Together. 🌱

Su tiempo, apoyo, conocimiento y compromiso hicieron de este evento una experiencia verdaderamente especial. Estamos muy agradecidos con cada persona que se tomó el tiempo para aprender, conectar, compartir y apoyar a nuestra comunidad.

A nuestros maravillosos ponentes y expositores: gracias por compartir sus conocimientos, experiencias y recursos.

A todos los padres de familia que asistieron: gracias por estar presentes, hacer preguntas, conectar con otros y seguir invirtiendo en el bienestar de sus familias. 💕

Juntos estamos construyendo una comunidad más fuerte, unida y llena de apoyo. ¡Seguimos creciendo y fortaleciéndonos juntos! 🌟

Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Services
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 12:15 pm

This presentation provides an overview of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, with a specific focus on Transition Services for students with disabilities aged 14-22. It explains the purpose of these services, the eligibility criteria, and how they assist students in transitioning from high school to employment and independent living. The presentation also details the five categories of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) mandated by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and provides guidance on how to connect with a VR counselor to begin the process.

Special Guest Presenter: Leigh Ann Godinez, CRC, LPC; TWS-VRS Program Specialist for Transition and Career Pathways

Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NbXciuGRTJOph_r6DctKHg