1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,480 Welcome, welcome, welcome to Unlimited Parenting, where we discuss having children with disabilities 2 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,840 or special health care needs. 3 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:19,480 I'm Allison, and with me today are Sarah and Melissa, and we are going to be giving 4 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:24,000 an IPUL year in review, as well as some holiday tips and tricks. 5 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:28,760 So with that, let's jump right into it. 6 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:29,760 Hi. 7 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:30,760 Hello. 8 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:31,760 Hi. 9 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:32,760 Welcome. 10 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:33,760 Hello. 11 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:38,440 As I say that to you, like we haven't been talking all morning. 12 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,340 So let's talk about the things that we did this year, and it's probably how I made a 13 00:00:42,340 --> 00:00:43,340 big old list. 14 00:00:43,340 --> 00:00:47,640 So maybe I'll shout something out, and you guys can give some feedback on it. 15 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:48,640 Sound good? 16 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:49,640 Yep. 17 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:50,640 Okay, well. 18 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:51,640 That's a good size list. 19 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:52,640 Yeah. 20 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:53,640 It looks kind of intimidating. 21 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:56,960 Melissa's like, whoo, this is going to take more than 30 minutes. 22 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:58,960 We started a podcast. 23 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,240 Isn't that exciting? 24 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:04,440 By the time everyone hears this, this will be our 12th. 25 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:05,440 Wow. 26 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:07,480 I think our 12th episode. 27 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:08,480 Congrats. 28 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:09,480 That's exciting. 29 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:10,480 Yeah. 30 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:12,840 And there's lots of really exciting things. 31 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,960 I mean, I know this is like a teaser, but there's even like things that are so exciting 32 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:20,720 that we can't even talk about them yet that are coming up soon. 33 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:21,720 Okay. 34 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:23,640 I know we're going to just, we're going to. 35 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:24,640 Do we know? 36 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:25,640 I know. 37 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,200 Yeah, you guys know. 38 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:28,200 You guys know. 39 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,840 But we're going to be interviewing some big people. 40 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,080 We're hoping to get more parents. 41 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,480 We're going to start talking about genetics. 42 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:38,480 Very cool. 43 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:39,480 Yeah. 44 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:40,480 All right. 45 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:41,480 It's going to be super great. 46 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:42,480 I'm excited about it. 47 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:43,480 Thank you. 48 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:44,480 Thank you. 49 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,000 We're all very excited about it. 50 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,200 Outside, outside of the podcast. 51 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,160 What about monthly webinars? 52 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:58,680 And I know we always do monthly webinars, so our listeners might be like, yeah, what's 53 00:01:58,680 --> 00:01:59,680 new? 54 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:00,680 You've always done that. 55 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:02,520 But they're kind of changing. 56 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:03,520 They are. 57 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:04,520 Yeah. 58 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,120 So I don't remember when we did our. 59 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,840 We did a needs assessment, I guess. 60 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,680 We had a call to action or call to request. 61 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:19,360 I was thinking you were going to say a call to arms. 62 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:25,720 For feedback from from our families and our professionals that that call our office or 63 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,520 email us or however they get a hold of us. 64 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:34,600 But and that kind of changed the trajectory of how we are going to start providing some 65 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:35,600 of our training. 66 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:42,840 Yeah, we listened to our stakeholders who overwhelmingly wanted self guided, self paced 67 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:44,880 kind of trainings available to them. 68 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,320 So we are last what? 69 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:48,320 Three, two. 70 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:49,320 Yeah, three. 71 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:50,320 OK, three. 72 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:51,320 All right. 73 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:52,320 Yeah. 74 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,880 Have been self paced modules and from the couple parents that I've had the opportunity 75 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:59,720 to speak with, they really like them. 76 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,520 I I missed the interaction that we get with parents. 77 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:09,100 So because of that, we have an office hours that we are still holding every month. 78 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:15,920 So there's a there's still an open zoom available for for you guys to come ask us whatever questions. 79 00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:16,920 I guess. 80 00:03:16,920 --> 00:03:17,920 Oh, sorry. 81 00:03:17,920 --> 00:03:18,920 I'm sorry. 82 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:19,920 I'll stop moving. 83 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:21,920 Sounds like it's crying for help. 84 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:22,920 I'm sorry. 85 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:23,920 I'll stand up. 86 00:03:23,920 --> 00:03:29,160 It's reinforced steel, but it doesn't like it. 87 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:33,080 So we have a nude way that we're doing our training. 88 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:38,560 This is our how we talk all day long. 89 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,840 OK, I am so sorry. 90 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:44,120 Office hours, self paced courses. 91 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:45,120 Yeah. 92 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,920 So we still have our same great trainings with our same great information. 93 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:51,040 It's just going to be delivered a little bit different. 94 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:56,400 And we're hoping that this then gives us the opportunity to continue to add more to our 95 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,280 our catalog, if you if you will. 96 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:00,760 And they're still accessible. 97 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:06,100 They'll come with pictures of who created the content and or who's speaking. 98 00:04:06,100 --> 00:04:09,660 And speaking of speaking, there are audio files in there. 99 00:04:09,660 --> 00:04:15,080 So if you'd prefer to get your information told to you, if you prefer to read it, read 100 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:16,080 it. 101 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:17,080 It's Friday. 102 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,880 You prefer to read it. 103 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:21,880 Good Lord. 104 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:23,720 Or there are videos. 105 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:27,320 So we're trying to get all of the different ways people learn. 106 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,480 And I mean, maybe this is just me. 107 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:36,000 But in my opinion, these self paced modules allow us to give more information than what 108 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,880 we would have been able to do in an hour. 109 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:40,880 Yeah. 110 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,480 And I mean, our paddlets, our resources are still linked. 111 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:47,640 But this, for example, let me just call out the IEP one that we just did. 112 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:53,340 It gives we can blow up the IEP document and look line by line by line and really dive 113 00:04:53,340 --> 00:04:59,820 into each individual section and provide some really great knowledge and resources so that 114 00:04:59,820 --> 00:05:05,800 in your next IEP meeting and you have a really good big question about what does LRE mean? 115 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:08,480 Now you should be able to now you should know. 116 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:10,220 Now you should know. 117 00:05:10,220 --> 00:05:16,500 And to kind of go on the other side of the self paced modules, we've done a lot of special 118 00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:18,200 requests in person trainings. 119 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:26,120 And so that's kind of where we've we've balanced out the self paced and the in person requests 120 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:32,400 from providers from support groups coming asking if we can come in or zoom in and do 121 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:37,360 that hour long tailored training to the needs that are being asked. 122 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:44,620 And so that's kind of how we are still able to do our in person work for those people 123 00:05:44,620 --> 00:05:47,080 who are requesting it and actually have people show up. 124 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:48,080 Yeah. 125 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:49,440 So and that's a really good I'm sorry. 126 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,040 I know I was gonna say win win win. 127 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:54,820 Yeah, because it gives us the opportunity to make them like Sarah said, a lot more specialized 128 00:05:54,820 --> 00:05:57,140 for those specific groups. 129 00:05:57,140 --> 00:05:59,360 So yeah, it is it's win win win. 130 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:01,140 Hopefully, we want to hear the feedback. 131 00:06:01,140 --> 00:06:02,840 So if you have feedback, let us know. 132 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:07,860 Yep, there's a form in the description box at the bottom that allows you to give any 133 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:12,980 kind of feedback on this podcast in specific or anything you'd like to see in the future. 134 00:06:12,980 --> 00:06:15,200 So shout out to that. 135 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:16,200 Okay. 136 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:22,520 Another program that we have that we've been doing for a while is cultivating readers. 137 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,600 And I'm going to let you talk a little bit about that. 138 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:28,960 Not a lot of huge changes, but some small things. 139 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:35,880 Yeah, so cultivating readers is a state professional development grant that we partner with our 140 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:41,640 State Department of Education to run several districts around the state participate. 141 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,940 And it changes from year to year which districts are participating. 142 00:06:44,940 --> 00:06:52,720 But it the intention of the grant is to increase literacy scores in kids K through three, those 143 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,580 specific with disabilities. 144 00:06:55,580 --> 00:06:59,080 Because if we are if we're helping our kids K through three with disabilities, that means 145 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:01,160 we're helping everyone, right? 146 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:06,320 So it's it's kind of a universal help and a push and it's using a multi tiered systems 147 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:07,320 of support. 148 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:12,320 So from the administration to the instructional coaches to the teachers themselves and the 149 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:17,920 librarians, but our piece and we're really excited about having the opportunity to partner 150 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,220 with the State Department. 151 00:07:19,220 --> 00:07:22,140 And these also these districts is a family engagement piece. 152 00:07:22,140 --> 00:07:28,120 So the cultivating readers parent representatives are family representative family engagement 153 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:33,180 representatives that should be representing each school that's in the program. 154 00:07:33,180 --> 00:07:39,280 And they are kind of that liaison between school and home and they're they're they're 155 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:45,240 they're creating newsletter blurbs just really trying to get information into the hands of 156 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:50,420 their school community into their parents hands and parent friendly language about how 157 00:07:50,420 --> 00:07:58,000 to help their kiddos and K through three with literacy, whether it is phonics or you know, 158 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:02,960 just increasing literacy in their everyday lives and home, you know, literacy in the 159 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:07,960 grocery store literacy, just wherever it is organically organically. 160 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:08,960 Yeah. 161 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,480 What would you say if someone was listening right now and they were like, is my school 162 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:13,480 doing that? 163 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:16,240 How can I find out? 164 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:20,080 I would touch base with your school not. 165 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,240 Can any school any school can sign up? 166 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:23,240 Absolutely. 167 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:29,440 Yeah, they do an application and then the application I think starts in May and then 168 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:30,920 they start recruiting parents. 169 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,560 So the State Department will start recruiting other districts. 170 00:08:34,560 --> 00:08:41,880 It's some of this can fulfill some of their alleged their dyslexia training components. 171 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,440 Not all of it, but some of the components fulfill some of that training. 172 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:49,800 But yeah, if you don't if you want to find out if your districts, this is something that 173 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:54,480 you can ask your administrator, your principal, probably if you're building or you can call 174 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:59,680 us and I could tell you if your district is involved and they have a parent representative 175 00:08:59,680 --> 00:09:05,920 and if they don't, I can sign you up and say exactly, but it is a really cool program and 176 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:10,560 the schools that are participating are absolutely seeing the gains in their scores. 177 00:09:10,560 --> 00:09:15,640 And so we know it's working and the more family engagement that we have, the higher those 178 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,320 scores so it's translatable. 179 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:23,800 And once upon a time I was a family engagement on the team and it was fun. 180 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,880 You were and your school was very successful. 181 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:29,400 And I think it was all just kidding. 182 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,520 And then we stole you. 183 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:36,560 Who wants to talk about Fred Riggers Disability Awareness Day? 184 00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:39,040 I would love to talk about that. 185 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:44,240 Fred Riggers Disability Awareness Day is a really wonderful opportunity for all of us 186 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:46,040 within the disability community. 187 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:50,440 So in the Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities, we are a member of, don't say that word right? 188 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:51,440 No you did. 189 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:52,440 I'm just going to say. 190 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:53,440 You looked at me and I was like. 191 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:54,440 We really mean all of us. 192 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,000 There are so many people there. 193 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:58,000 Yeah. 194 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,280 And this is an opportunity. 195 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:06,280 So Fred Riggers was a staple at the Capitol for those of our listeners who may not know. 196 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:08,880 Born and raised in Idaho, lived on a farm. 197 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:09,880 Absolutely. 198 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:15,160 And he went blind late in life and was just a staple at the state house really trying 199 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:22,760 to just push for, you know, bills, legislation that would help people like him and Idahoans 200 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,840 like him. 201 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:27,960 And he had that real long red tie before it was cool. 202 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,720 It was exactly, exactly. 203 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,760 So Fred Riggers Disability Awareness Day is an opportunity for all of our organizations 204 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:42,680 to come together to bring the legislators down to talk about the issues that are really 205 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:45,940 affecting our community, our disability community. 206 00:10:45,940 --> 00:10:50,640 So some of those issues this year were the direct care shortage, workforce shortage, 207 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:51,640 transportation. 208 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:56,560 Just, there was quite a few issues and then we brought those to the forefront, had legislators 209 00:10:56,560 --> 00:10:59,640 come so that we could speak to them about those issues. 210 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:03,880 And they could learn about who we are as organizations, which is really important. 211 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:07,880 And how we support the community and our state. 212 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:13,600 And I don't want people to think that we were at the state house and we put on a presentation 213 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:14,640 and then no one came. 214 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,560 There were quite a few legislators that wandered by me. 215 00:11:17,560 --> 00:11:19,000 Hey, what's all this? 216 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:20,280 What are you guys talking about? 217 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,520 Oh, I'm going to talk about that with someone else later. 218 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:29,080 There were, there was a lot of give and take. 219 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:30,320 And then we handed out awards. 220 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:32,360 I shouldn't say we, it wasn't an eye poll. 221 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,240 It was, it was the, it was the constitution. 222 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:36,240 Yep. 223 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:40,360 Yeah, we did, so we recognize some really great individuals who've done really great 224 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:45,360 things in our community for numerous years. 225 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:46,960 And that was, that was exciting. 226 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:48,680 So it was really exciting. 227 00:11:48,680 --> 00:11:54,320 It was a good experience for me as someone who hasn't worked a lot with our partners 228 00:11:54,320 --> 00:12:00,520 to kind of get to know everybody and assign some roles and learn what it means to work 229 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:04,360 together with a lot of other people who do a lot of different things, but they all revolve 230 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,640 around systems for individuals with disabilities. 231 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,240 So it was a really good experience. 232 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,480 And it's coming up real quick again, because it was in February, right? 233 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:14,080 It's going to be in February again. 234 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:15,080 Yeah. 235 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:16,080 It always in February. 236 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:17,080 Why are you looking at me? 237 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:18,080 We're not in charge of it this year. 238 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:21,680 I'm looking at you like it's all, it's already November. 239 00:12:21,680 --> 00:12:24,560 It's just frightening. 240 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:29,960 Another thing that we did in February was PBIS for foster grandparents. 241 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:31,680 Oh, that was so fun. 242 00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:32,960 That was fun. 243 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:34,480 We've been invited back. 244 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:35,480 Have we? 245 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:36,480 Yay. 246 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:37,480 To the same group. 247 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:38,480 Oh, oops. 248 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:39,480 That was the wrong one. 249 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:40,480 Hold on. 250 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:41,960 Everyone strike that from your memories. 251 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:42,960 Just a second. 252 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,960 We've been invited back. 253 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:46,960 They loved us. 254 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:51,160 So we're going to be, we'll talk about that in our, another upcoming event that we're 255 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:54,000 doing in our in-house strategic planning. 256 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,560 So we'll talk about, talk about that. 257 00:12:55,560 --> 00:13:03,720 But yeah, it was really fun to talk to and listen and hear and share with the foster 258 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:12,880 grandparents program and helping those volunteer grandparents that go into the classroom and 259 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:14,720 work with, work with the kids. 260 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:15,800 It's a really cool program. 261 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:16,800 Yeah. 262 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:20,360 I didn't know it existed till we got in front of them and there are some cool people. 263 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:22,120 I really, really liked it. 264 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:25,760 And they were really interested in what was new. 265 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,860 Because again, we're talking about grandparents and they remember what it was like to parent 266 00:13:28,860 --> 00:13:31,240 their own children and what school was like for them. 267 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,760 But then when we would talk about kind of some of the new techniques that they were 268 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,280 using, they were like, oh, that's really interesting. 269 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,200 Thank you for explaining that to me because we were wondering what was happening. 270 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:46,560 And for anybody who may not know PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and 271 00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:47,560 Supports. 272 00:13:47,560 --> 00:13:53,560 So it was supporting students as they navigate and work through emotions and behaviors. 273 00:13:53,560 --> 00:13:57,040 Teach not punish, right? 274 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,960 And then I'm going to let you guys completely take the lead for this. 275 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:02,420 But I think the next big event was Tools for Life. 276 00:14:02,420 --> 00:14:05,120 It was in Boise this year. 277 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:10,400 And that is an annual transition. 278 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:11,800 I would say so. 279 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:13,160 It's it's like a summit. 280 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:20,680 It's like a conference for youth with students with disabilities attending school or not 281 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:25,560 that can come and learn how to navigate life. 282 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,720 Moving in to the adulting. 283 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:33,800 It's kind of a summit on how to adult with a disability. 284 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:38,760 All of our partners were there providing workshops. 285 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:45,200 And I think one of the one of the favorites is Reality Town where I'm laughing because 286 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:46,920 I called it Life Town the other day. 287 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:50,160 And I'm like, it's not right, but I'm so close. 288 00:14:50,160 --> 00:15:03,840 Which is a is a program that will assign will assign students with a career, household income 289 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:06,720 and certain tasks that they that they get. 290 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:10,800 And then they have to navigate through the tables of where it's like the game of life. 291 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:12,560 It's like a simulation. 292 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:18,320 It's exactly a simulation simulation where they have to figure out how to manage a budget, 293 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:24,720 hold a job with with what they've been given as a as a situation that they've been assigned. 294 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:33,360 And so it really teaches some of those practical self advocacy skills, what you need to navigate 295 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:35,840 your day as an adult. 296 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:40,320 Never personally attended, but I've heard about it for the last two years now. 297 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:44,200 And it seems like it's a it really engages youth. 298 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,000 Like you know, a lot of times they come in and they're like, oh, yeah, I'm here with 299 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:48,000 my school. 300 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,760 We're doing we're listening to this presentation. 301 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:53,760 But it's actually something really hands on and it's so engaging that they're like, I 302 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,960 got a lot out of that. 303 00:15:55,960 --> 00:16:00,360 There's youth presenters that really, you know, their audience is their audience. 304 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:04,920 So it it's for the youth by the youth. 305 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:09,280 And they do they walk away with some really practical, I think skills. 306 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:12,960 We've had the opportunity to really talk to them about taking the lead in their own health 307 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:15,120 care situations. 308 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:16,120 What that looks like. 309 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:17,560 Have you scheduled your own doctor's appointment? 310 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:19,120 Does your mom still do it for you? 311 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,760 Do you know how to if your wheelchair breaks, do you know how to fix that? 312 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:27,120 So we have had the opportunity as a family to family health and information center to 313 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:31,020 provide some of those practical resources and the training. 314 00:16:31,020 --> 00:16:34,840 But it is really fun just to see the kids and see them interacting and have conversations. 315 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:35,840 Yeah. 316 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:39,520 And it's it's one of our favorite favorite events. 317 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:44,440 And next year, it's going to be in Idaho Falls. 318 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:45,880 Yes. 319 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:47,680 And it's beginning of March, right? 320 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:51,620 It is the I think it's the end of the first week. 321 00:16:51,620 --> 00:16:56,000 It's that last into February, the last Monday, Tuesday of February. 322 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:59,000 So I don't have the dates right in my head right now. 323 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,000 But I'll put you on the spot. 324 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,000 All right. 325 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,000 That's OK. 326 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:10,720 So if you're interested, go to Idaho at dot org, which is Idaho Assistive Technology Project. 327 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:15,640 And they I think is Idaho ATP dot org. 328 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,160 It'll be in the notes. 329 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:20,480 And then you can. 330 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,560 And if not, you can always reach out to us and we can help you send you the link or whatever 331 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:25,560 the case may be. 332 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:26,560 Yeah. 333 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:28,340 And this year it follows around our universities. 334 00:17:28,340 --> 00:17:34,040 So last year, so the kids will take university tours and really get to see what I've gotten 335 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:35,040 about that part. 336 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:36,040 Yeah. 337 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,040 So they'll go to Pocatello or are they going to go to? 338 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:39,040 I'm not sure. 339 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:40,040 We're sorry. 340 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:41,040 BYU Idaho. 341 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:42,040 You can tell how old I am. 342 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:43,040 I just said that. 343 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:46,200 I'm like, I don't even know what you're talking about. 344 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:48,360 BYU Idaho used to be called Ricks. 345 00:17:48,360 --> 00:17:49,360 Yeah. 346 00:17:49,360 --> 00:17:52,720 Like that makes it sound like Jakers, like a like a restaurant. 347 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:55,800 I'm going to Ricks. 348 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:59,520 They're looking they're trying to organize some of those college tours, Eastern Idaho 349 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:01,560 College and things like that. 350 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:07,480 So we can get kids on a campus and CTE career technical education is a big push this year, 351 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:15,320 especially with the project launch, getting kids involved and trying to fill some of those 352 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:20,880 those jobs that require those specialty jobs that. 353 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,920 Because post secondary education doesn't have to look like a university. 354 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:25,920 Right. 355 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:30,720 It can look like being a welder or an electrician or follow your heart. 356 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:33,200 And that's what those transition IEPs are for. 357 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:34,200 Yep. 358 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,200 Not to plug that, but check it out. 359 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:38,200 That's what we're saying. 360 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:42,280 One of the next for everyone. 361 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:47,560 One of the next fun things that we did was a meet and greet at the sensory place. 362 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:54,840 And for those of you who have never been, it is in Boise, close to the Walmart on Overland. 363 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,360 Yes, right up there by Social Security Office. 364 00:18:57,360 --> 00:18:59,360 People usually know where that is. 365 00:18:59,360 --> 00:19:01,360 Hopefully behind the KFC. 366 00:19:01,360 --> 00:19:02,360 Yeah. 367 00:19:02,360 --> 00:19:03,360 Yeah. 368 00:19:03,360 --> 00:19:04,360 There we go. 369 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:06,360 Now you know, across the street is a Starbucks. 370 00:19:06,360 --> 00:19:08,040 Is that true? 371 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:09,040 It's true. 372 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:12,360 And behind that Starbucks is the Starmitty Enterprises. 373 00:19:12,360 --> 00:19:15,760 They're the people who own a lot of the McDonald's. 374 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:16,760 I die. 375 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:17,760 Random facts that we know. 376 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:22,280 Random facts with Alison. 377 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:29,240 For those who don't know, the sensory place is actually owned by our board chair. 378 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:30,240 Correct. 379 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:31,240 Yeah. 380 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:37,360 So that's a really nice partnership that we have so we can go and we set up a little booth 381 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:40,560 and we, any of the parents who were in there kind of wandered in like, Oh, what's going 382 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:41,560 on in here? 383 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,400 And we were like, told them who we were. 384 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:48,920 You know, obviously a lot of those parents are accessing occupational therapy or they 385 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:54,720 might have the Katie Beckett pathway to Medicaid and they had some questions and it was the 386 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:56,660 time that we did it. 387 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:58,440 So it must have been March. 388 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:00,480 The spring break. 389 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:01,480 That was advantageous. 390 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:05,880 And the other thing that made it really advantageous is it gave us the opportunity to really start 391 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:10,840 talking to people about what the unwinding of the public health emergency might look 392 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:16,840 like and what that might do to services and really just get a lot more of that information 393 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:17,840 out there. 394 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:18,840 Yeah. 395 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:24,240 And then I'm working on another one, a sensory Santa in a partnership with the sensory place 396 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:25,240 for some time in December. 397 00:20:25,240 --> 00:20:30,880 So I'm really hoping that we can pull that off, but we have a Santa in mind and so he's 398 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,360 looking at his calendar and we'll ho ho ho baby. 399 00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:35,360 Exactly. 400 00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:39,200 And on that note though, for sensory Santa's, it's not just gonna, we're not just gonna 401 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:44,960 post what we know about voice here, Ada County will also include any sensory Santa's we hear 402 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:50,800 about so let us know if they're in your community and we'll shout them out. 403 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:53,480 The next thing that we did is huge. 404 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:56,040 It was parent leadership. 405 00:20:56,040 --> 00:21:01,500 And that is, it is not a retreat. 406 00:21:01,500 --> 00:21:07,440 It is an intensive four day learning opportunity. 407 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:08,440 Exactly. 408 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:09,680 And it's big. 409 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:18,680 And so it was up in regions one and two, so we're talking about north, Moscow to Sandpoint 410 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:22,080 basically Bonners Ferry. 411 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:25,920 And we held it in Athol, which I had never been that far north. 412 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,280 So it was really fun for me. 413 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:31,400 The little highway looks like a Hot Wheels track. 414 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:35,440 I was like, this is a little confusing if I remember. 415 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:44,040 It was a little confusing, we had to put on our driving skills and pay attention. 416 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,040 And that's another thing you can learn at tools. 417 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,040 Tools for life. 418 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:55,040 How to figure out how to drive over a train track and not lose the pizza receipt. 419 00:21:55,040 --> 00:22:01,440 So obviously you can tell it's a lot of fun and we have a lot of fun and we make it fun 420 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:03,960 and we bring between what is this? 421 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:04,960 How many people we bring in? 422 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:06,520 10 to 12. 423 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:12,840 We have a little bit of a smaller group this year, which is going to affect it's caused 424 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:17,200 us to think about how we're going to do parent leadership in 2024. 425 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,600 And maybe we'll have another podcast about that. 426 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:22,680 But it's a good idea. 427 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:31,760 Yeah, so really, we talk about all things, health care and education for our families 428 00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:43,400 in Idaho and how to be an effective advocate, sharing your story and turning that into building 429 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:48,120 up your community and the things that are important in your community related to your 430 00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:53,900 area for kids with disabilities or special health care needs. 431 00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:58,360 Because struggles that are in Boise might not be the same as the struggles up in Julietta 432 00:22:58,360 --> 00:23:01,000 or Bonners Ferry Sandpoint. 433 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:06,840 But another piece that I think is really, really fun to watch is a group of people that 434 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:10,600 come in and they're like, oh, hi, my name's Allison. 435 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:11,920 It's nice to meet you. 436 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:17,120 And then by the end of the four days, they're like, see you at church. 437 00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:21,680 And they know each other now and they stay connected and they reach out. 438 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:27,440 And that's all fun to see because this group comes in like, oh, I'm going to share a room 439 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:28,440 with you. 440 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:33,000 And afterwards, they're all sleeping in the karaoke. 441 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:36,360 It's amazing. 442 00:23:36,360 --> 00:23:37,360 It's not a retreat. 443 00:23:37,360 --> 00:23:39,400 It is intense. 444 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:40,400 It is really intense. 445 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:44,480 But you leave with friendships and partnerships and goals. 446 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:45,480 Exactly. 447 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:52,840 An action plan to continue building up whatever it is that you have created in your own action 448 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:54,920 plan and goals in your area and community. 449 00:23:54,920 --> 00:24:01,420 And then you've got your natural group of support system that's all close enough that 450 00:24:01,420 --> 00:24:03,640 you can help support each other. 451 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,200 And it can go as deep as you want. 452 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:12,920 So if you're really ready to share and kind of discuss with other moms, dads who have 453 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:21,240 been there, done that, know your experiences, it's a brave, safe space to do that in. 454 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,880 Yeah, it does get kind of vulnerable because we do. 455 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:24,880 For sure. 456 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:30,600 I mean, we do some really cool activities like a life map that really takes you back. 457 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:34,840 And I mean, when I first did my life map, I'm not a crier, but I was crying. 458 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:38,440 I was in tears trying to share this because your journey is your journey. 459 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:44,680 And you know, but so but it also you you we dive into personality types and what kind 460 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:45,960 of leader are you. 461 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:52,880 And so you get a really good snapshot of yourself at this event and you you get some respite 462 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:53,880 as a mom. 463 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,360 Yeah, I pull is making your food. 464 00:24:57,360 --> 00:25:04,560 I pull is washing your dishes, everything I pull is setting up the itinerary and taking 465 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,080 you on a walk and helping you call turkeys. 466 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:11,080 Yes, we had a group of wild turkeys on the property. 467 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:12,080 It was amazing. 468 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:17,320 I cannot get over how you guys would go out there and make the sound. 469 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:21,440 And then I went out there and I was like, and they were like, who is this woman? 470 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,040 No, but they would call back to you. 471 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:25,280 Not to me, not to her. 472 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:27,120 They were like, that is not a turkey. 473 00:25:27,120 --> 00:25:29,800 That is a woman trying to be a turkey. 474 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,800 Shame, shame on your house. 475 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:33,800 Yeah. 476 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:40,400 But it's speaking of turkeys, it's coming up. 477 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:41,840 Yeah, true. 478 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:42,840 Exactly. 479 00:25:42,840 --> 00:25:43,840 This thank you for that. 480 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:49,000 This is a really good time to sprinkle in maybe one tip for the holiday season just 481 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,800 as a little interlude and intermission, if you will. 482 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:57,400 My tip is I like on Thanksgiving a tray that so my food doesn't touch. 483 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:59,120 Oh, that's smart. 484 00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:00,120 But that's for you. 485 00:26:00,120 --> 00:26:01,120 Really? 486 00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:02,120 I really do. 487 00:26:02,120 --> 00:26:03,120 Like one of the cafeteria. 488 00:26:03,120 --> 00:26:04,120 Absolutely. 489 00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:05,120 Where'd you find them? 490 00:26:05,120 --> 00:26:06,120 No, but that is so smart. 491 00:26:06,120 --> 00:26:07,120 No way. 492 00:26:07,120 --> 00:26:08,120 That is so smart. 493 00:26:08,120 --> 00:26:13,840 Actually, China, I've done a total plug is making them. 494 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:18,200 They have the like I've seen them the oval with two or three different compartments. 495 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,840 Oh, you mean like a yeah, like a throwaway. 496 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:26,680 Oh, no, I have mine's pink from the kids section. 497 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:27,680 It's not. 498 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:29,680 I think it has a unit. 499 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:30,680 It had a unicorn. 500 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:31,680 I use it. 501 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:32,680 Everything's going. 502 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:33,680 I don't like my food to touch. 503 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:36,320 And I know there's a lot of kids out there that don't like their food. 504 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:42,620 So after that, after PLDI, we really started focusing as an organization on what the public 505 00:26:42,620 --> 00:26:45,440 health emergency unwinding is going to look like. 506 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:52,060 I think we did two lunch and learns, so the first one was with Lana from the Center for 507 00:26:52,060 --> 00:26:55,760 Independent Living in our region. 508 00:26:55,760 --> 00:27:01,360 And we also had a lot of conversations about what is this going to look like for individuals 509 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:02,360 with disabilities? 510 00:27:02,360 --> 00:27:07,520 What is this going to look like for individuals as adults, as youth who are supported by Medicaid? 511 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:09,760 I think it was an hour and a half long. 512 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:13,320 It's probably still existing on our website somewhere. 513 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:18,640 And then I know that I did one with a former I know Parents Unlimited employee who now 514 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:23,840 works at A New Hope in Pocatello. 515 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:28,800 And she was kind of communicating what that might look like for individuals who seek ABA 516 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:29,940 therapy. 517 00:27:29,940 --> 00:27:33,200 And how is that going to look when you get your letter with like the blue or the pink 518 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,680 window, how to reach out and contact. 519 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:38,040 So that was a really big focus for us for a while. 520 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:44,400 We also had a representative from the Department of Health and Welfare on another lunch and 521 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:48,560 learn to where we discussed what the same thing kind of what those letters are going 522 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:49,560 to look like. 523 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:50,560 I totally forgot about that. 524 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:52,620 And what to be looking for. 525 00:27:52,620 --> 00:27:57,440 This was kind of way before and when we were getting our guidance on what to be looking 526 00:27:57,440 --> 00:27:58,440 for. 527 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:02,440 We tried to be super proactive like hey, this is coming. 528 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:06,960 I think I hope that it went as well as could be expected. 529 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:10,560 We didn't get a ton of calls with disruptions. 530 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:11,880 Which is almost good, right? 531 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:12,880 It is. 532 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:13,880 But also kind of scary. 533 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:14,880 Yeah. 534 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:15,880 Maybe we didn't know. 535 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:16,880 Right. 536 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:22,680 The next thing that we did was for the Idaho Prevention Conference and in a partnership 537 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,640 with Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition. 538 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:27,520 That was fun. 539 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:33,560 And individual who used to work for NAMI and then another individual with a grassroots 540 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:39,640 organization who are all very centered on mental health and laws, rules, regulations 541 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:41,440 and the system. 542 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:47,600 And they had put together a simulation where you will again much like tools, right? 543 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:48,600 Yeah. 544 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:49,600 The reality town. 545 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:50,600 Exactly. 546 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:53,360 You're given a task and oh you can't do that because you don't have child care. 547 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:57,160 So you can't go to that appointment and then you have to go to work and earn money and 548 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:58,440 then you'd have to earn child care. 549 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:02,600 You have to go get a signature from someone else that didn't give it to you last time. 550 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:04,160 Oops, did you like your job? 551 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,480 Now you have to come and pick up your child for behavior. 552 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:07,480 Right. 553 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:15,760 It was really neat and we had oh my gosh, it was packed. 554 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:21,000 When I tell you guys that an individual who was working there kind of like walked by and 555 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:23,640 saw our room and they were like, hold on, there's a lot of people in here. 556 00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:24,640 There's a lot going on. 557 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,240 We have to come in and actually pause you and make sure this is up to fire code because 558 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:33,160 there were so many people interested in what was happening in that room. 559 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:34,160 I hadn't heard that. 560 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:35,160 There were too many people. 561 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:36,160 It was fascinating. 562 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:45,800 It really illustrated the process of a family trying to access mental health care in Idaho 563 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:51,520 and some of the roadblocks and experiences that we face. 564 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:52,920 And we had, sorry, one thing really. 565 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:57,760 We had an individual from the legislator there participating and then kind of understanding 566 00:29:57,760 --> 00:29:59,600 a little bit about what parents might be going through. 567 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:00,720 So that's what I wanted to ask. 568 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:01,720 Who was the audience? 569 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:03,480 Who were? 570 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:05,040 They were social workers. 571 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:11,960 They were teachers, educators, family members, providers. 572 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:17,480 So as a teacher or as a social worker, you were really able to see what a day in the 573 00:30:17,480 --> 00:30:22,280 life looks like for a parent of a child with mental health struggles. 574 00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:23,280 School and community. 575 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:24,280 That is awesome. 576 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:28,120 And also remembering that you're juggling other children and cool. 577 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:29,720 It was fascinating. 578 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:32,320 We had people in lines at our tables. 579 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:36,960 We were all assigned a different job as facilitators. 580 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:40,240 I loved also, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. 581 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,360 I love that people got frustrated. 582 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:43,680 They were like, are you kidding me? 583 00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:44,680 I just had to do this. 584 00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:47,440 And I'm like, sorry. 585 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:51,160 That's so great because that is what we go through as parents. 586 00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:52,160 Yay. 587 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:53,160 Good job, guys. 588 00:30:53,160 --> 00:30:56,960 It opened a lot of eyes and minds and hearts, I hope. 589 00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:57,960 Oh, absolutely. 590 00:30:57,960 --> 00:30:59,960 Because one person just left. 591 00:30:59,960 --> 00:31:05,240 I remember that one person, one individual who was just participating was like, I don't 592 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:06,920 have the bandwidth for this right now. 593 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:10,680 And they just went and did another, went into another presentation. 594 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:12,480 Which is true. 595 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:13,480 I don't have the bandwidth. 596 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:14,480 I can't process. 597 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:15,480 I'm out. 598 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:18,880 And that means services for your child. 599 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:23,080 So fun and so interesting to watch. 600 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:27,720 Another thing that kind of happened around that same time is Idaho Parents Unlimited found 601 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:32,960 out that a grant that we wrote for was approved. 602 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:35,280 And we are now technical assistance. 603 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:42,680 Yeah, we are Region D technical partners with our regional technical assistance center. 604 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:47,520 So we'll be providing support and technical assistance to other parent centers within 605 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:48,520 our region. 606 00:31:48,520 --> 00:31:51,580 And we are Region D. So it's exciting. 607 00:31:51,580 --> 00:31:54,160 It's a huge highlight and an honor. 608 00:31:54,160 --> 00:32:00,280 Not only is Peak in Colorado, another parent training information center in Colorado, and 609 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:07,200 Peak and iPoll are really highlighted for their work that they're doing in their communities 610 00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:13,920 such that we've been given the opportunity to share what we know with other organizations 611 00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:16,400 to make them better. 612 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:18,000 All of us better together. 613 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,180 It's really fun. 614 00:32:20,180 --> 00:32:26,120 So that's another thing where we're navigating as we go what that looks like within iPoll. 615 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:30,840 But don't think for a second that that stops anything that we were doing or going to do. 616 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:33,600 It just means that we get to do more cool things. 617 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:34,920 And I'm sure we'll hear more about that. 618 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:39,560 But it would I would be remiss if I didn't mention that that was something super cool 619 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:41,560 that happened to us. 620 00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:42,560 Absolutely. 621 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:48,680 Kind of in that same vein, and it happened in later July, is that we also get the opportunity 622 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:52,800 to get a lot of professional development. 623 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:58,840 And OSEP or the Office of Special Education Programs had a huge conference for all of 624 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:03,080 the parent training and information centers in DC. 625 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:08,880 And we were able to go and it was two, three days, three days and it was so administrative 626 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:13,400 special special education state administrators also attend. 627 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:19,880 So the state special ed director and all the departments within special education at the 628 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:24,280 State Department attend parent centers. 629 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:26,520 Part C. So infant toddler. 630 00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:28,000 Yeah, that's true. 631 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:29,000 Three. 632 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:30,840 Who else was there? 633 00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:33,640 Some IT people. 634 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:37,240 Anybody from OSEP or that touches that kind of was there. 635 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:41,040 And it was so I mean, these people were not kidding. 636 00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:44,800 They were like, you are going to learn while you're here because it was back to back. 637 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,560 And it was so powerful. 638 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:52,120 And everybody from the top down had presentations and kind of introduced themselves. 639 00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:59,080 So we got to meet Valerie Williams, which was fun and network with people and even give 640 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:05,160 feedback to presentations and podcast presentation that you got roped into. 641 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:06,160 Learn a lot about AI. 642 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:07,160 Yes, super cool. 643 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:08,160 It was very cool. 644 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:09,160 Very cool. 645 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,520 It was it was it was jam packed. 646 00:34:12,520 --> 00:34:15,720 It was sun up to sundown learning, I felt like. 647 00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:20,120 But a really good opportunity to collaborate with our our peers and get to know. 648 00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:25,380 Yeah, get to know our our centers, other centers and states. 649 00:34:25,380 --> 00:34:30,120 So we're we're super blessed like that, that we don't are Angela, the executive director, 650 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:33,240 doesn't let us say doesn't let us stay stagnant. 651 00:34:33,240 --> 00:34:37,800 Yeah, she gives us all those opportunities to continue to learn, see what other centers 652 00:34:37,800 --> 00:34:41,480 are doing and get more of that knowledge and professional development. 653 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:43,720 So that was super fun. 654 00:34:43,720 --> 00:34:49,680 I think kind of the next big thing that happened was a facet of cultivating readers. 655 00:34:49,680 --> 00:34:52,440 It was leading by convening me and serving on groups. 656 00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:53,440 Yep. 657 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:55,020 That's our fall kickoff every year. 658 00:34:55,020 --> 00:35:01,120 The new administrators go through our leading by convening, which is a companion training 659 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:04,400 to our serving on groups training that the parents go through. 660 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:09,440 So serving on groups is teaching parents to be serve on groups, to be good leaders on 661 00:35:09,440 --> 00:35:10,440 these groups. 662 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:11,440 Yeah. 663 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:15,040 And then we give them some like we let them know what cultivating readers will look like 664 00:35:15,040 --> 00:35:20,520 for them and how to take some of what they're learning back to their groups to be a great 665 00:35:20,520 --> 00:35:21,520 group member. 666 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:22,520 Yeah. 667 00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:26,260 And when we say cultivating readers is something we we do consistently, it's because those 668 00:35:26,260 --> 00:35:30,160 parents who went to serving on groups, we touch base with them once a month. 669 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:31,160 Yes, exactly. 670 00:35:31,160 --> 00:35:34,240 So yeah, so that was fall kickoff. 671 00:35:34,240 --> 00:35:36,520 Can you guys because again, I wasn't there for this one. 672 00:35:36,520 --> 00:35:39,840 Can you guys talk a little bit about Western partnerships? 673 00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:41,040 That's how I refer to it. 674 00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:42,040 But what does that mean? 675 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:49,600 So a person so rise is a developmental disabilities agency here in the Treasure Valley. 676 00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:52,200 And I think they have other locations around the state. 677 00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:59,360 But they put on a giant conference, usually annually, I think. 678 00:35:59,360 --> 00:36:00,540 Anyway. 679 00:36:00,540 --> 00:36:06,780 So it's called the Western partnerships conference, and they have people from developmental disabilities 680 00:36:06,780 --> 00:36:15,960 agencies, providers, parents, family members, any anyone who wants to register for their 681 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:26,660 conference to come and learn about Idaho systems, but more and more specifically just the how 682 00:36:26,660 --> 00:36:34,800 to support our loved ones or our family who have disabilities or either children or adults. 683 00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:36,880 Just learning tips and techniques. 684 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:41,600 It's a really professional development for for our community members who are serving 685 00:36:41,600 --> 00:36:46,300 our families who have disabilities. 686 00:36:46,300 --> 00:36:50,920 And so we were able to do two workshops. 687 00:36:50,920 --> 00:36:55,600 One was having high expectations when you don't know what to expect. 688 00:36:55,600 --> 00:37:02,800 So helping us recognize and have high expectations on ourselves as parents, but more importantly, 689 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:08,840 expecting high high outcomes from our kid kiddos or loved ones with disabilities as 690 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:11,640 a kind of a transition to the adult sector. 691 00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:12,640 Yeah. 692 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:17,360 And how to navigate those systems and what services are available for independent living. 693 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,560 I feel like I think it was IEP one how to read the document. 694 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:21,560 Yeah. 695 00:37:21,560 --> 00:37:27,160 And then I think we littered in some components about like parent professional collaboration 696 00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:28,160 to you. 697 00:37:28,160 --> 00:37:29,160 What? 698 00:37:29,160 --> 00:37:30,160 Yeah. 699 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:37,960 The word sprinkles gives an image that I just couldn't pass the opportunity. 700 00:37:37,960 --> 00:37:41,000 Oh, a kitty litter. 701 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:42,000 Oh, OK. 702 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:45,160 I was just like, we sprinkle. 703 00:37:45,160 --> 00:37:47,480 I like sprinkled better. 704 00:37:47,480 --> 00:37:50,200 We've been well, it was woven in. 705 00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:52,400 I'm how words are hard for me. 706 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:54,240 It's difficult for me. 707 00:37:54,240 --> 00:37:55,360 Friday is a yeah. 708 00:37:55,360 --> 00:37:56,360 OK. 709 00:37:56,360 --> 00:38:00,120 So I think the next one that I really wanted to talk about and one is happening right now 710 00:38:00,120 --> 00:38:01,560 in the Boise area. 711 00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:02,920 But work of art. 712 00:38:02,920 --> 00:38:06,560 Yeah, that is something that happens throughout the year. 713 00:38:06,560 --> 00:38:10,880 Moscow, Boise and virtually. 714 00:38:10,880 --> 00:38:16,320 Work of arts are for youth between the ages of 14 and 21. 715 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:19,120 OK, I'll let you take this. 716 00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:26,400 Who are accessing special education or you can just have a student who is receiving or 717 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:32,120 who has five or four accommodations, but an identified disability that they come and they 718 00:38:32,120 --> 00:38:39,360 learn those pre-employment training skills through the support of vocational rehabilitation. 719 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:44,880 So we have a partnership with VR and putting on these work. 720 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,280 How do you pluralize that work of art sessions? 721 00:38:47,280 --> 00:38:57,200 I guess and have a different cohort of students, typically 10 in each session who come to wherever 722 00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:58,480 it is. 723 00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:02,100 And right now we have one happening in our office. 724 00:39:02,100 --> 00:39:07,660 So the students are coming twice a week and then one on a Saturday and they are learning 725 00:39:07,660 --> 00:39:10,480 how to work with an employer. 726 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:17,360 They fill out time sheets, work as a group to make decisions and provide a piece of art 727 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:26,080 for a client in the community that we that has reached out and requested that we they 728 00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:27,440 be part of the program. 729 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:33,840 So they work with it's amazing and they get paid and they're learning all of these skills 730 00:39:33,840 --> 00:39:38,120 and they leave with something tangible that they made like look at all the stuff that 731 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:39,120 I learned. 732 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:40,120 I got paid. 733 00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:41,120 I made some cool friends. 734 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:43,960 I had a job and this is what I did. 735 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:50,000 They learn to fill out a time sheet, an application, a resume. 736 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:51,200 All of these components. 737 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:55,520 And how to disclose your disability to an employer. 738 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:59,400 Which are some really really good tools for our youth. 739 00:39:59,400 --> 00:40:04,980 And we as an organization don't necessarily spend a lot of time working with actual students 740 00:40:04,980 --> 00:40:12,120 and so this is an opportunity where we get to provide that learning experience directly 741 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:15,600 with the youth that are involved. 742 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:27,880 And it is really for me it's kind of like a motivator and a direct example of how what 743 00:40:27,880 --> 00:40:34,360 we do at iPoll affects our families and helps in all those areas. 744 00:40:34,360 --> 00:40:40,360 I just love that this brings a community client in and provides employment and I mean we were 745 00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:42,200 looking at this work out there this morning. 746 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:44,600 I love coming in after they've been in this. 747 00:40:44,600 --> 00:40:45,600 Absolutely. 748 00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:47,080 There are arts all over the table. 749 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,240 Yeah it's these kids. 750 00:40:49,240 --> 00:40:56,640 I mean and kids don't have to be interested in arts to be a part of this program. 751 00:40:56,640 --> 00:41:01,320 We've had kids who are like I don't I don't not an artist but they might have a skill 752 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:07,400 in another area to be part of this cohesive team that puts together these projects and 753 00:41:07,400 --> 00:41:10,920 it's not always all painting and things like that. 754 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:16,360 It really is directly related to what the client needs and wants. 755 00:41:16,360 --> 00:41:22,120 Because they've done screen printing, they've made t-shirts, they've made murals up north 756 00:41:22,120 --> 00:41:27,120 and Moscow so if you're ever up there and there's a business up there that they've created 757 00:41:27,120 --> 00:41:29,840 a full length wall mural. 758 00:41:29,840 --> 00:41:33,840 And then in Coeur d'Alene they're part of the art walk every year for the community. 759 00:41:33,840 --> 00:41:34,840 It's really neat. 760 00:41:34,840 --> 00:41:35,840 It's amazing. 761 00:41:35,840 --> 00:41:42,080 I think the last thing I just really wanted to highlight is Parent Voice Summit. 762 00:41:42,080 --> 00:41:43,280 Heck yeah. 763 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:46,380 And so that was September 29th and 30th. 764 00:41:46,380 --> 00:41:55,160 There was a pre-summit which is where we really targeted transition to adulthood for youth 765 00:41:55,160 --> 00:41:58,920 and so we had some got transition people. 766 00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:02,120 We had some of our centers for independent living. 767 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,520 We had a charting the life course presentation. 768 00:42:05,520 --> 00:42:11,640 We had a presentation by a well-respected lawyer in the KW versus Armstrong lawsuit 769 00:42:11,640 --> 00:42:18,120 talking about changes to the adult developmental disability eligibility process and budgets 770 00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:27,080 and that was well attended and there were so many individuals who were just so curious 771 00:42:27,080 --> 00:42:28,560 and came with their questions. 772 00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:32,320 Oh and mental health transition from mental health services. 773 00:42:32,320 --> 00:42:38,160 It was so powerful and then if you thought it couldn't get better the day two was just 774 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:41,840 unreal. 775 00:42:41,840 --> 00:42:42,840 It was awesome. 776 00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:44,920 Learning how to advocate. 777 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:46,800 Learning how to communicate. 778 00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:48,280 Learning how to be respectful. 779 00:42:48,280 --> 00:42:52,080 How to be an effective listener. 780 00:42:52,080 --> 00:42:58,440 And that day was really spent on advocacy in all things children in Idaho. 781 00:42:58,440 --> 00:42:59,440 We had partners. 782 00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:00,440 So not just with disabilities. 783 00:43:00,440 --> 00:43:01,440 Yeah so all children. 784 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:07,240 So we talked about so we had the partnered with the Idaho Children's Trust Fund and 785 00:43:07,240 --> 00:43:12,360 Idaho Voices for Children really about advocacy and the issues that are facing our families 786 00:43:12,360 --> 00:43:19,720 today from child care all the way through services that you know our families are eligible 787 00:43:19,720 --> 00:43:28,240 for that might need some strong advocates and strong advocacy efforts in making change 788 00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:30,280 for Idaho's families. 789 00:43:30,280 --> 00:43:36,080 And we had a wonderful keynote from a dad who started his own nonprofit called DadSpeak 790 00:43:36,080 --> 00:43:39,000 from a community in western Idaho. 791 00:43:39,000 --> 00:43:42,600 Yeah from Head Start and he shared his story and what it was like. 792 00:43:42,600 --> 00:43:47,360 Sorry East Idaho and I pointed East. 793 00:43:47,360 --> 00:43:56,240 How his experience being a dad and not knowing what to do and it was so powerful. 794 00:43:56,240 --> 00:43:58,960 It was child so powerful. 795 00:43:58,960 --> 00:43:59,960 Disability rights. 796 00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:03,280 Idaho was there to provide resources on both days. 797 00:44:03,280 --> 00:44:05,720 There was a lot of networking. 798 00:44:05,720 --> 00:44:09,560 It was a phenomenal experience. 799 00:44:09,560 --> 00:44:16,160 I think the part that I liked the most is that that day that second day was not just 800 00:44:16,160 --> 00:44:18,140 session after session after session. 801 00:44:18,140 --> 00:44:24,560 It was conversation after conversation and it was in yeah it was it was interacting. 802 00:44:24,560 --> 00:44:29,920 You were learning how to tell a story and how to use your story to drive change and 803 00:44:29,920 --> 00:44:31,840 100 percent. 804 00:44:31,840 --> 00:44:32,840 It was cool. 805 00:44:32,840 --> 00:44:33,840 Yeah it was fun. 806 00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:35,280 It was a lot of work. 807 00:44:35,280 --> 00:44:40,760 It was and there's a lot of other things that we're doing for the end of the year that we're 808 00:44:40,760 --> 00:44:45,840 not going to mention right now but you might also be wondering to yourself what are you 809 00:44:45,840 --> 00:44:53,480 doing next year and coming soon is going to be a whole lot of information on what next 810 00:44:53,480 --> 00:44:59,840 year looks like for Idaho parents unlimited and where we're going and what some of our 811 00:44:59,840 --> 00:45:01,560 goals are. 812 00:45:01,560 --> 00:45:04,360 So we're very excited to bring that to you in another episode. 813 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:10,440 But before we end this here Sarah do you want to give a tip for the holidays. 814 00:45:10,440 --> 00:45:16,500 Some things that I do for my kiddos or in just in my house is we really prep and talk 815 00:45:16,500 --> 00:45:19,560 about things that are coming up. 816 00:45:19,560 --> 00:45:23,680 Kids are going to be out of school so we try to find activities to fill those to fill those 817 00:45:23,680 --> 00:45:29,520 gaps of knowing our kids are home and the second day everybody's bored and it's cold 818 00:45:29,520 --> 00:45:36,360 outside so we try to find and plan activities to do as a family and things like that. 819 00:45:36,360 --> 00:45:43,120 So that's really how I spend my time getting ready for the holidays. 820 00:45:43,120 --> 00:45:49,520 Planning talking and really just getting ready for that time where there's no schedule again 821 00:45:49,520 --> 00:45:50,520 I agree. 822 00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:52,160 Because that's what I want to try to do. 823 00:45:52,160 --> 00:45:58,520 Our kids really thrive on consistency and scheduling and so when the routine is not 824 00:45:58,520 --> 00:46:00,720 when the routine is disrupted. 825 00:46:00,720 --> 00:46:02,800 When it's off they're off. 826 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:07,240 So we try to be really proactive in planning out our time. 827 00:46:07,240 --> 00:46:08,640 I agree. 828 00:46:08,640 --> 00:46:14,400 I think that the one main thing that I just wanted to share was just to have a plan for 829 00:46:14,400 --> 00:46:17,540 the inevitable meltdown. 830 00:46:17,540 --> 00:46:22,280 If you're going to a house for the holidays that's not yours kind of map out a space that 831 00:46:22,280 --> 00:46:28,880 you can go to for some quiet and even if you just schedule little breaks like hey let's 832 00:46:28,880 --> 00:46:36,520 you and I just go into grandma's walk-in closet and just have a small quiet break for a little 833 00:46:36,520 --> 00:46:37,520 bit. 834 00:46:37,520 --> 00:46:39,000 I think that that's really important. 835 00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:43,320 So at Christmas you might find me in the closet all by myself. 836 00:46:43,320 --> 00:46:44,320 I'll be in the closet consistently. 837 00:46:44,320 --> 00:46:45,320 They'll be like Alison we're opening presents. 838 00:46:45,320 --> 00:46:46,320 I'll be like what? 839 00:46:46,320 --> 00:46:52,460 I'm good. 840 00:46:52,460 --> 00:46:54,880 Thank you so much everybody for listening in. 841 00:46:54,880 --> 00:47:01,600 If you are in Idaho or planning on moving to Idaho and have any questions on systems 842 00:47:01,600 --> 00:47:07,960 or services for children with disabilities please reach out to us at ipulidaho.org. 843 00:47:07,960 --> 00:47:11,640 That's I-P-U-L Idaho.org. 844 00:47:11,640 --> 00:47:16,720 Be sure to come back next time and until then this has been Unlimited Parenting. 845 00:47:16,720 --> 00:47:42,720 Thanks for listening.