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Hammer Travel offers a variety of travel opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Not only have we chosen destinations that are exciting and unique, we have an experienced and well-trained team to accompany each group, ensuring a safe, fun and memorable travel experience.

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 webinar What: The first webinar in our new series from OSEP and the National Parent Technical Assistance Center will feature the Doing What Works website, a valuable resource for Parent Centers as well as individual families.  The website provides information about specific programs that have a strong evidence base so parents can participate as informed consumers in the educational decision making process for their child.   The Doing What Works website (http://dww.ed.gov) provides engaging materials on a wide range of topics, including Response to Intervention, Early Childhood Literacy, Reducing Behavior Problems in Elementary Schools, and Preventing High School Dropouts.  Created by the U.S. Department of Education, this resource offers families and educators at all levels concrete strategies, examples, and tools to help use and engage in research-based practices.  Aimed at individuals with varying levels of understanding about a topic, the Doing What Works resources can arm educators and families with valuable resources as they work to improve the education of their children.  This webinar will introduce the website, provide an overview of the different types of resources, and invite questions and offer support for implementation. When: Thursday, February 24, 2011 1:00pm - 2:00pm Mountain

A time for you to learn and ask your questions: What we hope medications will do How medications are selected, side effects Importance of taking medication regularly Recognition and avoidance of triggers Presented by:Pat Berry, ARNPPediatric Neurology Nurse PractitionerSeattle Children’s Where: Mansfield Health Education Center 1145 North 30th Located in the Lower Level of the Yellowstone Medical Building West When: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm (Mountain Time) Each session will include an interactive opportunity as well as an opportunity for questions and answers with open table discussions. To reserve your spot or find the videoconferencing location in your area contact: St. Vincent University at 406-237-ED4U (406-237-3348) or email svhu@svh-mt.org

Click here to register for this webinar About our series: The impact of violence, abuse, neglect, disaster, war, and other harmful experiences continues long after the traumatic event has ended. Exposure to trauma is a pervasive issue that has significantly impacted the health and well-being of millions of Americans and nearly everyone seeking services in the public health and social services systems. Understanding how trauma affects the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and physical functioning of the people we care for can improve our services. When: March 17, 2011 12:00 - 1:00pm Mountain Presented by: Bruce Perry MD, PhD Senior Fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University After participating in this webinar participants will: Understand the effect of trauma and neglect from a neurodevelopmental perspective Identify signs and symptoms of trauma and neglect in young children Learn new strategies for care, program development and policy as related to developmental trauma

Look at My Eyes is a revealing how-to book for families that is also useful to teachers. It's more of a short but practical guide than a memoir and includes such things as how to find a baby sitter for a special needs child, how to get insurance coverage, how to find agencies and therapies that help, how to give the right sort of attention to the child, as well as suggestions for fun and educational activities.

The purpose of this tutorial is to provide early childhood mental health consultants with a detailed understanding of the behaviors related to social and emotional health in infants and young children as well as strategies that adult's (parent's and other caregivers) can use to support these behaviors within every day routines in the home and within early care and education settings.

This short video provides an overview of inclusion legal and policy foundations and inclusion research, as well as a definition, the desired results and defining features of inclusion in early childhood.

Click here to download the brochure with full schedule information (PDF) What: This workshop is perfect for anyone who has previously attended the PECS Basic Training and is currently implementing PECS. Day One focuses on a review of the PECS training protocol, as well as solutions for common implementation challenges. On Day Two, advanced language skills and enhancing communication across the day are addressed. This day of the workshop applies to all learners, regardless of communicative modality, but is discussed within the framework of PECS. The course also explores specific programming for incorporating PECS throughout the day. What You Will Learn: Analyze common difficulties with PECS implementation. Generate solutions to difficult PECS implementation situations Analyze a day for, and learn to program to, incorporate communication opportunities into all activities. Implement specific training strategies for teaching advanced language concepts. Workshop Schedule: Both workshops will begin at 8:00am and end at 4:00pm with registration from 7:30-8:00am Mountain. Registration Fee: $130.00 for individual registration, lunch included, (non-refundable) payable to: Montana Center on Disabilities (Billings) WM-CSPD/MCPS (Missoula) Online Registration: Billings: www.msubillings.edu/cspd/events.htm For more information contact: Debra Miller (406) 657-2072 dmiller@msubillings.edu Missoula: www.cspd.net For more information contact: Nancy Marks (406) 728-2400 ext 1088

Click here to register for this webinar What: Join Occupational Therapist and Inclusion Advocate Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR/L for this enlightening webinar. Participants will learn about the seven senses as well as how the brain integrates and uses this sensory information in everyday activities. The webinar will provide participants with activities in each sensory area that can be used to help children explore and integrate sensory information in their daily lives. When: June 1, 2011 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Mountain Cost: $30 per person (free for Lekotek affiliates) Special-FREE for all caregivers of children with disabilities (just email domahen@lekotek.org to resgister) Presenter Bio: Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist who has worked for 10 years helping communities create and run amazing places where all children can play together. She was senior consultant on the national advisory team for the Center for Creative Play, Pittsburgh, PA. During that time she worked with numerous communities and children's museums helping them expand their understanding of Universal Design and the importance of Sensory Play in every childs' development. She continued this work as Therapy Director at Hattie Larlham, Mantua, OH, where she oversaw therapy and recreation programs for children of varying abilities. She now owns her own consulting business focusing on great play spaces in communities. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences on the topics play, sensory integration and Universal Design. Conferences include the Association of Children's Museums, American Occupational Therapy Association, Parents As Teachers, and National Association of the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC).

What: In order to help keep you more informed, the White House is hosting monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the federal government. This call is off the record and not for press purposes. Guests will be: Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights - Department of Education, Russlynn Ali Director of Federal Contract Compliance Programs -Department of Labor, Patricia Shiu When: Thursday, May 26, 2011 1:00pm Mountain Conference call information: Dial in: (800) 230-1085 Title: White House Disability Call (use instead of code) Date of Call: 05/26/2011 Start Time: 1:00 PM Mountain (I encourage you to call in five minutes early due to the large volume of callers) For live captioning, at the start of the call, please login by clicking on the following link: http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1745291&CustomerID=321. Please only use this feature if you are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

This guide is designed to assist youth with and without disabilities to learn about the rich history of people with disabilities. Although designed primarily for youth and emerging leaders with disabilities, the guide can be used in multiple ways to educate a broader audience as well. Starting shortly before the United States was founded, the guide features examples of the remarkable diversity, creativity, and leadership that have shaped the disability community and American culture.

"Ten Employment Myths" Many employers misunderstand the Americans with Disabilities Act and are reluctant to hire people with disabilities because of unfounded myths. This seventeen-minute video responds to concerns expressed by employers, explaining the ADA in common sense terms and dispelling myths about this often overlooked pool of well-qualified employees.

"My Country" In this one-hour documentary, symphony conductor James DePreist, who contracted polio as a young man, profiles three people with disabilities whose lives have been shaped by the struggle for equal rights. Mr. DePreist is the nephew of African American contralto Marian Anderson, who in 1939 was prevented from singing at Constitution Hall. He draws parallels between racial barriers and the barriers faced by people with disabilities.

Ten Small Business Mistakes This thirteen-minute video identifies common mistakes that small businesses make when trying to comply with the ADA and addresses the importance and value of doing business with 50 million people with disabilities. The video features statements by store owners expressing their doubts or misunderstandings about the ADA followed by responses from the Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights and other Department of Justice employees explaining the law in common sense terms.

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

Click here to register for this webinar -- $39 What: Switch Blitz v.2011 is an idea generating session, a blitz of many items and strategies yet in a step by step format that will help you get started with switch use, motivate the stagnate switch user and progress the present switch user to higher levels. Switch Blitz v.2011 is a session with plenty of demonstrations and information that will take you from assessment to implementation. First we will touch on basics, and then progress to assessments, tools, strategies and resources. You will see demonstrations of switch software as well as FREE online switch resources. Participants will enjoy seeing video case examples of successful kids using their switches at the computer and for powered mobility. When: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Presenter: Cindy Nankee, OTR/L, ATP, Universal Technology for Learning & Living (UTLL) Full Abstract – Including speaker biography and learning points

Four of the lowest-performing schools in Montana recently got some good news. All four saw improvement in the annual state tests that measure how well 10th-graders are doing in math, reading and science, said Denise Juneau, state superintendent of public instruction.

To reserve your Webinar seat, Click Here What: This presentation will discuss a program at Rush University Medical Center that can improve the hospital experience for those with I/DD. It includes a pre-hospital tour program, a telephone hot line for special needs accommodations, procedure specific information booklets, an addendum to the nursing admission form, and enhanced staff education. Attendees will be able to identify hospital services that may improve the hospital experience and outcomes for adults with I/DD. This presentation is appropriate for anyone who cares about those with I/DD and their well being. Please complete this health survey before the Webinar begins: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QYW6WHP When: Monday, July 25, 2011 at 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Mountain

Click here to register for this event What: The successful use of devices for the school-aged child with special needs relies heavily upon collaboration of rehabilitation therapists in the private and school-based settings, as well as home. This course will explore assistive technology as a collaborative process and clarify roles of providers. Learner Outcomes Participants will identify devices designed to enhance the child's motivation, participation and quality of life. Participants will explore ideas for assistive technology funding and training across settings The participant will identify methods of collaboration for the family, private and school-based therapists to improve the child's successful use of devices. Session sign in begins at 15 minutes prior. This session requires you to call in to access the audio. When: Friday, July 22, 2011 10:00am Mountain

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 download the flyer for this event (PDF) What: Each session will include an interactive opportunity as well as an opportunity for questions and answers with open table discussions. This training provides a time for you to learn and ask your questions about: Working, job choices Driving Going to college Friends When: September 13, 2011 7:00pm - 8:00pm Mountain Where: Mansfield Health Education Center 1145 North 30th | Billings MT Located in the Lower Level of the Yellowstone Medical Building West To reserve your spot or find the videoconferencing location in your area, contact: St. Vincent University at 406-237-ED4U (406-237-3348) or email svhu@svh-mt.org