Home / Guides & Briefs
This section contains a variety of guides and briefs covering topics related to assessing services and supports, working with your school district, parents’ rights, and addressing transition needs prior to turning 18.
Quick Guides are a collection of resources on a specific diagnosis. Click on the topic below to download the appropriate Quick Guide, fill out the form below or contact us at (800) 640-4553 or sdpc@sdparent.org.
A Guide for Parents of School Age Children
South Dakota Parent Connection and Disability Rights South Dakota have become increasingly involved in conversations with parents around topics related to their child’s behavior. This guide lists frequent questions parents ask. It also includes information for parents so they can participate as shared decision-makers as they advocate for appropriate responses to concerns about behavior at school and in working with the school team in developing appropriate supports and services for their child.
A Resource for Families of Children Receiving Special Education
Families who have children with special needs must navigate a variety of systems–education, health care, disability-related service providers, and more. Each system has its own set of rules, guidelines, and eligibility requirements. And, each system can interpret the rules, guidelines, and eligibility requirements. Families may be told “No, that is not possible,” when in fact it may be possible.
South Dakota Parent Connection and Disability Rights South Dakota have collaborated on Dare to Dialogue…Reach Yes! to help families understand child and parent rights provided by special education, advocate for their children, and respond to “no” in factual and positive ways.
South Dakota Parent’s Guide to Special Education
“What Parents Should Know…About Special Education in South Dakota” is an easy-to-understand, comprehensive guide to federal and state laws and regulations about special education. The development of the guide was a collaborative effort and was written specifically for families to better understand the roles and responsibilities they have as well as their child’s school district.
This information is intended to help parents become stronger advocates for their child’s needs at school.
School Evaluation Data Analytics for Parents
According to the Data Quality Campaign (the nation’s leading voice on education data), states have made remarkable progress in making sure that useful data is collected about student performance and progress on key indicators of school/learning success.
This guide was created by South Dakota Parent Connection to help parents better understand the data included in their child’s evaluation to help them become stronger advocates for their child’s needs.
Understanding Guardianship and Alternatives
This guide has been created as a resource for families and professionals working with young adults having conversations about guardianship and understanding alternatives to guardianship. This is a very important discussion that can be confusing for everyone involved. This guide includes timely, understandable facts that can be used in making informed decisions.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields
3701 W 49th St | Suite 102
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
605.361.3171 | 800.640.4553
The contents of this website were developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666; Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H84MC07994, Family to Family Health Information Center, $93,175; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.