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 Halloween!

The IFSP Staff

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IFSP Announcements

 

Reminder

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.

IFSP-Funding Update
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On Tuesday, October 15th, the IFSP-Funding Portal opened to accept applications. You can read that announcement here. We also share this 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.

 
  • Enhancing Independence through Assistive Technology (AT) Expo: We promised you materials for this event last month. Due to some technical glitches, we were unable to retrieve the video recording, but we have the presentation and transcript from the event. Right now, you can find them on our IFSP Archives page on My Life, My Community; later, we'll these links to our Expo page, along with some photos taken during the day! We share your disappointment and apologize for the inconvenience.
  • 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.

IFSP Council Corner

 

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 contributions from our Northern and Eastern Regional Councils.

Disability Scoop

  • Music Fans With Disabilities Are Still Fighting Venues For Equal Access: Summer festival season might be over this year, but for live music lovers with disabilities, the struggle to get accessible and equitably-priced seating and supports at concert venues is year-round. This article shares how some venues in the Denver, CO area have fallen short. It also offers recommendations on what they can do to improve the concertgoing experience for this audience.

Driving to Independence

  • Financial Assistance for Vehicle Modifications (State and Federal Resources: Understanding state and federal resources is crucial to making vehicle modifications affordable! This blog post breaks down where you can get started looking for financial assistance. (Don't forget: You can use your IFSP funds to help pay for vehicle modifications! For a list of approved expenses, please review Section IV of our IFSP-Funding Guidelines.)

DBHDS Office of Integrated Health Supports Network (OIHSN)

October 2024 Newsletter Highlight

  • Health Literacy and Its Impact on Health: OIHSN closes out Health Literacy Month by explaining why it's important to understand health information (including medical terms, tests, instructions, or prescription labels) and its impact on individuals with DD. They also share tips for improving personal health literacy and links to some videos that can help!

November 2024 Caregiver Trainings


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

  • VDH Special Needs Oral Health: Tuesday, Nov. 19th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • My Care Passport & Advocacy Tip Sheets: This free online training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email dbhdscovlchelpdesk@dbhds.virginia.gov to set up an account.
  • REVIVE Training: This free online training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email dbhdscovlchelpdesk@dbhds.virginia.gov to set up an account.
  • Choking & Airway Obstruction: This free online training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Email dbhdscovlchelpdesk@dbhds.virginia.gov to set up an account.

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

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC)

  • Shared Responsibility in Transition: The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and Local Schools Cooperative Agreement: Attend this free webcast on Tuesday, Nov. 12th at 2 p.m. to learn about the importance of having a cooperative agreement between DARS and local school divisions. Viewers will also learn how this can help in providing Pre-ETS services. Please register to attend! Visit this link to sign up and read more about the presenters.

DBHDS

  • Supported Decision-Making in Virginia: An Overview for People with DD and Their Families: Join Sara Thompson for the last Supported Decision-Making (SDM) Agreement training of 2024 on Tuesday, Nov. 19th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.! Participants will learn about the history of SDM, Virginia's laws related to supported decision-making, and get the tools to create your own SDM agreement. Register here.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

  • Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through the ADHD Lens: This YouTube video series about ADHD was made in Spanish by parents, for parents. Experts share information about impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention, the main symptoms of ADHD, causes and effects, and how it affects children and families.

Center for Parent Information & Resources

  • Getting Ready for Healthcare at the Age of Majority: This tip sheet may be a helpful resource for families and others supporting young people with disabilities who are preparing to reach the "age of majority". Use this resource to think through considerations and gain strategies to help you empower your teenager to take charge of their own healthcare decisions!

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Resources

The Arc of the United States

  • How and Why to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Each October, NDEAM is a time to celebrate the contributions, achievements, and potential of people with disabilities in the workplace. The theme for 2024 was "Access to Good Jobs for All". This blog post from The Arc highlights some ways to observe and celebrate NDEAM.

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - Office of Disability Employment Policy

  • Helping Workers with Disabilities Get Ahead Through Good Jobs: A Toolkit of Practical Strategies: This DOL toolkit provides strategies and best practices to recruit, hire, retain, and advancer workers with disabilities in construction, manufacturing, and clean energy. Although it is primarily intended for public and private employers, it can be used by other groups. Check it out here!

The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at VCU

  • Fast Facts: Embrace Employment First Practices: Employment First is a national initiative focused on the belief that all individuals, including those with the most significant disabilities, can fully engage in Competitive Integrative Employment (CIE). This CTI resource offers strategies for educators and other community professionals to support Employment First practices in school, at home, and in the community.

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.

 
  • 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 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.

 
 

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