SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my! Conversations with DCSEAC

Expanding Community Impact Beyond In-Person Events In this episode, Aleia, Courtney and Kelly reflect on how creating on-demand audio content can broaden community impact compared to hosting in-person events, which many people struggle to attend. They emphasize that allowing people to listen whenever they have time makes the effort more accessible and potentially more meaningful, and they express...

In this episode, host Meredith is joined by board members Aleia, Courtney, and first-time guest Elissa for an honest, heartfelt conversation about BASE — Douglas County's Before and After School Enrichment program — and the unique challenges it presents for families of children with special needs. Elissa shares her family's personal journey navigating BASE with her son, who has diagnoses of ADHD a...

May Madness: Surviving End-of-Year Overwhelm for Special Needs Families Aleia Mastroianni and DCSEAC board members Kelly Mayr and Courtney Nangle discuss why May feels especially overwhelming for families raising children with disabilities, describing end-of-year scheduling crushes (testing, concerts, prom, graduations), IEP renewals, and teacher appreciation pressures compounded by social media e...

Special Olympics & Unified Champion Schools: Building Belonging From Preschool Through Adulthood Host Aleia Mastroianni talks with Maricela Shukie, Senior Director of Unified Champion Schools at Special Olympics Colorado, about how Special Olympics provides lifelong opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports, leadership, inclusive school programs,...

Special Ed, IEPs, 504s, Oh My! – Conversations with DCSEAC Episode: Understanding Twice Exceptionality (2E) Guests: Natasha Strayer – Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted Programming, Douglas County School District, Steven Whited – Special Education Coordinator, Chaparral Feeder, Douglas County School District, Aleia – Parent advocate and DCSEAC co-host Episode Summary: In this episode, host...

Developmental Pathways Explained: Medicaid Waivers, Disability Determination & Community Supports (DCSEAC Podcast) Host Aleia Mastroianni interviews Rachel Walker of Developmental Pathways, the case management agency for Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert Counties that helps families access early intervention, long-term care Medicaid services and waivers, and locally funded IDD supports across the...

pisode: OT Beyond the Handwriting Special Ed IEPs, 504s & Conversations with DCSEAC Guest: Patty Kreinbrink, Occupational Therapist Lead, Douglas County School District Episode Summary: Host Meredith sits down with Patty Kreinbrink, the OT Lead for Douglas County Schools, to pull back the curtain on what school-based occupational therapy really is — and isn't. From sensory processing and core...

First Crossover Q&A: Autism Team Access, IEP vs 504, ADHD After School, and Finding Community Aleia Mastroianni and Meredith host their first crossover Q&A for “SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my,” answering listener and event-submitted questions. They explain how to request DCSD autism or behavioral team consultation through the school (escalating to coordinators/directors if needed) and note t...

SLP — It's More Than the R Sound Special Ed IEPs, 504s, Oh My! Conversations with DCSEAC Episode Summary Host Meredith sits down with Annika Barton (Assistant Director, Early Childhood Department, Douglas County School District) and Cindy Stephenson (Speech Language Pathologist Lead, K–Bridge) to demystify speech-language services in schools — from birth to age 21. Topics Covered 🗣️ Why Speech is...

Student Voices in DCSD Special Education: Bridge, Mild/Mod, and SSN Perspectives DCSEAC’s podcast features student voices for the first time, highlighting daily school experiences and strengths across Douglas County School District special education programs. Maria, a Bridge program student (ages 18–21 with IEPs), discusses political activism around Medicaid cuts, learning English after moving fro...

Episode 3: Hope and Resilience - Kitchen Table Talk Series Duration: 24 minutes Podcast: Special Ed IEPs, 504s, Oh My - Conversations with DCSEAC Content Warning This episode covers sensitive topics regarding children's mental health and suicidal distress. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to listen in small doses. Crisis Resources 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (availa...

This powerful conversation with Courtney explores what happens after the initial fog clears following a child's mental health crisis. This is Part 2 of a series documenting one family's journey through inpatient and outpatient care, school support systems, and the ongoing challenges of advocacy and self-care. Episode Length: 31 minutes Content Warning: This episode discusses children's mental heal...

The Fog - Part 1 Episode Description This conversation covers sensitive topics regarding children's mental health and suicidal distress. We talk about these things because silence grows stigma, but conversation grows hope. In this first episode of our Kitchen Table Talks series, host Meredith sits down with Courtney, a parent who has navigated the incredibly difficult journey of supporting a child...

Navigating Transitions in Special Education: From Middle School to Adulthood In this episode of SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my: Conversations with DCSEAC, the focus is on the critical transitions for students with special needs from middle school to adulthood. The hosts delve into the nuances of changing IEP instructional minutes and direct versus indirect services as students enter high school. The...

In this episode of 'SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my: Conversations with DCSEAC,' hosts Aleia Mastroianni, Kelly Mayr, and Meredith Daly discuss the challenges and anxieties families face when their children with special needs transition between schools. They explore transitions from pre-K to elementary school and from elementary to middle school. Topics include the importance of transition meetings,...

Show Notes: DCSEAC Shining Stars Award - Celebrating Those Who Make a Difference Episode Overview Join hosts Meredith and Courtney as they discuss the DCSEAC Shining Stars Award program, a special initiative to recognize and celebrate the educators, staff, and community members who make a profound impact on children with special needs in Douglas County. Featured Guest: Courtney - Shining Star Coor...

Beyond the Hyperactivity, through the School Years Podcast: Special Ed IEPs, 504s, Oh My! Conversations with DCSEAC Host: Meredith Guest: Dr. Erin Grell, School Psychologist Co-Host: Kelly, DCSEAC Board Member (parent of 6 children with ADHD) Duration: 34 minutes Episode Description Diving deep into ADHD in schools—how it really shows up and how it changes from elementary to high school. The diffe...

In this episode of 'SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh My: Conversations with DCSEAC,' host Aleia Mastroianni discusses behavioral supports in schools with Tanya Anglemyer, a member of the district's behavioral support team and lead CPI trainer. They explore various strategies to approach and manage challenging behaviors in students with disabilities, emphasizing understanding and addressing the root cause...

Understanding Special Education in Douglas County: A Conversation with Liza Meier In this episode of 'SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh my: Conversations with DCSEAC,' host Aleia Mastroianni sits down with Liza Meier, the Executive Director of Special Education in Douglas County School District (DCSD). Together with DCSEAC board members, they discuss Liza's role, her approach to special education, and the...

Podcast Title: Decoding Dyslexia Part 2 Episode Summary: In this follow-up episode, host Meredith continues the conversation on dyslexia with district specialist Lynni Nordheim, joined by Tashia and Aleia. The panel dives deeper into Colorado’s new universal dyslexia screening law, practical strategies for supporting students, and the emotional journey of families navigating dyslexia in the school...

Episode Show Notes Episode Title: Understanding Dyslexia: Myths, Realities, and Empowerment Episode Summary: In this episode, we explore the world of dyslexia—debunking common myths, highlighting the unique strengths of dyslexic thinkers, and offering practical advice for parents, educators, and individuals. Our discussion reframes dyslexia not as a deficit, but as a different operating system for...

In this episode of 'SpecialEd IEPs, 504s, Oh my: Conversations with DCSEAC,' Aleia Mastroianni, Courtney Nangle, and Lisa Graham, the Director of Early Childhood Education, discuss key issues related to early childhood education and the special education services available in Douglas County. Topics include the appropriateness of schools discussing potential disabilities with parents, the evaluatio...

In this episode of 'SpecialEd, IEPs, 504s, Oh My: Conversations with DCSEAC,' hosts Aleia and Courtney discuss the significance of early childhood education with Lisa Graham, Director of Early Childhood Education in Douglas County. They highlight the critical role of preschool in supporting children with disabilities, speech delays, dyslexia, and behavioral challenges. The conversation covers Lisa...

Show Notes: Oh My! The Functional Behavior Assessment Episode Overview: In this final segment of the three-part series, Meredith and Tashia are joined by Dr. Stephanie Crawford (Director of Mental Health), Dr. Bernadette Pigeon (Mental Health Coordinator), and Ellen Kerkoff (Mental Health Lead) to demystify the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) process in schools. The discussion covers when and...

Show Notes: "Oh My! The IEP Meeting and Advice for Parents" – Part 2 Hosts & Guests: Meredith (Host) Tashia White (Co-host/Parent) Dr. Stephanie Crawford (Director of Mental Health) Dr. Bernadette Pigeon (Mental Health Coordinator) Ellen Kerkoff (Mental Health Lead) Topics Covered: What to expect at an IEP meeting: structure, annual reviews, and the three-year reevaluation process. Navigating...