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Visit the Mason's Mountain Run Website What: This race is being started to celebrate the life of a very special boy, Mason Bailey Shuck. Mason died in August 2009 after living with mitochondrial disease for 11 years. His spirit and sense of humor lives on with us today. He enjoyed many days in the mountains, hiking and camping. This race/walk is to enjoy a day in the beautiful mountains and to encourage anyone who is capable to run for those who can’t. June 11th will be a day to celebrate and have fun. You can sign up for a challenging 10K trail run or participate in a family fun trail walk. For those individuals, especially special needs children, who are unable to participate in the 10K trail run or moutain walk, a treasure hunt will be set up around the Lion's Camp. This will be a fun time to find prizes while following a trail of knock knock jokes. After both events there will be a BBQ lunch to just enjoy and appreciate nature and our lives together. Event day activities include a treasure hunt, inflatables, music, games, prizes for kids, face painting, lunch for all registrants and entertainment for all! Sign up to participate in the fun today! When: Saturday, June 11, 2011 Registration begins 9:00am Mountain  Race starts at 10:30am Mountain Where: Lions Camp,  Red Lodge, Mt.

Click here for more information!What:Highly interactive training that will include: Representatives from Montana's Office of Public Instruction, Special Educations Division, presenting to both agency and school personnel, detailing transition activities as required by law. Networking lunch (provided) Facilitated round table discussion with school personnel to more deeply explore how school should design and implement transition programs. Speakers:Dale Anderson was a special education teacher for many years in Billings Public Schools. After he retired, the Montana Office of Public Instruction asked him to participate in a variety of projects such as the Montana Behavioral Initiative. He has provided technical assistance in the areas of secondary transition, special education monitoring, and compliance to special education rules and procedures. Margaret Tryon has been a special education teacher for 17 years, special education director 15 years, and school psychologist 9 years. She also works part time for the Office of Public Instruction providing technical assistance and monitoring for compliance in special education. She has been involved with transition projects for many years. She is currently working part time at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Office of Public Instruction, and Custer Public Schools.When:February 28, 20128:00 am - 3:00 pmWhere:MSU Billings CampusCollege of Ed Bldg Rm 122Contact:Debra Miller Phone: (406) 657-2027Email: dmiller@msubillings.edu

The Network of Care for Service Members, Veterans & Their Families is a one-stop-shop for virtually all services, information, support, advocacy, and much more. This public service is an attempt to bring together critical information for all components of the veterans' community, including veterans, family members, active-duty personnel, reservists, members of the National Guard, employers, service providers, and the community at large.

Jane Farrall has constructed a great table listing all the important features about all the known assistive/adaptive communication (AAC) applications for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. She’s actively updating the table in response to feedback, this is a great resource for those looking for information about AAC out there.

Click here to download the Brochure with Registration Information (PDF) Vision Net training is for kids 0-6 with sensory losses and other disabilities. It will start Jan. 13 -- instructors need advanced registrations to get materials assembled and vision net sites. Please fill out the attached registration form if interested.  Topics will include brain development, sensory processing, family centered practices, use of touch, hearing, vision system, CVI, communication, motor development and more. What: INSITE Basic Training prepares early intervention professional to work with families in acquiring information, skills and support to facilitate the development of their young children who have sensory impairments combined with other disabilities. It includes a comprehensive overview of the rationale and organization of the INSITE Model, including early identification, administration and supportive service components. The majority of the training time is devoted to training in the direct services to families. Participants become familiar with the INSITE resource manual (purchased separately by participants)  which contains information and learning activities for families on early communication, audition, vision, cognition, motor impairments, and the development of auditory and visual skills. They learn about the INSITE approach to information gathering, child assessment and program planning needed for developing the IFSP.

The Governor’s State Workforce Investment Board Youth Council is supporting a statewide GED Initiative. You have been identified as a person who clearly understands the economic needs of our state, and the importance of a competitive workforce. Prior to launching the Initiative, two regional promotional sessions have been scheduled to discuss the economic impact of high school dropouts and the importance of statewide support for the GED Initiative. At each meeting, we will discuss how every community can play an active role in reaching out to local youth to bring them back into the education pipeline and open the doors to further education and career opportunities. The first session is: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 Hampton Inn – 5110 Southgate Billings, MT 8:30 am – 4:00 pm AGENDA | FACT SHEET The second session is: Thursday, December 16, 2010 War Bonnet Inn – 2100 Cornell Ave Butte, MT8:30 am – 4:00 pm AGENDA | FACT SHEET Bringing representatives from various agencies together to prepare for the Initiative launch will ensure that we have a successful campaign and Montana has the credentialed workforce necessary to move our state forward. A recent study showed Montana’s dropout rate among students 16 to 19 years old was 9% - the sixth highest rate in the nation. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Carol Flynn at cflynn@mt.gov. Additionally, please feel free to forward this invite to anyone you feel would be interested and can assist with the Initiative.

Schools that have clear policies, procedures and activities designed to prevent bullying and have supportive staff and student organizations can be effective in reducing verbal and physical harassment. These kinds of positive school climates are associated with reduced suicide risk and better mental health among LGBT students [5,6].  For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Schools, communities, parents, and youth have a role to play in building positive, supportive, and healthy environments for youth. Such environments promote acceptance and respect and help youth feel valued [7].

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: mark.williams1@msubillings.edu or cal toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: tkelker@msubillings.edu or jennifer.belcher@msubillings.edu or call toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

Language-based learning disability (LBLD) refers to a spectrum of difficulties related to the understanding and use of spoken and written language. LBLD is a common cause of students' academic struggles because weak language skills impede comprehension and communication, which are the basis for most school activity.

Over 90% of service dog handlers say that their animals improve their quality of life by assisting with life skills and increasing physical activity and community involvement.  Each service dog is matched to an handler’s unique needs after extensive training to perform specific tasks while maintaining a calm temperament.  Before going home, the new handler also receives instruction for the animal’s care and handling.

Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) is inviting you to join LIFTT in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the passage and signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.The Billings ADA celebration with be held in conjunction with the Koncert for Kids at Dehler Park on August 10. Gates open at 6 pm, with the concert beginning at 7 pm.Admission to the concert is free, and a variety of food and drink concessions will be available at family-friendly prices.In addition to the concert, several group with have information and activity booths set up along the stadium concourse. For questions, contact Ian Elliot at 406-656-2744 or at ellitotian@hotmail.com

When: June 24, 2010 Where: Paxson Elementary 101 Evans Street Missoula, MT 59801 What: Come join us for our first weekly playgroup. The playground has nice new play equipment and is fenced (no gates though). This will be a great time for kids to get outside and move with friends. Siblings, family and friends are welcome! Contact MT CAAN at mtcaan@gmail.com with questions.

These guides make it easier for young children with disabilities to participate in early literacy learning activities. Written for both parents and practitioners, the practice guides describe everyday home, community, and childcare learning opportunities that encourage early literacy learning.

On Saturday September 11 the local non-profit group D.R.E.A.M. (Down syndrome research, education and advocacy in Montana) will hold its 1st annual Buddy Walk in Bozeman. The walk is a 1-mile loop around the Gallatin Regional  Park which is located off of Oak Street and right down the street from the Dinosaur Playground. The event is the main fundraiser for D.R.E.A.M. and a portion of the funds raised goes to the National Down syndrome Society.

When: Saturday, September 18, 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Where: MSDB Mustang Center 3911 Central Avenue Great Falls, MT 59405 What: Activities and Games Storytelling of MAD/MSDB History

Full brochure and registration information (PDF) Please join us to help support the first annual Billings Buddy Walk.  The Buddy Walk (www.buddywalk.org) was established by the National Down Syndrome Society to help celebrate Down syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.   We have teamed up with YESKIDS (www.yeskids-mt.com), a local organization who's mission is to raise awareness and support for families that have loved ones with Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders here in Yellowstone county and Eastern Montana.   The Billings Buddy Walk will be at Dehler Park on Saturday October 2nd. Registration begins at 10AM and the WALK starts at 11AM.  There will be food and fun activities for the kids and adults. Our goal is to walk one mile together to raise awareness and meet others who's lives have been changed by someone "Xtra Special".   The cost to register is $10 per person and includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt. There is no cost for "Xtra Special" individuals to register and they will receive a free T-shirt. Please register by September 5th in order to get your t-shirt ordered. Registrations received after September 5th may not receive a T-shirt.