President’s Message
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to serve as your president of ConnCASE, the Connecticut division of the National Council of Administrators of Special Education. Our organization brings together special education leaders to serve as a support network, advocate for our communities, and provide professional development opportunities. We also serve as a voice in policy discussions at both the local and national levels, working to influence legislative decisions. Additionally, all new Directors have the chance to collaborate with an experienced Special Education Director in their region through a mentorship program. Our primary mission is to equip special education administrators with the information, resources, and support necessary to ensure students and families receive the education they deserve.
Our Advocacy Priorities for 2024-2025
Last school year, the ConnCASE executive board and legislative committee, in collaboration with our Executive Director, dedicated efforts to proactively champion the needs of our members by:
• Drafting position statements
• Testifying at legislative hearings
• Meeting individually with chairs of key committees, including the Special Education and Education Committees
Through regular discussions with the leadership of the Special Education Division of the Connecticut State Department of Education, we stayed informed about updates at the CSDE and addressed district-level concerns, fostering dialogue and driving meaningful change.
ConnCASE actively contributed to various state committees, such as the Special Education Task Force, the BERGIN Commission, Autism Guidelines, Dyslexia Awareness Campaign, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Guidelines. We are also a standing member of the State Advisory Council for Special Education.
Regional Support Network
Beyond our statewide advocacy, each region hosts regular meetings where special education leaders can connect. These gatherings allow administrators to discuss shared concerns, collaborate on services, share resources, and provide emotional support—offering a vital sense of community in a role that can often feel isolating.
Looking Ahead to 2025-2026
As you are aware, special education was a major focus during the recent legislative session. Despite our advocacy efforts, some regulations were enacted that conflict with IDEA or do not serve our students and families effectively. The ConnCASE legislative committee and executive board are committed to advocating for necessary changes in the upcoming year.
We are also excited to unveil our new website, launching at the end of this week. It will feature current information, essential links for local and national resources, conference details, membership information, and registration links. Visit us at https://www.conncase.org/ to stay informed.
Join Us
We encourage all of you to become members of CASE and ConnCASE. As a professional organization, we offer unmatched resources and support to Connecticut's special education leaders. We also invite current members to participate in committees or volunteer for leadership roles.
ConnCASE provides an exceptional opportunity for Connecticut’s special education administrators to influence policy, access vital resources, and connect with colleagues who understand our unique challenges. We hope you will join us in this important work. For more information or to get involved, please contact Aimee Turner at aturner@wallingfordschools.org or Allyson Brunetti at info@conncase.org.
Regards,
Aimee Turner
ConnCASE President