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New Factsheets from ODEP

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)has just released three new fact sheets in a new and easy to read format that provide constructive disability employment information for parents, youth and employers.

Creating a Path to Employment: Tips for Parents with Children with DisabilitiesWork in the 21st century is more team-based than ever. Start by exploring the world of work together.  View this factsheet at http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/creating_path_to_Employment.pdf.
Essential Skills to Getting a Job: What Young People with Disabilities Need to Know Often referred to as “soft skills”, work ethic, communication, teamwork and critical thinking are all must have’s for youth in today’s job market. View this factsheet at http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/essential_job_skills.pdf.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: Including Talents of Young People with Disabilities Youth with disabilities bring fresh, new perspectives that enrich strategies for meeting business challenges and achieving success. View this factsheet at http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/shaping_tomorrows_workforce.pdf.

Cleaning for Healthy Schools Toolkit Now Available!

The Cleaning for Healthy Schools Toolkit is a training tool for increasing knowledge and commitment to adopt best practices for green cleaning in schools and child-care centers.  Four easy-to-use learning modules include audio presentations with PowerPoint slides that can be customized for schools to introduce and implement green cleaning for practices that help safeguard student and adult health.  The Cleaning for Healthy Schools Toolkit is an open source resource, industry free, externally reviewed tool to develop programs and policy for school communities.  The free, online Cleaning for Healthy Schools Toolkit Presentations are available online at http://www.cleaningforhealthyschools.org/. 

Curriculum, Learning, and Assessment Support Project

The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services announces the start of a new project focused on students with significant cognitive disabilities: Curriculum, Learning, and Assessment Support Project (CLASP). CLASP will be housed at Tallahassee Community College. Virginia (Gina) Horton from Orange County Public Schools is the project manager and Bennett Buckles from St. Lucie County School District is the project consultant. CLASP is designed to support access to the general curriculum for students with significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the Florida Alternate Assessment through appropriate instruction aligned with the Sunshine State Standards Access Points. CLASP will develop and disseminate the training and technical assistance necessary for school districts to develop self-sustaining programming, professional development, and effective instructional practices for students with significant cognitive disabilities with an emphasis on the core content areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science. For more information please contact Karen Denbroeder at (850) 245-0475 or at karen.denbroeder@fldoe.org.

Collier County Autism Support Group Forum

January 8, 2009
6:30 pm	to	7:30 pm

The Center for Autism and Related Diseases (CARD) is hosting an Autism Support Group Forum for Collier County. Hear guest speaker Dr. Michael Alessandri, executive director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Miami. Dr. Alessandri is a clinical professor of psychology at UM, and has worked with individuals with autism and their families for over 25 years. Service providers and non-profit organizations will be in attendance and have display tables with community information related to autism spectrum disorders. CARD-USF will have a representative with information about CARD supports and services.

Thursday, January 8^th, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:30pm
North Naples United Methodist Church
6000 Goodlette Road, Naples 34109For additional information please contact Sandy Bordeau at (239) 450-0022.

Annual Southeast Regional Teen/Young Adult Deaf-Blind Retreat

January 16, 2009

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January 18, 2009

Deaf-Blind Projects from: GA, FL, SC, MS, TX, TN, and AL are collaborating on a retreat for deaf or blind youth throughout the southeast region of the United States centered around promoting self-determination and advocacy. Participants will stay at the Georgia Academy for the Blind . Keynote speaker is Kim Powers Smith, host of the Emmy award winning television show “Kim’s World.” Kim was born deaf and became blind at the age of 11 due to Ushers Syndrome. Kim has worked in television, theater, modeling, and served as an advocate for the disabled in the role of speaker for the last 14 years. Other presenters include Jason Corning, Mike Fagbemi, and Robert Green. Jason is a junior at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater who has been recognized not only for his leadership qualities in advocating for himself, but also for leading other students who are deafblind. Mike has worked at the Helen Keller National Center in New York for over 12 years, working with adults with deafblindness on vocational work adjustment, independent living skills, social skills and advocacy. Robert is a deafblind specialist with the Georgia Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and has many years of experience working with transition age youth and adults as they seek post secondary supports and employment.

January 16^th-18^th, 2009
Georgia Academy for the Blind (GAFB)
2895 Vineville Ave, Macon Georgia 31204 For more information or to register contact Emily Taylor-Snell at (813) 817-1873 or by email at etsnell@ufl.edu. Registration deadline is January 7th, 2009.

Journey to Wellness: Lifelong Recovery from Mental Illness

January 10, 2009
9:00 am	to	12:30 pm

Sunshine from Darkness is hosting a free symposium.  Guest speakers include Patty Duke, Academy Award winning actress, Dr. Elyn Saks, lawyer, psychiatry professor, and Dr. Herbert Meltzer, professor of psychology and pharmacology at Vanderbilt University to share the latest research to help individuals with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia achieve optimal results in their lives. Information booths by local community mental health care providers will be open throughout the symposium in the Grand Foyer.

Saturday, January 10^th, 2009 from 9am-12:30pm
Doors open at 8:30am and information booths are available until1pm
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
Two (2) CEU’s are available for physicians, licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, nurses and clinical pharmacists at a cost of $10 which is payable at the door.  To register for this event and for CEU’s please call the Sarasota Memorial HealthLine at (941) 917-7777 between 8am-5pm Monday thru Friday.  For more information visit http://www.sunshinefromdarkness.org/symposium.html.

Indiana University Fund Raising School Seminar

January 30, 2009
8:00 am	to	5:00 pm

Executive and Development Directors mark your calendars!  Tyrone Freeman M.U.R.P., M.S. from the Fund Raising School at the Center of Philanthropy Indiana University will be presenting a seminar on Fundraising in an Economic Downturn.  This event is not to be missed by all non-profit organizations in Lee, Collier and Charlotte County.  The seminar is sponsored by Myers, Brettholtz & Company, PA CPA firm.  

Friday, January 30^th, 2009 from 8am-5pm
Crown Colony Golf Club
8851 Crown Colony Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33908Don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive this valuable training sponsored by Myers, Brettholtz & Company, PA sign up today!! The cost is only $35 per person. For more information or to register for this event please contact Eva Wilson at 239-939-5775 or eva.wilson@mbcopa.com.

4C Annual Conference: “That Child is Driving Me Crazy”

January 31, 2009
8:30 am	to	3:00 pm

Join 4C (Community Coordinated Care for Children) for a day with Gail Reichlin, author of The Pocket Parent. Gail is an internationally recognized and respected, dynamic keynote speaker with a unique interactive style. Gail uses humor and real-life stories in her positive discipline presentations, offering parents and teachers better ways in which to communicate with children of all ages.

Saturday, January 31^st, 2009 from 8:30am-3pm
Preschool at the Lamb — Lamb of God Lutheran Church
19691 Cypress View Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33967The fee for this event is $25 which includes a copy of The Pocket Parent or $30 which includes the book and lunch.  Only money orders or company checks will be accepted at the door, do not bring cash or personal checks.  CEU’s are available through Edison State College.  Space is limited. For questions or to register for this event place contact Ashley Houk, 4C Provider Services Manager, at (239) 935-6118. 

Florida Outreach Project Spring Conference

March 5, 2009 8:30 am

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March 6, 2009 6:30 pm

This interactive event brought to you by the Florida Outreach Project will provide insights into the emotional heart of the child with sensory loss and why ‘self-regulation’ matters so much.  This event is most relevant for families, teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessional providers who have children with multiple disabilities, including both a vision and a hearing loss. An emphasis on best and promising practices, based on proven research, will help educators and parents provide guidance to answer the following questions: Where to start? What to do? How to look? and What to see?  Parents with a child with combined hearing and vision loss may register for a 30 minute private consultation with David Brown and their child, and they are encouraged to bring their child’s service providers.  The sessions are videotaped and families will receive a complimentary copy as well as a written summary of the consultation recommendations.  Registration is required for these sessions and there are a limited number.

March 5^th-6^th, 2009 from 8:30am-3:30pm each day
Family Consultations – 4-6:30pm each day and Saturday March 7^th from 10:30am-1pm
Orlando, FLThe registration fee for this conference is $60 per person for both days and includes lunches and snacks.  To register for the conference and for the private family consultations please contact Pam Kissoondyal at (800) 667-4052 or (352) 273-7530.  Ask about the special conference rate at the Hawthorn Suites Hotel.  Registration deadline is February 13^th, 2009.

Florida Outreach Project Family Day

March 7, 2009
9:00 am	to	1:00 pm

Following their Spring Conference, the Florida Outreach Project is offering a Family Day with conference speaker, David Brown.  David Brown brings his wit and humor as he shares information of how children with sensory loss view the world and how parents and care providers can shape the environment and their interactions to help them learn more and live richer lives.  Parents with a child with combined hearing and vision loss may register for a 30 minute private consultation with David Brown and their child, and they are encouraged to bring their child’s service providers.  The sessions are videotaped and families will receive a complimentary copy as well as a written summary of the consultation recommendations.  Registration is required for these sessions and there are a limited number.  The Learning Lab will be open in the afternoon and interactive Learning Lab stations will have activities, samples of materials, and devices to promote communication and concept development.  Computer technology and software will also be available for trial.

March 7^th, 2009 from 9am-1pm
Orlando FloridaRegistration is required for this event.  Please contact Pam Kissoondyal at (800) 667-4052 or (352) 273-7530. Registration deadline is February 13^th, 2009.

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