EVENTS

Take Charge of Transition 2007: Imagine the Possibilities
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
8:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

Event is offered at no cost and will be held at Sacramento State's University Union in Sacramento, CA.

Take Charge of Transition: Imagine the Possibilities is a conference for youth with developmental disabilities, family members and educators covering transition related topics. Open to 300 attendees, the conference will feature workshops on employment, living options, self-advocacy, relationships and financial planning, a transition fair with over 25 exhibitors and an inspirational keynote speech by Karen Gaffney.

Karen Gaffney is an advocate for people with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities as well as for anyone else who has ever had to overcome limitations in achieving their goals.

The conference is an opportunity for youth with developmental disabilities and their supporters to get excited about and plan for their futures.

Registration is open until December 1, 2006. Download a conference registration brochure here.

To assist our out-of-town attendees, Project TEAMS has reserved a block of rooms at the Courtyard Sacramento Midtown hotel for the night before the Take Charge of Transition conference. These rooms are being offered to attendees at a discounted rate. The discounted rate is $129.00 (regular rate $149). To reserve a room at this rate you can contact the hotel at (916) 455-6800 and request a room under the group name 'Take Charge of Transition'.

Teleconferences

Transition Services Integration Project - April 19, 2005

Presenter: Denise Mautz, Ph.D., San Francisco State University, Department of Special Education, Transition Service Integration Project.

Dr. Mautz is Project Director of two federally funded projects related to transition from school to work in California and Hawaii and Associate Director of two additional federal projects in Maryland and Tennessee. During this teleconference Dr. Mautz described the Transition Service Integration Project (TSIP), currently operating throughout California and in selected locations in Maryland, Tennessee, and Hawaii.

The articles, Integrating Service Systems At The Point Of Transition For Youth With Significant Support Needs: A Model That Works and Transition Service Integration Project: Integrated Work And Community Inclusion Agency Characteristics And Rationale For Services detail information about this exciting project, which has both challenged and changed the system. (These documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, or are unsure, you may download Adobe Reader from Adobe's website for free.)

Self_Directed Services Program - October 26, 2005

Presenters:Mike Kulisek, California Department of Developmental Services Associate Governmental Program Analyst Community Services and Supports Division and Gina De La O, California Department of Developmental Services Staff Services Analyst Community Services and Supports Division.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS), in collaboration with the Self-Determination Steering Committee, designed California's first Self-Directed Services (SD) Program. The new Self-Directed Services Program includes a flexible array of non-congregate services and supports, which foster inclusive community living, while ensuring participant safeguards.

This teleconference provided information on services and supports available within the SD Program, including special program features.

Managing Social Security Benefits While Working - April 26, 2006

Presenter: Amy Williams, Benefit Planner/Staff Attorney, Legal Services of Northern California.

There are various work incentives aimed at helping young adults earn money and keep their Social Security benefits while in school or pursuing an educational or vocational goal. The Work Incentive Education Project (WIEP) provides information and benefit planning services to benficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who may want to either begin or increase their employment activity.

This teleconference provided participants with an understanding of the two most common Social Security programs and how they affect young adults who are transitioning into adulthood.

• The Disability Program Navigator project in California.
• Efforts made to ensure the infrastructure of the One-Stop Career Center system can serve people with disabilities.
• Specific local outreach efforts to special education and community-based organizations that serve youth with disabilities.
• Examples of the coordination with the local One-Stop Career Centers and these organizations.

To find your local One-Stop Career Center, visit the EDD website, www.edd.ca.gov, and click on the "Find a One-Stop Center" button on the right hand side. Click here for a list of California Disability Program Navigators.

To find additional resources and to learn more about Sutter County One-Stop, visit www.sutteronestop.com. To find additional resources and to learn more about the San Bernadino Workforce Development Department, visit www.csb-win.org

Support Groups

Family

Sacramento Asperger Syndrome Information & Support
Meeting time: 2nd Tuesday of every month
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Three groups meet at the same time and location in separate rooms/areas:
Parents & Caregivers
ASD Teens/ASD Adults, 16 and older
Partners & Spouses of AS individuals
UC Davis MIND Institute
2825 50th Street
Sacramento CA 95817
(888) 883-0961
Childcare is not available at our meetings
Online map: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/html/maps/index.htm
For more information contact: Sue Owens, (530) 666-0246 or Lynne Weissman, (916) 682-1740

Elk Grove Parents Autism Resource Group
First Sunday each month
1-3 pm at The Blue Moon Cafe
9105 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove

Grandparents

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Meeting Time: Every first Friday of the month
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Roseville City School District
District Office Conference Room
1000 Darling Way
Roseville CA 95678
Contact: Betsy Dodds
(916) 783-4566
New members are always welcomed and encouraged to attend!

American River College Kinship Training (classes)
Meeting time: 1st Friday of the month, September – June
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Topics will change each month
Susan B. Gaines Mitchell Building
Community Room
2450 Florin Road
Childcare and light meal provided
Contact: Peggy McDermott
(916) 484-8626

North Sacramento Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Meeting time: 2nd and 3rd Wednesday
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
At the Fire House Community Center
Grand Avenue
Transportation and childcare available
Contact Cora Keeton
(916) 927-4196