PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 1, 2003

• 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.         Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 - 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 & Exhibit Viewing
• 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
• 5:15 - 6:30 p.m.         Pizza Dinner & Family Fun Night
• 6:30 p.m.                   Porcupine Auction
• 8:00 pm                     Dads’ Workshop

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

May 1, 2003 Keynote Address JANICE FIALKA, KEYNOTE ADDRESS "The Dance of Partnership: Why do my feet hurt?" A nationally-recognized author and lecturer, an experienced social worker, and a mom of a teen with special needs, Janice reflects with sensitivity, humor and compassion on the challenges facing parents, young people and professionals as they seek to build successful working relationships. May 2, 2003 Keynote Address CHRIS HEIMERL, KEYNOTE ADDRESS "Through Your Hands." The profound privilege and responsibility of holding the life of a human being in our hands must be guided by clear expectations. Chris will lend his perspective as a parent and from his life's work. May 1, 2003 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. May 2,  2003 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. Family Directed Assessment The family holds the key to understanding the young child's growth and development. Family directed assessment can help us understand context, relationships and the functional strengths and needs of children and their caregivers. Kathy Boisvert and Karen Wollenburg, CESA 5 2. The Where, When, Why, How's of Recreation for Children with Disabilities Answers to questions like: what is recreation and why is it important? What are the resources available to me now? How can I help integrate my child into existing programs? What if there are no existing programs in my area? Kristen Engle, Access to Independence 3. Supportive Strategies for Adoptive Families Learn about infant, international and special needs adoptions today and strategies to support adoptive families. Holly Wells, Special Needs Adoption Network 4. Negotiating the Special Education System: Early Childhood to Elementary School Understand the rights and responsibilities that parents and school districts have under special education laws. Learn how to find more information and support for parents. Sue Endress, WI FACETS and Lisa Young 5. Creating the Vision: Pointers for Transitioning Students with Disabilities Information and discussion about how parents, students, educators and community agencies should use the IEP to plan for the student's life after high school. Charlotte Price, WI FACETS and Mary Skadahl, WSPEI 6. W-2 Issues and Families of Children with Disabilities Learn more about W-2 benefits for families who are needed at home to care for a child with special health care needs. Pat Patterson, WI FACETS and Jodi Hanna, WI Coalition for Advocacy 7. Loss of a Dream: A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance Help for the losses in life; your journey, giving help to others, quality of life, and holding onto hope. Palliative care - family centered care. Bruce Himmelstein, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Brad Holman, CSHCN SE Regional Center, Children’s Hospital

8. From Duct Tape to DVD's: Getting Assistive Technology Into The Classroom and Into the IEP An overview of Assistive Technology: what it can do, how to know it works, and how to write it into the IEP. Jill Gierach, CESA #2

9. Finding Resources for Children with Mental Health Problems: Becoming a Sherlock Holmes for Your Child Tracking down services, resources and funding for children with mental health problems can be challenging, even mystifying. Join other parents to share successes and learn a few "clues" to aid your search. Nancy Marz, Bureau of Community Mental Health 10. Buying, Renting or Making Your Home Accessible Housing programs for families with children with disabilities. Information about buying a home, renting a home, or doing rehab work to make your home accessible. Kirsten Engle, Access to Independence, and Diane Schobert, Movin’ Out, Inc. 11. Packer Advantage: Manage Your Child's Needs the Easy Way A simple way to manage your child's needs in the three main areas of concern: Medical, Education and Programs. Mike MacDonald, Families Forward 12. Special Education Eligibility Criteria This workshop will highlight all of the eligibility criteria for special education. Barb Breen, WI Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative 13. A Sibling’s Experience A panel of siblings of individuals who have disabilities will discuss experiences and suggestions for families. Betty Ulanski, Waisman Center, Ryan Backes 14. Exploring Your Real Colors This fun, interactive workshop offers an opportunity to explore your own true "colors" and the role they play in your approaches to relationships and work. Elizabeth Olsen 15. Childcare and the ADA This workshop will discuss childcare centers’ responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), explore ways parents can work with childcare programs, and discuss the legal remedies available when discrimination occurs. Mitch Hagopian, WCA and Brenda Hull

16. Guardianship Learn the basics of guardianship, including when guardianship is needed, what it is, who's involved, what the court process involves, and how to limit it to meet the needs of the proposed ward. Ellen Henningson, Elder Law Center, Coalition of WI Aging Groups 17. Ways Parents can Support Other Parents Panel members will discuss how parents of children with disabilities can use their skills in volunteer and paid positions in schools and county health departments. Panel members will include parent liaisons/parent leaders and their supervisors in a school district (WSPEI), a county public health agency (CSHCN), and a parent training and information center (WI FACETS). 18. Creating a Vision of Literacy and Communication for all Children Discuss a wide range of technology ideas, including simple symbol systems, software, & simple voice output devices. The session highlights the meaningful participation of all children in literacy activities, including those with significant disabilities. Julie Gamradt and Joni Nygard, Waisman Center 19. Negotiating the Special Education System: Middle School to Graduation 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, WI FACETS, and Lisa Young 20. Families and Advocacy An interactive session sharing strategies for families to improve systems of support & services, including the State biennial budget, communicating with policy-makers, serving on advisory committees, organizing for change. Liz Hecht, Waisman Center 21. Care Coordination: A Bridge for Families Listen as two care coordinators, one from a medical setting and one from the community, discuss the bridge that care coordination creates between family, providers, and community. Bring your own care coordination issue or challenge to discuss in this interactive session. Wynne Cook, Western Region CSHCN Center, Chippewa Co. DPH, and Jeanne Musolf, Children’s Hospital of WI 22. Behavioral Plans & the IEP Develop behavior plans that address the needs of students and adults considering critical human relations interactions. Dave Funk, New Berlin Public Schools   Special Evening Session- 8:00 pm 23. Dads’ Workshop Dads Only!! Participants will describe the challenges and rewards that accompany being the father of a child with disabilities. Chris Heimerl

24. The ABC’s of Health Benefits Learn the intricacies of advocating for your child and your family so that you can understand your health care coverage and maximize your benefits. Vickie Baker, Barbara Katz, and Bobby Peterson, ABC for Health

25. 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., Bill Schwab, M.D., Michelle Urban, M.D. 26. Positive Communication and Conflict Resolution Communicating your interest in a particular outcome is different from communicating your position. Learn communication skills that lead to shared decision-making in ongoing relationships. Craig Fiedler, UW Oshkosh and Jan Serak, WI FACETS 27. Preschool Options Project Overview of the Preschool Options Project and progress made in school districts considering a range of service delivery options to meet the special education needs of preschoolers. Sue Albert, Madison Metropolitan School District, Mary Joslin, CESA 12 28. Special Children, Special Marriage or Partner Maintaining a strong relationship with your partner is difficult, and is sometimes more difficult because of the issues faced by parents who have a child with a special need. Participants will learn and share strategies to maintain a strong relationship. Rachel Guse, Special Children Special Marriages, and Loraine Lucinski, DHFS 29. Transition - To Boldly Go Where Everyone Belongs As you dream, prepare and fear the launching of your young adult, how does your role as parent grow and develop? Explore how parents can be supported in the transition journey. Amy Whitehead and Debra Gillman, WI Healthy & Ready to Work Project, Waisman Center 30. Working with Children with Challenging Behaviors A discussion of effective techniques and strategies for working with children who have challenging behaviors. Caroline Stephens, Phil Williamson, M.D. 31. Community Programs Unplugged Learn about the programs for children and young adults with disabilities in Wisconsin from the state, county and parent perspective. Susan Tess, WI Coalition for Advocacy, Diana Verdegan, Rusk Co. DHS, Beth Wroblewski, WI Birth to 3 Program

32. The Medical Home Approach to Health Care The presentation will review the elements of a medical home from both a family and provider perspective. Pat Erving, Community Advocates, Sharon Fleischfresser, DHFS/DOH, Bill Schwab, M.D. 33. Yoga for Children Yoga for Special Children is a fun, gentle, holistic therapy for infants and young people with developmental and learning disabilities. Explore and experience this fascinating therapeutic technique. Jonathon Garber, Yoga for Special Children 34. Sensory Integration for Everyday Living Learn about the basic concepts of sensory integration and sensory regulation strategies that can be used as part of everyday life at home and school. Gretchen  Becker and Jennifer Krull, Integrated Developmental Services 35. Higher Education & Your Child Learn more about post-high school learning and training opportunities from a panel of youth who are attending college or tech school and from representatives of universities and tech schools. Panel members to be determined. 36. Building Friendships An interactive session about attitudes and strategies for building friendships. Explore how all of a person's attributes - including disability - can add to their value. Dennis Granzen 37. How to Access Section 504 and Education Understand the rights and responsibilities that parents or adult students and school districts have under Section 504. Learn how to find more information and support for parents. Sue Endress, WI FACETS, and Chris Shafer, Parent Education Project 38. Infant Mental Health in Wisconsin This session will provide an overview of the concept of infant mental health, including the social and emotional development of infants and toddlers. It will conclude with a discussion of the work of the WI Initiative for Infant Mental Health. Therese Ahlers, MS, MPA, WI Initiative for Infant Mental Health and Annette Copa, The Portage Project

• 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