IFSP provides a monthly news digest to highlight resources, events, and trainings that may be of interest to self-advocates and families.
Although summer is coming to a close, we wanted to share some highlights from July and August, as well as some upcoming September events.
Thank you,
IFSP Staff
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A New Way to Complete Your Waiver Waiting List Forms!
Each year, individuals who are currently on Virginia's DD Waiver Waiting List (the Waitlist) need to complete the Annual Choice form and the Needed Services form to stay on the Waitlist. DBHDS is excited to announce that you can complete both forms online at dbhds.virginia.gov/waitlistforms!
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IFSP Needs Your Feedback! |
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Each year, IFSP asks individuals on the Waitlist and their families about their needs. This is usually sent to people who receive IFSP funds. This year, we want to get input from others, so please consider participating in the 2021 Survey of Needs. You can access the survey by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/IFSP2021Needs. Thank you!
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Save the date! IFSP will be discussing empowerment and sharing your story at our next Coordinated Regional Council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 16th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Our guest presenter will be Leslie Mehta of PrettyBrooke.com. View the flyer and share it with a friend!
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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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Keep reading for more of the IFSP Digest! |
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health |
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DBHDS’s Office of Integrated Health (OIH) distributes health and safety alerts that emphasize the unique needs of people with developmental disabilities. |
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New Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit: Beginning on July 1st, all adults over 21 years of age who have Medicaid coverage will have access to dental services and provider choices through DentaQuest. Learn about some of the dental services that are covered, how to locate a provider, and how to make an appointment.
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Importance of Positioning: Read about positioning concerns and why proper positioning is so important for people with disabilities. OIH also includes some body positions that help minimize aspiration.
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Extreme Heat Safety Tips: OIH shares some safety tips, heat-related weather terms to know, and some signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health (OIH) |
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Falls: This training focuses specifically on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). OIH will review the physical, environmental, and neurological risks which might lead to a fall, fall risk assessments, fall protocols, and how to care for someone after a fall has occurred. Learn more and sign up for this training on Tuesday, Sept. 14th from 1-2:30 p.m. (just one week before Falls Prevention Awareness Week starts!).
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"When to Call 911" and Choking: Participants will begin this 2-part training by learning how to recognize emergencies, how EMS handles emergencies, and the caregiver's role. Then they will learn about dysphasia, eating protocols, and emergency situations. Learn more and sign up for this training on Thursday, Sept. 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention (LEAP) |
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Abuse Prevention & Healthy Relationships for People with Disabilities: LEAP's Molly Dellinger-Wray will lead a webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 22nd at 10 a.m. Participants will learn strategies to help people develop healthy relationships and respond to abuse. This training is intended for paid staff supporting people with disabilities. Spaces are limited, so register now!
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Back to School: Family Events and Resources |
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Virtual Events and Trainings |
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Real Talk: Taking N.O.T.E. of Learning Challenges in the New School Year: Listen in on this free virtual town hall forum with Understood on Thursday, Sept. 9th from 10-11:30 a.m. This event will feature a panel and Q&A with parents, educators, and pediatricians with a focus on students with learning and thinking differences.
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How to Talk So Schools Will Listen (and Listen So Schools Will Talk) (Military Only): Military families, there's still time to register for this special PEATC event on Thursday, Sept. 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Gain some communication techniques and learn how to recognize communication barriers so that you can advocate for your child's educational goals and needs!
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Social Confidence: How to Help Students with ADHD Re-Acclimate to In-Person School & Friends: After the past year, many students need some help brushing up on social skills ... but what about students with ADHD? ADDitude's free ADHD Expert Webinar on Thursday, Sept. 16th at 1 p.m. will teach you how to recognize social anxiety and offer tips you can use to help your child. If you can't make it, sign up to get the replay link.
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Toolkits and Other Resources |
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Facing Fears, Supporting Students: Mental Health America released their 2021 Back to School toolkit last week. Students, families, and schools can use this free toolkit to recognize how feeling unsafe can impact mental health, and to develop coping skills. Access the toolkit by filling out a form at this link.
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Family Literacy Night: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) held this virtual event with the Virginia State Literacy Association on August 31st. Visit VDOE's event webpage to learn more about the sessions that night, and get a link to the YouTube recordings.
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Succeeding in School: Check out this collection of IEP, classroom, and social emotional resources from the Autism Society of North Carolina. The collection contains a variety of toolkits, webinars, social narrative materials, forms, and more!
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30 Years of Community Living for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: If you haven't had a chance to look at this book from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), now is a great time! Data was collected by three ACL grantees between 1987 and 2017. Key findings and highlights are presented in both electronic format and video formats.
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5 Questions to Think About this #DisabilityPrideMonth: Disability Pride Month is worth a closer look, the author of this Forbes piece writes. What is disability pride, and who is it for? Read or listen here.
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Netflix YouTube videos: The main character on Netflix's teen dramedy "Never Have I Ever" is often shown in therapy sessions. For Minority Mental Health Month, Netflix shared 2 videos featuring two Black therapists, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy for Black Girls, and Beverly Andre, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. (Warning: Both videos contain several spoilers for the show!)
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If you like reaction videos, you're in luck! Here, Dr. Joy and Beverly Andre react to therapy scenes from the show. |
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What should you look for in a therapist? In this video, Dr. Joy and Beverly Andre share some important tips that might help. |
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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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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On Sept. 1st, 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/IFSPFirstSteps, 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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