Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

The purpose of the standard is to provide details of the operation of the Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) to the ministry and to give the members of the public information to which they are entitled.

Names and Affiliations of Members and Contact Information

Chair:

• Lorraine DeJong
  Acclaimed January 11, 2024

Vice-Chair:

• Kathy Jones
  Acclaimed January 11, 2024
   

Local Agency Representatives:

Community Living Brant

• Tara Buchanan,
  Supervisor of Employment Supports
  519-753-6303, ext. 441

Contact Brant

• LeaAnn Boswell,
  Community Navigator
  519-758-8228, ext. 228

Easter Seals Ontario

• Christina Gilman
  519-754-7568

Autism Ontario

• Rea Vriends
  289-877-8864

Lansdowne Children’s Centre

• Lorraine DeJong (Chair),
  Social Worker
  519-753-3153, ext. 202

Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services

• Cathy Stefanelli,
  Program Manager
  519-209-4872
   

Community Representatives:

• Katie Kelly
  519-429-9552
• Kathy Jones
  (Vice-Chair)
  519-586-8852
• Wendy Rose
  905-518-5751
   

Native Representatives:

• Lisa Nydam
  Six Nations
  289-439-2968
• Tammy Sault
  Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  905-768-3222
   

Trustees:

• Tom Waldschmidt
  519-442-2140
• Liz Whiton
  226-387-0867
   

Alternates:

• Rita Collver
  519-582-4969
• Susan Gibson
  519-771-9622
• Alternates Rita Collver 519-582-4969 and Tammy Sault 905-768-3222 
   

Grand Erie Staff:

• Liana Thompson
  Superintendent of Education
  519-756-6301, ext. 281173
• Jennifer Valstar
  SEAC Recording Secretary
  519-756-6301, ext. 281173

Resource:

• Piyali Bagchee
  Manager, Mental Health & Well-being
  519-756-6301, ext. 287210
• Laura Miedema 
  Intensive Support Inclusion Coordinator
  519-756-6301, ext. 287227
• Jeff Senior
  Principal Leader, Specialized Services
  519-756-6301, ext. 287214
• Lindsay Sheppard
  Program and Inclusion Coordinator
  519-756-6301, ext. 287217

About SEAC

What is SEAC?

• SEAC is an advisory committee mandated through the Education Act as a standing committee of each school board and governed by O. Reg. 464/97: Special Education Advisory Committees
• The committee reports to the school board and makes recommendations to the board regarding special education program and services.
   

Who is on SEAC?

The SEAC of the Grand Erie District School Board is comprised of:

1. parents and other community representatives
2. representatives of up to 12 local chapters of associations which further the interests of people with exceptional needs
3. at least one person representing the interests of Native Students; and
4. board personnel who act as a resource to the committee
    

How are SEAC Members selected?

• The term of members of the committee shall be the same as the term of the Board of Trustees
• In September of an election year, the Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Special Education shall commence a recruitment process for a new roster of SEAC members.
• Current members in good standing will be asked to confirm their commitment to SEAC.
• If a full complement is not achieved from current members, the Communications department will place ads on the board’s website and in selected media invitinginterested persons to submit a letter of intention to the SEAC Chair.
•  All current SEAC members will be involved in this process and the Committee will submit a proposed roster to the board of Trustees for approval by the November Board meeting
   

What does SEAC do?

• A special education advisory committee of a board may make recommendations to the board in respect of any matter affecting the establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional pupils of the board.
   

When does SEAC meet?

• SEAC meetings are held on a monthly basis, with a minimum of ten meetings per school year.
• The meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. either virtually through an electronic meeting application or at the Education Centre, 349 Erie Avenue, Brantford, and are open to the public.

Meeting Dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023
• Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
• Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023
• Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023
• Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024
• Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024
• Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024
• Thursday, May 2, 2024
• Thursday, Jun. 6, 2024

How SEAC Fulfilled its Role and Responsibilities

Public Consultation

The Grand Erie District School Board (Grand Erie) values collaboration with families and community members.

What was done:

• A banner was placed on the Grand Erie Special Education, accessed through the Grand Erie main webpage, reminding the public to provide input through the survey, which is linked to the Special Education Plan.
• Administrators were asked to ensure parents are aware of the survey and encouraged to participate.
   

Making Recommendations to the Board

With respect to any matter affecting the establishment, development, and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students within the board:

What was done:

• Members received presentations on programs and services resulting in discussions.
• Members received presentation on special education budgets and were invited to present suggestions for increases or reductions on certain line items.
   

Participating in the Board’s Annual Review of the Special Education Plan

What was done:

Consultation with the Special Education Advisory Committee

To meet the requirements of Regulation 464/97, the Grand Erie District School Board has ensured that its Special Education Advisory Committee has participated in the Board’s Annual Review of its Special Education Plan guided by Regulation 306 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario (1990). Involvement has included:

• ongoing discussion at SEAC meetings throughout the 2022-23 school year
• presentations on programs and services provided for students with special needs

September 7, 2023

• Update on Destreaming in Grand Erie – Presentation 
• Project SEARCH Funding Update – Presentation 
• SEAC Terms of Reference – Review 
• Specialized Services Department Updates – Presentation 
   

October 5, 2023

• Inclusive Language Guide in Grand Erie – Presentation 
• Summer Learning Programs – Presentation 
• Communication Boards in Grand Erie – Presentation 
• Overview of the Accessibility Plan 2022-27 – Review 
• Inclusion by Design: Laying the Foundation - Presentation 

November 16, 2023

• Grand Erie’s Math Achievement Action Plan - Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Annual Learning and Operating Plan 2022-23 Final Report – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Annual Learning and Operating Plan 2023-24 – Presentation 
• Nursing Supports in Schools – Update 
• Pre-School Speech and Language – Update 
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan – Standard 7 – Specialized Health Support Services in Schools – Review 
• Connecting with Services, Supports and Resources – Lansdowne Children’s Centre – Presentation 

December 14, 2023

• Video Spotlight – Grand Erie’s Anti-Racism Series – Presentation 
• Supporting Students who seek escape – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan – Standard 3 – Roles and Responsibilities - Review 
• SEAC Chair/Vice-Chair Election Process – Presentation 

January 11, 2024

• Election of the Chair and Vice-Chair of SEAC 
• Video Spotlight – Grand Erie’s Anti-Racism Video Series – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Financial Update 2023-24 – Presentation 
• 2024-25 School Year Calendar – Presentation 
• A Day in the Life of the Literacy Coach - Presentation 

February 1, 2024

• Welcome to the SEAC member 
• Discussion about SEAC sending a letter of support regarding students struggling with mental health challenges - Update 
• Video Spotlight – Grand Erie’s Anti-Racism Video Series – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan 2023-24 – Standard 6 – Educational and Other Assessments - Review 
• Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) - Presentation 
• Regional Special Education Council – Update 
• Specialized Services Flyer - Update 

March 2, 2024

• Early Reading Strategy – A Day in the Life of the Reading Resource Intervention Teacher – Presentation 
• Woodview Mental Health & Autism Support – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Specialized Services Program Report – Update 
• Destreaming in Grand Erie – Update 
• Funding for transportation for students with special education needs – Update 
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan 2023-24 – Standard 12 – Educational and Other Assessments - Review 

April 6, 2024

• Restorative Practices in Grand Erie – Presentation 
• Supporting Students with Special Education Needs on a Suspension or Expulsion – Presentation 
• Highlights of Grand Erie’s Professional Learning Environment – Presentation 
• Family Math Newsletters - Review 

May 4, 2024

• Lansdowne SCILL Camp – Presentation 
• Video Spotlight – Inclusion by Design in Grand Erie – Presentation 
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan 2023-24 – Update 
• Specialized Services Classroom Programs 2024-25 – Update 
• Grand Erie’s Annual Learning and Operating Plan – Mid Term Update 

June 15, 2024

• Project SEARCH – Presentation
• Grand Erie’s Math Achievement Action Plan – Update
• Grand Erie’s Special Education Plan – Approved
• Grand Erie’s SEAC Terms of Reference - Review

Participating in the Development of the Board’s Annual Budget for Special Education

What was done:

January 11, 2024

• Financial Update 2023-24 

Grand Erie financial Statements are available on our website: 2022-23 Fiscal Budget
 

Contacting SEAC for Membership or to Express a View:

Parents, community members, or members of local associations wishing representation on SEAC or wishing to express their views on a special education topic should contact Lorraine DeJong, SEAC Chair, at ldejong@lansdownecc.com
 

Questions Related to Special Education Services or Programs:

Principal Leader of Specialized Services (Services) 519-756-6301, ext. 287214 OR Program and Inclusion Coordinator (Programs) 519-756-6301, ext. 287217 
 

SEAC Terms of Reference:

Terms of Reference for SEAC will be included in the first SEAC meeting package (September) of each school year.