**ALERT: THE SNAC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, 2/4/2010 IS CANCELED DUE TO A 2-HR SCHOOL DELAY FOR THE CHCCS SYSTEM**

What is SNAC and how does it help children with special needs?

SNAC is a group of parents, district staff, and community professionals working together for the continuous improvement of the CHCCS Exceptional Children's program.  Our purpose is to influence district policy on EC issues. If your child currently has (or recently had) an IEP or a 504 plan, or is medically fragile, then it is in your interest to get involved with SNAC.

What SNAC Does

-   Studies areas of concern related to the education of exceptional children

-   Makes recommendations to the Superintendent and Board on desired improvements

-   Serves as a link between EC parents and the district - sharing information, identifying concerns, and improving collaboration

Working Groups are formed each year to address key areas identified by the council.

In 2009-10 we will be focusing on:

-   Developing a "handbook" of resource information for parents

-   Building communication with the EC community through SNAC's website

-   Transitions issues including Pre-K to K, high school to college, and 504-IEP-exit.

School Reps are the primary liaison between SNAC and each school's EC community. They...

-   Solicit EC parents' concerns, share them with SNAC and school decision-makers

-   Represent EC interests to school-based groups such as SITs and PTAs

-  Your school has two reps. You can contact them using the SNAC mailbox in your school office.

How You Can Get Involved

-   Apply to serve as a rep (when there are vacancies) or on a working group.

-   Offer your ideas for improving the education of your children.

-   Share your contact information with SNAC so we can keep in touch with you.

-   Attend SNAC meetings, which are open to the public, on the first Thursday of each month, 7:45-9:30 am, at the CCEE on Smith Middle School's campus.

To contact us, go to our website: http://www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/snac