Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) increases family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment.

Join us for two days of FREE training to learn about local, state, and federal resources supporting young adults with disabilities who want to work in their communities. Families, transition-age students and young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them are all welcome to attend.

The no-cost FEAT sessions cover different topics each day. Expect individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employees, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. 

Two day training:
Fri April 19 9am - 4pm (Carmel Clay Schools Admin Bldg)
Fri May 3 9am - 4pm (Washington Township Schools Admin Bldg)

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

Have questions or need training accommodations? Contact Lori Pierce at lopierce@indiana.edu or 812-856-0169.

Free registration.

Employment: Resources That Support and Empower

Transition is a time to think about what adult life will look like and explore what you will be doing as part of daily life when the school bus stops coming!

This guide is designed to help you and your family think about questions to ask, things to do and resources to lead you to a job, career, volunteering, college or continuing education, and ultimately, the life you want.

We will discuss:

• Our role as family, educators, providers and other professionals

• When to srat the conversation - never too early or too late

• How to build a vision and trajectory for employment across the lifespan

Presented by Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Unlock Your Future Vision: A Guide to Planning Ahead

Discover how to envision your future and navigate the path to your dreams!

• Supporting and Empowering others to identify their Future Vision

• The Value of Content and Process Experts

• How Future Vision Drives Planning Across the LifeSpan

Two part series

Mon April 15 & Tue April 16 11:30am - 12:00pm.

Presented by Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Unlock Your Future Vision: A Guide to Planning Ahead

Discover how to envision your future and navigate the path to your dreams!

• Supporting and Empowering others to identify their Future Vision

• The Value of Content and Process Experts

• How Future Vision Drives Planning Across the LifeSpan

Two part series: Mon April 15 & Tue April 16 11:30am - 12:00pm.

Presented by Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Overview

This workshop will share a toolbox of interventions and supports that help autistic students meet their limitless potential. Following the structure of the Transition Checklist, attendees will learn how to do the following: (a) develop a plan that easily communicates what the student needs for success; (b) establish a classroom structure that minimizes student meltdowns; (c) teach skills that are often not taught, but are essential to life success; and (d) transition autistic students from grade to grade, ensuring that future teachers understand the student and how they are to be supported. The strategies Brenda will share will be applicable for students in elementary through high school, in special education and general education, with a range of abilities.

At the end of session, attendees will be able to:

• Describe strategies that complement the autistic neurology.

• Discuss interventions that provide structure and reduce the potential for behavior challenges.

• Complete an easy-to-use method of keeping track of the interventions and supports that each student needs.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is designed for general and special education teachers, administrators, autism and behavior consultants, speech therapists, psychologists, counselors, and families.

Cost & Registration

• The registration fee for this workshop is $110.00 (USD). Autism Leaders and Behavior Consultants will receive a code shared on the listservs for a reduced rate of $90.00 (USD).

• Payment is by credit card or purchase order only.

• You will receive an email acknowledgement of payment—that email is your confirmation and receipt. Please keep it for your records and reimbursement purposes.

• All registrations are final. No money will be refunded.

Sponsored by Indiana Resource Center for Autism and Avon Community School Corporation

Registration ($110).

Rachel Gerber and Jan Van Dyke, career coaches from the Career Development Center at IU, will unveil a step-by-step career guide for college students on the spectrum.  This guide gives students specific action steps that the student can take during each year of college. It will help students discover career direction, choose a major, find an internship and make plans for a professional job search.  Additional resources will also be shared, including:  job listings, reasons to disclose or not disclose your disability in the workplace, organizations advocating for autistic individuals, and companies and organizations with employee recruitment programs.

Presenters: Rachel Gerber, Associate Director and Jan Van Dyke, Sr. Assistant Director of University Relations, Career Development Center, Indiana University

Sponsored by Indiana Resource Center for Autism.

Free registration.

Using the Framework and tools to increase Self-Determination

Learn about:

• How using Charting the LifeCourse can nuture self-determination and automoney.

• How a lens of self determination can enhance experiences and contribute to a good life.

• Ways to support in these areas can ensure contribution, foster connection, build community and promote belonging.

Hosted by the Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

www.eastersealstech.com/live

(To join the webinar training go to www.eastersealstech.com/live on the day of the event)

What: Assistive Technology and Aging Full Day Training

When: March 21, 2024, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST

Where: Easterseals Crossroads at 4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205. This event will also be streamed live via Zoom and can be joined at www.eastersealstech.com/live (registration is required to attend in-person or online webinar)

Who should attend: Anyone interested in learning about tools, resources and apps that are available to increase independence for individuals with age related impairments. Individuals with disabilities, educators, parents, students, and professionals can benefit from this training.

Why: This FREE assistive technology training will provide valuable insights and practical strategies on assistive technology and resources available for individuals with age-related impairments.

Free registration.

A wide range of assistive technology (AT) can be used to support teens and adults with disabilities to complete tasks at home or at work. We will demonstrate apps and devices that help with reminders, timers, task directions, and visual and audio prompts. Join us to learn about tools that can help individuals function more independently at home or on the job.

Presented by PACER Center.

Free registration.

Are you frustrated that disability-related items cost more just because they're labeled as "specialized" equipment or supplies? Spend an hour with us looking at low-cost items or no cost hacks you can make or buy that may help you on the journey to your good life.

Presenter : Ms. Cory Noune, Director Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services, LLC. Ms. Noune said " I'm approaching it from my years as a clinician with young adults with disabilities and health care needs- so some are geared towards physical needs, some are geared towards organization/memory supports, some are for personal care.  All of them are about helping someone live their good life!"

All reasonable accommodations must be received 5 days in advance to the meeting. Contact Deb Petermann 614-575-8055 dpetermann@disabilityempowerment.net.

Free registration.

Appointments always sneak up on us…from doctors to dentists to haircuts. These events can be stressful for children, along with their parents or caregivers. This presentation will share some ideas for strategies to use to help prepare your child for upcoming appointments, so they will be more calm, ready, and successful.

Presenter: Amy Gaffney, Educational Consultant, Indiana Resource Center for Autism

Sponsored by Indiana Resource Center for Autism.

Free registration.

Your vision and your child’s vision are crucial elements in the planning of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Discover how the Charting the LifeCourse framework and its tools can assist you throughout the IEP process, enabling you to effectively communicate and share your vision.

Three-part series:

March 4, 11, and 18, 2024. 4:00pm - 5:30pm.

Presented by Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Help the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities ramp up for March! This year's March Developmental Disability Awareness theme is "A World of Opportunities," and we want to know what opportunities are most important to you! Join us for any of our six virtual "snack chats" before March. These will be thirty-minute casual conversations where people with developmental disabilities are encouraged to share their thoughts about what really matters to them.

1. A World of Opportunities: Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 AM EST

2. Employment: Tuesday, January 30 at 10:30 AM EST

3. Education: Tuesday, February 6 at 10:30 AM EST

4. Healthcare & Wellness: Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 AM EST

5. Neighborhoods & Transportation: Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 AM EST

6. Community & Relationships: Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 AM EST

Join any of our Snack Chats here: Microsoft Teams meeting link.

Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council - INSILC is hosting a virtual public meeting on February 22nd, 2024, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm EST, to seek public input from the disability community for the 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). For more information about SPIL, please visit https://ow.ly/FTGO50QFwVY.

Accessibility checks will be conducted from 4:45 pm to 5 pm to ensure that it is accessible for everyone on Zoom. ASL interpretation and CART will be available for this public meeting. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the meeting, please contact Abigail Fleenor at chair@indianasilc.org.

Here is the Zoom link for this meeting:

https://ow.ly/XtOb50QFwVV

Supported decision making is about helping people, regardless of age or ability, make their own decisions by using a variety of integrated supports. Join us as we explore areas that someone might need support, plan for what it looks like and how it can happen using Charting the LifeCourse tools. 

Good Life Groups are interactive peer learning collaboratives that allow for hands-on learning, to build the capacity of self-advocates and family members to use the framework in their own lives. 

Presented by Missouri Family to Family.

Free registration.

Class will include:

• Basics of Behavior

• Caregiver burnout

• Resources and expectations for behavior management

Class continues on March 19 and April 23.

Presented by AKC Therapy Services. For more information contact Abby at abby.key.bc@gmail.com or 765-661-4039.

Free registration.

Help the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities ramp up for March! This year's March Developmental Disability Awareness theme is "A World of Opportunities," and we want to know what opportunities are most important to you! Join us for any of our six virtual "snack chats" before March. These will be thirty-minute casual conversations where people with developmental disabilities are encouraged to share their thoughts about what really matters to them.

1. A World of Opportunities: Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 AM EST

2. Employment: Tuesday, January 30 at 10:30 AM EST

3. Education: Tuesday, February 6 at 10:30 AM EST

4. Healthcare & Wellness: Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 AM EST

5. Neighborhoods & Transportation: Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 AM EST

6. Community & Relationships: Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 AM EST

Join any of our Snack Chats here: Microsoft Teams meeting link.

Focus is the executive function ability to ignore distractions, while attention is an active awareness on something specific. Learn about some tools and strategies that can boost these abilities.

Focus is the ability to ignore distractions to accomplish a task, while attention is an active concentrated awareness directed towards something specific. These executive function skills can be boosted with the use of strategies and tools. Learn about a sampling of ideas during this presentation including web based tools, Chrome extensions, Mobile apps, devices, and a variety of strategies. These tools and strategies will be geared towards middle school through young adults.

Presented by PACER Center.

Free registration.

Join the Administration on Disabilities (AoD) Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) for our February 2024 National Community of Practice (CoP) webinar. This event will highlight the importance of family support for people with disabilities who own their own businesses. We will begin with a brief recap of the work DETAC has done to advance self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Then, Sue Babin from the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) will facilitate a panel session featuring three family members of entrepreneurs with disabilities. The panelists will offer their perspectives on how to best support loved ones with disabilities who have goals of owning their own business.

Presenters:

Sue Babin
Special Projects Coordinator at the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC)

Sue Baron
Mother of Bryan Baron
(Bryan Baron is the owner of Double-B Photography)

Iraida Williams
Mother of Alton Stuckey
(Alton Stuckey is the owner of Alton Stuckey Art, Portraits and More)

Karen Rasnick
Mother of Rachel Rasnick
(Rachel Rasnick is the owner of Rachel Rasnick Art)

Free registration.

Help the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities ramp up for March! This year's March Developmental Disability Awareness theme is "A World of Opportunities," and we want to know what opportunities are most important to you! Join us for any of our six virtual "snack chats" before March. These will be thirty-minute casual conversations where people with developmental disabilities are encouraged to share their thoughts about what really matters to them.

1. A World of Opportunities: Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 AM EST

2. Employment: Tuesday, January 30 at 10:30 AM EST

3. Education: Tuesday, February 6 at 10:30 AM EST

4. Healthcare & Wellness: Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 AM EST

5. Neighborhoods & Transportation: Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 AM EST

6. Community & Relationships: Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 AM EST

Join any of our Snack Chats here: Microsoft Teams meeting link.

Research suggests that 1 in 4 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Given that early intervention is key to ensuring optional outcomes for individuals with, early identification is imperative. Learners will learn early warning signs of autism in toddlers as well as the gold standard autism evaluation process. Resources on where to seek out an autism evaluation will be included.

Presenters: Brett Enneking, PsyD, HSPP and Tybytha Ryan Lengacher, PhD, HSPP, Assistant Professors of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine and Clinical Psychologists

Sponsored by Indiana Resource Center for Autism.

Free registration.

One Page Person Centered Descriptions are deceptively simple, and in this simplicity lies their strength. They help us support people better by:

• Helping us build better relationships by truly understanding what really matters to the person in their life and the way they are supported to live it.

• Providing a record that can move with the person as they transition from service to service and place to place.

• When used at work, they can contribute to more person-centered teams, where individual strengths are recognized and different ways of working are taken into account.

Presented by Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Can you imagine your child living their best life in the community as an adult? LIving with friends, going to gym, or having a favorite hang out.

Join us for this innovative series:

• Learn from families’ real experiences.

• See how they made the seemingly impossible, possible

• Hear how they worked with supports

• Gain inspiration and work with them to plan for your child

Series takes place January 23, 30 and February 6.

Presented by Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Join The ABLE National Resource Center on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, from 2pm – 3pm ET for our “ABLE Tax Time Tips” webinar to learn how you can increase your ABLE savings and qualify for tax incentives now and in the future.

We will share tax filing tips that may result in significant tax savings and/or a refund you can deposit directly into your ABLE account! You’ll hear how ABLE account owners like you have maximized their ABLE savings through tax deductions and credits, and how you can do the same!

In this webinar, we will: ·

• Discuss tax incentives, deductions and refunds to build ABLE savings; ·

• Share why you should consider filing taxes even if you are not required to file;

• Tell you about free tax filing options;

• Cover guidance that will help ABLE account owners’ 2023 tax filing;

• Identify steps now that may benefit your ABLE account for 2024 tax filing

Facilitators:

• Don Dill, IRS Senior Tax Analyst with SPEC Headquarters;

• Jody Ellis, Director, ABLE National Resource Center;

• Laurie Schaller, Manager, Financial Empowerment with National Disability Institute

• Marlene Ulisky, Manager, Financial Empowerment with National Disability Institute

Please note: Real time captioning will be provided for this webinar. For other accommodation requests, questions about the webinar, or the registration process, please contact Cheyenne Rivers, Project Coordinator for ABLE National Resource Center at crivers@ndi-inc.org.

Free registration.

Help the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities ramp up for March! This year's March Developmental Disability Awareness theme is "A World of Opportunities," and we want to know what opportunities are most important to you! Join us for any of our six virtual "snack chats" before March. These will be thirty-minute casual conversations where people with developmental disabilities are encouraged to share their thoughts about what really matters to them.

1. A World of Opportunities: Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 AM EST

2. Employment: Tuesday, January 30 at 10:30 AM EST

3. Education: Tuesday, February 6 at 10:30 AM EST

4. Healthcare & Wellness: Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 AM EST

5. Neighborhoods & Transportation: Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 AM EST

6. Community & Relationships: Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 AM EST

Join any of our Snack Chats here: Microsoft Teams meeting link.

Join this two-part series on Aging and the LifeCourse Framework presented by the Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.

• Feb 5, 2024 12pm - 12:30pm

• Feb 12, 2024, 12pm - 12:30pm

Free registration.

The Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) Framework supports and empowers people with disabilities, families and professionals.

We will discuss how to use CtLC to:

• Assess

• Plan

• Identify services and supports

• Assist to select Providers

• Coordinate

• Review

Presented by the Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

FAMILY IMPLEMENTATION SERIES

Heard about Charting the LifeCourse but are unsure where to start? Join this Family Implementation Series.

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

These sessions are helpful for ALL families, across ALL ages. We will:

• Review some helpful resources and tools.

• Have time to start working with them with and for your loved ones.

• Share and learn with other families.

WHAT IS FAMILY IMPLEMENTATION?

Family Implementation is an opportunity to learn about Charting the LifeCourse and to actually begin utilizing the tools to help your family achieve their good life. It is an opportunity to:

• Have support to being using tools and resources.

• Leave with info you can share with people who help you.

• Identify how and when to use.

Wednesdays in January (10, 17, 24, 31) 4pm - 5:30pm.

Sponsored by Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.

Can you imagine your child living their best life in the community as an adult? LIving with friends, going to gym, or having a favorite hang out.

Join us for this innovative series:

• Learn from families’ real experiences.

• See how they made the seemingly impossible, possible

• Hear how they worked with supports

• Gain inspiration and work with them to plan for your child

Series takes place January 23, 30 and February 6.

Presented by Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.

Free registration.