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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 their 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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We know many of you are eagerly anticipating details about our next funding cycle. The IFSP will share an announcement with official dates in the coming months. While we finalize the specifics, our goal is to begin accepting applications in October 2024. | |
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IMPORTANT: Were you approved for IFSP funds that were issued in April 2023 and/or December 2023? If you were awarded funds during these funding cycles, you must register your card and withdraw your funds as soon as possible. Please read this announcement for that information.
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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Enhancing Independence through Assistive Technology (AT) Expo: Our IFSP Regional Council events have been virtual for the last 4 years, but we're ending the 2024 Council year with a special in-person expo! At this FREE event, you'll get a chance to learn from our guest presenters at the Assistive Technology Network of Virginia and other organizations who work to provide AT! You'll also hear about the experiences of people with DD who have used AT, and you'll get a chance to try out some AT devices and tools. It's all happening on Thursday, Sept. 26th at Blue Ridge Community College. A hybrid option will be available for those who cannot attend in person.
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We will announce more details and the registration link on our Facebook page soon! View on our save the date by clicking the image above. | |
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2025 IFSP State and Regional Council Recruitment: You might know that IFSP Councilmembers act as community ambassadors. You might also know that they provide input to DBHDS about topics that are important to people with DD and their families. But did you know some of this input includes sharing ideas for future Council events? If you would like to be a community ambassador and be involved in helping shape IFSP Council events in 2025, we encourage you to apply for a seat on our State or Regional Councils! Read more on our flyer, and visit My Life, My Community to learn more about the Councils' history, regions, and Councilmember roles. The application is open until Saturday, Sept. 5th at 11:59 p.m. If you have questions about yourself or someone who could be a good fit for either the State or Regional Council, please email us at IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov.
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Understanding and Preparing for Independent Living: Thank you to everyone who attended this July 18th meeting with guest presenter Marie Fraticelli of the DBHDS Housing team! Between the stormy weather's impact on some internet connections and the conversation with our IFSP Council panelists, it certainly was a lively evening! The video and slides will be posted to our IFSP Archives on the My Life, My Community Resources for Families page on Monday, August 5th. We appreciate your patience!
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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. This month, we are highlighting items from our Central and Eastern Regional Councils. These items remind us why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is so important, 34 years later! | |
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Anthropologie Rolls Out Adaptive Clothing For People With Disabilities: This might not be news to our fashionista readers, but clothing retailer Anthropologie launched a collection of adaptive clothing to help meet the needs of people with disabilities. To perfect the design and function of the clothes, the company worked with a disability-focused fashion lifestyle brand and a group of influencers with disabilities.
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Welcoming People with Disabilities: Making Hiring More Adaptable: When people with disabilities look for jobs, they experience a higher amount of bias than candidates without disabilities. The author of this human resources article suggests that artificial intelligence could be a solution for organizations committed to a more fair and inclusive hiring process.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network (OIHSN) | |
July 2024 Newsletter Highlight | Read OIHSN's July 2024 newsletter for more on this article, their ABA snippets, and their App of the Month! | -
Medical Emergency Preparedness: A medical emergency is any acute illness or injury that poses a threat to someone's life or well-being. OIHSN provides a list of common medical emergencies. They also share things caregivers should consider when setting up a medical emergency practice drill.
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July 2024 Caregiver Trainings | Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link. |
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Wheelchair Transitioning Training: Tuesday, Aug. 6th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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VDH Special Needs Oral Health: Tuesday, Aug. 20th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Dysphagia & Modified Diets: Date to be determined
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Skin Integrity & Pressure Injuries: Date to be determined
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
The Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU | |
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Smiling Strong Virtual Oral Health Challenge: If you follow us on Facebook, then you saw us share this free virtual oral health challenge for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! This challenge begins on Monday, Aug. 12th and ends on Wednesday, Aug. 21st. For questions, please email Kayla Diggs Brody at diggskg@vcu.edu. Sign up here!
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2024 Statewide Convention: There's still time to register for Convention in Virginia Beach from Monday, Aug. 19th through Wednesday, Aug. 21st! You can also sign up for FREE childcare available only on Tuesday, Aug. 20th, but you must sign up before Friday, Aug. 9th. Visit https://www.thearcofvaconvention.com to view the schedule and register. (IFSP staff will be at Convention, so please feel free to say hello!)
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Supported Decision-Making in Virginia: An Overview for People with DD and Their Families: Don't miss the next Supported Decision-Making (SDM) free online training on Tuesday, Aug. 20th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.! Get more information and register here. For the complete list of SDM virtual trainings in 2024, visit this link.
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July 26th heralded 34 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Disability Pride Month occurs every July to mark this anniversary. | |
The Arc of the United States | |
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Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month: Read this blog post for a deep dive into the history of Disability Pride Month, and things you can do to advocate for yourself or foster inclusion in your community.
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National Public Radio (NPR) | |
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What NPR Readers Want You to Know About Living with a Disability: Living with a disability is different from person to person. The people featured in this article remind us of the unique experiences that span the disability community in just about every facet and stage of life.
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July Marks 34 years of Americans with Disabilities Act: Steve Grammer, a disability advocate in the Roanoke area (Region 3), appeared on local news to talk about his work as part of the Bus Riders of Roanoke Advocacy Group, or BRRAG. Play this WDBJ7 video to hear what he had to say about the ADA and how BRRAG is improving transportation in Roanoke!
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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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