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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.
Each year, IFSP sends an Annual Notification Message to individuals and families on Virginia's DD Waiver Waiting list ("the waitlist") to inform them of their eligibility for services, supports, and resources while they are on the waitlist. Individuals and families with an email address in the Virginia Waiver Management System (WaMS) will receive the FY 2024 Annual Notification message through our email list in early September. Individuals and families without an email address in WaMS will also receive this message via postal mail in early September.
As part of our Annual Notification message, IFSP also asks individuals on the Waitlist and their families for feedback to help us maintain and enhance our program. Please consider participating in our FY 2023 Annual Satisfaction Survey! More information about the survey will be included in the Annual Notification, and on our Facebook page.
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: Did you apply for IFSP-Funding between January 22nd and February 24th, 2023? 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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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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IFSP Archives: Thank you to everyone who participated in our July 2023 Coordinated Regional Council Meeting! If you're looking for our materials, they will be posted to the My Life, My Community Resources for Families page, and we will announce it on our Facebook page this week.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health | |
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The Rights of Medication Administration: What are the rights of medication administration, and why are they important? Read OIH's breakdown of five rights and other critical considerations when giving medication.
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August & September 2023 OIH Caregiver Trainings | Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link. |
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Dysphagia & Modified Diets: Tuesday, Aug. 22nd from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Skilled Nursing - Private Duty Nursing: Thursday, Sept. 7th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Diabetes Part 1: Tuesday, Sept. 12th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Diabetes Part 2: Thursday, Sept. 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
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Regional Quality Council (RQC) Recruitment: DBHDS' Regional Quality Councils are seeking to fill vacancies throughout the Northern, Southwestern, Central, and Eastern service regions. RQCs are made up of individuals on the waitlist, family members, providers, and more! If you're interested in this volunteer opportunity, please view this flyer to get the name of the contact in your region and learn more!
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4th Annual Statewide Nursing Conference: Got questions about how to respond to choking emergencies for someone you support? Consider attending DBHDS OIH at this year's Statewide Nursing Conference on Wednesday, October 18th at the Petersburg Public Library in Petersburg! You'll get a chance to learn about best practices and meet with others who support individuals with developmental disabilities. Each ticket is $35, and is non-refundable. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Non-medical professionals are encouraged to attend! View the flyer and get the registration details.
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UVA STAR (Supporting Transformative Autism Research) |
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Community ARP Presentation: UVA STAR invites members of the autism community and their family members for two Zoom events to learn more about their project with emergency responders! Attendees will learn how to support people with autism during a crisis, get recommendations on how to prepare for a 911 call, and learn about STAR's recent work in developing autism training for first responders. There will be two sessions:
- Wednesday, Aug. 30th from 12 to 1 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 18th from 7 to 8 p.m.
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PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) | Below are some free PEATC and PEATC/VDOE trainings to ease you into the beginning of the school year! Please visit PEATC's calendar for more details about these and other trainings. |
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Successful Transition Planning and the IEP: Tuesday, Sept. 5th
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Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia (Special Education Summer Series): Wednesday, Sept. 6th
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Disability Benefits: VA's Medicaid Waivers: Wednesday, Sept. 20th
PEATC & VDOE trainings:
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Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Self-Paced Course: Tuesday, Aug. 1st through Thursday, Aug. 31st
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Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Live Online Training: Saturday, Aug. 26th
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IEP University (IEPU): Monday, Aug. 28th through Sunday, Sept. 17th
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Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) | -
Parent Involvement Survey: Each year, VDOE must provide the U.S. Department of Education with information about facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving special education services and results for children with disabilities. Your feedback will help VDOE identify training needs related to special education processes, and help improve parental involvement in the special education process. This survey is open through December 15th, and is available in both English and Spanish. (Please note: you will need to complete separate surveys if you have more than one child who is receiving special education services.) For questions, please contact Chiquita Seaborne at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.
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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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