Disabilities Resource Fair set for April 22
The Special Services Department of BHM Schools and Autism Allies are combining to offer a Disabilities Resource Fair from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at the Discovery Center in Buffalo (214 1st Ave. NE).
This free event, formerly known as Transition Trek+, features three speaker seminars, a comprehensive vendor fair, and more. The objective is to provide resources and support to families of individuals with disabilities of ALL ages (birth to adulthood). All are welcome to attend, including those who do not live in the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District. The evening is also an opportunity to meet BHM special education staff.
It is a sensory friendly event, and break spaces will be available as needed.
Seminars
“What are they trying to tell me? Bridging communications through a person-centered lens"
5-6 p.m.
Nick Vasquez, LMFT
Heather Wilford, BCBA with Mains’l Services
This session will include an overview of positive support services and other waiver-based services that may be helpful in supporting people with behavioral and mental health needs. We will explore the relationship between trauma and behavior through a person-centered lens. This exploration will include looking at factors that relate to communication barriers. Lastly, we will provide a person-centered tool to document and learn when supporting others to improve communication from a place of safety.
“Accessing County Resources”
6-7 p.m.
Rhonda Heshiser, LSW Waiver & Community Supports Social Worker
Rachelle Joriman, Waiver & Community Supports Social Worker
Joan Olson, LSW Children’s Outreach Social Worker
This session will provide an overview of the process for accessing county resources, as well as the resources available.
“Special Needs Planning: Securing the future for persons with disabilities"
7-8 p.m.
Roger Strege and Jan Larson
This session by an estate/trust specialist and an attorney helps identify and resolve unique life and estate planning issues, from the first to the last planning step, in easy-to-understand terms. Topics include protecting government benefits, establishing guardianship, preparing appropriate wills and supplemental needs trusts, avoiding family conflict, and reducing professional costs.
Vendor Fair
Representatives from a variety of agencies will provide information and answer questions about how they can help support individuals and families. Topics include:
- Community integration
- County services
- Recreation and leisure
- Health and wellness
- Family services
- Counseling
- Disability information pertinent to all disabilities
- Life planning (guardianship, wills, conservatorship)
- Post-secondary education and training
- Independent and semi-independent living skills
- Insurance/special needs plan
- Housing and transportation
- Employment connections
- Goodwill Easter Seals
- Trailblazer Transit
- We Can Ride
- Amanda's Bracelets for Special Olympics
- Mains'l
- Central Minnesota Mental Health Center
- Autism Advocacy and Law Center
- Wright County Health & Human Services
- Autism Society of Minnesota
- Wright County Health & Human Services
- UCare
- Mercarik
- Wright County Community Action
- Functional Industries, Inc.
- The Arc Minnesota
- STRIVE Therapy Services, Inc.
- REM Community Services
- My Path: Coaching & Consulting
- Looking Forward Life Coaching
- Affinity Hearing
- Central Lakes College
- Opening Doors
- MICC (Minnesota Independence College and Community)
- Minnesota Disability Determination Services
- MN Autism Resource Portal-Department of Human Services
- Mary T Inc
- Special Needs Planners
- Dungarvin Minnesota LLC
- Central Lakes College
- True Friends
- BrainyAct by Kinuu
- UCare
- Goodwill Easter Seals
- Current Accessibility Solutions
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid/Minnesota Disability Law Center
- Friesen Holistic Services LLC
BHM Special Services
For more information about the Disabilities Resource Fair, contact BHM Special Services at 763.682.8715.
Department Vision: Creating educational opportunities that improve student outcomes in an environment where learning has no limits.
Department Purpose and Mission: The Department of Special Services' mission is to work collaboratively to provide appropriate support and services to students from birth to age 22. These services will prepare students to participate in their communities in meaningful ways and achieve their personal post-secondary goals. We do this through providing specialized instruction, integrating research with practice, and providing opportunities where all are included and valued.
