Click here to register for this webinar What:
Topics covered in this webinar include: Introduction to Healthy People and the New LGBT Topic Area Overview of Transgender Health Development of Gender Identity and Mental Health Transgender Health Issues Q and A  When:
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
11:00am-12:30pm Mountain

Click here to register for this webinar What:
Topics covered in this webinar include: An Overview of Evidence Based Practices for Children 0-5 with ASD Strategies for Promoting Meaningful Communication in Home & School Settings Bilingual Language Development and ASD Antecedent Based Interventions to Decrease Interfering Behavior An Effective Approach to Tackling Persistent Challenging Behaviors When:
Friday, May 11th, 2012
9:00am-12:00pm Mountain
1:00pm-4:00pm Mountain

What:
The Indian Education Division is providing a free institute explicitly modeling strategies to develop 21st Century skills through robust implementation of Indian Education for All. You will not want to miss this transformative institute employing place-based and inquiry-driven strategies to fulfill your goals of developing college and career ready skills while learning about Montana Tribes.

The instructors will guide participants through a series of experiences that model best practices and explore concepts and content embedded in the Montana Tribal Histories and Framework documents. The place and inquiry based strategies you will experience can be taken directly into your classroom, with content from any domain, to improve the quality of teaching and learning.  Bring your walking shoes, and your creative and adventuresome spirit. You will leave this workshop with renewed energy to take a leadership role in your school, implementing Indian Education for All and the Common Core Standards with both stronger content knowledge, and fantastic instructional strategies to add depth and meaning to all your school improvement efforts.

There is no fee but pre-registration is necessary; register with Joan Franke at jfranke@mt.gov or call 444-3694 by May 25th.  Workshop participants are limited to 75. There is a block of rooms reserved at $87 under MT OPI until June 3rd.  Please call 406-721-8550 to reserve your room.

OPI will be providing 13 renewal units for the training. When/Where:
June 18 & 19, 2012
Holiday Inn Parkside in
Missoula, MT

Click here to register for this webinar What:
This webinar presents the scope of the dropout problem in rural localities and features two community mobilization strategies that have been effective in building support for impact on this critical issue.  Participants will come away from the session with: New ideas for launching or strengthening local reengagement efforts Practical resources to plan community conversations to build shared focus on dropout prevention/recovery work Examples of practice successes and considerations for working with rural communities to share with colleagues. When:
Thursday, May 3, 2012
11:30am-1:00pm Mountain

Click here to download the flyer for this event (.pdf) What/When:
Supporting all Kids to Become Cool Kids: A Schoolwide Approach * June 11, 2012

Participants will be introduced to system wide approaches and practices to promote appropriate student behavior, teach social competence and establish consistent reactions to instances of unacceptable student behavior. When all staff consistently use an effective school wide approach, overall student behavior improves, time available for teaching and learning increases and the climate of the school community becomes more supportive and safe for both students and educators. All Kids Can be Cool Kids: Individual Plan and Approaches for Individual Students * June 12, 2012

Exemplary schools have well-designed, consistently implemented, and consistently improving systems for encouraging appropriate student behavior. However, even in these schools, there will be a small number of students needing more structure and support to be behaviorally successful. This workshop will address how to develop, implement, monitor, and adjust effective individual plans for these few "tough" kids for whom the school wide practices are not sufficient. Every Kid Can be a Cool Kid: Every Adult Can Make a Difference * June 13, 2012

In this workshop, participants will learn a variety of communication and interaction strategies designed to not only build relationships with students but increase the likelihood of student compliance with adult directions, the growth of overall social competence and the enhancement of the school environment as a place for adults to work and students to learn. Where:
Hampton Inn
2301 14th Street Southwest
Great Fal

Click here to read this issue of Prevention Opportunities Under the Big Sky about Cystic Fibrosis (.pdf)

Click here to download the flyer for this event (.pdf) What:
Imagine that someone who is only familiar with PCs suddenly comes across an Apple Mac computer for the first time. The interface would look different, programs that person had on disk would not load - because they were designed for a PC. So the computer goes back to the shop with the complaint that it is broken. That, essentially, is what we do with our dyslexic learners. Parents and teens who have attended this seminar have seen results in their teens' self esteem and confidence. Teachers appreciate the information and resources they can use on their own.  Leave with the understanding that dyslexic thinkers are among the brightest in our society; what's more, with the right approach, the dyslexic thinking style contains all the ingredients for academic success. Preregistration is required and can be made by calling Learning Options at 406-282-7416 or emailing elsie@thelearningoptions.com. When:
Friday, May 11, 2012
7:00-9:00pm Saturday, May 12, 2012
10:30am-12:00pm Where:
The Summit
205 Sunnyview Lane
Kalispell, MT 59901

Click here to register for this webinar What:
If you need to provide special accommodations for blind or visually impaired students, this webinar is for you! In this webinar we will cover different accessibility options that are available on the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android mobile devices. We will review how to operate and activate these accommodations for students who are blind or visually impaired. In addition, we will also review some specific mobile apps for these devices and discuss how they can be used in the classroom. When:
Monday, May 07, 2012
1:00-2:00pm Mountain

Click here to download the Games for the Visually Impaired Guidelines (.pdf) What:
The Games for the Visually Impaired is held each spring at the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind campus in Great Falls. Athletes from around the state compete in track and field, gymnastics, gym activities, swimming and bowling. This is a competitive event for blind and low vision students ranging in age from 3-21. The VI Games is an uplifting and confidence-boosting weekend for participants, and the MSDB staff provides lots of support for the kids. Personnel from Malmstrom Air Force Base assist athletes in their individual events. Volunteers are willing to swim and run with athletes. Any student with a visual impairment is welcome to participate in the event. When/Where:
May 4-5, 2012
The School for the Deaf and the Blind
Great Falls, MT Register:
http://www.msdb.mt.gov/campus/extracurricular-activities.html

Click here to download the flyer with registration information for this webinar (.pdf) What:
The "i" operating systems are used to promote, support, and connect individuals with intellectual disabilities. The iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and other devices offer possibilities for video cueing and modeling, picture exchange systems, voice output, timers, schedulers, checklists, reminders, face-to-face coaching, portfolios, and more. Learn about special projects with transition programs and employment organizations, compare equipment, and learn about apps people are finding helpful. View devices and demos that help job seekers land a job, know what to do when, and optimize productivity and inclusion. Discuss the current need and the future promise. Washington State and Use of Apple Devices; inception, evolution and success stories. Working with Apple; their stores and engineers The equipment; built in features and comparisons High School Transition Programs A cohort of employment specialists using iPads Survey of interest and need Work with Voc Rehab's Assistive Technology Coordinators People First and the Technology Push When:
Part 1 (Click to register)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
11:00am - 12:00pm Mountain Part 2 (Click to register)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
11:00am - 12:00pm Mountain

Click here to register for this webinar What:
This session will provide an overview of accessibility issues related to distance education training and learning environments. Distance Education, through both synchronous and asynchronous delivery, provide expanded opportunities to access training content as well as to interact with others within a convenient environment. Yet, accessibility of Distance Education tools, such as Blackboard and Adobe Connect, can frequently pose significant barriers to individuals with disabilities because they do not work well, if at all, with assistive technology tools designed to support those individuals. During this session we will feature commonly used Distance Education tools to highlight accessibility issues as well as to provide a framework for matching tools based on user needs and preferences. When:
Thursday, May 10, 2012
11:00am - 12:30pm Mountain

Click here to download the full flyer with additional information (.pdf) What:
This group is designed for parents who are dealing with specific challenges usually encountered once their adoptees are settled in (~ 1 year or more into the adoption), for parents with challenging children and interested others. CONNECT (formerly Together in Parenting) is a process-based support group lead by a licensed therapist that gives parents a venue in which to form an emotional connection with other parents experiencing similar issues with their children. Each month, we address concerns of parents who are present via peer support and therapeutic suggestions. Parents who are experiencing challenging times with their children find the support of other parents who have been on the adoption and parenting journey for some time to be invaluable. Child care will be available if this is determined to be a need of the group. When:
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
12:00 - 1:00pm Mountain When:
The last Thursday of each month
7:00-8:30 pm Mountain Where:
Evangelical Free Church - Room 102
S. 19th St.
Bozeman, MT

Click here to register for this webinar What:
The Common Core State Standards in English/language arts make new demands on both students and teachers. They ask that students become masters at "close reading" of text, build their argumentation skills, and be able to marshal evidence to defend their positions. Teachers learn how to lead students in that work, with new kinds of questions, new types of readings, and new ways of thinking about literacy. Teachers in two districts in Kentucky are on the leading edge of working with new instructional tools designed for the standards. Join us for a compelling discussion with two educators overseeing the implementation in these districts. When:
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
12:00 - 1:00pm Mountain

Click here to register for this training What:
This intensive two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS. This is a Montana Autism Education Project sponsored training. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech.  PECS promotes communication within a social context, without lengthy prerequisite training.  Training in PECS begins by teaching a spontaneous request and goes on to teach additional communicative functions such as responding to questions and commenting.  An added attraction for preschool children with autism and related disabilities is the high proportion of children who acquire independent speech.  Participants will learn how to implement the six phases of PECS, plus attributes, through presenter demonstrations, video examples and role-play opportunities.  Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of how to implement PECS with individuals with autism, related developmental disabilities, and/or limited communication skills.  What You Will Learn: The key Pyramid components to designing effective educational environments Strategies to create an abundance of opportunities for communication The relationship between PECS and traditional communication training approaches How to implement all six phases of PECS with target individuals using a behavior analytic orientation The criteria for transitioning from PECS to other communication modalities When/Where:
Billings - 06/07/2012 - 06/08/2

Click here to download the flyer for this event
What:
Join us for an informative presentation on the IEP Process by a respresentative from PLUK Parent Center. When:
Thursday, May 3, 2012
6:30 - 8:00pm Where:
Easter Seals-Goodwill
1537 Ave. D, Suite 115
Billings, MT Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Melius at 406-657-9728 or kellym@esgw.org.

Click here to download the full flyer for this event (PDF) What:
Children deserve the most effective intervention possible, provided in the most relevant places, at the most relevant times, by the most relevant people. In the Routines-Based approach, professionals work with the child's natural caregivers, who are generally parents and child care providers or teachers. Parents and other caregivers learn to make the most out of the learning opportunities that occur throughout the day, every day. This results in much more effective and meaningful intervention than, for example, weekly sessions in a therapy room. The child's best "interventionists" are those adults who are with the child throughout the day. Participants will learn the importance of: Understanding the family ecology and the usefulness of the ecomap Family-centered, functional assessment and the usefulness of the Routines-Based Interview Integrating services and the usefulness of the primary service provider Support-based home visits and the usefulness of family consultation Collaborative consultation to child care and the usefulness of consultation individualized within routines When/Where:
May 21, 2012
Red Lion Colonial Hotel (block of rooms are available)
Helena, MT
Registration by emailing Karen Cech at kcech@mt.gov | For questions, contact Erica Peterson (406)444-5647 or epeterson2@mt.gov AND May 23, 2012
MSUB College of Education Bldg - Room 427<br

Click here to download the registration form for this event (PDF) What:
RESA4U and Region IV CSPD are partnering to present a Region IV Summer Institute. Registration for the three-day Institute is $100 per person and housing is available at the UM-Western campus dormitories. Judy Wood, author of Teaching the Hard to Reach, will be the keynote speaker for Monday, June 11th. Judy focuses on building a successful intervention system for at-risk students or students with unique needs within general education settings. On Tuesday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 13, educators will be able to choose from a variety of course offerings designed to enhance classroom instruction. One post-baccalaureate credit is available for attending the conference for three days. A second credit, requiring extended study, will be offered as well. The cost for each credit is $115 and is paid directly to UM-Western. These credits can be used for certificate renewal through OPI; participants would need to check with their school districts for approval regarding PIR or lane changes. When:
June 11-13, 2012. Where:
UM-Western campus
Dillon, MT

What:
Join us for this informal monthly gathering where parents can meet, learn from and support one another and participate in discussions or presentations of interest to the group. When:
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Where:
Off the Leaf (in the conference room)
819 Grand Ave
Billings, MT Contact:
If you have any questions about our parent support group, please contact Kelly Melius at 657-9728

Click here to register for this webinar What:
If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and want to make more money through work, the Ticket to Work program provides the support you need to transition to greater financial independence and self-sufficiency. This free Work Incentives Seminar Event will present information about programs and rules that can help you return to work. When:
April 25, 2012
1:00 - 2:30pm Mountain

Click here to register for this event What:
Jennifer Preble, MSW will present the Speak Up for Kids talk, "Parenting 2.0: Parenting in a Digital World." With children plugged in younger and younger, this talk offers pointers for parents and teachers on how to manage children's screen and phone time, monitor social media participation, and protect them from cyberbullies and other predators. When:
May 10, 2012
6:00-7:00pm Mountain Where:
Cottonwood Inn and Suites
Highway 2 East
Glasgow, MT Contact:
Jennifer Preble, MSW
406-228-9349