Next Date for conference:
May 13, 2010
Thank you for a great 2009 conference!

2009 Partners In Care Conference
RESILIENCE

May 27, 2009
at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center
in South Burlington

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Registration Form | Workshops | AT Track | Agenda | Keynote
Bios | Sponsors & Exhibitors | Partners In Care Award

RESILIENCE More than a buzz-word, resilience is about the ability to cope with adversity and adapt to challenges or change. Being resilient means finding ways to cope with problems that arise, taking care of yourself and those around you, and emerging stronger than before. Individuals, families, communities and professionals need support to build resiliency and the Partners In Care Conference is designed to do just that! Here is what our Keynote writes about resilience: “Resiliency is a funny word… I think of resilience in terms of a floor: able to take a beating, absorb energy without showing wear or harm. We, as individuals absorb energy and use it as fuel to drive us forward. For me it is fairly simple. In life, I think you have to lace up your sneakers and keep walking, one day at a time, and when the going is rough, one second at a time. There are difficult days to be sure - catastrophic diagnosis and devastating news, when the dire predictions scare the breath out of you and you feel like you are ready to blow up everything you know, everything you have worked for, everything you believe in. And then, life happens. You keep walking and things fall into a place, not the place we expected, but a good place nevertheless….” No matter what workshop you choose, you will find that each topic supports our efforts to build resiliency– through the lifespan, for families, caregivers, professionals, and individuals with special needs.

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Morning Workshops:

1. Grass Roots Advocacy: Your Place in the Participatory Process
The session will focus on practical ways to develop relationships with elected officials in order to make changes that will benefit individuals and groups. Topics will include preparing for and conducting your meeting. How to make your case; being an effective Advocate. Follow up advice. Taking the fear out of speaking with politicians. Working with groups for greater effectiveness. Common sense do's and don'ts. This is an open forum with room for questions and comments as time allows.
Brian Denger, Parent Advocate, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

2. Emotional Fluency: Self-Regulation for Young Children
This workshop is designed to increase participant awareness of the concept of emotional fluency in young children, identifying what it is and why it is important for young children. We will focus on the adult’s role in teaching that “language,” to children, and address the link between early childhood brain development and self-regulation skills. We will discuss the impact trauma may have on a child’s ability to self-regulate and strategies to consider when working with challenging behaviors to support increased social/emotional development in young children.
Daniela Caserta, Family Therapist, Early Childhood Mental Health

3. Special Needs Planning
We will focus on the legal tools that are essential for the future planning of an individual with special needs. Proper planning will allow your child with a disability to have a good quality of life while protecting and maintaining important government benefits. Our discussion will touch on the government benefits of SSI, Medicaid and SSDI, then focus on Self-Settled & Third-Party Special Needs Trusts and other planning tools.
Claudia Inés Pringles, Private Practice Attorney, Special Needs Planning

4. Sensory Integration: Practical Strategies
Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn about how children process information from their senses. Why are some kids challenged by certain kinds of input? How can you support a child who finds particular experiences unpleasant? We will learn to identify behaviors that may be sensory-based, and ways to create sensory-smart environments and routines. Come to this workshop if you're feeling challenged or confused by someone's behaviors, or if you just want to learn more about your senses and have fun.
Laurie Euler, Parent, Martial Arts Instructor, Educator

5. Subtle Shifts, Big Difference
As much time as we spend on the big questions (what’s the diagnosis? which program? what strategy?), relief and results often come from little shifts in our own thinking. These are the ‘aha’ moments that allow us to problem solve with confidence and ease. As a parent of an adult with special needs, Chris has spent 30 years exploring how to tap into these powerful shifts on purpose and when we need them most. Come share stories, ask questions, and learn how these shifts can make a difference for your work and your life.
Chris Trout, Speaker, Author, Coach, Parent (www.strengthsinfocus.com)

Round Table Discussions: One of the many benefits of attending the Partners In Care conference is networking with other parents and professionals. The Round Table Discussions after lunch will be an opportunity to network with other conference participants in a facilitated environment. There will be numerous topics to choose from and experts from the field to answer questions and facilitate discussions. We are currently building a list of experts to join us at the conference. You will be able to choose who you talk to the day of the conference!

Afternoon Workshops:

6. The Media is NOT the Message...
We will discuss the negative and pervasive impact of media on the brains of young children. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about research on early development of attention, social interaction, play skills. The audience will help discuss ways that adults can teach young children through social interaction and play experiences which allow young brains to develop appropriately. We will also discuss ways to help parents to understand the negative impact of media on developing brains and alternatives that they can accept within their daily routines.
Carol Andrew, EdD, OTR, Child Development Specialist, Consultant

7. Beyond Paralysis: Supporting Youth with Disabilities to Express Their Sexuality
Designed for parents, teachers and providers who struggle with understanding their role and capacity in supporting sexuality: maintaining values neutrality is an important principle in support work. Participants will explore personal values regarding sexuality and key roles and responsibilities. We will present a curriculum geared for people with developmental disabilities and discuss strategies to support peer sexuality educators.
Max Barrows, Karen Topper- Green Mountain Self-Advocates

8. Caring for the Caregiver
Self care is often the first thing to go for care-givers, creating burnout, health problems, depression and anxiety. Participants will focus on how to care for themselves while caring for another. We will focus on healthy ways of thinking, being and doing, remaining in the present moment and letting go of regrets about the past.
Cristalee McSweeney, Prevention Specialist, Mediator, Law Student, Parent

9. Secondary Transition Planning in Special Education
Participants will learn and explore effective transition planning for youth with disabilities. This workshop will cover a great deal of content including the required use of transition assessments as well as how to use the VT framework of standards to guide transition goal writing. We will also look at transition plan samples and a sample summary of Performance. Vermont’s online transition resources will also be shown.
John Spinney, Department of Education

10. Beyond the Bake Sale: Redefining Parent Involvement
We’ll define what is currently taking place in schools around involving families in their children's education, with the familiar and traditional approach. We will examine six different types of typical parent involvement and what it can/should include. We will identify barriers to implementing these practices, and brainstorm, share solutions and strategies. An interactive workshop where audience participation is encouraged. Includes a short "show and tell" of parent-friendly resources.
Kathleen Kilbourne, Director of PIRC, a project of Vermont Family Network

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Agenda

(see AT track agenda)

8 - 9am ...........................................Registration & Exhibits
.......................................................Continental Breakfast

9 - 10:15 ...........................................Welcome & Keynote:
..................................................................Pat Furlong

10:15 - 10:30 .............................................Break & Exhibits

10:30 - 11:45 .........................................Morning Workshops:
.........................................................................#1 - #5

11:45 - 12pm .............................................Break & Exhibits

12 - 1:15 .........................................Lunch, Awards, Exhibits

1:15 - 1:30 ..........................................Intro to Round Tables

1:30 - 2:45 .......................................Round Table Discussions

2:45 - 3 ...................................................Break & Exhibits

3 - 4:15 ............................................Afternoon Workshops:
.......................................................................#6 - #10

4:15pm ..............................................Conference Adjourns

Registration Form | Workshops | AT Track | Agenda | Keynote | Bios | Top

Keynote Speaker: Pat Furlong, the founding President and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) www.parentprojectmd.org
Pat Furlong is the Founding President and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest nonprofit organization in the United States solely focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne). Its mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne through research, advocacy, education, and compassion.
Duchenne is the most common fatal, genetic childhood disorder, which affects approximately 1 out of every 3,500 boys each year worldwide. It currently has no cure.
When doctors diagnosed her two sons, Christopher and Patrick, with Duchenne in 1984, Pat didn’t accept “there’s no hope and little help” as an answer. Pat immersed herself in Duchenne, working to understand the pathology of the disorder, the extent of research investment and the mechanisms for optimal care. Her sons lost their battle with Duchenne in their teenage years, but she continues to fight—in their honor and for all families affected by Duchenne.
In 1994, Pat, together with other parents of young men with Duchenne, founded PPMD to change the course of Duchenne and, ultimately, to find a cure. Today, Pat continues to lead the organization and is considered one of the foremost authorities on Duchenne in the world.
Along with leading PPMD, Pat speaks about Duchenne and related topics at conferences each year worldwide and is an active Board member with the Genetic Alliance and the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. She is also a committee member on the Collaboration in Education and Test Translation Program; and serves on the data safety monitoring board for both the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network and Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group.
Pat graduated from Mt. St. Joseph College in Cincinnati, Ohio with a BS in Nursing. She attended Graduate School at Ohio State University. While attending Ohio State, Pat spent most of her time in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. After marrying Dr. Tom Furlong, Pat ran the Renal Dialysis Unit and Patient Education Center at Akron General Hospital. With four children, Pat continued her career on a part-time basis, teaching patient education classes at Middletown Regional Hospital.
Pat has two daughters and her perseverance is in honor of her two sons, Christopher and Patrick, who continue to motivate her efforts.
Click http://www.joost.com/02000df/t/Duchenne-The-Death-Gene#id=02000df "Duchenne - The Death Gene"
A 50 minute video with Pat Furlong, who's 2 sons, Christopher and Patrick, had Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.

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Thanks to our Sponsors & Exhibitors!

PLATINUM Sponsor
Children with Special Health Needs, Vermont Department of Health
Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council
Vermont Department of Education

GOLD Sponsor
Voc Rehab Vermont

SILVER Sponsor
Center on Disability and Community Inclusion / UVM
Vermont Assistive Technology Program

BRONZE Sponsor
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
South Burlington Ground Round
MetLife
Vermont Protection & Advocacy
Vermont Special Needs Planning

EXHIBITORS
Autism Community Groups
Everyone's Books*
Green Mountain Self-Advocates
HowardCenter
Kids On The Block - Vermont
Pediatric RehabGym
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont
PNSI/Bayada Nurses
Social Security Administration Boston Regional PASS Cadre
SNHU Graduate Program in Community Mental Health
Stern Center for Language and Learning
UVM National Service Inclusion Project
Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Vermont Chronic Care Initiative
Vermont Clinical Study Center
Vermont Family Network Assistive Technology Program & Reuse Project
VSA Arts of Vermont

*Books will be available for sale, bring your wallet!

Special thanks to:
Applebee's
Bove's of Vermont
Gift Baskets by Kim
Green Mountain Coffee
Ground Round, proud member of the Vermont Fresh Network
Jivana Spa
Rhino Foods, Inc.
Speeder and Earl's
Vermont Soap
W. B. Mason/Office Quarters
for their generous inkind donations!

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Workshop Presenter Bios

From Workshop #1:

Brian Denger, Parent Advocate Coordinator, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), Biddeford, ME
Brian is the father of two sons who have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and his daughter lives with Type I Diabetes. He is the Parent Advocate Coordinator for PPMD, a grassroots organization devoted to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Besides working full time as a manager for a regional supermarket chain, Brian works on several projects for PPMD including, Legislative Advocacy, Parent/Family Advocacy, helping families with educational and insurance issues and participating in the DMD registry and a DMD research grant program. Brian is a member of the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee which is made up of members of volunteer health organizations and the NIH and other Federal health agencies involved in muscular dystrophy research. He is also involved in several local committees and commissions. www.parentprojectmd.org | www.duchenneconnect.org | www.runforoursons.org

From Workshop #2:

Daniela Caserta, Family Therapist, Early Childhood Mental Health
Daniela is a trained marriage and family therapist with an early childhood and human services background. For the past eighteen years, she has worked in a variety of settings with children and families including the classroom, residential treatment centers, clinics and the community. Currently she serves as the Assistant Director of the Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Program at HowardCenter’s, Child, Youth and Family Services. Daniela’s practice philosophy is one of social justice that includes structural and narrative themes. Her work with children is play based and highlights the use of rituals. Daniela is the proud parent of two young children and currently resides with her children and husband in Burlington, VT.

From Workshop #3:

Claudia Inés Pringles
Claudia is an active volunteer with a passion for advocacy. She is president of AAWARE; Membership Chair of the Autism Task Force and, she was recently appointed to the Autism Plan Advisory Committee. She is a part-time family consultant with the Vermont Family Network, where she supports families of children with special needs with school related issues. She has two children including a 9 year old daughter with autism. Claudia received her undergraduate degree in economics from Pitzer College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. Her solo law practice focuses exclusively in the area of special needs planning. www.pringleslaw.com

From Workshop #4:

Laurie Euler
Laurie is a parent, martial arts instructor, and educator. She believes everyone can use sensory integration information to work more effectively with children, ourselves, and each other.

From Workshop #5:

Chris Trout
Chris is an international speaker, author and coach who has touched the lives of thousands through his book, Reflecting Strengths: Transformative Lessons from Resilient Youth and the Strengths Ezine, read in more than a dozen countries worldwide. You can learn more about Chris at www.strengthsinfocus.com.

From Workshop #6:

Carol Andrew, EdD, OTR
Carol has been a developmental specialist in the Child Development Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon NH for 30 years. She has a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy and is a Doctor of Education in early childhood special education. Her primary responsibilities are diagnostic evaluation of children, birth to 5 years, with specialties in autistic spectrum disorders and prematurity. She has worked in early intervention services and taught early childhood development, special education, sensory integration, use of play and routines for therapy for young children.
In Dr. Andrew's private practice she provides consultation to early intervention programs regarding children with challenging behaviors or concern for autism. Develops programs specific to the child’s individual needs. She is on the Vermont Statewide consultation team for early childhood and is a diagnostic evaluator of young children for Vermont Child Development Clinics. She presents workshops for providers around managing behaviors and educating young children with disabilities and their families.

From Workshop #7:

Max Barrows, Green Mountain Self-Advocates Outreach Coordinator and Karen Topper, Green Mountain Self Advocates Sexuality Educator.
Green Mountain Self-Advocates, self-advocacy network, operated by and for people with developmental disabilities to take control over their own lives, make decisions, solve problems and speak for themselves. They educate and make the public aware of the strengths, rights, wants and needs of people with developmental disabilities.

From Workshop #8:

Cristalee McSweeney
Cristalee's background is in prevention, mediation, and Health Realization. She teaches Health Realization, speaks at conferences and trainings about raising a child with a disability and is currently a law student at Woodbury College.

From Workshop #9:

John Spinney
John is a special education consultant with the Vermont Department of Education. John’s area of expertise lies in training and technical assistance for high school special educators preparing youth with disabilities for life after high school.
Ben Spinney, John's brother who has down syndrome, graduated high school and has maintained the same job for 9 years. 2 months ago he was employee of the month at Hannafords. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as his girlfriend. Ben is an excellent athlete as well competing in special olympics bowling, bocce and alpine skiing.

From Workshop #10:

Kathleen Kilbourne
Kathleen is the Director of the Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC Vermont). She has been a classroom teacher and special educator for fourteen years in rural Title I schools in VT. In addition, she is licensed as a principal and has directed a residential summer camps for children and adults with differing needs. She is the mother of two children, a biological daughter who is 8, and an adopted 4 year old African American son. She brings both her professional and personal experience to the table when she speaks about Parent Involvement statewide.