PEN Project

Sharing!

SPOCA provides parent education and training to families of school-age children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across Texas, with a particular focus on families who have restricted access to resources and services. SPOCA expands our telehealth focus on reducing disparities in access to autism-related support by strengthening collaboration among families, schools, and professionals. Through individual and group parent training and Parent-Implemented Intervention (PII), caregivers will learn strategies to better support their children at home and in the community.

For more information on SPOCA, please check the comments!

We are here at the DSCEP Buddy Walk at the EPCC from Valle Verde Campus! Come say hi and get great info about our services!

¡Estamos aquí en el DSCEP Buddy Walk en el EPCC desde el campus de Valle Verde! ¡Ven a saludar y obtener gran información sobre nuestros servicios!

Your community. Your impact.

Passionate about supporting families and youth with disabilities?

Partners Resource Network accepts resumes year-round for Regional Coordinator positions in all Texas regions across our Project , PATH Project , PEN, and Project, even when your region doesn’t have a current opening.

Learn more about the role, current openings, and how to apply:
https://prntexas.org/about-prn/job-openings/

PRN is an equal opportunity employer.

📚✨ You’re Invited to a FREE Family Workshop! ✨📚

Join PEN Project Region 12 and Waco Family Medicine for an upcoming workshop designed to help families better understand the special education process.

📅 October 19, 2026
📖 Topic: “ARD Process”
📍 Waco Family Medicine – Central
1600 Providence Drive
Waco, TX 76707

Whether you’re new to the ARD process or have been through meetings before, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with resources. 💙

🎉 AND…there will be a raffle! 🎁
Come learn with us and you’ll have a chance to win!

👉 Register here:
https://forms.gle/WY4yF2pEB7m5Tbax5

💬 What’s one question you have about the ARD process? Drop it in the comments!

October is here, and our PEN Project newsletter is full of ways to learn, connect, and celebrate! Meet our Joy in the Journey speakers, celebrate our first Ability Fellows cohort, and cheer for Youth Hangout winners Angeline and Elijah. Plus, find upcoming webinars and events for your family.

What’s your favorite fall tradition?

https://mailchi.mp/partnerstx.org/pen-october-2026

💙💛 Concientización sobre el Síndrome de Down 💛💙

¡Octubre es el Mes de la Concientización sobre el Síndrome de Down! Es una excelente oportunidad para celebrar la inclusión, aprender más sobre el síndrome de Down y reconocer los talentos, logros y contribuciones de las personas con síndrome de Down.

El síndrome de Down no define las capacidades de una persona ni limita sus sueños. Las personas con síndrome de Down van a la escuela, trabajan, crean amistades y relaciones, participan en sus comunidades, desarrollan sus intereses y logran cosas increíbles. 🌟

Lo más importante es recordar que todas las personas merecen ser aceptadas, incluidas, respetadas y tener la oportunidad de alcanzar sus metas. 💙💛

💬 ¿Cuál es una manera en la que podemos ayudar a crear una comunidad más inclusiva?

💙💛 Down Syndrome Awareness 💛💙

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate inclusion, learn more about Down syndrome, and recognize the many talents, accomplishments, and contributions of people with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome does not define a person’s abilities or limit their dreams. People with Down syndrome go to school, work, build friendships and relationships, participate in their communities, pursue their interests, and accomplish amazing things. 🌟

Most importantly, let’s remember that everyone deserves to be accepted, included, respected, and given the opportunity to reach their goals. 💙💛

💬 What is one way we can help create a more inclusive community?

🧰 Toolkit Thursday!

Big feelings happen—and learning how to manage those feelings is a skill that takes practice. 💛

This week’s Toolkit Thursday resource from Edutopia shares simple, practical strategies to help elementary students build self-regulation skills. From breathing exercises and calming spaces to emotional check-ins, movement, and positive self-talk, there are lots of ways to help children learn what works for them.

Self-regulation doesn’t mean never getting upset. It means learning how to recognize those feelings, understand what’s happening, and find tools that can help. 🌱

💬 What’s one strategy that helps your child reset when they’re feeling overwhelmed?

19 Ways to Help Elementary Students Self-Regulate These strategies can help young learners practice an essential life skill—and foster classroom harmony in the process.

📣 CALL FOR PRESENTERS!

Sharing an opportunity from our friends at FACES Region 19!

FACES is seeking volunteer presenters for the 2027 Annual FACES Conference on Thursday, February 4, 2027, at the Starlight Event Center in El Paso.

They are looking for professionals, educators, community partners, and subject-matter experts who can lead engaging one-hour sessions that give families practical information, strategies, and resources they can use in everyday life.

Topics can include:
Mental health • Special education • Child development & behavior • Social-emotional wellness • Cybersecurity • Social media • Reading strategies • Bullying • CCMR • Budgeting • Marketing • Military families and more!

🎤 Have knowledge or practical tools that could benefit families in our community? Consider submitting a proposal!

🔗 Submit your presentation proposal:
https://bit.ly/FACES2027-Presenters

Know someone who would be a great presenter? Tag them or share this post with them!