AUCD | Project

Project Description:

2.3 Purposeful Life (FY 2019) The Purposeful Life: Family training series is a new community outreach project focused on increasing the capacity of self-advocates and family members to live a purposeful life. In collaboration with the Center on Disability and Development (CDD) at Texas A&M University, Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley (DSABV), Families of Autistic Children Engaged Together for Support (FACETS), Workforce Commission (TWC) Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Division of Blind Services (DBS), College Station Independent School District (ISD), Bryan ISD, Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center (BVRC), and the Brazos Center for Independent Living (BVCIL), trainings are provided free of charge for family members and self-advocates ages 11 and up on every first Thursday of the month throughout the school year. Childcare is available for ages 2+ and dinner is provided for all participants. Professionals, family members, and parents have worked together to develop the trainings and materials as well as to deliver the monthly trainings. All on a volunteer basis. FY 2019-2020 Sessions: Sept. 5th Planning For The Future Oct 3rd- The Empty ChairWho is Missing from the ARD Table Nov. 7th IEPs- Making Them Count! Making the Most of your Childs Time in School Dec.5th Are you Teaching or Doing? Creating Independence Feb 6th Behavior- What to Do if Your Child is in a Crisis March 5th Paving The Road for a Smoother Future- Getting Plugged in to Your Community April-May Cancelled due to COVID *** SURVEYS *** 98 Surveys received 84 Family members 9 others (TAMU students, professionals, support persons) 5 IWD 67 Strongly Agreed 29 Agreed 2 Disagreed 0 Strongly Disagreed Families, self-advocates, and professionals are asked to provide feedback after each training. The "Purposeful Life" Leadership team uses this data to inform the following trainings and to make changes in content and/or delivery to best meet the needs of the community. Feedback from the community has been positive and the trainings have been well-received. What has been helpful or not helpful about this project activity? The content was very informational and appropriate for what I needed before my child's ARD. That my daughter can attend the meeting because sometimes she asks me why they made decisions without her being present Everything, the most thing is that they tell me how I can help my son with his disability. I like when she went back to what was talked about before and interated it in the new information today. I like the amount of support and information given. I alwasy love concrete- real world ec=xamples. I appreciate that the speaker considered non-verbal students. That often gets overlooked. Link to FB live video from Brava Interview: https://www.facebook.com/brava.site/videos/418146532295249/ Summer session One Page Profiles 4 surveys received 4 Family members 4 Strongly Agreed 0 Agreed 0 Disagreed 0 Strongly Disagreed

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2.3 Purposeful Life: Family Training Series (Sumbera/Day)