Maine Parent Federation, INC

Accessible Voting - October 1, 2024 - Maine CITE Date: October 1, 2024Time: 4:00-5:00 pm ET Program Description Are you voting in the General Election but you are unsure if the process will be accessible to you? Attend this webinar presented by Disability Rights Maine staff to learn about accessibility in the voting process. You have the right to....

State of Maine is hiring a Rehabilitation Services Manager - Limited Period Position

Check out details here

Rehabilitation Services Manager - Limited Period Position at State of Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Job Class Code: 3086Grade: 27 (Supervisory)Salary: $61,942 - $87,464Location: Augusta Opening Date: September 4, 2024 Closing Date: September 18, 2024 Pathways to Partnerships Grant Manager This time-limite...

Back in June, Intake & Diversion Coordinator – Maria Horodeski was contacted by a mother who was facing eviction from her home. This individual had fallen behind in her rent due to being in-between jobs. Because she didn’t have a mental health diagnosis, she did not qualify for Wrap funds and other resources were not an option for her. Wrap is a discretionary grant-funded service that may be available to meet the urgent needs of adults with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness that cannot be met through the regular systems of care. The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter Diversion Program was the last resource she contacted. Once Maria assessed the situation, she felt the best course of action would be to call the clients landlord to advocate for her. Thankfully, the landlord was willing to work with the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and the client. From there, Bangor Area Homeless Shelter approved the use of Diversion funds to help the client get caught up. The client and her children were able to stay in their home and she was able to secure full-time employment rather quickly to maintain her housing. Thank you to Maria and Dover Realty Ventures for making it possible for this mother and her children to remain in their home.

Due to popular demand we will be hosting a popup play group in the gym above the Milo Town office on Thursday September 5th at 10am! This event is Free and open to children of all ages and abilities! Snacks provided.

Did you know that September is Deaf Awareness Month? Join Maine Hands & Voices at the Deaf Culture Festival! We will be running the children’s area! 😊

An OCR complaint is just one of many complaint options available to parents.

But, OCR does not investigate every complaint.

Writing a good one matters!

Read: https://www.rfr.bz/fmnr0gk

Getting Into the Drivers Seat 2024: Driver Assessment Services in Maine - September 4, 2024 - Maine CITE Date: September 4, 2024Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET Program Description Living in Maine, we recognize the importance of having the ability to drive as it increases independence and gives people more freedom. For people with disabilities of all ages (adolescents, adults and seniors) driving can present ...

🚨 Last Chance to Register! 🚨

Don’t miss out—register TODAY for tomorrow's FREE virtual training on the First Generation Homebuying Program! 🏡✨

Elevate Maine, Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc, The Kinship Program, and Bart English of CMG Home Loans are teaming up to offer you essential resources and expert advice.

🔗 Sign up now: https://affm.net/trainings-rsvp/

Secure your spot and start your journey to homeownership. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

Greetings MPF Families and Community Partners,

Happy Tuesday! We hope that everyone had a nice long weekend, and your kiddos are starting off the school year with excitement. As the first few days and weeks of new schedules set in, remember we are here to help support families and your children during the times of transition. We can reached at 207-588-1933 of [email protected]. We are starting our support groups and webinars this month, so stay connected with us to know what's happening! Have a great week!
For the week of September 3rd, we are hosting the following events,

Maine Youth Chat on Tues., September 3rd at 4:00PM

Maine Youth Chat is a virtual group for young people in Maine to network and learn about new opportunities. Together we will build and share skills in communication, self-advocacy, and decision making, with the shared purpose of building a supportive community of like-minded people.

MYC meets via Zoom every other Tuesday at 4:00pm. (Usually twice a month) Contact Dylan Campbell, [email protected] for more information.

Please register with the link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcOuorTosEtVrnz-YurG0KPPMckmouzb8

Parent Support Group on Thursday, September 5th at noon

This is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to meet and connect with other parents and MPF staff to share experiences, gain skills, and learn about new opportunities. We meet on the first Thursday of the month.

If you have any questions please reach out to Allison Wiest, [email protected].

Please register with link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtce2opj4uE914o3OblP0SiZ7nUenanFKM

**As a reminder, The Maine Parent Federation does not offer compensation, including gift cards, or other monetary incentives for attendance at our events.



Our events are free of charge to parents/caretakers, self-advocates, and professionals/providers of individuals with different abilities. The intention of our resources is to provide education to improve access to systems of care to increase more positive outcomes in our state. We respectfully ask if you have registered for compensation only and are not a parent or provider looking for resources to improve outcomes for individuals with different abilities to refrain from attending. We pride ourselves on creating safe spaces for individuals to receive information.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Parent Support Group. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. First Thursdays of every month at noon. This is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to meet and connect with other parents and MPF staff to share experiences, gain skills, and learn about new opportunities. If you have any questions please reach out to Allison Wiest, [email protected].

Live Webinar on September 17: Proactive and Reactive Strategies for Managing Students’ Emotional Dysregulation in Class Register below for this webinar on classroom management strategies for teachers of emotionally dysregulated students on Tuesday, September 17, at 1pm ET. Sign up and receive the free webinar replay link as well!

Communication and misunderstandings are at the root of so many IEP issues!

Communicating for Success: Tips to Strengthen Parent-Teacher Relationships in IEPs

Read: https://www.rfr.bz/fmm0x95

We are pleased to announce that this agency, like many other agencies throughout Maine, will be participating the “The Blue Envelope Program”.

Purpose
The Blue Envelope Program was designed to help build a relationship between Law Enforcement Professionals and community members with a disability or condition where additional accommodations or awareness could be helpful. We recognize that it can be a nervous experience for people to be pulled over or to otherwise have a police interaction.

How it Works
The Blue Envelope Program works by allowing an individual to readily display the Blue Envelope logo or present a Blue Envelope upon contact with law enforcement or other community service personnel. In presenting this to the officer, it will identify if the driver is verbal or nonverbal. The envelope also lists suggestions for the driver such as keeping their hands on the steering wheel, expecting that there may be a flashlight shined in the car, there may be flashing lights behind them, and they may hear a police radio. The Blue Envelope can contain the individual’s identification, contact information or pertinent vehicle operations documents such as registration and proof of insurance.

The other side of the envelope lists to the officer that the driver may be anxious because of the flashing lights, flashlight, and police radio. It lets the officer know that the driver may exhibit repetitive body movements or fidgeting and may have unusual eye contact. It suggests that we speak clearly and keep things simple. Inside of the envelope is an emergency contact list where the driver or loved one has listed the names and telephone numbers of relatives and others whom we may call if needed.

Envelopes are available in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office.

For additional information on "The Blue Envelope Program" you can visit their website at https://dsapmaine.org/

AFFM will be hosting three FREE events across the state in honor of Grandparent's Day and National Kinship Care Month in September! RSVP Required-click on the link to which event you'll be attending or call AFFM 207-827-2331 to sign up today!

RSVP FOR ROCKLAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HERE: https://forms.gle/Gh3n1hFd55ix66oC7
RSVP FOR COLE LAND TRANSPORTATION HERE: https://forms.gle/nbHAMFQTGdr8ixR57
RSVP FOR PINELAND FARMS HERE:
https://forms.gle/RUSja6abf5bcSctu6

Back to school reminder ✌️

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A Journey For Avery

Fun heavy work activities can be beneficial for building a child's proprioception. Want the whole list of activities? Find it here: https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-05-heavy-work-activites-heavy-work-prevents-proprioceptive-dysfunction-and-fosters-proprioceptive-success/

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Back to school reminder ✌️

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A Journey For Avery

How to Improve Working Memory in Children with ADHD Improve working memory in children with ADHD by using these 10 exercises that lighten the mental load by externalizing reminders. Here’s how to remember.

Join Family Play Group on Thursdays

in Lewiston with your little ones!
Network with other and learn about other resources
with Community Concept.

Here are some strategies — from fundamental sleep hygiene habits to ideas for quieting a racing mind and more — that have been found to be particularly helpful in getting children with ADHD to sleep soundly.
👉 https://www.additudemag.com/how-to-get-kids-to-sleep-adhd/

Come join us Monday for the last playground pals of the Summer! 😎

https://www.facebook.com/share/4qmumc7zfnfAzT1d/

The Standish Brain Injury Support Group meets on the last Thursday of each month, and the next meeting is on Thursday, August 29. Details below!

Excellent resources from A Day In Our Shoes.com
the link to the resource is in the first line of the comments.

Yes, 504 plan accommodations too. More info in first comment.