November Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Wellness for your Everyday Life, with Lynn Roberts and Pete Phillips
Nov
18

November Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Wellness for your Everyday Life, with Lynn Roberts and Pete Phillips

Join us to learn about innovative programs to help encourage exercise and healthy eating in your everyday life. Our presenters, Lynn Roberts and Pete Phillips, will share information about what they are doing to help individuals with disabilities integrate wellness practices into their daily routines.

About our presenters:

Lynn Roberts holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from West Chester University and is a dedicated Community Nutritionist with a multi-disciplinary approach to holistic healthcare. Also an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Clinical Herbalist, she is currently pursuing her doctorate in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine to further combine traditional wisdom with modern, evidence-based practices to guide individuals toward optimal wellness.


Specializing in promoting balanced eating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism, Lynn is committed to equity and accessibility in nutrition. She began working with the IDD and autism community in 2020 and has been a Direct Support Professional with a focus on meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation since 2021.


Lynn is also an herb farmer and educator for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, contributing to community-based food systems and food security. An avid gardener, forager, and maker, she actively participates in her local community garden and grows food for her local food pantry. Lynn believes that optimal health looks different for everyone and utilizes Health at Every Size® and intuitive eating principles, along with motivational interviewing skills, to ensure her counseling is as trauma-informed and inclusive as possible.

Pete Philips is the Founder and Lead trainer of Full Spectrum Fitness. He has over a decade of experience in the special education, physical education and personal training fields. He has founded programs to teach sports and the related social skills to those on the autism spectrum, and has taught Adapted Physical Education at a school for students on the autism spectrum and a school for students with visual impairments.


Pete’s favorite aspects of Full Spectrum Fitness are building relationships with participants and their families and being able to use his ability to adapt exercises and activities to promote success. His goal is to make exercise enjoyable and attainable for everyone, helping each individual gain confidence and improve their quality of life!


 
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One Stop Workshop: Building Community Connections (on Zoom)
Dec
4

One Stop Workshop: Building Community Connections (on Zoom)

Our One Stop Workshop Series provides focused instruction on small but important topics. These topics will help you on your journey to greater independence.

Join us for Building Community Connections

What a dream it would be if we could all have a place in our community where "Everybody knows your name." As we've all experienced, building these connections in our community involves more than just showing up.

Join this 75-minute Zoom session to map out the community routines, roles and relationships that can help you become a more connected member of your community. We look forward to exploring new strategies to help encourage your relationships to blossom.


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Delaware County Meet-up (on Zoom)
Dec
5

Delaware County Meet-up (on Zoom)

Our December Meeting will be virtual. Join us to catch up, share updates, and enjoy each other’s company!

If you are an Individual with disabilities or a family member of an individual with disabilities and you live in (or close to) Delaware County, join us for an opportunity to: 

  • Make new, local connections

  • Share resources and information about supports, services and employment opportunities

  • Find others who are looking for solutions for planning, building community and housing

Click below for more info and to RSVP:


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Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)
Dec
9

Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)

Calling all past and present Peer to Peer Instructors and participants!

Join us to socialize, make connections, and discuss living more independently.

This is a one-hour virtual get-together for anyone who has participated in any of our past Peer to Peer workshops.

Whether you joined us in Summer 2021 or Fall 2024, we’d love to see you! Click on the button below to register, or contact abby with any questions.

This event is for people who have completed our Peer to Peer Workshop.

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December Resource Meeting (via Zoom): A Guided tour to Transition Planning, with Diane Perry of the PEAL Center
Dec
16

December Resource Meeting (via Zoom): A Guided tour to Transition Planning, with Diane Perry of the PEAL Center

Do you have a young person in your life who is ending their high school career and heading on to the next phase in their journey to. amore independent life? Join us as we welcome Diane Perry of the PEAL Center, who will be sharing tips and tools for transition planning.

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October Resource Meeting (via Zoom): How AT and AAC Changed Me, with Jessica Smith
Oct
21

October Resource Meeting (via Zoom): How AT and AAC Changed Me, with Jessica Smith

Join us in October for a conversation with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) creator Jessica Smith, who was featured in a 6 abc Hometown heroes segment for her work with first responders.

Here is how Jessica describes herself:

“My name is Jessica Smith. I am a class of 2023 high school graduate with High Functioning Autism. I make communication boards for first responders to help them communicate with people who are non speaking. I also make adapted switches for people with fine motor issues so they can play with toys and control appliances. I work with assistive technology as well making these things and helping other state programs. I started doing these things when I was in the 9th grade and I continue to do these things and now I give presentations about these projects. Please check out my Instagram for more of my projects and events I go to.”


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One Stop Workshop: Building Your One Page Profile (via Zoom)
Sep
26

One Stop Workshop: Building Your One Page Profile (via Zoom)

Our One Stop Workshop Series provides focused instruction on small but important topics. These topics will help you on your journey to greater independence.

Building Your One Page Profile

In this 75-minute Zoom session, we will explore an amazing tool for sharing information about yourself our your loved one: One Page Profiles!

Whether you want to create a one page profile for the first time or you want to update one that you created in the past, this is the workshop for you! We’ll be covering such topics as what to include, when and how to share it, and who should have copies on file.


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September Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Technology Solutions for Safety and Independence: with Safe In Home
Sep
16

September Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Technology Solutions for Safety and Independence: with Safe In Home

Are you interested in learning more about technology that can help you or your loved one live more safely and independently? Join us on September 16th to learn from our presenters. Representatives from Safe in Home will be sharing potential solutions.

Safe in Home empowers people to live more independently in their own homes and communities through the use of remote supports and assistive technologies. Safe in Home’s person-centered services vary by the individual, and may include real-time check ins, remote monitoring through sensors, or other technologies.

Join us to learn more!



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Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)
Sep
11

Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)

Calling all peer to peer Instructors and former participants!

Join us to socialize, make connections, and discuss living more independently.

This is a one-hour virtual get-together for anyone who has participated in any of our past Peer to Peer workshops.

Whether you joined us in Summer 2021 or Fall 2024, we’d love to see you! Click on the button below to register, or contact abby with any questions.

This event is for people who have completed our Peer to Peer Workshop.

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Delaware County Meet-up (In person!)
Aug
5

Delaware County Meet-up (In person!)

Calling all Delaware County residents!

If you are an Individual with disabilities or a family member of an individual with disabilities and you live in (or close to) Delaware County, join us for an opportunity to: 

  • Make new, local connections

  • Share resources and information about supports, services and employment opportunities

  • Find others who are looking for solutions for planning, building community and housing

Our Summer DelCo meetup will take place In Person at Rose Tree Park in Media. (Rain Date Tuesday August 6th)

Bring your dinner and a lawn chair or picnic blanket. We’ll bring water and seltzer. We look forward to seeing you!

Click below for more info and to RSVP:


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July Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Financial Planning Basics with Jerry Ruttenberg and Brian Smith of Firstrust Financial Resources
Jul
15

July Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Financial Planning Basics with Jerry Ruttenberg and Brian Smith of Firstrust Financial Resources

Does thinking about your loved one's financial future keep you up at night? Are you ready to take the next steps, but you're not sure how to start? Join presenters Jerry Ruttenberg and Brian Smith of Firstrust Financial Resources as they share the basics of financial planning.

About our presenters:

Jerry Ruttenberg (MBA) is a financial consultant with Firstrust Financial Resources. He dedicates his practice to planning for families with children with disabilities, a passion derived from his own family experiences.

Previously as a Special Needs Financial Planner with the MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning, he assisted families in planning for the financial future of their children or other dependents with special needs.

This requires in depth knowledge of the federal laws as they pertain to government benefit eligibility, legal documents such as special needs trusts and guardianships, and financial considerations for providing quality lifetime care.

Jerry holds a BBA in marketing and an MBA in Industrial Management from Temple University, and is a retired adjunct professor of Economics and Finance at Community College of Philadelphia.

Brian Smith is the Vice President of Firstrust Financial Resources. He assists families and small business owners in the areas of retirement, investments and life insurance protection. Recognizing that long-term healthcare needs are a major factor in prudent retirement planning, he commits a substantial portion of his time to long-term care insurance planning.

Brian received his B.S. in Finance from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

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Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts
Jun
20

Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts

Join this Zoom session to learn about Housing from SAU1 Power coaches! The Power Coaches will share some common myths about housing for people with disabilities, and then help to replace these myths with facts. This presentation is designed for older teens and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. To learn more and to register, Contact Carla via email at carla@sau1.org or call her at 814 201 6061.

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Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)
Jun
20

Independence Happy Hour (on Zoom)

Calling all peer to peer Instructors and former participants!

Join us to socialize, make connections, and discuss living more independently.

This is a one-hour virtual get-together for anyone who has participated in any of our past Peer to Peer workshops.

Whether you joined us in Summer 2021 or Winter 2024, we’d love to see you! Click on the button below to register, or contact abby with any questions.

This event is for people who have completed our Peer to Peer Workshop.

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June Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Resource Swap
Jun
17

June Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Resource Swap

This month, we’re turning the meeting over to the real experts: our amazing community members!

Join us for a community resource swap! Whether you’d like to share info about an awesome local inclusive business or you’re looking for ideas for a cool new hangout spot, join us to share with your fellow community members.

Bring your recommendations for social and recreational activities, inclusive employers, welcoming community spaces, sensory friendly professionals, or organizations you want to share.  And if you are looking for resources in any of these categories (or others) please bring your requests for information to the group!

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Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts
Jun
17

Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts

Join this Zoom session to learn about Housing from SAU1 Power coaches! The Power Coaches will share some common myths about housing for people with disabilities, and then help to replace these myths with facts. This presentation is designed for older teens and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. To learn more and to register, Contact Carla via email at carla@sau1.org or call her at 814 201 6061.

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Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts
May
29

Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts

Join this Zoom session to learn about Housing from SAU1 Power coaches! The Power Coaches will share some common myths about housing for people with disabilities, and then help to replace these myths with facts. This presentation is designed for older teens and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. To learn more and to register, Contact Carla via email at carla@sau1.org or call her at 814 201 6061.

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May Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Understanding Benefits  with Michele Leahy
May
20

May Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Understanding Benefits with Michele Leahy

You have the waivers, the special needs trust, the benefits, Now What? 

In this presentation, our guest presenter Michele Leahy will will talk about SSI/SSDI to DAC transition, how to revise ISP plans, how to organize all the information in one place and, importantly, how pass the baton to the next generation. 

Her presentation will cover how to navigate services when life changes and how to deal with the stumbling blocks of changes in benefit status. She’ll also explain how to organize your plan and bring the next generation "up to speed" to start the succession now.

About our presenter:

Michele Leahy, MS, CPWIC, is the founder and CEO of Leahy Life Plan, a firm dedicated to long-term life planning for those with disabilities. She understands disability challenges from both a professional and personal perspective.

In 2009, Ms Leahy obtained her Certification in Work Incentive Planning through an approved Social Security Administration (SSA) program established through the SSA Ticket To Work Program. She has an M.S. in Non-Profit Management from Eastern University. In 2023 Governor Shapiro chose Ms Leahy for the PA Employment First Oversight Committee. Ms. Leahy was the first non-veteran Executive Board Member of the United Spinal Association, a national disability rights organization.

Ms. Leahy has spoken both nationally and locally on disability, including at the National Down Syndrome Congress Conference. In 2018, she spoke on disability issues at the Philadelphia Women’s March on the steps of the Art Museum. Ms. Leahy’s commitment to cross disability has led her to being involved with visible and hidden disability organizations.

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Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts
May
16

Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts

Join this Zoom session to learn about Housing from SAU1 Power coaches! The Power Coaches will share some common myths about housing for people with disabilities, and then help to replace these myths with facts. This presentation is designed for older teens and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. To learn more and to register, Contact Carla via email at carla@sau1.org or call her at 814 201 6061.

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