On behalf of Region III CSPD I would like to welcome you back to another school year! I would also like to let you know what we have planned (so far) for the upcoming year. I hope to have all of the events listed on the CSPD website, www.msubillings.edu/cspd , soon and will add the brochures for the events as I get information from the presenters. If you have questions, would like to join the Region III CSPD Council, or would like to suggest professional development topics for 2010/2011 please feel free to contact me at 657-2072 or e-mail me at dmiller@msubillings.edu. Thanks, and have a wonderful school year! - Debra Miller, Region III CSPD Coordinator

Are you looking for ways to maximize your child's learning at school this year? Join Dr. Bridget A. Taylor, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Executive Director of the Alpine Learning Group, a highly regarded education and treatment center for children with autism, and rethink autism's Senior Clinical Advisor, for our upcoming webinar and live chat: "The Top 10 Ways to Collaborate with Your Child's School" Ongoing collaboration is essential to ensure: Everyone is aware of your child's strengths and needs; Coordination of goals and objectives; A meaningful educational experience your child and your family. When: Monday, September 20th  12pm - 1pm Mountain

Parents and those who care for children who have an autism spectrum disorder (such as autism, Asperger's, pdd-nos, etc) are invited to attend a parent support group meeting to share some time with other parents of children on the spectrum. It is always wonderful to meet with others who are dealing with the challenges that come with raising a child (or children!) on the autism spectrum! Our group is a place where all parents are welcomed in a non-judgmental atmosphere.  Together we can network, share ideas, discuss problems, and sympathize with each other.  

Where: 3300 3rd Street N.E When: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 11:00-12:30 with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:30 Contact: Dawn Smith, ECC Chair at dawn.smith@bresnan.net or Deb Sivumaki, ECC Vice-Chair, at deb_sivumaki00@eaglemount.net Through generous community partners we will provide drinks and light snacks.

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel 27 North 27th Street Billings, MT 59101 When: October 27-29, 2010. The conference is open to anyone who wants to learn more about mental illness: professionals consumers families administrators legislators general public

When/Where: October 4, 2010 Fifth Avenue Christian Church Havre, MT October 5, 2010 Hampton Inn Great Falls, MT Free Training For: Elementary and middle school teachers Special education teachers Therapists Administrators Reading teachers Paraprofessionals Parents. The purpose of this Level II professional development is to: Focus on specifics in instructional practices for mathematics; evaluating and enhancing mathematics curricula to meet the needs of learners; progress monitoring (National Council of Teachers of Math Big Ideas Probe). Advice for diagnostic throughout the school year using Curriculum Based Measurements and Mathematics Diagnostic Assessment. Differentiating math for students with diverse levels of mathematical competency by using data and key ideas for differentiated instruction. Action goals/plans for follow up using Video-Conference Sessions.

The annual administration of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) will be conducted in Montana on Saturday, October 16, on the MSDB Campus in Great Falls.  To register for the assessment please go to: http://www.usu.edu/taese/task12/EIPARegistration.cfm. The OPI will pay the registration fee for interpreters working in Montana schools every other year until the interpreter attains a score of 3.5 or higher.  Interpreters wishing to have the OPI pay the registration fee should contact Frank Podobnik at fpodobnik@mt.gov for more information. Beginning July 1, 2011, all educational interpreters employed in Montana schools must have an EIPA score of 3.5 or higher.  Those interpreters scoring between 2.5 and 3.4 can remain employed, but must have an educational plan in place to achieve the 3.5 standard within three years.

Lisa Jennings is a family leader in Massachusetts. She has been working as a parent consultant on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research project to help identify and acknowledge all of the unique experience, skills and knowledge it takes to raise a child with special needs. Part of this research includes an online survey. If you care for a child younger than 21 years of age with special needs, please consider participating. Find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/specialneedschild.

When: September 29th at 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. MT What: Information will be provided regarding current legislative and funding priorities around enrolling students with intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education, as well as insights into characteristics of model programs and potential challenges. Time for questions and discussion will be included.

Full brochure and registration information (PDF) Please join us to help support the first annual Billings Buddy Walk.  The Buddy Walk (www.buddywalk.org) was established by the National Down Syndrome Society to help celebrate Down syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.   We have teamed up with YESKIDS (www.yeskids-mt.com), a local organization who's mission is to raise awareness and support for families that have loved ones with Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders here in Yellowstone county and Eastern Montana.   The Billings Buddy Walk will be at Dehler Park on Saturday October 2nd. Registration begins at 10AM and the WALK starts at 11AM.  There will be food and fun activities for the kids and adults. Our goal is to walk one mile together to raise awareness and meet others who's lives have been changed by someone "Xtra Special".   The cost to register is $10 per person and includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt. There is no cost for "Xtra Special" individuals to register and they will receive a free T-shirt. Please register by September 5th in order to get your t-shirt ordered. Registrations received after September 5th may not receive a T-shirt.      

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: Collaborative Problem Solving

When: Tuesday Evenings, 5:30 p.m. beginning Sept 7 Where: The Family Tree Center 2520th 5th Ave. South Billings, MT Call to Register: Phone: (406) 252-9799 On Call: 591-7369 Fax: (406) 256-3014

When: Thursday Evenings, 5:30 p.m. beginning Sept 7 Where: The Family Tree Center 2520th 5th Ave. South Billings, MT Call to Register: Phone: (406) 252-9799 On Call: 591-7369 Fax: (406) 256-3014

Mark your calendar for GREAT presenters on universal design for learning, discipline, dispute resolution and much more. Send your ideas for speakers and topics to Cathy Haarstad, Director ptidirector@srt.com or 1600 2nd Avenue SW Ste 30 Minot, ND 58701 or call 1.800.245.5840

Join us at our Annual September Fest Open House Click here to view the flyer (PDF) When: Saturday September 11, 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Where: Special K Ranch Columbus, MT

When: Saturday, September 18, 2010 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Where: MSDB Mustang Center 3911 Central Avenue Great Falls, MT 59405 What: Activities and Games Storytelling of MAD/MSDB History

The new healthcare reform laws have immediate and long-term impacts on Montana businesses and citizens. Please join us for an education session and discussion regarding how you can make the new health care reform laws work for you and your community. Please RSVP at HealthCareLaws@bcbsmt.com Refreshments will be served.

A Free One Day Guided Group Discussion on the Independent Living Movement - Missoula - Oct. 7, 2010 Connect with others. Culture begins with a common history, come share your stories and learn about others, locally and nationally. Become a part of Disability Culture. If interested in attending, Contact Mary Olson at Summit Independent Living Center by October 1st, 2010: molson@summitilc.org or 728-1630

Click here to download the full flyer and registration (PDF) Region IV CSPD is pleased to offer a range of training opportunities on the following Reading and Math Intervention programs. All the programs are research-based and are effective in a Response to Intervention tiered model.

Building an Inclusive Society ·        Mental Health in the Military: The Path to Resilience and Recovery

Justice For All, in partnership with Easter Seals, has retained/hired national polling firm Harris Interactive to conduct a survey about how family members are affected by developmental disability. Millions of American families today have someone in their family with a developmental disability; by taking part in this research you are helping raise awareness of the types of issues you and your family encounter.