Family Leadership & Advocacy – The Northern Regional Center

Connect & Share

Ashland County, Bayfield County, Family Activities, Family Leadership & Advocacy, Florence County, Forest County, Langlade County, Lincoln County, Marathon County, Northwoods, Oneida County, Parents, Portage County, Price County, Taylor County, Training & Events, Vilas County, Wood County

Join us for Connect & Share sessions that are informal opportunities for parents of children with special health care needs/ disabilities to get together. Each session will highlight a particular topic or theme with a 10-minute presentation that is recorded and then the rest of the time to chat amongst other parents

4th Wednesday of the Month 12:30-1:30 ( Feb 24, March 24, April 28, May 26)

2nd Thursday of the Month 7-8 PM (March 10, April 8, May 13, June 10)

Rotating Themes and some of the topics to be scheduled:

What’s Up in the Northwoods? Highlighting services and providers in rural areas.
- Feb 24: Updates from the Northern Regional Center- new staff, new resources,
- Scholl Community Impact Group: Learn about the equine programs and other opportunities available in Winchester, WI
No One Gave us a Manual- How To’s for families navigating multiple systems and having to learn processes
- How to Conference: attending a conference or training for the first time can be intimidating. Come learn more about attending conferences as a parent, what to expect, and how to make the most of the time. We will also share upcoming opportunities and funding available to attend educational events to support your children.
- What are options for my youth to live independently or with supports after high school?
Stump the Experts: What are families struggling with and who can help.
- What is occurring to address the lack of mental health supports in our communities?

No Registration needed- you can log into Zoom by phone or video

To join via video: zoom.us/j/7549091421 (If you join the video conference and have trouble with audio or have low bandwith you can also join by phone but stay on the video as well.)
To join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 1-646-876-9923 or 1-669-900-6833. Enter the Meeting ID when prompted- 7549091421 and #(pound), then # again when prompted for a participant ID
Or you can use “One tap mobile” on your smart phone by just entering the following: 16468769923,,7549091421#,,#

We are hiring in Northwest Wisconsin

Ashland County, Bayfield County, Family Leadership & Advocacy, Iron County, Price County, Vilas County

Northwest Community Specialist Position: We are still accepting applications for a part-time staff to connect families and professionals with resources. This is a great and flexible opportunity for a family leader to utilize their skills and knowledge to help other families. Staff can work in their home and/or in a community location in Ashland or Hayward after the pandemic.

You can go to this link to apply and for more information: phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=MARATHON&cws=42&rid=1846. Marathon County is the employer but this position will be located in the 5 northwest counties within our service area (Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Price, and Sawyer).

Spring 2021 Trainings and Conference

Autism, Family Activities, Family Leadership & Advocacy, Parents, Regional and Statewide Events, Training & Events

Virtual Autism Conference

The Autism Societies of Greater Wisconsin and Minnesota are pleased to announce a second year of partnership in combining both the Wisconsin and Minnesota annual state autism conferences to a virtual event in 2021. The virtual conference, “Inform, Influence, Innovate Together,” will be held online April 21-24, 2021, and will feature dozens of livestream breakout sessions, virtual exhibit booths, an autism resources bookstore, and Temple Grandin as a keynote speaker.

Conference website- www.autismgreaterwi.org/event-cal/31st-annual-conference/

Circles of Life Conference

May 6 and 7, 2021

Information coming soon to their website- www.circlesoflifeconference.com/

Fall Virtual Conferences

Family Leadership & Advocacy, Parents, Regional and Statewide Events, Training & Events

There are a number of conferences taking place virtually this fall that are listed below. Many offer scholarships. The Northern Regional CYSHCN Center can also provide scholarships for registration for any of these conferences. Use the Contact Us form and we will send you the form.

Wisconsin Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference

October 19-21, 2020

wiaimh.org/conference

Self Determination Conference- FREE

October 26- 28, 2020

Virtual Self-Determination Conference

“Essential Supports for People with FASD”

October 30, 2020 ~ 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM,

ORCHIDS

Transition Parents in Partnership October- May

Statewide Tuesday Evening Training (13 sessions)
Statewide Saturday Training (8 sessions)

“PIP is a statewide program in which a group of parents and other caregivers meet together during the year to share their family stories, challenges, joys and triumphs of raising their children. At PIP participants will learn about the community and statewide resources for children with disabilities; explore issues around health, education, transition, policy making, legislation, inclusion, self-determination, family well-being, and IDEA Special Education Law.”

PIP Flyer with dates

Support and Resources during COVID19 (Updated 7/29/20)

Family Activities, Family Leadership & Advocacy, Parents, Programs and Services, Regional and Statewide Events, School

Updates and information on changes to Wisconsin programs and services

Many Department of Health Services programs have provided updates as part of the DHS COVID19 website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm
- Forward Health (Badgercare) has updates on what services are impacted here.
- Children’s Long Term Supports program updates are here. Their recent editions of the All in for Kids newsletter also provides important information for families here.
- Birth to 3 updates here
Well Badger Resource Center COVID19 specific resources/ updates at: www.wellbadger.org/s/article/COVID-19-Resources?language=en_US
ABC for Health/Healthwatch WI has a list of resources and videos regarding Badgercare, Economic Income Payments and other information here: safetyweb.org/healthwatchwi/covid19.html

Face Masks

Information on Masks from the American Academy of Pediatrics www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-COVID-19.aspx
Information regarding Mask Mandates and the American with Disabilities Act from the Regional ADA Centers
Help for kids struggling with masks
- Help My Kid Won’t Wear a Mask from Children’s Wisconsin
- Social Story from Pennsylvania in English and Spanish here
- From New Jersey- Helping Individuals with Autism wear Face Masks

Resources specific to families with children with Special Health Care Needs/ Disabilities

Autism Society’s COVID-19 toolkit of resources is here.
Family Voices has information on their website.
A resource list from the ARC is here.
Carol Gray Social Stories: carolgraysocialstories.com/pandemic-social-stories-direct-access/
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities Social Story: youtu.be/xkZ23tDzN4c
Balancing Complex Care Giving and Educating Children from Complex Child
Information for youth from the National Transitions to Adulthood Research Center is here.
An article on COVID-19 is from Autism Parenting Magazine
The National Deaf Center has information on masks, accessing assistive technology. and advocacy here.
Information from the National Down Syndrome Society and others on COVID19 is here.

Schools and Special Education

American Association of Pediatrics guidance on schools re-opening June 2020
National Association of School Nurses Considerations for Post COVID Return to School for Students with Disabilities and Special Healthcare Needs July 2020
Information from DHS regarding Cloth Face Masks in school July 2020
Federation for Children with Special Needs: Fall Re-opening Resources
Information from DPI’s Special Education Team regarding the provision of special education services and COVID-19 is here.
Information from the American Bar Association on Special Education during this time
A resource library from a group of national special education organizations.
Virtual IEPs: Tip Sheets from the national Parent Resource Center

Resiliency/ Trauma

Resources and information from the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry
Trauma-Informed School Strategies during COVID-19 from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Resilience during COVID-19 toolkits from Rogers Health and other partners
A collection of resources from DPI on Mental Health and Wellness
Resilient Wisconsin
Parent/ Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Coronavirus Disease (COVID) 19: Provides information for parents and caregivers about infectious disease outbreaks in your community. Knowing important information about the outbreak and learning how to be prepared can reduce stress and help calm likely anxieties.

Fun Stuff for both Kids and Parents

Saner at Home this Summer Resource List from Family Voices
Locally, Children’s Wisconsin- Family Resource Centers have virtual activities on their Facebook pages:
- Marshfield Family Resource Center
- Marathon County Family Resource Center
- Northwoods Community Resource

Camp Kinda: (In English and Spanish) | Here’s a free, virtual summer camp experience designed to keep kids engaged, asking questions, and having fun even while they’re stuck at home. “Open” each weekday starting June 1 to September 1. On any given day, kids may be exploring the art of graphic novels, unlocking the mysteries of history, or jumping into the world’s craziest sports. Also available in Spanish.
Art at Home: a comprehensive list of online/ virtual tours of museums, games, and art activities.
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
List of children’s authors reading their stories
Sign up to Skype a Scientist
The Kids Should See This- lots of science related videos- thekidshouldseethis.com/
Bird Library: youtu.be/_SEQHPg6gRA
Videos of trains– can be soothing or exciting
Make a Time Capsule– might be a good activity for kids that don’t have an interest in journaling.
A list for teens of different things to do: Managing-Social-Distancing-So-It-Doesnt-Suck

Childcare, Early Childhood, and Camps

Early Childhood Development: This guide pulls together information on COVID-19, what it means for child development and easy-to-share resources that can help parents and caregivers, as well as child care providers, pediatricians, and others who work with families.
A list of daily tasks that are important learning opportunities is here.
Supporting Your Child in Virtual Formats– a two page guide from the Florida Inclusion Network. Also in Espanol
MatchUS is a community-driven project that connects educators and kids with disabilities/IEPs/support needs during this time of social distancing. This comes from Massachuessetss but is available across the country.
mfofc.org/matchus/
Scholastic Books is offering free lesson plans by grade level online.
List of free education resources/software available at this time: www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
Working and Learning from Home from the American Academy of Pediatricians
DHS information page on schools and childcare including information on graduation ceremonies and camps: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/schools.htm
Department of Children and Families’ information for Licensed Day Camps dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/press/2020/covid/bbb-camp-recs.pdf

Education Access

Internet Service Expansion information, including coverage maps, free public access, and changes can be found here.
Information from DPI regarding internet access and other tools for schoolwork: dpi.wi.gov/broadband/connectivity-during-covid-19-school-closing

Economic and Food Assistance:

Economic Impact Payments are coming to most Americans through the IRS. If you have questions you can go to this site: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments. Questions regarding payments for SSI/SSDI recipients is available from the Social Security Administration here. Other questions like whether these payments impact programs like SSI/SSDI is available from the Social Security Administration here.
Additional Food Share Benefits information is available from DHS here.
Financial resources from UW Extension are here, including how to connect with a financial educator
WIC has expanded the list of available products that can be purchased. Use the WIC app to learn more.
Your local 211 is a great resource regarding basic needs. The statewide site has a searchable database here.