Project Description:
2.3 Purposeful Life (FY 2024)
The Purposeful Life: Family training series is a 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, Families of Autistic Children Engaged Together for Support (FACETS), College Station Independent School District (ISD), Bryan ISD the training are provided free of charge for family members and self-advocates and siblings without disabilities 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 training. All on a volunteer basis. All sessions were held live this year.
FY 2023-2024 Sessions:
Sept. 7, 2023 Guardianship, Which is the Best Option for Your Family
Oct. 5, 2023 The Power of a One-Page Description
Nov. 2, 2023 Equal Power Because It's the Right Thing Do
Dec. 7, 2023 Behavior-What are you trying to tell me?
Feb. 1, 2024 Interactions With Law Enforcement
March 7, 2024 Friendship: How do You Teach Your Child to Have Good Friends?
April 4, 2024 Finding a Balance Between Safety and the Dignity of Risk
May 2, 2024 Plan Your Summer: Increasing Independence
*** SURVEYS ***
172 Satisfactions Surveys completed
Satisfaction
142 Strongly Agreed
29 Agreed
1 Strongly disagreed
Responses to the question "What did you find helpful about this activity?"
Sept. 7, 2023 Guardianship, Which is the Best Option for Your Family
1. Insight from a professional on what to expect when applying for guardianship or the alternatives.
2. Learning about the legalities of guardianship.
Oct. 5, 2023 The Power of a One-Page Description
1. Learning about "little t" trauma and personal one-page descriptions for IEP meeting
2. Ty needs to keep going on the path to be an inspirational speaker. He is amazing!
Nov. 2, 2023 Equal Power Because It's the Right Thing Do
1. Detailed personal experiences that apply the information given. Ty's perspective allowed me to shift my "mom" perspective to thinking about my son.
2. Learning about the history of Aimee and Ty was very helpful. Hearing his experiences and learning about the one-page description and person-centered thinking. Thank you!
Dec. 7, 2023 Behavior-What are you trying to tell me?
Support for transitions. Antecedent strategies.
Feb. 1, 2024 Interactions With Law Enforcement
1. I learned the importance to teach my child how to interact with the police. I didn't know that they can be accused and it doesn't matter that he has a disability. It was an eye-opener.
2. The personal experience of the officer it felt more of a direct connection and he cared about making sure the right things were taught.
March 7, 2024 Friendship: How do You Teach Your Child to Have Good Friends?
1. I love the personal experiences shared, how Lucinda learned to meet her son where he was instead of projecting her expectations.
2. The stories were great. I especially like the teaching tips about friendship, identification, and ways to make a friend or identify a friend. What can also be used to help the family member be a good friend all of the presentations have been wonderful but this one was one of my favorites thank you!
April 4, 2024 Finding a Balance Between Safety and the Dignity of Risk
1. My perspective on risk has changed and I have a new way to understand why my kids engage in the "risky" things they do. Thank you for that!
May 2, 2024 Plan Your Summer: Increasing Independence
1. Hearing from a person who has gone through the personal experience, makes it easier to relate and understand.
2. The list of ways to bring ease to the room was helpful. The instruction about the power of in-person collaboration was very helpful. My husband appreciated the parent tips and ARD conflict info.
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
