Meeting-+March+2014

March 2014 Meeting Minutes

Stacey Henrich: Topic: Re-opening of the Home and Community Waivers See: OBRA & COMM Care Waivers PowerPoint link below.
 * Spotlight Speaker: **

STEPS Summer Program For students with ASD and other Neurological Disorders

STEPS Program Coordinator/CBIS 669 Exton Commons Exton, PA 19341 610-280-0180(EXT.115) [|www.mainline-rehab.com] sglendenning@mainline-rehab.com


 * FYI: **
 * Waiver Conversions - Psychological Reports for Eligibility **

For those individuals applying for Waiver, we can no longer accept CERs or RRs from the schools. It must be a separate psychological report that includes the results of a standardized test and an adaptive behavior scale, and a statement from the practitioner that the results represent the individual’s true functioning. They must also give a diagnosis of ID and a level. Certified school psychologists as well as licensed psychologists can do these evals. If all of the information above is contained within a CER or RR, it is best to ask the school psychologist if they can take that same information and put it into a separate psychological report. If they cannot or will not do so, the family will need to get a separate psychological done. I believe you all have lists of psychologists that we have used who do these evals. Let me know if you have any questions.

Susan Proulx, Psy.D. Deputy Administrator, Delaware County Office of Intellectual Disabilities




 * EmployAbility Expo 2014: **
 * March 24, 2014 Where: The Reading Crowne Plaza, Wyomissing, PA: When: Monday, March 24, 2014, 9:00am - 1:30pm


 * Community of Practice Sessions ** All sessions are provided in webinar format. Sign up at PaTTAN.net
 * March 19, 2014 – (9:00 am – 11:00 am) – Secondary Transition and Inclusive Practices
 * April 30, 2014 – (9:00 am – 11:00 am) – Employment Options

**Soar Into Your Future: Transition Planning Project**: **A Career Portfolio Overview** Chester County MH/IDD 601 Westtown Rd. West Chester, PA March 17, 2014 (first of 5 sessions) Contact Julia Barol at 267-408-9083 or juliab@networksfor training.org

**OVR Public Meeting**: March 20, 2014 (3:30PM - 5:30PM) 3602 Kutztown Rd. Suite 200, Reading, PA 19605 Contact: Judy Pena 855-750-1027

**Philadelphia Special Needs Consortium meeting** is scheduled for Thursday, March 20th, 10 a.m. - 12 Noon, at the United Way Building, 17th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

**Autism Connection of PA : "Bridges to Adulthood" for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder** Presented by: Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D. Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (Pittsburgh Green Tree) 500 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 contact Jennifer Fulton, jennifer@autismofpa.orgor call 412-781-4116


 * Bureau of Autism Services **: Mini Grants Available Deadline for Applications is March 31st [[file:Announcement Mini-Grants 2014.pdf]]

**Special Kids Network Parent Youth Professional Forum, "LEARNING, LIVING, WORKING AND SELF-DETERMINATION"** Wednesday April 9 2014, 4pm-8pm Reading Area Community College, 10 South Second Street Reading, PA 19603 contact Diane Perry Phone: 814-270-5618 Fax: 888-235-7245 Email: dperry@paelkshomeservice.org

** CADES Transition Fair April 15, 2014 **

**2nd Annual Spring Dance** hosted by the Springfield Township High School Life Skills class. The semi-formal dance will be held at Springfield Township High School, Montgomery County on April 26th from 7PM-10PM. Contact: Nicolle Schrage Springfield Township High School Nicolle_schrage@sdst.org


 * Creative Options Forums:Choices Beyond Group Homes ** April 26, 2014, 10 AM - 3 PM (lunch provided) WHERE? North Way Christian Community 12121 Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090 REGISTER ONLINE: TheTrainingPartnership.org EMAIL: training@temple.edu


 * Transition Vocational Initiative (TVI) Career Awareness Summer Program ** for students who are blind or visually impaired: July 6 - 18, 2014 at Overbrook School for the Blind, Phila., PA Contact: Stephanie Hays __shays@obs.org__ or 267-670-2577

**Transition Conference 2014**
 * July 15, 2014 Pre-Conference, Penn Stater Conference Center
 * July 16-18, 2014 Penn Stater Conference Center



http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140303/LIVING/403030308/-1/NEWSMAP
 * East Stroudsburg University and community groups provide life-skills training for special-needs students **

ABLE Act will allow people w/disabilities to save money to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. Currently, people with disabilities can't have more than $2,000 in assets or risk losing the benefits needed to live. To sign the petition go to: @https://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-house-of-representatives-pass-the-able-act
 * Help pass the ABLE Act: The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act **

= =



@http://www.cfilc.org/home/docs/Disability-and-Rural-Communities-Guide.pdf
 * DISABILITY & ** **RURAL COMMUNITIES** - training guide for people with disabilities who live in rural areas.

**Career** **Information** **Booklets** @http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_and_local_government_career_opportunities/14272/job_opportunities_for_graduates/590746

** The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent ** **Living** @http://www.lvcil.org/

[|www.211sepa.org] ** Directory of Health and Human Service Programs ** To find resources like food pantries, emergency shelters, transportation, health clinics, rent or utility assistance, legal help, and more.

**TRANSITIONING TEEN/ YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMMING** SPECTRA support services, llc 475 Lawrence Road Broomall, PA 19008 484-450-6476

Early Reach Initiative

The Early Reach Initiative is an outreach service through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to enhance current services for youth with disabilities whom are age 14 and over. Early Reach Coordinators can help to begin a conversation about youths’ future job goals, to facilitate planning for a work life after high school, and OVR can assist with the supports necessary to train for, obtain, and maintain employment. For further information please contact: Early Reach Coordinators: **Jill Grossberg**, MSS, LSW # 215-560-4193 jgrossberg@pa.gov; **Cameo Posey**MSS, LSW #215-560-1951 caposey@pa.gov