Candler County Program for Exceptional Children

08/23/2026

📚 Helping our children become more independent learners starts with giving them the right tools!

Parent to Parent of Georgia is excited to participate in an upcoming Parent Webinar Series presented by the International Dyslexia Association – Georgia Branch.

Join us for "Raising Independent Learners: Executive Function Strategies Every Parent Can Use,” featuring Sucheta Kamath, M.A., BC-ANCDS, CCC-SLP. Families will learn practical strategies to help children strengthen executive function skills and become more confident, independent learners.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 7:00 PM

We’re grateful for opportunities to collaborate with community partners and connect families with valuable information and resources. 💙💚

🔗 Learn more and register: GA.dyslexiaida.org/events/2026sept16

08/21/2026

Our Special Education team at MES ❤️

08/14/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT FOR PARTICIPANT-DIRECTED FAMILIES — PLEASE REGISTER!
DBHDD and The Georgia Collaborative are offering training specifically for individuals and families participating in Participant Direction.

Please check your inbox for emails from The Georgia Collaborative. You should have received two emails on August 11. It will look like the picture below.

Since we are receiving feedback that not everyone has received the training email and that the registration links have been difficult to post, PDAG has requested an alternative way to share the information from DBHDD this morning.

With the increased focus on program integrity, documentation, compliance, and upcoming reviews of Participant-Directed services, we strongly encourage families and representatives to attend one of these sessions.

The training will explain:
What DBHDD expects during the Participant Direction review process
What your role and responsibilities are
What may be reviewed
What technical assistance will be available to families
There are two opportunities to attend:

PDAG strongly encourages Participant-Directed families and representatives to participate.
Even if you feel confident about how you are managing your services, this is an important opportunity to hear directly from DBHDD and its partners about what they expect.

Understanding the expectations before your family is selected for a review is far better than trying to figure them out afterward.

Please check your inbox for emails from The Georgia Collaborative from August 11.

07/20/2026

Your voice matters.

Georgia’s Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) is partnering with the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) to gather feedback to help shape vocational rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. Please take our 2026 Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment survey and share your perspective. Your comments are completely confidential. Click on this link to take the survey: https://surveyus.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rf1Gy0eh6vJu4K. The survey closes August 21, 2026.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or Juliet Hardeman ([email protected]) at the SRC.

07/11/2026

07/08/2026

Celebrating 25 Years of Service! 🎉

The 25th Annual Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership (GaPMP) Kickoff Meeting will take place Wednesday, October 28 – Thursday, October 29.

Parent Mentors and district leaders will be gathering together to learn, connect, and build stronger partnerships that support families and students.

This milestone event marks 25 years of service, partnership, and support for families and students with disabilities across Georgia.

06/25/2026

Did You Know?

The Special Education Help Desk provides support by phone and email, making it easy to get answers to special education-related questions. Whether you're looking for guidance, resources, or information, the Help Desk is here to connect you with the support you need.

06/18/2026

Age-appropriate chores are an effective way to teach children how to take responsibility for themselves and how to be helpful to others. But what’s appropriate for your elementary-aged child?

05/14/2026

2026 KidsABC Autism in Rural Georgia Conference July 9-10 at Mercer University in Macon

Conference Day 1: Thursday, July 9
School Services for Autistic Children
Developmental Milestones and Autism Detection
Autism Detection and EarliPoint
Support for Autistic Young Adults

Conference Day 2: Friday, July 10
Interactive Breakout Sessions:
Medication Management
Managing Crisis and Difficult Behavior
Managing Autism Social Concerns

Note: Planning for this conference is ongoing and topics are subject to change.

This event is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Please feel free to share the attached flyer with others who may be interested in this event.

Credits Pending: CME/CNE credits will be available.

Register: https://garuralhealth.link/autism

05/12/2026

💡 A traditional job isn’t the only option.

What if the individuals you support could build something of their own—based on their strengths, interests, and goals?

Through the Igniting Ideas Business Accelerator, self-employment becomes a real pathway to independence, purpose, and success.

✨ Just ask Trevor—what started as making soap at home is now a growing business that even creates opportunities for others.

This FREE 12-week virtual program helps individuals with disabilities:
✔️ Turn passions into meaningful work
✔️ Build skills for long-term stability
✔️ Explore entrepreneurship on their own terms

📅 Only a few spaces remain, fill out the application now!
📍 Open to eligible Georgians | Live via Zoom

Let’s help individuals create something that’s truly theirs. 💼💙

🔗 Learn more & apply: https://synergieswork.org/igniting-ideas/