When: April 29 & 30, 2004
Where: Holiday Inn Convention & Expo Center
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Hotel Reservations
Make your reservations by April 12, 2004. Call the Holiday Inn at 800-922-7880 and ask for the Circles of Life Block.
Ensure the State Rate of $62 single, $82 double

Stevens Point Holiday Inn & Holidome
US 51 & North Point Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481
800-922-7880
715-341-1340
http://www.stevenspointhotels.com/index2.ivnu

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2004

• 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 A
• 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 B
• 2:45 - 3:15 p.m.    Break
• 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.    Workshop Session C
• 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.    Dinner on own
• 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.    Peter Leidy, Music Performance and Ice Cream Social
• 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.    Porcupine Auction

SPECIAL FEATURES FOR 2004

• MERVA JACKSON, KEYNOTE ADDRESS, THURSDAY, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
  "Parents, Community and Providers as Partners" will discuss strategies to outreach & engage one another as partners in the design, development & delivery of services for children with special health care needs and disabilities.

• EXHIBITOR BOOTHS
  Be sure to stop by while you are attending the conference! Special Prizes available to those who stop at all of the booths !

• FUN NIGHT, THURSDAY EVENING
  After enjoying your Thursday evening meal, you are invited to join us for an ice cream social sponsored by the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities.
  The wonderful music of Peter Leidy will entertain us - come here the debut of the original Circles of Life Theme song!

• PORCUPINE AUCTION
  Will occur after the Ice Cream Social on Thursday evening! All proceeds go toward the Elsie Shaw Scholarship Foundation.

• CELEBRATING CHILDREN & FAMILIES SLIDE SHOW, FRIDAY
  Join us for a spectacular closing ceremony with slides of our children and families. Want a photo or two of your family in the next Family Slide Show? Do one of the following:
  1. E-mail jpg images to Circles@FVofWI.org by April 15, 2004.
  2. US Mail 3 1/2 floppy disk or CD with images by April 15, 2004
  3. US Mail a maximum of 3 photographs with an SASE by April 1, 2004. They will be scanned and returned to you in the SASE.
  Send disc or pictures to: Linda Rowley, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave, Room 223, Madison, WI 53705

Session A - Thursday April 29, 2004 - 10:30 a.m. - Noon

1. IDEA Reauthorization The changes in federal and state special education law as a result of the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will be discussed. Stephanie Petska, Department of Public Instruction 2. Mental Health: Assessment, Emotion & Product Come to discuss how parents assess the need for mental health, get support & resources, cope with the stigma attached to mental health disorders and use test results to build measurable IEP goals & objectives. Judy Kopka, National Alliance for the Menatlly Inn and Corrine Quadland, Cerebral Palsy, Mideast Wisconsin 3. Growing Up, Staying Safe: Increasing Independence while Ensuring Personal Safety Most young people with disabilities will not live with their parents forever. What do caregivers need to know to keep a young person safe? This session focuses on building assertiveness in young people so as new levels of independence are achieved, new measures to protect personal safety are also in place. Dedra Hafner, Innovations Now 4. What's Special about Feeding Children with Special Health Care Needs? Participants will learn about the nutritional needs of young children, common feeding concerns and intervention strategies. Mary Marcus, UW Pediatric Pulmonary Center & Lisa Pugh, Parent 5. Bullying: When Ignoring is Not the Answer Strategies designed to avoid or deflect bullying attempts will be discussed as will strategies to avoid victimizing others. Glenis Benson, Autism Spectrum Disorders: Consultation & Personnel Preparation 6. Creating Nurturing Environments (Repeated on Friday) Every day we are bombarded with sensory stimuli.It is easy to get overloaded. Come focus on the use of light, water, aroma, and sound to create a safe & relaxed environment for you, your spouse or your child. Karen Marshal, RN, Alternative Therapy Center of Madison 7. How to Engage Diverse Families Come learn strategies to outreach & engage diverse families & communities as partners in the service delivery systems for children with disabilities. Merva Jackson, Keynote Speaker from AFCAMP

8. IEP Process & Product: Early Childhood and Elementary School Learn what you need to know as a parent to be a team member and help write a good IEP for your child. Pat Bober, Department of Public Instruction and Arlene Wright, Wisconsin FACETS

9. No Child Left Behind: What Parents Need to Know about the Education Law Learn what the No Child Left Behind Act means for your school and your children. Mike Thompson, Department of Public Instruction 10. Coping Skills for Families Information will be presented on the range of emotions families experience when a diagnosis is made, the role of support groups and coping skills. Learn building blocks to promote a healthy lifestyle. Arnetta Thornton, NAMI and Stephany Pruitt, Mental Health Association 11. A Look Ahead to the Adult Service System The picture changes when kids leave school. Families of teens come learn what to expect from the world of adult services from adult program administrators. Vince Maro, Long Term Care, Donna Winnick Dane County Human Services and a Young Adult to be determined 12. Navigating the Resource Roadmap in Wisconsin Come learn from a service coordinator with many years of experience in finding resources for children with special health care needs. Wynne Cook, Western Regional CSHCN Center 13. Looking to the Future: Person Centered Planning Many times, young people with disabilities are not full partners in planning for their futures. Come explore values and tools of person centered planning that puts the young person at the center of the process. Dennis Granzen, Family Support & Resource Center 14. Organizing Health Information If you are struggling to keep up with your child's medical, social & educational information, come learn exciting strategies for record keeping & documentation. Kathering Krahling, Caregivers Crossing, Inc. 15. Assistive Technology (AT) Pointers for Parents This session will provide an overview of AT available and pointers for success. Elizabeth Lahm, WATI

16. Continuum of Inclusion Come hear from a panel of parents whose children have had experiences in a continuum of placements in educational settings. Panel Speakers to be Determined, Facilitated by Maureen Keyes, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 17. Working with Children with Challenging Behaviors Come enhance your knowledge and discuss strategies to address a variety of challenging behaviors children display. Don Rosin, Great Lakes Intertribal Council 18. Creating a Support Team As a youth is waiting for their name to come up on a waiting list, how does he/she get the supports needed? Come discuss strategies to create a support team. Jennifer Garrett 19. The IFSP: Making Birth to 3 Work in Daily Life Families & Professionals will learn how to look at daily routines and turn them into outcomes that truly work for families enrolled in the Birth to 3 Program. Linda Tuchman, Waisman Center Early Intervention Program and Lisa Pugh, Parent 20. The Disability Rights Movement A look at the Past, Present and Future of the Disability Rights Movement and disability culture. Come examine how parents have changed the quality of life for children with disabilities. Kirsten Engle, Access to Independence 21. Safely Transferring Your Child Listen as therapists provide useful information on strategies to prepare your child's body for transfers and how to keep the parent's back healthy & strong including transfer simulation practice. Julie Knox, PT and colleagues, New Berlin Therapies 22. Assert Yourself ! This interactive session will guide participants through the attitudes and skills necessary to being assertive in difficult situations. Greg Lampe, University of Wisconsin Colleges

23. IEP Process & Product: Middle School and High School Parents are part of the team that plans & writes the IEP. Learn what you need to know to be a team member & help write a good IEP for your child. Charlotte Price, WI Facets and Mary Skadahl, WSPEI Coordinator

24. Communication and Collaboration for Parents and Educational Assistants This interactive presentation for educators and parents will provide strategies to improve relationships between school and home. Rose Helms, LPN, CPL, and WSPEI Parent Liaison 25. The Wraparound Approach A discussion of how parents get needs met using the strength based wraparound process that can benefit everyone by establishing a meaningful partnership that addresses isolation & frustration. Dan Naylor, DHFS, Bureau of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services 26. Facilitating Self Advocacy Skills in Youth Advocating for yourself requires a certain set of skills. Come discuss how parents can teach self advocacy skills to their child or youth. Jennifer Spransy, Creative Employment Opportunities 27. Creating Nurturing Environments (Repeated on Thursday) Every day we are bombarded with sensory stimuli. It is easy to get overloaded. Come focus on the use of light, water, aroma, and sound to create a safe & relaxed environment for you, your spouse or your child. Karen Marshal, RN, Alternative Therapy Center of Madison 28. Preserving Special Memories The art of scrapbooking allows parents to collect memories in a fun and creative way. Come learn the skills needed to create beautiful memories. Bring pictures of your child and family to use. Melody Mellenthin, WSPEI Parent Liaison and Pat Patterson, WI Facets

31. IEP Facilitation IEP facilitation is an early conflict prevention and management tool. A neutral person helps all members of the team develop the IEP. Limited IEP facilitation is offered to strengthen partnerships between schools and parents. Nissan Bar-Lev, CESA 7 32. School Discipline Provisions in Special Education Law Learn about the current requirements in IDEA for school discipline, suspension and expulsion of children who have disabilities. Jeff Spitzner-Resnick, Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy 33. SSA & DVR: A Winning Combination There are exciting new initiatives to support youth in transitioning from school to work with an emphasis on helping families plan ahead. Learn how Social Security & DVR can work together to support youth as they move towards work & independent living. Parents of young people 14 & up are encouraged to come. Charlene Dwyer, DVR and Bob Monahan, SSA 34. Vocational Issues for Youth Learn how to promote positive employment skills in children and the many opportunities youth can participate in to engage in meaningful employment. Jennifer Spransy, Creative Employment Opportunities 35. Creating Nurturing Sensory Environments for Children For parents and professionals interested in an overview of sensory processing in relation to adapting children's daily environments to support learning & growth. Gretchen Becker-Crabb & Jennifer Krull, Integrated Development Services 36. Negotiating the Internet While the phenomenal growth of the Internet has given users unlimited potential, it has created a high noise to signal ration. Learn some great search strategies to help make the most of your on-line time & find the information you are looking for. Linda Rowley, Family Village Project 37. Play Like You Mean It: Using Assistive Technology with Young Children Come learn about toys, software, play strategies and communication devices that may assist your child under 6 years of age to be more independent. Come play with the new stuff that may add meaning to your child's world. Jill Gierach, CESA 2

ICC Meeting

The Birth to 3 Interagency Coordinating Council invites your attendance to a Meeting on Friday, April 30, 2004, at the Holiday Inn. ICC Members will discuss a variety of current Birth to 3 issues.

A Gathering of Youth

If you are between the ages of 13 and 21 and have a disability, you are invited to participate in A Gathering of Youth
April 29 & 30, 2004, Holiday Inn Convention & Expo.Center, Stevens Point, WI
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Healthy & Ready to Work Project, Waisman Center

The Circles of Life Conference is excited to again offer the Gathering of Youth. The Gathering of Youth is a hands-on, interactive conference being planned by and for youth with disabilities. It will feature activities that are sure to involve and interest you. Only youth will participate in the sessions

This will be a chance for youth to:
Learn ~ Share ~ Dream ~ Make friends ~ Have fun!
All youth who have disabilities are welcome!

Youth who need one-to-one personal care or other assistance to participate in this conference are more than welcome to attend. Please bring your own attendant (but no parents!). If you need ideas about how to find someone to come with you, contact Deb Wisniewski at 608-265-4461 before the registration deadline. Registration is limited to 25 participants and is first come, first served. You may register if this will be your first or second time coming to the conference. If you have attended twice, call to find out about volunteer opportunities.

To find out more about the Gathering of Youth and how to register, call Deb Wisniewski at 608-265-4461.

Registration for The Gathering of Youth is due March 12th.

Important Dates & Reminders

• Registration Deadline: April 2, 2004. Walk-in registration is not guaranteed.

• Refunds: will be made until April 9, 2004. You may transfer your registration to a different person at any time.

• Hotel Reservations: Make your reservations by April 12, 2004. Call the Holiday Inn at 800-922-7880 and ask for the Circles of Life Block. Ensure the State Rate of $62 single, $82 double. Holiday Inn Conference & Expo. Center is located at: US 51 & North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI.

• Scholarships: Scholarship Applications will be available only between February 9 through March 12, 2004. Call 608-846-3530 or send an email to kbcman@spacestar.net to obtain an application for a conference scholarship. The scholarship number must be included on your registration form. Scholarship applications will be accepted no later than March 15, 2004.

• Childcare: On-Site Childcare Option: Bring a friend, relative or provider from home to attend to your child in your hotel room while you participate at the workshops. The childcare provider/attendant may join you for meals at no additional cost. Please register your child and childcare provider for meals.

• Respite: On-site respite care is available on a first-come-first-served limited basis through South Central Respite. You must arrange this between February 9 through March 12, 2004 by contacting South Central Respite at 608-429-3439. Due to health and safety issues walk-ins will not be accepted. Families may be asked to contribute to the cost to the extent they are able.

• Porcupine Auction: Be sure to donate an item for the auction! Please call Linda Rowley at 608-263-5973, or email her at Circles@FVofWI.org to let her know what you are bringing.

• A Gathering of Youth: Registration Due March 12.

• Be sure to dress comfortably and bring a sweater!

  TO REGISTER, complete the Registration Form and return with your payment to DD Network, PO Box 1605, Madison, WI 53701-1605. If registering more than 4 people, make a copy of the form and send all forms together with payment. You can also download a registration form (PDF format) from the Web at www.wfv.org/circle. For general conference questions, call (608) 266-8276.