Workshop #1
2nd Edition of the AAIDD Positive Behavior Support Training Curriculum: Overview and Practical Methods for Successful Implementation

The AAMR Positive Behavior Support Training Curriculum has been revised for 2007. The new, 2nd edition of the curriculum contains improvements based on 8 years of use by authors and editors and others who provided constructive suggestions for revision. This workshop, provided by the lead author and editor of the curriculum, provides key information on the content of the curriculum, training format, and how best to implement it for supervisors and direct support professionals. Feedback collected from hundreds of participants will be included in this presentation and integrated into the implementation recommendations.

Workshop #2
A Community-Wide Approach to Supporting the Health Care Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

The D.C. Health Resouces Partnership has been established to improve health care access for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the District of Columbia. The three areas of focus include: (1) identifying and supporting access to appropriate health care services; (2) providing training and targeted technical assistance to individuals, community agency staff, hospital staff and the District's Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability Administration and (3) establishing and gathering evidence for best practice models of health care delivery. This workshop will review these strategies and provide suggestions for developing funding mechanisms to support similar efforts in other communities.

Workshop #3
Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives: Supports for Quality Living

Hear the voices of more than 20 people with developmental disabilities whose lives were forever changed through the Illinois Voices initiative. This exciting interactive workshop describes an innovative approach to self-advocacy that redefines best practice. Illinois Voices Self-Advocates along with the Project Director and Project Coordinator will guide the audience through the 18 month journey of empowering people with developmental disabilities and service providers to create and sustain environments which supports the self-advocacy movement.

Workshop #4
CQL Quality Measures 2005 Accreditation: A Journey to Excellence

The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) is an international, not-for-profit, organization dedicated to the definition, measurement, and evaluation of personal and community quality of life. In May of 2005, CQL introduced a new set of measures that evaluate personal quality of life, Basic Assurances®, Shared Values, Responsive ServicesSM, and Community LifeSM. Accreditation with Quality Measures 2005® is one quality strategy associated with these measures. This session will focus on how CQL's accreditation results in an ongoing partnership with organizations to create and implement integrated quality management systems.

Workshop #5
The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS): A Workshop for Users

The purpose of this workshop is to familiarize session attendees with the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS). The SIS is intended to be used within a four-component support needs assessment and planning approach, an approach that will be explained during the workshop. Each phase of SIS's development will be presented, including findings from recent field tests. Additionally, participants will receive explicit instructions on how to administer and score the instrument, as well as how to interpret results.

Workshop #6
Improving Person-Centered Planning Through Evaluation

This workshop will describe practical evaluation methods for agencies that wish to systematically implement person-centered planning. Quantitative and qualitative approaches will be presented, emphasizing how the results inform the management and planning team to improve the process. Assessments tools will be distributed that evaluate integrity of the process, quality of life, organizational effectiveness, person-centered climate in the agency, and participant satisfaction. Participants will learn how to apply these methods, which will be exemplified as they were applied in various person-centered planning projects.

Workshop #7
Literacy Instruction for All Students: Supporting the Literacy Learning of Individuals with Moderate or Severe Disabilities

This half-day interactive workshop teaches participants research-based strategies to assess and teach literacy skills to individuals with moderate or severe disabilities, including persons with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, or autism spectrum disorders. It includes discussion, demonstration, and hands-on learning activities related to literacy assessment and instructional strategies in each of the critical components of an effective reading program: phonological awareness and phonics, vocabulary, text comprehension, fluency, and oral language.

Workshop #8
Teaching socialization/sexuality education to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities

The Friends Curriculum teaches skills and habits that promote stability and deepening of relationships that may include intimacy. Skills taught in using the Friends Curriculum range from ways of making relationships lively and joyful to familiarity with conflict resolution and assertiveness. In this workshop for conference attendees we present the methods used, including goals, objectives, strategies, and activities, and share samples of curriculum and student work.

Workshop #9
The Surgeon General's A Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities

Over the past year a broad group of stakeholders from throughout the country have participated in planning sessions to develop strategic plans to implement the 2005 Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities. This session will review the strategies developed, and engage participants in planning what they can do at a regional or local level in collaboration with community partners to implement some of the strategies.

Workshop #10
Using Person-Centered Planning to Support Life and Death Decision Making

This workshop will address the issue of using the core skills and tools of good person-centered planning to support healthcare and end of life decision making with people with ID and/or DD. The workshop will focus on the process of People Planning Ahead, a pratical skill based method of exploring healthcare and end of life issues and developing advance directives with people with ID and/or DD.

Thu

9:30 am-5:00 pm

Fri

8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Workshop #11
Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Living Inclusive and Self-Determined Lives through Individual Control of Funding and Creative Use of Resources: "Nuts and Bolts" of Supports to Make it Happen

This interactive two-day workshop will focus on the day-to-day realities of adults with significant intellectual disabilities having the support needed to create a life of full inclusion and participation in the community through individual control of funding, supports, and services. Issues addressed include creating "funding packages" through merging funding streams, asset building, person-centered planning, individual budgets/fiscal intermediaries, support brokerage, and inclusive supports/services (employment, home of one's own, housemates and personal assistants, fostering friendships and community inclusion).