Michigan, USA - The Chaldean Education and Career Center, Chaldean American Student Association of Michigan, and Chaldean American Professionals share with the community four very important instructional family based seminars on children with special needs.  The events are free and will be held throughout Oakland and Wayne County.

Chaldean parents and health professionals which include teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologist, ministers, and community family aid providers as well as Chaldean college students studying in these fields are strongly encouraged to register and attend.  The events offers state accredited certificates and an opportunity to network with other professionals in your field. 

The seminars will be held in English by industry experts.  The dates for the events are February 16, March 5, and March 18. The seminar will cover state aid and educational services for families with children of special needs. 

Afterwards CE&CC, CASA-MI, and CAP will be organizing special culturally focused sessions for families with children of special needs.  A brief summary including the seminar syllabus, location, and registration requirements follows.

EVENT BRIEF

February 16, is an all day session that will cover: Insuring Children’s Health through SCHIP and Medicaid, General Overview of Children’s Special Health Care Services (Title V), Genetics and Hereditary Disorders Services and Counseling available to families, Looking Ahead: Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Special Needs, Understanding Guardianship Options for Youth with Developmental Delay and Mental Illness, Social Security Programs for Young People: SSI and SSDI

March 5 will feature two sessions. The first will deal with accessing healthcare coverage and mental health services for your child and teenager.  The second session will discuss state services and educational opportunities for teens preparing for adult life.

March 18 the center will present children educational and health needs. 

Feb. 16 SEMINAR BRIEF:
 
Date:  February 16, 2008
Time:   9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Wayne RESA,  3500 Van Born Road, Wayne, MI 48184

Health Resource Support Parent Training provides persons who serve as “support parents” with health care and public health insurance resources and information.  The training will increase your understanding and enable you to demonstrate:

• The role of family, including parent/professional partnerships and parent to parent supports.
• The critical issues in delivering health, education, and social services to children with special needs and their families.
• Transitions issues, strategies and planning tools to assist families.
• Advocacy for children and youth with special needs and their families and ethical issues facing this population and their care providers.

Topics to be covered:

• Types of public health care coverage available:
• Mi Child, Healthy Kids, Children’s Special Health Care Services Transition Resources-Representatives from MPAS and SSA will discuss guardianship and applying for SSI.
  Services for children and families with Hereditary Disorders: counseling, testing, and service information.
• Health preparedness resources: plans and checklists to assist families plan for their child’s health care.

The trainings are FREE for families and non CEU recipients. All sessions are offered for credit. .6 SBCEU’s will be awarded State Board Office of Certification Services for teachers, administrators and school psychologists. The cost for CEU participants is $15. Checks or money orders should be made payable: SEMHA-F2FIEC.

Sign in sheets will be completed to document attendance. Attendance for the entire day constitutes course completion and CEU certificate award. Certificates will be awarded to families and non CEU participants. All certificates will be presented at the end of the training upon sign-out.

For questions, to register for training or request accommodations call 1-800-359-3722.For ADA procedures or grievances call MPAS at 1-800-288-5923.

AGENDA

• 8:30 – 9:00 Registration
• 9:00 – 9:05  Introductions
• 9:05 -10:05 Insuring Children’s Health through SCHIP and Medicaid
• 10:05 – 11:00  General Overview of Children’s Special Health Care Services (Title V)
• 11:00 – 11:10  Break
• 11:10 -12:10 Genetics and Hereditary Disorders Services and Counseling available to     families
• 12:10 - 12:40 Lunch
• 12:40 – 1:40 Looking Ahead: Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Special Needs
• 1:40 – 1:50 Break
• 1:50 – 2:50 Understanding Guardianship Options for Youth with Developmental      Delay and Mental Illness
• 2:50 – 3:00 Break
• 3:00 – 4:00 Social Security Programs for Young People: SSI and SSDI
• 4:00 – 4:15 Certificate Pick-up

Presenter Information
Insuring Children’s Health through SCHIP and Medicaid:

Allen Bay is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BA in Industrial Psychology and Training Development.  As the Senior Trainer for the Michigan Department of Community Health his responsibilities include all training development for the following programs:  MIChild, Healthy Kids, MOMS, and PLAN FIRST! 

General Overview of Children’s Special Health Care Services (Title V):

Lisa Cook-Gordon is the Project Manager for the Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information and Education Center. She received an MS Administration from Central Michigan University and is licensed as a Bachelor’s Level Social Worker. She has over 20 years of experience advocating for families at the state and national levels and developing outreach and training programs. She is the Transition Consultant within the Children’s Special Health Care Services Family Center.

Looking Ahead: Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Special Needs:

Gina Gembel graduated from Michigan State University with Master's of Social Work. As the Transition Coordinator with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Children’s Special Health Care Services Division she is responsible for developing transition related informational and educational training materials for families of children with special needs.

Genetics and Hereditary Disorders Services and Counseling available to families:

Joan Ehrhardt holds an MS in Genetic Counseling. She is a Certified Genetic Counselor and the Birth Defects Program Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Community Health. Her expertise focuses on hereditary disorders and birth defects, causes, needs, resources and issues surrounding testing.

Understanding Guardianship Options for Youth with Developmental Delay and Mental Illness:

Amy Maes holds a JD and is the Legal Advisor on Disability-Related Issues for Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. in Marquette.

Social Security Programs for Young People: SSI and SSDI:

Karen graduated from Oakland University and began her career with Social Security in 1983. Always a crusader for educating the public in Social Security Work Incentives, In April 2002 she was selected by the Area Director to lead ‘Ticket to Work’ initiatives in Michigan, creating the prototype for a new national Social Security position, Work Incentive Coordinator.  Karen has spoken at major conferences throughout the state and serves on coalitions that promote independence for persons with disabilities.

Date:        March 5, 2008
Time:        1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location:  ACMH S.W. Detroit Family Center,  6900 McGraw, Detroit, MI  48210

This seminar provies families with detailed information on how to effectively utilize or get healthcare coverage in order to access mental health services for their child. Including:

• How and where to access mental health services
• What is Community Mental Health and how can  they help
• What are the eligibility criteria for publicly funded programs
• What is the array of services available through  specific programs
• What to do if you are uninsured
• Understanding your private or public mental healthcare benefits
• Understanding how Michigan’s public mental health system operates
• Tips for maximizing your benefits

The training is FREE as a part of  The Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information & Education Center To register for training in your area, or for further information, contact: 
The CSHCS Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722

The Association for Children’s Mental Health is providing training for "Is your Teen Ready for Adult Life?"

Date:         March 5, 2008
Time:         3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location:   ACMH S.W. Detroit Family Center, 6900 McGraw, Detroit, MI  48210

For parents of teens with serious mental health conditions. These teens often report that they would like help finishing school, getting a good job, finding a place to live, living on their own, and making friends. Information and practical suggestions will be shared for helping your teen prepare for the transition from high school to employment or higher education; from home to independent living; and from child to adult community services, including: