6th Annual Connecting the Dots

14286 Beach Boulevard,Jacksonville FL 32250

21 October, 2022

Description

Please join us for our 6th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference. Connecting the Dots(CTD) is a labor of love hosted by Family Care Council Area 4. Working to bring together family support services, information and resources to educate and empower families of individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD). If you are eligible for The Agency for Persons with Disabilities(APD), on the waitlist or receiving services, this conference is for you. If your child has a early learning delays, an IEP, Transition Plan, is turning 18 or just want to explore options for jobs, post-secondary educational opportunities, employment options, this conference is for you. This annual community outreach is designed to help guide you on what's next, how to prepare for the future, get on a path, gain up to date information, answer your questions and teach you the questions you need to be asking. We help Connect the Dots from right where you are today and provide insight of what you will need for the future, your lifespan and beyond. We are excited to welcome our keynote speakers, Shelley and Zack Gottsagen. The conference offers three subsequent breakout sessions with a variety of topics, such as:Healthy living strategiesState and Government ServicesSibling supportCaregiver supportTransition Behavior supportsFuture planning and GuardianshipYouth mental healthFinancial strategiesExceptional Education (EE)Communication skills for those with limited verbal skillsWe will also have a lineup of community resource agencies. There will be no childcare available for this event. If ASL services or other accommodations are needed, please indicate on your registration page by selecting "Contact the Organizer" on the right-side panel by October 3rd. Active Military Families please enter the Promo Code MILITARY when registering. Volunteers enter the Promo Code VOLUNTEER when registering. Speakers enter Promo Code SPEAKER when registering. Please contact the Organizer should you need a scholarship to the Event Sponsored by: Family Care Council Area 4/Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Church of Eleven 22, UF -Jax CARD/ FDLRS-MDC, City of Jacksonville Disabled Services, The Arc Jacksonville, Family Network on Disabilities, Parents Offering Parents Information and Networking (POPIN), Maxwell Fane Foundation, and Northeast Florida Advocates for Autism & Related Disabilities Advocates Location sponsored by The Church of Eleven22-San Pablo Campus. Useful Links Family Care Council Area 4 Agency for Persons with Disabilities Church of Eleven22 UF-Jax CARD/FDLRS-MDC City of Jacksonville Disabled Services The Arc Jacksonville Family Network on Disabilities (FND) Parents Offering Parents Information and Networking (POPIN) Northeast Florida Advocates for Autism & Related Disabilities Inc. About the Keynote SpeakerOur keynote speaker is Shelley Gottsagen "Advocacy Unlimited" and Zach Gottsagen star of "Peanut Butter Falcon." The presentation is designed to empower parents, advocates, and self-advocates to examine the internal and external factors that inhibit advocacy. Shelley will discuss the importance of supporting each other and building coalitions. Addressing how to use effective methods and existing legislation to support the civil rights of people with disabilities. Listening to what individuals want and empowering them as self-advocates. Learning to laugh at the absurdities we face and find the humor in challenging situations. Shelley will share strategies that she used to promote inclusion, change policies, and create change. Questions and comments are welcome through the presentation - we all learn from each other.