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What:
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow invites you to attend as they celebrate the opening of their new offices and community activity room. Ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Tom Hanel. Refreshments will be provided. When:
Friday, March 15, 2013
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Mountain Where:
1201 Grand Avenue #1
Billings, MT 59102 For directions or more information please call (406) 259-5181

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What:
75 cents from every pint (of beer) sold benefits a local charity or community project. Sponsored by Tamarack Brewing Company. The April 16th event proceeds go to PLUK. When:
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Mountain Where:
Tamarack Brewing Company
231 W. Front Street
Missoula, MT 59801  

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What:
Are you still delivering AT services the way you did two decades ago because "we've always done it that way?" Are you building capacity to reach more staff and students? In this digital age, the tools and strategies for collaboration have changed. Given the emphasis on accommodations for students with disabilities and the move toward UDL to infuse technology for all students, you probably are being asked to do more for more students. This session will examine new ways of maximizing AT support using available digital tools to increase the efficiency of AT consideration and professional learning. This session will prompt you to re-examine how you deliver AT services.

When:
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Mountain

Cost: 
$49.00

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What:
With many schools and districts deploying iPads in classrooms, many are looking at options for integrating them into their interactive whiteboard technology-enabled classroom to reach and teach all students. We will look at options to help integrate interactive whiteboards and iPads together such as AirServer, SMART Bridgit, Apple TV, Dropbox. We will also explore how creation apps (e.g., SMART Notebook app, Toontastic, Puppet Pals, iBooks) and Augmentative/Alternative Communication Apps (e.g., Scene&Heard, Sounding Board), accessibility profiles (e.g., SMART Technologies and Apple) and other technology tools can support differentiation across the grade levels so that ALL students can enjoy meaningful academic and social participation. When:
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Mountain Cost:
$49.00

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What:
Accessible instructional materials (AIM) options are rapidly expanding. Students need to have ways to access AIM throughout the day and in a wide variety of settings. No longer are students limited to using accessible books on a single classroom computer with stand-alone software. Learn about new technologies like networked software that can be accessed from multiple computers, web-based programs, mobile devices and other solutions that allow students to use literacy software on a home computer. Find out strategies for engaging students with high interest materials and tools that fit their needs. When:
Thursday, March 14, 2013
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Mountain Cost:
$49.00

Click here to submit questions online via the survey tool What: Andree Larose, Special Education Attorney will be presenting to the Butte PAK. If you are interested in getting information about special education procedures and the legal requirements surrounding student educational rights, we encourage you to attend. This is a great opportunity for parents, students, district staff, attorneys and providers to learn more about special education laws. Andree has extensive experience in the practice of civil rights law, in particular special education law. She has a long track record of successfully obtaining appropriate educational services for students with disabilities, both through settlement and litigation at administrative, district court and appellate court levels. Interested parties should submit their questions to Andree via an on-line survey tool. The purpose is to submit questions in advance of the meeting to help facilitate some of the discussions and to identify the most pressing concerns. If you plan on attending this meeting, please submit your questions via this survey tool. When: Saturday, April 13, 2013 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain Where: Business Development Center 305 West Mercury Street Butte, MT 59701 Contact: Stephanie Clement at Disability Rights Montana (406-449-2344)  Diana Tavary at Parents, Let's Unite for Kids at (406-439-5570)

What:
Wraparound 101 When:
Apr. 24, 2013
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Mountain Where:
Miles City, MT For more information contact:
Donna Marchington, M.Ed. LCPC
State Wraparound Coordinator-Central Region
201 1st Street South, Ste 3
Great Falls, MT 59405
406-454-6083 Office
406-868-8989 Cell
406-454-6087 Fax
DMarchington@mt.gov

Click here to download the Brochure and SASI Scholarship Application Through a $1.25 million competitive grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas Tech University is embarking on a 5-year effort to combat the critical shortage of qualified special education teachers professionally trained in the areas of visual impairment (VI), deafness and hard of hearing (D/HH), deafblindness (DB), and orientation and mobility (O&M), across the United States in rural and remote areas. This project employs a unique focus on training scholars in the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and appropriate intervention for children with ASD who also have sensory impairments. Texas Tech University is playing a vital role in the success of students with ASD and sensory impairments across the nation. This project is specifically geared for the states of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Texas and Wyoming. This project includes a unique focus on students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who also have sensory impairments because the prevalence of students with ASD is on the rise. With proper training in the characteristics of an appropriate intervention for children with ASD, as well as children with sensory impairments, professionals will be skilled to meet the unique needs of these learners.    

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What:
Day One: Overview and background on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and their role in carrying out the work of achieving district goals and initiatives.
Day Two: Work with school teams to help understand how to set time within the school day for PLCs, establish strong teams, and other logistics of implementing Professional Learning Communities in your district. Must attend day one to attend day two. School or site-based teams are encouraged to attend.

When:
June 19, 20, 2013
8:00 am ‐ 4:30 pm Mountain (both days)
Registration 7:30 am ‐ 8:00 am Mountain (both days) Where:
Montana State University Billings
Library Building, Room 148
1500 University Dr.
Billings, MT 59101 Cost:
$75 one day or $125 both days (Non refundable) OPI Renewal Units Available, College Credit Pending.

Contact:
Debra Miller at dmiller@msubillings.edu or 657-2072

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What:
This workshop will employ the "Many Birds Approach" from the Framework for Implementation of Indian Education for All (IEfA) to support teachers as they develop understanding of IEfA contexts and content, while addressing the skills and concepts required to implement the Montana Common Core Standards. Teachers will leave with a dozen new strategies for close analytic reading practiced in the context of some of the highly developed, and Common Core aligned, IEfA Language Arts, Social Studies and Science lessons. Strategies practiced can be taken the next day into the classroom. Demonstrations will span multiple grade levels and content areas and will be debriefed through the lens of the MCCS and the Framework's approach to integration. If you are looking for a way to jump start your implementation of the Common Core Standards and IEfA, this is the workshop of YOU.  This workshop is available free for MSUB students.

When:
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
8:30 am registration
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Mountain (lunch is on your own) Where:
Montana State University Billings, Room 122
1500 University Dr.
Billings, MT 59101 Cost:
$50.00 - MSUB Students get in free. 6 OPI Renewal Credits Contact:
John Keener, MRESA3 Project Coordinator
(406)-657-1743 or mailto:%20john.keene

Limited number of Scholarships (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE)  are available for Teams from Region 5 Schools to attend one of the following conferences: 

MBI Conference in Bozeman in June
Montana Educator's Conference- in Helena in June
Picture Perfect Interventions- Video Modeling (see info above) in Missoula, April 13th, 2013


Travel Scholarships are also available for those living more than 50 miles from Missoula to attend.

Click here for more information and to apply

The Montana Children and Nature Initiative (MCNI) is a state-wide collaboration of public and private partners working to promote healthy kids and families and build future leaders and stewards by connecting kids with nature, supporting place-based education and getting families outside. MCNI is working with Montana Office of Public Instruction, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Environmental Education Association and the National Wildlife Federation, among others, to identify, recognize and support efforts to get children outside in the schools. 

Please help in this simple but important effort by taking the time to fill out the following short survey, entitled the Nature & Scope of Outdoor and Nature Programming in MT.  Here's a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MCNI

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What:
Marissa Clark, Genetic Counselor at Shodair Hospital, will be presenting on a variety of topics that are commonly seen in genetics clinic as it relates to educational needs and support. The focus of the presentation will primarily be on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE); however, less common genetic syndromes such as: neurofibromatosis, elhers-danlos syndrome, fragile X, and chromosomal microdeletion/micoduplication disorders will be covered. In addition to the etiology of the genetic syndromes, helpful educational techniques and resources will be addressed, as well as the signs and symptoms that educators should be aware of. There will be ample time for a question and answer session that can address individual cases and situations.

When:
Thursday, March 14, 2013
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Mountain Where:
MSUB College of Education Building, Room 122
MSU-Billings Campus
1500 University Dr.
Billings, MT 59101 Cost:
$15.00 Non refundable - Includes luncheon buffet (Two OPI Renewal Units available)

Contact:
Debra Miller, Region

What:
The 3rd Annual Real Life Fair in Butte is a place where parents of individuals with disabilities can connect with product and service vendors which can help provide a smooth transition process from high school into adulthood. Vendor tables are free of charge. When:
Thursday, April 18, 2013
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Mountain Where:
Butte High School
401 S Wyoming St.
Butte, MT 59701 Contact:
Cassie Weightman, IL Specialist - Montana Independent Living Project
3475 Monroe, Suite 100
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 782-4834 or cweightman@milp.us

Click here for more details and to register online Click here for scholarship information and application What: Mental Health America's 2013 Annual Conference is designed to provide a wide variety of educational and networking opportunities for a diverse group of individuals and organizations who are working to: develop and promote behavioral health integration, inclusion of wellness strategies in community public education efforts, and engage in promoting recovery for people with mental illnesses, co-occurring disorders and the community at large. A Health & Wellness Expo featuring health screenings, healthy living demonstrations, and community resources Facilitator-led health and wellness activities offered throughout the conference Speakers from across the country at keynotes and wellness-focused breakout sessions The Clifford Beers Awards Dinner recognizing successful and promising health and wellness programs and services When/Where: June 5th - 8th, 2013 Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center 201 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745 Click here for cost information

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What:
This is a Support Group for parents of children with behavioral and emotional issues. We meet once a month for the purpose of supporting one another and sharing resources. This months topic is "How to get the School to Evaluate Your Child & What's the Difference Between a 504 and an IEP." A light dinner will be provided. When:
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Mountain Where:
205 Sunnyview Ln.
Kalispell, MT 59901 Please RSVP:
call Dawn @ 406-250-3249
or email dawn.miller@pluk.org

 

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What:
Keynote on Tuesday afternoon - John Pavao, State of Montana Diversity Program Coordinator
Public Health Keynote Wednesday - Karen Ray "Collaboration in Public Health"
More than 12 concurrent breakout sessions. Trade show highlighting public health services and products. A motivational closing session on Thursday.

When:
April 16 - 18, 2013 Where:
Holiday inn Downtown by the Park
200 S Pattee St.
Missoula, MT 59802 More Information:
Contact Gail at gailb@mt.net or call 406-442-4141

Click here to register for this webinar (Registration ends on 7/12/2013)

What:
Electronic Aids to Daily Living provide alternative control of devices within the environment. Basic EADLs can be used with children to develop cognitive skills, provide independent play, socialization and participation and prepare kids for future, more sophisticated assistive technology use. This webinar will present product options, modes of control and application ideas. When:
Monday, July 15, 2013
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Mountain Cost:
$28 for RESNA Members, $40 for Non-Members (0.1 RESNA CEUs)

Click here to register for this webinar (Registration ends 5/10/2013)

What:
Assistive technology can be accessed directly or indirectly by switch, mouse, joystick or voice. This Webinar will present assessment strategies to determine the optimal switch location and switch type to provide access. A switch site hierarchy will be presented along with clinical indicators for a variety of potential switch locations. A wide array of mechanical and electrical switches will also be discussed. When:
Monday, May 13, 2013
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Mountain Cost:
$28 for RESNA Members, $40 for Non-Members (0.1 RESNA CEUs)  

Click here to register for this session (Registration ends 4/21/2013)

What:
This conference will discuss the application, assesment, and features of various assistive technologies, and should be attended by rehabilitation and education professionals working with Assistive Technology including Suppliers, Technologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Rehabilitation Engineers, Educators and others interested in assistive technology. See registration page for full syllabus and details. When:
April 25, 26, 2013 Where:
New England Assistive Technology Resource and Education Center at Oak Hill
33 Coventry Street
Hartford, CT 06112 Cost:
RESNA member $350, Nonmember $465, Student $315 (RESNA is authorized by IACET to offer 1.4 CEUs for this program.)