WEBVTT 00:00:07.469 --> 00:00:10.369 Welcome back to Unlimited Parenting. This is 00:00:10.369 --> 00:00:12.849 a podcast where we talk about what it's like 00:00:12.849 --> 00:00:15.849 having children with disabilities and or special 00:00:15.849 --> 00:00:20.469 healthcare needs. With me today is me. That's 00:00:20.469 --> 00:00:23.329 right, it's just me here in this lonely podcast 00:00:23.329 --> 00:00:26.910 studio, just Allison, but there's enough to talk 00:00:26.910 --> 00:00:30.429 about for three people. I am here to talk about 00:00:30.429 --> 00:00:33.229 what's new with iPoll. As you may or may not 00:00:33.229 --> 00:00:37.770 have noticed, the calendar has turned over. Ladies 00:00:37.770 --> 00:00:42.149 and gentlemen, it is a new year. 2026 has knocked 00:00:42.149 --> 00:00:44.789 on the door, and whether we liked it or not, 00:00:45.170 --> 00:00:49.189 we let him in. And here he is. So I don't know 00:00:49.189 --> 00:00:52.689 why it's a man. I don't know, but it's a man. 00:00:53.570 --> 00:00:55.969 So this year, we want to get started with our 00:00:55.969 --> 00:00:59.130 very first podcast telling you what's new with 00:00:59.130 --> 00:01:02.350 iPoll. And if you're new here, iPoll stands for 00:01:02.350 --> 00:01:05.189 Idaho Parents Unlimited. We are the state's parent 00:01:05.189 --> 00:01:08.159 training and information center. We are the state's 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:10.480 family -to -family health information center. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:14.140 We support the state of Idaho through the Resource 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:16.879 Services Administration grant, supporting children 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:21.420 in transition to adulthood. And now, drumroll 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:25.939 please, we are introducing something exciting 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:29.560 and important that builds directly onto the work 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:32.760 that EIPL has been doing for decades. I hope 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:34.480 you're hooked because I'm not telling you what 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:36.019 it is right away. You're gonna have to stick 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:40.180 around and wait. If you are not new here and 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:42.340 you've been connected with iPoll for a while, 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:46.000 you already know a few things. Most specifically 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.739 that iPoll exists to make sure families and youth 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:52.280 don't have to figure things out alone. We are 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:55.379 at no cost to provide information, resources, 00:01:56.340 --> 00:02:01.790 trainings by people who have walked in your shoes. 00:02:02.489 --> 00:02:05.230 Everyone here at Idaho Parents Unlimited has 00:02:05.230 --> 00:02:08.949 either a child or a family member who has lived 00:02:08.949 --> 00:02:12.729 experience with disabilities. For years, Idaho 00:02:12.729 --> 00:02:15.669 Parents Unlimited has provided parent education 00:02:15.669 --> 00:02:18.590 and training, individualized support and navigation, 00:02:19.569 --> 00:02:23.789 youth leadership opportunities, skills that youth 00:02:23.789 --> 00:02:27.949 can use to go out and get their first job and 00:02:27.949 --> 00:02:32.759 keep a job advocacy with education and health 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:37.340 care connection real connection to lived experts 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:41.039 people who get it people who have walked in your 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:42.900 shoes it's at the heart of everything that we 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:49.060 do is lived experience so having said that what's 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:52.460 new that's old quit telling me all the old stuff 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:56.680 2026 is here what's new Wow, you've waited so 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:00.740 patiently, three minutes exactly. IPAL has been 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:04.919 awarded the Youth Empowerment Services Advocacy 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:08.620 Education and Support Contract through the Idaho 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:11.500 Department of Health and Welfare. This will allow 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:15.259 us to expand and deepen the support that we already 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:18.680 provide to youth with serious emotional disturbance 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:23.919 and their families. And here's the really key 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:27.840 thing to know, that this isn't exactly a brand 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.840 new direction for us. It's a natural extension 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.979 of what iPoll has already been doing. You've 00:03:34.979 --> 00:03:38.080 already been calling us to ask us to help navigate 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:41.300 this. Now we're just gonna broaden and deepen 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:45.719 that scope. The Yes system of care, again, that 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:48.740 was youth empowerment services, so children's 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:51.810 behavioral health. The S -System of Care is built 00:03:51.810 --> 00:03:54.370 off of principles designed to coordinate services 00:03:54.370 --> 00:03:57.569 across systems like schools, behavioral health 00:03:57.569 --> 00:04:01.330 providers, and community supports. And if that 00:04:01.330 --> 00:04:04.069 sounds familiar, that's because that's a lot 00:04:04.069 --> 00:04:05.889 of what the Children's Developmental Disability 00:04:05.889 --> 00:04:08.590 Program is doing. That's a lot of what you're 00:04:08.590 --> 00:04:11.409 already involved in with the schools, with IEPs, 00:04:11.550 --> 00:04:14.550 504s, and coordinating teams this way. So again, 00:04:14.610 --> 00:04:17.089 this is aligning perfectly with what IPOL has 00:04:17.089 --> 00:04:20.110 always done. and will always continue to do, 00:04:20.449 --> 00:04:22.949 which is help families understand systems, advocate 00:04:22.949 --> 00:04:26.670 effectively, and maybe even most importantly, 00:04:27.790 --> 00:04:32.089 not feel so alone. So what is this actually going 00:04:32.089 --> 00:04:34.389 to look like boots on the ground? What does this 00:04:34.389 --> 00:04:38.790 mean for families? So through this yes contract, 00:04:39.290 --> 00:04:42.870 IPOL is going to now offer expanded support and 00:04:42.870 --> 00:04:48.180 activities as well as more new and improved trainings, 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:52.980 specifically to four different audiences. For 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:57.459 youth, their parents or caregivers, community 00:04:57.459 --> 00:05:01.259 stakeholders, and even providers. This is going 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:04.579 to include support groups designed specifically 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:08.060 for caregivers of youth with serious emotional 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:11.399 disturbance, SED, or behavioral health needs, 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:16.579 and youth -centered support spaces. that are 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:20.519 meant to be less educational and more connection 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:25.300 -based. Additionally, education that helps families 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:28.759 understand the yes system of care, services, 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:31.579 transitions between different levels of care, 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:35.860 transitioning to adulthood, and help navigating 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:39.399 difficult moments like maybe hospital discharge 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:44.000 or residential transitions. And just like everything 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.480 else iPoll does, it's going to be at no cost 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:50.139 to you. It's going to be family driven. It's 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:53.060 going to be strengths based. And it's going to 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:56.300 be provided to you by someone who has lived experience 00:05:56.300 --> 00:06:01.000 through these systems. So just to start it right 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:04.500 off the bat, iPoll is going to be providing a 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:07.600 parent caregiver connection group that will be 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.199 meeting. And I use the term meeting in the virtual 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:13.519 sense. We'll be meeting virtually. On the last 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:17.759 Tuesday of every month, from 5 p .m. to 6 p .m., 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:22.019 and that is in the mountain time zone. We recognize 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:24.480 that the state of Idaho has two time zones, so 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:26.139 just want to make it clear that this is in the 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:30.819 mountain time zone. And if there is some interest 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:34.160 in having it be later, as always, we'd be happy 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:37.779 to adapt and change to any feedback that we receive. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:41.279 Youth Connection Group will meet on the last 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:45.620 Wednesday. of every month from 4 p .m. to 5 p 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:49.579 .m. again virtually and that 4 to 5 p .m. is 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:52.980 in the mountain time zone. You can look for more 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:56.279 information on this on our website and you will 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:58.680 also find information on Facebook so watch out 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:02.600 for our updates because in addition to those 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.379 connection activities we will also be providing 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:08.459 informational trainings. I think that this is 00:07:08.459 --> 00:07:11.620 important to know that families don't have to 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:14.079 start over. If you've already reached out to 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.360 iPoll in the past, you're still gonna be getting 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:19.360 that support that we've always provided to you, 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.939 just now layered with yes -related education 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:26.480 and resources, and new advocacy support on navigating 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:29.540 behavioral health systems and new youth leadership 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.860 opportunities. Everything that you've always 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:35.779 loved about iPoll historically is now just being 00:07:35.779 --> 00:07:40.230 amplified through a new system of service. Because 00:07:40.230 --> 00:07:42.550 we've said it before, you've heard it before, 00:07:43.529 --> 00:07:46.189 we're not trying to silo, we're trying to support, 00:07:46.589 --> 00:07:50.589 we're trying to extend our reach. Because families 00:07:50.589 --> 00:07:54.889 often tell us that the hardest part isn't just 00:07:54.889 --> 00:07:57.930 finding services, which we also recognize is 00:07:57.930 --> 00:08:02.069 hard, but it's also understanding them, coordinating 00:08:02.069 --> 00:08:05.939 them, and then knowing what to do next. because 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:08.480 all systems of care, not just the yes system 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:11.319 of care, can feel overwhelming. So it's nice 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:13.759 to know that you can reach out to someone at 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:17.060 Idaho Parents Unlimited whose role is to walk 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:19.879 alongside families, help to translate the system, 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:23.259 and remind you that you're not alone and your 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:29.660 voice matters. So aside from the yes, the Youth 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:32.460 Empowerment Services Education Advocacy and Support 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:35.870 contract, We also just want to say there's some 00:08:35.870 --> 00:08:38.990 other new fun, exciting things that are happening 00:08:38.990 --> 00:08:43.250 in this first quarter of 2026. So that's January, 00:08:43.269 --> 00:08:46.269 February, March. You may already know that we 00:08:46.269 --> 00:08:50.929 offer quarterly IEP 101 trainings. We just finished 00:08:50.929 --> 00:08:54.090 one in January. It was very well attended, our 00:08:54.090 --> 00:08:57.059 highest attended training yet. And there was 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:59.320 lots of great feedback and great questions. So 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:01.139 if you're listening to this, coming hot off the 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:03.539 heels of that training, we thank you very much. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:06.820 We're taking that feedback moving forward. The 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:10.480 next one, the next quarterly IEP 101, you can 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:14.639 catch on April 9th from 6 .30 to 7 .30. Again, 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:17.299 that's in the Mountain Time Zone, provided virtually. 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:22.379 What if your old hat at IEP 101 and your child's 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:26.639 been in the IEP system for a while? What about 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:30.879 secondary IEP training? We heard you and we created 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:33.220 that for you as well. That's coming on February 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.919 12th. Watch out on Facebook and our website. 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:39.559 That's ipollidaho .org for more information. 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:43.559 My Tools for Life is happening again this year 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:46.759 as it does every year. It's a youth conference 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:49.740 and it will be held in Boise more specifically 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:52.919 at Boise State University which is very exciting 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:55.419 because historically it was held at the riverside. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:57.700 So the fact that it's at Boise State is going 00:09:57.700 --> 00:10:00.679 to be super exciting for the youth this year. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:04.960 That is taking place on February 23rd. More information 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:08.779 to come about that. and the annual Fred Riggers 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:12.279 Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol. This 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.960 year is taking place on February 4th, and it 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:19.440 is starting at 10 a .m. I hear a little birdie 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:23.700 told me that there might be a super cool exhibit 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:26.080 for you to see. So if you have been in years 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.899 past and you're wondering, my goodness, what 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.779 are they doing this year? Let me tell you what, 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:34.740 it's gonna be super new and super exciting. If 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:37.100 you want to learn more about iPoll's Yes System 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:40.740 of Care supports or upcoming support groups and 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:43.559 training or how to get connected, again, visit 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.860 our website or reach out directly because we're 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:49.100 always here to help. If you remember any part 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:52.100 of 2025, you may remember that Idaho Parents 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:55.759 Unlimited provided regular legislative updates 00:10:55.759 --> 00:11:00.159 to the community, specifically regarding things 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.960 that impacted health care or education. In 2026, 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:07.980 you can also look forward to Idaho Parents Unlimited 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:11.639 continuing their legislative season recaps. Those 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:14.559 will be provided to you on Thursdays as they 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:17.700 were last year. As you may remember, Idaho Parents 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:22.000 Unlimited follows the Health Committees, the 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.460 Health and Welfare Committee, as well as the 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:27.259 Education Committees in both the Senate and the 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:30.559 House. And we also follow JFAC. So if you hear 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.500 JFAC, think budgets. You can find those regular 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:38.879 updates weekly as well as in our weekly e -news. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:41.840 Thank you so much everyone out there for listening 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:45.559 in and know that if you are in Idaho or planning 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:48.940 on moving to Idaho and have questions on systems 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:52.440 or services for children with disabilities, please 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:55.139 consider reaching out to us on our website at 00:11:55.139 --> 00:12:01.320 iPoll Idaho. That's I -P -U -L Idaho .org. or 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:07.100 by calling us at 208 -342 -5884. Be sure to tune 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:11.039 in next time. Until then, this has been Unlimited 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:15.299 Parenting. Thanks for listening!