Advocate Gerri Fleming and Consultant BJ Goff to speak on Educational Panel at PWS Conference June 1st
May 22, 2019
The Educational Panel at our June 1st Conference, Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Bright Future, is sure to entice PWS families and caregivers. This panel, moderated by Amy Tenbrunsel, will address the elements of success when it comes to structuring a successful school environment. Multiple voices will be heard, including young adults and parents currently going through the educational system, expert consultants in the field of PWS including BJ Goff, and advocates including Gerri Fleming. Educational Panel attendees will learn more about rights as a parent, guardian, or caregiver in the educational setting and the rights of the child; and hear testimonials of success. The goal is to leave participants empowered with information about recommended next steps. This panel format will provide an opportunity for questions and answers from people with a variety of experiences.
More about Gerri Fleming: Gerri Fleming began her professional career as a high school history teacher in New York City. She opened her advocacy practice in Norwalk, Connecticut in 2007. In addition to her teaching experience, Gerri trained specifically to be an advocate for children with special needs. She completed a 60-hour advocacy course taught at the Autism Spectrum Resource Center in Hamden, Conn. She is a graduate of SEAT – Special Education Advocacy Training. SEAT was a year-long course funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) awarded to the University of Southern California, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (USC, UCEDD), in partnership with the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) to develop a national special education advocacy training curriculum through this pilot program. The funding for the pilot program to field test the curriculum lasted for three years. Gerri was part of the second cohort of SEAT trainees. The grant provided extensive classroom training and required a practicum in a special education law firm.
Gerri is a Member Advocate of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), and is the Vice President and member of the Legislative Committee of SEEK-CT—Special Education Equity for Kids of CT. SEEK-CT is a non-profit lobbying group made up of attorneys, advocates, and parents focused on improving the educational outcomes for children with disabilities by influencing policy discussions and shaping legislative efforts on behalf of students with disabilities in Connecticut. Gerri has presented at local, state, and national conferences. http://www.ctadvocacy.com/
More about BJ Goff:
Barbara J. (BJ) Goff, Ed.D is a Professor of Special Education at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. She has 40 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings, with over 25 years devoted to individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. PWSA(USA) utilizes BJ as an education and crisis consultant for children and adults and their families throughout the U.S. She is a frequent presenter at state, national, and international conferences. She is the author of Supporting Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome in Residential Settings, co-author of The Student with Prader-Willi Syndrome: Information for Educators, author of two chapters on educational issues and co-authored a chapter on sexuality in the third edition of Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome. She is a contributor to the international Best Practice Guidelines for Standard of Care in PWS in the areas of teacher training and parent/caretaker relationships. She is currently developing a sex ed training manual specific to individuals with PWS. BJ serves on the PWSA(USA) Professional Providers Advisory Board as well as the PWSA(USA) Special Education Advisory Board. She is also the Educational Adviser for the International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation (IPWSO).
