West Virginia Family Leadership First, a statewide group which supports and encourages families to speak for themselves and others, will hold their 18th annual Families Conference April 20–22, 2012 at Canaan Valley.

Some topics that will be offered at the conference will include:

• prescription drug abuse
• scream free parenting
• positive behavior support for challenging children
• bullying
• cooking on a shoestring
• first impressions
• IEPs
• Our Town
• wills and trusts
• Veterans issues
• ABCs of a healthy lifestyle
• home safety
• money management
• accessing local resources
• voting
• legislative 101
• nature walk

For the teens they are planning:

• say no to drugs
• bullying
• an art project
• communicating with parents
• teen leadership in the community
• teen parent issues
• IEPs
• siblings with a disability
• safe dating
• first impressions
• leadership in schools
• leadership in the community

Families who attend the conference are accepted from the applications received from all across the state. All meals, lodging, child care and conference materials are paid for and participants receive a gas stipend at the close of the event. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2012.

More information and the application (RTF) are available at http://www.familyleadershipfirstwv.org or by contacting Vanessa VanGilder at VKVanGilder@yahoo.com or (304) 421–0915.

Transition Planning from High School to Adulthood

• Have you and your school system started transition planning for life after high school for your 16-year-old?
• Does your student plan to further his or her education or enter the workforce?
• Will your adult child need assistance to live independently after high school?

West Virginia Advocates (WVA), the protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in West Virginia, is pleased to offer a free training that will include:

• Transition planning and the IEP
• Information and discussion about adult services available

Resource information packets will be provided.

If you require alternate formats of materials, please notify WVA by February 1, 2011.

• Are you the parent or guardian of a school-aged child with a disability who has or may need an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)?
• Does your employer require you to advocate for special education services within the school system?

West Virginia Advocates, the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in West Virginia, is pleased to offer a free training on West Virginia Department of Education Policy 2419. Policy 2419 is WV’s regulations for services available to children with disabilities in the school system.

A copy of Policy 2419 and an Education Packet will be provided.

Wrightslaw Resources will be available for purchase at a discounted price.

If you need alternate formats of materials, please let WVA know by February 1, 2011.

Save a date on your calendars for the following trainings that WVA is planning to present during our Fiscal Year 2012 (October 2011 - September 2012).

Higher Education and Disability: Improved Federal Enforcement Needed to Better Protect Students' Rights to Testing Accommodations

TSA Announces Launch of TSA Cares Toll Free Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Needs

The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities is seeking participants for a study. For details see the text below taken from their flyer:

Announcing - An Internet Parenting Education and Support Group for Mothers with Psychiatric Disabilities: A Research Study

The Temple University (TU) Collaborative has launched a new research study examining the effectiveness of an Internet parenting education and social support program for mothers with a psychiatric disability. The TU Collaborative on Community Inclusion is looking for women who are interested in participating in an online parental education course designed to enhance parental knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• illness management,
• child development,
• stress reduction,
• parent-child communication, and
• promoting resiliency in your child.

This program also involves Internet social support through a Listserv, which will be co-moderated by a parent with a psychiatric disability and a mental health professional. This group can connect you 24-hours a day, 7-days a week to a community of supportive peers, in your own home or anywhere you can access the Internet!

We are looking for people who:

• Are mothers (over the age of 18) diagnosed with a mental illness (Major Depression, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder or Mood Disorder)
• Currently have primary/ shared custody and are serving as the caretaker for at least one child (natural, adopted, or stepchild) under the age of 18
• Have access to a computer and the Internet
• Would consider using the Internet for support and information
• Are United States Residents
• Are fluent in English

Participants will be compensated up to $100 for their participation in this study.

If you want to participate or would like more information, please email us at the following address: momsupport@temple.edu

The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

Renewing or gettng a new West Virginia Driver’s licences will require additional documents starting in 2012. For more information see http://www.wvgazette.com/News/Business/201112090171

Save The Date! - March 27 — 28, 2012

Sports Concussions: NOT Just a Bump on the Head!

The Brain Injury Association of West Virginia is pleased to announce a sports concussion conference. It will be March 27–28, 2012 at the Charleston Civic Center.

Great speakers, vendors and information!

Brain Injury Association of West Virginia
P.O. Box 574
Institute, WV 25112–0574
Phone: 304–400–4506
Fax: 304–205–7915
Email: mdavis@barinman.com or bpeterso@access.k12.wv.us

Sponsored by Warner Law Offices

US DOL Press Release: US Labor Department seeks to improve job opportunities for Americans with disabilities by setting historic hiring goal for federal contractors and subcontractors.

Full Test: 76 FR 77056 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Individuals With Disabilities

CMS has posted a video in American Sign Language explaining the Medicare Program.

A Community Health Education Resource Person (CHERP) is a trained community member who provides information, support, and basic health care services to those who need help. Training to become a CHERP is free.

The Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University in Morgantown is starting a support group for teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Delay, Not Otherwise Specified. This group will assist with the development of social skills and provide support for dealing with the demands of everyday life for teens on the autism spectrum. It is designed to support teens who can communicate verbally and who have normal intellectual functioning.

Topics such as meeting and getting to know other, dealing with bullies and other uncomfortable social situations and coping with the school environment will also be covered. Additionally, the group will address other life skills such as transitions, dating and interacting with social media and be based on the needs of the teens attending. For more information or to make a referral, contact Diane Williams, MSW, LCSW, at the CED, 304–293–4692, ext., 1131 or awilliams@hsc.wvu.edu.

Important Information regarding the Aged & Disabled Waiver Program

This is a memorandum sent out by WVDDHR BMS regarding its decision to close off further enrollment into the Aged & Disabled Waiver program.

MEMORANDUM

Date: November 29, 2011

To: Aged & Disabled Waiver Stakeholders

From: Penney A. Hall, Program Manager, Aged & Disabled Waiver Program

Re: Managed Enrollment 

In order for the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) to 
maintain the current level of services for individuals in the Aged and 
Disabled Waiver program (ADW), ADW services will not be offered to any 
applicant whose application is received on or after Monday, 
December 5, 2011. Eligible individuals will be enrolled in the program and 
services will be provided only if additional funding becomes available. 

Individuals referred for medical eligibility determination after 
December 4, 2011, will continue to be evaluated by West Virginia Medical 
Institute (WVMI).  However, those applicants found medically eligible will 
receive notification they have been placed on the Managed Enrollment List.  
Applicants will be placed on the list based on the date/time their Medical 
Necessity Evaluation Request Form is successfully processed by WVMI.  At 
such time that the Waiver Program is able to accept new members, applicants 
will be provided with instructions on how to complete the remaining steps 
of the eligibility process.  

If you have any questions about Managed Enrollment, please contact me at 
(304) 356-4872 or at penney.a.hall@wv.gov.  


Cc: Marcus Canaday, Director, Home and Community Based Services, BMS   
    Julie McClanahan, Bureau of Senior Services  
    WVMI

Save the Date

April 20 - 22, 2011

18th Annual Family Leadership Conference

Canaan Valley Resort

For more information contact Vanessa VanGilder at vkvangilder@yahoo.com or (304) 421-0915

http://www.familyleadershipfirstwv.org

Save a date on your calendars for the following trainings that WVA is planning to present during our Fiscal Year 2012 (October 2011 - September 2012).

WVA has Wrightslaw products available for purchase at a reduced prices!

• "Legal Requirements of IEPs" CD-ROM (1.25 hours) - $11.22
• "Understanding Your Child's Test Scores" CD-ROM (1.5 hours) - $11.22
• "Law and Advocacy" CD-ROM (6.5 hours) - $37.46
• "Wrightslaw: All About IEPs" Book - $10.00

If you have questions about the products or would like to place an order over the phone, please call West Virginia Advocates at 1-800-950-5250 ext. 53.