Contact Us ~ FAQ ~ Site Map ~ Login 
HOME DONATIONS SUBSCRIBE FIND HELP UPCOMING EVENTS ABOUT US

In This Issue
Wait List Survives Until Next Election
The New Hampshire Challenge Presidential Primary Survey
Senator Barack Obama Response to Challenge Survey
More Stories...

Archives
Winter 2008 Issue
Spring 2006 Issue
View More...
Search Archives...


Upcoming Events

JANUARY 2008

Unlocking Doors to Employment: Navigating Gatekeepers and Screening Tools
This training will address how to work with job seekers who are likely to get screened out by these processes.
When:  Jan  9
Time:  9:00 AM - 4:00 PMWhere: Holiday Inn Taunton MA
Cost:  $35.00
For more information, contact: Drew Glazier
Phone: 617-287-4337
E-mail: andrew.glazier@umb.edu

Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence
Presenter: Teresa Bolick
This workshop is designed for parents and professionals who have already learned about Asperger Syndrome through reading and/or workshops. It will present current research and evidence-based strategies to maximize strengths and minimize challenges during the adolescent years.
When:  Jan 9
Time:  8:00 AM - 3:30
Where:  SERESC 29 Commerce Dr Bedford NH
Cost: $135.00 per individual before 12/24/07 Registration Deadline is 12/31/2007
For more information, contact: Robin Knight at Email: rknight@seresc.net   Phone: (603) 206-6816

Understanding the Societal Context:  What People with Impairments Are Up Against
This workshop invites participants to explore the wounding experiences with which many people with physical & intellectual impairments live, as a result of being devalued by society. The goal of addressing such devaluation, by helping devalued people to attain valued social roles, will be described. Participants will learn about the universal aspects of social devaluation, & the importance of personal identification with the people they serve. When:  Jan 11
Time:  9:00-4:00
Where:  Brazelton Lecture Hall at Seven Hills 81 Hope Avenue Worcester, MA
Cost:  $95 Registration by January 11, 2008
Please make checks payable to SRV Implementation Project.
Send to: Workshop Registrar, SRVIP, 74 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
For more information or directions, call  508 752 3670 or email info@srvip.org.
For more about Social Role Valorization, visit the website www.srvip.org

Teaching Networking Skills to Job Seekers
Participants will learn how to teach career networking to job seekers using a ready-to-go curriculum with slides, exercises, and handouts. During this day, trainees will practice their delivery of this curriculum, designed to enhance job seekers’ knowledge and abilities in networking and job seeking. Each attendee will receive a copy of this curriculum.
When:  Jan 15
Time:  9:00 AM -4:00
Where:  Sheraton South Portland Hotel Portland ME
Cost:  $35.00
For more information, contact: Drew Glazier Phone: 617-287-4337 E-mail: andrew.glazier@umb.edu

Asperger and Young Children
Presenter:: Teresa Bolick This workshop is designed for parents and professionals who have already learned about Asperger Syndrome through reading and/or workshops. It will present current research and evidence-based strategies to maximize the child’s participation in the everyday life of childhood and beyond. When:  Jan 17
Where:  SERESC 29 Commerce Dr Bedford NH
Cost: $165.00 per individual (Early registration cost $135.00 per individual before 12/31/07) Registration Deadline is 1/8/2008
For more information, contact: Robin Knight at Email: rknight@seresc.net or Phone: (603) 206-6816

Positive Behavior Support: Re-Thinking the Role of Context
Presenter: Cathy Apfel
This workshop will examine the role that context plays in children’s behavior and will explore the various components of Positive Behavior Supports.
When:  Jan 28
Time:  4:00-6:00 PM
Where:  Institute on Disability-Durham Office
Cost:  $30.00
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 or go to:  www.iod.unh.edu

FEBRUARY 2008

The Human Service Recipient: Addressing Vulnerability & Enhancing Access to a Typical Life
PART I: Introduction To Social Role Valorization
This workshop is specifically oriented to leadership development. It introduces the learner to Social Role Valorization (SRV), using the 10 core themes developed by Dr. W. Wolfensberger. A central goal of SRV is to enable socially devalued people to attain culturally valued roles, with an eye towards having a typical life & gaining access to all that typical citizens enjoy. SRV will be reviewed with the implications of its positive assumptions about the worth of all people & their belonging in our communities. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the typical life experiences of socially devalued people, with an eye towards deeper identification with the people they serve.
When:  Feb 4-7
Where:  Calvary Retreat Center , South Street, Shrewsbury MA
For more information, contact: the workshop registrar at register@srvip.org or 508 752 3670. (For more information about Social Role Valorization & related training, visit http://www.srvip.org/)

Communication Supports for Students with ASD
Presenter: Rae Sonnenmeier
This session will provide strategies for fostering communication among students with ASD, classmates, and teachers during both academic and social activities.
When:  Feb 5
Time:  4:00-6:00 PM
Where:  Institute on Disability-Durham Office
Cost:  $30.00
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 or go to: www.iod.unh.edu

Developing a Communication Portfolio for a student with Deaf/blindness and/or Multiple Disabilities
The communication portfolio is a rich, visual tool, used by families and educational teams to create a common view of the learner’s communication skills, abilities and challenges across all environments. Participants will learn how to put together a portfolio for their student/child and how they can be used in the home, school setting and transitions (from ESS to preschool and from school to adult services). Parents and school professionals are encouraged to attend.
When:  Feb 7
Time:  9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Where:   NH Vision/Hearing Network ATECH Services, Dolloff Building, 2nd Floor 117 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301
Cost: $30.00 For more information, contact:  Cate Weir, Project Coordinator at (603) 226-2900 (V/TTY) Fax: (603) 226-2907 catew@atechservices.org

Walden Incidental Teaching Model
Presenter: Gail McGee
Walden is an intervention model and accompanying curriculum for children with and without autism, ages 15 through 66 months. The model blends an inclusive and intensive center-based intervention with home-based intervention provided by parents. The incidental teaching curriculum is designed to maximize opportunities for teaching language and social skills. Curriculum components that may be useful in all early childhood classrooms will be highlighted, including strategies that facilitate assessment by assigning goals to activities. These strategies prevent challenging behaviors by creating fun environments and ensuring children's optimal engagement by encouraging an optimal interface of caregiver interactions with children's preferred teaching materials. The logistics of program development, startup, and replication may also be addressed.
When:  Feb 13
Time:  9:00  AM- 3:00 PM
Where:  Holiday Inn, 172 North Main Street, Concord, NH
Cost:  $125
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 www.iod.unh.edu

MARCH 2008

Hospitals Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care
This seminar provides 3 ˝ days of comprehensive and practical sessions designed to help administrators, physicians, nurses, other clinical staff, and patients and families become effective agents for patient- and family-centered change in their hospital systems. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to transform and to address the challenges and recommendations discussed in the Institute of Medicine's report, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century.
When:  March 3-6
Where:  Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329
For more information, contact: Beverley H. Johnson, President/CEO, Institute for Family-Centered Care, 7900 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 405, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-0281   Fax: 301-652-0186   Website:  www.familycenteredcare.org/

Introduction to Facilitated Communication
Presenter: Pascal Cheng
This workshop will provide participants with a general overview of facilitated communication (FC), a method of augmentative and alternative communication used by people with limited speaking abilities. This workshop will provide information to people who are interested in gaining basic understanding of FC. It is also a prerequisite for people who will become facilitators for individuals who use FC.
When:  March 11
Time:  9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where:  Institute on Disability Concord Office
Cost:  $95.00
or more information, please contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 or visit www.iod.unh.edu

Positive Behavior Support: Re-Thinking the Role of Context
Presenter: Cathy Apfel
This workshop will examine the role that context plays in children’s behavior and will explore the various components of Positive Behavior Supports.
When:  March 17
Time:  4:00 - 6:00 PM
Where:  Institute on Disability-Durham Office
Cost: $30.00
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 or visit www.iod.unh.edu

Keeping Your Cool with Challenging Youth & Adults
Presenter:  Dr. Daniel Jacobs
The goal of this workshop is threefold: 1) obtain a crisis prevention "mindset," 2) provide a structured response to challenging behavior, and 3) consider the many decisions that must be made during a crisis and recognize your options. Many crises can be averted by assessing risk, determining possible escalation scenarios, and finding specific strategies, tailored to the person you're working with, to minimize risk.
When:  March 20
Time:  8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Where:  Boston University Corporate Education Center, Tyngsboro MA Register early--workshops fill quickly!
Cost:  $109.00  (Lunch on your own)
For more information, contact:  Phone: 978-283-2727 or email cpi@communityprograminnovations.com
www.communityprograminnovations.com March 26

Voices of Friendship
Presenter: Carol Tashie
Friendships are the spice of life and they, along with a sense of belonging are essential elements in student achievement and successful outcomes. However, many students with disabilities report they are lonely and lack real meaningful relationships with classmates and friends. This workshop will help participants learn to identify the barriers to friendship that exist in many schools and classes, as well the wide variety of strategies that schools and families can use to facilitate the development of friendships. When: March 26
Time:  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where:  Common Man-Plymouth NH
Cost:  $90.00 For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084
www.iod.unh.edu

What Can I Say? What Did You Say?
Developing Pragmatic Language Skills for Social Interaction
Presenter: Elsa Abele
This course will focus on treatment for the leaning of conversation and listening skills, personal narrative skills, and verbally mediated problem solving using “self talk.”
When:  March 26-27
Where:  Antioch Unv NE, 40 Avon St, Keene, NH
For more information, contact: Shelley Viles at 603-357-3122 or email sviles@antiochne.edu

APRIL 2008

The Human Service Recipient: Addressing Vulnerability & Enhancing Access to a Typical Life
PART I: Introduction To Social Role Valorization
This workshop is specifically oriented to leadership development. It introduces the learner to Social Role Valorization (SRV), using the 10 core themes developed by Dr. W. Wolfensberger. A central goal of SRV is to enable socially devalued people to attain culturally valued roles, with an eye towards having a typical life & gaining access to all that typical citizens enjoy. Competency & image enhancement are essential building blocks of valued social roles. SRV will be reviewed with the implications of its positive assumptions about the worth of all people & their belonging in our communities. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the typical life experiences of socially devalued people, with an eye towards deeper identification with the people they serve.
When:  April 7-10
Where:  Diman Regional Vocational High School, Stonehaven Road, Fall River, MA
For more information, contact: the workshop registrar at register@srvip.org or 508 752 3670.
For more information about Social Role Valorization & related training, visit http://www.srvip.org/

Membership, Participation, and Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the General Education Classroom
Presenters: Cheryl Jorgensen and Michael McSheehan
This workshop will define and illustrate these best practices and provide numerous examples of elementary, as well as examples of middle and high school students.
When:  April 9
Time:  4:00-6:00 PM
Where:  UNH-Durham-Taylor Hall
Cost:  $30.00
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 www.iod.unh.edu

Building Bridges to the Social World
Presenters: Cathy Apfel and CarolAnn Edscorn
For children with labels of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), understanding and participating in the complex world of social interactions can be difficult and frustrating. In this workshop, CarolAnn Edscorn and Cathy Apfel team up to offer a personal, broad-based understanding of social competence, as well as strategies for supporting the skills necessary for social awareness and participation. Educators, parents of children with ASD, and individuals who experience ASD will benefit from attending Building Bridges to the Social World.
When:  April 10
Time:  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where:  Highlander Inn, Manchester, NH
Cost:  $99.00
For more information, contact: Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084 www.iod.unh.edu

April 11
Video Modeling and Video Self Modeling: Using New Approaches to Solve Old Problems
Presenter: Scott Bellini This workshop will provide an overview of a social skill instructional model developed by Dr. Bellini and highlight use of video modeling. The workshop integrates research on social-emotional functioning with effective strategies for teaching social skills to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The five-step model provides a systematic and comprehensive framework to guide parents and practitioners in the development and implementation of social skills programming.
$125
9:00-3:00
Derryfield Country Club, 625 Mammoth Rd Manchester, NH
For more information, please contact Mary Ann Allsop at (603) 228-2084
www.iod.unh.edu

Youth Who Struggle with Social Skills: Strategies for ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, & Learning Disabilities
Presenter:  Dr. Steve Berk
While there are many similarities in the types of socialization difficulties children and adolescents with these disorders present, the underlying causes of these problems can be quite different. While there are many similarities in the types of socialization difficulties children and adolescents with these disorders present, the underlying causes of these problems can be quite different.
When: April 11 
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Where:  Boston University Corporate Education Center, Tyngsboro MA Register early--workshops fill quickly!
Cost:  $109.00 (Lunch on your own )
For further information, contact:  Phone: 978-283-2727 or email cpi@communityprograminnovations.com
www.communityprograminnovations.com

From Innovations to Practice: The Promise and Challenge of Achieving Recovery for All
The goal of the conference is to highlight efforts and practices directed at making recovery a real possibility for the broadest group of individuals with psychiatric disabilities and to promote the mainstreaming of those practices into “everyday operations”.
When:  April 14-15   
Where:  Hyatt Regency Hotel Cambridge MA
Cost:  $200.00
For more information, contact:  Joan Rapp at 617-353-3549 or email joanrapp@bu.edu
Website: http://www.bu.edu/cpr/conference/index.html