Did you know when college students hear directly from families, they become better teachers, social workers and health professionals?

You are invited to participate in "Parents as Presenters." The workshop will teach and demonstrate the skills you need to effectively share your story with college students and community providers. you will be learning and working with other parents who have children with disabilities.

There will be no registration costs for attending the workshop. Participants will be selected through an application process. The applicants selected to attend the workshop will receive a stipend of $325 per family to assist with some of the expenses incurred by attending the workshop. For example: hotel, meals, costs for travel or childcare.

Telling Your Story

Participants will:

Understand the multiple purposes of being able to tell their family story to an audience in a positive way;

Understand presentation strategies an will formulate creative ideas for ftheir personal presentation;

Demonstrate and receive feedback from other participants as they present a sample "Telling Their Story" presentation;

Develop a network among themselves to support "Telling Your Story" around the state.

To promote sensitivity and awareness:

Your story is a way to let current and future service providers know how they can be sensitive to families;

Most service providers have little or no opportunity to interact with families of children with disabilities before they begin working in the field. Your story will contribute to their education and preparation to work with families and to include children with disabilities with other children.

To educate about family-centered services:

Children with disabilities are a part of a family. As you speak about your family, they will see that you focus on other family members, as well as your child with disabilities;

Service providers will understan that their own expertise is enhanced when they consider the family as a valuable resource.

To show your audience that kids are kids:

Children with disabilities are kids first, and have the same hopes and dreams as other children; Children with disabilities need opportunities to be with other children in natural community settings.

Participation will be limited to 36 family members throughout the state.