The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) at DBHDS provides a monthly news digest to highlight resources, events, and trainings that may be of interest to self-advocates with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families.
Happy holidays!
The 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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On Wednesday, November 13th, the IFSP-Funding Portal closed to stop accepting applications, as scheduled. The IFSP staff is now reviewing all Funding applications. Read more information in our monthly Funding Update. | |
IMPORTANT: Were you approved for IFSP funds that were issued in December 2023? If you were awarded funds during that funding cycle, you must register your card and withdraw your funds as soon as possible. Please read this announcement for that information.
Reminder: All Funding updates will be sent via this mailing list and posted on our My Life, My Community IFSP-Funding Page.
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Peer Mentoring Program: The Arc of Virginia is seeking people with developmental disabilities who are interested in helping others achieve their 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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ALLY Alliance Gazette: Did you know that the self-advocates at the ALLY Alliance have their own newsletter? We're sharing their December 2024 Gazette so you can learn more about their featured advocate of the month, upcoming events, and an assistive technology spotlight! You can also follow the ALLY Alliance on Facebook.
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Family to Family Network of Virginia (F2F Network) | |
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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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Welcome to our IFSP Council Corner! This section in the IFSP Digest debuted in our Feb. 2024 issue, and will contain items submitted by our Regional Councils. For the last IFSP Digest of 2024, we are highlighting contributions from our Southwestern and Eastern Regional Councils. | |
- Education Researcher Offers New Strategies for Managing Behavior in Preschool: One in six children with autism is expelled from preschool in the United States, according to UVA professor Mandy Rispoli. Rispoli developed a program to give preschool strategies to include toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities at community-based learning centers. Read more about her approach.
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SAFE (Stop Abuse for Everyone) | |
- Safety Planning with People with Disabilities and Deaf People: A Working Guide: A safety plan is an individualized, practical tool used to decrease the risk of future harm. This SAFE toolkit is designed to help increase understanding of the safety concerns and support needs of people with disabilities who are at risk of harm.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network (OIHSN) | |
December 2024 Newsletter Highlight | |
- ABA Snippets: This month's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) column encourages professionals to review the Virginia Human Rights Regulations. Find it on Page 2 of the OIHSN newsletter!
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January 2025 Caregiver Trainings
Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link.
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- Seizures: Thursday, Jan. 16th from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Skin Integrity: Tuesday, Jan. 28th from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Falls & Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: This free online training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email dbhdscovlchelpdesk@dbhds.virginia.gov to set up an account.
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Opportunities, Events, and Resources for Professionals, Self-Advocates, and Families | |
DBHDS Division of Developmental Services (DDS) | |
- Waiver Slot Assignment Committee: The DBHDS Division of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking volunteers to become members of a Waiver Slot Assignment Committee (WSAC). Responsibilities include: helping review information presented regarding nominees for vacant and available DD Waiver slots; participating in trainings specific to the DBHDS and DDS mission, all responsibilities, and the positive impact these waivers and services have to promote inclusion within the community; and holding confidential all information reviewed. WSAC members can determine how little or how much time they would like to volunteer. WSAC meetings typically last about four (4) hours per Community Services Board (CSB). Virginia has 40 CSBs who at anytime throughout the year could have a WSAC to assign new or vacant DD Waivers. WSAC members should not be: current CSB or DBHDS employees or board members; current employees, owners, or board members of an agency providing Waiver services; or a family member of an individual who is currently on the DD Waiver Waitlist. For questions, please email Ken Haines, Regional Support Manager at kenneth.haines@dbhds.virginia.gov. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/g/kytz8AUv57
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Supported Decision Making: Want to learn more about this alternative to more restrictive, substitute decision-making options? The 2025 online training schedule is live! Learn more about each type of training, and sign up for the one that's right for you! All trainings are free and will be held on Microsoft Teams.
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Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) | |
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Partners in Policymaking (PIP) and Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) Recruitment: Two of VBPD's training programs are accepting applications! PIP helps people with developmental disabilities and their family members learn advocacy and leadership skills. YLA helps students with developmental and other disabilities grow as leaders. Find more information and learn how to apply: PIP and YLA
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Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) | |
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Priority One Resource Community: One of the biggest moments this year was Governor Glenn Youngkin's announcement that Virginia would fund 3,440 DD Waivers for individuals with a priority one Waitlist status. If you receive a waiver, you will have to make new decisions and learn about new processes — but you don't have to do it alone. Anyone with an active priority one Waitlist status can sign up to join The Arc of Virginia's priority one resource community, where you will receive access to short videos with clear, actionable steps. There is no cost to join or access the videos! (For a deeper dive, you can check out our IFSP Coordinated Regional Council materials from May 2024!)
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National Council on Independent Living | |
- NCIL Website Launch: Earlier this month, the National Council on Independent Living launched their new website! This redesign provides improved accessibility and easier navigation of independent living resources, advocacy updates, other events, and more! Explore the site at https://ncil.org/.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources | |
While the 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 recognize 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://mylifemycommunityvirginia.org/ifsp-first-steps, or use your mobile device to scan this QR code. | |
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Thank you for reading the IFSP Digest! | |
The 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 Facebook icon underneath these buttons! 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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