Continuing Education and Outreach

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

We want to hear from you!

Tell us what is working for your families and what could make life better as you care for your child with a disability or special health care need. Representatives from agencies and organizations that serve children will be part of this session to hear directly from families.

Click to watch a recording of Welcome and Keynote with Matt Glowacki   

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Matt Glowacki, a nationally recognized civility speaker, will begin our conference. Matt's "Nurture Your Nature" presentation is an inclusive identity event that welcomes everyone and helps them better understand who they are, why they are, and what they want to be. His revolutionary approach to storytelling conceptualizes differences into common familiar struggles and builds empathy among different groups of people.

After Matt's presentation, participants will:

• see past stereotypes and learn the importance of setting realistically high expectations for others.
• understand why it is important to incorporate civility and empathy into interactions with others.
• recognize how their own challenges shape their day-to-day perception of people.

Matt is the most-booked diversity speaker on college campuses for the past 10 years and has earned accolades such as Campus Activities Magazine's 2014 Best Speaker and the Best Diversity Artist for 2010 and 2013. He has gained recognition having played on the USA Paralympic Sitting Volleyball team for eight years and participating in the 2000 Paralympics-Australia. He is an active member of the disabled community yet considers himself capable to doing what any able-bodied person can do--just in a different way.

A1  Nurture Your Nature: Small Group Discussion with Matt (Keynote Speaker) - Matt Glowacki 

 
Click to watch a recording of Nurture Your Nature: Small Group Discussion with Matt 

Did you feel inspired by Matt's keynote?  Come talk with Matt in a smaller group to ask questions and hear more about his experiences and ideas for making our world more accepting and inclusive.

A2  Medicaid Made Easy - Barbara Katz

Click to watch a recording of Medicaid Made Easy 

Are you confused by Medicaid and what your child's ForwardHealth card can pay for? Be confused no more! Come to this session to learn how to use Medicaid, what it pays for, and how to navigate roadblocks that might come your way.

Handouts: Medicare Made Easy     Medicaid Fact Sheet     Medicaid Made Easy Resource List

A3  Deciding Together: A Collaborative Process for Families in the CLTS Program - Mary Schmierer, Tara Sommersberger, and Regena Floyd

Click to watch a recording of Deciding Together: A Collaborative Process for Families in the CLTS Program

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Learn about Deciding Together, a collaborative decision-making process used in the Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver program to develop individualized service plans for children and their families. This session will provide an introduction to the 5-Step Deciding Together process.

Handouts: Deciding Together: A Collaborative Process for Families in the CLTS Program    Children and Family Program Specialist Assignment Map

CLTS Manual     DHS Publication: Benefits at a Glance     DHS Publication;  Deciding Together

A4  Sunny Side Up: The Importance of Tending to Self - Laura Spoerl

A5  The IEP Checklist: A New Resource for Families - Bonnie Vanderveulen and Matthew Zellmer

Handouts:  The IEP Checklist    The IEP Checklist Handout     WI Facets 2021 Training Calendar

A6  Employment First in Action: Community-Based Employment Experiences - Megan Rindal

 
A recording of Employment First in Action: Community-Based Employment Experiences is not available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Hear stories directly from Employment First Ambassadors who have achieved community-based employment and learn about their journeys. This session is designed to share strategies, supports, and provide hope to families and young people with disabilities on how they can reach their employment goals.

Handouts:  Employment First in Action: Community-Based Employment Experiences     APSE Fact Sheet; Employment First

Click the button below to enter the Virtual Exhibit Hall.

Virtual Exhibit Hall will open on Wednesday, May 5 at 4:00 p.m.

Come back soon to watch a recording of Awards Ceremony  

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Outstanding Parent Award

The Kasidhe Olson Outstanding Parent Award recognizes a parent who has made outstanding efforts to improve the lives of families with children with disabilities in their community. This award is given in memory of Kasidhe Olson who was loved by many and whose family volunteered at the Circles of Life Conference for many years.

Outstanding Professional Award

The Elliot Shaw Outstanding Professional Award honors a professional who goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist families of children with disabilities. Elliot Shaw (son of Elsie) passes away from cancer. Elliott left a small amount of money to the Elsie Shaw Scholarship Fund. These funds go to pay for families who have been impacted by cancer.

Educator Advocate Award

The Barb Breen Educator Advocate Award recognizes someone from the education field who has worked to support inclusion and leadership development in schools. This award honors Barb Breen, a long-time advocate, who passed away suddenly in 2003. Barb was involved in many activities in the disability community. She was the statewide WSPEI coordinator, a Parents in Partnership (PIP) facilitator and a Special Olympics coach.

B7  Family Conversations About Supported Decision Making - Beth Swedeen and Lisa Pugh

B8  A Tale of Two Conversations: Communication Skills for Parents Who Are New to the Special Education Process - Nelsinia Ramos

B8  Una Historia de Dos Conversaciones: Habilidades de Comunicación para los Padres que son Nuevos en el Proceso de Educación Especial - Nelsinia Ramos

Handouts: Una Historia de Dos Conversaciones      HO Volante2 - Cuestionario       HO Volante2 - Cuestionario (003)

B9  Shared Plans of Care and Exploring Care Mapping - Harrison Anderson and Allison Lourash

Click to watch a recording of Shared Plans of Care and Exploring Care Mapping

A Shared Plan of Care is a summary of your child’s medical and non-medical information and may be used as a tool for communication. Learn more about the benefits of having one and how to work with your provider to develop one. A Care Map is a visual way to show all the people and services involved in caring for and supporting your child. Each family’s care map may look different; you decide how many details to include.

Handouts:  Shared Plans of Care and Exploring Care Mapping

B10  Building a Community for Your Child (ASL interpreter available) - Bonnie Eldred

A recording of Building a Community for Your Child is not available.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Join us for an interactive panel discussion with several parents that have worked to build a school community for their child. Learn first-hand from their experiences and suggestions. Parents will share their creative suggestions on how to improve school and community interactions for your child. 

B11  Understanding Special Education - Tiffany Lisk and Caroline Rossing 

Click to watch a recording of Understanding Special Education 

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

This session will help families understand the resources and information available from WI DPI to help families more fully engage in their child’s IEP process.

Handouts:  Understanding Special Education      Understanding Special Education Handout

Click the button below to enter the Exhibitor Hall page.  

Virtual Exhibit Hall will open on Wednesday, May 5 at 4:00 p.m.

C12  Does This Treatment Work? - Pamela Terrell

Click to watch a recording of Does This Treatment Work? Becoming A More Informed Consumer   

This presentation will inform attendees about the importance of being an informed consumer of treatment. Guidance for identifying “red flags,” instruction in understanding simple research, and suggestions for questions to ask will be provided.

Handouts:  Does This Treatment Work

C13  Developing Employment Preparedness: It's Never Too Early - Robert Meyer

Click to watch a recording of Developing Employment Preparedness: It's Never Too Early  

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

What factors play most heavily into an individual’s employment success? For children with disabilities, the most powerful predictors of employment include high expectations, early work experiences, pre-employment training and collaboration among team members. This session will discuss current research, best practices, and training. Learn to create a path to employment resulting in greater inclusion.

Handouts:  Developing Employment Preparedness

C14  Autism-Seeing the World From a Different Perspective - Dakota Maynard and Peggy Maynard

 
Click to watch a recording of Autism-Seeing the World From A Different Perspective

Learn first hand about autism from Dakota Maynard. Growing up on the autism spectrum, Dakota shares stories from his life. Through his life time experiences, he hopes to educate others about this developmental disorder.

Handouts:  No handouts were provided for this session.

C15  How to Forgive in an Unforgiving World - Tim Markle

A recording of How to Forgive in an Unforgiving World is not available.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

What is forgiveness? Why is it so hard? We have all had the chance to be hurt by someone. Sometimes those hurts turn into anger, stress, and depression. We try different ways to put it behind us, to forget about it, to get even, to dull the pain—but what if it doesn't work? We will learn how forgiveness should be considered an option. Come learn the basics of forgiveness and how it fits into maintaining a healthy life. 

Handouts: How to Forgive in an Unforgiving World

C16   Helping Coordinate Your Wishes for Their Future - Bob Johnston

Handouts:  No handouts were provided for this session.

C17  Creating Accessible Theater - Katie Cummings and Mary Stone

A recording of Creating Accessible Theater is not available. We apologize for the inconvience.

For over seven years, Mary Stone and Katie Cummings have combined special education and theater arts to create theater that is accessible for all. Theater innately teaches us social awareness, decision making, and empathy. This collaborative art form encourages empathy, critical thinking, and use of imagination. We will give you tools to take back to engage individuals who identify with a disability through theater arts. Join us for this interactive workshop.

Handouts:  Creating Accessible Theater

Did you win an auction item?  Thank you so much for your support!  Please click the button below to send your payment. 

Elsie Shaw Auction Winners!

Facilitators: Brittany Meyers and Allie Tasch, Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin

Teens can join us for chat and activities at the end of the day.  All teens participating in the conference are encouraged to attend and participate.

D18   Share Your Story and Your Experiences With the Birth to 3 Program and Their Interagency - Sarah Johnson and Regena Floyd

Click to watch a recording of Share Your Story and Your Experiences With the Birth to 3 Program and Their Interagency 

The mission of the Birth to 3 Program ICC is to advise and assist the Wisconsin Department of Health Services with the implementation of an effective early intervention system.  The ICC membership is a combination of governor-appointed parents and professionals. Every year, an ICC meeting is held at the Circles of Life Conference as an opportunity to outreach with parents and professionals.  Please consider attending the ICC meeting while at the Conference and hear about the work of the ICC.

Handouts:  Share Your Story and Your Experiences With the Birth to 3 Program and Their Interagency
 

D19  Dating, Sex, and Autonomy - Jordan Mason and Ellen Merker

Click to watch a recording of Dating, Sex, and Autonomy 

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Teens with disabilities are like all other teens in their desire to explore dating and their sexuality. These conversations are often difficult for parents and caregivers to navigate. We will discuss common concerns we hear from parents, as well as how initial instincts to exert more control can actually make teens less safe.

Handouts:  Dating, Sex, and Autonomy

D20  Goals for Children: Helping Families and Children Create Goals - Becky Burns

Click to watch a recording of Goals for Children: Helping Families and Children Create Goals  

Everywhere parents turn, they are asked about goals. We created 39 goal cards intended to help with this challenge. During this workshop, we will share the process of creating these goal cards and how they are now part of an interactive website for parents. 

Handouts: Goals for Children: Helping Families and Children Create Goals

D21  Why Don't I Have Friends to Play With? - April Doebert-Fischer and Nicole Boyington

A recording of Why Don't I Have Friends to Play With? is not available.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

The presentation discusses the role and purpose of social skills for children with and without disabilities.

Handouts:  Why Don't I Have Friends to Play With?

D22  Identity Theft: How to Protect Your Loved Ones (of Any Age) - Chastity Hartl

Click to watch a recording of Identity Theft: How to Protect Your Loved Ones (of Any Age)  

SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION

Every two seconds another person’s identity is being stolen and those with disabilities (children included) are extremely vulnerable. During this session, we will talk about why it's so important we take the time to protect them (and yourself) and the best way to do that.

Handouts:  Identity Theft     Minor Security Freeze Request Form     Experian-Minor Freeze Request Form     Transunion Credit Freeze   
                   Minor Credit Freeze Document Checklist

Click the button below to enter the Virtual Exhibit Hall.  

E23  Build Your Bridge: Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Health Care - Tim Markle

Handouts: Build Your Bridge: Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Health Care

E24  Effective Practices when Respite is Provided to Latino Families - Hector Portillo

E25  How to Deal With Negative People and Keep From Becoming Negative Yourself - Michael Weber

Handouts:   How to Deal With Negative People and Keep From Becoming Negative Yourself

E26  In English-A Tale of Two Conversations: Communication Skills for Parents New to the Special Education Process - Nelsinia Ramos

Handouts:  A Tale of Two Conversations   Conflict Management Styles Assessment      Five Conflict Management Styles     
                                                                   Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child’s School

E27  Life Care Planning for Special Needs - Brett Bauch

E28  Therapeutic Foods for Special Needs - Sandy Durand

Thank you for joining the conference!  See you next year! 

This is for siblings ages 8-12. Pre-registration was required.

Sibshops are celebrations of the many contributions made by sisters and brothers of kids with special health or developmental needs. As a registered Sibshop of WisconSibs, Inc., this workshop for "typical" siblings ages 8-12 provides lively, age-appropriate activities and relaxed discussions about the challenges and joys of having a sibling with disabilities.