May 1st Webinar: Alternatives to Guardianship

What?

So many choices!  Do you know there are options to support young adults as they become decision makers?  During this webinar, the presenters will discuss various ways to support individuals with significant disabilities after age 18, and will introduce the Alternatives to Guardianship Toolkit.  Specifically, the presenters will talk about:

• Supported Decision-Making
• Educational tools
• Financial tools
• Medical tools
• Powers of Attorney

Please note: some of the resources shared may be Montana-specific.

Intended audience:  Families of youth/young adults with disabilities, educators, counselors, service providers, and others who support young people in their transition to adult life.

Presenters:
Theresa Baldry is a proud mother of six children, including a son with a disability. Her belief that "knowledge is power" has directed her areas of employment in the disability field. From 2001-2016, she worked for PLUK, Parents Let's Unite for Kids supporting families and served as a member of the Leadership Team. Technology has played a key role in her son's life and as his primary support for the last 20 years, she has needed to stay in front of what he has wanted that technology to do. She began working for MonTECH in October 2012, to share the wealth of knowledge they have learned over the years. In 2016 she began working for the Pre-Employment Transition Services Technical Assistance Center, with the Rural Institute, as a project coordinator in Eastern Montana. Today she is the Project Coordinator for Montana Transition Resources, a project funded by Children's Special Health Services. She serves on the Disability Rights of Montana Board of Directors, currently as the president. Theresa has been a member of the Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council since 2010 and has presented at numerous conferences and webinars as a Council member.

When?

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MDT

Register Today!

Reserve your webinar seat now at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7655454551963504385

Greetings!

The application period for the 2018 Community Investment Fund is now open!

Are you in Montana? Do you have an interesting idea or project to promote inclusion for Montanans with disabilities? Would a small amount of start-up funds help you get your project off the ground? Applications for the Community Investment Fund are now being accepted...complete and return your application before the May 1, 2018 deadline

What is the Community Investment Fund?

The Community Investment Fund is a small pot of money ($1500 in 2018, which may be divided between several recipients) that the Rural Institute has made available for inclusive, innovative projects or programs that will help Montanans with disabilities live, learn, work and play in their communities alongside people without disabilities.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

Any Montana organization, agency, non-profit group, or individual with a creative idea to promote community inclusion (people with disabilities participating together alongside people without disabilities) is eligible to apply. Please note: due to University contracting requirements, successful applicants will be required to have liability insurance and either Workers' Compensation coverage or a Workers' Compensation exemption certificate.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to view the March 1, 2016 "What's the Buzz about Inclusion?" and/or the January 24, 2017 "Inclusion: We All Benefit" archived webinars prior to applying. The webinars are available on the Transition and Employment Projects Training page:

http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition/trainingcalend.asp

How does someone apply for funding?

To apply, fill out the Community Investment Fund application and submit it by the deadline. Applications are available in hard copy and online formats, and may be mailed, emailed or faxed to the Rural Institute.

When is the application deadline?

For the 2018 funding cycle, the application deadline is May 1, 2018. Successful applicants will receive half of their award amount up front and the other half once their project is completed and their final report submitted and approved.  

When does the funding need to be spent?

Community Investment Funds must be spent by December 15, 2018.

What are the follow-up requirements after someone has received funding?

Successful applicants will be required to submit a follow-up report describing how the money was spent, how many people with and without disabilities participated/were served, and how the project impacted the lives of people with and without disabilities.

Who can be contacted for more information?

Kim Brown, University of Montana Rural Institute

52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, Montana 59812

Email: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu; Phone: 406-243-4852

Today I am posting two articles that are just interesting articles.  Both are out of the normal area of Secondary  Transition, yet still relate.  One is on Autism and the other is on a group of high school students here in Montana.  I hope you enjoy them both.

The secret to… raising a happy autistic child

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/24/the-secret-to-raising-happy-autistic-child?platform=hootsuite

What the
Arlee Warriors
Were Playing For

           On Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation, basketball is about much more than winning.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/magazine/arlee-warriors-montana-basketball-flathead-indian-reservation.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fsports&action=click&contentCollection=sports&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront

The Montana Transition Resources project, funded by Children’s Special Health Services, is pleased to announce four webinars scheduled for the 2018 school year. Interested individuals may participate from their own offices or homes, and there is no registration cost for any of the sessions.

Transition from School to a Full Adult Life Part 2                4/10/18 from 1-2:30

(In collaboration with the Montana Deaf-Blind Project)

Alternatives to Guardianship                                                     5/1/18 from 1-2:30

           

Healthcare Transition                                                                   TBD from 1-2:30

           

            This project is funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.