After a highly successful seminar in March 2014, Sivia Business and Legal Services P.C. (SBLS) will join with IMPACT CIL, and other local nonprofits, to sponsor a follow-up workshop Saturday, Sept. 13, for parents, teachers and caregivers of individuals with special needs.
Event organizer Mandy Darr, of SBLS, said the success of the first seminar demonstrated the need for continuing the series.
“After the seminar in March, parents asked why they had never received this kind of information before,” Darr said. “It was clear that parents and caregivers need to know how to access resources and where to find help. So we asked them what other topics would be helpful and used those suggestions to put together this follow-up workshop. “
Confirmed speakers and topics include Ashley Day of SBLS (“When Guardianship is the Right Decision”), Sue Walters of Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Collaboration (ISTAC) (“Preparing for an IEP Meeting”), a representative from Developmental Disability Services of Metro East (DDS) (“Available Adult Services & PUNS”), Deb Goodman of IMPACT (“Transportation Training”), and Kay Hymel of The Legacy Collaboration (TLC) (“Job Skills Training”).
The workshop will also take place at IMPACT Inc.’s East Room, 2751 E. Broadway in Alton. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Presentations begin at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. A question-and-answer session will follow the final speaker. Registration is free and includes a continental breakfast and presentation handouts. A $5 per person donation is appreciated, and all donations exceeding event costs will be donated to the Special Olympics Southwestern/Area 12 chapter.
The March 2014 Special Needs Wrap-Up donated more than $100 to the Madison County Transition Planning Committee.
Everyone is welcome to attend the workshop and registration is available online at www.sivialaw.com/specialneeds. Walk-ins are welcome to attend. For more information regarding the Special Needs Fall Workshop, call (618) 659-4499 or visit the event page at www.sivialaw.com/specialneeds.