Workshop Session 1 - 9:50-10:50 a.m.
- Understanding the MR System in PA
This is a two session workshop which is an introduction to Mental Retardation System in Pennsylvania. It offers a brief history of the MR System, an overview of what the system looks like and how to register. We discuss eligibility determination, what the system can offer in terms of the types of supports and services available, and how they are funded. We also address what you can do if you have problems accessing needed support.
Lynne Dougherty, Eastern Regional Coordinator
Lisa Tesler, Master Trainer
Vision for Equality/The PA Training Partnership
- Career & Transition Services at Hiram G. Andrews Center
Services at the Hiram G. Andrews Center feature the integration of education, counseling, evaluation, and physical restoration in a barrier-free environment. Support services ranging from vocational evaluation and career exploration to independent living skills combine to offer students the skills they will need to live, work and contribute in the community.
Barbara Petersen, Industry/Education Coordinator
Hiram G. Andrews Center
- Developing a Healthy Living Program
This presentation will provide an overview of how Prospectus Berco developed and implemented a program that focused on the education of direct support professionals regarding healthy lifestyle.
Kevin J. Kirlin, RN, MHS, Health Coordinator
Debbie Dallago, MBA, PHS, Residential Administrator
Prospectus Berco
- Seizure Recognition, First Aid and Management
The objectives and goals of the workshop include: 1) Ability to recognize and identify types of seizures 2) Seizure First Aid 3) Necessary administration; seizure action plans and observation forms. The presentation will include a short video and discussion about the impact of seizures on quality of life. Questions, answers and discussion will follow presentation.
Sue Livingston, Ed. Coordinator, Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA
- Balancing Choice and Risk: Developing an IRMP
Finding the balance between the responsibility to protect people from harm, while promoting their personal growth and interdependence. This workshop will focus on ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided with the opportunities to enhance their lives in the community and to make choices about their lives while recognizing the potential inherent risk associated with decision-making.
Sean Gerow, AVP Risk Management, Irwin Siegel Agency
- Sexual Abuse Awareness Training for Staff
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone. People with disabilities are especially at risk for sexual abuse. This class describes types of abuse, including unwanted touch, physical force and non-physical force. You will learn how to make yourself safer with street smarts and street awareness and how to fight against abuse if it happens to you. If you have been abused, we encourage you to tell someone who can help you deal with the feelings and effects of the abuse.
Debra Robinson, Executive Director, Speaking for Ourselves
Workshop Session 2 - 11:00-12:00 a.m.
- Alzheimers and Mental Retardation
Discussion of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on persons with developmental disabilities - the problems with determining a diagnosis, research results, stages of the onset and possible treatment options
James Siberski, MS, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Gerontological Education
College Misericordia
- Assessment For Transition
This workshop will examine a variety of transition assessments including: Informal, Ecological, Vocational, and Formal. These assessments meet the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. These assessments evaluate interests, aptitudes, preferences, and abilities. Discussion will include how to use these assessments in Evaluation Reports, IEPs, and other required special education documents.
Kenneth E. Deitmen, EdD. Consultant, PaTTAN Harrisburg
- Disability Vote Matters
Pennsylvanians over 18 have the right to vote. Learn about the laws that protect voting rights of individuals with disabilities. By getting involved, you can become a more knowledgeable citizen and voter. Disability Service Organizations have obligations to help the people they serve to register to vote. What can your organization do around voting advocacy? How can Disability Service Organizations help to empower people with disabilities through non-partisan political engagement?
Paul W. O’Hanlon, Staff Attorney
Deborah Delgado, Traumatic Brain Injury Project Director
Disability Rights Network of PA
- Special Education and Special Needs Trusts
Over the past two years, the fields of Special Education and Special Needs Planning have seen significant changes in the legal landscape. Special Education services must now be based upon scientific research, and transition planning into adulthood has taken on a whole new meaning. New Federal/State policies regarding Medical Assistance and other public benefits make Special Needs planning more complex, but more important than ever. Let us explore those importance changes together!
Dennis C. McAndrews, Esquire, Owner
Heidi B. Konkler-Goldsmith, Esquire, Partner
Jennifer M. Lukach, Esquire, Associate
McAndrews Law Offices
- Maximizing Life by Living for Peace, Harmony, and Joy
Is the title of a new book that offers an open hearted transformative response to life’s questions by exploring the author’s deep and thought provoking personal experiences. The session will cover the main themes of the book: Living in the moment, success and failure, thoughts we live with that perpetuate suffering, attitude, living simple in a complex world, dreams, reality and stress, letting go of bad habits, finding love of self and others, finding happiness and calmness, tools to use to turn unhappiness into joy, and finding the child within
Dr. Robert H. Schram, Executive Director, BARC
Workshop Session 3 - 1:45-2:45 p.m.
- Person Centered Thinking
This is a two session workshop. In this overview, we cover a brief history and the principles of person-centered thinking including details of the shift from system-centered thinking to person-centered. The presentation also covers how to incorporate person-centered thinking into Individual Support Plans and other formal plans like Individual Education Plans.
Lynne Dougherty, Eastern Regional Coordinator
Lisa Tesler, Master Trainer
Vision for Equality/The PA Training Partnership
- Emerging Sexuality: Almost Everything You Want (and don’t want) To Know
It is never too early or too late to teach “Sex Education”! Ann will discuss the preparatory work necessary to develop appropriate social behaviors, prepare for and/or deal with puberty, share information regarding protection from sexual abuse, and review strategies for “teaching”.
Anne Bernstein, MSW/L, Director of Early Intervention and Social Work Services,
The Arc of Chester County
- Developing a Sense of Self Through The Experience of Travel
Irv and his son, Ari, will discuss how they have seen individuals develop a sense of self through their experiences in travel and recreational opportunities.
Irv Segal, DCSW, LSW and Ari Segal, MSW, LSW,
The Guided Tour, Inc.
- Autism from the Outside In
Kathy will review the characteristics of autism, and discuss what the world sees in terms of behaviors as a result of this complex disorder. She will explore the realities of daily life for families and offer strategies/techniques for more positive, successful daily living.
Kathy Fox, Autism Specialist, The Arc of Chester County
- New Model for Independent and Supportive Living
Arc of Philadelphia has developed a model for Choice where individuals can chose to live in the community, in a home of their choice, using in-home supports from the waiver and 30% of their SSI to pay rent. Arc is hoping to serve 100+ people in 30-40 homes. Consumers choose their roommates, hire supports and are assisted with a 360 degree support system that covers day jobs, direct care staff for in home support and community inclusion. Wachovia Bank brings in a financial training program that gives each individual a bank account for direct deposit and an ATM debit card.
John M. Felt, CEO, Arc Philadelphia
- Sexual Abuse Awareness Training for Self-Advocates
This is a two session workshop. Sexual abuse can happen to anyone. People with disabilities are especially at risk for sexual abuse. This class describes types of abuse, including unwanted touch, physical force and non-physical force. You will learn how to make yourself safer with street smarts and street awareness and how to fight against abuse if it happens to you.
Frank Yurick, President, Philadelphia Chapter, Speaking for Ourselves
Workshop Session 4 - 2:55-3:55 p.m.
- Returning to Work: Making SSI and SSDI Work Incentives Work For You
· Brief description of differences between SSI and SSDI programs and related work rules/regulations
· Key work incentives built into each program to help beneficiaries transition into employment
· Specific work incentives that can be accessed based on individual needs (i.e., Impairment-Related Work Expense, Student Earned Income Exclusion, Plan for Achieving Self-Support, Ticket to Work, and Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities)
Corey Nelson, Project/Services Director, Goodwill Industries’ PASSABCO Project (The Pennsylvania/Social Security Administration Benefits Counseling and Assistance Project)
- Building Brighter Futures – Lives in Transition
The Arc of Chester County provides a lifetime of services centered on personal success without regard to disability. Our community Habilitation and Employment programs support transition students and adults to become confident, self-reliant members of their local communities. As we present an overview of how our programs work, you will also hear some inspiring success stories.
Linda Coleman, Director of Residential Habilitation
Carol Huyett, Director of Comprehensive Employment Services
Arc of Chester County
- Response to Intervention
Response to Intervention (RtI) is the practice of providing high quality instruction and interventions matched to student needs, monitoring progress frequently, to make decisions about changes in instruction or goals and applying data to important education decisions.
Megan Wright-Esterly, CSPD – TaC Educational Consultant
Rebecca Chadwick, CSPD – TaC Educational Consultant
Berks County Intermediate Unit
- Funding the Assistive Technology You Need through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) provides low-interest loans so that consumers and family members can buy the devices they need to live more independent and satisfying lives. PATF also tells consumers about other possible funding resources. This is a free program, open to people of all income levels, all ages and all disabilities.
Susan Tachau, Executive Director
Jamie Kelly, Assistant Director
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
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