2020 Conference Schedule
Check out all the details of the schedule and different sessions on this page.
Then when you're ready to register use the button below!
Then when you're ready to register use the button below!
SESSION 1 10:15am-11:45am
ABLE Savings Plan vs. Special Needs Trust
Description: ABLE Savings plans may benefit individuals experiencing disability by allowing them to save for their future while maintaining eligibility for government benefit programs. Learn how updates to tax legislation can benefit employed individuals. In addition, special needs trusts are an important future planning tool. Learn the differences between these two types of accounts, if or why you might need both.
Presented by: Alisha Langford: ChSNC, Special Needs Planner with the Palladio Group and Parent to a daughter experiencing cerebral palsy and Kaellen Hessel: Advocacy & Outreach Manager at Oregon Savings Network/Oregon State Treasury
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians & Service Providers
Charting the LifeCourse – tools to direct your own life
Description: This presentation will introduce tools that people with disabilities, and those who love and support them, can use to take control of their own planning processes. Whether it is school, health, DD services, or any other aspect of life, these tools can help people organize their thoughts, identify their priorities, and make a plan that works for them. Presenters will introduce the Charting the LifeCourse Framework and will help participants use the concepts of Trajectory, Integrated Support Star, Life Stages and Life Domains to organize their thoughts, identify their priorities, the supports that work for them, and their chosen next steps toward pursuing what they want, and avoiding what they don't want.
Presented by: Ryley Newport works for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and is a Certified Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador. Nicholas Kaasa is a member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and is a consultant in the Developmental Disabilities field.
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Paradigm Shift: Moving Toward More Inclusive Practices
Description: Change is often uncomfortable, but fundamental change can leave us feeling ill-equipped. A paradigm shift 40 years in the making is challenging us to rethink how we serve students experiencing disability. This session will provide clarity for the “why” while also providing tools for the “how” as we move toward more inclusive classrooms and communities.
Presented by: Heather Olivier, Program Coordinator at FACT and parent
This session is intended primarily for: Educators & Family Members/Guardians
Spring into Transition (Employment)
Description: Learn to pick the best flowers to make a beautiful bouquet for successful outcomes. In this interactive presentation participants gain knowledge in person centered planning approaches, strengths, gifts and capacities. Attendees will create their own one page profile and learn about current resources for Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Presented by: Toni DePeel: Pre-Employment Transition Service Coordinator at Vocational Rehabilitation
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Take Care of Yourself First!
Description: In this session discover ways of taking better care of yourself while at work and in life. It’s important to have strategies to manage stress and potential burnout when supporting other people. You will learn ways to take care of yourself, so you have more energy, less anxiety and feel overall healthier.
Presented by: Andrea Muzikant: Life, Health and Leadership Coach
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians, and Service Providers
Employer Engagement and Culture
Description: Local employers will share their stories about hiring people with disabilities. Participants will learn from an employer's perspective, what they are looking for in the hiring process, the best way to communicate and what kind of company culture is the best fit for people seeking supported employment. Employees will be able to share their work journey along with the employment professional that supported them in finding employment or retaining employment.
Presented by: Michelle Furman, CESP: Employment Manager at ALSO Rehabilitation
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Working with SSDI and SSI, is it possible?
Description: Information on working while receiving SSDI and/or SSI, State or Federal benefits. Attendees will leave with a better understanding that it is possible to work while receiving SSDI and/or SSI, State or Federal benefits as well as, how to properly manage or work off of benefits. This presentation will also include an overview of services that NeighborImpact provides, with a focus on the match savings program and other financial education tools that foster financial well-being.
Presented by: Jill Hannemann: Work Incentive Counselor at Abilitree and Lisa Manthe: Work Incentives Coordinator at Abilitree and Sonia Capece: HomeSource Director at NeighborImpact
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Reading Difficulties 101 (Dyslexia)
Description: This presentation will cover the definition of dyslexia, common signs and the realities surrounding dyslexia including self-concept, education and social implications. It will also cover famous dyslexics and how assistive technology can help.
Presented by: Kendra Wollert, M.Ed: Consultant, Trainer, Advocate at Assistive Learning Technology Consulting
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Why Can’t I Date My Teacher? Defining Different Relationships
Description: This training will help participants learn how to build a relationship framework that can serve as an evolving tool for teaching about different relationship types including: appropriate behaviors, boundaries, consent, and characteristics of healthy relationships. It will also help participants learn to recognize abusive behaviors and learn about the consequences of unsafe/unhealthy behaviors and what to do if those occur.
Presented by: Shayna Luther, BS & M. Div: Owner, Trainer and Behavior Support Provider at Among Friends
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Session 2 1:15pm-2:15pm
Coping with Anxiety: Discover practical tools to help manage feelings of anxiety and panic
Description: The topic of the presentation will be managing symptoms of anxiety. Participants will gain an understanding of how anxiety works in the body and an understanding of how anxiety works in the brain and the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Participants will learn accessible coping skills for managing and reducing anxiety. The desired outcome is for self-advocates and their caregivers to be able to learn practical tools they will be able to remember to use to reduce their anxiety and improve daily functioning.
Presented by: Allison Faucher Sherman: Licensed Professional Counselor Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Kelly Belczyk, LPC and therapist
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Teaching Central Oregon to Ride the Bus—How Travel Training has Strengthened Community Connections Description: In this session, attendees will learn how an expanded travel training program will help Central Oregon communities learn the skills to utilize newly expanded service, including increased frequency and regional Saturday service. The expansion of CET's existing travel training program provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with community advocates and service providers, while also building local capacity through train-the-trainer and volunteer opportunities. Participants will learn about CET's current service offerings and plans for future expansion and about the tools available through CET to make riding the bus easy.
Presented by: Derek Hofbauer: Outreach and Engagement Administrator at Cascades East Transit/COIC and Ashley Hooper: Community Outreach Specialist at Cascades East Transit/COIC
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Person Centered Planning and the One Page Profile
Description: This presentation will introduce a tool that can be used in multiple areas in a child that experiences a disability’s life. Using the one-page profile and strengths-based language, this powerful tool can change the outcome of the way individuals interact with the person who experiences the disability.
Presented by: Noelle Sisk: parent and Special Education Family Engagement Specialist for Portland Public Schools and Jenny Cavarno: Project Manager for CODSN and parent
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
You’re the Expert on YOU
Description: Come ready to dive deep into self-discovery. Participants will learn more about their preferences, interests, needs and strengths through interactive and hands-on assessments. We will focus on how you want to live, work and play in your community and determine who needs to know this valuable information. This session will also benefit all team members that provide support in an individual’s transition to adulthood and beyond.
Presented by: Marguerite Blackmore: Transition Network Facilitator for High Desert ESD and Kriss Rita: Transition Network Facilitator for Clackamas ESD and Sarah Statham: Transition Network Facilitator for Multnomah ESD
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self Advocates, Service Providers
How to create independence through home automation devices
Description: Come see how today’s home devices (Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple home) can help create systems to lead a more independent life. Look at ways to create independence for individuals and any potential pitfalls to these devices. This lecture-based and semi hands on presentation will allow you to explore ways to support individuals yet give them freedom through their day.
Presented by: Wendy Burkhardt: Assistive Technology Specialist at High Desert ESD
and Margey Vrbata Assistive Technology Specialist and Autism Consultant at High Desert ESD
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Shattering My Glass Ceiling: My path from a workshop to leadership
Description: Lisa will be sharing her personal story transitioning from high school, to a sheltered workshop and into integrated employment. Attendees will hear about the barriers and successes she encountered along the way. As a Client Services Associate at TVW, Lisa works to expand awareness and benefits of supported employment in an effort to help other people transition from school to meaningful employment with confidence and excitement.
Presented by: Lisa Ochs: Client Services Associate at TVW and self-advocate and Toni Smith: Director of Training and Quality Assurance at TVW
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Service Providers
Puberty, Adolescence & Autism
Description: This presentation covers the physical development associated with puberty and adolescence and focuses on what parents and professionals can expect. Attendees will learn specific, evidence-based teaching strategies and will learn when to seek additional support for problematic development.
Presented by: Lauren Corder, LPC: Clinical Director at Children’s Clinical Care, LLC. And Marci Hammel: Licensed Autism Specialist at Columbia Regional Program
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members, Service Providers
Mindfulness and Movement
Description: This session will lead you through a yoga flow as rationale and theory behind the exercises and activities are discussed. We will finish with a mindful art activity to represent the flow focus.
Presented by: Suzy Hayes and Katie-Ann Kailey
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Working in my Community: I’m doing it, so can you!
Description: Learn from a panel of advocates along with their families and members of their team about how they gained employment in their community.
Presented by: self-advocates from Central Oregon and Facilitator, Erica Drake
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Understand our Brain, Understand our Behavior
Description: A journey of discovery of our brain, how high emotions impact us all, and some strategies to help us identify strategies to help calm ourselves, communicate more clearly, and help others when their emotions are ruling their brain.
Presented by: Erin Taylor
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Session 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Emergency Preparedness at Home & in Your Community
Description: Seniors and people with disabilities may be more adversely impacted by emergencies and disasters than general populations. This presentation will provide participants with resources for home-based and community-wide emergencies. We will discuss response agency planning that may be taking place in your community.
Presented by: Kattaryna Stiles: Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response for Oregon Health Authority and Ashley Volz: Emergency Management Coordinator at Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Helping Autistic Teens & Young Adults Lead Successful Lives
Description: IRL Social Skills, LLC, offers UCLA's Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS™), an evidence-based, parent-assisted, manualized curriculum for those who struggle socially. In this session we will discuss the social skills characteristics of autistic people, the breakdown of CDC funding for autism, the robust evidence base behind PEERS™ and the ecologically valid skills it teaches to teens/young adults and their social coach (usually a parent). Attendees will learn how to understand this systems approach to social skills instruction and the "why" and the "how" of PEERS™.
Presented by: Mara McLoughlin: Speech-Language Pathologist and Tommy Murphy: Speech-Language Pathologist at Reynolds High School
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
Accessibility Through Technology: Unlocking Universal Design, Switch Control & Home Automation
Description: This course challenges the way we’ve traditionally thought of providing accessibility. With commercially available technology, we can enable access to the home, workplace, entertainment, communication and the digital world in ways that can have a profoundly positive effect on people’s lives. This session gets us thinking about ways we can provide other avenues of accessibility for individuals with various disabilities. Explore all the possibilities that switch control and voice activation can offer in the home, and how these devices can also be run through power wheelchair drive controls.
Presented by: Cory Cooper: Director of Business Development at Numotion
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Moving through the Unique Grief Process for Parents of Children with Disabilities
Description: An interactive and listening workshop to share the unique experiences parents have when raising a child with a disability and how the ongoing grief can be handled.
Presented by: Susan Cushman: Parent and Former Family Support Director at United Cerebral Palsy Oregon
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
One Page Profiles for Healthcare
Description: One Page Profiles are used by many families for communicating what is important to a person and for a person. Sometimes, however, traditional OPPs do not communicate the kinds of information that would help a medical, dental, or therapy provider really connect with the person. Learn how medical staff and families have worked together to design this “twist” to traditional OPPS and learn to build one that can be used with doctors, nurses, surgeons, dentists, therapists, and other clinic staff.
Presented by: Tamara Bakewell: Family Involvement Manager for Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members
Life Care Planning for Two Generations
Description: This presentation will include an overview how to plan for the short and long-term for an individual with special needs. Estate planning considerations, an overview of special needs trusts, and ABLE Accounts and how they affect eligibility for government benefits. Helping families understand how and when to think about special needs planning for their loved one.
Presented by: Alisha Langford: ChSNC, Special Needs Planner with the Palladio Group and Parent to a daughter experiencing cerebral palsy.
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians & Service Providers
Introduction to the Think Kids: Collaborative Problem Solving Approach
Description: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach provides a way of understanding and helping those who struggle with behavior challenges. Challenging behavior is thought of as willful and goal oriented which has led to approaches that focus on motivating better behavior using reward and punishment programs. If you’ve tried these strategies and they haven’t worked, this training is for you! Research over the past 30 years demonstrates that for the majority of these people, their challenges result from a lack of crucial thinking skills, when it comes to things like problem solving, frustration tolerance and flexibility. The CPS approach focuses on helping adults teach the skills these children lack which resolving chronic problems that tend to precipitate challenging behavior.
Presented by: Shannon Pugerude
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Goal setters: How to achieve the life you want
Description: ISP desired outcomes, IEP goals, personal goals; we all have them, big or small. But how many of us actually achieve the goals we set each year? Come learn from this interactive panel. Hear stories of people who set and then achieved their goals. What helped them to be successful? What supports did they enlist? Walk away with some goal setting tools and practical ideas you can use to help set, lead, and meet a goal in your life.
Presented by: Panel: self-advocates from Central Oregon and Facilitator, Mia Swanson
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Setting the Healthy Example
Description: The American adult population is currently setting a terrible example for our youth, so the numbers of their inactivity shouldn’t be a surprise. Our country is battling an obesity epidemic with nearly 40% of the adult population being considered obese, which affects 13.7 million American children. Physical activity is one of the best ways to combat obesity, yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 23% of American adults are currently meeting the recommended physical activity guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. We need to work on whole family lifestyle changes and place an increased focus on children’s activity levels in order to reverse the upwards trend of adult obesity. But what does that look like and how do we get our children active? I’m so glad you asked!
Presented by: Ryan Lockard: Founder and Head Trainer at Specialty Athletic Training
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
Project Search in Oregon
Description: An overview of Project Search in Oregon and the focus on the State of Oregon’s new program from the employer’s perspective. Participants will learn about the benefits of the 9-month formal internship program, the provider’s role in Project Search and the nuts and bolts of how Project Search is started, funded and how it works day to day.
Presented by: Rebecca Sexton: ODDS Employment Manager for State of Oregon & Project Search Business Liaison for the State of Oregon
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
ABLE Savings Plan vs. Special Needs Trust
Description: ABLE Savings plans may benefit individuals experiencing disability by allowing them to save for their future while maintaining eligibility for government benefit programs. Learn how updates to tax legislation can benefit employed individuals. In addition, special needs trusts are an important future planning tool. Learn the differences between these two types of accounts, if or why you might need both.
Presented by: Alisha Langford: ChSNC, Special Needs Planner with the Palladio Group and Parent to a daughter experiencing cerebral palsy and Kaellen Hessel: Advocacy & Outreach Manager at Oregon Savings Network/Oregon State Treasury
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians & Service Providers
Charting the LifeCourse – tools to direct your own life
Description: This presentation will introduce tools that people with disabilities, and those who love and support them, can use to take control of their own planning processes. Whether it is school, health, DD services, or any other aspect of life, these tools can help people organize their thoughts, identify their priorities, and make a plan that works for them. Presenters will introduce the Charting the LifeCourse Framework and will help participants use the concepts of Trajectory, Integrated Support Star, Life Stages and Life Domains to organize their thoughts, identify their priorities, the supports that work for them, and their chosen next steps toward pursuing what they want, and avoiding what they don't want.
Presented by: Ryley Newport works for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and is a Certified Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador. Nicholas Kaasa is a member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and is a consultant in the Developmental Disabilities field.
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Paradigm Shift: Moving Toward More Inclusive Practices
Description: Change is often uncomfortable, but fundamental change can leave us feeling ill-equipped. A paradigm shift 40 years in the making is challenging us to rethink how we serve students experiencing disability. This session will provide clarity for the “why” while also providing tools for the “how” as we move toward more inclusive classrooms and communities.
Presented by: Heather Olivier, Program Coordinator at FACT and parent
This session is intended primarily for: Educators & Family Members/Guardians
Spring into Transition (Employment)
Description: Learn to pick the best flowers to make a beautiful bouquet for successful outcomes. In this interactive presentation participants gain knowledge in person centered planning approaches, strengths, gifts and capacities. Attendees will create their own one page profile and learn about current resources for Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Presented by: Toni DePeel: Pre-Employment Transition Service Coordinator at Vocational Rehabilitation
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Take Care of Yourself First!
Description: In this session discover ways of taking better care of yourself while at work and in life. It’s important to have strategies to manage stress and potential burnout when supporting other people. You will learn ways to take care of yourself, so you have more energy, less anxiety and feel overall healthier.
Presented by: Andrea Muzikant: Life, Health and Leadership Coach
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians, and Service Providers
Employer Engagement and Culture
Description: Local employers will share their stories about hiring people with disabilities. Participants will learn from an employer's perspective, what they are looking for in the hiring process, the best way to communicate and what kind of company culture is the best fit for people seeking supported employment. Employees will be able to share their work journey along with the employment professional that supported them in finding employment or retaining employment.
Presented by: Michelle Furman, CESP: Employment Manager at ALSO Rehabilitation
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Working with SSDI and SSI, is it possible?
Description: Information on working while receiving SSDI and/or SSI, State or Federal benefits. Attendees will leave with a better understanding that it is possible to work while receiving SSDI and/or SSI, State or Federal benefits as well as, how to properly manage or work off of benefits. This presentation will also include an overview of services that NeighborImpact provides, with a focus on the match savings program and other financial education tools that foster financial well-being.
Presented by: Jill Hannemann: Work Incentive Counselor at Abilitree and Lisa Manthe: Work Incentives Coordinator at Abilitree and Sonia Capece: HomeSource Director at NeighborImpact
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Reading Difficulties 101 (Dyslexia)
Description: This presentation will cover the definition of dyslexia, common signs and the realities surrounding dyslexia including self-concept, education and social implications. It will also cover famous dyslexics and how assistive technology can help.
Presented by: Kendra Wollert, M.Ed: Consultant, Trainer, Advocate at Assistive Learning Technology Consulting
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Why Can’t I Date My Teacher? Defining Different Relationships
Description: This training will help participants learn how to build a relationship framework that can serve as an evolving tool for teaching about different relationship types including: appropriate behaviors, boundaries, consent, and characteristics of healthy relationships. It will also help participants learn to recognize abusive behaviors and learn about the consequences of unsafe/unhealthy behaviors and what to do if those occur.
Presented by: Shayna Luther, BS & M. Div: Owner, Trainer and Behavior Support Provider at Among Friends
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Session 2 1:15pm-2:15pm
Coping with Anxiety: Discover practical tools to help manage feelings of anxiety and panic
Description: The topic of the presentation will be managing symptoms of anxiety. Participants will gain an understanding of how anxiety works in the body and an understanding of how anxiety works in the brain and the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Participants will learn accessible coping skills for managing and reducing anxiety. The desired outcome is for self-advocates and their caregivers to be able to learn practical tools they will be able to remember to use to reduce their anxiety and improve daily functioning.
Presented by: Allison Faucher Sherman: Licensed Professional Counselor Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Kelly Belczyk, LPC and therapist
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Teaching Central Oregon to Ride the Bus—How Travel Training has Strengthened Community Connections Description: In this session, attendees will learn how an expanded travel training program will help Central Oregon communities learn the skills to utilize newly expanded service, including increased frequency and regional Saturday service. The expansion of CET's existing travel training program provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with community advocates and service providers, while also building local capacity through train-the-trainer and volunteer opportunities. Participants will learn about CET's current service offerings and plans for future expansion and about the tools available through CET to make riding the bus easy.
Presented by: Derek Hofbauer: Outreach and Engagement Administrator at Cascades East Transit/COIC and Ashley Hooper: Community Outreach Specialist at Cascades East Transit/COIC
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Person Centered Planning and the One Page Profile
Description: This presentation will introduce a tool that can be used in multiple areas in a child that experiences a disability’s life. Using the one-page profile and strengths-based language, this powerful tool can change the outcome of the way individuals interact with the person who experiences the disability.
Presented by: Noelle Sisk: parent and Special Education Family Engagement Specialist for Portland Public Schools and Jenny Cavarno: Project Manager for CODSN and parent
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
You’re the Expert on YOU
Description: Come ready to dive deep into self-discovery. Participants will learn more about their preferences, interests, needs and strengths through interactive and hands-on assessments. We will focus on how you want to live, work and play in your community and determine who needs to know this valuable information. This session will also benefit all team members that provide support in an individual’s transition to adulthood and beyond.
Presented by: Marguerite Blackmore: Transition Network Facilitator for High Desert ESD and Kriss Rita: Transition Network Facilitator for Clackamas ESD and Sarah Statham: Transition Network Facilitator for Multnomah ESD
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Self Advocates, Service Providers
How to create independence through home automation devices
Description: Come see how today’s home devices (Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple home) can help create systems to lead a more independent life. Look at ways to create independence for individuals and any potential pitfalls to these devices. This lecture-based and semi hands on presentation will allow you to explore ways to support individuals yet give them freedom through their day.
Presented by: Wendy Burkhardt: Assistive Technology Specialist at High Desert ESD
and Margey Vrbata Assistive Technology Specialist and Autism Consultant at High Desert ESD
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Shattering My Glass Ceiling: My path from a workshop to leadership
Description: Lisa will be sharing her personal story transitioning from high school, to a sheltered workshop and into integrated employment. Attendees will hear about the barriers and successes she encountered along the way. As a Client Services Associate at TVW, Lisa works to expand awareness and benefits of supported employment in an effort to help other people transition from school to meaningful employment with confidence and excitement.
Presented by: Lisa Ochs: Client Services Associate at TVW and self-advocate and Toni Smith: Director of Training and Quality Assurance at TVW
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Service Providers
Puberty, Adolescence & Autism
Description: This presentation covers the physical development associated with puberty and adolescence and focuses on what parents and professionals can expect. Attendees will learn specific, evidence-based teaching strategies and will learn when to seek additional support for problematic development.
Presented by: Lauren Corder, LPC: Clinical Director at Children’s Clinical Care, LLC. And Marci Hammel: Licensed Autism Specialist at Columbia Regional Program
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members, Service Providers
Mindfulness and Movement
Description: This session will lead you through a yoga flow as rationale and theory behind the exercises and activities are discussed. We will finish with a mindful art activity to represent the flow focus.
Presented by: Suzy Hayes and Katie-Ann Kailey
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Working in my Community: I’m doing it, so can you!
Description: Learn from a panel of advocates along with their families and members of their team about how they gained employment in their community.
Presented by: self-advocates from Central Oregon and Facilitator, Erica Drake
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Understand our Brain, Understand our Behavior
Description: A journey of discovery of our brain, how high emotions impact us all, and some strategies to help us identify strategies to help calm ourselves, communicate more clearly, and help others when their emotions are ruling their brain.
Presented by: Erin Taylor
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Session 3 2:30pm-3:30pm
Emergency Preparedness at Home & in Your Community
Description: Seniors and people with disabilities may be more adversely impacted by emergencies and disasters than general populations. This presentation will provide participants with resources for home-based and community-wide emergencies. We will discuss response agency planning that may be taking place in your community.
Presented by: Kattaryna Stiles: Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response for Oregon Health Authority and Ashley Volz: Emergency Management Coordinator at Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Helping Autistic Teens & Young Adults Lead Successful Lives
Description: IRL Social Skills, LLC, offers UCLA's Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS™), an evidence-based, parent-assisted, manualized curriculum for those who struggle socially. In this session we will discuss the social skills characteristics of autistic people, the breakdown of CDC funding for autism, the robust evidence base behind PEERS™ and the ecologically valid skills it teaches to teens/young adults and their social coach (usually a parent). Attendees will learn how to understand this systems approach to social skills instruction and the "why" and the "how" of PEERS™.
Presented by: Mara McLoughlin: Speech-Language Pathologist and Tommy Murphy: Speech-Language Pathologist at Reynolds High School
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
Accessibility Through Technology: Unlocking Universal Design, Switch Control & Home Automation
Description: This course challenges the way we’ve traditionally thought of providing accessibility. With commercially available technology, we can enable access to the home, workplace, entertainment, communication and the digital world in ways that can have a profoundly positive effect on people’s lives. This session gets us thinking about ways we can provide other avenues of accessibility for individuals with various disabilities. Explore all the possibilities that switch control and voice activation can offer in the home, and how these devices can also be run through power wheelchair drive controls.
Presented by: Cory Cooper: Director of Business Development at Numotion
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers
Moving through the Unique Grief Process for Parents of Children with Disabilities
Description: An interactive and listening workshop to share the unique experiences parents have when raising a child with a disability and how the ongoing grief can be handled.
Presented by: Susan Cushman: Parent and Former Family Support Director at United Cerebral Palsy Oregon
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
One Page Profiles for Healthcare
Description: One Page Profiles are used by many families for communicating what is important to a person and for a person. Sometimes, however, traditional OPPs do not communicate the kinds of information that would help a medical, dental, or therapy provider really connect with the person. Learn how medical staff and families have worked together to design this “twist” to traditional OPPS and learn to build one that can be used with doctors, nurses, surgeons, dentists, therapists, and other clinic staff.
Presented by: Tamara Bakewell: Family Involvement Manager for Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members
Life Care Planning for Two Generations
Description: This presentation will include an overview how to plan for the short and long-term for an individual with special needs. Estate planning considerations, an overview of special needs trusts, and ABLE Accounts and how they affect eligibility for government benefits. Helping families understand how and when to think about special needs planning for their loved one.
Presented by: Alisha Langford: ChSNC, Special Needs Planner with the Palladio Group and Parent to a daughter experiencing cerebral palsy.
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians & Service Providers
Introduction to the Think Kids: Collaborative Problem Solving Approach
Description: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach provides a way of understanding and helping those who struggle with behavior challenges. Challenging behavior is thought of as willful and goal oriented which has led to approaches that focus on motivating better behavior using reward and punishment programs. If you’ve tried these strategies and they haven’t worked, this training is for you! Research over the past 30 years demonstrates that for the majority of these people, their challenges result from a lack of crucial thinking skills, when it comes to things like problem solving, frustration tolerance and flexibility. The CPS approach focuses on helping adults teach the skills these children lack which resolving chronic problems that tend to precipitate challenging behavior.
Presented by: Shannon Pugerude
This session is intended primarily for: Educators, Family Members/Guardians
Goal setters: How to achieve the life you want
Description: ISP desired outcomes, IEP goals, personal goals; we all have them, big or small. But how many of us actually achieve the goals we set each year? Come learn from this interactive panel. Hear stories of people who set and then achieved their goals. What helped them to be successful? What supports did they enlist? Walk away with some goal setting tools and practical ideas you can use to help set, lead, and meet a goal in your life.
Presented by: Panel: self-advocates from Central Oregon and Facilitator, Mia Swanson
This session is intended primarily for: Self-Advocates, Family Members/Guardians
Setting the Healthy Example
Description: The American adult population is currently setting a terrible example for our youth, so the numbers of their inactivity shouldn’t be a surprise. Our country is battling an obesity epidemic with nearly 40% of the adult population being considered obese, which affects 13.7 million American children. Physical activity is one of the best ways to combat obesity, yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 23% of American adults are currently meeting the recommended physical activity guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. We need to work on whole family lifestyle changes and place an increased focus on children’s activity levels in order to reverse the upwards trend of adult obesity. But what does that look like and how do we get our children active? I’m so glad you asked!
Presented by: Ryan Lockard: Founder and Head Trainer at Specialty Athletic Training
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians
Project Search in Oregon
Description: An overview of Project Search in Oregon and the focus on the State of Oregon’s new program from the employer’s perspective. Participants will learn about the benefits of the 9-month formal internship program, the provider’s role in Project Search and the nuts and bolts of how Project Search is started, funded and how it works day to day.
Presented by: Rebecca Sexton: ODDS Employment Manager for State of Oregon & Project Search Business Liaison for the State of Oregon
This session is intended primarily for: Family Members/Guardians, Service Providers