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Pre-Conference Workshops

#1 - Does Early Intervention Make a Difference? Part C Early Childhood Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers

Debra Balsdon, BSW; Part C Coordinator; ND Department of Human Services; Bismarck, ND

This session will present an overview of early childhood outcomes for children birth to 3 who have delays or developmental disabilities. We will look at North Dakota’s approach to measuring the effect of early intervention in helping children achieve outcomes. Get all the latest data and information and see new materials to share with families.

#2 - Put the Meat Into Meetings: Make Meetings Work for You

Michael Winer, M.A.A.B.S.; Founder, 4Results Together; Portland, OR

Successful meetings lead to effective decisions and immediate actions that produce the results you want in your organization or partnership. But your people come to these meetings with pressing workloads and personal needs. And meetings are a major investment: just add up the time for each person involved.

Making meetings work means incorporating individual needs while making decisions and taking action.

#3 - Transition: If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else

Mary Stammen, Ed.D.; Director of Special Education, Griggs/Steele/Traill Special Education Unit; Portland, ND

Mary Stammen has developed a systematic portfolio process for teacher/students and parents to follow that will assist each IEP team in connecting school programming to proposed post-secondary adult living outcomes.  This system also facilitates the compliance of special education federal regulations.

Pre-Conference Workshops

#1 - Effective Parent/Physician Communication

* Jane Nelson, B.S.W.; Experienced Parent, Project Coordinator, Early Intervention Program Region V; Fargo, ND

* Stephen Nelson, MD; Managing Physician Partner, Neonatology Division-MeritCare Medical Center; Fargo, ND

Jane and Steve will discuss the parent and physician perspectives on successful communication between families and professionals.  They will discuss the ethical issues involved in making medical decisions for children including surrogacy, informed consent/permission as well as conflict resolution.  They will also share personal stories of situations that were not successful and their perspectives and how these situations could have been more positive.

#2 - High Schoolers with Asperger Syndrome: Transitioning into Adult Life

Karen Hurlbutt, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor, Special Education, Minnesota State University Mankato; Chaska, MN

Transitioning to the adult world from high school can be an exciting and yet, difficult, experience for high school students. For those with Asperger Syndrome, it can be even more challenging.  In this session, you will learn about the necessity of helping them develop strong self-advocacy skills, and how to best prepare high school students with Asperger Syndrome for job experiences and adult life.

#3 - Ready - Set - Go! Early Childhood Transition Guidelines

* Debra Balsdon, BSW; Part C Coordinator; ND Department of Human Services; Bismarck, ND

* Nancy Skorheim, MS; Regional Coordinator; ND Department of Public Instruction; Bismarck ND

This session will present North Dakota guidelines for transition from early intervention to pre-school services. These guidelines were jointly developed by the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Human Services. Familiarize yourself with the latest guidelines for enhancing transition services for children and families.

Welcome & Announcements
Keynote

Collaboration: What Makes It Work

Michael Winer, M.A.A.B.S.; Founder, 4Results Together; Portland, OR

Families with children who have special needs don’t have problems in isolation. Their needs are complex and multiple viewpoints, approaches, and resources are needed to make a lasting difference. But how do you begin to make sure everyone is deeply involved in family-centered services? That everyone has the same framework and language for working together collaboratively?

Concurrent Sessions

#1 - Children with Special Needs and Their Families: A Sibling Perspective

* Jane Nelson, B.S.W.; Experienced Parent, Project Coordinator, Early Intervention Program Region V; Fargo, ND

This panel discussion will offer an open conversation with siblings of different ages and backgrounds who have brothers and sisters with a variety of special needs.  These siblings will offer thoughts and answer questions on what has been challenging and what has worked well in their own situation.  We will explore how to make the experiences of raising and working with our children with special needs as positive as possible for the whole family.

#2 - Getting Special Needs Kids Ready for the Real World: Special Education from a Love and Logic Perspective

* Stacy Kilwein, B.S.; Director, West Dakota Parent and Family Resource Center; Dickinson, ND

* Deb Theurer, B.S.; Co-Director, West Dakota Parent and Family Resource Center; Dickinson, ND

Is parenting your child with special needs draining your energy?  Would you like some quick and easy tools to use in even the most challenging situations?  These energy replacement strategies will put some fun back into your parenting and get kids ready for the real world.

#3 - Roadmap to Success! Part B Early Childhood Outcomes for Pre-Schoolers

* Cristine Deaver, Behavioral Specialist; Peace Garden Consortium; Bottineau, ND

* Keith Gustafson, Director; Peace Garden Special Education; Bottineau, ND

* Nancy Skorheim, Regional Coordinator; ND Department of Public Instruction; Bismarck ND

This session will present an overview of early childhood outcomes for preschool children who have delays or developmental disabilities. We will look at North Dakota’s newest guidelines for pre-school education. Get all the latest data and information and see new materials to share with families.

#4 - What is a Fiscal Agent?  How Can They Help Families Self Direct Supports?

* Amber Jones, B.S.; Payroll Team Lead, Acumen Fiscal Agent; Mesa, AZ

* Greg Murphy, B.S., B.A.; Chief of Operations, Acumen Fiscal Agent; Mesa, AZ

Participants will leave this session understanding the roles and responsibilities of an FEA in supporting Self Directed Services.  This presentation will review the transition of the services delivery options for individuals with Developmental Disabilities up to and including Self Directed Services and Fiscal Employer Agent Supports.  Participants will also learn the "nuts and bolts" of Acumen Fiscal Agent's FEA services in conjunction with the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Unit.  Participants will review and understand the paperwork flow up to and including payment to individuals providing the service.