You can register online here!You can also download the flyer here for more information!What:Curriculum 21 is the outgrowth of the work of a dynamic group of educators worldwide, attempting to help colleagues transform curriculum and school designs to match the needs of 21st century learners. The impetus originated from the Curriculum Mapping work developed by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs. As Curriculum Designers Inc. staff examined maps emerging across the United States and overseas, it was evident that curriculum and instruction remains dated, although both students and teachers recognize the need to become current and forward thinking in their planning. Concrete and practical models for updating your school programs appear in Dr. Jacobs’s book, Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World. Because of its impact on revising and changing education, Curriculum 21 has become a division of Curriculum Designers whose goal is to provide a full range of resources and services to all educators and schools involved in the journey of Curriculum Mapping.There will be a $25.00 per person fee for ACE member schools and $60.00 per person fee for Non- ACE members.When:Monday, March 5, 20128:00 AM - 4:00 PMWhere:Billings Hotel and Convention Center1223 Mullowney LaneBillings, MT 59101Contact:Andrea FischerPhone:(406) 690-9872Email: afischer.acemt@gmail.com

You can register here to become a member! You can also download the full flyer here!What:TASH invites you to learn about Building Inclusive High School Communities by participating in this exclusive webinar series featuring leading experts on inclusive education. Creating a truly inclusive high school can be an arduous and complex process, especially as schools already face the challenge of raising academic standards through rigor and high-stakes testing. But as the gateway to adult life, high school should embrace and support all students by creating opportunities for: Self-advocacy Differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning Youth Engagement Relationship building and social interactions Engaging in preparation for the quality of life they deserve in the community This series is intended for anyone interested in developing inclusive schools, including parents of middle and high school students, special and general education teachers, special services staff and directors, school administrators, inclusive facilitators and other personnel. When:February 20 - March 20, 2012Accessible 24/7!Contact:Phone: (202) 509-9596Email: pallen@tash.orgWebsite: http://tash.org/conferences-events/webinars/current-webinars/

Register here now!What:Reaching the age of 18 can be an exciting time. It’s also a time when many questions arise around legal responsibilities for young adults with disabilities and needs for continuing support. Families and professionals need information and assistance to think through questions around who will makes certain legal decisions- including about health care- and how to support young adults to assume greater responsibility for decision making over time. Guardianship is often used as a solution, yet it is important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of this and other legal approaches to providing decision making assistance. From an advocacy perspective, the goal is to protect as much independence as possible while supporting safe and clear decision-making processes. This webinar will discuss the options for support including from its least to most restrictive options. Tina Campanella, Executive Director of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, will lead this discussion. Quality Trust is an independent, nonprofit organization in Washington, DC supporting children and adults with disabilities through lay and legal advocacy services.When:Wednesday, March 14, 201212:00 pm - 1:00 pm MTContact:Got Transition? NHCTCPhone: (603) 228-8811

What:Kevin Honeycutt takes a fun look at the exciting things that happen when educators step outside their boxes and try new tools. He reinforces the importance of relationships while encouraging teacher to become learners again through positive examples of student success.Julie Cajune, Executive Director of the Center for American Indian Policy and Applied Research Center at Salish Kootenai College, recently completed a three-year project developing tribal history materials funded by the Montana State Legislature. Julie will share her findings in her Wednesday keynote presentation: “History Matters” and in her session “Montana Tribal Histories and Governments”.When:June 5-8, 2012Where:MSU BillingsBillings, MTRegistration: Early Bird registration: $150.00 (through 5/14/12Late Bird registration: $170.00 (after 5/14/12) Register for college credit and CEUs by calling MSUB at 896-5890.Contact:Montana Center on DisabilitiesPhone: 657-2312 Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/

Are you looking for a way to get a jump on those New Year's Resolutions?"Living Well with a Disability" is an eight to ten session workshop designed to take participants on a journey of empowerment through peer support, goal setting and problem solving. "Living Well" helps participants develop goals for meaningful activities that are linked to the development of a healthy lifestyle. For more information or to participate contact Lori Gaustad at LIFFT.Phone: (406) 259-5181Email: lorig@lifft.org

What:Get your refund quickly with e-filing and direct deposit at any VITA site, free of charge. Get your taxes done by IRS-certified volunteers and community organizations you know and trust.Save part or all of your refund, even if you don't have a savings account. Ask us about US Savings Bonds!Turn your refund into more! Open and IDA (matched savings account) to save for goals like education, home ownership, or a vehicle purchase.What should I bring to the VITA Site? A valid photo ID Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents all tax forms for income, including: W-2, W-2G, 1099 Tax information from day care A copy of last year's tax return Personal check, bank statement, or document containing bank routing number for direct deposits (NO deposit slips) Both spouses must be present if filing jointly.When and Where:HRDC 7 North 31st Street (Lower Level)Walk-in or by appointment January 27 - April 14, 2012Wednesdays 2:00 - 8:00 pmFridays 2:00 - 8:00 pmSaturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pmUnited Way/MSU-Billings Garfield Community Center (3212 1st Ave. S)Walk-in onlyJanuary 30 - Apriil 9, 2012Mondays 5:30 pm - 7:30 pmUnited Way/Parmly Billings Library510 N. 28th St. (Enter main library and go to second floor)Walk-in onlyJanuary 28 - April 14, 2012Saturdays 12:00 pm - 3:00 pmAARP Tax Aide/TCE1505 Ave. DAppointment Only: (406) 794 0083February 1 - April 11, 2012Montana Credit Unions for Community DevelopmentSites are appointment onlyFebruary 1 - April 13, 2012Altana Credit Union 3212 Central Ave. (406) 867-3122Billings Federal Credit Union2522 4th Ave. N (406) 867-1652Rimrock Credit Union952 Central Ave. (406) 248-3685SEG Federal Credit Union617 SE 4th St., Laurel (406) 628-7711

What:The LIFFT youth and young adult peer group (students in grades 6 up to college age) is looking forward to beginning a new year having fun and working on developing the self-confidence and skills necessary to live happy, healthy, productive, and independent lives.This youth and young adult peer group is currently scheduled to meet on the fourth Thursday of each month during the winter and spring. Each meeting will include one hour of discussion on a topic relating to growing up with a disability and an hour of social/recreational activities.When:All sessions 2:00 to 4:00 pmFebruary 23, 2012March 22, 2012April 26, 2012May 24, 2012Where:Billings LIFFT Office3333 2nd Ave NorthContact:Brent Morris, Jed Barton, Jennifer NancePhone: (406) 259-5181

Alliance: CARETIME for Caregivers - Billings - Feb. 23, 2012 What:What is CARETIME? CARETIME is a support group made up of caregivers who have gone through or are going through care giving challenges. The purpose of CARETIME is to provide education, assistance and support for the difficult job of care giving.Who is CARETIME for? It is for spouses, children, sisters, brothers, friends.... anyone who is caring for or making decisions for a senior loved one. We ask that the caregiver come to our sessions without the individual they care for. We want all conversations to be open and forthright. This type of discussion can occasionally cause distress to the individuals being cared for.When:February 23, 20125:30 pm - 7:00 pmWhere:Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County1505 Avenue DBillings, MTContact:To RSVP call Laura at the YCCOA at (406) 259-5212. We are also looking for caregivers to participate in a Caregiver Focus Group February 23, 2012 at the Step Conference. Room 644 Grand Ave. #1 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Please RSVP by February 16, 2012 if you will be attending.Contact Vicki Clear at (406) 234-6034 or 800-224-6034

You can visit http://weekendforfamilies.com/ for complete information on this event!What:Join us for a weekend filled with fun for the whole family. Parents will have a one-stop shop for all their kids' summer camp and activity signups. Don't miss this opportunity to capture your prime audience. Booth rates increase March 1, so don't delay.It is a weekend designed to be a place where there's something for everyone in the family and a whole lot of fun, shopping, playing, and laughing. It will be Billings' first all-family expo showcasing over 100 booths in our new tradeshow, a family comedy night and more! Billings has never seen an expo like this! Purchase a ticket or reserve your booth today!When:Saturday, April 21, 20129:00 am - 6:30 pmSunday, April 22, 201210:00 am - 4:00 pmWhere:Montana Pavilion at Metra ParkBillings, MTContact:Weekend for FamiliesPhone: (406) 696-6585Website: weekendforfamilies.com

You can click here to register! What:This webinar will present augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and devices appropriate for people with communication impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Survivors of TBI may have cognitive, linguistic, and motor speech impairments that may affect their use of AAC strategies and devices. Appropriate AAC strategies and devices will be discussed as well as assessment and intervention techniques across rehabilitation and recovery stages.    Learner Outcomes: 1. Participants will explain the importance of using AAC during early stages of rehabilitation from TBI.2. Participants will describe two applications of AAC suitable for the early stages of rehabilitation from TBI.3. Participants will describe one appropriate AAC strategy or device for each TBI recovery stage.  Webinar begins at 9:00am Pacific time, 10:00am Mountain time, 11:00am Central time, 12:00pm Eastern time.  Session sign in begins at 15 minutes prior to start time. This session requires you to call in to access the audio. When:February 23, 201210:00 am - 11:00 am MTContact:AblenetPhone: 1-800-843-9166

13 iPad cases for your child with special needs | Friendship Circle -- Special Needs Blog 13 iPad cases for your child with special needs | Friendship Circle -- Special Needs Blog tags: iPad You just invested in a shiny new iPad for you child with special needs. Next, you lay out some more money to purchase a few communication apps, install them and your child is off and running with a $500 piece of equipment. Minutes later  you see the iPad less bounce its way down those beautiful wooden stairs of yours… And then you woke up from your nightmare. You were smart enough to purchase a protective case for the iPad. Your child gets to develop communication and social skills while dad becomes an Angry Birds champion. Make sure you don’t have an iPad nightmare… here are 13 great cases that will protect your iPad investment!

Click here for full information! (PDF)What: Easter Seals-Goodwill is starting a caregiver support group in the Missoula area. The group is open toparents and caregivers who have a child with autism, sensory processing issues, or any other physical orbehavioral challenges. Our goal is to provide opportunities for caregivers to meet, learn from and support one another and to participate in discussions or presentations of interest to the group. When and Where:1st Tuesday of each month.7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.800 Kensington,Suite 100,Missoula, MT2nd Sunday of each month.2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.Missoula Public Library301 E. Main St.Missoula, MTContact:If you would be interested in participating, please contactAbbey Hood at 406-217-8768or email abigailh@esgw.org for more information.

Click here to download the PDF flier for complete information!What: Hello Everyone - Attached is the ever popular FREE OR FAIRLY CHEAP COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES newsletter that Early Head Start has compiled for January through mid-February.  If you didn't find this on the Forum's electronic Bulletin Board, here it is.  Thanks again to Early Head Start! When:January - Mid-February 2012Where:See attached flier for information on locations!Contact:Mary-Glynn Cromwell, Program Manager Phone: 251-9410, ext. 302Email: maryglynnc@ravalliheadstart.orgKaty Griffith, AmeriCorps Phone: 251-9410, ext. 319  Email: americorpsehs@ravalliheadstart.org

Register for Session 5 Here! What:Session Five: Communication Devices in an Inclusive ClassroomThis webinar looks the use of single and multiple message communication devices and how they can be used as an integral part of the school day. We’ll examine vocabulary, motivation and share ideas and examples that you can use in your classrooms the very next day. Session Objectives: Colleagues who take part in this webinar will: 1. Gain a greater understanding of the range of communication devices, who they are for and how we might use them.2. Understand the importance of using motivating words and phrases to engage your learners.3. Understand how the meaningful use of communication devices can be embedded into teaching activities across the curriculum. Attendance Certificate will be provided upon completion of the webinar. When:February 15, 201210:00 - 11:00 am MTContact:Phone: 800.843.9166Email: support@readytalk.com

What:Join our statewide network of information and resource sharing for families and caregivers of children with emotional or behavior difficulties. Together our voices will be heard by the state agencies and providers of services for our children. Be part of a life-changing movement. SPACE IS LIMITEDRSVP by February 15, 2012When: Friday, February 17, 2012 6:00 – 7:30pm Where: Tumbleweed 505 North 24th StreetBillings, MTContact:Jami MachlerPhone: (406) 850-2938Email: jami.machler@pluk.org

You can begin registration here! What:Participate in this webinar to hear Reece Peterson, Joe Ryan, and Michael Rozalski discuss the latest information on the legislative, policy, and practice issues concerning restraint and seclusion. Federal legislation is pending that, if passed, will regulate the use of physical restraint and seclusion in school settings. The webinar will also provide an overview of the content that will be covered in more detail in the strand on restraint and seclusion at the CEC Convention & Expo in Denver in April.Federal legislation is pending that, if passed, would regulate the use of physical restraint and seclusion procedures for students in school settings. This webinar will discuss the legislative, policy, and practice issues that have arisen because of the deaths and injuries of students due to these procedures. The webinar will provide an overview of the content that will be covered in more detail during the strand on restraint and seclusion at the CEC Convention & Expo in April 2012. Participants will be able to: Identify current laws, policies, and guidelines governing the use of physical restraint and seclusion procedures in school settings. Understand the lack of knowledge in many schools of the underlying ethical and moral problems and the role the media may play in covering abusive incidents. Identify recommendations for “best practice” in using these procedures, including training needs and the use of prevention and de-escalation strategies. When:March 8, 20122:00 pm - 3:00 pm MTContact:CECPhone: 888-232-7733   TTY: 866-915-5000

What:This academy provides the paraeducator with the knowledge and skills needed for working with children who have significant behavior needs. The academy focuses on working with students who have challenging behaviors. Its aim is to provide paraeducators with a basic understanding of behavior support and to provide them with the necessary skills to implement written behavior support plans. Click here to download he flier for complete information!When:March 5, 20128:00 am - 4:00 pmWhere:Columbus High SchoolContact:Monica PughStillwater Sweet Grass Coop.Phone: (406) 322-5298Email: ssgpugh11@yahoo.com

You can register online here or download the flyer for more information!What:This session will begin with a description of Positive Behavior Supports focusing on the theory/background of this management strategy. The discussion will then move into a description of the processes suggested for successful implementation. The presenter will also discuss the steps for creating a proactive crisis intervention plan specific to individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This will be followed with a brief look at the National Autism Center’s list of research-based interventions and identifying those that may be considered as part of a Positive Behavior Support Plan for people with ASD.Who Should Attend?This session is appropriate for job coaches, job developers, VR counselors, transition age special educators and paraeducators, employment specialists, advocates, families, non-profit leadership staff, and employers.CEUs:.15 CEUs are pending approval through Minot State University. The recording fee for MSU CEUs is $20.00. Three contact hours for ND Social Workers and nurses are also available.Technical Requirements: Participating sites need a computer with Windows ‘98 (or newer) operating system, CD-ROM drive, and PowerPoint software OR a computer with a high speed internet connection and an LCD projector if the number of participants warrants it. The call-in number is a toll free number. There will be no long distance charges for sites.When:February 16, 20128:00 am - 9:30 am Mountain TimeContact:Stacey Johnston at courtney.rockvoy@minotstateu.eduor Courtney Rockvoy at stacey.johnston@minotstateu.edu Phone: (800) 233-1737

Download  the 2012 MYLF Application here! (PDF) Click here to download and apply to be a part of the volunteer staff!(PDF)   What:We're inviting future community leaders to attend the annual Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) for students with disabiliites. Applications forms must be postmarked by March 30, 2012.When:July 16-20, 2012Where:Helena, MTCarroll CollegeContact: June Hermanson 1617 Euclid Suite 1 Helena, MT  59601 Phone: (406) 442-2576 Fax: (406) 443-3796 Email: mylfjuneh@bresnan.netWebsite: www.montanaylf.org

Click here for more information! (PDF)Cost: $15.00 non refundable - Includes lunch buffetWhat:Increasingly faced with students who present very challenging behavioral issues, most school staff have not be trained as treatment providers, but as educators. Punitive and reactive strategies are often the response of choice, in spite of the frequent negative side effects and drawbacks of such approaches. We will take a look at another approach to classroom management of oppositional and defiant students. A montana licensed psychologist in private practice in Billings, Dr. House was a school psychologist in Bozeman for a dozen years before returning to graduate school in Oregon to earn a Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He practiced a couple of years in a private psychology clinic and a year in a psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents, and then shifted to a psychiatric residential treatment facility, where he filled several professional roles during his twenty one years of service, resigning from there this past summer to pursue his private practice. He is still licensed as a school psychologist and is a NCSP.When:March 14, 201211:30 am - 1:30 pmWhere:Student Union Building, Lewis and Clark RoomMSU-Billings, Billings, MTContact:Debra Miller Phone: (406)657-2312Email: dmiller@msubillings.edu