State government is hosting activities on Friday, July 23, 2010, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the capitol rotunda, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ADA. 

Register Online Call 866-326-486821 or email sherry@familiestogether.org with questions. When: July 27, 2010 11:00 am - 2:00pm Mountain What: This workshop gives professionals and parents strategies for creating environments that help children who are at risk due to behavior problems. 

What: Teaching children how to do homework can be as easy as A B C! Come to this webinar and learn these practical and useful tips that can really help children be successful with school work. 3 Clock Hours and Certificates of Attendance are available for an additional fee Click for more information When: July 23, 2010-11:30-12:30 Mountain This webinar will be presented by the Executive Director of Families Together for People with Disabilities, Chris Curry (Click here to view biography)To Register: Click here!

Let's keep IDEA PTA alive with renewed parent input and involvement.    The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Mary Hall of PLUK, which is located at 380 Keith, which is the NW corner of Keith and Hilda in the University area.   Several of our wonderful MT CAAN members have already brainstormed some exciting ideas as to how parents can unite with enlightened educators to utilize this group as an important vehicle by which:  Parents can gain the empowerment and voice they should have in the special education process and at school, generally; We can work together systematically to achieve the kind of meaningful changes, opportunities, and supports that we want and need to see in the school environment, so that all children, regardless of diversity, get the free and appropriate education they are due by law and that they deserve by human right.

When: 10:00am-12:30pm,  Saturday,  July 17   Where: The Rural Institute Conference Room   700 SW Higgins, next to the Pattee Creek Market What: PLUK and the Rural Institute are pleased to welcome Dr. Taylor as a guest speaker to our community.  The focus will be on sensory processing in children and adolescents. Dr. Taylor is a family psychologist, parent and the author of The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD, Helping Your ADD Child, and From Defiance to Cooperation. Questions? Email Mary Hall at mary.hall@pluk.org or call 888-406-1914 (toll free)

Services provided to ages 18 and younger who do not have health insurance and do not have a physician or dentist. For appointments or more information, call 406-238-6008 or 866-822-1411.

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 What: You're invited to bring your child as well as his/her siblings (free). The kid's will get to groom and ride their horses. Instruction is provided by certified instructors and trained volunteers. The field trip will be 2 to 4 hours long depending on the ages of the majority of the children attending. We will be meeting at the Walmart on Brooks/93 at 9:30 for the drive to Corvallis. We'll combine vehicles for those of us that have larger cars and carpool to the ranch.  If you want to join the fun, please send us the names and ages of the kiddos (or teens) planning to attend as well as your contact information by noon on Friday June 25. This trip is sponsored by MT CAAN and a generous donation from Missoula Pediatric Dentistry. For more information:E-mail mtcaan@gmail.com or call Denise Dahlberg at 239-9156

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 Call (406) 961-2999 or (406) 880-6599 or e-mail btr@bitterrootriding.org for more information on this event. Visit Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding's homepage at http://www.bitterrootriding.org/

When: June 24, 2010 Where: Paxson Elementary 101 Evans Street Missoula, MT 59801 What: Come join us for our first weekly playgroup. The playground has nice new play equipment and is fenced (no gates though). This will be a great time for kids to get outside and move with friends. Siblings, family and friends are welcome! Contact MT CAAN at mtcaan@gmail.com with questions.

When: Oct 3-5, 2010 in Helena, MTWhat: The 2010 Youth in Transition Conference is a youth and parent centered event that will assist youth with disabilities and their teams to plan and develop plans for after high school. This venue will include: A “Real Life” Fair: participants can meet with a wide variety of community re-sources. Keynote Presenters: Fun, informative, youth centered! Workshops: information that supports what was learned at the Real Life Fair. Students, parents, and all relevant team members are encouraged to attend! Topics and Information: Transition to What? Information Available: Housing Transportation Food/Clothing Recreation Employment Education/Training Financial Aid Community Service Self-Advocacy

Click here to download the full agenda (PDF)This conference is an intense, interactive two day event with a goal to provide educators and parents with an action plan for our community in dealing with the serious issue of bullying and technology. We encourage and invite you to actively participate in this important conversation.

Click here to download the flyer for this event (PDF) Where: Missoula Public Library When: 6:30pm open / 7:00 pm movie What: A Special Presentation on autism services offered by Easer Seals Goodwill at 6:45pm with the Movie “Autistic-Like, Graham’s Story” to start at 7pm. Childcare provided and an animated family friendly movie will be presented for children. For more information please contact Audrey at 406-850-2977 or Belinda at 406-697-5522. For full details please visit Montana Autism Community Support Network on Facebook

Helping your child with homework can be as easy as A B C! Come to this webinar and learn these practical and useful tips that can really help your child be successful with school work. This webinar is 2 hours and is done in 2 sessions. Each session must be registered for separately. However you can pay for both sessions in one registration. If you have any questions feel free to call at 866-326-4864 for assistance. Session I Friday June 25 at 3:00 PM Mountain Click here to register for this session Session II Friday July 9 at 3:00 PM Mountain Click here to register for this session

What: NAMI BASICS Teacher Training When: Sept. 17-19, 2010 Where: Jorgenson's Inn and Suites, Helena, MT Deadline for Application Material: August 1, 2010

Register Online or call 509-335-2321 to register. When: Monday June 28, 2010 11:30 am - 12:30pm Mountain Audience: Head Start Teachers and Staff What: This workshop gives professionals and parents strategies for creating environments that help children who are at risk due to behavior problems.   This workshop will assess the environments and gives specific examples of how to manage the environment to prevent behavior problems and teach appropriate behaviors.   This workshop stresses meeting the needs of the child and presents strategies that are nonpunitive. This workshop discusses behavior management strategies that will be effective for young children who need additional assistance in maintaining or learning appropriate social skills and behaviors at home and at school.  These are children who are disruptive in daycare or preschool settings and/or difficult at home. This workshop will also address the needs of children who display violent behaviors toward adults and other children.

To assist people with disabilities, consumers, survivors, family members, advocates, and health care/mental health providers to better understand the rights of people with disabilities, the challenges posed by the assertion of these rights, and the protections offered under the law, the SAMHSA ADS Center invites you to a free training teleconference titled “Building an Inclusive Society.”

When: Pre-Show - 6:00 pm Show - 7:00 pm Where: Dehler Park Baseball Stadium FREE ADMISSION This 2nd Event in the Koncert for Kidz 2010 Family Series features folk music by Mulberry Moon - Robert and Constance Smith and Award winning folk duo Jeff Troxel & Trevor Krieger.  Master of Ceremonies is Dave Wood.  The 6:00 PM Pre-Show includes kid friendly food vendors, Al Bedoo Shrine Clowns, Jonnie Edgeland's Fireflies, Face Painting, the Gazillion Bubble Machine, Dance Performances

What: Ron Hager from the National Disability Rights Network will present information on the variety of funding sources available to preschool students needing AT.  One of the most important is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Part C of the IDEA, the early intervention program for infants and toddlers, covers children with disabilities from birth through age two.  The school-age provisions of the IDEA, Part B, cover students beginning at age three. This session will look at meeting the AT needs of infants and toddlers under Part C, as well as selected issues for preschoolers under Part B.  To connect to the webinar visit: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs0e572c05aff0 .  When: 1:00-2:15 pm Mountain

Part II Seminar Coverage: How to Beat Bad Seizures Including a discussion of chronic AED meds and Diastat; Discussing DIASTAT with your doctor; Use of DIASTAT in various settings as school, work, vacation, etc.; Summer travel, summer camp, returning to school, and having Diastat on hand for these situation; Case studies; Review of various state laws relating to which professionals can administer DIASTAT. Who Should Attend: Families and Caregivers; Physicians; Nurses; Educators and School Administrators; Allied Health Care Professionals; Institutions Serving the ID/DD Population: State and privately-held facilities, Military Healthcare personnel.

Click here to download the full flyer with agenda and registration form When: August 2-4, 2010 Where: Missoula, Hilton Garden Inn What: Kindergarten Transition and Model Kindergarten Curriculum The Center on the Social Emotional Foundation for Early Learning (CSEFEL) LETRS for Early Childhood Educators

Eustacia Cutler is the mother of four children. Her oldest child is Temple Grandin, who is known as the most  successful person with autism in the world today. Eustacia is a graduate of Harvard. She has been a band singer at the Pierre Hotel, New York City, performed and written for theater and cabaret, and written documentaries on disabilities for major television networks. Her current book, "A Thorn in My Pocket" describes raising Temple in the conservative world of the 1950’s. Eustacia was one of the first to tread new territory as she overcame the difficulties of "challenging the system." Like every parent, she wanted the best for her child. She understands the myth, reality, angst, and guilt a family experiences in society. She is where you will be in the future: looking back on the things you did to help your child.  When the “system” is not meeting the needs of your child, you must be creative and design your own program. Piece by piece, you and your child can develop a meaningful, interrelated reality. Eustacia will inspire you to reach beyond your current resources and make it work for you and your child.