Dear SPF Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to the late-April edition of our newsletter! As we continue through Autism Acceptance Month, our local and county-wide calendars are filled with opportunities to celebrate our students' unique strengths and access critical community supports.
Last week's SPF- SEPAG meeting minutes can be found here: https://spf-sepag.blogspot.com/2026/04/spf-sepag-april-2026-meeting-minutes.html.
📢 Upcoming SPF SEPAG Event for Autism Acceptance Month On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM, the SPF-SEPAG will be hosting a separate, virtual Autism Acceptance Event. Two local Occupational Therapists will present on ways to support regulation, foster independence, and set your children and family up for success. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Join the event virtually at: https://meet.google.com/epi-axfd-fww. We also sent invitations to SEPAG members that receive the newsletter.
📢 Advocacy and Educational Workshops
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is hosting a free webinar titled "Community Conversation: Promoting Alcohol Awareness and Prevention" on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. While broad in scope, this session includes important discussion on prevention strategies for neurodivergent youth who may face higher social risks. Register at https://ucnj.org/dhs/
The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network continues its "SPAN Resource Parent (SRP)" in-person course on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton. This session covers collaborative strategies for working with school teams and understanding the dynamics of systems serving children with special health care needs. View registration details at https://spanadvocacy.org/event/2026-span-resource-parent-srp-in-person-course-spring/
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood District observes "Take Your Child to Work Day." For parents of children with special needs, this can be an opportunity to practice community-based social skills and vocational exploration. Please coordinate with your child's case manager if you have specific questions about school attendance or individualized transitions for this day. Check the district calendar at https://www.spfk12.org/spf-district-calendar
🎈 Community Events and Inclusion
The Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is hosting "Inclusive Yoga" on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. This program focuses on mindfulness and gentle movement tailored for all ability levels. Registration is required via the Union County portal at https://ucnj.org/opsn-reg/
The annual Union County Autism Acceptance Celebration and Resource Fair is taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Turf Field in Warinanco Park, Roselle. This year’s theme is "Superheroes," and families are encouraged to attend in costume. The event features a touch-a-truck experience, sensory-friendly games, a live DJ, and a comprehensive fair where families can meet local service providers. Pre-registration is required at https://ucnj.org/opdsn-reg/
Also on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the "Autism in my Shoes" Symposium is being held in Westampton, NJ. This event provides a deep dive into the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals and offers workshops for caregivers on fostering inclusive environments at home and in the community. Learn more at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/aboutus/events/
The Somerset County Aging & DisABILITY Expo is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Bridgewater. This is an excellent regional resource for families looking ahead to the transition to adult life, featuring vendors focused on long-term support services, housing, and legal planning. Find event information at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/aboutus/events/
💙 Support and Mental Health Resources
The NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) is hosting a "Learning Lounge" webinar on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM focused on Dual Language Immersion and support for dually identified students (those with both IEPs and English language learning needs). Register through the NJDOE events portal at https://homeroom5.doe.nj.gov/events/
Family Support Organization (FSO) of Union County offers ongoing virtual support groups for parents navigating the challenges of the spring testing season (NJSLA), which begins for some grade levels on Monday, April 27. Connecting with other parents can help manage the "testing anxiety" that often impacts our students. Access the FSO calendar at https://www.fso-union.org/events
We hope to see you at our SEPAG event this week Autism Acceptance Month !
On Behalf of the SPF SEPAG Executive Board
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