What: Our monthly Autism Support Group Meetings have been a success with parents coming out to share stories and ideas. Please join us at the next meeting and help us grow our network of parents and caregivers. Because there will be an open discussion between parents and caregivers about daily challenges of autism, we ask children not attend the meetings. Also, visit our website for great information about autism as it affects Montanans and find us on Facebook under the name “Montana ASA”. Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center, Meeting Room #3 205 Sunnyview Lane in Kalispell, MT When: Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 7-9pm Mountain Contact: Tim Tepas Founder, Autism Society of America – Northwest Montana Chapter www.MontanaASA.org Tim@montanaasa.org (406) 257-8758

Click here to download the Region IV Paraprofessional/Teacher Team of the Year Nomination Form (PDF) Click here to download the Region IV Paraprofessional of the Year Nomination Form (PDF) Click here to download the Region IV CSPD YES I Can Award Nomination Form (PDF) What: This is a wonderful way to honor the paras for all the hard work they do in our schools.  Nomination forms are due into Laurie Salo on February 24, 2011.

What:The Montana Office of Public Instruction's State Title I Conference will be held in Helena, MT, at the Red Lion Colonial on March 9-10, 2011.  Electonic registration is now open, and will close on February 26, 2011.  The cost of the conference is $125 per person. To register: https://toto.msu.montana.edu/cs/opi2011_test NOTE:  Registration through this link is for non-OPI personnel only. Registration for OPI employees will be handled separately through the OPI events calendar Conference agenda: http://opi.mt.gov/pdf/TitleI/2011Conf/11ConferenceAgenda.pdf Conference brochure: http://opi.mt.gov/pdf/TitleI/2011Conf/11ConfBrochure.pdf

This three-hour training is intended to identify, explore and develop awareness and a basic understanding of the Best Practice in Gifted Education.  This general introduction and overview will also highlight how Gifted and Talented education is an integral part of a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RTI). Materials are provided and the following topics will be addressed: Identification Curriculum and Instruction for high-ability/high potential students Management Social/Emotional Professional Development Support Services Program Development There are no fees for this training but registration is required. Mileage reimbursement will be paid for those outside of the Billings area. SCHEDULED TRAININGS: At MSUB, College of Education Building, Room 122: February 22, 2011 (9:00AM to noon) March 15, 2011 (9:00AM to noon) At Lincoln Center (415 N. 30th Street), Room 213, Billings: (If not an employee of the Billings School District please check with Gail Surwill at surwillg@billings.k12.mt.us for space availability before registering.) March 8, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) March 21, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) April 5, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) MORE INFORMATION: http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/giftedtalented.htm REGISTER ONLINE: http://www.msubillings.edu/mcdregister/GTregistration.htm If you would be interested in scheduling or attending a training session on Gifted and Talented contact John Keener, MRESA3 Coordinator, at john.keener@msubillings.edu or call 657-1743 for more information or to schedule a training.  There is no fee for this service.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: A coordinated system of accessible community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children or adults with special needs.  This includes but is not limited to individuals with developmental disabilities, other disabilities, mental health issues, aging, illness, and child abuse. Who should attend: Representatives from state agencies, statewide organizations, community groups, respite providers, and family caregivers When: March 9, 2011 9:30am - 4:30pm Where: Great Northern Best Western Helena, MT For more information, contact: Doug Blakley, Aging Services/DPHHS at (800) 332-2272 Vicki Clear/DEAP at (800) 224-6034 Register for the Summit at http://www.arch.memberlodge.org/StateSummit

What: Do you need to know more about how to promote successful outcomes for your students in the area of math skills? Come to the MASP Summer Institute to discover how to apply recent research findings in your classroom. Learn the essentials of math preparation that we now know underlie proficiency in mathematics, including the importance of effective instruction. Find out the implications for identifying mathematics disabilities and for planning intervention. This is an important conference because there is a great deal of new evidence about how to foster the acquisition of good math skills, information that is not widely known yet. This will be one of the first opportunities that most people in our audience will have to learn about current knowledge on how children learn mathematics and how that learning can go wrong.

Dates and Times: June 12, 13, and 14, 2011 Registration opens at 5 o'clock on Sunday evening, June 12, 2011. The conference begins at 6:30 on Sunday evening and concludes for the evening at 9:30. On the following days, June 13 and 14, the conference continues from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The doors open at 8 o'clock each morning. Location Where: Hilton Garden Inn Treasure State Salon A & B 2465 Grant Road, Billings, Montana, USA 59102 (near Costco and Best Buy) Tel: 406-655-8800 Fax: 406-655-8802

More Information: Please see the website for more details

Click here to download the latest registration forms Here are the dates and the registration forms for campers/families and volunteers for Camp No Limits 2011! We have an exciting year ahead of us so sign up soon!  As always Maine camp fills up fast and to make sure we have room PLEASE get your forms in ASAP!   As you will notice the registration forms have been condensed so I hope that you appreciate it!  We DO NEED ALL FORMS SIGNED!  PLEASE make every effort to fill the forms out and return them as soon as possible so we do not have to hunt you down at camp to sign forms!  If you are attending more than one camp please circle all locations you plan to attend and then you will not have to fill out new forms at each camp! Please let me know if you have questions and we will plan to see you in 2011! www.nolimitsfoundation.org

What:Prentke Romich Company and AAC: The Language Behind the Device   PRC believes in providing single words for novel communication in addition to pre-programmed sentences and topic/environment specific vocabulary. This webinar will explain the unique method of organizing and accessing vocabulary for all language levels and addresses the ongoing struggle with the constant need for adding vocabulary. When: February 28, 2011 2:00-3:00 p.m. Mountain Click here to join webinar:  http://tinyurl.com/atforum10

What: Overview of AT Assessment Tools-What is the difference between consideration and assessment? Do you know what a good AT assessment should look like? This webinar will help clarify the AT assessment process and introduce participants to a variety of tools and forms typically used in AT assessment. Training presented by staff from Parents Helping Parents (PHP). When: February 15, 2011: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Mountain Click here to join webinar:  http://tinyurl.com/atforum8

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.

Click here to register Welcome to Doodle 4 Google, a competition where we invite K-12 students to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign Google’s homepage logo for millions to see. At Google, we believe that dreaming about future possibilities leads to tomorrow’s leaders and inventors, so this year we're inviting U.S. kids to exercise their creative imaginations around the theme, "What I’d like to do someday…" Whether students want to find a cure for cancer or take a trip to the moon, it all starts with art supplies and some 8.5" x 11" paper. And, one lucky student artist will take home a $15,000 college scholarship and $25,000 technology grant for their school, among many other prizes. Registration closes at 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 2, 2011, and entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2011 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). The winning doodle will be featured on our Google.com homepage on May 20, 2011.

Click here to download the full flyer (PDF) 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. Topic: Technology and Communication When: Friday, February 18, 2011 6:00 – 7:30pm Where: American Lutheran Church 5 Lewis Ave. Billings, MT To register, contact: Jami Machler jami.machler@pluk.org (406) 850-2564 Dinner and Childcare Provided if Pre-Registered

When: February 8, 2011 12:00 - 1:00pm Where: Mansfield Health Education Center Room 7 Billings, MT Target Audience: Primary Care Providers to include but not limited to Family Practice, Pediatrics, Emergency Department physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and all other healthcare providers of pediatric/adolescent patients Lecture Specific Objectives: At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to: Discuss the pathophysiologic changes associated with brain trauma in children. Identify emotional and cognitive short and long term sequelae of brain trauma in children. List effective therapies for emotional and cognitive sequelae of mild brain injury in children. Series Objectives: At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to: Apply current medical guidelines in the treatment of pediatric/adolescent patients.  Utilize multidisciplinary approach to the management of complex pediatric patients. Recognize the need for consultation and/or referral to pediatric specialists/subspecialists in a timely manner. Discuss the diagnostic approach and treatment of variety of pediatric diseases. If you would like to attend via videoconference contact: St. Vincent Healthcare University at 406.237.3348 or email svhu@svh-mt.org.  Reservations for videoconferencing must be made at least 24 hours prior to live activity.

Click here to register for this webinar What: Dr. Therese Willkomm, Director of New Hampshire's Statewide Assistive Technology Program, and Phyllis Watson, CCC- SLP, Augmentative Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Assistive Technology Services,will review 20 of the most successful apps for children and adults who experience various communication impairments.  This includes apps related to sign language.  When: February 17, 2011 1:30pm - 3:00pm Mountain Time

What: Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Montana Independent Living Public Hearing When: March 24, 2011 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Contact: Written comments on the two programs will be accepted until March 31st and can be sent to Vocational Rehabilitation @ P.O. Box 4210, Helena, MT 59601, or to mhermanson@mt.gov or jclay@mt.gov. 

Join the PEAL Center for the 2011 conference on Discovering Genuine Relationships and experience the cast of world class presenters and strategy-packed hands-on sessions. Click here to review the conference brochure and register. Connect with others attending through Facebook. We look forward to seeing you in April! Need more information? Contact Rose Huber at rhuber@pealcenter.org or 412-281-4404, ext. 11.

Kids spend an average of more than 7 hours a day with some form of media.  As a result, they sometimes grow up having more interaction with TV, the Internet, and other media messages than people.  Media Literacy refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media messages of all kinds.  This interactive training will explore basic concepts of media literacy by examining TV commercials, messages and print ads, and tobacco and alcohol marketing.  We will work in small and large groups to discuss the language of persuasion, deconstruct ads, and create counter messages.  After this training, participants will have a greater understanding of media literacy and walk away with tools they can use with their learners. Objective 1: Participants will define media literacy and understand some techniques of persuasion. Objective 2: Participants will understand how media literacy education helps prevent tobacco and alcohol initiation among youth. Objective 3: Participants will learn new media literacy activities and exercises they can do with their learners. The Media Literacy Professional Development Project will assist the state's school districts in meeting the Montana media literacy content standards by offering Media Literacy Professional Development (PD) to Montana teachers.  Please note that media literacy is included in both Curriculum Arts and Health Enhancement standards. There are no fees for this taining but registration is required. Mileage reimbursement will be paid for those outside the Billings area. Scheduled Workshops (Mountain): Febraury 15, 2011 (6:00 to 8:00PM) March 14, 2011 (9:00 to 11:00AM) March 30, 2011 (9:00 to 11:00AM) Location: All workshops are scheduled at for MSUB, College of Education Building, Room 122. To Register: More information at http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/medialiteracy.htm Registration form at http://www.msubillings.edu/mcdregister/MediaLiteracyRegistration.htm. If you would be interested in scheduling or attending a training session on Media Literacy contact John Keener, MRESA3 Coordinator, at john.keener@msubillings.edu or call 657-1743 for more information or to schedule a training.  There is no fee for this service.

Click here to view the flyer for this webinar (PDF) What: This session will begin with an overview the importance of social competence for individuals on the spectrum. Strategies to teach social competence to individuals on the spectrum as well as means of assessing skills cquisition will also be provided. The emphasis will be on practical information that can be applied across settings When: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 12:30pm - 1:30pm Mountain Who Should Attend? This training is appropriate for: educators; families; human service professionals, including: front line supervisors, nurses, social workers, program coordinators, case managers, QMRPs, direct support professionals and other individuals involved in efforts to improve learning outcomes and quality of life or people with disabilities. Hosting: The Montana Autism Education Project will pay for a number of sites in each CSPD region. The webinar would need to be held in a meeting or classroom with adequate seating for staff from surrounding districts to attend and with the necessary audio equipment for everyone to hear the webinar. Contact: If you are interested in hosting a location, please contact Doug Doty at ddoty@mt.gov by February 15th.  Include information about the proposed location (seating, address, contact person) with your email. Participating sites need a speaker phone with a mute button and a computer with access to the Internet.

Click here to read:A Response to Intervention (RTI) Process Cannot Be Used to Delay-Deny an Evaluation for Eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: A series of 6 classes, over three weeks, structured to help parents and direct caregivers understand and support children and adolescents with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being.  The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders.  Topics covered will be the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child. We invite you to call for more information. There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Basics Program and you will be given course materials to take home. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited to 20. When: March 1 – March 17, 2011 Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00am to 11:30am Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center 205 Sunnyview Lane Kalispell To register: Call Stephanie Luehr at 406-270-1086 or email stephanie.luehr@pluk.org