September 25
Join us for an insightful back to school parent webinar that will be facilitated by Sean Roy, Advocate/TransCen Trainer, and Josh Harrington, Kalamazoo RESA Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired.
Children and youth with disabilities in Michigan can spend up to 20 years in school special education programs. It is crucial that a student’s individualized school program help them build skills and address academic and functional barriers. For students with vision impairments, this means combining the need for blindness skills with academic accommodations.
Navigating the special education process is often tricky for families. This workshop offers information on understanding the purpose of special education, the basics of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, and how to advocate for the needs of children and youth with vision impairments.
The session will cover key information, like:
- Why does a student get an IEP or 504 Plan?
- What are the key components of an IEP and 504 Plan?
- What are some common IEP goals useful for students with vision impairments?
- What is it important to focus on a long-term goal?
- What can families do if they disagree with the school’s recommended IEP?
Sign up at https://forms.gle/cffveF5Ra2ELJLPu6.
|
 |
November 17-19
Students will explore the Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) Healthy Living Campus and their Culinary program. This weekend will focus on career opportunities in Culinary Arts as well as postsecondary training opportunities.
Students will tour the campus and try on their chef hats in the KVCC Culinary classroom. They’ll also compete in a hands-on master chef activity and visit the KVCC greenhouse. And as an added bonus, students will take home fun kitchen tools to help them in their own home kitchens!
If this sounds exciting to you, we would love to meet you in the kitchen! Sign up at https://forms.gle/hrMDVLL7D3CX9Ahh9.
|
|
BSBP recognizes that families play an important role in helping prepare their young adults for employment and life in the community. We are working with Sean Roy at TransCen to help support families through an opportunity to provide feedback on BSBP programs coming up this month.
BSBP values the experiences and perspectives of families. TransCen will conduct listening sessions with BSBP families who have attended parent workshops and other programming (such as the Great Wolf Lodge weekend, family engagement workshops, VI resource series or any other parent focused programming).
The purpose is to learn from families familiar with BSBP programming how offerings can be improved and expanded. The goal is to find ways to better support BSBP families and to create programs for students that are appealing and effective. If you have attended any of these events and would like to participate in the listening session sign up to participate via this link: https://forms.gle/P6kqUnrVXJUbMiJ67.
Virtual sessions will be held on:
- Saturday, Sept. 9 – 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 21 – 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 21 – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
|
|
 The American Printing House (APH) website has been re-vamped and offers resources for living, learning and working with blindness or low vision. APH has a phenomenal range of webinars, informative articles, interactive interviews and events centered around careers, employment, family resources and Vision Aware tools. The APH ConnectCenter website (APHConnectCenter.org) offers nationwide resources to assist children, parents, adults and job seekers who are blind or have low vision, as well as associated professionals.
As BSBP continues to be an active member of the APH ConnectCenter Career & Employment Advisory committee, we want to make sure that every family we serve is not only aware of, but actively using, these resources. You would probably be surprised at just how many of your questions can be answered in just a few clicks.
If technology is not your thing, APH also offers a call-in resources line. They have experienced representatives who can provide free information on virtually any topic related to blindness and low vision. Parents and adult supporters may call toll-free 800-232-5463 between Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or e-mail connectcenter@aph.org.
Don't miss these upcoming virtual opportunities with APH:
ParentConnect: A family support Group offered in partnership with the Virtual Parent Support Group Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
APH FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse are pleased to offer this virtual support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired on Wednesday, September 6, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness.
These sessions are open to families. No ACVREP or professional development credits will be available.
|
Career Conversations: Interview with an Executive Vice President
Join the team at APH CareerConnect for our very popular Career Conversations Series on Thursday, September 7, from 6 – 7 p.m.
APH ConnectCenter staff will welcome back Russell Shaffer, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Programs at Disability:In. Russell will share his employment journey and discuss what he is currently working on at Disability:In.
|
For more information about the APH ConnectCenter, including upcoming and previously recorded webinars, visit the APH ConnectCenter webpage. The ConnectCalendar is where people or organizations can share and find information about events taking place across the country. There is something there for everyone, so we encourage you to explore!
April Dungan covers parts of northern Michigan, including Traverse City
April is a phenomenal counselor out of our Central region and has been with BSBP for two and a half years. April has been married to the love of her life for 22 years and has three adult children – two sons who are current active-duty Army officers and a daughter that is a nurse.
She is also an animal lover and mom to three dogs, two cats and an adopted neighborhood raccoon named Beulah. She is originally from Richardson, Texas in the Dallas/Fort Worth area but has traveled extensively as a military spouse. April's hobbies include snowmobiling, hiking, crafting and repurposing/upcycling furniture and décor items.
April is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling program. She was introduced to the program by a close friend and Western professor, whom she met while advocating for accessible sidewalks in her community.
“My favorite part about doing this work is meeting people in person, hearing their stories and putting plans together to help them achieve their goals,” said April.
April was nominated by Orientation and Mobility Specialist Meghan Cook. “From the first time I had the joy of working with April, she has truly shown that she is there for her clients,” shared Meghan. “I’ve seen her advocate for her clients in so many ways and it’s apparent that her heart is in the work she does.”
“I have had the privilege to work with her for the past two years on staffing Camp Transition Zone at Camp Daggett," continued Meghan. "During both years I saw her put in countless hours to make sure the programs we built were not only interactive and fun but very educational for our Pre-ETS students. As the program lead, April would often tell us, “We will make it work!” and we did. She’s also incredibly kind and always willing to jump in and help out when needed.”
April plans to obtain her Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) licensure and work with veterans when she heads to Texas later this month. The entire BSBP family wishes her all the best in her new adventure.
|
|
Do you have an awesome BSBP counselor who goes above and beyond to help you (or your child) achieve your goals? Well now you can tell the world about them😊!
We would love to feature your counselor in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters! Just to sweeten the deal, if your submission is selected, you will receive a special gift courtesy of the BSBP Pre-ETS team.
Complete your quick and easy nomination at https://forms.gle/i2EkPg72Z6927xEd8.
|
|
