Family Network on Disabilities: News from the Heart: October 2011

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----- Forwarded Message -----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Saturday, October 1, 2011 10:00 AMSubject: News from the Heart: October 2011

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In this issue...

See What's New at FND!

PEN Southern Regional Conference

Día del Niño

VSA Florida Art Classes

Special Needs Talk Radio

Help Support FND

Upcoming Events

October 1Family Sign Language Workshop9:00am ET - OrlandoMore Details HereOctober 1AMC Theatres "Sensory Friendly Films" presents: DOLPHIN TALE10:00am - Locations VaryMore Details HereOctober 4Free Webinar: It's a Better IDEIA Part C10:00am CT/11:00am ETMore

Details HereOctober 7Florida Inclusion Network First Fridays Conference Calls10:00am ETMore Details HereOctober 83rd Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Ride9:30am CT - PensacolaMore Details Here October 8Community Skills Group11:00am ET - OcalaMore Details

HereOctober 11Free Webinar: Conflict Resolution1:00pm CT/2:00pm ETMore Details Here October 11NAMI Tallahassee Support Group7:00pm ET - TallahasseeMore Details HereOctober 20Parent 2 Parent Connection of Support Group Meeting6:30pm ET - More Details HereOctober 25Free Webinar: The Journey to Adult Hood What Parents Need to Know (Sexuality)1:00pm CT / 2:00pm ETMore Details HereOctober 28Free Mini-Conference: On Track to Transition9:00am ET - SarasotaMore Details HereFor more upcoming events, please visit our online event calendar at: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=i9qho9cab & et=1107731809638 & s=70 & e=001wzNnoZjAs31llT7DRn0vNWCLYG0ytCji43eGiI_7h4_idySbOcmoYYw1cgsSKPfnw4vk8J0O-iUXsDQGA3vpkMdtkz622Dxxu3CzPstSU_2vxObKi7yYXw==.

News from the Heart

October 2011

See What's New at FND!

Our new website, new e-learning system and, new listserv have been launched!

FND University is a 24-hour, online distance learning system that allows you to take a variety of trainings from the comfort of your home at times that are convenient for you. This fully interactive training platform enables you to keep a transcript of all of your courses. You can stop a course and come back to it where you left off. You can also receive a certificate as you complete each course. Trainings include pop-up quizzes, final tests, and evaluations so that you can keep track of your learning progress. Course topics include: Understanding IDEA, Parental Engagement, Effective Communication, Conflict Resolution, Transition, Managing Stress, and much, much more!

This new learning platform from our new website. The new website is:

· Easier to navigate

· More interactive

· Searchable

· Offers more resources

· Has the ability to be translated into over 50 different languages with just the click of a button

· Has archived webinars available for viewing

· Has archived newsletters for viewing

....And more!

We have also streamlined our listservs so that you will not receive numerous emails from FND in one day. You will receive this monthly e-newsletter and perhaps one or two informational emails each week that include important announcements, legislative updates, etc. as they occur. Current listserv members will be moved to the new system upon launch.

We will be making the permanent switch by October 15, 2011.

We are very excited to be able to offer these improved services to you. Stay tuned for additional information!

PEN Southern Regional Conference

The PEN Southern Regional Conference was held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Orange River Elementary School in Fort Myers.This year's theme was "Parents and Professionals United". Almost 60 families spent the day with us and many local agencies to gather information and resources.

FND Transition Specialist Alma (left), works with families at the conference.

Free childcare was provided.

FND staff members (L-R) Family STAR Project Director, Marilyn Ruiz, Parental Information and Resource Center Educator, Roxana Bruiget, and Parent Education Network Co-Director, Margarita Montalvo.

If you were unable to attend, but would like information, please contact Amber Dame at amber@... or .

Día del Niño

You are invited to the party!

The next Día del Niño event will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Clewiston High School (MAP). Information will be provided in English, Spanish and Creole. Join us for a day of fun beginning at 9:30 am.

VSA Florida Art Classes

Together, Let's Bring VSA Florida Art Classes "My Art My Way" to Your Community!

While moving around their regions, VSA Florida Regional Program Coordinators have heard the outcry for community art classes for children with disabilities. In their ongoing effort to serve the state with quality art programming for students of all abilities, the push has begun for that request! This past spring, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have spearheaded after-school and summer programming for students of all ages. The program is ready to expand throughout the state, so VSAFL regional coordinators are looking for free space within their territories that can be used to propose this much needed offering. School multipurpose or classrooms, churches, museums, community centers, university spaces are all options. They must have at least 5 students in each class for this opportunity to take place. Each class will be $10 per student, with registration being blocks of 4 classes for $40. Visual, Dance,

Music, Performing or Literary arts are all possibilities for the classes. If you are aware of such space or an interested group to attend, please contact your coordinator as they are eager to get these classes started.

Bonaventura, Region 1 jennifer@...

Pat York, Region 2 yorkpat@...

Preston, Region 3 ampreston13@...

Spooner, Region 4 heatherspooner@...

TBD, Region 5

VSA Florida Brings Art Statewide to People of All Abilities

VSA Florida, the state organization on arts and disability, is headquartered at the University of South Florida in the College of Education. We are a member of the international network of VSA, and a program of the F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA Florida provides arts, education, and cultural opportunities for and by people with disabilities in all 67 counties of the state. Programming is based on community needs that could include artist residencies, exhibitions, festivals, workshops and trainings. Professional development is available on inclusion for artists and teachers who work directly with students and adults with disabilities as well as access training for cultural venues interested in disability awareness, compliance with ADA regulations and assisting patrons with disabilities. State and national Calls for Art are distributed for students and adults of all abilities

throughout the year. Through a network of Regional Coordinators and Affiliates, VSA Florida is able to successfully offer statewide services.

Special Needs Talk Radio

Click here for information about a new internet radio resource for families. Some of the shows you'll be able to listen to are: Maximizing Your Childs Potential, Raising ASD Kids & Teens, The Inclusive Class, and more.

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