Indiana Institute FYI

Week of June 18, 2007

FYI at a Glance

· Date Change - Regional Social Security and Benefits Planning Workshop
· Bellini Receives National ASA Award
· Banks Receives Skip Kruse Memorial Return to Work Award
· Stafford Keynotes at Community Initiative Conference
· Library Corner

Coming Up

xDate Change - Regional Social Security and xBenefits Planning Workshop: The Indiana Institute's Center on Community Living and Careers, in conjunction with Vocational Rehabilitation Services, has changed the training dates for the August two-day workshop on social security and benefits planning. Originally scheduled for August 15-16, the new dates are August 7-8, 2007. This two-day training will be held at the Residence Inn Marriott, 7811 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Those who work as case managers, VR counselors, family members, persons with disabilities, BDDS personnel, representative payees, independent living personnel, transition coordinators, mental health personnel, advocates, employment specialists, and residential staff should plan to attend.

Learning objectives of this training include:

· Basics of supplemental security income and social security disability insurance;
· Work incentives for SSI;
· Work incentives for SSDI trial work periods; and
· Other federal and state programs such as Medicare and Medicare Part D.

Registration fee is $85.00 per person. There is no cost to VRS personnel. Seating is limited to 25 attendees per site. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available at the training. To register, contact Sherry Redman at (812) 855-6508, e-mail sredman@indiana.edu, or visit http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cclc/ for more information.

Kudos

Bellini Receives National ASA Award: The Autism Society of America (ASA), a national organization advocating for autism research and services, recognized Building Social Relationships by Scott Bellini as its 2007 Literary Work of the Year. Bellini is the Assistant Director of the Institute's Indiana Resource Center for Autism and an Assistant Professor of School Psychology in Indiana University's School of Education.

Building Social Relationships outlines a strategies process for recognizing and addressing social skills deficits based on the most current research on individuals with autism. Using real-world examples, Bellini describes common areas of difficulty and effective methods of teaching these skills. He distinguishes between skills deficits (knowing how to do something) and discusses ways to help children bridge the gap between ability and action. The book can be used by parents, educators, and clinicians to design individualized plans as well as group training programs.

The ASA awards, which were announced June 8, recognize contributors to autism awareness, education, and advocacy. “Through their talents and time, these honorees have made a difference in improving the lives of all affected by autism, and our ADA community thanks them,” the organization said in their announcement.

Banks Receives Skip Kruse Memorial Return to Work Award: Becky Banks, Research Associate, with the Institute's Center on Community Living and Careers, was the recipient of the Skip Kruse Memorial Return to Work Award, presented by the Midwest Regional Commissioner, Social Security Administration. The Skip Kruse Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Social Security Administration's goal of enabling beneficiaries who are disabled, return to work.

Road Trippin'

Stafford Keynotes at Community Initiative Conference: Phil Stafford, Director of the Indiana Institute's Center on Aging and Community, was the featured Keynote Speaker at Binghamton, New York's Celebration Event Summit, Friday, June 15. Stafford's Keynote address was entitled Making Broome Even More Livable: Moving from Awareness to Action for an Age-Friendly Community. Additional Summit topics focused on the following age-related change issues:

· Lifespan livable communities;
· The economic power of older consumers and producers;
· Designing and mobilizing communities for all ages; and
· Workplace and home innovations.

Library Corner

New Items: The following new materials may be borrowed by Indiana residents from the Center for Disability Information and Referral (CeDIR) at the Institute. To check out materials, contact the library at 1-800-437-7924, send e-mail to cedir@indiana.edu, or visit us at 2853 East Tenth Street in Bloomington.

Gold, M. (2003). Help for the struggling student: Ready-to-use strategies and lessons to build attention, memory, & organizational skills. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Hultquist, A.M. (2006). An introduction to dyslexia for parents and professionals. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.

Parker, H.C. (2005). The ADHD handbook for schools: Effective strategies for identifying and teaching students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Plantation, FL: Specialty Press.

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