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IN THE NEWS!

Our Summer Programs have official Kicked Off! 

WACO: 

The Work and College Opportunities (W.A.C.O.) project at Texas A&M University is a 5-week program held in the Summer for students who are blind or have low vision. 

DARS-DBS Transition Program, Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living and Texas A&M Center on Disability and Development collaborate.

This summer work program for DARS consumers is held at Texas A&M University.  Participants receive development and instruction in Professionalism, Self-determination and Teamwork.  They live in on-campus dormitories.  They experience and learn about college opportunities and work in the community 16-20 hours a week.

Development of vocational skills, career exploration, and independent living skills are emphasized.

Staff includes Texas A&M Instructors, Texas A&M Mentors, Job coaches, Vocational Adjustment trainers, Residential staff and O&M instructors to provide consumer development and training. 24-hour supervision is provided.

Contact: Dr. Jackie Pacha & Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge 

Bridge to Career: 

The Bridge to Career in Human Service Program is a summer program offered by the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University. This program works in collaborations with the Brazos Valley Center For Independent Livingto provide qualifying students with developmental disabilities access to a post-secondary education program along with special educational supports, which will prepare them for employment in the field of health and human services, specifically to become Direct Support Professionals.

Contact: Ruth Davenport

LEAP: 

The Leadership, Employability, and Advocacy Project (LEAP) provides training and experiences to youth with disabilities to develop their leadership and advocacy skills. Project LEAP selects youth participants from among high school juniors and seniors across the state. Participants learn the history of the disability rights movement, engage in career activities and explore assistive technologies. They also gain exposure to legislative activities at the Texas Capitol, such as mock testimonies and a legislative session, and a tour of the facilities and meetings with state legislators. Of course, there’s always an element of fun with recreational activities, including a talent show, dance and more!LEAP participants are equipped with:

• Leadership plans to implement upon return to their communities
• Academic and career goals
• A resource development plan in order to attain continued or more complete independence through technology, community support, peer mentoring and civil rights
• Employment skills
• 30 high school juniors and seniors will be selected from qualified applicants across the state of Texas.
• Exciting educational ten-day training program includes a tour of the State  Capitol, a meeting with state level officials and one day of mock legislative sessions

Contact: Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge
 

Brazos Valley Resource Guide is ONLINE!

Click on the photo to download!
 

News from the AUCD Network

University of Montana: Research & Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
Mapping Disability and Employment

Improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities requires overcoming persistent rural conditions and barriers

Using data from the American Community Survey, RTC:Rural researchers created three maps to explore disability and employment. The three maps are:

• Disability in America: Employment Rates
• Disability in America: Unemployment Rates
• Disability in America: Out of Labor Force

Full size images of these maps, and further analysis and text description of them, can be found on the RTC:Rural website at this link: Maps of Disability and Employment.

Overall, employment rates for people with disabilities are lower in rural areas, which follows the national trend of lower employment rates in rural areas. However, RTC:Rural Project Director Andrew Myers states  “It would be misleading to say that rates of employment [for people with disabilities] always go down as you get more rural. In fact, in some rural communities employment rates of people with disabilities are higher than the national average of 33%.”

Myers and colleagues have a number of hypotheses they are investigating regarding these data, and are currently writing up their findings for publication. Additionally, RTC:Rural Employment Research Director Catherine Ipsen, PhD., has further insight into employment outcomes for rural people with disabilities through her current projects that focus on Vocational Rehabilitation services including: Rural Contracted Services; Rural Self-Employment Opportunities; and Use of Social Media for Employment.

The rural/urban disparity in employment rates can be explained in part by lack of infrastructure and limited access to programs and specialists, which makes the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies that serve rural communities especially important. In fact, there are slightly higher numbers of employment outcomes in rural than urban areas, though past RTC:Rural research on consumer engagement with VR services has shown that many consumers exit the VR system before achieving employment goals, and many cases do not end in employment outcomes.

This research, along with current RTC:Rural VR studies, will be discussed during RTC:Rural’s State of the Science webinar on June 22, 2017, at 10:00 am MDT. The webinar will explore how VR payment models influence the availability of job development services in rural areas. The webinar will help participants understand which models may facilitate better VR outcomes in rural areas, and encourage conversation between VR and providers about how payment models impact job development services.

The webinar is free, but registration is required. State VR staff and administrators, researchers, job development providers, and other interested parties are encouraged to participate.

Click here for full details on the webinar and to register.

Source: RTC 

Newsworthy finds!

With Billions of Proposed Cuts, Medicaid Waivers may be At Risk – by Michelle Diament
Playground Offers with Kids with ASD Space of their Own – by Ann Spoerre
Housing Development for Adults with Disabilities Because a Reality – by Jim Buchta
Lawmakers Call for Full Funding of IDEA – by Shaun Heasley
To Save Money, Councils are Pushing Residential Care – and Stripping Rights – by Rob Greig
How to Turn Challenges into Gifts – by Patricia R. Olsen
Mandy Harvey, Deaf Singer, Finds an Audience. And Leaves it Weeping – by Christopher D. Shea
 

Affiliated Faculty Highlights

The Armstrong Scholar Award:
Dr. Kelly Wilson

The Armstrong Scholar Award, given to the faculty member with the highest points on A1 reports in the area of research and who has not received the award in the last three years, went to Dr. Kelly L. Wilson.

Congratulations Kelly! 

Student Highlights

Leadership, Advocacy, Employability Project (LEAP) 
Summer 2017 
Student Perceptions

           

July 21, 2017 – July 30, 2017 at Texas A&M University Campus, College Station, Texas

• 30 high school juniors and seniors (AT EACH EVENT) will be selected from qualified applicants across the state of Texas.
• Exciting educational ten-day training program includes a tour of the State  Capitol, a meeting with state level officials, and one day of mock legislative sessions.

This program costs individuals $3000.00 to attend. This fee covers all lodging and 3 meals per day for 10 days, all transportation to events sponsored by the LEAP Project, and all necessary academic/program supplies including program t-shirt. 

For more information about Project LEAP, please contact Dr. Cheryl Grenwelge at cgrenwelge@tamu.edu. To register online click the online application link.

Featured Events & Resources   

My Future My Plan

The PATH Project Region 6 will be hosting its annual conference for the families and professionals of Fort Worth and surrounding areas, entitled “My Future My Plan on Saturday, September 2, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at College View High School in College Station, Texas.

The purpose of this event is to give parents, youth, siblings, relatives, caregivers and professionals the opportunity to learn from our distinct speakers, as well as to network with other families while creating a community and developing lifelong friendships. In addition to having presentations, we will have exhibitor tables of resources available in our community.

This is a one day FREE opportunity for parents and professionals to join together for an exciting event packed with knowledgeable speakers and a variety of resources and vendors.

 If you would like to participate  please complete the attached vendor application .  
There is no cost to exhibit.  We ask that you bring a gift for door prizes.

Gail Wright
PATH Project Region 6 Coordinator at Partners Resource Network
Address 1090 Longfellow Dr. Beaumont, TX 77706
Phone 409.898.4684
Mobile 936.581.2045
Email gwrightpath@gmail.com
Website www.prntexas.org
Subscribe for free:PATH Project ENewsletter
PATH Project 2017 Webinar Series Register Now!

Become a Council Member!

Council Member ApplicationIf you are interested in applying to serve on the Council, follow the instructions on the Governor’s Appointments Application Process webpage. The Governor’s office will send you an acknowledgement when your application is received. When it is time for the Governor to make an appointment in which you have expressed interest, the background and qualifications of all applicants are reviewed.If you would like more information or have questions about becoming a Council member, contact Koren Vogel at 512-437-5416 or email koren.vogel@tcdd.texas.gov.
 

Job Opportunity!
Project Description: Partners in Research 

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face many barriers in accessing adequate health care and experience significant health disparities, yet most research on health and medicine does not include input from this population. Through the Partners in Research project, The Texas Center for Disability Studies (TCDS) at The University of Texas at Austin will address this gap by building capacity among people with IDD to play meaningful roles in research. It will then connect researchers with program graduates who are interested in becoming actively involved in the research process. 
 
The Partners in Research course will launch in Austin in 2018, with 2017 dedicated to program research, planning, and development by project staff and the Advisory Council. The course will consist of a total of four individual class sessions to be held weekly over a one-month period. It will be offered four times in 2018. Classes will be co-taught by people with and without IDD, and will be free of charge for participants. Course curriculum will be evaluated and modified continuously. By the end of the project period, staff will create a replicable course curriculum guide that can be used nationally to build research capacity among people with IDD. Additionally, a website and database will be built to connect researchers with program graduates who would like to hold meaningful roles on research teams. Engaging people with IDD in health research will ultimately result in research goals, designs, outcomes, and dissemination of information to better meet this community’s needs.
 
Anticipated outputs for this initiative are: the development and local implementation of a Partners in Research course curriculum designed to educate people with IDD about all aspects of the research process; a Partners in Research website and database; and a final replicable course curriculum that can be used nationally. Project collaborators include local nonprofits and federally funded disability organizations, such as the Texas A&M Center on Disability and Development, as well as local university partners and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

The job posting and link to apply can be found here. 
Information on accommodations for UT job applications can be found here.
The job is based in Austin. 

Please contact Elizabeth Lewis for more information. 
 

Job Opportunity! 
Technical Assistance Coordinator 
University of Texas: Center for Disability Studies 

PurposeProvide the main point of contact and technical assistance for universities in the University of Texas system that wish to apply and replicate a postsecondary education program model for youth with disabilities.

Essential FunctionsInitiate Replication Sites – Assist with the Hosting of face-to-face 3-day training meeting with Higher Education Partners. Train with project staff for job responsibilities at the annual Three-Day working event facilitated by lead project. Assist with the development of marketing materials and information packet for replication sites. Assist with the establishment of university site recruitment procedures. Assist with the establishment of the application process for universities wanting to replicate. Assist with the establishment of scoring criteria of applications from universities. Solicit applications from universities. Develop Replication Sites – Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to develop wraparound support services protocol. Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to develop application forms and procedures. Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to develop Summer College Prep program training. Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to develop protocol for student mentoring. Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to develop universally designed curriculum and classroom support. Maintain support for Replication Sites – Assist Higher Education replication sites to market the program(s). Assist UT identified Higher Education replication sites to identify and establish employer partner protocol for designated career field(s) of HE model replication. Facilitate SWOT analysis with each UT selected replication site that identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats connected to the replication of selected HE model. Using a train the trainer methodology, identify and train individual at each replication site to be trained in person centered practices. Provide guidance and support for marketing the programs, ongoing technical assistance and monitoring to UT identified Higher Education replication sites. Provide technical guidance with the development and design of HEC evaluation protocol.

Marginal/Incidental functionsOther related functions as assigned.

Required qualificationsExperience with transition-ages youth with disabilities, teaching, and employment training. Experience with event planning and organization including registration processes. Experience in collaborating with community partners. Good organizational skills. Good communication skills. Knowledge of Universal Design Learning, Person-Centered Practices, and post secondary opportunities for students with disabilities. Bachelor Degree. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred QualificationsExperience in development, planning an execution of post-secondary programs for youth with disabilities. Training in Person-Centered Practices and Universal Design. Experience in public/private school and college settings. Bachelor degree or higher in Education, Post-Secondary, or Disability-related field.

Please contact Dr Amy Sharp for more information 
Please click here for the job announcement. 

Stress-related mental health issues among college students have risen 58% since 1988, and show no sign of slowing down. Knowing that personal and academic pressures can negatively impact learning, it makes sense for educators, such as yourself, to guide students in managing their stress.With this in mind, our education specialists at BestColleges.com have created, A Student’s Guide to Managing Stress. Our resource includes information on:

• The Effects of Stress
• Managing Your Stress
• Getting Help for Stress

We know that Texas A and M University works hard to maintain a positive learning environment with exceptional mental health services. One way to foster these efforts is to continue expanding your links and resources page with new and updated material. We’d like to support these efforts by inviting you to share our stress-management guide with your student body here:http://disabilityresources.tamu.edu/access-mental-health-mental-retardation-mhmr-of-palestinePlease reach out to us with any questions!Hannah Wilkins | hannah@bestcolleges.com
Outreach Coordinator | BestColleges.com
P.O. Box 52755 | Houston, TX 77052 | Facebook | Twitter

Transition seminar, on September 14, 2017 at Central Baptist Church from 9:30am-2:30pm.  This transition training is at no cost to BCBSTX STAR Kids members (Parents/LAR). During this seminar, participants can get information and tools needed to plan for a young adults’ life after high school.To sign up, members can call 1-855-497-0857 (Member Outreach team) or they can go to www.txp2p.orgThe best part is that the seminar is NOT only for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas STAR Kids members, anyone can participate. All they have to do is call Cynda Green from Parent to Parent at 1-866-896-6001.Seminar topics include: Funding Sources; Legal Issues; School Transition Services; Medical Transition; Opportunities for Work; Ideas for Establishing a Positive Family Run Home; Building Networks of Support; etc.Professionals are also encouraged to participate.
 

SMILE: Special Moments in a Library Environment

Fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Please call Cindy Oser at 979-764-3416 or email coser@bryantx.gov to register.
A fun story time, play time, and support group for families with a child with special needs between ages 2-17

Larry J Ringer Public Library
1818 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S
College Station, TX 77845
PH: 979-764-3416
www.bcslibrary.org
 

CENTER & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Visit the CDD Calendar for more events at
http://cdd.tamu.edu/calendar-events

Parent-directed Treatment Project

Parent-directed Treatment Project is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Parent trainers will provide face-to-face treatment and/or online training for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents or caregivers will be instructed in how to improve the communication skills of their own children. Your child will receive communication/behavioral assessments and a communication intervention which will be implemented by you. A free group training webinar will be offered to parents on different dates for your choice. After completing the webinar, you will be eligible to participate in the individualized training with your therapist. Sessions will be conducted for approximately 12 to 14 weeks in total for 1-2 hours per session. This will include both group and individualized training. 

We are looking for parents or caregivers who have children up to age 22 with ASD. If you are interested in participating in this project, complete the online application form. We will contact you soon. Thank you. 

Apply online (click this link)

http://cdd.tamu.edu/parent-directed-treatment-project

Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) is offering free GED classes.

If you do not have your high school diploma and you need your GED, call(979) 595 – 2801 ext. 2313. You can also e-mail Phyllis.James@bvcog.org.
Click here for more information
Click Here to view the Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) Student Handbook
 

ATTENTION AEL PARTICIPANTS!!

Get one-on-one MATH help through the Distance Learning Math Call Center by phone, email, or live chat!
Spanish-speaking tutors are available!
Click Here – English Flyer
Click Here – Spanish Flyer
Open 6am-10pm Central Time

Distinguished Author Series, Night at the Museum Halloween Celebration, President Bush 41’s Leadership: Six Presidential Roles, and more!

Calendar of Events: {click here}