PROGRAM SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002

• 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Welcome & Keynote Address
• 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break
• 10:30 - Noon Workshop Session 1
• Noon - 1:15 p.m. Lunch
• 1:15 - 4:45 p.m. Intensive Half-Day Workshop OR
• 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. Workshop Session 2
• 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. Break
• 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. Workshop Session 3
• 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Pizza Dinner & Family Fun Night
• 6:30 p.m. Porcupine Auction

New for 2002! - A Gathering of Youth

A Gathering of Youth
This year's Circles of Life Conference will include workshop sessions specifically
for youth who have disabilities. This will be a chance for youth to:
Learn ~ Share ~ Dream ~ Socialize ~ Have Fun!
Ages 13 - 21 ~ Parents must register for and attend COL Conference ~
Workshop limited to 25 participants ~ No parents allowed in youth sessions
Interested teens and young adults must register for the conference.
You must call 608-266-8276 to reserve a spot.
First Come First Serve!

Plenary Sessions

April 25, 2002 Keynote Address Patricia Hackett, M.Ed. Keynote Address: Breaking Barriers Ms. Hackett is an expert consultant to the Academy for Educational Development on children with special health care needs. She has been a special education teacher, policy maker and advisor, and is the mother of a son with significant needs. She will share her experiences on how to break down barriers, strategies for living, and the expectation of success. April 26, 2002 Keynote Address The Detinne Family Andy & Beth Detinne, and Andy's parents Rick & Sue Detinne, share their experiences in terms of growing up with special needs, starting one's own family, and forging ahead with independent living. April 25, 2002 Pizza Dinner, Family Fun Night and Porcupine Auction We'll have the traditional Italian pies, children's games and prizes, face painting, button-making (bring your favorite pictures) and the Porcupine Auction. Please join us for a chance to relax together. April 26, 2002 Celebrating Children and Families Slide Show Join us for a spectacular closing ceremony with slides of our children and families. Please be certain to send photos of your child/family to rowley@mhtc.net In "jpg" or "gif" format.

1. Inclusion in Faith Communities Learn how families have successfully integrated their children in their churches and synagogues, and how these relationships strengthened their faith community. Lisa Pugh, Waisman Center, Barbara Katz, ABC for Health, Beth Sweeden, Waisman Center 2. A Home of My Own: The American Dream Learn about a new opportunity for families to use trusts to provide for the long-term housing needs of their family member with a disability. Roy Froemming, Movin' Out, Lisa Mills, People First 3. Supportive Strategies for Adoptive Families Learn about infant, international and special needs adoptions today and strategies to support adoptive families. Niccole Behnke, Adoption Specialist 4. Doin' the Dance: Inclusive Child Care Steps to finding and securing quality, inclusive child care without missing a beat, including latest research, resources and strategies available for families and providers. Brenda Hull, UCP Extended Day Care, Simone DeVore, Researcher, Darlene Osborn, Childcare Professional, Deb Notstad, Parent, Wendy Kaplan, Parent, Heidi Goehring, Parent, Ann McGown, Birth to 3 5. Negotiating the Special Education System Understand the rights and responsibilities that parents or adult students and school districts have under special education laws. Learn how to find more information and support for parents. Sue Endress, FACETS, Lisa Young, CESA 1 6. Building Reciprocal Relationships Learn strategies to promote relationships between children through recognizing and sharing each child's unique attributes and gifts. Dennis Granzen, Family Support & Resource Center 7. Get Out & Play! Discuss Leisure and Recreation activities for children with disabilities and how to access them. Donna Loew, CSHCN, Barb Breen, Special Olympics, Deanna Baker, Fishing Without Boundaries

8. Behavioral Plans and The IEP Develop behavior plans that address the needs of students and adults considering critical human relations interactions. Dave Funk, New Berlin Public Schools

9. Dance/Movement Therapy: Healing from Within Dance/Movement Therapy integrates the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of our beings. Ann Wingate, Hancock Center, Kristen Perry, Hancock Center 10. Leaving School: What's Ahead? Helping your child plan for life after school; learn how to work with your school and community to help your child think about the future and make linkages to adult services. Steve Gilles, DPI, Beth Swedeen, Waisman Center, John Triphan, CESA 3 11. Fostering Your Marital Relationships Finding time for a healthy marriage is always a challenge. Discover ways to balance your family relationships to enhance your interactions with your partner. Anne O'Brien & Bryce Mitchell, psychotherapist, Loraine Lucinski, moderator 12. Parents as Partners in Special Eduation This workshop will highlight how to employ a parent in your district to establish a positive relationship between parents and school administrators. Pam Barnes, parent, Barb Breen, parent, Bev McCoun, Director of Student Services Mt. Horeb School District, Todd Teske, Special Education Director Eau Claire Area School District 13. Medicaid Demystified Hear speakers discuss the Medicaid prior authorization process, school based and community services that are covered by Medicaid, and have your questions about Medicaid addressed. Vickie Baker, ABC for Health, Marjorie Hannon Pifer, DHFS, Lynn Steffes, Positive Peds Network, Beth Wroblewski, DHFS 14. Including Assistive Technology in the IEP Learn how to think about assessing and including your child's assistive technology needs as you participate in the IEP process. Jill Gierach, CESA 2 15. Families and Advocacy in 2002 Learn how the power of family stories can influence policy and opportunities for advocacy; provide input to advocates. Liz Hecht, Waisman Center

16. Does my Child Need Assistive Technology? This workshop focuses on specific questions that parents can use to work with educators to develop assistive technology plans. Mary Skadahl, WSPEI 17. How to Access Section 504 Understand the rights and responsibilities that parents or adult students and school districts have under special education laws. Learn how to find more information and support for parents. Sue Endress, FACETS 18. Care at Home for Children with Complex Medical Needs Services that support children with complex medical needs in the home and strategies for parents. Craig Becker, Pediatric Pulmonary Center 19. Stepping Ahead at Age Three Current laws and regulations regarding transitions at age three; the planning conference and referral process will be highlighted from a parent, service coordinator and school district perspective. Christine Phillips, parent, Kathy Kobelsky, Sheboygan Area School District, Rita Young, Birth to 3 Coordinator, Sheboygan County, Jill Haglund, DPI 20. Yoga for Children Wonder and joy is at the very core of who we are. Yoga instructor Jonathon Garber will lead you through experiential exercises designed for children with disabilities. Jonathon Garber, Yoga Instructor 21. Promoting the Next Generation of Advocates Hear Patti discuss strategies to support and empower young adults to be their own advocates in health, school & community. Patti Hackett, Parent & Consultant

22. Positive Communication & Conflict Resolution Communicating your interest in a particular outcome is different from communicating your position. Learn how to resolve disputes early and how to resolve disputes using the mediation option. Nissan Bar-Lev, CESA 7, Jan Serak, FACETS

23. Doctors on Call An interactive session for parents and providers regarding medical issues. These physicians, who specialize in care for children with disabilities, will answer your questions on medical issues. Jane Byrd, M.D., Deb McLeish, M.D., William Schwab, M.D., Michelle Urban, M.D. 24. Lifespan Respite Care Training Manual Overview of the new manual including tools to implement collaborative low cost respite training in your community. Nancy Olson, Respite Care Association of Wisconsin, Karol Buckingham, LifeSpan Project Coordinator 25. Community Programs Unplugged John will talk about services and programs, how they work and how to get what you need for your child and family. John Shaw, Katie Beckett Consultant 26. Packer Advantage: Manage Your Child's Team A simple way to manage your child's needs in three main areas of concern: education, programs, and medical. Mike MacDonald, Parent WCA 27. Advocating for Health Benefits Understand the benefits under various programs, such as Medicaid (MA, Title 19) as well as through private insurance and other resources to make the system work for your child and family. Barb Katz & Bobby Peterson, ABC for Health 28. Special Education Eligibility Criteria This workshop will highlight new changes in eligibility criteria for learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disabilities, speech and language, visual impairment, deaf/hard of hearing, and cognitive disabilities. Dave Funk, New Berlin 29. Friendships Learn about Circles of Friends strategy as well as ideas to incorporate friendship development into IEP between children with and without disabilities. Craig Fiedler, UW-Oshkosh

30. Diagnosing Doctors An in-depth discussion of developing a good working relationship with your child's doctors. Tips and techniques for getting the most out of this critical partnership. Bill Schwab, M.D., UW-Madison 31. Living with Loss: A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance Help for the losses in life; your journey, different phases of loss, getting help to others, and holding onto hope. Quality of life and palliative care. Dr. Bruce Himelstein, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Brad Holman, CSHCN 32. Parenting - The Second Time Resources, survival techniques and issues unique to grandparents how are parenting their grandchildren with special needs. Mary Brintnall-Peterson and Cynthia Hirsch 33. Helping Paraeducators with Quality Services Learn more Wisconsin paraprofessionals and the activities of over 7,000 staff members in public schools. Mary Dyar, CESA 4 34. Preschool Options for Children Learn how school districts develop and consider community based options for young children with disabilities and how parents are partners in the options discussion. Sue Albert, MMSD, Mary Joslin, CESA 10 35. "We're All in This Alone" Children with emotional problems can feel easily isolated. Ideas for overcoming this stigma and empowering children. Nancy Marz, Bureau of Community Mental Health, DHFS 36. A Sister's Experience Learn about life experiences being raised in a family with a sister with special needs. Sandy Berndt, DPI

• Bring a photo for Family Fun Night.
• Send photos in "jpg" or "gif" format only by e-mail for the closing slide show to rowley@mhtc.net
• General conference questions - Beryl Gribbon Fago 608-266-8276 or e-mail gribbb@dhfs.state.wi.us
• Registration due by April 19, 2002. Walk-in registration not guaranteed.
• Refunds will be made until April 19, 2002. Registration can be transferred at any time.
• Hotel: Make your Madison Marriott West hotel reservations by calling 1-800-228-9290 & ask for the Circles of Life block.
  Ensure the State Rate of $62 for a single and $82 for a double.
  For more information contact:
  Marriott Madison West
  1313 John Q. Hammons Drive
  Middleton, WI 53562
  (608) 831-2000
  http://www.marriotthotels.com/MSNWE/
  

  Parent Information

  Parent Scholarships:
  You must call Nancy Olson toll free at 866-550-0095 by April 5, 2002 to register for a scholarship.
  Scholarships are not available at the door.

  On-Site Child Care Options:

  1. Bring a friend, relative or provider from home to attend to your child while you participate at the workshops.
  The attendant may join you for meals at no additional cost. Please register attendant for meals.
  They will need a room to use during the day.

  2. On-site child care is available on a first-come-first-served limited basis through South Central Respite.
  You must arrange this in advance, by April 5, 2002.
  Due to health and safety issues walk-ins will not be accepted.
  Contact Deb Catennaci, Program Director at (608) 429-3439.
  Families may be asked to contribute to the cost
  of child care to the extent they are able.

  ICC Round Table - Friday, April 26 - 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

  The Birth to 3 Interagency Collaborating Council invites your input at its Roundtable Sessions
  Friday, April 26 - 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
  Greenway Room, Madison Marriott
  Topics are: Parental Cost Share, Transition, and Program Review.
  Stacy Wigfield and Dale Schleeter, Birth to 3 ICC Council members