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IFSP 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: Please read this announcement for the latest information about the most recent IFSP-Funding cycle.
Reminder: All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community website.
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IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting: Save the date! On Thursday, October 19th at 6:30 p.m., join our Regional Councils as we learn about supported decision-making (SDM) with Sara Thompson of DBHDS. Self-advocates and families of individuals approaching young adulthood through older adulthood are particularly encouraged to attend! The meeting will take place on ZoomGov; registration is not required. We will post more on Facebook and on our My Life, My Community Regional Council page this week. In the meantime, if you have questions or virtual accommodation needs, please email IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov.
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IFSP Regional and State Council Recruitment: Do you have ideas for future Regional Council meeting topics like SDM? Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? You could be an IFSP Councilmember! This fall, IFSP will begin recruiting to fill vacancies across our Regional and State Councils. We will share our Council application form in the coming weeks, but you can get a jump start and visit My Life, My Community to learn more about the Councils' history, regions, and Councilmember roles! If you have questions about yourself or someone who could be a good fit, please email us at IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov.
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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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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network | |
August and September 2023 Newsletter Highlights |
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The Annual Healthcare Visit Toolkit: Health care toolkits can be an important tool that individuals with developmental disabilities can use to improve the quality of healthcare. OIHSN provides several downloadable toolkit documents that can be used from pre-visit preparation and planning to health literacy and advocacy! Get more information about the toolkits and how to use them in OIHSN's August newsletter.
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The Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center (COVLC): If you are employed by a provider agency operating in Virginia, take advantage of the free training resources offered by DBHDS OIHSN on this learning management system! Read OIHSN's September newsletter to get a list of available trainings, and learn how to register, create, and access your COVLC account.
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October 2023 OIHSN Caregiver Trainings | Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link. |
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Transfers Training: Tuesday, Oct. 3rd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Falls & Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Tuesday, Oct. 10th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Wheelchair Transitioning Training: Thursday, Oct. 12th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Choking and Nut Butters: Tuesday, Oct. 24th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Sepsis: Thursday, Oct. 26th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
The Arc of Northern Virginia | -
Creative Housing Solutions: There's still time to register for this free Zoom webinar about developing independent and supported living options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! On Tuesday, Oct. 3rd at 10:30 a.m., hear from a panel of experts who will present creative housing solutions available for individuals with IDD who do NOT have a DD Waiver. Panelists include Jeannie Cummins from the DBHDS Housing Team, Donna Budway from Our Stomping Ground, and parents who will share their success stories about how they developed creative housing for their adult children with IDD.
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Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | -
Mornings at the Museum: If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, come explore the National Air and Space Museum on Saturday, Oct. 14th from 8:30 to 10 a.m. for its sensory-friendly family hours. This event is free, but registration is required! Due to museum renovations and building capacity, each family will be granted 6 tickets, so reserve yours here. If you need more than 6 tickets, please email Ashley Grady at GradyA@si.edu.
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Center on Transition Innovations at VCU (CTI at VCU) | -
Transition: Changing the Outcomes: Registration is still open for this facilitated course in which educators and service providers can learn more about effective transition practices! There are 5 sessions in this free, accessible, and interactive online course, which runs from Monday, Oct. 23rd to Sunday, Dec. 3rd. You may also receive 45 recertification points if it is approved by your building administrator. Click here to learn more about each session, and to get the registration link.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources | |
While 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 newly-updated “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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