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The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) at DBHDS provides a monthly news digest to highlight resources, events, and trainings that may be of interest to self-advocates and families.
As always, for additional information about services and supports, please visit mylifemycommunityvirginia.org.
Thank you,
IFSP Staff
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If your contact information changes (e.g., your email and/or mailing address), please remember you can contact your CSB and/or Support Coordinator to update it in WaMS! By doing this, you will be able to receive important information about the resources you or someone else are eligible to receive while on the Waitlist. | |
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IMPORTANT: Were you approved for IFSP funds that were issued in April 2023 and/or in December 2023? Please read this announcement for information about those IFSP-Funding cycles.
Reminder: All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community IFSP-Funding Page.
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IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting: Join our IFSP Regional Councils and DBHDS staff on Thursday, May 16th from 6 to 8:15 p.m.! At this virtual information session, Nicole DeStefano (the Director of Waiver Network Supports at DBHDS) will give us the facts on DD Waiver slots. She will also break down the DD Waitlist process, and answer your questions. Individuals on the DD Waiver Waitlist, families and caregivers, and support coordinators are encouraged to attend. This event is FREE, but you must register! You can register here, or view the flyer. We are proud to feature remote conference captioning through Virginia Relay, but if you need an additional accommodation to participate, please email IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov by Thursday, May 9th.
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Peer Mentoring Program: Peer mentors at The Arc of Virginia are ready to meet you and help you achieve your goals! Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements at The Arc. For questions, email Natasha Cooper at ncooper@thearcofva.org.
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Family Mentoring Program: Getting support from someone who's been in your shoes can make a difference! Learn how the Family to Family Network at the Center for Family Involvement can help.
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Welcome to our IFSP Council Corner! This section in the IFSP Digest debuted in our Feb. 2024 issue, and will contain items submitted by our Regional Councils. We are highlighting items for Autism Acceptance Month from our Southwest and Eastern Regional Councils. | |
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A Quarter Of Teens With Autism May Be Undiagnosed: According to findings from a 2014 study of over 4,800 16-year-olds living in New Jersey, one in four teens who are on the spectrum does not have a formal diagnosis. Without this diagnosis, many young people are not able to connect with services and supports that could help them.
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National Autism Association | |
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Be REDy Booklet for Caregivers: People with autism may be prone to wandering, elopement, "running" or fleeing behaviors that present unique safety risks. This booklet offers families and caregivers educational materials and tools, such as: a caregiver checklist, a family wandering emergency plan, wandering quick tips, and more. Families and caregivers can download the booklet for free in English and Spanish using this link.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network (OIHSN) | |
March 2024 Newsletter Highlight | -
Positioning to Reduce Skin Breakdown: When an individual with DD is not able to move independently for over two hours, they become at risk for skin damage from the pressure of staying in the same position. OIHSN explains what the term "positioning" means and why it's important. They also describe how positioning affects skin breakdown, the stages of skin breakdown, and other factors that can affect skin breakdown.
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May 2024 Caregiver Trainings | Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link. |
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VDH Special Needs Oral Health: Tuesday, May 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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COVLC My Care Passport & Advocacy Tip Sheets: Training will review the background of the Passport concept, how to complete the Microsoft fillable file, types of information to include in each section, and how the My Care Passport along with the Advocacy Tip Sheets can be used to bridge the communication gap between the community caregiver and the staff in acute care settings to improve care and outcomes for the individual with DD. This free online training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email dbhdscovlchelpdesk@dbhds.virginia.gov to set up an account.
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University | |
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Statewide Transition Leaders Academy: There's still time to apply for a spot in the first cohort of this initiative, launched in a partnership by VDOE and the Center on Transition Innovations at Virginia Commonwealth University! The Statewide Transition Leaders Academy (STLA) is a program that aims to enhance special education leadership and implementation in secondary transition. It offers comprehensive professional development and technical assistance to transition professionals. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 7th. Visit this link for more about STLA, the application, candidate requirements, selection criteria, and costs.
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Formed Families Forward (FFF) | |
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The Who, What, When, Where and Why: Understanding Foster Care in Virginia: May is National Foster Care Month! This free, one-hour webinar on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 p.m. is for both prospective and current foster parents of children and youth with disabilities and other special needs. Attendees will learn about the foster care process in Virginia, and hear from presenters who can answer questions. Register here!
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DBHDS Division of Developmental Services (DDS) | |
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Waiver Slot Assignment Committee: The DBHDS Division of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking volunteers to become members of a Waiver Slot Assignment Committee (WSAC). Responsibilities include: helping review information presented regarding nominees for vacant and available DD Waiver slots; participating in trainings specific to the DBHDS and DDS mission, all responsibilities, and the positive impact these waivers and services have to promote inclusion within the community; and holding confidential all information reviewed. This opportunity is flexible, and WSAC members can determine how little or how much time they would like to volunteer. WSAC meetings typically last about four (4) hours per Community Services Board (CSB). Virginia has 40 CSBs who at anytime throughout the year could have a WSAC to assign new or vacant DD Waivers. WSAC members should not be: current CSB or DBHDS employees or board members; current employees, owners, or board members of an agency providing Waiver services; or a family member of an individual who is currently on the DD Waiver Waitlist. For questions, please email Ken Haines, Regional Support Manager at kenneth.haines@dbhds.virginia.gov. Apply through this link, or view the flyer.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources | |
While the IFSP has done our best to share information on COVID-19 resources, this information is not a substitute for medical advice. Stay up to date and visit virginia.gov/coronavirus. | |
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) launched a COVID-19 toolkit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The toolkit includes tip sheets for caregivers and providers, and is also available in Spanish. Find it here!
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We know that navigating the developmental disability system can be hard for families. Not sure where to start? Read our “IFSP: First Steps” guide to learn about the IFSP program at DBHDS and other important resources, supports, and services offered in the Commonwealth of Virginia! Visit https://tinyurl.com/IFSP-FirstSteps, or use your mobile device to scan the QR code here. | |
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Thank you for reading the IFSP Digest! | |
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IFSP is always looking for more newsletter recommendations! What organizations would you like to see featured? What should we subscribe to? Please send your suggestions to IFSPCom@dbhds.virginia.gov.
If you liked the information in this digest, give us a follow on Facebook by clicking the icon below! To receive updates about events in your community, also follow your regional IFSP Council’s Facebook page. (Not sure which region you're in? Find out on My Life, My Community!)
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