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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. | |
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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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Enhancing Independence through Assistive Technology (AT) Expo: As we wrote last month, we don't have a video recording from our September expo, so here's the next best thing: photos from the day! Check out the photo album on our My Life, My Community Expo page. Many thanks to our IFSP Councilmember Mehwish Shaharyar (Northern Region) and our presenters from VDOE's Assistive Technology Network for taking and sharing most of these photos!
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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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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. This month, we are highlighting a contribution from our Northern Regional Council. | |
- American Airlines to Pay Record $50 Million Fine Over its Treatment of Disabled Passengers: Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a $50 penalty to American Airlines for violating laws that protect airline passengers with disabilities. This CBS news article explains some of the poor treatment American Airlines provided these passengers and their mobility equipment. It also shares how some of this money will be used to improve the travel experience for customers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
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DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network (OIHSN) | |
November 2024 Newsletter Highlight | |
- Oral Health Awareness: This month, OIHSN explains common oral health risk factors that can impact individuals with developmental disabilities. They also share some common challenges these individuals face when obtaining dental care, as well as some caregiver tips and useful dental care resources. Read it here!
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November 2024 Caregiver Trainings
Get more details and registration information about the trainings below (and more!) through this link.
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- Nutrition, Part 1: Thursday, Dec. 5th from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Nutrition, Part 2: Tuesday, Dec. 10th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Medication Administration: 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 | |
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) | |
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Webinar: Information Ecology: At the IFSP, we understand how challenging (and confusing!) it can be to find accurate and helpful information about Virginia's DD system. Join VBPD and Dr. Myeong Lee on Tuesday, Dec. 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. to learn about Virginia's DD system and Medicaid information ecologies, and what government agencies and non-profit organizations can do to improve information access for people with disabilities and their families. This webinar is free, but you must register. Spanish language and American Sign Language interpreters will be available. For more information, please contact infoaccess@vbpd.virginia.gov.
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LEAP (Leadership and Empowerment for Abuse Prevention) | |
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Webinar: Fostering Healthy Relationships and Preventing Abuse: Disability support staff, family members, and friends are invited to attend this free LEAP webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 17th at 12 p.m.! You'll gain strategies to empower people with disabilities to form healthy relationships and avoid abuse – something that is especially important for people who are at a higher risk for unhealthy relationships and experiencing abuse than their non-disabled peers. View the flyer to register and learn more about the agenda and presenters.
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The University of Maryland and Towson University | |
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Research Opportunity: Immigrant Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: Researchers at the University of Maryland and Towson University are seeking to interview immigrant (born outside of the United States) adults aged 18 or older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to learn more about their work and educational experiences after high school. Participants must currently live in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. and be their own legal guardian. Selected participants will take part in a 1-hour interview using Zoom; interviews can be interpreted in a preferred language and communication method. These participants also will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for their time. Please complete the eligibility survey at this link. For questions, please email sshikar@umd.edu.
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The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) | |
- Voluntary Self-Assessment for States to Support Military-Connected Children with Disabilities and Their Families Under the IDEA: We're sharing a two-part assessment OSEP developed last month (October 2024) as a voluntary technical assistance tool for States to best support military-connected students with disabilities. This assessment includes best practices to support timely and effective provision of IDEA, and highlights specific IDEA regulations that may be of particular interest to military families, such as transfers between school districts.
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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! | |
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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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