2.3 Purposeful Life: Family Training Series (Day)

2026

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 on the 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 training and materials and deliver the monthly training. All on a volunteer basis. All sessions were held in person and were live-streamed via Facebook for those who could not attend live. In response to feedback received in 2023-2024, the last 15 minutes of each session are reserved for families to have targeted conversations regarding the topic. FY 2025-2026 Sessions: October 2nd- Welcome to Purposeful Life November 6th- Teaching Financial Skills December 4th- Teaching Healthcare Professionals Ways to Increase the Comfort of Patients with Developmental Disabilities February 5th- Financial Planning and Disability Benefits March 5th- Transitioning to Community-Based Employment April 2nd- Supporting Communication and Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) May 7th- Planning for the Summer *** SURVEYS *** Satisfaction Surveys completed Satisfaction Strongly Agreed Agreed Strongly Disagreed Responses to the question "What did you find helpful about this activity?" October 2nd- Welcome to Purposeful Life The social interaction and info about services Chatting with Parents and Camp Life Services That's good to know about the community resources that are available for my child Learning about transportation services in our area November 6th- Teaching Financial Skills I learned where to start to teach my son how to manage money Making a calendar to show when bills are due and show them how to balance Great discussion of spending habits and teaching I like the practical advice on how to give financial skills to my child December 4th- Teaching Healthcare Professionals Ways to Increase the Comfort of Patients with Developmental Disabilities Ideas that I can use, like using visuals and preferred items . I role play and let him play with the instruments before the exams, which helps, but I think visuals and preferred items will help too It is good to think about alternative to restraint force to complete medical procedures. Be vocal to my child's healthcare professionals about her disability. February 5th- Financial Planning and Disability Benefits Open my eyes for my child's future financial security, especially when I'm gone. All the programs we can qualify for. Lecture about trust of money, how it works. Also learning about the ABLE plans and the difference from special need trust. The speaker's offer of help with financial plan and life estimate. March 5th- Transitioning to Community-Based Employment April 2nd- Supporting Communication and Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) May 7th- Planning for the Summer

Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Health Care Transition, Health Insurance, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs, Self-advocacy, parent education

Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services

Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Quality of Life

Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public

None

Mulit-County, State

N/A