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What: Now 620 nonprofits strong and growing, MNA is the voice for charitable nonprofits in Montana. In the true spirit of association, join together with MNA and your colleagues for this great event and celebrate the vital role that nonprofits play in community and civic life. All activities are free of charge except the afternoon workshop. Participants may attend any and all activities.  At Nonprofit Day, MNA will unveil our new Nonprofit Sector Report – details and analysis that will help legislators, the general public, and your donors better grasp the scope and scale of our sector and its importance to the economy in our state. Please pass this message along to others in your networks – it is critical that we have a strong showing for the 2011 Nonprofit Day on January 27 in the Rotunda.  In previous years, our day at the Capitol has had the largest number of attendees of any professional Association.  Term limits have made it increasingly important that we band together and speak with a common voice as we work to protect nonprofit rights in Montana and the US Capitol. And, don't forget to send us photos of your organization that we can share in our Nonprofit Showcase presentation in the Rotunda. Send photos that exemplify your nonprofit's mission in action to: Patty White (pwhite@mtnonprofit.org). Who: Montana Nonprofits When: Thurs, January 27, 2011 Time: 9:30 am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-4:30 Where: Capitol Rotunda in the morning and afternon workshop at the Downtown Holiday Inn, Helena Cost:  Morning session at the Capitol is FREE; afternoon workshop cost is $45 for members, $90 for non-members. You must register for either event.

A new tool kit released Thursday is designed to make the transition to adulthood easier for those with autism by giving families an overview of the options and resources available when it comes to housing, employment and other issues. The kit from Autism Speaks was developed by parents and professionals and is geared toward families of those ages 13 to 22. At more than 100 pages, it covers topics ranging from developing self-advocacy skills to sexuality in addition to practical concerns like housing, education and employment options after high school.

Click here to download the flyer for the Youth M.O.V.E Montana (PDF) We the members of Youth Motivating Others through Voices of Experience’ (M.O.V.E.) National envision systems in which every youth person that enters a youth serving system is being prepared for life through genuine opportunities and authentic youth involvement throughout all systems levels. We help guide the redevelopment of the systems so that no youth falls through the cracks. We advocate for youth to utilize their power and expertise to foster change in their communities and in their own lives. Youth M.O.V.E. National works toward the day when all people will recognize and accept the culture of youth, their families, and the communities that serve them in order to be truly culturally-competent. Youth M.O.V.E. National looks forward to the day when youth are no longer treated as numbers, problems or caseloads, but as individuals and humans. We will all stand as partners: youth, youth advocates, supporters, parents, and professionals to see our youth become successful.

What: Are you wondering how to implement curriculum with fidelity? Are you unsure what fidelity means and what your responsibilities are? Implementing your curriculum with fidelity can be the difference for your students. Join Gwen Poole to learn more about curriculum fidelity and how implementing curriculum with fidelity can squeeze the most from programs that your school is using. During this presentation participants will : Learn what fidelity is and what it is not Be introduced to fidelity checklists Understand the roles and responsibilities regarding curriculum fidelity Where: College of Education Building, Room 122 MSU-Billings Campus, Billings MT When: March 25, 2011  from  9:00 am to 4:00 pm Registration 8:30-9:00 About Presenter: Gwen Poole is a passionate Montana educator. She has fourteen years of teaching experience which includes Kindergarten, First grade, and Title 1 (K-5). During that time she has also been a Response to Intervention Facilitator and worked with several schools in their implementation of RtI. Most recently, Gwen joined the Instructional Innovations Unit at OPI where she works with schools toward improvement as well as building professional development opportunities for schools through the Instructional Innovation Website. More information: Workshop Brochure and online registration available soon on the Region III CSPD website, www.msubillings.edu/cspd/events.htm. For more information about CSPD contact Debra Miller, Region III CSPD Coordinator, at 657-2072, or e-mail at dmiller@msubillings.edu.

Click here to register for this event What: Dr. Grandin didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. www.templegrandin.com/ If you have seen the HBO movie "Temple Grandin" you know how important Eustacia Cutler, Dr. Grandin's mother, was to her success. Come and hear her first-hand account of raising Temple Grandin at a time when Autism barely had a name. As part of the conference, Ms. Cutler will be the featured guest at an evening reception for parents of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. In addition to keynote presentations, multiple breakouts sessions each day will feature a choice of educational, medical, adolescent/adult, and family support strands. Lighting the Way welcomes family members, educators, social workers, childcare providers, support professionals and other community members to attend the event. CEUs and college credit hours will be available. A pre-conference session is scheduled for June 8th. Dr. Barry Grossman and Dr. Ruth Aspy, founders of the Ziggurat Model, A Framework for Designing Comprehensive Interventions for Individuals With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome, will present a day-long workshop. Full conference information and on-line registration available at: www.augie.edu/autism When: June 9 and 10, 2011 Where: Sioux Falls Register: A limited number of stipends are available to help SD families with a member with an autism spectrum disorder attend the conference.   Please contact SD Parent Connection at 1-800-640-4553 or sdpc@sdparent.org to request a stipend.

the point I am trying to make is that if the iPad is to be a useful tool in supporting children with autism to achieve their developmental goals and become the capable and fascinating adults we know they will be then it is how we use the iPad to support development that is most important — and the miracle there, as it always has been, is the parents and professionals who work with children with autism.

The Symposium brings together individuals who are interested in resolving disputes in a non-adversarial manner and building collaborative relationships that will lead to better educational programs for students with disabilities.  Past symposium faculty have been a highly regarded group of professionals from throughout the United States.   This important event will convene at the beautiful Valley River Inn on the banks of the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon, October 26-28, 2011.   More information, including a Request for Presentations, will be coming in the very near future.

Eleanore's Project is returning to Lima and Arequipa, Peru from March 14-28, 2011 with a team of 17 wheelchair seating professionals and volunteers to bring the gift of mobility to 172 children with disabilities. We are seeking sponsorships to cover the cost of refurbishing, shipping and fitting the custom wheelchair these children so badly need. Your $300 sponsorship or donation of any amount will be used only for direct services for children and families. Donate today

Click here to register for this event What: This webinar will present a general introduction and overview of Broadband—both as a public policy agenda and as a quality of life issue for people with disabilities. The training will take a look at the unique ways in which Broadband is redefining health care, education, employment, citizenship, and community participation for people with disabilities. When: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:00 AM –  12:00 PM MST Presenter: Martin Sweeney -- As a parent, activist and current AT professional, Martin Sweeney has over 25 years of experience in the field of assistive technology. As a training specialist, Sweeney is part of the Center for Accessible Technology team promoting Broadband awareness, access and adoption throughout California.

What: The annual Montana Mentor Institute 2011 – the Art and Science of Teacher Mentoring is scheduled for August 8-10, 2011, at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman. This year the institute will have a novice strand for mentors new to the teacher mentoring process and a skilled strand for teacher mentors who have previously attended a mentor institute. The structure for the institute includes two days of skills and concept training, and a half day of team planning and resources available to support instruction. Districts that have developed teacher mentor programs in Montana consistently report that providing high-quality training to the mentors is a challenge. The Mentor Institute is a great place to have your teacher mentors trained. The institute aligns with Montana correlates in the following areas: Academic Performance – Instruction, and Learning Environment – Professional Growth and Development. The institute will provide renewal units, and graduate credit (for an additional cost). Registration information for the Montana Mentor Institute 2011 can be found at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SpecED/Mentor/11MentorInstitute.pdf When: August 8-10, 2011 Where: Best Western GranTree Inn Bozeman, MT

Registration is now open for this premiere regional conference on special education and the law. Please join us! Benefits: Learn from special education law experts from around the country Build professional relationships and network with colleagues Stay current on recent legal decisions and interpretations of special education law and litigation Expand your knowledge on emerging legal issues and trends When: September 26 - Optional Mini-Courses September 27 and 28 - Institute Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Jonathan Mooney "Re-Drawing the Lines - Neurodiversity: A Compass to a Changing World" Mr. Mooney is a writer and activist with dyslexia who learned to read when he was 12-years-old. He has since earned an honors degree in English Literature at Brown University and has written and published two thought-provoking books. The Institute will feature four keynote presentations at General Sessions and offers sixteen workshops on current topics such as Discipline Under the IDEA, Untangling Manifest Determinations, and Avoiding the Pitfalls in the IEP Process. Pre-institute Mini-Courses will provide an in-depth view of special education law applicable in public schools. We are pleased to announce that the 2011 Institute will be held in downtown Portland at the Portland Hilton and Executive Towers. The hotel has offered an excellent, discounted guest room rate. More information is available on the website. Register Now for the 28th Annual Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law, September 26-28, 2011, at the Portland Hilton and Executive Tower, in Portland, Oregon. Complete details available at www.uwschoollaw.org

“Vive la difference!” is proving to be the appropriate motto for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other professionals providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) support to children of culturally diverse families.

What: The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley (SPC-YV) is supported by survivors, teachers, healthcare professionals, Native American leadership, clergy and community. With the generosity of a grant awarded through the Montana Mental Health Settlement Trust, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Training on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Mansfield Education Center in Billings, Montana. This is OPI approved and School District 2 has approved it for 7 hours toward MEA Trade Days. We plan to apply for Social Work, Councelor and Law CEUs as well. In addition, the training reaches out to the grassroots welcoming parents and other community members for their first time training on this issue. We are confident this will be an informative and crucial way to address the challenges of suicide in our greater community. When: Friday, October 21, 2011 Where: Mansfield Education Center Billings, Montana. Contact: Mike Yakawich spcoalitionyv@gmail.com 406-254-2445

Special education teachers who work with students in a virtual environment often need professional development that goes beyond traditional offerings to find tools and strategies that work without face to face communication.

Click here to register for this free webinar What: Nearly every state in the country has adopted a new set of common academic standards in mathematics and English/language arts. The new guidelines lay out fundamental changes in the skills students are expected to have. But there is a long road from understanding the standards to putting them into practice in the classroom. This webinar will let participants in on the approaches that two districts—Hillsborough County, Fla. and Cleveland —are taking as they work to educate teachers about the standards and turn them into new types of teaching and learning. Register now for this free live event! When: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 12:00pm - 1:00pm Mountain Guests: Lynn Dougherty-Underwood, director of K-12 literacy, Hillsborough County Public Schools (Fla.). Mark Baumgartner, director of professional issues, Cleveland Teachers Union.

Click here to pre-register for this event online What: At this conference, we value various, distinct groups coming together to learn and build capacity and collaboration. Are you… A family member? Come learn ways to increase family and school collaboration, and find out what strategies your children’s teachers will be using in the classroom so you can support participation at home, in school, and in the community! A general or special educator, or school professional? Participate and access innovative, research based educational strategies, relevant to a wide range of hot topics in education today, that will enhance learning for ALL your students. And, these practical strategies can be put into practice immediately in your classroom! An Administrator? Join us and learn how to lead your teachers to support all students to achieve. Learn strategies and programs to share with your staff as well as information on parent involvement, effective collaboration, and updates on the law. When: February 9-11, 2012 Where: Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center Denver, Colorado

Click here to register for this event What: The M-Enabling Summit, Global Summit and Showcase for Mobile Applications and Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, is the first global program solely dedicated to participants in the emerging ecosystem for mobile accessible and assistive technologies, applications and services. Unlike any other conference or exposition, the M-Enabling Summit brings together all facets of the industry. Key stakeholders from across the globe that develop, market, create policy, and deploy the initiatives that are setting new frontiers for Mobile Accessible and Assistive Solutions will be in attendance. Participants at M-Enabling Summit will be able to: Network and exchange ideas with peers and experts from industry, service providers, and organizations of seniors and persons with disabilities Learn about the latest developments, innovations, market drivers and emerging opportunities Share perspectives with global policy makers and regulators See the latest products, services and applications in a showcase featuring companies and organizations driving innovation with accessible and assistive mobile technologies solutions Gain new insights from case studies by service providers, and public and private sector organizations experienced in marketing and services for seniors and persons with disabilities Who Should Attend: Mobile service providers Accessibility experts Organizations of seniors and persons with disabilities Application developers Telecom regulators Emergency response officials IT professionals Corporations using mobile communications with their customers Federal agencies and local government Academia and research centers When: December 5-6, 2011 Where: The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Washington, D.C.

Click here for registration materials What: It’s time to register for the 14th Annual Montana Educator Forum. The forum is an outstanding opportunity for Montana educators and leaders to come together to discuss important issues affecting classrooms and schools in Montana. Sponsored by the Montana Professional Teaching Foundation, MEA-MFT, School Administrators of Montana (SAM), and the State Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council (CSPAC), the forum is intended to initiate engaging and important conversations between Montana educators and policymakers. Here is what one forum attendee said about the annual forum: “I always leave energized, excited, and enthusiastic about my year.” This year’s forum theme is “Building Relationships That Work.” Strong partnerships between schools and communities and between teachers, administrators, and students are essential for our students’ success. The 2011 Montana Educator Forum will showcase a few of the many examples of key relationships that Montana school districts are engaged in that are creating a bridge to student success. Registration materials are available at: http://www.mea-mft.org/our_foundation/programs/montana_educator_forum.aspx When: September 30, 2011 Where: Red Lion Colonial Inn Helena, MT

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Autism Spectrum Disorders project offers webcasts to NIDRR grantees, people with disabilities and their families, professional organizations, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of and discussions regarding knowledge translation concepts and other topics of broad scope related to VR-Autism, standards of evidence, systematic review procedures, effective outreach activities, and conclusions/implications from specific systematic reviews addressing topics of high interest to consumers of evidence-based research.

Click Here to Download Flyer for this Event (pdf file) What:Two day conference focused on improving student development and involvement in the transition process through innovative program structures. Participants will share ideas, plan for future OTIs, increase knowledge of effective secondary transition practices, learn how to enhance effectiveness of current transition education practices, and learn about new transition education instructional materials.  Click Here to Register Now When:November 2nd- 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)November 3rd- 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Where:Metro Technology Centers1900 Springlake DriveOklahoma City, OK 73111