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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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IFSP Regional and State Council Recruitment: IFSP is excited to announce that we have begun the recruitment process to fill vacancies across our Regional and State Councils. We are especially interested in recruiting self-advocates who are on the Waitlist! Read more on our flyer, and visit My Life, My Community to learn more about the Councils' history, regions, and Councilmember roles! Then fill out our Council application, which is open until Wednesday, Nov. 15th. If you have questions about yourself or someone who could be a good fit for either the Regional or State Council, please email us at IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov. We can't wait to work with you!
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IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting: On Thursday, Oct. 19th, our IFSP Regional Councils held our last public meeting of the year. We learned so much about supported decision-making (SDM) in Virginia! We will post the meeting materials on My Life, My Community, and will announce that on our Facebook page and in our November IFSP Digest.
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"The Odyssey" Podcast: Did you know that our partners at VCU's Center for Family Involvement (CFI) have a podcast ... and that IFSP was featured in last week's episode? You can listen to the podcast and check out the transcript, and get to know us! Thank you to our partners at CFI for the opportunity and for a great conversation!
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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 (OIHSN) | |
October 2023 Newsletter Highlights | Find the items below in the OIHSN October newsletter! |
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October 2023 Newsletter: October is National Substance Misuse Awareness Month. OIHSN shares information about Narcan, the primary reversal drug for overdose from fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioid medications. They also share information about where and how to get Narcan, as well as how to sign up for OIHSN's REVIVE! trainings which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Virginia 988 Toolkit: DBHDS created a media toolkit at 988va.org/media-resources to help spread the word about Virginia's 988 mental health crisis hotline. There you'll find radio scripts, photos, logos, print materials, and customizable presentation templates and social media shareables!
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November 2023 OIHSN Caregiver Trainings | Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link. |
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My Care Passport & Advocacy Tip Sheets: Thursday, Nov. 9th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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The Fatal Seven: Thursday, Nov. 16th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Emergency Preparedness Fire Emergencies: Thursday, Nov. 30th from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) | -
SIS Townhall Meeting: Since 2015, DBHDS has used the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS)® assessment to determine rates for specific services. The SIS assessment is changing and DBHDS has a new project to update this model. DBHDS wants to hear from people receiving services and their families to learn about how this model might be improved. DBHDS is hosting a townhall meeting for people receiving services and their families on Thursday, Nov. 16th from 2 to 3:45 p.m. You can join this meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86798659737. DBHDS will provide information about this project and ask questions of people in attendance. If you have any questions you’d like us to answer in this meeting, please send them here; you can also sign up to listen in on ongoing advisory group meetings using this link.
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Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) | -
Legally Responsible Individuals (LRI) Update: With the end of the Medicaid flexibilities available during the COVID-19 public health emergency, a permanent provision has been added to the Medicaid Waiver amendments to allow legally responsible individuals of youth under age 18 to provide personal care services reimbursable by Medicaid under the CCC Plus, Community Living, and Family and Individual Supports Waivers. The new policy will be executed within specific guidelines and safeguards developed by DMAS. The start date of the new LRI policy has been delayed from Nov. 10th, 2023 to March 1st, 2024 in order to allow families adequate time to adjust to the new requirements. DMAS has developed a separate webpage with information and training resources explaining how it will handle payments to legally responsible individuals serving as caregivers. Find it here: https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/long-term-care/waivers/legally-responsible-individuals
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Home and Community Positive Behavior Supports (HCPBS) | -
Webinar: "The Family Ecology Assessment: Enhancing Family Centered Service Delivery in PBS with Families": Positive Behavior Support providers, ABA therapists, and anyone interested in gaining more information about how to consider the whole family are encouraged to attend this webinar this Thursday, November 2nd from 1 to 3 p.m.! HCPBS will introduce the Family Ecology Assessment, a supplemental interview with family members during a process of functional assessment and positive behavior support development that is designed to contribute to several important outcomes. These include: (a) establishing a collaborative partnership that emphasizes family strengths; (b) assisting family members in selecting and envisioning valued family routines for intervention and support; and (c) generating information relevant to the design of a contextually appropriate behavior support plan. View the flyer to learn more about the webinar and get the registration link!
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Resources for Students with Disabilities: Level Up Virginia is a statewide initiative led by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Department of Education. LUV's focus is on increasing college access for historically underrepresented and marginalized student groups, including students with disabilities. This resource sheet includes links to LUV's college visit checklists for students with physical disabilities, students with learning disabilities, and students with social/emotional disorders. The resource sheet also contains information about local, statewide and nationwide programs, organizations, and planning guides that can help during the transition process.
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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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