State Education Task Force
State Education
Task Force
Local Task Force Right to
Education
Butler County
Local Task Force Subcommittee
State Education Task Force
The State Task Force serves as an advocate for students with mental retardation. However, actions, decisions and initiatives often affect all students with disabilities. The State Task Force (STF) has the responsibility to call upon the Commonwealth's resources for resolution of needs and problems through administrative and policy making means.
The State Task Force is comprised of four members representing: The Arc of Pennsylvania, PA Department of Public Welfare, PA Department of Education, and Governor's Office. In addition to four voting members, all 29 Local Task Force Chairs are considered non-voting "advisory" members to the State Task Force.
The State Task Force meets at least eight times a year, and meetings are open to the public. Parents and educators are encouraged to attend.
Local Task Force Right to Education
Mission Statement:
To advocate on behalf of all students receiving special education services to ensure that such students receive a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment. To promote training for parents of such students through communication, cooperation, and collaboration between educators and community agency representatives. To monitor public school special education programs and make recommendations for the improvement, strengthening, and expansion of such programs.
Local Task Forces were formed almost 30 years ago to represent the needs and interests of students with mental retardation and their families. Today, most Local Task Forces have expanded their efforts to include all students with disabilities.
Local Task Forces are actively involved with programs and services for students with disabilities in all 501 school districts across the state and follow procedures outlined in a handbook developed by the State Task Force.
Membership in the Local Task Force is determined at the local level, with a 51% majority of parents/consumers required. Each Local Task Force must have representatives of the intermediate unit, the local MH-MR, the local ARC of Pennsylvania, a school district, and parents/consumers.
All meetings are from 10am - Noon in Conference Room A at Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV. They are open to the public. Contact the Chairperson to make arrangements to make an oral presentation at a meeting.
The Meeting Dates for the 2010/2011 year are as follows:
September 9, 2010
October 14, 2010 (9:30-11:30am)
November 11, 2010
January 13, 2011
February 10, 2011
March 10, 2011
April 7, 2011
May 12, 2011
Chairperson - Melissa Allen, 724.458.6700 x1715
Vice Chairperson - Ricki Hood, 724.283.3198
Butler County Local Task Force Subcommittee
The Butler County Local Task Force Subcommittee meets the second Tuesday of the month, September through May, at 9:30am at The Arc of Butler County office.
The Meeting Dates for the 2010/2011 year are as follows:
September 14, 2010
October 12, 2010
November 9, 2010
December 14, 2010 (tentative)
January 11, 2011
February 8, 2011
March 8, 2011
April 12, 2011
May 10, 2011
Contact:
Karen Hussaini, 724.287.0791 x4405,
khussaini@irenestacy.com
Debbie Fabio, 724.779.4415,
debfabio@zoominternet.net