Multiple Systems Navigator

YOUTH POWER!'s New York Institute for Self-Advocacy (NYISA) is hosting FREE Regional Advocacy Trainings across the State utilizing graduates of the Institute to present from a peer perspective in their communities.  The training covers a range of topics including self advocacy, disability history, disability disclosure/strategic sharing and even provides tools for participants to create their own personalized leadership plans to reach their individual goals.  While these trainings are designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, all people over the age of 14 are welcome to participate! Registration is quick and easy and can be completed by visiting www.YOUTHPOWERNY.org/RatReg.  Light refreshments are served at each of these events.
Please click here to down the event flyer.  

I truly hope you consider registering for a training near you or take time to share this free opportunity with those who would benefit from this training.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Zack Kilmer at zkilmer@YOUTHPOWERNY.org or by calling 518-708-3808.

• Capital District: February 21st - Albany Public Library Community Room (161 Washington Ave, Albany NY, 12210) - 5:00-7:30 P.M.
• New York City: March 1st - Youth Communication (242 W 38th Street, New York NY, 10018) - 5:30-8:00 P.M.
• Long Island: March 2nd - YAI (555 Washington Ave, Brentwood NY, 11717) - 4:30-7:00 P.M.
• Central NY: March 26th - Dunham Public Library (1027, 76 Main St, Whitesboro, NY 13492) - 5:30-8:00 P.M. 

2019 WHAT’S GREAT IN OUR STATE

This year is no different! We plan to celebrate on Tuesday, May 7 in Albany (location to be determined).  The event program is under development and will feature workshops, awardee recognition luncheon, a keynote and other speakers, and offer an opportunity to celebrate those working hard to produce positive outcomes for children, youth, young adults and families.

The 2019 theme is Building Bridges for Change: Supporting the Mental Health of Children, Youth and Young Adults.

Stay tuned for more details on the extended format (10:00 AM-3:30PM) and additional offerings, which can be found on Facebook@ChildrensMentalHealthAwareness

Please click here for more information about the process and to download the Nomination Form.

The New York State Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Career Development and Transition, is sponsoring  two mini- grant opportunities. One is offered  in the area of professional development for early or pre-service professionals and one is offered in the area of work- based learning. This is a good opportunity for locally selected and inspired grass-roots improvement of transition programming and practices. 

Pac Rim has been attracting diverse audiences for more than 30 years, and Pac Rim 2019 is no exception. We invite individuals with disabilities, their families, service providers, researchers, educators, employers, deep thinkers, change agents, policy makers and social entrepreneurs to join us in March 2019. By coming together and sharing we can energize one another and create opportunities to enhance our future.

Register Now for the 2019 Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity

The 2019 Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity will return to the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on March 4th and 5th. 

Just steps from Waikiki, the Hawai‘i Convention Center is an event destination like none other — a stunning marriage of form and function, open to sky and sun between the shade of terraces and lanais, graced with courtyards, waterfalls and fishponds to create a meetings and convention backdrop that is at once tranquil and invigorating.

The National PTA has created two resources for both parents and families regarding school safety. The resource Safe and Supportive Schools: 20 Questions Every Parent Should Ask provides parents and families with actionable steps they can take to advocate for safe and supportive schools for their children based on  Framework for Safe and Successful Schools by the National Association of School Psychologists. The resource advises parents on which questions they should ask regarding school safety policies and student support services and provides "tips" and answers to expect based on best practices.

The  second resource  Safe and Supportive Schools: Mobilizing Family Stakeholders educates families on how to become active advocates for safe school environments. The three steps advised:

1. Get in the Know - be a proactive learner when it comes to educating yourself about school safety;
2. Ask Questions - speak to school administrators about the safety plan; and
3. Take Action - get involved.

Young people with disabilities, particularly those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), face unique challenges as they transition into adulthood. Even with targeted support services, they often fall behind their peers in their educational and economic attainment as adults. This issue points to the need for a stronger evidence base of promising initiatives that can improve employment and other adult outcomes for young SSI recipients.

Through the SSI Youth Recipient and Employment Transition Formative Research project, Mathematica has contributed to this evidence base by identifying:

• Promising programs and policies for youth receiving SSI, including potential research questions yet to be answered
• Intervention models or strategies that could be tested for assisting young SSI recipients with the transition to sustained and gainful employment

Resources developed from this project were informed by input from a panel of experts from federal and state agencies, practitioners, researchers, consumer groups, and other stakeholders, collectively known as the Community of Practice. With input from the Community of Practice, Mathematica produced several new resources for policymakers and program practitioners, including a series of webinars that explored important topics related to serving youth SSI recipeints.

Article Link

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Janet Williams, founder and president of Minds Matter, LLC and Community Works Inc, will share her experience educating and supporting children with traumatic brain injury and families of those affected by TBI.

For Registration, click here

Contact Information

NTACT
ntactmail@uncc.edu