FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 2008)

Contact: Amy Sharp, Director of the Family Support Network, at 979-845-4612 or sharp@tamu.edu, or Kelsey Johnson, Communications Specialist, 979-862-4990 or kelsey_johnson@tamu.edu

'Informed and Empowered' Disability Conference Scheduled for September 20

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – "Informed and Empowered: A Disability Conference for Families in the Brazos Valley" will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the College Station Conference Center at 1300 George Bush Drive. This event is sponsored by the Family Support Network at Texas A&M University.

Four breakout session strands will be offered: transition, autism, planning and special education. Lunch and childcare will be provided with advance registration. Childcare is limited to the first 30 children to register. Download the brochure and registration form (PDF).

A Disability Resource Fair will be held immediately following the conference from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The fair is free and open to the public. Vendors from local and state organizations will share information about their supports and products.

Conference Rates & Schedule

Advance Registration (postmarked by Saturday, Sept. 6): $25 individual / $30 family
Regular Registration (on site): $30 individual / $35 family

8 – 8:30 am	Registration
8:30 – 9:45 am	T1: "Transition Basics" by Cheryl Grenwelge A1: "Commissioner's Rules Regarding Autism: The Autism Supplement" by Monte Parker, Region 13 Autism Specialist P1: "Medicaid Waivers" by Jeanine Pinner, Training and Outreach Coordinator for Texas Parent to Parent S1: "Special Education 101" by Mary Jane Williams, Executive Director of Family to Family Network
10:00 – 11:15 am	T2: "Graduation Options and Post-Secondary Educational Options" by Jeanne Patrick, Region 6 Transition Specialist A2: "In-Home Training" by Monte Parker, Region 13 Autism Specialist P2: "Creating a Long-Term Vision for Your Child" by Jeanine Pinner, Training and Outreach Coordinator for Texas Parent to Parent S2: "How to Write a Good IEP Goal" by Mary Jane Williams, Executive Director of Family to Family Network
11:30 – 1 pm	Lunch with presentations: "The Master Pooled Trust" by Chris Oglesby, attorney with The Arc of Texas and "Directory of Community Resources" by Amy Sharp, Director of the Family Support Network at Texas A&M University
1:15 – 2:30 pm	T3: "Post-Secondary Possibilities: Self-Determination and Independence for Students with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by James Williams, Sam Houston State University undergraduate who has Asperger's Syndrome A3: "Social Thinking" by Monte Parker, Region 13 Autism Specialist P3: "Private Insurance Issues and Healthcare Transition Process: Pediatric to Adult" by Jeanine Pinner, Training and Outreach Coordinator for Texas Parent to Parent S3: "Cross-Battery Assessments" by Anita McCormick
2:30 – 3:30 pm	Disability Resource Fair

For more information, contact Dr. Amy Sharp, Director of the Family Support Network, at 979-845-4612 or sharp@tamu.edu.

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