training and education program that strives to change knowledge, attitude, and behavior to ultimately improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and the professionals in their lives.
Greetings ~  
 
This time of year I fall for pumpkins, autumn leaves, and NEW TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS from THINK+change! In this quarterly e-newsletter, we offer you NEW products at no cost including:

  • TALKS Train-the-Trainer Guide, Victimization and People with Disabilities: It's Real
  • TRAININGS
  • Online, self-paced course, Cultivate Learning That Advances Everyone; People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and You
  • Podcast/Vodcast series, Special Education Services: IEP vs 504 Plans
  • TOOLS: Disability Service Provider Interview TOOL

Let me know if you have any questions about how THINK+change's TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS might support YOUR work to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Stay curious, 

Erica Dennison
Special Projects' and THINK+change Manager
TALKS
Provocative, in-person or video shorts
VIDEO STORYTELLING TRAIN-THE-TRAINER GUIDE
Victimization and People with Disabilities: It's Real
People with disabilities are more likely than people without disabilities to be victims of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Victimization and People with Disabilities: It’s Real TALKS Train-The-Trainer Discussion Guide, with TALKS videos, is for organizations to learn about victims with developmental and other disabilities who have experienced crimes of sexual assault, trafficking, financial exploitation, and Medicaid fraud; and solutions from professionals to help support survivors and to reduce victimization of people with disabilities. 

Who should use the no-cost guide
Everyone who cares for and interacts with people with disabilities, including law enforcement; emergency services; victim service providers; advocates; case management agencies; home care; program-approved services agencies (PASA); and direct support professionals.

Why you should use the no-cost guide
The guide helps develop a better understanding of victimization and disability. It assists you to facilitate deep discussions, supported by video shorts of survivors sharing their stories, as well as professionals in their field offering solutions on how to address victimization in vulnerable populations. Each section of the guide provides a video to watch, step-by-step instructions, and questions to facilitate a discussion for even the greenest trainer, manager, or supervisor to facilitate. Regardless if you are a first-time trainer or never trained before on victimization and disability – we have got you ready with this easy-to-follow resource!
TRAININGS
In-person or online targeted education opportunities
NO-COST ONLINE TRAINING COURSE
Cultivate Learning That Advances Everyone; People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and You
Have you found yourself struggling with disability-focused training ideas and resources to help support your team and the individuals you serve? Or perhaps you have little to no budget or even time to create provocative and relative content that represents important issues, trends, or challenges affecting providers of community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? We’ve got you covered! THINK+changeThe Arc of Aurora’s training and education program, strives to change knowledge, attitude, and behavior to ultimately improve the quality of life for people with IDD, their families, and the professionals in their lives. THINK+change TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS offer many no-cost resources for case management agencies, program-approved service agencies (PASA), direct support professionals, and other disability businesses and organizations.

This no-cost training will help you better understand how to:

  • Improve employee TRAININGS options including self-paced and on-demand courses, vodcasts/podcasts, and micro-learning via THINK+change products;
  • Increase crucial conversations with employees via no-cost THINK+change TALKS (mini-documentaries) to help spur dialogue, recognize inclusion, and understand the unique challenges and successes people with disabilities and their families face; and
  • Integrate the use of THINK+change TOOLS to reinforce learning so employees have a better understanding of interacting and supporting people with IDD.

You will leave the presentation with a basic understanding of how to use, access, and facilitate continued training and education through THINK+change’s menu of options, the majority of which are available at no cost.

What to expect
  • A 45-minute self-paced video slide-based course;
  • Members of The Arc of Aurora and THINK+change team as your trainers; and
  • Closed captioning in English.

Who should take this course
  • Professionals that serve, support, and/or create policy and programs for people with disabilities;
  • Community Centered Board (CCB) and Single Entry Point (SEP) employees; and
  • Program Approved Services Agency (PASA) staff.

This training is brought to you by THINK+change, a training and education program of The Arc of Aurora.
PODCAST & VODCAST
Special Education Services: IEP vs 504 Plans
This 3-part recorded vodcast/podcast series helps you understand the basics about IEPs, 504s, how to navigate common challenges, build solutions, and also features the perspective of a special education lawyer. Receiving a free and appropriate education is not only possible for children with disabilities; it is their right!

Episode 1: IEP vs. 504, an overview 
  • What an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 are;
  • The differences between an IEP and 504 plan; and
  • Future planning.

Episode 2: IEP vs. 504, what are the common issues and solutions?
  • How to request an IEP or 504;
  • Disability Type: Medical vs. Educational Diagnosis;
  • IEP goal changes as the child ages;
  • Extended School Year (ESY);
  • Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP); and
  • Accommodations.

Episode 3: A special education attorney perspective with special guest Dr. Jacque Phillips, Esq.
Dr. Jacque Phillips, Esq. is a special education lawyer that promotes justice in education throughout the Denver Metro Area, nationally and internationally. She has 10+ years in special education law and has a doctorate in special education. This interview reviews:
  • What parental rights are;
  • When it's useful to get an attorney; and
  • The pros and cons of getting an attorney involved.

Why you should tune in
Children with disabilities and their families may face unexpected obstacles in the school setting for various reasons. Parents, educators, and those that support children with disabilities in school need to be familiar with laws that protect students with disabilities. This series helps you learn how to address those issues while also evaluating future supports you and/or your child might need. Educational plans such as the IEP and 504 help to ensure unique needs are fulfilled, accommodated, and ultimately support you in advocating for your family and child.
Special Education Services: IEP vs. 504 Plans was made possible through support from Arc Thrift Stores, FireFly Autism, Developmental Pathways, and The Arc of Aurora.
TOOLS
Tangible educational products
DOWNLOADABLE PDF
Disability Service Provider Interview TOOL
When people with disabilities and their families explore potential care providers, asking the right questions may feel overwhelming or confusing. Consider using this Disability Service Provider Interview TOOL and asking the provided questions when meeting with prospective providers/businesses to help determine if they would be a good fit for you or the needs of your loved one.

Why you should download this TOOL
Inevitably, anyone may need to have conversations with care providers now and or in the future. Whether you were born with a disability, acquired a disability, or perhaps are aging, finding the right care provider can make a huge impact. You shouldn't have to put too much pressure on yourself, and this TOOL can help make those conversations easier.
THINK+change Catalog
THINK+change has been creating original content for 4 years and our Fourth Edition THINK+change catalog features all TALKS TRAININGS and TOOLS we have developed and produced to help you in your work for and with people with disabilities.

Why you should explore
We have over fifty (50) original content-based TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS in one easy place covering topics such as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Special Education, Victimization, Self-Determination, The Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and MUCH MORE!
Want more information or have questions? Just ask – we'd love to connect.
Use any of the below podcast platforms? You can listen to us there too!
THINK+change
720-213-1420 ex. 107