West Virginia Advocates' RSS Feed

16th Annual Family Leadership Conference - April 16-18, 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Brought to you by: Family Leadership First, and the following partners: Direct Action Welfare Group (DAWG), and Step by Step

This is a free conference. All lodging, meals, and child care will be provided, along with a gas stipend.

Registration deadline: February 28, 2010

For more information or if you have any questions please visit http://www.familyleadershipfirstwv.org/conference%202010%20.php, or contact VKVanGilder@yahoo.com or 304-421-0915.

Download the application form.

WVA has released a radio commercial for Employment Possibilities confernece.

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Below is WVA's recent radio commercial advertising the CAP program.

MP3 of the Employment Possibilities radio commercial

Transcript to the Employment Possibilities radio commercial

Free IEP Help Clinic: "Building Blocks of an IEP" - March 16, 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Attention parents and/or guardians: Does your child have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) through the school system that outlines the special education services your child is entitled to receive? Do you have problems getting the school system to provide the services listed on your child's IEP? Do you have difficulty getting the services you feel your child needs recommended by a professional, and listed on the IEP?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, sign up for the IEP HELP CLINIC offered by West Virginia Advocates (WVA). WVA is the protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in West Virginia.

During a roundtable discussion, a WVA attorney and advocate will answer questions and provide training and information on IEP development and discuss what you can do when you have problems. Training materials will be provided.

You must register in advance to attend the IEP HELP CLINIC. Space will be limited.

You will need to bring:

A copy of your child's current IEP, and
Most recent evaluations (by the school system and/or privately obtained)

When:	Tuesday, March 16th 2010, 9AM - 3PM Lunch will be provided by WVA at no charge!
Where:	Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center 100 Hodges Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.342.0507
To Register:	Contact Brittany Given at 1-800-950-5250 by March 10, 2010.

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

If you have dietary restrictions or require alternate formats of materials, please notify WVA by March 1, 2010.

FREE Special Education Training on Policy 2419 - March 15, 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

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

If you answered 'YES' to either of these questions, you should attend this training. The training will be provided by West Virginia Advocates, the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in West Virginia.

WHAT:	Policy 2419 Training - WV's policies and procedures for services available to children with disabilities in the school system. A copy of Policy 2419 and an Education Packet will be provided.
WHEN:	Monday, March 15, 2010, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Lunch will be provided by WVA at no charge
WHERE:	Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center 100 Hodges Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.342.0507
To Register:	Call Brittany Given at 1-800-950-5250. Walk-in registrations welcome.

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

If you have dietary restrictions or require alternate formats of materials, please notify WVA by March 1, 2010.

Registration open for Employment Possibilities Conference

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Registration is open for WVA's Employment Possibilities: Thriving, Not Just Surviving conference, on April 22, 2010.

The deadline to register is April 15th.

To register call 800-950-5250, download the printable registration form, or register for the employment conference online.

2010 Disability Caucus - Save These Dates: July 26-28, 2010

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The 2010 Disability Caucus has been scheduled for July 26-28, 2010.

Download a printable flyer for the 2010 Disability Caucus

Scholarship Opportunity for Students with Vision Loss

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Established in 1980 by Lighthouse International's Women's Committee, the Scholarship & Career Awards (SCA) is a time-honored tradition that recognizes outstanding students who have overcome the challenges of vision loss by awarding them with scholarships for college and graduate studies. The program also honors extraordinary corporate citizens committed to breaking down barriers in the workplace for people with vision loss.

The 2010 SCA application deadline is March 14, 2010. To apply or for more information visit Lighthouse International.

WV Division of Rehabilition Services (WVDRS) - Notice of Public Meeting - March 8th

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The WV Division of Rehabilitation Services will hold a public meeting in accordance with provisions of the federal Rehabilitation Act to discuss policy changes. Interested parties may access and comment on policy revisions via the Division's website at http://www.wvdrs.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.displaystory&groupID=83&itemid=7 or by contacting Tracy Carr at 1-800-642-8207 (V/TDD) or by email at tracy.j.carr@wv.gov.

The public meeting will occur on March 8, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services Complex, Institute, WV, in the Large Conference Room of the F. Ray Power Building. To receive formal consideration, comments must be submitted in writing and will be accepted through March 15, 2010.

WVA has released a radio commercial for its CAP program.

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Below is WVA's recent radio commercial advertising the CAP program.

MP3 of CAP radio commercial

Transcript to CAP commercial

2010 Census Advisory

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The United States Census Bureau is conducting the 2010 Census. The Census is very important to West Virginia and especially to people with disabilities as many funding decision about how much funding our state qualifies for from the federal government for programs that are important to people in with disabilities will be made based on the information from the Census results. West Virginia Advocates is encouraging all West Virginians to participate in the Census. West Virginia Advocates would like to share information with you about protecting your safety and identity during the Census process because the process does contain some potential risks.

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

The United States 2010 Census' home page.
The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "Protecting Your Personal Informaiton" has information on how the Census Bureau protects your personal data.
The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "More Security Topics" has some information and resources for identifying legitimate census workers.
The United States 2010 Census's webpage on "Phishing, Email Scams & Bogus Census Web Sites" has information on the Census Bureau's use of e-mail and websites, and has information on how to report fraudulent attempts to get your personal information.
The Better Business Bureau's article on the 2010 Census is also a good source of practical advice for you to protect yourself.

WV Developmental Disabilities Council announces a workshop on Social Role Valorization (Part I) - March 22 - 25, 2010

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to announce a workshop on Social Role Valorization (Part I)

Social Role Valorization, Including 10 Related Themes: A High-Order Concept for Addressing the Plight of Socially Devalued People, & For Structuring Human Services

Monday, March 22 through Thursday, March 25, 2010

Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center, 100 Hodges Road, Charleston, WV

Tuition is $200, and the registration deadline is February 15, 2010

For more information see the Social Role Valorization flyer, or contact Linda Higgs at 304.558.4884

Save The Date - Employment Possibilities: Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Join us for an exciting day of learning about transitioning from high school, education after high school, self-employment opportunities, work and SSA benefits, and careers in fine arts!

April 22, 2010

Stonewall Resort
940 Resort Drive
Roanoke, WV 26447

(888) 278-8150

wvadvocates.org/employment-possibilities-2010

Workshop on Wills & Special Needs Trusts - March 30th

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The WV Developmental Disabilities Council announces a workshop on wills & special needs trusts for family members of persons with developmental disabilities.

Are you worried about what will happen to your family member after you are gone?
Do you think you have to be wealthy to set up a trust?
Do you have a will?
Do you think you must "disinherit" your family member in order for them to remain eligible for government services, such as Social Security and Medicaid?
Are you interested in learning more?

WHO: Robert S. Kiss, Attorney at Law with Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff & Love LLP

WHEN: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (Firm Registration Deadline: March 19th)
10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. (check in beginning at 9:30 A.M.)

WHERE: Holiday Inn, Martinsburg, WV (301 Foxcroft Avenue, Exit 13 of I-81)

This workshop is being offered free of charge to adult family members of individuals with developmental disabilities. Family members will be given first priority. Other interested parties may register for a fee of $18.00 if space is available.

Lunch will be provided. Walk-in registrations will not be accepted.

Check in will begin at 9:30 A.M. The training will begin at 10:00 A.M.

Because the workshop is being provided free of charge, you should not register to attend it more than once.

Download the Registration Form Here!

Questions??? Contact Linda Higgs at 304.558.4884 or at Linda.S.Higgs@wv.gov

Client deaths at Northwood Health Systems; License may not be renewed.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Advocare - September 2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Advocare, September 2009 is available in pdf

WV Special Education Forum

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

As people have learned about the Special Education Forum, they have started joining, and we expect more activity with the start of the school year. If you have questions regarding Special Education in West Virginia, please register for WVA's Special Education Forum at http://seforum.wvadvocates.org/

Wrightslaw Special Education Resources for SALE!

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

WVA has Wrightslaw products available for purchase at a reduced price of 25% off!

"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

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.

WVA is recruiting for it's Board of Directors

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

WVA has several vacancies on our Board of Directors that it needs to fill. We need at least one person who is the legal guardian (court-appointed) of an individual with mental illness to serve on the Board to meet the requirements of our PAIMI grant. If you are interested in serving on WVA's Board, the application can be found on this website, or you may call us at (800) 950-5250.

Report: Discipline Methods Endanger Disabled Kids

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

NPR published an article regarding a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that outlines abuse and deaths resulting from the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. The article can be found here.