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Workshops
Visions of Community
Saturday, March 10, 2012
World Trade Center - Boston, MA
View workshops by session:
Session One | Session Two | Session Three
SESSION ONE
- The Enhanced Coordination of Benefits Unit
Joshua Goldberg & Jennifer Samaras - UMass Medical School
The Enhanced Coordination of Benefits Unit assists medically complex patients with possible purchase of commercial insurance plans upholding legislation that keeps Mass Health as payor of last resort. - Who Cares About Kelsey? - Conference Screening
Dan Habib - Director, producer and cinematographer
Who Cares About Kelsey? Will make viewers reconsider the "problem kids" in their own high schools and spark new conversations about an education revolution that's about empowering--not overpowering--our most emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth. - School Discipline Protections for Students with Mental Health Needs
Attorney Peter Hahn
This workshop explains the application of school conduct codes and discipline rules for all students and the special protections of due process and procedural safeguards required under the Federal IDEA for students with disabilities. Discussion will include suspension and expulsion policies and requirements for education services when students with disabilities are restricted from attending school. - 2011 Year in Review - Significant Special Education Cases, Regulations and Legislation
Daniel Heffernan, Esquire - Kotin, Crabtree & Strong
This workshop will give an overview of the significant developments in special education law over the last year. The workshop will review significant legislation, BSEA and court decisions and regulations from this past year as well as those on the horizon. - Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction: What Do They Have to Do with Special Education?
Dr. Anne Howard - Fitchburg State University
School districts across the Commonwealth are engaged in professional development initiatives focusing on Understanding by Design (UBD) and Differentiated Instruction (DI). What do these terms mean, and how do they related to special education? Learn the basic terminology and concepts, and explore how these approaches to designing and delivering instruction can benefit all students with disabilities. - Treating Anxiety in Young Children
Dr. Karen Levine - Helping Children with Challenges
Naomi Chedd - LMHC
This workshop presents a play based approach to treating anxiety, fears, phobias and meltdowns in typically developing young children and children with special needs. - What Schools are Doing for You
Marcia Mittnacht - MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Behavioral health initiatives, social emotional learning initiatives, and presentation of statewide data and opportunity for input on action items. - Como el Analisis de Comportamiento Aplicado ( ABA) puede ayudar a las familias de ninos con autismo a trabajar con las rabietas.
Betzaida Fuentes - Applied Behavioral Analysis
Los padres tienen mucha dificultad para controlar esta situacion ya que el nino parece inconsolable, la rabieta puede durar mucho y en ocasiones el nino se vuelve agresivo, muerde,golpeao pellizca y si los padres raccionan fuerte a la conducta o ceden a las demandas del nino, las rabietas continuaran. Uno de los tratamientos usados con mas exito es el Analisis de Comportamiento Aplicado ( ABA ). - Improving Prosocial Behavior and Reducing Problematic Behavior in Children with Autism
Bob Putnam - May Institute
This workshop will review positive behavior support interventions to improve social skills and reduce challenging behavior with individuals with ASD. - Acredite no Seu Potencial
Rhea Smith, Portuguese Outreach Coordinator - FCSN
Todos nos somos capazes, e cada pessoa possui uma habilidade diferente. També m aprendemos de forma diferente uns dos outros. Nessa palestra ajudaremos você a descobrir qual e seu estilo de aprendizagem ou de seu filho com necessidades especiais. Como reconhecer seus talentos, pontos fortes e desenvolver a auto-determinação e habilidades de auto-defesa de seu filho. - From School to Work and Independence
Janine Solomon - Disability Law Center
Terri McLaughlin, Transition Specialist - FCSN
Practical and legal information for effective transition planning. Including lessons learned from In Re: Dracut Public Schools and cutting edge issues related to preparing students for transition to adult life. - Self-Reflection in Parenting: Strategies for Getting Through Stressful Times
Mary Watson Avery - Coordinator of Professional Development and Training Activities, Wheelock College
While dealing with significant stress, it can be too easy to forget the positive experiences in our lives, both individually and in the history of our family. Taking the time to think about your life and plan for the future, also known as self-reflection, can be a very useful tool for parenting through such tough times. - Discussion of Who Cares About Kelsey?
Dan Habib - Director, producer and cinematographer
Discussion of issues relating to behavior in school as seen in the new film Who Cares About Kelsey? - Depressao!!! E agora? Onde encontrar ajuda
Ana Henrichs, Counselor Psychologist
Educar uma crianca com necessidades especiais pode ser uma tarefa cheia de dificuldades. Muitas vezes os impecilios sao tao grandes que podem afetar a saude metal dos pais e ate causar depressao. Nessa palestra voce vai aprender sobre os sintomas da depressao e como lidar com eles de uma forma saudavel para voce, sua crianca e sua familia. - Beyond 80% Accuracy: Writing Meaningful IEP Goals & Objectives
Dr. Anne Howard - Fitchburg State University
Parents are often frustrated by their child's IEP goals and objectives which may be confusing and not measurable. This workshop will focus on using Current Performance Levels to write meaningful AND measurable IEP goals and objectives, and exploring how these should connect to other parts of the IEP. - Special Education Law: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Leslie Hughes - Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Highlighting changes to state and federal law impacting children with ASD including recently enacted legislation, recent developments in case law, information which is essential in understanding the rights and procedures ensuring children with ASD receive educational opportunities which reflect competency and potential. - The Importance of Social Emotional Development for Young Children
Wendy Kennedy - Children's Hospital Boston
Social Emotional development is the cornerstone for successful learning and healthy relationships for all children. Develop an understanding of how to nurture Social Emotional development, intertwine it through natural learning opportunities while creating experiences that will carry children through a lifetime. - Telling Your Story: Finding Your Voice
Leslie M. Leslie, MassPAC Coordinator - FCSN
Barbara Popper, Field Coordinator, Family Voices -FCSN
Your story details the impact of systems on the lives of your children with special needs and your whole family. Family stories help connect us to each other and find our common concerns. Learn ways to tell your story effectively for use at team meetings, community forums, and with policy makers to raise awareness. Your story needs to be told. - The Massachusetts Tiered System of Support (MTSS) - An Overview for Parents
Madeline Levine & Shawn Connelly
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
This session will provide an overview of the Massachusetts Tiered System of Support (MTSS): MTSS creates a single system that provides the most effective instruction for all students and a continuum of multiple supports (academic and behavior) for all students. - Anti-Bullying Protections for Children with Disabilities
Catherine Mayes - Massachusetts Advocates for Children
This workshop will address how to use the new Anti-bullying laws to help children with disabilities receive accommodations and services necessary to prevent bullying as well as address the importance of whole-school initiatives and activities that will be particularly helpful in supporting the IEP development process. - The Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI): Home and Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for MassHealth-Eligible Children and Youth
Emily Sherwood - Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) and focus on six home and community-based behavioral health services for children and youth under age 21 that are available from MassHealth. The workshop also offers helpful information for parents interested in accessing MassHealth behavioral health services for their children, but have not because they think their family income is too high. - Getting to Yes: Strategies for Effective Advocacy in Team Meetings and Negotiation
Tim Sindelar, Esquire - Law Office of Tim Sindelar
This workshop will present tips and techniques to maximize results in disputes in Team meetings and alternative dispute resolution including mediation, resolution meetings and settlement conferences from an experienced and shell-shocked veteran of the trenches. - Llegando a los 14
Sara Diaz, Spanish Outreach Coordinator - FCSN
Este taller describe la importancia de empezar temprano con el proceso de transicion ,para enfrentar con exito la vida despues despues de salir de la escuela secundaria. - Practicing Skills to Promote your Confidence in Leadership
Gloria Weekes - Project Launch/My Child
Facilitated parent panel focused on building confidence in your ability to advocate and to take a leadership role in decision making about your child’s health and wellbeing. Self-advocacy and self-efficacy will be discussed. - Developing IEPs and Health Care Plans to Support the Needs of Children with Complex Medical Concerns, Including Mitochondrial Disorders
Cristy Balcells - MitoAction.org
Join us as we "meet" children with Mitochondrial Disease and other complex medical conditions; discuss realistic approaches to developing and meeting IEP goals; and use creative problem-solving to encourage growth despite chronic illness. - Como los jovenes adultos con necesidades especiales, pueden vivir
Ana Barahona - Boston Center for Independent Living
En este taller los presentadores hablaran de los servicios y asistencias que pueden estar disponibles para que los jovenes adultos puedan alcanzar una vida independiente mas placentera. - The Assessment & Treatment of OCD in Children with Autism
Dr. James Chock - Melmark New England
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating disorder that is characterized by intrusive thoughts that cause distress, and subsequently, compulsive actions that are performed to relieve distress. Given that repetitive behaviors and rigid adherence to routines are characteristic of autism, it can be challenging to identify those individuals with autism who are also suffering from OCD. A preliminary model for assessing and treating obsessive compulsive behaviors in individuals with autism will be discussed. - Utilizing iPad Technology for Social Skills and Language Development
Teresa Dooley-Smith, Speech Pathologist
The increasingly popular iPad and similar technology along with the vast selection of available "apps" provide a new approach to learning social skills strategies and enriching language. The presentation will demonstrate the power of these teaching tools through video examples of technology being used in actual therapy and social situations. Participants will be provided hands on access to iPads and several popular apps which are in use by individuals with disabilities. - Planning for After High School: AmeriCorps Options
Sheila Fesko - Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
City Year and AmeriCorps VISTA, are just a couple of examples of national service program opportunities for students age 17 and up, who have finished high school. The experiences gained in these programs build employment skills, pay a living allowance, and provide other benefits. We will provide information about the types and purpose of service programs and why a young adult with special needs would want to participate. - Family Driven, Family Centered: What's the Difference?
Lisa Lambert - Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Do you hear the terms "family-driven" or "family centered" and wonder what that really means for families? Come find out which involves parents, which empowers them and why we all should care. - Children with Special Needs Before the Juvenile Court
Honorable Mark Newman - Lawrence Juvenile Court
Many children and adolescents with special needs come before the Juvenile Court in delinquency and CHINS cases. This workshop is intended to help parents who are concerned about potential juvenile court involvement through allegations of delinquency or CHINS related behaviors such as truancy, habitual violation of school rules, running away and stubborn behaviors in the family setting. - Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
Margaret O'Hare, Director, - Recruitment, Training and Support Center for Special Education Surrogate Parents (RTSC for SESP) - FCSN
Trauma can dramatically affect children's lives, especially their academic performance, classroom behavior and relationships. This workshop explores how to support children who have experienced trauma, especially those children who are in the care of the Department of Children and Families. - No Sibling Left Behind: Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Emily Rubin - Massachusetts Sibling Support Network
This workshop reviews the sibling experience, strategies to support siblings across their life span, current trends in sibling research, and the growing sibling movement. - Adolescent Substance Abuse: What Parents Should Know
Dr. Patricia Schram - Children's Hospital
Parents need to educate themselves about adolescent substance abuse. The workshop will discuss the most commonly abused drugs by teens, the common signs and symptoms of abuse, what parents can do to prevent it and when and where to look for treatment. There will be a discussion of what parents of teens with special needs need to know to prevent substance abuse. - IEP Clínica em Português
Rhea Smith, Portuguese Outreach Coordinator - FCSN
Nesta sessão os pais terão a oportunidade de compartilharem o IEP de seus filhos com os consultores (advocates) para tirarem suas dú vidas e receberem conselhos de como melhorar o IEP. Se você deseja participar dessa sessão, você deve trazer uma cópia do IEP de seu filho(a) e das avaliaçõ es mais recentes feita pela escola. - MA21 Alliance and the Real Lives Bill
Mass Families Organizing for Change and Representatives of the MA21 Alliance
The MA21 Alliance, a partnership between some of the leading advocacy groups in the Commonwealth, will present on the Real Lives bill. This legislation will ultimately create systemic change by providing cost effective, flexible supports for individuals with disabilities to lead full and productive lives in their communities.
