Archived 2005 - 2006  Announcements & Events

Complete the Special Education (SPED) Unit Allocation Personnel Request forms for the 2006 Summer Services Program. Determine the unit allocations and related services needed in order to staff the open receiving/clustered summer centers.

Download the flyer above to read more details and view our winning teams!

Click here to read/download IDEA Family Forum Flyer

Click here to read/download IDEA Family Forum Registration Form

For additional information on each site, click on the link above or call Allison Cruz-Mitchell, toll-free at 800-580-7801, or via email at allisoncm@fddc.org.

Download flyer for additional information.

Download the flyer for additional information.

Play and Say! A Developmental Learning Group from June 5 - July 14, 2006

Mind - Body Program from June 17 - August 9, 2006
 

FOR WHOM:      Children and adults with developmental, sensory, and/or physical disabilities.

Because the need will surely be greater than the amount available, please submit the names of those with the greatest needs.

FOR  WHAT:       Emergency funding for: Rent/mortgage assistance, Utilities (electric, gas, water, telephone). Food (including supplements and formula). More limited funding is also available for diapers, supplies, and other essentials such as clothing.

ELIGIBILITY:    Individual receiving assistance must reside in Miami-Dade County.

 These funds are available from more than one funding source, and other eligibility requirements vary.  Based on the information provided, CCDH staff will identify all sources of funding for which the individual and/or their family may be eligible.

REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY BY FAX OR E-MAIL, AND WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ON THE FORM BELOW.

TIME SENSITIVE REQUESTS (E.G., EVICTION NOTICES, FPL FINAL NOTICES, ETC.) WILL RECEIVE PRIORITY.  

Download form

Pre-conference registration for the conference will begin February 14, 2006. There is no conference registration fee.  For information regarding the content of this message, please contact Kathy Burton at: Kathy.Burton@fldoe.org

Download the Florida Department of Education memo for additional information.
 

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2006 Ford CHLI Leadership Program. We are seeking eight highly-qualified university students to participate in our intensive six-week program, which will run from June 17 to July 29, 2006. Application deadline is Friday, April 14, 2006. Please distribute the attached application materials to your respective contacts. Applications may also be downloaded on the CHLI website (www.chli.org).

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Buia at Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute at mbuia@chli.org or at 202-429-2033.

Eight college students will be selected to participate in the 2006 Ford Motor Company CHLI Leadership program.  Participants will travel to Washington, D.C. to take part in a six-week internship program consisting of professional leadership development workshops while learning about local and state government, federal government, national advocacy organizations, and policy development.  Interns will have the opportunity to interact with appointed and elected officials, as well as other community members and leaders from across the country. 

To apply, applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents of Hispanic or Portuguese Origin

• Be residents of and/or attending college in the following states: California, Florida, Texas or Puerto Rico

• Be enrolled in an accredited four year college/university or two year community college

• Submit a completed application form, personal statement, legislative analysis, resume, two letters of recommendation and official transcripts

The program will start June 17, 2006 and end on July 29, 2006. Compensation will be provided in the form of Air fare and housing accommodations during Washington, D.C. stay, $2,000 stipend and Metro card provided for transportation.
 

St. Thomas University offers a Master’s Degree in Special Education that prepares candidates to teach in Exceptional Student Education (K-12) classrooms.  As part of their Master’s degree students may choose to complete a Reading Endorsement, ESOL Endorsement or a Gifted Endorsement.  The program can be completed in one year. 

St. Thomas University offers two summer sessions of six weeks each.  The first summer session begins:    May 15, 2006 and ends June 24, 2006.  The second summer term begins:  June 26, and ends August 05, 2006.  If you are interested or would like additional information contact:

Dr. Walter Cegelka, ESE Graduate Coordinator& State Liaison Officer, Education Department, St. Thomas University  at  (305) 628-6576 or via e-mail at  wcegelka@stu.edu
 

The conference will be targeting families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing students to allow them to explore options available for them as well as future employment opportunities for their Deaf/Hard of Hearing child. Speakers will be sharing experience as a Deaf person working in their field. This conference will show parents and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing students that they can work at a meaningful job after graduating from high school.

If you plan to attend, please contact:

Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Sarah Harris sharris@ccdhh.org or Family Center on Deafness training@familycenterondeafness.org

Download additional information.

Friday & Saturday, May 12 - 13, 2006
Emerald Coast Conference Center in Okaloosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

Course Description
This outstanding 2-day conference, will provide the latest knowledge in improving the lives of people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Informational Flyer

Miami-Dade Autism Speaks Invites you to join us for a very special upcoming event:
 

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 help us celebrate the success of the 2005 Miami-Dade Walk
at the Annual Jimmy Morales & Team Nora Karaoke Challenge at Mosaico & Selero Restaurant
(the former Firehouse) located on 1000 South Miami Ave. (in downtown Miami)
Awards will be given out at this event to this year's Top Teams
Click Here to download a flyer

Autism Speaks is proud to announce The 2007 Miami-Dade Autism Speaks Walk Chairs: Jimmy Morales, Thomas Whitehurst and Dr. Michael Allesandri

Miami-Dade Walk is moving to February in order to move away from hurricane season!
The Miami-Dade Walk for Autism Research is set for Sunday, February 11, 2007 at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, mark your calendars early and save the date!  (2007 Walk Registration will begin the end of May) 
 

Miami-Dade Autism Speaks Invites you to join us for two very special upcoming events 
 

Saturday, May 6, 2006 
be part of the first South Florida AFL-CIO/Autism Speaks Golf Classic at Miami Springs Country Club
Click for More Information 

Download flyer for additional information.

The International Dyslexia Association Florida Branch presents its 2006 Annual Conference - Spring into Literacy: Reading, Research, Dyslexia on April 30 and May 1, 2006 at the West Palm Beach Marriott Hotel

The conference is for parents, educators and all professionals involved with individuals with learning disabilities.   The featured speakers are Dr. Sally Shaywirz,  Dr. Bennett Shaywitz and Dr. Joesph. Torgesen who are highly recognized experts in the field of reading disabilities.

Download the flyer for additional information.
 

Excellence in Early Childhood: Raising the Bar

Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at The Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables,

Featuring dynamic breakout sessions in English, Spanish and Creole

and keynote addresses from NAEYC Deputy Executive Director, Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D.

and Jose Luis Orozco.

Receive Inservice Training Hours or Continuing Education Units towards CDA Renewal or

Master Plan Points towards Teacher Recertification.

For info call Carol Montealegre 305.461.2645 or Rita Turk 305.936.1580. Make checks payable to South Florida Association of Young Children. To avoid a late fee, registration information must be postmarked on or before 4/14/2006.
Mailing Address: c/o Diane Goldman * 442 Madeira Ave.* Coral Gables, 33134

Download Flyer for additional information.

The workshop will provide training on how to implement a social skills instructional model developed by Dr. Bellini. The workshop will integrate research on social-emotional functioning with practical and effective strategies for teaching social skills to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The five-step model provides a systematic and comprehensive framework to guide parents and practitioners in the development and implementation of social skills programming.

Scott Bellini is the Assistant Director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also a licensed psychologist working in a private practice where he develops and delivers social, emotional, and behavioral interventions for children and adolescents with ASD.

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Jeannie Bowles at UF Jacksonville CARD ~ Ph: 904-737-5239 ~ Email: jeannie.bowles@jax.ufl.edu

Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/UFJAX-Belliniflyer-042706.doc

The Children's Clinic sponsors upcoming lectures on Sensory Integration

18001 Old Cutler Road, #368  Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
(305) 251-7477

Parents or General Audience…

Learn what Sensory Integration is, how to identify a child’s specific sensory needs, and what can be done at home or school to help a child’s behavior, attention, and learning.

Monday, April 24, 2006

6:00-7:30pm

Sensory Planet Gym @ Healis Rehab Center

Cost:  $5 (can pay at the door but must pre-register)

Pediatric Therapists or Teachers…Part II

(Note: attendance to part 1 lecture is beneficial, but not required)

Get a hands-on application of Sensory Integration techniques that you can use in the clinic or natural setting. Learn problem-solving strategies for SI treatment or creating sensory diets.

Please wear comfortable clothes for activity participation.

Friday, April 28, 2006

11am-1pm

Sensory Planet Gym @ Healis Rehab Center

Cost:  $10 (can pay at the door but must pre-register)
 

This workshop is geared toward parents, family members and others who interact directly with children who engage in challenging behaviors. The presenter will outline a process for determining why children engage in challenging behaviors and then present some practical ways to help support positive behaviors. The majority of this workshop will be devoted to teaching audience members how to use specific techniques to teach new skills and shape appropriate replacement behaviors. The following topics will be discussed: (1) How children learn behaviors; (2) What challenging behaviors may be communicating to others,  (3) Using children’s natural routines and interests to teach new behaviors, and (4) Supporting your children’s positive behaviors in everyday life. A question and answer session will follow.

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Jeannie Bowles at UF Jacksonville CARD ~ Ph: 904-737-5239 ~ Email: jeannie.bowles@jax.ufl.edu

Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/UFJAX-Gabouryflyer-042206.doc

Marilyn Volker, sexuality educator for the past thirty five (35) years, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Sexology and an Associate Fellow of The American Academy of Clinical Sexologists. She sits on the faculty of four South Florida universities – University of Miami, Florida International University, St. Thomas University, and Barry University.

Learner Outcomes:

• Identify 2 common myths regarding sexuality and autism/related disabilities
• Cite 4 components of sexual identity of ALL individuals
• List 3 major concerns for students/adults with autism and sexuality
• Discuss 3 specific strategies for each of the above concerns
• Recall 2 resources helpful in addressing sexuality concerns.

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Lisa Roll at UF Gainesville CARD ~ Ph: 352-846-3455 ~Toll Free: 800-754-5891 ext 5 ~ Email: lisa.roll@mbi.ufl.edu

Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/UFGV-Volker-042106.doc

The 2006 You Make a Difference! Awards for Teachers Who Practice Inclusion

The Florida Developmental Disability Council, Inc. is proud to present the Third Annual “You Make a Difference” Award.

The award ceremony will be held in June 2006, in conjunction with the Quarterly Meeting of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, at the Embassy Suites Miami International Airport, 3974 NW South River Drive, Miami, FL.

The "You Make a Difference" Award recognizes teachers, teaching teams, administrators, assistants, therapists, and others, in Florida public and private schools that practice inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in the classroom and in other educational setting.

This year we’re starting earlier so that parents and others who wish to nominate their favorite candidates will have plenty of time to complete the nomination forms and send them in.   For criteria and nomination forms, click here. All nominations forms must be received by April 14, 2006.

If you have any questions about the awards, please contact Education Task Force Program Manager Allison Cruz-Mitchell at 1-800-580-7801 or by email at allisoncm@fddc.org
 

FREE Regional Training Opportunities

• April 13, 2006
  Enhanced Milieu Teaching: Parent- Implemented Communication Interventions for Young Children with ASD

Presented by Dr. Ann Kaiser

9:00 – 4:00 pm Registration 8:30 – 9:00 am

Holiday Inn Select

316 West Tennessee Street

Tallahassee, Fl 32301

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe current empirical research base for Enhanced Milieu Teaching for children with ASD

• Discuss key Enhanced Milieu Teaching strategies including environmental arrangement, responsive interaction, and milieu teaching strategies

• Identify the purpose and philosophy of the KIDTALK parent training model

• Discuss empirical research for parent-implemented language interventions

• Define key KIDTALK parent training strategies for teaching parents including analysis of home environments, goal setting with families, and the design of interventions that work for individual families

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Renee English at FSU CARD ~ Ph: 850-488-4072 ~Toll Free: 800-769-7926 ~ Email: renglish@mailer.fsu.edu

Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/FSU-Kaiser041306.pdf
 

Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network offers Turning Diversity into Dollars: The Many Benefits of Hiring People with Disabilities on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at the Hilton Miami Airport, 5101 Blue Lagoon Drive Miami, FL 33126

Download the flyer for additional information.
 

FREE Regional Training Opportunities

April 5, 2006
 

Multi-Modality Supports for Communication, Cognition and Play: Strategies for Young Children on the Autism Spectrum

Presented by Linda J. Burkhart, Technology Integration Specialist

9:30 am – 4:30 pm : Registration starts at 9:00 am

Hernando Elementary School - Multi-purpose Room

2353 N. Croft Ave

Hernando, FL 34442

Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/UFGV-Burkhart-040506.doc

This full-day workshop provides state-of-the-art methods for teaching language and communication skills in the classroom. These scientifically-validated methods are the most effective means of teaching these critical skills to children with language delays. This workshop will provide participants with a complete understanding of the “Verbal Behavior” approach as well as how to implement the strategies in a classroom setting. This workshop is appropriate for autism support staff, teachers, behavior specialists, behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, parents of children with language delays, and other professionals.

Download flyer for additional information.
 

• April 1, 2006
  
  Asperger Syndrome: Learning Strategies from Beginning to End
  Presented by Ketty Patiño Gonzalez Ph.D., Diane Adreon, M.A., & Jennifer Durocher, Ph.D.

This training is for educators and parents interested in information about Asperger Syndrome, common learning problems associated with Asperger Syndrome, and school and home based interventions. Issues related to the impact of executive functioning and learning will be discussed.  In addition, a panel discussion will be held at the end with all of the presenters.

Presentation Titles:
“Common Learning Problems in Autism and How to Solve Them” – Ketty Patiño Gonzalez, Ph.D.
“Building Skills for Real Life” – Diane Adreon, M.A.
“Starting, Organizing, and Finishing Tasks: The Importance of Executive Functions” – Jennifer Durocher, Ph.D.

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Ashley Shugar at UM-NSU CARD ~ Ph: 954-262-7770 ~ Email: shugar@nova.edu

Download the flyer for additional information.
 

Parent Leadership Development Project (PLD) is hosting a Family & Friends Picnic

Date:  Saturday, April 1^st, 2006
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Place: Kendall Indian Hammocks Park
Address:  11395 SW 79th Street Miami, FL   33173
Cost:  $ 5.00 Per Family

RSVP before March 28, 2006 to  Maryann Gonzalez     (305) 815-6195, (305) 225-9154 or Tanya James  (305) 302-0301, Email:  Thehitman071@peoplepc.com 

P.S. Don’t forget your bikes, scooters, skates, and any fun activity you would like to bring to the park.  Picture time is from 12:00 to 2:00pm. Food will be served from 11:00 to 1:00pm.  There will be a bounce house, face painting, and many other fun activities.

The UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI joins Galerie D’Art Nader in presenting ArtAbilities Collection: Promoting the abilities of children with disabilities on Friday, March 31, 2006

Reception: 6:00 PM TO 10:00 PM with a $10 donation at the door

1911 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,  Coral Gables, Florida Telephone: 305-444-1720

For more information visit http://www.galeriedartnader.com/

Session B: A Medley of Findings Regarding Early Childhood Issues will take place on March 17, 2006 and includes the speakers: Dr. Jeff Brosco,  a Developmental Pediatrician and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Ms. Paula Lalinde, Director, Training Division, MCCD, UM, Ms. Michelle Schladant, Associate Director, Training Division, MCCD, UM and Dr. Carole Fox Abbott, a  psychologist and long time advocate for young children with special needs.  The session highlights include a discussion of the primary findings from an early childhood study conducted by UM, the impact of the research findings on our community; four ways in which programs can increase family involvement and the accountability systems in place to measure them.

For your review and convenience we are enclosing, by attachment, the Agenda for Sessions A and B as well as the registration form for your completion.  You are also able to access this information on line at: http://pediatrics.med.miami.edu/mailman/medical_issues.htm

 The registration form and your payment is mailed to:

 Wanda Denise Castro

Medical Issues and the Growing Child Conference

Mailman Center for Child Development

1601 NW 12th Avenue

Room 2008A

Locator Code: D-820

Miami, Fl   33136

• March 17, 2006
  
  Multisensory Learning Environments for Special Populations
  Featured speakers include Rick Rader, MD, Jason Staal, Ph.D., Linda Messbauer, MA, OTR/L, Gillian Hotz, Ph.D. and others

This one-day workshop will feature a series of speakers discussing the benefits of multisensory learning environments for special populations including those with autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury and dementia. This workshop is open to all educators, but is geared particularly towards those in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education.

For Questions specific to this training, please contact Jose Antonio Muñoz at UM-NSU CARD ~ Ph: 305-284-3722
Flyer and registration form: http://doepartnership.usf.edu/trainings/UM-%20Rader%20Staal%20etc%20%2003%2017%2006.doc
 

Download informational flyer

Download Registration Form