Joining Voices

A Conference to Support Parent Leaders in Advocating for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs  in the Development of Leadership & Advocacy Skills

December 1, 2004, Marlborough

Agenda

  • 9:30 - 10:00 Registration, Networking & Coffee
  • 10:00 - 10:10 Welcome & Introduction
    • Beth Dworetzky, Mass Family Voices @ FCSN
  • 10:10 - 12:00 "Family Leadership: Experience - Expertise - Influence"
    • Josie Thomas, Executive Director, The Parents' Place of Maryland
    • Throughout the country, the voices of families are shaping policy and practice to make a difference in the lives of children with special health care needs and their families. Through partnership, expertise, and influence, family leaders use their experiences to help shape policies and programs in their communities, states, and nation.
  • 12:00 - 12:45 Luncheon Buffet & Networking
  • 12:45 - 1:30

    • A - "Navigating the Child Care System"
    • Carol Venancio, Inclusion Coordinator, Preschool Enrichment Team, Inc.
    • Learn how your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency can support your search for childcare.

    B - Legislative Advocacy
    • Mary Lou Maloney, Legislative Director, ARC of Massachusetts
    • Learn effective strategies for building relationships with your state legislators, and how to effectively lobby for change.

    C - "What to do when you have a dispute with your insurance company"
    • Stephanie E. Carter, Esq., Managed Care Ombudsman, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Patient Protection
    • Ways to challenge your insurance company's decision, what to do on your own, and who to call when you need assistance.

  • 1:30 - 1:45 Break
  • 1:45 - 3:30

    • D - "Public Speaking"
    • Margaret O'Hare, Director, Early Intervention Training Center, Federation for Children with Special Needs
    • Learn ways to "calm those butterflies" and give effective oral presentations.

    E - "Understanding each other's language"
    • Mary Hanifin, Carepoints and Gaby Harrison, NICU RN, Brigham and Women's Hospital
    • A roundtable discussion on parent-professional collaboration with health care professionals.

    F - "Sustaining the Effort"
    • Suzanne Gottlieb, Director of Family Initiatives at the Dept. of Public Health
    • A roundtable discussion for veteran parent leaders to share strategies for keeping energized, getting support, and expanding the circle of parent leaders.

  • 2:30 - 3:00 "Using Yoga to Calm your Mind"
    • Cindy Kaplan, Practitioner of Yoga for the Special Child & Parent of a child with special needs
    • Learn some yoga techniques to de-stress, relax and reenergize.
  • 3:00 - 3:15 Wrap Up