A team of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities with The Center on Youth Choice Youth Voice is in the process of creating a Supported Decision Making resource for children, focusing on youth ages 1-5.

Based on the life experiences of the group, they know that it is important for individuals with disabilities to start practicing decision making early in life. Therefore, the idea behind the resource is to help youth develop and improve their decision making skills from a young age, so that by the time they are adults, they are able to make bigger decisions and are able to be more independent.

As research for the resource, the group has created a survey, asking for help from parents of youth 1-5 years of age and asking a few questions about the challenges you have faced with choice making with your child - things that you would like your child to learn, and what resources are/would be helpful to you and your child.

Once the resource is complete, it will be shared with survey participants.

To access and complete the survey, click here.

Upcoming Events

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.

Highlighted Event This Week

Have You Registered for Our Parent Leadership Conference?

Saturday, September 30

8:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET

National Conference Center

East Windsor, NJ

In-person

Please join us to enhance your leadership and advocacy skills, whether you are an emerging or seasoned parent leader!

The conference will offer thought-provoking speakers and informational breakout sessions to provide you with the tools and inspiration you need to advocate on behalf of infants, toddlers, children, and youth.

Highlights of the day:

• A panel of State Agency Leaders sharing updates and opportunities for family engagement. 
• Breakout sessions related to helping families access services
• Information on how to navigate family-serving systems
• Youth leaders sharing their stories of self-advocacy
• Strategies to ensure accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging in our advocacy efforts 
• Ways to improve self-care, wellness, technology skills
• Select sessions presented in Spanish and some opportunities for simultaneous interpretation
• ASL interpretation as requested
• and more… 

For all conference information and to register, click here.

You'll also learn how you can help support SPAN at our Late Summer Soiree fundraiser on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the National Conference Center.

See all of SPAN's upcoming events with details and registration links here 

Para recibir la edición en Español de este boletín semanalmente en su correo electrónico