Focus on Family and Disability

The Focus on Family and Disability Seminar Series is a forum to educate diverse audiences from students and faculty to service providers, community stakeholders, and family members. The series is offered in conjunction with the Family Support Network.

Program topics include current issues, policies and research, and evidence-based approaches in health, education, and disability. 

Focus on Family and Disability Seminar Series programs for 2022-2023 are available! Register to attend.

Individuals with IDD/Special Needs, Self-Advocates, and their families can attend Focus on Family and Disability Seminars for FREE.

This year all programs will be held via livestream on the second Tuesday of the month, from 12-1:30 pm ET. Past programming is available as self-paced courses, which you can access below.

Fall 2022 Programs

Sept. 13, 2022 – Introduction to the NC Family Navigation Guide: A new online resource to support your work with families 

Trainers: Rebecca Pretzel, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Crais, Ph.D.

Oct. 11, 2022 – Medicaid Transformation in Plain Language: A Family-Focused Conversation about Standard and BH/IDD Tailored Plans

Trainer: Ann Rodriguez

Nov. 8, 2022 – Working with Families from India and Understanding Autism

Trainer: Shagun Gaur

Dec. 13, 2022 – A Strengths-Based Approach to Supporting Families and Children with IDD

Trainers: Eileen Slade, LCSW, and Maggie Robbins, RDT 

Spring 2023 Programs

Jan. 10, 2023 – Rethinking Guardianship: Updates on Making Alternatives a Reality in NC

Trainer: Linda Kendall Fields, M.Ed.

Feb. 14, 2023 – Engaging IDD Stakeholders and Families as Partners in Research

Trainer: Blaise Morrison, Ph.D., HSP-P, CRC, LPC(OH)

March 14, 2023 – The Importance of Early Relationships

Trainer: Diane Britz, LCSW

Past Programs: Fall 2021 – Spring 2022

Sept. 14, 2021 – The Mental Health Needs of Students during COVID-19: A Parent Perspective

Oct. 12, 2021 – Using the PERMA Model to Work with Children and Youth with Co-occurring Mental Illness and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and their Families

Nov. 9, 2021 – Supporting Person-Centered Integrated Health Care for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs

Dec. 14, 2021 – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Silent Epidemic for 1 in 20

Jan. 11, 2022 – A Good Life for the Whole Family: Supporting People in the Context of their Family

Feb. 8, 2022 – Intersecting Identities, Intersecting Development: Supporting LGBTQ youth with disabilities

Mar. 8, 2022 – Developmental Monitoring and Screening: Your Role in Identifying Young Children with or at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder/Developmental Disabilities

Apr. 12, 2022 – Little Kids Have Mental Health Too! The EarlyWell Initiative: North Carolina’s Systemic and Policy Response