Click here to download the flyer (PDF) When: April 7, 2011 6pm to 9pm, 3 CEUs, $50.00 Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center Community Conference Room 205 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell What: This is an overview of a 15 hour course designed for parents of a child with a brain disorder.  NAMI Basics is a peer education program. Parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness have diverse and complex needs. Education and support for families helps them to live the best life possible while managing the trauma that often accompanies the onset of mental illness. NAMI Basics allows families to connect to one another while learning about brain disorders and empowering themselves to overcome new challenges. It provides information families want and need about their child.  This 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.  To register:  Contact Stephanie Luehr at stephanie.luehr@pluk.org, or 406-270-1086

What:A group of moms of children with special needs of all types that meets monthly in Great Falls to share friendship, support, encouragement and ideas in dealing with their special needs families. Next Event: Friday, February 4 at 6 p.m Where: First Southern Baptist. 2925 9th Ave S. (We can use the alley door and we will be downstairs.) Bring along a snack and drink of some sort, if you have time to throw something together. There will be coffee provided. Contact: Jana at 406-727-2704 or jnjloo@yahoo.com for more information and to reserve your seat!

Go to http://www.geneticalliance.org/webinars to register now! What: The interest and use of health information technology (HIT) has greatly proliferated over the past decade, largely due to the increased focus the Federal Government has given to components of HIT, including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), clinical decision support systems, and functionalities such as electronic prescribing and electronic lab ordering and results. However, for communities that are located in rural or underserved areas, the use of financial incentives will not be enough to implement an EHR. This “digital divide” has been a source of concern for both policymakers and consumer advocates. This presentation will focus on the origins of the digital divide and discuss access to and effective use of technology. When: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:00am - 11:00 a.m. Mountain Presenter: Jason C. Goldwater – Health IT Project Manager, NORD

Click here to download the full flyer for this event (PDF) What: Family Bowling Night Please join us for the fun night of family bowling along with pizza and beverages! When: Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 PM Where: MSU Bowling Center (Located downstairs in the SUB) For more information: Call Joanna Dumas, President, at 406-522-0851

We are looking for examples of young people, age 18-30, in Montana who have a developmental disability according to the Montana definition and have creatively organized their supports to: Live in the community (on their own or with family or  friends) and/or Work in the community (including owning their own business) and/or Access inclusive education (high school, college, trade school, community classes) and/or Participate in recreation and leisure activities that are inclusive (that is, alongside people without disabilities) We want examples of supports that have been creatively organized around the person, individualized to their interests and needs.  These supports can be organized and managed by a funded adult agency or family and friends.  We are also looking for examples of creative funding such as blended services and natural supports, use of Social Security Administration work incentives, privately funded services or traded or bartered supports. Selected leaders will have their stories featured on the Montana Transition Listserv and in the annual Emerging Leader Showcase. They will also receive a monetary stipend for their time. To nominate yourself or someone you know as an Emerging Leader, visit the Rural Institute Transition Projects Website for a brief nomination form and a consent form.

What: School districts nationwide are challenged to keep pace with the complex needs of a growing autism population. This webinar will define 7 Key Components that research and practitioners have identified as necessary to effectively support students with autism.    It will provide a framework for district leaders to allocate resources, for teachers to coordinate direct services, and for parents to advocate, all in an effort to improve supports for students on the autism spectrum. When: Join Jamie Pagliaro Co-Creator of Rethink Autism & Former Executive Director, NY Center for Autism Charter School on one of the dates below: Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 11am Mountain Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 1pm Mountain

Click here to download the brochure with registration information (PDF) What: This one-day workshop will provide paraprofessionals with training and information that will focus on how paraprofessionals can assist teachers in bringing instruction within the reach of all learners.  Participants will experience a differentiated classroom and learn strategies for identifying student learner characteristics. They will apply this information to a lesson design framework that addresses rich strategies, flexible grouping, differentiated assessment and additional decisions for some learners.  Paraprofessionals will also learn how to assist teachers to create the classroom environment that will support the differentiation process. When: February 21, 2011 9:00am - 3:30pm Mountain Where: First Presbyterian Church 535 North Ewing Street Helena, MT  59601 Additional Notes: The Paraeducator Mid-Winter Conference is provided in the region at no cost to the participants. The conference is intended to increase the skill level of adults supporting children in a variety of educational settings. Certificates will be given to participants to add to their portfolios. Five (5) OPI Renewal Units are available. As in past years, the school district will be reimbursed $25.00 per paraeducator attending the conference. This stipend is an attempt to offset some of the costs incurred by the district.

Technology is transforming the way we approach everything, including how we teach. This 21st Century Teaching webinar series will help you integrate innovative skills with critical subject matter—writing and math—and provide ways to create effective assessments under this new paradigm. Choose one of these vital webinars for just $49, or select all three and save 12% -- you pay only $129. View them live or on-demand!

Click here to download the full brochure with schedule and registration information (PDF) What: In contrast to Family Learning Weekends, Enrichment Weekends are designed to create opportunities for students who are deaf & hard of hearing to interact with their peers, rather than providing information for parents and siblings. The theme of the weekend is “Finding Yourself” and activities are implemented to build confidence and a sense of responsibility in each participant. All school aged students are welcome; activities will be modified according to each child’s age and ability. Parents are encouraged to participate activities as appropriate. When: February 25 & 26, 2011 Where: Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Campus Great Falls, MT

Click here to register for this event | Click here to download the full brochure (PDF) When: February 26 & March 5, 2011 9:00am to 1:00pm Mountain Where: MSUB College of Education, Room 122  Billings, MT What: Google Sites is a tool that allows students and teachers to create custom web pages. You can easily create and update these pages adding content, attachments, and embedded media from many other services, including Picasa Web Albums, YouTube video, and Google Apps. A site can be created for a class, a school, or any other group that needs to quickly share information and ideas—even a team or a club. The easy-to-use editor makes it possible to build a site in minutes using templates for specific types of pages, such as announcements, dashboards, file cabinets, or lists. You also have control over who has access to the page; share with everyone, or only specific individuals. The workshop will show how you can set up and maintain your own personal website in Google Sites with knowing limited HTML. Participants must bring a laptop computer.

Visit funnix.com for more information Funnix, an education company based in Eugene, Oregon, is giving away their beginning reading program, which shares the same name as the company, absolutely free for the month of January. The giveaway is for the complete reading program, not a demo version. It never expires, and there is no limit to the number of copies that the company is willing to give away. However, there are only 18 days left to take advantage of this free offer. Already more than 18,000 copies of Funnix, valued at more than 4.5 million dollars, have been given away.

Visit https://sites.google.com/site/westernmontanaautismconference/ for full information on this event When: April 16 -17, 2011 Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Where: Continuing Education Building on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula, MT  Registration and Check in begins on Saturday at 8:00 am Tickets must be purchased prior to the event Childcare will be available free of charge, however we will require reservations to ensure appropriate amount of staff on hand. To register for childcare contact mtautismcommunity@gmail.com

Click here to register for this event (Cost $75) What: Develop skill sets and the tools to help direct support staff, parents as well as self-advocates, develop and customize sexuality education to the level suitable for the individual adult being supported. Well-rounded education is the key: teaching adults with autism or other developmental disabilities the necessary facts and skills to develop self-worth, friendship and loving relationships. Appropriate sexuality education can help prevent inappropriate behaviors from escalating in public, towards others or self-injurious activities. Skill sets, best practices and guidelines to: Discussing dating, sex and sexuality Helping folks differentiate the types of love Teach to respect boundaries/understand privacy Empowering people to recognize and report abuse When: Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 11:00 am to 1:00pm Mountain Who: Presenter Monica J. Foster, CC

The field of accessible technology has changed enormously in the last 30 years. Yet, people with disabilities and those that work with them still struggle to identify the appropriate technologies that will improve their lives, or the lives of family members, employees, or clients. The ATC will meet this need by providing up-to-date information online, where it is accessible to everyone. Check out our website at: www.atcoalition.org

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) A time for you to learn and ask your questions: What exactly is epilepsy and how it differs from seizures What to do in the event of a seizure and when to call 9-1-1 Understand basic seizure triggers Living life and the management of seizures    Presented by: Pat Berry, ARNP Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practitioner Seattle Children’s When: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 7pm (Mountain Time) Where: Mansfield Health Education Center 1145 North 30th Located in the Lower Level of the Yellowstone Medical Building WestEach session will include an interactive opportunity for questions and answers with open table discussion. 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

AT Network Training: AT Consideration for School-Aged Children   January 20, 2011: 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.    Click here to join webinar: http://tinyurl.com/atforum7   AT Consideration for School-Aged Children -  Where Do I Start...What Can I Do?   Learn about the laws, requirements and best practices for considering assistive technology for students with disabilities. Training presented by staff from Parents Helping Parents (PHP).   AT Network Brown Bag: Parent's Perspective on AAC Apps   January 26, 2011 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.   Click here to join webinar:  http://tinyurl.com/parentaac     Augmentative and Alternative Communcation apps are abound for use with Apple devices and other smart phones. From a parent's perspective, Shane Nurnberg of the Autism Epicenter will discuss some of these apps, their pros & cons, limitations, etc.   Please email your RSVP, accommodation requests, and questions to: LaCandice@cfilc.org. Thank you for your participation with the AT Network!

Calling ALL Youth! Have you had experience in a youth-serving system? (Like Child Welfare, Foster Care, Juvenile Justice, Special Education, etc.) Do you have expertise and experience that others may benefit from? Have you developed training materials or presentations to share with others? Youth MOVE National is looking for YOU to share your voices and experience! We are looking for Youth and Young Adults to serve as Consultants in our newly established Consulting and Technical Assistance Pool. Consultants are paid to provide training, speeches, technical assistance, and more to organizations interested in learning more about youth engagement, empowerment, and youth voice in systems change. If you are interested, please see the attached application and return all required materials to YouthMove@ffcmh.org. Consultant Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and applicants will be notified whether or not they were selected. Applicants may also be contacted to provide more information than was provided in the application. Please feel free to call us with any questions: 202-679-0452. 

The National Wraparound Initiative (NWI) is teaming up with the Technical Assistance Partnership to present a series of web-based trainings and technical assistance sessions about high-quality wraparound implementation, and the organizational and system supports that facilitate it. Presentations from national experts and NWI advisors will last one hour and be followed by 30 minutes of open discussion.

The Montana Youth Leadership Forum is currently recruiting delegates for the 2011 Forum to be held on the campus of Carroll College July 18-22.  All expenses of the program are covered by the program for youth to attend. MYLF serves youth with any type of disability. Those who are currently in their freshman through senior year (or equilivent age range) are eligible and encouraged to apply. You may download the application here (deadline is April1, 2011) and additional information can be found at www.montanaylf.org.

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