SERC - The State Education Resource Center of CT Events

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Developing Tier 3 Supports - Day 3

A multi-tiered behavioral framework doesn’t just work with school-wide and targeted supports. It’s also an effective way to address sometimes dangerous, often highly disruptive behaviors creating barriers to learning and excluding students from social settings. These students may need more intensive, individualized support to improve their behavioral and academic outcomes. Tier 3 strategies work for students with developmental disabilities, autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, and students with no diagnostic label at all. In this three-day series, the school will create systems and core features of tier 3 supports and will learn to implement a plan designed to target specific behaviors. Topic: CSDE Events. Activity Code: 26-75-065-002. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Eben McKnight and Elisa Palmieri Laudati, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Eben McKnight, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 365 or mcknight@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC Project Specialist, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: District or School teams of K-12 school staff. Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. SERC 175 Union Street Waterbury, CT 06706.

Career Readiness Showcase: School Counselors' System of Success - Session #5- Tier 3: Comprehensive Supports for Students with Complex Needs

This virtual series highlights innovative approaches for Career Readiness and Workforce Development. Based on the Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Framework's career development domain, the series examines how to unite educators, administrators, and community partners to share the effective systems developed by school counselors that prepare students for college, careers, and life. This series is intended for K-12 school counselors at any stage of their careers. We will discuss best practices for creating career pathways, enhancing industry partnerships, and building a sustainable system that ensures every student can succeed in Connecticut’s changing workforce.          This series is held virtually on Wednesdays (dates listed below) from 9:00-10:00a.m.                                                                                                                                  Session#1 March 18, 2026 Tier 1: Foundations for Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice  In this opening session,… Topic: Mental Health. Activity Code: 26-55-150-004. Registration Link: https://careerreadinessshowcase.eventbrite.com. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Kim Traverso, CSDE Consultant and Carol Wiltshire-Toth, Central Office Education Administrator School Counseling & Workforce Development. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Kim Traverso, Ph.D. LPC State Education Consultant and Program Manager, at Kimberly.traverso@ct.gov.. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades K-12; School Counselors. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.

Multi‐Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior - Coaches Day 2

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework for implementing a continuum of academic and social-emotional and behavioral supports meeting students’ needs and enhancing opportunities for achievement while reducing exclusionary school discipline practices that have a disproportionately adverse effect on students with disabilities, students of color and low-income students. During this multi-day training, participants will explore the core tier 1 features necessary to establish an effective, efficient system for school-wide behavior support. Target audience: School-wide team required to check with presenters for more information.Day 1    Thursday, December 18, 2025 Day 2    Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Day 3    Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – Virtual (Zoom Link will be sent after Day 2) Day 4    Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Day 5    Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Day 6    Wednesday, May 20, 2026, COACHES SESSIONS – 1pm to 2:30pm - Virtual Day 1 – Thursday, March 12, 2026 Day 2 – Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Topic: CSDE Events. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-75-121-006. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Eben McKnight and Christina Simms, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Eben McKnight, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 365 or mcknight@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: K-12 School Staff. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Confronting Disparities in School Discipline for Black Girls

SERC Special Events Considering the racially disproportionate suspension/expulsion rates in CT, SERC will offer a half-day overview session to address the "push out of Black girls".  This session will focus on approaches schools and districts could use to begin deconstructing conventional understandings of classroom behaviors and interactions that are often perceived to be troublesome, particularly when exhibited by Black girls, leading to exclusionary disciplinary actions.  Participants in this session will explore strategies and approaches such as conducting ecological reviews to determine areas of cultural mismatch and examining bias in discipline policies, procedures, and practices. Topic: Mental Health. Activity Code: 26-75-132-000. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Featured Event: Yes. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades 6-12. Presenters: Elisa Palmieri Laudati and Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 324 or sharpe@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: CT Middle and High School - educators, families, community members, juvenile justice partners, etc. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. SERC 175 Union Street Waterbury, CT 06706.

Dismantling Systemic Racism 2026: The Journey to an Empowered Future

SERC Special Events Dismantling Systemic Racism 2026 Conference on Race, Education & Success The Journey to an Empowered Future Friday, May 8, 2026 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:45 am) Audience: Educators, Administrators, Family Members, Community Members, Business Leaders, Students, and all who play a role in a child's life. The 10th conference on Dismantling Systemic Racism, sponsored by the State Education Resource Center (SERC) in collaboration with the SERC Foundation, focuses on ways to support, promote, and develop racial equity in education. The full-day conference supports educators, families, and community leaders who seek to confront racist structures and practices to better serve Connecticut’s students and their families, through advocacy and the development, implementation, and sustainability of innovative, culturally relevant programming. Morning and afternoon breakout sessions will provide the opportunity for attendees to choose topics of personal and professional interest. Online Location: https://26-71-136.eventbrite.com. Topic: Diversity. Activity Code: 26-71-136-000. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Cost: $210 per person & $115 per student. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru, Environmental Justice Warrior, Rhodes Scholar & Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist and Laura Chávez-Moreno, Assistant Professor, University of California. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Christina Simms, Consultant, (860) 632-1485, ext. 346, simms@ctserc.org, Daniela Alvarez, Consultant, (860)632-1485, ext. 302, alvarez@ctserc.org or Sophia Diamantis, Consultant, (860) 632-1485, ext. 382, diamantis@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: Educators, Administrators, Family Members, Community Members, Business Leaders, Students, and all who play a role in a child's life. Friday, May 8, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06510.

Preschool Special Education Virtual Forum - Day 4

Preschool Special Education Forum *This is a four (4) day event - Thursdays from 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025 Thursday, December 11, 2025 Thursday, March 26, 2026 Thursday, May 14, 2026 *Please choose the dates you are able to attend. Location: Zoom. Once registered, you will recieve a Zoom link two hours before the start time on the day of the session. This virtual forum, designed for early childhood special education administrators, supervisors and program coordinators, will include four one-hour sessions held between September 2025 and June 2026. Each session will feature a presentation on a pre-selected topic followed by a roundtable discussion. Participants are encouraged to bring questions for peer feedback and idea sharing, as well as to exchange relevant resources. A pre-forum survey will be distributed to help guide the selection of discussion topics for the year. Topic: Early Childhood. Activity Code: 26-46-021-003. Registration Link: https://26-46-021.eventbrite.com. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Pre-K-Age3-5. Presenters: Chelsea Barone, SERC Consultant & Renee Kleinman, MSW, CSDE Early Childhood Special Education Consultant, CSDE. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Chelsea Barone, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 229 or barone@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Lind Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Preschool special education administrators, supervisors, and program coordinators. Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

CSDE After-School Program Grant: Enhancing the Quality of After School Programming with Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Series

On behalf of the CSDE, SERC is pleased to offer District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of all CT After School Programs a four-part, virtual training series designed to support implementation of quality programming using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  Participants of this training series will better understand behavior and the natural stages of skill development, applications of meaningful student engagement strategies, and how-to differentiate student supports.  Participation in full training series is strongly encouraged. Session 1: Understanding Behavior Friday, May 15, 2026 Session 2: Stages of Skill Development Friday, May 22, 2026, Session 3: Meaningful Engagement Strategies Thursday, May 28, 2026, Session 4: Differentiated Student Supports Thursday, June 4, 2026 * All sessions are virtual and from 9:00am to 11:00am. Topic: SRBI. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-11-161-000. Registration Link: Register. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Featured Event: Yes. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Malik Champlain, Clarisa Rodrigues and Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Michelle LeBrun-Griffin, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 321 or griffin@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Prek-12; District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of After-School Programs. Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

Student Support Series: Supporting Students at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis

The Student Support Series is a free, monthly professional learning opportunity offered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Behavioral Health Unit. Designed for school-based mental health professionals—including social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, and related staff—the series focuses on timely and relevant topics impacting student mental and behavioral health. Sessions are informed by current trends, participant feedback, and the evolving challenges students face. Pending approval, webinars will offer 1.5 Continuing Education Credit hours by the NASW/CT and will meet the continuing education criteria for licensure renewal for social workers, professional counselors, and licensed psychologists. To be eligible for CECs, participants must attend the webinar synchronously and be employed by a public school (inclusive of charter, magnet, and technical education), private school, or special education/alternative… Topic: CSDE Events. Activity Code: 26-55-141-004. Registration Link: https://studentsupportseries.eventbrite.com. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Featured Event: Yes. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Kate Bohannan, CSDE Consultant. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Kate Bohannan at Kate.Bohannan@ct.gov. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades K-12 Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, Nurses, and Related Staff. Friday, May 15, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM.

PPT Leadership Community of Practice

To expand the reach of the Planning and Placement Team Leadership Institute (PPTLI) relational content and philosophy, a PPT Leadership Community of Practice (CoP) has been developed. This initiative is designed to bring together both current and prospective PPT chairpersons to network, discuss challenges in practice, and explore key concepts from the PPTLI curriculum. The PPT Leadership CoP provides a monthly, virtual, one-hour gathering facilitated by PPTLI trainers. Each session fosters collaborative learning, shared problem-solving, understanding of PPT leadership and facilitation, and professional growth in a supportive environment. Topic: Leadership. Activity Code: 26-15-015-008. Registration Link: Virtual Session. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: A team from CSDE, SERC, EastConn, ACES, CPAC & CES. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Elisa Laudati, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 372 or laudati@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Pre-K-12; Educational professionals who chair, or have the potential to chair, PPT meetings in Connecticut. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Multi‐Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior - Day 6

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework for implementing a continuum of academic and social-emotional and behavioral supports meeting students’ needs and enhancing opportunities for achievement while reducing exclusionary school discipline practices that have a disproportionately adverse effect on students with disabilities, students of color and low-income students. During this multi-day training, participants will explore the core tier 1 features necessary to establish an effective, efficient system for school-wide behavior support. Target audience: School-wide team required to check with presenters for more information.Day 1    Thursday, December 18, 2025 Day 2    Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Day 3    Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – Virtual (Zoom Link will be sent after Day 2) Day 4    Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Day 5    Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Day 6    Wednesday, May 20, 2026, COACHES SESSIONS – 1pm to 2:30pm - Virtual Day 1 – Thursday, March 12, 2026 Day 2 – Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Topic: CSDE Events. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-75-121-007. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Eben McKnight and Christina Simms, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Eben McKnight, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 365 or mcknight@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: K-12 School Staff. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. West Hartford Conference Center 50 South Main Street West Hartford, CT 06107.

Planning and Placement Team Leadership Institute (PPT LI)- Cohort 1- Day 11: Final Celebration

The Planning and Placement Team Leadership Institute (PPTLI) is a one-year intensive experience for professionals who chair PPT meetings in Connecticut, with the purpose of training leaders to facilitate PPT meetings that meet legal requirements, foster positive school/parent partnerships, and result in high-quality individualized programming for students with disabilities. This statewide initiative is designed to support compliance with state and federal special education regulations. Participants in the institute will learn to: facilitate team meetings; create and write clear and effective individualized education programs (IEPs); foster positive relationships with parents; partner with district leaders to identify and implement a capstone project that addresses a needed change or enhancement in practice, and; develop support networks to foster the implementation of best practices in the education of students with disabilities. All topics are addressed with the framework of compliance and collaboration but… Topic: Leadership. Activity Code: 26-15-020-010. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: A team from CSDE, SERC, the RESC Alliance, CPAC & CES. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Elisa Laudati, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 372 or laudati@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Educational professionals who chair, or have the potential to chair, PPT meetings in Connecticut. Thursday, May 21, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Student Support Series: Professional Learning for Youth Mental and Behavioral Health-Suicide Prevention and Crisis Supports

The Student Support Series is a free, monthly professional learning opportunity offered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Behavioral Health Unit. Designed for school-based mental health professionals—including social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, and related staff—the series focuses on timely and relevant topics impacting student mental and behavioral health. Sessions are informed by current trends, participant feedback, and the evolving challenges students face. Pending approval, webinars will offer 1.5 Continuing Education Credit hours by the NASW/CT and will meet the continuing education criteria for licensure renewal for social workers, professional counselors, and licensed psychologists. To be eligible for CECs, participants must attend the webinar synchronously and be employed by a public school (inclusive of charter, magnet, and technical education), private school, or special education/alternative… Topic: Mental Health. Activity Code: 26-55-141-003. Registration Link: https://studentsupportseries.eventbrite.com. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Featured Event: Yes. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Kate Bohannan, CSDE Consultant. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Kate Bohannan at Kate.Bohannan@ct.gov. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades K-12 Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, Nurses, and Related Staff. Thursday, May 21, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM.

Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative: Honoring Those who Inspire Us: An Evening with Jordan Toma

Dyslexia Awareness Collaborative: Honoring Those who Inspire Us: An Evening with Jordan Toma, Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. An event not to be missed for students, teachers and families of students with dyslexia! Jordan Toma is a top motivational speaker in the United States and inspirational author of "I'm Just a Kid With an IEP" that has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dysgraphia, a reading comprehension learning disability, Jordan struggled in elementary and high school missing countless days of school and never passing a test on his own. Despite those difficulties, Jordan turned things around during a "Step Ahead" (pre-college) program and graduated from Centenary University with a 3.3 GPA and a degree in psychology. Three years later, Jordan spoke with students in the same pre-college program he attended. Over time, Jordan learned, "My Struggle Is My Strength. Today, I wear that like a badge of honor."… Online Location: Click Register to Sign up. Topic: Dyslexia. Activity Code: 26-58-125-000. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Birth-21. Presenters: Jordan Toma, Author and Public Speaker. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Claire Conroy, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 326 or conroy@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Lauren Johns, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 256 or johns@ctserc.org. Audience: Parents, Educators, Administrators, Legislators, and Community Stakeholders. Thursday, May 21, 2026, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Coginchaug Regional High School 135A Pickett Lane, Durham, CT 06422.

CSDE After-School Program Grant: Enhancing the Quality of After School Programming with Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Series

On behalf of the CSDE, SERC is pleased to offer District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of all CT After School Programs a four-part, virtual training series designed to support implementation of quality programming using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  Participants of this training series will better understand behavior and the natural stages of skill development, applications of meaningful student engagement strategies, and how-to differentiate student supports.  Participation in full training series is strongly encouraged. Session 1: Understanding Behavior Friday, May 15, 2026 Session 2: Stages of Skill Development Friday, May 22, 2026, Session 3: Meaningful Engagement Strategies Thursday, May 28, 2026, Session 4: Differentiated Student Supports Thursday, June 4, 2026 * All sessions are virtual and from 9:00am to 11:00am. Topic: SRBI. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-11-161-001. Registration Link: Register. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Malik Champlain, Clarisa Rodrigues and Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Michelle LeBrun-Griffin, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 321 or griffin@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Prek-12; District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of After-School Programs. Friday, May 22, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

Educator Wellness Experience - Session C

SERC Special Events A full-day inter-active professional development experience focused on educators' wellness, burnout prevention, and sustainable self-care practices. Participants gain practical tools to strengthen resilience, restore balance, and support long-term success in the classroom. Designed to support professional sustainability and emotional well-being in education: •    Evidence-informed workshops focused on educator wellness and burnout prevention; •    Guided wellness experiences and restorative stations;  •    Facilitated reflection and peer connection; and  •    Practical educator wellness toolkit and take-home resources. Topic: Mental Health. Activity Code: 26-55-155-000. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Featured Event: Yes. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: The Collective Space. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Daniela Alvarez, Consultant, (860)632-1485, ext. 302, alvarez@ctserc.org or Christina Simms, Consultant, (860) 632-1485, ext. 346, simms@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: Teachers, School Staff, Administrators, Counselors, Paraprofessionals, and School Climate Teams across Connecticut. Friday, May 22, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. New Britain Museum of American Art 56 Lexington St New Britain, CT 06052.

Designing for ALL: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Universal Design for Learning - Day 3

SERC Special Events With the evolution of AI, we know it can play a vital role in education by enhancing personalization, accessibility, and efficiency. In their guidance on AI, the CSDE acknowledges that educators will need a baseline understanding of AI technology and how it applies to their subject area and grade level.           In this two-and-a-half-day professional development, participants will be supported to connect the core tenets of Translanguaging and UDL (Tr/UDL), which emphasizes proactive planning and welcomes every student from the outset. Particularly teachers will make the connections between: a. Culturally responsive practices that connect learning to students’ identities and interests, fostering deeper engagement; b. Multilingual and multimodal teacher strategies that increase accessibility and comprehension; c. Multilingual and multimodal student practices that provide flexible ways to demonstrate understanding.   When combined with Tr/UDL, AI can empower educators to meet the diverse assets and needs of… Topic: Universal Design for Learning. Activity Code: 26-28-145-002. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades 6-12. Presenters: Sophia Diamantis and Smita Worah, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Sophia Diamantis, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 382 or diamantis@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: School-based teams of 3-4 people comprised of General Educators, Special Educators, Multilingual Learner Teachers & ESL Coaches. Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. SERC 175 Union Street Waterbury, CT 06706.

CSDE After-School Program Grant: Enhancing the Quality of After School Programming with Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Series

On behalf of the CSDE, SERC is pleased to offer District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of all CT After School Programs a four-part, virtual training series designed to support implementation of quality programming using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  Participants of this training series will better understand behavior and the natural stages of skill development, applications of meaningful student engagement strategies, and how-to differentiate student supports.  Participation in full training series is strongly encouraged. Session 1: Understanding Behavior Friday, May 15, 2026 Session 2: Stages of Skill Development Friday, May 22, 2026, Session 3: Meaningful Engagement Strategies Thursday, May 28, 2026, Session 4: Differentiated Student Supports Thursday, June 4, 2026 * All sessions are virtual and from 9:00am to 11:00am. Topic: SRBI. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-11-161-002. Registration Link: Register. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Malik Champlain, Clarisa Rodrigues and Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Michelle LeBrun-Griffin, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 321 or griffin@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Prek-12; District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of After-School Programs. Thursday, May 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

CT Transition Community of Practice (CoP) - May

CT Transition Community of Practice (CoP) - May, May 28, 2026 (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) Connecticut has created the CT Transition Community of Practice (CoP) to centralize all activities, resources, and initiatives related to secondary transition and to provide information and support to students, families, and professionals. The CoP is comprised of multiple stakeholder groups that have come together with a single focus: enhancing the transition of youth with disabilities to adult life. Come learn what we are all about! See how your ideas fit into Connecticut’s overall plans and help us plot our course for improving student outcomes. Online Location: Virtual Session. Topic: Transition. Activity Code: 26-20-019-000. Registration Link: Virtual Session. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Single-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Birth-21. Presenters: To Be Announced. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Chelsea Barone, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 229 or cbarone@ctserc.onmicrosoft.com. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Lauren Johns, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 256 or johns@ctserc.org. Audience: Birth-21: Parents/Families, Students/Youth, School Professionals, Transition Coordinators and Directors, Employers, and Representatives of other state agencies related to transition (DDS, ADS/BRS, BESB, DOL, DCF). Thursday, May 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive and Affirming Practices to Cultivate Belonging and Mattering: A Four-Part Professional Learning Series - Day 4 of 4

SERC Special Events Seats still available! Contact Heather Dawes dawes@ctserc.org to register! Join this four-part learning series designed to build knowledge, expand perspectives, learn practical strategies, and develop action plans to help create school communities where every student feels safe, seen, and valued. Overall Goals: - Build educator understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities, histories, and experiences. - Develop trauma-informed, inclusive practices that foster safety, belonging, and mattering. - Examine how LGBTQIA+ identities intersect with race, disability, and immigrant experiences. - Strengthen systems and policies that sustain affirming and equitable school environments. Learning Series Overview: Session 1: LGBTQIA+ 101 - Foundations - Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Cadence Pentheny, Community Education Director at Triangle Community Center A grounding session in key terminology, concepts, and historical context to strengthen inclusive mindsets and classroom practice. Session 2: LGBTQIA+ 201 - Mental Health and… Topic: Mental Health. Activity Code: 26-06-133-003. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Anthony Brisson, Independent LGBTQ+ Consultant, Laura Minero, PhD, Founder/CEO at Alchemy Psychology Colectivo, and Cadence Pentheny, Community Education Director at Triangle Community Center. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Elisa Palmieri Laudati, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 372 or laudati@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: Teachers and school staff. Thursday, May 28, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. SERC 175 Union Street Waterbury, CT 06706.

MTSS Leadership Session - Day 4

These sessions are designed to build capacity to develop, enhance, and expand Connecticut’s Statewide Systems of Support to local education agencies (LEAs) and schools using multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). MTSS provides guidance for the selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based behavioral & academic practices for improving outcomes for all students by providing direction, demonstrating alignment, and generating commitment as a collective. Topic: CSDE Events. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-75-122-003. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Michelle LeBrun-Griffin and Eben McKnight, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Eben McKnight, SERC Consultant, (860) 632-1485 ext. 365 or mcknight@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Heather Dawes, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263 or dawes@ctserc.org. Audience: School Leaders. Friday, May 29, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Klingberg Nexus 370 Linwood Street New Britain, CT 06052.

PPT Leadership Community of Practice

To expand the reach of the Planning and Placement Team Leadership Institute (PPTLI) relational content and philosophy, a PPT Leadership Community of Practice (CoP) has been developed. This initiative is designed to bring together both current and prospective PPT chairpersons to network, discuss challenges in practice, and explore key concepts from the PPTLI curriculum. The PPT Leadership CoP provides a monthly, virtual, one-hour gathering facilitated by PPTLI trainers. Each session fosters collaborative learning, shared problem-solving, understanding of PPT leadership and facilitation, and professional growth in a supportive environment. Topic: Leadership. Activity Code: 26-15-015-009. Registration Link: Virtual Session. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: A team from CSDE, SERC, EastConn, ACES, CPAC & CES. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Elisa Laudati, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 372 or laudati@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Pre-K-12; Educational professionals who chair, or have the potential to chair, PPT meetings in Connecticut. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

CSDE After-School Program Grant: Enhancing the Quality of After School Programming with Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Series

On behalf of the CSDE, SERC is pleased to offer District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of all CT After School Programs a four-part, virtual training series designed to support implementation of quality programming using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  Participants of this training series will better understand behavior and the natural stages of skill development, applications of meaningful student engagement strategies, and how-to differentiate student supports.  Participation in full training series is strongly encouraged. Session 1: Understanding Behavior Friday, May 15, 2026 Session 2: Stages of Skill Development Friday, May 22, 2026, Session 3: Meaningful Engagement Strategies Thursday, May 28, 2026, Session 4: Differentiated Student Supports Thursday, June 4, 2026 * All sessions are virtual and from 9:00am to 11:00am. Topic: SRBI. Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Activity Code: 26-11-161-003. Registration Link: Register. Single-Day/Multi-Day: Multi-Day. Cost: No Fee. Grade Level: Grades K-12. Presenters: Malik Champlain, Clarisa Rodrigues and Dwight Sharpe, SERC Consultants. Content Info: For content questions, please contact Michelle LeBrun-Griffin, SERC, (860) 632-1485 ext. 321 or griffin@ctserc.org. Registration Info: For registration questions, please contact Linda Adorno, SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 241 or adorno@ctserc.org. Audience: Grades Prek-12; District Liaisons, Site Coordinators, and Program Staff of After-School Programs. Thursday, June 4, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.