Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance

Special Needs Caregiver Support Group with JAFCO & JFS
2023-02-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-02-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-02-28 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-03-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-03-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | online, online
SPECIAL NEEDS PARENT
CAREGIVER
SUPPORT GROUP (DAYTIME)
SUPPORT GROUPS AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. JOIN US AND ESTABLISH NEW CONNECTIONS, FRIENDSHIPS AND LEARN SKILLS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN!
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PRE REGISTER, CONTACT:
LINDA SACHS, LCSW COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR AND PARENT SUPPORT GROUP SPECIALIST JAFCO 954-315-8664 | LINDA@JAFCO.ORG
OR
TSIPPI ROSEN AT THE SOUTH PALM BEACH JAA AT:
TZIPPIR@RALESJFS.ORG

Jewish Disability Advocacy Day All Virtual JDAD
2023-02-15 12:00 - 13:00 | online, online
JDAD
Jewish Disability Advocacy Day
Feb. 15, 2023
12-1PM ET
All virtual
Making Change: Kickoff Event
Wednesday, Feb. 15th
12 pm EST

Listen to community members living with disabilities who share the challenges they face – and what supports they need to overcome them.
Learn what Jewish Federations, Jewish human service agencies, and others are doing to improve the daily lives of people living with disabilities.
Hear from leading Members of Congress, disability advocacy champions, changemakers, and experts who will help us better understand the remaining obstacles to inclusion and about national legislation that will help millions of people with disabilities flourish.
Get the tools to advocate for these policies in real-time. We’ll take concrete action at this event – individually yet together.
And more.

https://www.jewishtogether.org/jdad-2023

Direct Support Professionals – Accompanying People in their Spiritual Journeys
2023-02-15 14:00 - 15:00 | online, online
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT
Register Online

Learn more about the full series

Helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities discover and find belonging in a faith community of their choice can be daunting. Support staff come from different traditions or may have no religious background. Discovering the “right fit” can be tricky. Accompanying someone on their spiritual journey is about more than attending. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) may need to be a guide, coach, and community builder! The work can be meaningful and rewarding, calling on DSPs to acknowledge their own spiritual biases as they help people find a community of belonging. This session provides practical tips for support teams, from making initial contacts and introductions to helping build relationships between the people you support and members of a church, synagogue, or mosque.
Speaker Bios
Bill Gaventa is an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant primarily in the arena of faith and disability. He is the founder and Director Emeritus of the Summer Institute of Theology and Disability and the current Director of the National Collaborative on Faith and Disability. He was the Director of Community and Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey from 1995-2013. His primary areas of experience and expertise include spiritual and faith-based supports with people with disabilities, training for clergy, seminarians, and community services staff, aging, end of life/grief issues in intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultural competence, and community building. He served as the President of American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from 2016-2017. He was Editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health for 14 years, and is author of Spirituality and Disability: Recovering Wholeness published by Baylor University Press in 2018.
Keith Dow, PhD. (he/him) lives near Ottawa, Ontario and serves as the Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Christian Horizons (christianhorizons.org). Keith coaches supervisors and Direct Support Professionals in the areas of grief and loss, compassion fatigue, and conflict resolution. Trained as a theologian, Dr. Dow is the author of Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving (Baylor, 2021) and works with churches and service providers to support the spiritual needs and contribution of people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of faith and life.
Jasmine Duckworth has been serving with Christian Horizons since 2004 and has been disabled herself since 2015. As part of her role as Community Development Manager she often speaks with churches and community groups about disability, accessibility, and ableism. She works closely with self-advocates as they work to improve Christian Horizons, the developmental services sector, and the broader community. She is a mum, wife, and obsessive knitter.

Teen Time with UM CARD via Zoom
2023-02-16 17:30 - 18:30 | online, online
Social opportunity for middle and high school students via remote conferencing.
All participants must be registered with UM-NSU CARD and be aware of their ASD diagnosis.
To register for this group e-mail one of the case managers listed below.
Families must RSVP via e-mail for each session to receive link to join.
To register for this group, please contact Alexandra Cacciamani at
acacciamani@miami.edu

JDAIM and JAFCO Children's Ability Center Workshop with Linda Sachs
2023-02-21 18:00 - 19:00 | online, online

Social GAAIN via Hybrid (Group for Adults with Autism to Interact and Network) with UM CARD
2023-02-21 18:00 - 19:30 | online, online
http://www.card.miami.edu

A social opportunity activity-based group that will meet virtually online. The activities and format of the group may vary with each session.
DATE OF EVENT
Tuesday, February 21st – Bingo
Tuesday, March 21st – Karaoke
Tuesday, April 18th – Kahoot! Trivia
Tuesday, May 23rd – Game Night
RSVP EMAIL DATE
Thursday, February 16th
Thursday, March 16th
Thursday, April 13th
Thursday May 18th
This group is for registered UM-NSU CARD constituents who are 18 years old and over and out of high school.
Participants must be able to actively engage with the group via a virtual platform.
A screening appointment is required. Please contact Nathalie Stanish at nvr13@miami.edu for more information.

Dyslexia and Structured Literacy with Dr. Judith Cohen, recorded
2023-02-24 | online, online
Dr. Judith Cohen reviews structured literacy instruction for parents and teachers, recorded
Presentation resources:

Dr. Cohen’s PowerPoint Presentation
IDA Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know
Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read: A Parent Guide, Preschool through Grade 3

JDAIM w/Ruderman Foundation: Building Inclusive Spaces with Capt. Udi Heller of the IDF
2023-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 | online, online

LECTURE: I WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD FOR YOU, BUT I WOULD NOT CHANGE YOU FOR THE WORLD
2023-02-28 12:30 - 13:30 | online, online
LECTURE: I WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD FOR YOU, BUT I WOULD NOT CHANGE YOU FOR THE WORLD

TUE, FEB 28

12:30 PM – 01:30 PM

$10.00

LECTURE: I Would Change The World For You, But I Would Not Change You for The World: Lessons for Pivoting in the Face of Change and Living an Extraordinary Life
Join Jodi Samuels as she discusses her personal journey raising Caila, her daughter with Down syndrome. An inspiring look at her battle for inclusion and how it led to opportunities and victories she could never have imagined.
Jodi Samuels is a connector, speaker, nonprofit leader, world traveler, community activist, special needs advocate, wife, and mom. She is the author of Chutzpah, Wisdom and Wine: Journey of an Unstoppable Woman.
This program will take place virtually over Zoom. You will receive a confirmation email including the Zoom link and password. If you do not receive the Zoom link, or have any questions, please contact Verunka Fierro at vfierro@mmjccm.org.

GiGi's Educator Symposium Educate. Inspire. Believe. Teaching Strategies for Individuals with Down Syndrome
2023-03-04 11:00 - 16:00 | online, online
GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers created to provide FREE, life-changing therapeutic and educational programs for all ages of development and for the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome.
Join a team of experienced educators and therapists from across the GiGi’s Playhouse Network to learn how to teach individuals with Down syndrome the way they learn best. Since 2003, we have been working nonstop to empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential and move toward independence.
We encourage the families we serve to invite their teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists.
Saturday, March 4, 2023
8-12:45PT / 9-1:45MT / 10-2:45CT / 11-3:45ET
Virtual Presentation

Register Today!

What you can expect:

Introduction and Welcome from our Chief Belief Officer, Nancy Gianni and “The” GiGi herself!

Down Syndrome 101
How I Learn
Strategies for Teaching Math and Literacy
Supporting Speech and Motor skills for students with Down syndrome in the Classroom
Promoting Positive Behavior

Presenters:

Nancy Gianni, Chief Belief Officer, GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
GiGi Gianni, “THE” GiGi, GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
Shari Andress, M. Ed., GiGi’s Playhouse National Office
Kristin Housel, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester
Cindy Marie Judy, MS Ed., GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix
Dr. Sarah Mann, PT, DPT, MBA, NSCA-CPT
Vicky McKinney, MS Ed., BCBA, GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville
Katherine O’Neill, MS, OTD, OTR/L, GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough
Kathleen Tynes, GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit
Sara Van Deurzen, M. Ed., GiGi’s Playhouse Milwaukee

American/Black & Haitian Families Support Group w/ Parent to Parent
2023-03-09 17:30 - 18:30 | online, online
Recurring Event (See all)

Join us for our monthly support with our Outreach Enrichment Project team. This time will be used to connect with other parents and share your concerns. Sessions available the 2nd Thursday of each month 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Details

March 9

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Advocacy & Leadership

Venue

Virtual Training

Other

https://bit.ly/3zAMgBy

Women & Gender Minority ASD Support Group w/ UMCARD
2023-03-13 18:00 - 19:00 | online, online
Join UMCARD for a support group specifically for autistic women and gender minorities. We will support each other as we share experiences and feelings related to autism that are unique to women and gender-diverse people. This group will be held virtually using the Zoom platform. This group is for women and other gender minorities who are UM-NSU CARD constituents, over 18 and out of high school. Participants must be able to sustain a reciprocal conversation and discuss a variety of topics.

February 13th
March 13
April 17th
May 15th

This group is for women and other gender minorities who are UM-NSU CARD constituents, over 18 and out of high school. Participants must be able to sustain a reciprocal conversation and discuss a variety of topics.
Phone screening is required. If you have any questions contact Jennifer Feinstein at 305-284-3734 or jfeinstein@miami.edu Zoom Link to participate will be sent by email prior to the event.

THE BASICS OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME + DISABLED ADULT CHILD CLAIMS
2023-03-13 19:00 - 20:00 | online, online
THE BASICS OF SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME + DISABLED ADULT CHILD CLAIMS

Brian Eisner

Learn the requirements and benefits of various programs offered by the Social Security Administration. Particular attention will be given to programs available to individuals with a minimal work history.

Brian C. Eisner is an attorney in the Social Security Disability Department of Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. He strives to advocate for each client, guiding them through the disability claims process.

Virtual | Mon, Mar 13, 7–8 pm, $10

Questions? Please email Hannah Kaplan-Cohen at hcohen@mmjccm.org.

Requerimientos de Graduación y Opciones de Diploma con Parent to Parent
2023-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 | online, online
March 14 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Este taller es para estudiantes y padres. Hay varias opciones de graduación de escuela secundaria para los estudiantes que tienen un IEP, que le ayudan a obtener un diploma de escuela secundaria estándar. El plan de estudios en el que está trabajando el estudiante tiene un gran impacto en estas opciones. Este taller explicará las opciones de graduación, qué cursos son apropiados, la obtención de créditos de curso, las pruebas estandarizadas requeridas y el aplazamiento del diploma.

Details

March 14

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Secondary & Post Transition

Venue

Virtual Training

Other

http://bit.ly/3F7uU3c

Add to calendar

Previous Workshop
IDEA & IEP Seminar
Next Workshop
Taller de IEP – Presencial

From Assessment to Participation – Supporting Individual Preferences to Find Their Faith Community
2023-03-15 14:00 - 15:00 | online, online
Date: Wednesday, March 15

Time: 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT
Register Online

Learn more about the full series

How do you determine ways to support individual spiritual and religious preferences? Evergreen Life Services has developed its own spiritual assessment practice. This presentation describes how Evergreen utilizes its successful approach to support an individual’s preferences and participation in their chosen spiritual and religious expressions. The assessments include targeted questions that help create a pathway for providers to support individual religious and spiritual preferences and practices. The presenters from Evergreen will share the stories of peoples’ journeys to belong to their chosen faith communities.
Speaker Bios
Sharon Gomez is the Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at Evergreen Life Services, Lake Charles, Louisiana. Sharon has developed and implemented a Quality Enhancement System utilizing the Personal Outcome Measures of the Council on Quality and Leadership and created in-service training programs in the area of quality for Evergreen and each of its operating divisions. She is a past president of AAIDD and has served in numerous leadership positions for the Association.
Yvonne A. Miller-Nixon is the Quality Enhancement Director at Evergreen Life Services where she coordinates all agency practices related to quality. Yvonne facilitates the development of Quality Improvement Plans for 16 divisions in six states. She assured Personal Outcomes interviews were conducted for a 10 – 15% sample of people served in six states each year. She also conducted over 40% of these interviews.
Jarrod Adams is the Evergreen State Executive Director for Tennessee where he is responsible for the operations of all 5 division in Tennessee, representing almost 200 individuals served and over 200 total staff. Jerrod also co-wrote a non-violent crisis system that Evergreen currently utilizes in 5 states.
Karen Towery is the Evergreen Executive Director who is responsible for the overall operation of all programs and services in north central Texas. Karen oversees the daily operation of the division and establishes and implements policies and procedures which assure the best interest of individuals served, staff, and facilities.

Vision and Learning – The Overlooked Factor in Academic Achievement w/Parent to Parent
2023-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | online, online
March 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Vision is our brain’s way of touching the world. It allows us to gain meaning from our environment and direct our future actions. Vision is also our dominant sense, and seeing is a developmental skill which sometimes needs interventions to work properly. Visual skills and learning are intricately intertwined as what we see, how efficiently we see and how well we interpret what we see play main factors in educational achievement. During this presentation we’ll look at the role vision plays in general and more specifically in reading and learning. We’ll show you how we evaluate vision to go beyond 20/20 and teach visual skills that will improve not only learning, but everything we do in life.”
Presenters: Miami Vision Therapy

Venue

Virtual Training

Other

https://bit.ly/3XyEmDS

Social GAAIN via Hybrid (Group for Adults with Autism to Interact and Network) with UM CARD
2023-03-21 18:00 - 19:30 | online, online
http://www.card.miami.edu

A social opportunity activity-based group that will meet virtually online. The activities and format of the group may vary with each session.
DATE OF EVENT
Tuesday, February 21st – Bingo
Tuesday, March 21st – Karaoke
Tuesday, April 18th – Kahoot! Trivia
Tuesday, May 23rd – Game Night
RSVP EMAIL DATE
Thursday, February 16th
Thursday, March 16th
Thursday, April 13th
Thursday May 18th
This group is for registered UM-NSU CARD constituents who are 18 years old and over and out of high school.
Participants must be able to actively engage with the group via a virtual platform.
A screening appointment is required. Please contact Nathalie Stanish at nvr13@miami.edu for more information.

EVENT DETAILS

World Down Syndrome Day Family Fun Night with Gigi's Playhouse
2023-03-21 19:30 - 20:30 | online, online
Time: 3/21/2023, 7:30 PM (1 hours)
Playhouse: GiGi’s at Home – Virtual
Ages: All Ages

Description:GiGi’s Playhouse and Bake Back America are coming together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! The goal being to change the way the world views Down Syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all!
Join us virtually for a Family Fun Night! We will have a Magician, puppeteer, crafting and dancing!
Bring the whole family in for a fun time at GiGi’s! This is the perfect opportunity to gather and get to know other GiGi’s families! Purposeful activities, games, information and refreshments will help to create friendships and memories!
If you are unable to login and register, we would love for you to join us, please contact your playhouse for assistance. When you are here we will answer all of your questions and support you with your My GiGi’s login.

MUST REGISTER
Please log in to register

Scholarships for Florida Schoolchildren w/Parent to Parent
2023-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 | online, online
March 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about:

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) based on income: Financial assistance for private school tuition or transportation to attend a public school in another district.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) formerly Gardiner: For children with special needs, it allows parents to personalize the education of their children.
The Hope Scholarship: For children who have been victims of bullying.
The Reading Scholarship: For public school students in 3rd – 5th grade that are struggling with reading.

Presented by Melissa Jaramillo, Step Up For Students Community Outreach Manager

Details

March 28

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Advocacy & Leadership

Venue

Virtual Training

Other

http://bit.ly/3HhRd8W

The Importance of Legal Planning, free virtual workshop w/Alpert JFS
2023-03-29 14:00 - 15:00 | online, online

Autism Science Foundation's Day of Learning, virtual and in person
2023-03-30 11:00 - 18:00
Join virtually or in-person at the New York Athletic Club for the Autism Science Foundation’s 10th Annual Day of Learning. The TED-style conference begins at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and includes the following talks:
Topics include:

Dr. Kelsey Martin, The Simons Foundation/SFARI – “What Have We Learned from the Past 10 Years of Research”
Dr. James McPartland, Yale University – “Where Should Research Focus in the Next 10 Years”
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, University of Toronto – “Rethinking Autism’s Diagnostic Framework”
Dr. Ana Kostic, The Seaver Center at Mount Sinai – “Next Steps for the Autism Ketamine Trials”
Nicole Rosen, PhD Candidate, University of California at Los Angeles – “Understanding the Needs of Autism Siblings as they Grow Up”
Dr. William Bennett, University of Indiana – “Improving Care for GI Problems in Neurodevelopmental Disorders”
Dr. Connor Kerns, University of British Columbia – “Addressing the Challenges of Anxiety in Autism”
Zachary Williams, MD/PhD Candidate, Vanderbilt University – “My Perspective as an Autistic Scientist Conducting Autism Research”

In-person guests receive morning coffee and buffet lunch in addition to the TED-style presentations and Q&A sessions. All in-person guests are invited to stay for the cocktail reception following the event to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Seats are limited.
Virtual participants can view all speaker presentations and the award ceremony. You will not receive meals or be able to participate in the Q&A.
NYAC Dress Code:
Men – Jackets are optional; slacks, a collared shirt and dress shoes are permitted.
Women – Business casual (skirt or slacks with blouse).
Both – Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers are prohibited.

Understanding the Family Network on Disabilities (FND) hosted by UMCARD
2023-04-04 09:30 - 10:30 | online, online
This presentation will inform participants of all of the FND programs offering help and information to families of students with disabilities and the professionals that serve them.
You must register through Eventbrite to get the Zoom link https://FND2023.eventbrite.com
For questions, contact Cecilia Alvarez-Tabio at c.alvareztabio@miami.edu

INTRODUCCIÓN AL PROGRAMA DE REHABILITACIÓN VOCACIONAL con Parent to Parent
2023-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | online, online
INTRODUCCIÓN AL PROGRAMA DE REHABILITACIÓN VOCACIONAL

April 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Aprenda cómo este programa federal / estatal ayuda a las personas con discapacidades a prepararse para el empleo durante y después de la escuela secundaria. Sus servicios abarcan:

Proceso de Solicitud
Orientación Profesional
Capacitación y Educación después de la Escuela Secundaria
Desarrollar un plan de Empleo
Entrenamiento Laboral

Presentado por: Division de Rehabilitación Vocacional, Departamento de Educación

Details

April 4

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Secondary & Post Transition

https://bit.ly/3xwbv8w

Q&A ON ABA - PART 2 Challenging Behaviors and their Functions with UM CARD
2023-04-04 18:00 - 19:00 | online, online
Learn how to understand and replace problem behavior with more appropriate alternatives.
Q&A on ABA is an opportunity for participants to watch and review the training online prior to the drop-in session. On the date of the session, participants will be able to present their questions and/or concerns. Our team will be able to provide further examples and recommendations as needed.
Please join Dahriana Correa, Dr. Anibal Gutierrez, and Ivan Deveaux to discuss any questions or concerns about our behavioral training recordings.
Please register with the link below to receive the Zoom link for the Q&A.
Link: https://BehaviorsFunctions.eventbrite.com
If you have any questions, please contact Ivan deveaux at ideveaux@miami.edu

Adaptive Fitness Boxing online with the Sabrina Cohen Foundation
2023-04-05 14:00 - 15:00 | online, online
In response to current events, the Sabrina Cohen Foundation has created this online platform to exercise, connect and stay healthy from home. We welcome everybody, at any level. Each session can be modified to fit your level of strength, with or without weights. To avoid pain or injury, we guide, you set the pace.
REGISTER below

Devon Palermo
Trainer
DPI Adaptive Fitness

Adaptive Boxing

Wednesday
April 5, 2023 2:00 pm
45-Minute Session

?All levels welcome with or without gloves or bag
