DESCRIPTION: Including children with autism in community preschools/childcare programs can be challenging due to potential behavioral difficulties, sensory integration difficulties, as well as social, communication and learning differences. This workshop will address the specific challenges of including children with autism in preschool/childcare setting. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of autism and will leave the presentation with tips, strategies, and principles to address inclusion challenges. WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday May 8, 2010 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lewis and Clark Library 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, Helena

When: May 20-21, 2010 Day Two : May 21, 2010 Who Should Attend: Social Workers Counselors Teachers Juvenile Court and Probation Staff Residential Treatment Staff Daycare Staff Parents and More! Objectives: Describe how different explanations for and interpretations of challenging behavior in kids can lead to dramatically different approaches to intervention, and why conventional reward and punishment procedures may not be effective for many challenging kids Identify and assess the various cognitive skills that are central to handling life’s social, emotional, and behavioral challenges • Identify and prioritize unsolved problems precipitating challenging behavior The three basic mechanisms by which adults handle problems and unmet expectations in kids (Plans A, B, and C) and what is accomplished by each, and the three steps or “ingredients” of Plan B How to effectively implement Plan B to develop a helping relationship, solve problems, teach lagging cognitive skills, and reduce the frequency and intensity of challenging behavior in schools, homes, and restrictive therapeutic facilities

Where: Holiday Inn—Downtown Helena 22 North Last Chance Gulch Helena, MT 56901 CMHB is holding a block of rooms until 3/31. Attendees must make their own reservations. When: April 7th-9th, 2010 from 8:30am-4:30pm Audience: Providers Family members Anyone who is interested in becoming a wraparound facilitator Anyone who may be on a wraparound team Anyone interested in learning more about wraparound

When: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 from 10:00am-11:30am Mountain Presented by: Kayla A. Bower, Esq., and Joy J. Turner, Esq. Cost: $50.00 (includes phone and Web access to 90-minute live event plus unlimited access to archived event and related materials) About the webinar: This presentation will provide an understanding of the many dimensions to ethics in special education advocacy and its key components in both the approach to substantive issues and the methods by which an advocate achieves an outcome.

What: This webinar will demonstrate an assortment of tools and materials that can be used to adapt toys or play activities for young children with disabilities.  Examples will include: making a momentary switch in one minute;  adapting pushbutton items; creating tactile images on-the-fly; creative uses of PVC pipe; mounting and stabilizing toys; cool fidget apps; and much more. When: Monday, April 12, 2010 - 8:00 am-9:00am (MDT)

Electronic Registration: Opens March 1, 2010 http://www.montana.edu/cs/mbi This Year's Hot Topics: Parent/Family/Community Involvement Montana Schools – Best Practices Strand Targeted/Intensive Interventions Academic Supports Early Childhood Classroom Management Safe Schools Nutrition And much more!

EDUCATION, DISCUSSION, NETWORKING AND FAMILY FUN! Booths staffed by representatives from local child placing and family resource agencies. Chat with representatives, find resources and see how you can make a difference for a child. Films and discussion panels throughout the day. Refreshments and children's activities provided. When: Saturday May 22nd, 11am-3pm Where: St. Paul's United Methodist Church -- 512 Logan Street, Helena MT

Part I: What Families & Caregivers Need to Know About Managing Seizures May 11, Tuesday – 5:00-7:30 PM MDT Part II: DIASTAT as Treatment for Acute Seizures July 20, Tuesday, 5:00-7:30 PM MDT 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.

Apr 26, 2010 Great Falls, MT (Register Online) Early Registration - Save $20 Per Attendee! Apr 27, 2010 Butte, MT (Register Online) Early Registration - Save $20 Per Attendee! Apr 28, 2010 Bozeman, MT (Register Online) Early Registration - Save $20 Per Attendee! Apr 29, 2010 Billings, MT (Register Online) Early Registration - Save $20 Per Attendee

Friends and colleagues of a former Montana State University Billings educator who was killed in a traffic wreck  in February have established a scholarship endowment in her honor. The Montana Center on Disabilities at MSU Billings has established the Merry Jane Trewhella Memorial Scholarship Endowment.  Organizers and friends are working on building the endowment fund and plan to award a $250 scholarship to an education major for Fall Semester 2010.

When: March 29th & 30th 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Where: Libby Middle School Library What: Families In Partnership & Libby Public Schools Family Centers Present Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE, positive, life-skills training Topics to include: Helping Kids to Own and Solve Their Own Problems Collaborative Problem Solving Staying Out off Control Battles The Explosive Child

The man behind the curtain has been at it again. PLUK has instituted the first in a series of closed captioning services for PLUKtelevision's Youtube videos. The first video to get the wordy treatment is PLUK's interview with Liz Miller. In time, all of PLUK's videos will be captioned, as well.Also, as some may have noticed, the PLUK homepage has undergone some remodeling, too. Everything from the events calendar, to news feeds for the PLUK Library and e-News, along with our Youtube videos can be viewed right from the homepage. This is just a few of the surprises we have in store, so be sure to stay tuned.

VSA Arts of Montana celebrates World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2010, with an Opening Exhibit of photographs by people on the Autism Spectrum at Begleiter Studio, 223 W. Front. The opening reception begins at 4:00-7:30pm and the photographs will be on exhibit for the month.

As we see the first early signs of spring, we know summer can't be far away. Start planning now for summertime activities to help middle and high school students continue their journey toward adulthood. This web conference will touch on ideas such as: Completing the Transition Workbook as a family activity Volunteering Summer jobs Exploring new assistive technology Establishing new connections in the community Continuing and documenting the Discovery process Testing out new leisure activities Learning about support needs...while having fun! The web conference will be held on Monday, March 15th, from 1:00 - 2:30 Mountain Time. 

Montana's Annual Application for Funding Under the IDEA is available for public comment until April 24, 2010.

Application deadline: April 9, 2010 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), through a contract with Westover Consultants, Inc. (Westover), and AFYA, Inc. (AFYA), is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to participate in the Annual Conference sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  The purpose of this scholarship is to foster the transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery.  Please Note:  To be eligible for this scholarship, a completed application must be received by U.S. Mail, postmarked on or before the deadline of April 9, 2010.  NO FAXED OR E-MAILED SUBISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Conference Deadline Extended to March 17th -St. Patty's Day - Register Now!21st Century Technology in the Math and Science Classroom March 26th-28th, 2010 at Montana Learning Center

WM- CSPD is offering Scholarships for the following in-service opportunities to residents of Region 5  Counties (Lincoln, Lake, Flathead, Sanders, Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral) TEAM SCHOLARSHIPS: 2 team scholarships per county to attend any of these conferences: Teams must include a combination of General Educator, Special Educator, Paraeducator, Administrator, Parent and/or Agency Personnel.

When: Three Saturdays in March: March 13, 20 and 27 from 10:30-11:30 am MST Where: Steve Begleiter Photography 223 W. Front St. next to the Children’s Museum Who: Teacher - Michelle Weber, certified art teacher and paraprofessional at Lolo School Please preregister by calling 549-2984  by Thursday, March 11 and indicate any accommodations access requirements.

For complete information on the Call for Proposal requirements and submission process, click here: 2010 Call for Proposals This year's conference will highlight the elements of the first TASH National Agenda: Inclusive Education Community Living Employment Human Rights People of Color The 2010 conference will focus on innovative practices to promote inclusion and reduce the disparities experienced by individuals with significant disabilities in schools, community living, and employment. The conference will also address human rights concerns and issues often faced by people of color. All people have the right to lead dignified lives where personal choices are honored and cherished. Who Should Attend? Adult Service Providers  Advocates/Self-Advocates Early Interventionists Educators/Special Educators Family Support Professionals Legal/Public Policy Parents/Family Members Professors/Researchers