2021 Family Links/Conexiones Familiares Conference

2021 Virtual Conference/Conferencia Virtual

The Family Links Conference is a statewide event for parents of children and adults with disabilities and professionals serving the disability community. The cost to attend this conference is $10. Conference participants have exclusive access to recordings of all sessions. Be sure to visit our virtual exhibitor fair. For more information, scroll down to see session descriptions, handouts and more.

Virtual Resource Gallery

La Conferencia Conexiones Familiares es un evento a nivel estatal para padres de niños, jóvenes y adultos con necesidades especiales y los profesionales que les proveen servicio. El costo para asistir a esta conferencia es $10. Los participantes de la conferencia tienen acceso exclusivo a las grabaciones de todas las sesiones. Asegúrese de visitar nuestra galería de recursos. Para más información, lea debajo de este mensaje para ver las descripciones de las sesiones, hojas de información y más.

Galería de recursos virtuales

Agenda/Programa

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 (9:30 am- 12 pm & 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm)
Miércoles, 20 de Enero de 2021

9:30 am-Keynote: “Building Resiliency to Withstand Trauma”
11:00 am “Alternatives to Guardianship & Guardianship Through an Attorney’s Perspective”
6:30 pm “Fostering Emotional and Mental Health for Support through the Psychosocial Well-being of Siblings”
7:30 pm “Tips for Day to Day Positive Behavioral Supports”

Thursday, January 21st, 2021 (9:30 am- 12 pm & 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm)
Jueves, 21 de Enero de 2021

9:30 am- Keynote: “Raising Expectations: Hearing from Self-Advocates”- Speaker’s Network
11:00 am- “The Basics of Telehealth”
6:30 pm- “School Supports under COVID-19”
7:30 pm- “Interactions with the Justice System”

Jan 20, 2021 09:30 AM
Jan 21, 2021 09:30 AM

Detailed Agenda and Handouts/Programa Detallado y Hojas de Información

Wednesday, January 20

(9:30 am- 12 pm & 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm)

Thursday, January 21

(9:30 am- 12 pm & 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm)

9:45 AM

Building Resiliency to Withstand Trauma

Jennifer K Carlson

Presentation Description and Handouts

Families of individuals with disabilities and special healthcare needs have experienced many events that could be described as traumatic during the year 2020. What does it take for individuals and families to build resilience in order to face and meet these challenges successfully? Come and learn with us about key strategies that will help with current conditions and future ones.

Building Resiliency Slides

11:00 AM

Alternatives to Guardianship and Guardianship from an Attorney's Perspective

Lisa Broderick Thornton

Presentation Description and Handouts

The guardianship process can feel daunting and complicated. Come and learn directly from a parent who is also a legal expert regarding its intricacies and learn about the reasons families go through this process. Likewise, come and learn about all the other ways families can support their loved one with making decisions beyond guardianship.

Supported Decision Making Slides

Guardianship and Legal Solutions Slides

Tools for Exploring Decision Making Supports

Basics of Guardianship and Alternatives

Guardianship Step-by-Step Process

6:30 PM

Fostering Emotional and Mental Health for Support through the Psychosocial Well-being of Siblings

Dr. Lara Bennett Murphy, Jane & Emma Thornton

Presentation Description and Handouts

Siblings are an important part of the family. Sibling relationships and interactions are shaped continuously. Come and learn about the benefits of keeping those sibling relationships healthy and supported so that the family can keep the benefits well into the future and throughout adult life.

Sibling Life Slides

Sibling Life Resources

7:30 PM

Tips for Day to Day Positive Behavioral Supports

Jeff Skibitsky

Presentation Description and Resources

Staying at home throughout the pandemic has been both challenging and rewarding. For families of individuals with disabilities that require more constant behavioral support, the need to implement positive behavioral supports has become necessary. Come and learn the ways that you can support your loved one during the time you are spending together.

Autism Weekly Podcast Website Link (Also available where you listen to podcasts)

9:45 AM

Transition Elevated

Lavinia Gripentrog, Utah State Board of Education

Presentation Description and Links

Transition Elevated is an app that will help you create a draft transition plan. It was designed for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs), but anyone can use it. When you are 14 the Transition Plan becomes part of your IEP. Your transition plan is your roadmap for the future.

Transition Elevated App

Recorded video demo of the App and other support documents for optimal use of the App

Raising Expectations: Hearing from Self-Advocates

Advocates as Leaders Self Advocacy Speaker's Network Utah

Presentation Description

Come and hear directly from individuals with disabilities themselves who will share their thoughts, lessons learned, and experiences regarding the impact of high expectations. The panel will share pearls of wisdom with other families and also dedicate time to answer questions from the participants.

11:00 AM

The Basics of Telehealth

Eric Tadehara

Presentation Description

What should families know about accessing telehealth? Come and learn tips and tricks about the way telehealth can be of benefit to you and your family, as well as what to expect from providers using this method of service delivery.

6:30 PM

School Supports under COVID-19

Ashlie Baker & Deanne Shields

Presentation Description and Handouts

The way students with disabilities have received services, accommodations and supports has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Join us to learn about general sound recommendations for students who require additional support from the school to succeed and benefit from their education.

COVID and School Guideline Resources

Effective Communication and Advocacy Skills for Parents

Ten Parent Tips for Behavior

Learning Contract – Lined Paper

Behavior Contract – Princess

7:30 PM

Interactions with the Justice System

Detective Jeremy Dean, WVCPD

Presentation Description

Individuals with disabilities and mental health needs often come in contact with the Justice system without knowing what to expect from that system. Come and learn about the way the system functions and efforts made throughout different points of the interactions with the system to understand those needs stemming from either a developmental disability or mental health.