WSPEI Calendar of Training Opportunities of Interest to Parents and Educators

To submit a training opportunity for consideration on this list, click here.

Opportunities are listed by date, followed by the title, location, and other information available about the opportunity. Click here to go to National Opportunities.

2007-2008 REACh Trainings on Family Involvement in Education
The current schedule of training by the Responsive Education for All Children (REACh) Initiative is posted on the REACh website, http://reachwi.org/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=27 . Family Involvement trainings began September 27.

May 2008

May

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
5/8 12-1pm “Dispute Resolution Options”
5/13 12-1pm “Transition”
5/21 7-8pm “Communication Strategies”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

May 5, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Title: Introduction of Grant Writing
An introduction to grant writing with an emphasis on the planning that must take place before you start to write an application.
Presenter: Sharon Stewart, CESA #12 Grant Writer
Sponsor: CESA #12 WSPEI Discretionary Project & Grant Writer Consortium Schools
Location: CESA #12 Conference Center, 618 Beaser Avenue, Ashland, WI, 715-682-23693
Contact: Mary Maderich at 715-682-2363, ext 126, or marym@cesa12.k12.wi.us if you have any questions regarding the portal.
Website: To register, please use the CESA #12 Portal at http://www.mycesa.k12.wi.us
Other: Cost: Free to WSPEI Parent Educators or Grant School Participants (Ashland, Bayfield, Butternut, Drummond, Glidden, Hayward, Maple, Mellen, Northwood, Park Falls, Phillips, Solon Springs, South Shore, Washburn, Winter); $50 per person for non-participating School Districts (Hurley, Mercer, Superior) and other Agencies Registration deadline is April 28, 2008

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Title: De-Mystifying Transition: What is it all about?
Youth, parents, school staff, and agencies that are involved in the special education process and transition should attend.
Presenters: Liz Kennedy, Sauk Prairie Transition Coordinator, The Nuts and Bolts of Transition; Nathan Lentz, A Student’s Experience; Parent Panel
Sponsor: Reedsburg School District and Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI), CESA #5
Location: Reedsburg CAL Center, 1100 S. Albert Avenue, Reedsburg, WI
Contact: For questions or futher information, please contact Brenda Yager at 1-800-862-3725, ext 260, or yagerb@cesa5.k12.wi.us To register by phone or e-mail, please contact Maggie Adam at 1-800-862-3725, ext 269, or adamm@cesa5.k12.wi.us
Other: Registration is at 6:15 p.m.

May 7, 2008, 6:00-8:30 PM

Title: The Journey Begins Here...Creating a Student’s Transition Plan for the Future
This workshop will demonstrate how to develop a transition plan for students with disabilities using the transition requirements as defined by IDEA 2004. Learn how a student, along with his parent and teacher developed and wrote his measurable post-secondary goals, course of study (four-year high school plan), and coordinated set of activities and how these were included into his IEP. The focus will be on how working collaboratively increases student outcomes, as they move from high school to adult world*Parents, Youth, Educators, Agency representatives and others who work with transition aged youth, are invited to this event.
Presenters: Cheri Sylla, Parent Education Consultant at CESA 1 and the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Education Initiative (WSPEI)
Gail Wilke, Special Education Teacher, Elmbrook School District
Eric Sylla, High School Student, Elmbrook School District
Lori Turim, Transition Coordinator at CESA 1 and the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI)
Sponsor: CESA #1
Location: CESA #1, 19601 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 200, Brookfield, WI
Contact: By May 2nd to Leanne Pritzlaff at 262-787-9556, lpritzlaff@cesa1.k12.wi.us.
Other: Register early; space is limited. No cost to attend.

May 9, 2008, 9-3 PM

Title: Fundamentals of Family Involvement
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS, WSPEI, Racine Unified School District
Location: Gateway Technical College of Racine
Contact: Lynda Rosales, 262-664-8153
Website:
Other: Cost: Free. Pre-registration required. Childcare and a light lunch will be provided.

May 15, 2008

Title: Annual Family, School and Community Partnership Conference
Sponsor: Department of Public Instruction
Location: Olympia Conference Center, Oconomowoc WI
Contact: 608-266-9356, Jane Grinde, jane.grinde@dpi.wi.gov
Website: .

May 17, 2008, 10 AM - Noon

Title: Omatayo Parents and Caregivers Support Group
Parents, relatives, caregivers and others support each other and learn about special education rules and procedures.
Facilitator: Pat Patterson
Sponsor: WI FACETS
Location: WI FACETS Milwaukee office, 2714 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Contact: 414-374-0511, smcfarland@wifacets.org
Website:
Other:

May 24, 2008, 12-1 PM

Title: Latino Autism Support Group
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS/ASSEW
Location: 16th St. Community Health Center, 1032 S. Cesar Chaves Dr, Milwaukee
Contact: Martha Lechuga, 414-383-5417; or nramos@wifacets.org, 414-374-4645 x 124
Website:
Other:

June 2008

June

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
6/6 12-1pm Dispute Resolution Options
6/11 7-8pm Self-Advocacy
6/24 12-1pm Intro to Special Education
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

June 17-18, 2008, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Title: 2008 Summer Behavior Institute "Continuing Issues for Schools in Working with Students with Behavior Challenges"
-What works with young children?
-How does what we know about adolescent psychology impact special education programming for that age group?
-How can we effectively teach math to students with behavior problems?
-How can (and should) schools intervene with students experiencing mental health problems?
-What is effective behavior management in schools?
- How can we design functionally effective interventions?
Presenters: Dr. Thomas Farmer, an associate professor in special education at Pennsylvania State University
-Dr. James Koller, a licensed psychologist in the state of Missouri and has served as a professor in the Dept. of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia for the past 31 years.
-Dr. Paul Riccomini is an Associate Professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and a former middle and high school math teacher.
-Dr. Joseph Ryan is an assistant professor of special education at Clemson University in South Carolina
-Dr. John Umbreit is Professor in the Special Education Program at the University of Arizona in Tucson
-Dr. Bobbie Vaughn is an associate research professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Florida

Sponsor: CESA #12 and DPI through Discretionary Grant # 2008-9912-19
Location: Crowne Plaze, Madison, WI
Lodging is at your own expense. A block of rooms is being held at the Crowne Plaza East at the state rate $62.00 single and $72.00 double. Make your own reservations by calling 608-244-4703.
Contact: Judy Ross, 715-682-2363, ext 110, or judyr@cesa12.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.cesa12.k12.wi.us/images/stories/sbi_2008.pdf for more information, registration form and the brochure
Other: Registration Deadline: May 23, 2008 (limited to 150). Cost: $100 registration fee includes materials for all presentations, continental breakfast, refreshments and lunches.

June 16, 2008, 10 AM - 3 PM

Title: Juneteenth Day Celebration on MLK Drive. MLK Drive is closed to traffic from Locust Street north. Exhibits, great food, music.
Presenter:
Sponsor: ....
Location: WI FACETS, 2714 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee.
Contact: 414-374-0511, smcfarland@wifacets.org
Website:
Other:

June 19-20, 2008. Full day Pre-Conference Sessions on June 18th

Title: 1st Annual Wisconsin Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference - Early Relationships Matter: Building Networks
We are inviting proposals for workshops focused on the social and emotional development of infants, young children, and their families and the people serving them. Topic areas of interest for workshops included but are not limited to: General Infant Mental Health concepts, Professional Development, Screening and Assessment, Supporting Parents Integrating Infant Mental Health into Various Systems, Building Capacity within local communities, supporting early childhood professionals, policy
Presenters: Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, parent educator and bestselling author of "Raising Your Spirited Child"; Roseanne Clark, internationally known researcher on post-partum depression and early parent-child relationships; Gerard Costa, founding director of the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health
Sponsor: Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health
Location: Concourse Hotel, Madison, WI
Contact: ....
Website: Visit WI-AIMH website for more details and proposal submission at www.wiaimh.org
Other:

June 19, 2008, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Title: Childhood Mental Health Disorders and Medications: Is It Any of Your Business? (offered at two locations)
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of non-clinical professionals in serving children with significant mental health needs. This training is intended for non-clinically licensed professionals and educators who provide direct service to children with mental health needs.
Presenter: Mary Paulson, MSW, LCSW, (WI), LICSW (MN)
Sponsor: Western Wisconsin Partnership
Location: Sleep Inn and Conference Center, 5872 33rd Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 715-874-2900
Contact: Western Wisconsin Partnership, UW-River Falls, B0026 WEB, 410 South Third Street, River Falls, WI 54022, 715-425-0612, fax 715-425-3800, e-mail: mary.lou.bean@uwrf.edu
Website: Register online at: http://www.uwrf.edu/wwpartnership
Other: Registration at 8:30 a.m. Fee: $15.00/member

June 21, 2008, 12-1 PM

Title: Latino Autism Support Group
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS/ASSEW
Location: 16th St. Community Health Center, 1032 S. Cesar Chaves Dr, Milwaukee
Contact: Martha Lechuga, 414-383-5417; or nramos@wifacets.org, 414-374-4645 x 124
Website:
Other:

June 24, 2008, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Title: Childhood Mental Health Disorders and Medications: Is It Any of Your Business? (offered at two locations)
Understanding the roles and responsibilities of non-clinical professionals in serving children with significant mental health needs. This training is intended for non-clinically licensed professionals and educators who provide direct service to children with mental health needs.
Presenter: Mary Paulson, MSW, LCSW, (WI), LICSW (MN)
Sponsor: Western Wisconsin Partnership
Location: Comfort Suites, 15586 County Rd B, Hayward, WI 715-634-0700
Contact: Western Wisconsin Partnership, UW-River Falls, B0026 WEB, 410 South Third Street, River Falls, WI 54022, 715-425-0612, fax 715-425-3800, e-mail: mary.lou.bean@uwrf.edu
Website: Register online at: http://www.uwrf.edu/wwpartnership
Other: Registration at 8:30 a.m. Fee: $15.00/member

June 24-25, 2008

Title: Level I Statewide TBI training
This 2-day workshop is designed to provide school staff, administrators, and parents with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the educational needs of children who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
Presenter:
Sponsor: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and CESA 11
Location: Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point
Contact: CESA 11 - Attn: Angie Ricci, 225 Ostermann Drive, Turtle Lake, WI 54889, 715-986-2020 ext. 2215 or 715-986-2040 (fax), angier@cesa11.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/SpEd/TBI/2007BroTBI.pdf
Other: Fee for the 2-day training is $125. In addition, one graduate credit is available through Viterbo College.

July 2008

July

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
7/11 12-1pm “IEPs Part I”
7/15 12-1pm “Family Empowerment”
7/23 7-8pm “Presenter Skill Building”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

July 22-23, 2008, 8:30 – 4:00 PM

Title: Visions for the Future: A Leadership Forum. Making Schools Successful – Weaving Together the PK Through Post Secondary Pieces! Successful Schools – From Research to Action
Working in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers and with financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Center for Leadership in Education has identified 1) the nation’s highest performing high schools with challenging demographics, and 2) the nation’s most rapidly improving schools. Willard Daggett and his staff have been studying these schools to determine what they are doing differently from other schools. During this day, Dr. Daggett will lay out what this research has discovered and provide a series of recommended actions for participants to implement in their schools.
Presenters: Tuesday, July 22nd - Willard Daggett, International Center for Leadership in Education
Wednesday, July 23 - From the Woven Fabric to A District Plan
Sponsor: Northwest WI Tech Prep School-to-Work Consortium, WITC, CESA #11 and CESA #12
Location: WITC Conference Center, Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Contact: For questions or more information contact: At CESA #11 - Connie Erickson, 715-986-2020 ext 2153, conniee@cesa11.k12.wi.us or Nancy Graese, 715-986-2020 ext 2117, nancyg@cesa11.k12.wi.us; At WITC - Barb Landstrom, 715-468-2815 ext 2261, barb.landstrom@witc.edu or Andrea Schullo, 715-468-2815 ext 2249, andrea.shullo@witc.edu; or At CESA #12 - Jim Lee, 715-682-2363 ext 124, jiml@cesa12.k12.wi.us. Send registrations to: Marge McGee, CESA #11, 225 Ostermann Drive, Turtle Lake, WI 54889, Fax: 715-986-2040 or
Website: Register online at http://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/prodev/ftf.cfm
Other: REGISTRATION FEES--Payment may be made by purchase order, school check, personal check or through district funds. Checks should be made payable to CESA #11.
WITC, CESA #11, CESA #12, and RUSK CO. PARTICIPANTS--Before April 16, 2008 (2 days) $125; After April 16, 2008 (2 days) $135.
OUT-OF-REGION PARTICIPANTS--Before April 16, 2008 (2 days) $135; After April 16, 2008 (2 days) $145.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Title: Sibshops are workshops for siblings of children with special needs. Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations filled with unique games, cooking activities and recreation mixed with information and discussion. Children ages 5 - 12 yrs can enjoy a lively, relaxed event that emphasizes a kid's-eye view of sibling issues. Sibshops are guided by adult facilitators in small, age-appropriate groups.
Presenter:
Sponsor: Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital, Child Life Services
Location: ....
Contact: Due to limited enrollment, please call toll free 1-888-460-8071 to register. For more program information call: Hayley Lazarski, BS, CCLS, CTRS; Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital/Marshfield Clinic Children's, (715) 221-7419
Other: limited enrollment

July 28-30, 2008

Title: Wisconsin’s 15th Annual Statewide Institute On Best Practices in Inclusive Education
Presenters: Emily Ralph, D.J. Savarese, Ben D. Anderson, various others
Sponsor: Department of Public Instruction and the Inclusion Institute, Inc.
Location: Westwood Conference Center, Wausau, WI. See the Registration brochure for lodging information.
Contact: Dr. Kim Beloin, 414-881-8101 or e-mail beloin@att.net with any questions
Website: Announcement - Registration Brochure
Other: Institute Registration Fee for July 28-30: $145.00 per person (before May 30), $155.00 per person (after May 30); $80.00 per person for one day only. Meals: Lunch on both days and beverages at breaks will be provided.

August 2008

August

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
8/5 7-8pm “Advocating for Others”
8/14 7-8pm “Preschool Options”
8/11 12-1pm “Preschool Options Spanish”
8/22 12-1pm “IEPs Part II”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

September 2008

September

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
9/11 12-1pm “About FACETS”
9/16 12-1pm “Dispute Resolution Options”
9/25 12–1pm “About FACETS – Spanish”
9/30 12-1pm “Intro to Special Education”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

September 19-20, 2008

Title: Parents as Leaders
This five-part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children 0-6 years old with disabilities also meets November 7- 8, January 23-24, March 13-14 and May 8-9, 2009
Presenter: Facilitated by Ann Ramminger and Lynn Havemann, Waisman Center
Sponsor: Waisman Center
Location: Green Lake near Ripon
Contact: Call toll-free 1-800-532-3321
Website: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_partn.html for a registration form
Other:

September 27, 2008, 12-1 PM

Title: Latino Autism Support Group
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS/ASSEW
Location: 16th St. Community Health Center, 1032 S. Cesar Chaves Dr, Milwaukee
Contact: Martha Lechuga, 414-383-5417; or nramos@wifacets.org, 414-374-4645 x 124
Website:
Other:

October 2008

October

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
10/7 12-1pm “Communication Strategies”
10/22 12-1pm “Dispute Resolution Options”
10/27 7-8pm “IEPs Part I”
10/30 12-1pm “IEPs Part I - Spanish”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

October 6-8, 2008

Title: WI ASPE Conference
Presenter:
Sponsor: Wisconsin Association for Persons in Supported Employment
Location: Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, WI
Contact: Nancy Molfenter, WI APSE Director, 608-220-4524, or at nancym_wiapse@earthlink.net
Website: More details will be available at www.wiapse.org soon.
Other:

October 14-15, 2008

Title: Pre-Conference Workshops

October 16-18, 2008

Title: 26th Annual Conference Closing the Gap-Assistive Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation
Topics will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living. People with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials, and hardware/software developers will share their experiences and insights at what has become known as the most significant networking experience of the year -- the annual Closing The Gap Conference.
Presenter:
Sponsor: Closing the Gap
Location: Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minnesota and the adjacent Hotel Sofitel, 5601 W. 78th St., Bloomington, Minnesota are the official hotels of the conference. All conference activities are held at these two hotels located just 10 minutes west of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Contact: Mail or fax form with payment or purchase order to: Closing The Gap, P.O. Box 68, 526 Main Street, Henderson, MN 56044. For additional information, Phone: 507-248-3294, Fax: 507-248-3810, E-mail: info@closingthegap.com
Website: http://www.closingthegap.com/conf/Web_1st_Broch_08.pdf
Other: Cost: $385 on or before June 30, 2008
$420 on or before September 11, 2008
$455 on or before October 2, 2008
$505 after October 2, 2008
Parent rate is $285

October 24-25, 2008

Title: Parents in Partnership
This five-part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children 6-14 years old with disabilities also meets December 5-6, January 23-24, March 6-7 and April 17-18, 2009
Presenter: Facilitated by Craig Fiedler, UW Oshkosh, and John Shaw, BPDD
Sponsor: WSPEI
Location: Holiday Inn Express, Wauwatosa
Contact: John Shaw, 608-266-7707, or Brenda Harmon, 414-344-3933
Website: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_partn.html for a registration form
Other: Call 877-844-4925 to register, or complete the website registration form and return by Wednesday, October 3rd, 2008

October 24-25, 2008

Title: Parents in Partnership
This five-part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children 6-14 years old with disabilities also meets December 5-6, January 30-31, March 6-7 and April 3-4, 2009
Presenter: Facilitated by Denise Clark, UW Oshkosh, and Becky Brown, WSPEI
Sponsor: WSPEI
Location: Country Inn and Suites, Green Bay East
Contact: Becky Brown at 920-606-7792 or rbrown@cesa7.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_partn.html for a registration form
Other: Call 877-844-4925 to register, or complete the website registration form and return by Wednesday, October 3rd, 2008

October 24-25, 2008

Title: Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE)
This six -part leadership opportunity for youth (ages 14 to 21) who have disabilities, and their parents, foster parents, grandparents or guardians also meets December 12-13, January 16-17, February 20-21, March 20-21, May 1-2, 2009
Presenter: Facilitated by Martha DeYoung and Sherry Gundlach, WSPEI; Beth Swedeen and Jenny Neugart, Waisman Center; and Caroline Leung
Sponsor: WSPEI, WI Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Southern Regional Center, and WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD)
Location: Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells
Contact: Phyllis Voelker, Toll Free (877) 844-4925 or e-mail phyllis@banbury.com
Website: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_partn.html for a registration form
Other: Please register by September 12th, 2008

October 25, 2008, 12-1 PM

Title: Latino Autism Support Group
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS/ASSEW
Location: 16th St. Community Health Center, 1032 S. Cesar Chaves Dr, Milwaukee
Contact: Martha Lechuga, 414-383-5417; or nramos@wifacets.org, 414-374-4645 x 124
Website:
Other:

November 2008

November

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
11/5 12-1pm “Bullying & Harassment”
11/13 7-8pm “Dispute Resolution Options”
11/17 7-8pm “IEPs Part II”
11/20 12-1pm “IEPs Part II - Spanish”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Title: Sibshops are workshops for siblings of children with special needs. Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations filled with unique games, cooking activities and recreation mixed with information and discussion. Children ages 5 - 12 yrs can enjoy a lively, relaxed event that emphasizes a kid's-eye view of sibling issues. Sibshops are guided by adult facilitators in small, age-appropriate groups.
Presenter:
Sponsor: Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital, Child Life Services
Location: ....
Contact: Due to limited enrollment, please call toll free 1-888-460-8071 to register. For more program information call: Hayley Lazarski, BS, CCLS, CTRS; Certified Child Life Specialist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital/Marshfield Clinic Children's, (715) 221-7419
Website:
Other: limited enrollment

November 22, 2008, 12-1 PM

Title: Latino Autism Support Group
Presenter:
Sponsor: WI FACETS/ASSEW
Location: 16th St. Community Health Center, 1032 S. Cesar Chaves Dr, Milwaukee
Contact: Martha Lechuga, 414-383-5417; or nramos@wifacets.org, 414-374-4645 x 124
Website:
Other:

December 2008

December

Free Telephone Workshops, Sponsored by WI FACETS
11/4 7-8pm “Transition”
11/12 12-1pm “Dispute Res Options- Spanish”
11/16 12-1pm “Section 504”
To register call 1-877-374-0511
Please register 1 week in advance.
Workshop materials will be emailed or mailed to you.

National Opportunities

Go to the DPI calendars

For questions about this information, contact Patricia A. Bober (608) 266-5194

Last updated on 5/23/2008 2:05:51 PM