Dear District Partners, Inclusive Education Administrators, and Parents teaching at home

POPARD has been very busy pivoting to respond to our unique circumstances. Based on the feedback we have received from districts, parents and teachers, POPARD has redesigned our services. I would like to update you on what has changed at POPARD since March break, and what new services we are offering.
 

Cancellation of Travel, District Specific and In-Person Services

In keeping with the travel and in-person work restrictions for teachers, all trips to districts and any in- person events, including training, the district partner conference, and student-specific or class-wide consultations, have been cancelled. Recognizing the context in each district and school is different now from what it had been, and the challenges faced by staff, students and their families have shifted, we have decided to start with a relatively clean slate and redesign and reassign our time.
 

Training Services
Courses and Workshops
Previously Scheduled Training Events

Beginning at March break, POPARD converted our 5-day ASD and ABA courses to a live online platform. All scheduled courses as of March break will continue, as long as the host of the course has agreed to continue with the online version.

Any previously scheduled Super Workshops are also going ahead via the live online format.

Any in-house POPARD training events previously scheduled by March break will also continue, but via our live online platform.
 

New Training Events

We have created a number of new live online courses and workshop offerings. This includes:

  • A new ASD Flex course offered over five weeks to allow for maximum flexibility in access andample time to complete the content
  • Several brief one to three-hour workshops on various topics relevant to parents and teacherssupporting learning at home
  • Several one and two-day workshops (including more super workshops)
  • Family School Liaison training and parent support sessions aimed exclusively at parents

Each of the new workshops will also provide a downloadable handout on the topic summarizing or expanding on key points from the workshop.

Full information about our new training opportunities as well as links to registration are available via ACT’s website. As Murphy’s law would have it, technical difficulties beyond our control permanently disabled our website and until we can create a new website, ACT has generously offered to host a POPARD page on their website. An appendix outlining our training schedule and any relevant training links also appears at the end of this update letter.
 

Check-In and Check-Back Service

The new virtual context makes a typical POPARD consultation challenging. Getting all parties involved (home and school team), gathering student records, conducting direct observations, etc., is not easily doable. Instead, we would like to offer our new “Check in and Check Back Service”. This service offers a lot of flexibility for teachers and/or parents in need of support and the turnaround time from request to contact will be much quicker and, we hope, responsive to current needs.
 

Who can request this service?

A teacher or other professional school staff (e.g., case manager) or a parent.

How is service requested?

Teachers or parents will submit a request for service online via our Request for Check in Service Form . If internet services are not accessible, we ask that you call us at 604-946-3610. At the time of request, the individual signs up for a date and time slot, and indicates their preferred communication forum (Zoom online or phone call).

How do I receive the service?

A POPARD consultant or Family School Liaison will either send a link to Zoom online or make a phone call, depending on forum requested.

What will the service look like?

The initial check-in will be approximately 30-45 minutes, where the consultant will debrief and gather information about the concern and needs. A follow-up date and time will be set by the consultant to check-back, and at that time more information or support will be provided.

What kind of support can I get?

This time-limited virtual support is intended to help teachers or parent’s problem-solve about how to manage student learning and behaviour during the current unusual conditions. Strategies and tips that often work for students with ASD, effective teaching and behaviour management recommendations, as well as links to resources may be provided. This is not intended to replace an individual student consultation nor to resolve complex problems that require deeper investigation.
 

Resources

 
POPARD has been gathering and creating new resources to support online and virtual instruction for students with ASD and other special needs. These resources will be posted on the Act website soon.

We hope you enjoy our new resources and we will continue to develop and add so please do check back on the ACT website for updates.

Sincerely,

Georgina Robinson, PhD.
Principal, POPARD

Apr 27 – May 1 8:30 am – 4:00 pm ABA Course Virtual (Previously scheduled)
5-day Course (Completed)
April 28 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Family School Liaison: Managing stress for children and youth with ASD: practical strategies and resources
1-hour Mini Workshop (Completed)
Apr 30 – May 1 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Introduction to Understanding and Managing Behaviour
2-day Super Workshop– (POPARD in-house) (Completed)
April 30 10:00 am – 11:30 am Teaching Functional Skills in the Home Environment
1.5-hour Mini Workshop (Completed)
April 30 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Family School Liaison: Managing stress for children and youth with ASD: Practical strategies and resources
1-hour Mini Workshop (Completed)
May 1 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Transitioning from School to Home Learning: A Practical Guide for Parents
1.5-hour Mini Workshop (Completed)
May 1 9:00 am -3:00 pm Managing Challenging Behaviour: Strategies for Coaching Families in Remote Learning
1-day Workshop (Completed)
May 4 – Jun 5 5-week FLEX Introduction to ASD 30-hour FLEX Course (FULL)
May 4 – May 8 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Introduction to ASD
5-day Course (POPARD in-house) (FULL)
May 4 – May 5 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Introduction to Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour
2-day Super Workshop (FULL)
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E4221629198272
May 4 10:00 am – 11:30 am Managing behavior and learning at home by developing Structured routines and schedules
1.5-hour Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/99875979857
Meeting ID: 998 7597 9857
May 5 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Family School Liaison: Working with your school team and service providers during COVID-19
1-hour Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97683674480
Meeting ID: 976 8367 4480
May 5 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Communication and Social Interaction Games for Students at Home
2-hr Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/99362406013
Meeting ID: 993 6240 6013
May 6 – May 7 9:00 am -3:00 pm Communication: Supporting Minimally Verbal Students in the School Setting
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E42411395078400
May 6 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Managing Challenging Behaviour: Strategies for Coaching Families in Remote Learning
1-day Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here:
https://reg.planetreg.com/E4241085078383
May 7 – May 8 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Introduction to Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour
2-day Super Workshop – SD85 (FULL)
May 7 10:00 am – 11:30 am Supporting Social Communication Skills at Home
1-day Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/93295201290
Meeting ID: 932 9520 1290
May 7 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Family School Liaison: Working with your school team and service providers during COVID-19
1-hour Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91174745760
Meeting ID: 911 7474 5760
May 8 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Supporting Students with ASD and Diverse Learning Needs via Remote Learning
1.5-hour Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91104243010
Meeting ID: 911 0424 3010
May 11 – May 15 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ASD Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 11 – May 15 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ABA Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 11 – May 15 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ASD Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 11 – May 12 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Self-Regulation Skills
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E43016494582349
May 12 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Family School Liaison: Tips on supporting organization and motivation for learning for children/youth with ASD
1-hr Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/92305953319
Meeting ID: 923 0595 3319
May 13 – May 14 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Introduction to Social Skills Interventions
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here:
https://reg.planetreg.com/E43017143982295
May 14 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Family School Liaison: Tips on supporting organization and motivation for learning for children/youth with ASD
1-hr Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/99275871310
Meeting ID: 992 7587 1310
May 19 – May 20 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Communication: Supporting Minimally Verbal Students in the School Setting
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E43017201682661
May 19 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Family School Liaison: Supporting social connection during COVID- 19 for children/youth with ASD
1-hr Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94650710906
Meeting ID: 946 5071 0906
May 20 – May 21 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Self-Regulation Skills
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E43017282082983
May 21 – May 22 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Introduction to Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E4301729538289
May 21 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Family School Liaison: Supporting social connection during COVID- 19 for children/youth with ASD
1-hr Mini Workshop
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97444161968
Meeting ID: 974 4416 1968
May 23 – June 20
(Saturdays)
8:30 am – 4:00 pm ASD Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 23 – June 20
(Saturdays)
8:30 am – 4:00 pm ABA Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 25 – May 29 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ABA Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 25 – May 29 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ABA Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
May 25 – May 26 9:00 am – 3:00 pm An Introduction to Social Skills Interventions
2-day Super Workshop
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetreg.com/E43017401582565
May 26 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Family School Liaison: Topic TBD
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/98898101625
Meeting ID: 988 9810 1625
May 28 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Family School Liaison: Topic TBD
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/98555152662
Meeting ID: 985 5515 2662
June 1 – June 5 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ASD Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
June 15 – June 19 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ABA Course – Virtual (Previously scheduled) (FULL)
June 15 – June 19 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ASD Course (POPARD in-house)
Pre-registration required: click here: https://reg.planetReg.com/E91215201882838
June 22 – June 26 8:30 am – 4:00 pm 5-day ABA Course (POPARD in-house)
To register for the course, click here: https://reg.planetReg.com/E9121752082765
We have created a POPARD Needs Survey to solicit feedback on how we can best support schools, students and families during the current COVID-19 situation