At Home With Kids During COVID: Parent Panel
Learn practical tips and tools for families who are at home with their kids during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move from distance learning into summer parents continue to face challenges as we find our typical summer activities are canceled or closed. Learn tips from a homeschooling mom about creative activities and year-long learning opportunities you can do with your child(ren). We also discuss the mental health struggles of being confined, without typical supports and social outlets. We also discuss access to medical care, telehealth and how families can be prepared if they need to seek urgent or emergent care. Get survival tips and shared ideas.
Emergency Planning for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
How can we be proactive in planning for acute illness and emergencies for our children and youth with special health care needs? Learn how to partner with providers to build a contingency plan and complete an Emergency Information Form (EIF). Build strong communication between doctors and clinics to streamline care in emergency situations.
The History of Disability in Minnesota (recorded April 8, 2020)
Colleen Wieck, Ph.D., Executive Director, MN Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities presents on the history of developmental disabilities. This powerful presentation helps us understand past experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families. Reflecting on the painful history of abuse, segregation and dehumanization as well as disability rights activities through the years helps inform and motivate our advocacy work today and in the future.
In 1987, Colleen Wieck founded Partners in Policymaking. Partners in Policymaking trains self-advocates and families to “tell their story” to facilitate change in systems and communities. Learn more about this program at http://mn.gov/mnddc/pipm/
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Benefit (recorded April 7, 2020)
The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIBDI) services help people interact with others, learn and play, decrease unwanted behaviors, build independence and participate in community life. EIBDI is based on proven methods and are for people under the age of 21 who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related conditions.
Presenter, Nicole Berning M.S., B.C.B.A, Clinical Lead, Disability Services Division, MN Department of Human Services talks about the EIDBI benefit and it’s origin. Get an overview of services covered by EIDBI and how those services coordinate with other services and supports that may already be in place. Learn how to access this benefit for your child.
Medical Coverage Options in MN: Understanding MA, MA-TEFRA, Waivers (recorded March 4, 2020)
What health coverage is available to children and youth in Minnesota who have special health needs / disabilities?
Presented by Kim Hicks, EIDBI policy lead, Disability Services Division, MN Department of Human Services, this webinar explores the health coverage options available in MN. Learn about eligibility requirements, cost and how to access Medical Assistance (MA), MA-TEFRA, and waivers.
An Overview of Social Services for Children with Disabilities: Medical Assistance, Waivers, and Other Programs
Attorney, Bud Rosenfield, from Disability Law Center presents information about Medical Assistance and Waiver programs in Minnesota for children who have disabilities and/or special health care needs. Bud presents the basics about the Medical Assistance program, the types of Waiver programs available in Minnesota and how to access them.
Introduction to Journaling for Self-Care
Grab pen and paper and learn how writing can help you grow and cope.
In this webinar, you will be introduced to the concept of journaling for personal growth and self-care. Instruction on three effective journaling techniques and discussing the various situations in which they may be used for self-care will be provided. Participants will be given the opportunity to try these techniques in short writing segments during the webinar. Questions and discussion from the audience are welcome.
This webinar was be led by Brenda Hudson, a certified journal facilitator and writing teacher. Brenda has been teaching expressive writing for six years and uses journaling as a way of holding sacred space for her own experience as a special needs mom.
Webinar Series: Special Needs Planning
Part I
Financial Management Options
Planning for the financial security of our children and youth with special health care needs can be daunting. When should we start? What options are best? Will our choices impact our child’s ability to qualify for government assistance? Join Family Voices of MN as we learn about the uses and limits of ABLE accounts, Special Needs Trusts and Supplemental Needs Trusts. Learn how these accounts can work together. Presenter, Scott Stevens, is owner, attorney and counselor at Stevens Law, PLLC and father of a youth with special health care needs.
Part II
Guardianship & Conservatorship
Long before our children with special health care needs reach adulthood many of us worry for their future. Will they need someone to make important decisions for them? Who will handle the financial aspects of living if they cannot? Estate Planning Attorney, Scott Stevens, brings us another informative webinar on special needs planning. Scott, who is a father to a youth with a disability, sheds light on guardianship and conservatorship. This webinar is for families with children of all ages who have special health care needs.
Webinar Series for New Parent Advocates
Part I: Connection: From Diagnosis to Discovery to Hope
When your child is diagnosed with a special health care need or disability it can feel like the ground shifts beneath you. Sometimes there is no formal diagnosis but we know something is “not quite right”. This Family Voices of MN / CONNECTED parent panel webinar helps parents new to complex health care needs to feel less alone. Parent panel members share their stories of discovery, grief and how they found hope in peer support. Find your tribe!
Part II: Navigating Systems: Tips & Tools for the New Parent Advocate
Veteran parents will discuss how to find providers and reliable information. They will share important tools to assist with preparing for appointments, keeping and sharing information. This webinar is great for families new to having a child or youth with special health care needs. It is also useful as a reminder for all families. Volunteers and professionals will find the parent perspective and tools useful in their work with families.
Election Results, Impacts and the Upcoming Legislative Session
How can families of children and youth with special healthcare needs impact policy? Family Voices of MN and The Arc Minnesota are excited to partner on this webinar on the upcoming legislative session. Alicia Munson, Public Policy Director for The Arc Minnesota will cover election results, implications and topics being addressed during the legislative session.
Care Mapping: An Essential Tool in Communicating with Your Child’s Healthcare Team
Coordinating care for your child with special healthcare needs can be a full time job. There are often multiple medical and educational appointments and meetings to juggle, as well as completing all of the necessary paperwork. Additionally, parents typically have other responsibilities such as work, finances, other children and their own health and well-being. Using a tool called “Care Mapping” you can better understand how to balance all of your responsibilities AND improve communication with your child’s healthcare and education teams. In doing so, parents often find that members of their child’s teams are able to assist with these responsibilities.
Family Centered Care: True Partnership in Healthcare
Here is an archived webinar for parents and caregivers of children and youth with special healthcare needs on the topic of Patient and Family Centered Care. This webinar will provide you with key information and tools to help you truly partner with your child’s healthcare team keeping the patient and his/her family at the center of care.
Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities Improving Quality: Serving on Committees
Did you know that advisory councils exist in your local public school district and at many medical facilities and specialty clinics? According to research family representation on decision-making groups leads to positive outcomes. Join our webinar and discover why your voice is important in improving systems of care for CYSHCN; ideas about where to find committee opportunities and how to be a valued team member in improving quality
IEP – You Have an Equal Voice
This webinar will define and empower families in their role as a true leader with the IEP team and IEP meetings. Tips and tools will be shared about setting an agenda, staying on task and getting the IEP to truly reflect the goals and objectives for your child through good communication.
The Elusive Inclusive Education From Early Childhood Through High School: Practical Tips for the Parent Advocate
Are you struggling to attain true inclusion for your child in the school setting? Do you feel pushed by the system into agreeing to segregation yet believe it is not the best setting for your child? Are you just starting your educational advocacy journey and want to know more about what inclusion looks like? Join two parent advocates for this lunch hour webinar where we’ll discuss inclusion from Early Childhood through High School. You’ll learn practical tips for defining and advocating for inclusion throughout the educational planning process and beyond.
Transition: School Age to Adulthood
Join LeeAnn Mateffy, OTR from Courage Kenney for this informative webinar on transition services for school age children with special health care needs moving into adulthood. We will learn about a wide variety of services including driving, behavioral, independent living, recreation, post-secondary schooling and housing. LeeAnn has 32 years experience working with children and young adults in a therapy and school setting.
Parenting Siblings of Children with Special Needs
How are children impacted when a sibling has special needs? How can parents support siblings and strengthen the sibling bond? This valuable webinar provides tips for discussions between siblings and parents. Learn how children benefit from having a sibling with special needs. Hear common family concerns along with strategies and resources for strengthening the family.
Presenter, Lori Brown-De Alba, MA, LMFT of Fraser has eight years of experience working as a clinician with autism spectrum disorders and siblings. Lori is a mom to two kiddos, one of which has the attribute of autism.
Partnering with Providers: Tips and Tools for Navigating Various Clinic Appointments and Providers
Learn from other parents about helpful strategies to develop true partnerships with your child’s providers, improve communication, get your questions answered at the clinic, develop care plans, and so much more.
This webinar will include three handouts with tips and tools for families.
Surviving the Holidays Webinar: Parent Panel
Parents of children with a variety of special health needs and disabilities hosted a discussion on surviving holiday stress. From changed routines, traveling and family dynamics the holidays can be an intense time for families. Learn how to put your family’s unique needs first this season.
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