Peer to Peer Data Collection: Due April 15

We are eager to hear about your Peer to Peer programs through the new Peer to Peer Data Collection system!

Please visit the START website for instructions and information about the new system. The Peer to Peer Data Collection is due April 15, 2022.

Coaching Survey: We need your feedback!

The Coaching Survey is intended to capture the effective coaching efforts happening across the state to strengthen the implementation of evidence-based practices for students with ASD and other support needs. Additionally, we want to identify the wants and needs that coaches may have.

Please share the START Coaching Survey with all levels of coaches within your RCN. We provided a short email script for you, including a link to the survey. We will accept responses until April 15, 2022

2021-2022 RCN Contract Application and Contract Forms: Reminders

The Mid-Year Contract Progress Report was due February 1, 2022. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your START RCN Representative or Jana Benjamin.

Current EPLI Level 1 Trainers of START Content are instructed to report all trainings they conducted using START content/materials. The Individual EPLI Trainer Report should be submitted twice per year:

Mid-year deadline: February 15
End of year deadline: July 14
The data from this report will be shared with the RCN.

21st Annual START Conference
Preparing for Adulthood: Building on Strengths and Creating Opportunities

Date: May 2, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Focus: Secondary Transition

START is pleased to offer two options to access the 21st Annual START Conference: in-person at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center and virtual access to recorded sessions.

Registration is open! Space is limited so we recommend you register as soon as possible. Please visit the START website for conference information.

Upcoming START Trainings and Events

Continue to visit the START website for the latest updates and information related to events:

Education-Based Evaluations for ASD (virtual)

April 21, 2022; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration is open!

Spring RCN Leadership Day

Please register below to attend the virtual Spring RCN Leadership Day. We look forward to providing you with an engaging experience and hope you will join us!

Spring RCN Leadership Day
Date: May 3, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Format: Virtual
Agenda

Please share this information and registration with your RCN contacts.

EPLI Updates

START has moved the Individual EPLI Trainer Report to an online form. Trainers are instructed to report all trainings they conducted using START content/materials two times a year (Mid-year: February 15 and end of year: July 14). The data from this report will be shared with the RCN. Trainers will also receive a reminder email from START to submit their trainings closer to each due date.
The EPLI page and forms have been updated for 2021-2022. The deadline to apply for 2021-2022 has passed. The application for 2022-2023 will be released in summer 2022.
The RCN Trainer Portal is a status log of each RCN’s Current Trainers, Inactive Trainers, and New Applicants. It is intended to be accessed only by RCN leadership to view START's current EPLI records for each RCN. Details for the Trainer Portal for RCN leadership is available here.
The EPLI Trainer Focus Day will be held on April 25, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Current EPLI Level 1 Trainers of START Content are welcome to attend to strengthen their knowledge and skills. Current Trainers will receive instructions in a separate email.

New START Apparel Store

We are excited to announce the opening of the START Project apparel store at SquadLocker! You may now purchase START-branded apparel, including START-ism t-shirts and Peer to Peer-specific shirts and jackets directly from this site.

With this announcement, however, we must also clarify that RCN may not use 2021-2022 START-RCN Contract funds to purchase START apparel. START will provide one EPLI-specific apparel item to all current, active EPLI trainers and to those who complete the 2021-2022 EPLI process. START will also provide one Peer to Peer-specific apparel item to all current members in the Peer to Peer Community of Practice. These individuals will receive instructions as to how to order their item.

START anticipates allowing RCN to use a reasonable amount of contract funds for the purchase of START apparel for trainers and coaches beginning in the 2022-2023 contract year. START will provide clear parameters for allowable RCN-funded START apparel purchases as part of the 2022-2023 START RCN Contract Application package.

Educational Supports and Strategies (ESS) Community of Practice (CoP)

The ESS CoP will have meetings on the following dates in 2021-2022:

April 14, 2022 - 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. (virtual)

For this pilot year, all RCN can have representatives participate in this CoP. This is not a contract requirement. We request one special education representative and one general education representative. Both representatives are required to register.

Peer to Peer (P2P) Community of Practice (CoP)

The P2P CoP will have meetings on the following dates in 2021-2022:

April 12, 2022 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (virtual)

Each RCN should have at least two representatives participate in the P2P CoP (multi-county RCN may have 1 representative per ISD).

Sexual Health Community of Practice (CoP)

The Sexual Health CoP will have meetings on the following dates in 2021-2022:

May 26, 2022 - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (virtual)

Each RCN should have at least one representative participate in the Sexual Health CoP.

Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project is funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special
Education to provide training and technical assistance to educators in Michigan that serve students with ASD.
START Project | autismed@gvsu.edu | (616) 331-6480

401 W. Fulton St.
388C DEV
Grand Rapids, MI 49504