January Resource Meeting (via Zoom): OVR Q and A: with Allison Ehlers of the the Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation
Jan
13

January Resource Meeting (via Zoom): OVR Q and A: with Allison Ehlers of the the Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation

Do you have questions about The Office Of Vocational rehabilitation (OVR)? Join us in January to learn all about the services that OVR offers. Our guest presenter will be vocational rehabilitation counselor Allison Ehlers.

Here’s a short quote from Allison:

“I have been working as an OVR counselor for 2 years. Prior to that I worked as an occupational therapist for 20 years. I am married with two teenage twin sons with ASD. I truly understand that it takes a village!”

(Note: This meeting will not be recorded, so please join us in real time if you can!)

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One Stop Workshop: Building Your One Page Profile (via Zoom)
Feb
5

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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February Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts, Part 2
Feb
24

February Resource Meeting (via Zoom): Getting Your Own Place: Myths and Facts, Part 2

Join us to learn about Housing from Self Advocates United as One (SAU1) Power Coaches!

For the past year and a half, Families CCAN and SAU1 have been working on a grant project . This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. To learn more about this project, click here.

This presentation will share some common myths about housing for people with disabilities, and then help to explain why those myths are not true.

This presentation is is the second in a series.

You do not need to have attended the first Housing Myths and Facts presentation in order to attend this presentation.

If you would like to watch the first presentation in this series, you can find it here in our archives. It is the March 2024 recording.

This will be an informative and interactive presentation geared towards older teens and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, and the professionals who support them.

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Peer-To-Peer Workshop (via Zoom)
Feb
27
to Mar 27

Peer-To-Peer Workshop (via Zoom)

In this unique 5-session workshop series, you will learn from peer instructors who are living on their own.

You must register in advance to attend this workshop, and your registration fee covers all 5 sessions.

This round of the Peer to Peer workshop will meet on Thursdays from 7:00pm - 8:00pm from February 27th to March 27th, 2025.

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Empowering Independence  Workshop (via Zoom)
Apr
3
to May 1

Empowering Independence Workshop (via Zoom)

What does Independence look like for you? Spend some time with us to identify your strengths and work on your plan for the future! Our results-oriented framework will help you create an action plan, understand what independence means for you, and start crafting a vision for the future. You must register in advance to attend this 5-session workshop, and your registration fee covers all sessions.

Throughout our 5 weeks together, you can expect to meet other families, learn concrete skills, and solidify your independence vision! This cohort will meet on Thursdays from 7:00-8:15pm from April 3rd to May 1st, 2025. Early Bird Discount Available now through 3/24/25!

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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.

The mission of the PEAL Center is to educate and empower families to ensure that children, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives as full members of their schools and communities.

About our presenter:

Diane Perry has over twenty years of education, advocacy and family leadership under her belt.

She is the Family Resource Specialist for the PEAL Center in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

In addition to her work at PEAL, Diane serves on the State Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP).

Diane’s son David, 31, received special education services when he was in school; he graduated from a Higher Education Inclusive program in college, works part time, and serves on 2 boards; SAU1 (Self Advocates Unites as 1) and the Sean King Fund for Inclusive Education.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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