January 2009

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. 

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law & Advocacy 2-Day Conference

January 16, 2009 8:00 am

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January 17, 2009 4:30 pm

Special Students of Hernando & Hernando County Schools (ESE Department) present Wrightslaw seminar for parents, educators, advocates, attorneys, and professionals. This conference is a high energy, 12 hour course which includes: IDEA 2004; understanding tests and measurements; tracking adequate progress; No Child Left Behind; tactics and strategies for effective advocacy. The two speakers for this event will be Pete and Pam Wright, authors of Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 and From Emotions To Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide. Pete Wright is an experienced and well-respected attorney whose law practice is devoted to assisting children with disabilities and their parents. Pam Wright is a psychotherapist who has worked with children and families for more than 30 years.

Wrightslaw
Saturday, January 16th-January 17th 8am-4:30pm each day
Spring Hill, Florida (venue location to be announced)

For more information please call Special Students of Hernando at (352) 584-5512
Online Registration available at www.SpecialStudentsOfHernando.com