Idaho Parents Unlimited Conference is Coming!

Mark your calendars for the upcoming IPUL Conference: March 15th &16th, in Boise, Idaho at the Red Lion Downtowner Hotel.  Past conferences have provided many learning opportunities for families. 

Scholarships again are available for parents.  You can learn about scholarships, registration, and more by contacting IPUL by phone at (800) 242-4785 or visit them online at www.ipulidaho.org.

You can help families in your area by letting them know about the conference and that assistance is available for families who might not be able to afford to attend.  Contact Family Support 360 for additional information on help with costs as well. 

 IPUL has placed a call for presenters.  They have several slots available for presentations that are disability, child, or education related. Presentations should be of interest to parents and families of people with disabilities including infant/toddler, school-aged, and transitional or young adults.

To be a presenter at this year’s conference, contact IPUL directly or download a proposal form at:

www.ipulidaho.org 

Your proposal must be in no later than December 15th, 2006.

For more on this great conference opportunity, call IPUL at:

(800) 242-4785

or visit them online at www.ipulidaho.org

   Families & Self Determination -  by Jill Smith

The ideas of family support and self-determination for adults with disabilities are sometimes considered opposite perspectives. But the Idaho Family Support 360 Project considers them important supports for each other. With the My Voice, My Choice Waiver option now being implemented in Pocatello, Moscow, and Boise, we thought it was a good time to share our Concept Statement that was developed by the Idaho Family Support Policy Council.

As a parent of a teenager who requires unique and almost constant support, I understand the concerns that many people have when it comes to imagining

 him making his own choices and living independently. It is important, however, to remember that all parents want fulfilling, meaningful lives for their children - with or without disabilities. Children grow up and often continue to need our help, our advice, and our support. It is no different for my son. Self-determination does not remove a child from being a member of the family.

Family members, or those an adult considers family, can be some of the most important team members to participate in the My Voice, My Choice planning process. Safety and acceptable risks are real considerations that are part of any support plan.

If you are a family member of an adult who is considering learning more about self determination and the My Voice, My Choice Waiver option, I would encourage you to learn as much as you can before you make a decision for your child based on fear or apprehension.

As my son continues on his path towards adulthood, I will strive to learn what kinds of supports will lead to the life that he would choose. I do not believe my opinion is the only one out there, if you would like to share your thoughts on this important subject, contact jills@uidaho.edu or (800) 393-7290.

People with developmental disabilities report that their parents, or other family members, are often the key to self determination.  The support of family members can be essential to a person’s independence and self worth.  In some cases, however, parents can be overprotective or may retain too much control over the choices of their adult children with disabilities.  When this happens, self determination can be more difficult to achieve.

Family Support services for families of adults with disabilities should not be used as a substitute for individual supports which foster independence and self determination.  Family supports should never be used to increase dependence of adults with disabilities on family members or to increase the control exercised over adults by their parents.

Family support services can be very valuable in maintaining and nurturing close, healthy relationships between adults with disabilities and their families of origin or with their spouse and children.  By supporting these family relationships, family support assistance can plan a key role in fostering greater self determination and increasing meaningful choices for adults with disabilities.                                                                            

                —- The Idaho Family Support Policy Council