IFSP Digest September 2022 📫🍂

IFSP provides a monthly news digest to highlight resources, events, and trainings that may be of interest to self-advocates and families.

For additional information about services and supports, please visit mylifemycommunityvirginia.org.

Happy September!

IFSP Staff

IFSP Announcements

IFSP-Funding Update

IMPORTANT: Looking for information about the next IFSP-Funding cycle? Were you approved for funding in Fall 2021? Please read this announcement!

Reminder: All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community website.

Annual Notification Message Update

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. This message is distributed via email and postal mail. IFSP is preparing this year's message, so please look out for it in the coming weeks.

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.

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.

DBHDS Office of Integrated Health

September Newsletter Highlight

Nut Butters and Choking Risk: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely to have a chronic condition that affects their abilities to chew and swallow safely. OIH provides a list of common conditions and shares a helpful framework for diet modifications for people with IDD.

October 2022 OIH Caregiver Trainings

Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link.

Vital Signs: Thursday, October 6th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
VDH Special Needs Oral Health: Tuesday, October 11th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Emergency Preparedness Part 3: Fire Emergencies: Tuesday, October 18th from 1 to 3 p.m.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Thursday, October 27th from 1 to 3 p.m.

Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Providers, Self-Advocates, and Families

DARS (Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services)

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) events: Spend your NDEAM 2022 with DARS at these free virtual events! Registration is required. Visit this link or click on the image to learn more and sign up!

Lunch 'n Learns: October 5th, October 12th, October 19th, and October 26th at noon. These sessions are open to all!
Talent Tuesdays: October 11th and October 25th at 2 p.m. These sessions are aimed toward service providers.

Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Strengths-Based Family Engagement Workshop Series: Providers, are you looking for more resources and skills to add to your family engagement tool box? Attend this virtual 90-minute workshop series that begins on October 12th at 1 p.m.! The fee is $35 per workshop, or $150 for all five workshops. Get more information about each workshop topic and the registration links here.

UVA STAR (Supporting Transformative Autism Research)

Autism Hope Summit: Registration is now open for STAR's full-day conference for the autism community on Saturday, December 3rd. Learn about education and resources, and even network! This event is free to attend! Get ready and register on the Summit website.

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.

Get information and resources for individuals, families, and professionals in our COVID-19 Virtual Activity Toolkit for People with Developmental Disabilities.

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!

IFSP Resources

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.

Thank you for reading the IFSP Digest!

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!)

Central

Eastern

Northern

Southwest

Western

To learn more about IFSP, visit us online at Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services - IFSP