Youth In Transition

September 2024:

• 2nd & 4th Fridays 11am-1pm- Harm Reduction Response Red Mini Van, (BRF Fire Station) South Water Street Parking lot Black River Falls
  • Do you need any of these supplies?
    • Syringe kits; Nasal NARCAN; IM Naloxone; Fentanyl and Zylazine test strips; Sexual health and hygiene items
    • Look for the red van!
• September 10, 17, 24 & October 1, 5:30-8:30pm Families As Partners
  • Free 4-part series of educational and leadership sessions for families focused on building relationships with school staff and other supports to enhance student outcomes.
  • Hosted by WSPEI
• September 16th, 6:30-8pm Special Needs Planning ABLE Accounts & Special Needs Trusts, Black River Beach Community Center Northside La Crosse
  • Are you or your dependent constantly concerned with asset limits and spend down provisions regarding Medical Assistance? There are tools to help, and we will explain them in this seminar. There are ways to save money for the future even if one is receiving government benefits.
  • RSVP: [email protected]; 608-790-1354
• September 18, 11-12:30 Family Voices Focus Group, zoom
  • Our state’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program is undertaking a needs assessment that will inform funding priorities for the next 5 years in Wisconsin. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and their families are an important population served by the MCH program. It is important that the MCH Program understands our needs for future programs and funding.
  • We will start by completing the online survey. (You will need online access to the survey while you are on our Zoom call.) We will then take some time to take a deeper dive into some of the questions to help the MCH Program understand your needs and concerns.
  • Family Voices will be hosting 2 focus groups in September – each will be held over Zoom and participants will be compensated for their time ($50 gift cards.) Contact [email protected] for more information
• September 20-21; October 18-19; November 8-9 Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLI): Advanced, Eau Claire WI
  • A series that uses skill-building methods and team-based activities to support parent leadership, because parents are meaningful contributors to shaping the systems that support their children and others. To build on your strengths, you’ll learn strategic thinking in advocacy, how to manage feelings of imposter syndrome, and more.
  • For anyone who has served on a committee, board or other official position; took action to make sure every child in their community is included or completed: WiFLI: Foundations
  • familyvoiceswi.org/wisconsin-family-leadership-institute-wifli
• September 25th 2-330CT Creating Health, Safe and Connected Communities: The Living Well Blueprint, Zoom

  • Join The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities for an exciting and informative webinar as we unveil the Wisconsin Living Well Blueprint and its accompanying website. The Blueprint was designed to provide comprehensive insights, resources, and tools for individuals, providers and states to improve safety and the quality of life for individuals using Home and Community Based Services across the country. Don’t miss this opportunity to be among the first to experience the Wisconsin Living Well Blueprint.

  • Register HERE
  • Hosted by Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
• September 25th at 5:30 Lion Heart Experience
• September 28, 10-11:30 Family Voices Focus Group, zoom
  • Our state’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program is undertaking a needs assessment that will inform funding priorities for the next 5 years in Wisconsin. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and their families are an important population served by the MCH program. It is important that the MCH Program understands our needs for future programs and funding.
  • We will start by completing the online survey. (You will need online access to the survey while you are on our Zoom call.) We will then take some time to take a deeper dive into some of the questions to help the MCH Program understand your needs and concerns.
  • Family Voices will be hosting 2 focus groups in September – each will be held over Zoom and participants will be compensated for their time ($50 gift cards.) Contact [email protected] for more information

October 2024:

• 2nd & 4th Fridays 11am-1pm- Harm Reduction Response Red Mini Van, (BRF Fire Station) South Water Street Parking lot Black River Falls
  • Do you need any of these supplies?
    • Syringe kits; Nasal NARCAN; IM Naloxone; Fentanyl and Zylazine test strips; Sexual health and hygiene items
    • Look for the red van!
• (September 27) & October 4, 11 & 18, 9a-12pm Families As Partners
  • Free 4-part series of educational and leadership sessions for families focused on building relationships with school staff and other supports to enhance student outcomes.
  • Hosted by WSPEI
• October 7-8th, Children Come First Conference, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
  • More info HERE
  • Hosted by: WI Family Ties
• October 9th 4-7pm Western Technical College Open House, La Crosse, Black River Falls, Independence, Mauston, Tomah, Viroqua
  • explore 90+ flexible and affordable programs, meet instructors, explore support services, earn a chance to win $500 eCampus bookstore, apply for free!
  • www.westerntc.edu/openhouse 
• October 15th 5-6pm, Early Choices Matter, Zoom and in person at 421 County Road R Black River Falls
  • This session offers tools and resources to help children and teens with disabilities practice and enhance their choice-making and decision-making skills. Choice-making skills can: empower children to have more control over their lives, improve their own safety, enhance communication and self-advocacy, lead to improved decision making as adults.
  • Sign-up: https://forms.office.com/r/UrnzswWESx 
  • Presented by Family Voices of Wisconsin, sponsored by Jackson County ADRC and Behavioral Health Team
• October 15, 22 & 29th 6-7:30, The Family’s Role in the CCR-IEP Process, Zoom
  • Free, 3-session workshop aimed at equipping parents and other family members with knowledge and confidence to actively engage in the IEP process for students between the ages of 3-21 who have an IEP.
  • Hosted by: WSPEI
• October 16, 4-5:30 The Power of Play for ALL Ages, Zoom
  • Register HERE
  • Hosted by WSPEI and Family Engagement Community of Practice & Learning
• October 21-23, Self Determination Conference: A Seat at the Table! Nothing about us, without us! Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
  • Registration opens 7/8/24
  • More info HERE
  • Hosted by: Wisconsin BPDD
• October 29-30th, 2024 Capacity Building: Embracing Collective Partnerships: Collaborate, Innovate, Elevate, Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells      *Save the date- more information to come
  • Who should attend: Educators, service systems, organizations, community members, families, students, all interested in transition planning and/or on a CCoT team
  • 2-day event; can attend 1 or both days
  • Hosted by: TIG- Transition Improvement Grant and WI CCoT

November 2024:

• 2nd & 4th Fridays 11am-1pm- Harm Reduction Response Red Mini Van, South Water Street Parking lot Black River Falls
  • Do you need any of these supplies?
    • Syringe kits; Nasal NARCAN; IM Naloxone; Fentanyl and Zylazine test strips; Sexual health and hygiene items
    • Look for the red van!
• November 7th 6:30-8:00 Special Needs Planning- Your child is 18- The disability transition, Black River Beach or Central Library Basement (La Crosse)
  • Do you have a child or loved one with a qualified disability that is approaching age 18? What are the steps that need to be taken to ensure that they are receiving help and benefits they are entitled to? How does Guardianship work? What’s a Rep Payee? Does my child really need to pay rent? In this workshop, we will discuss the transition process and give you a checklist and reasonable set of resources to get you on the right path.
  • RSVP: [email protected]; 608-790-1354
• November 14 & 21st, 11:30-1pm, Navigating Special Education Resources, Zoom
  • Free workshop to gain information and knowledge about special education, as well as explore resources and specific tools and strategies to use when working with school staff and to advocate for your child’s needs.
  • Topics: Session 1- Acronyms/Terms; Birth-3; Pre-School; Communication. Session 2- Evaluation reports; IEP’s Transition (PTP); General information.
• November 14-15, Special Education Conference, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
  • More info HERE
  • Hosted by EdEvents
• November 20, 4-5:30 Bullying & Non-Discrimination Policies & Practices, Zoom
  • Register HERE
  • Hosted by WSPEI and Family Engagement Community of Practice & Learning

December 2024:

• December 18, 4-5:30 Grandparents Supporting Children, Zoom
  • Register HERE
  • Hosted by WSPEI and Family Engagement Community of Practice & Learning

Financial Planning

Managing finances can be difficult and overwhelming for many youth transitioning into adulthood. There are different ways transitioning youth can receive support and feel safe when it comes to managing their finances. Below is a list of resources to utilize for support with their financial matters. These resources are arranged from the least restrictive to the most restrictive for an individual.

Voluntary Banking Restrictions

Individuals can receive support through their bank by giving a trusted adult access to their bank accounts. Some of these options include joint bank accounts, naming an agent on your account, dual signature checking accounts, setting up direct deposit, or setting up automatic withdrawals. Talk with a representative from your bank for more information.

Power of Attorney for Finances

This is a document that an individual completes and signs naming an agent to handle their financial affairs in the event that they are not able to. The individual determines what the agent has authority over and how they would want the agent to handle their finances. The document is active upon signing, unless you state specifically in the document when an individual would want it activated. To find a copy of the Power of Attorney for Finances and Property click here.

Representative Payee

If you receive Social Security benefits and need help managing your finances, the Social Security Administration can appoint a trusted individual or a professional agency to serve as your representative payee. A Representative Payee collects the individuals benefits on their behalf and ensures all their bills are paid.

For more information, please visit Social Security Administration

Guardian of Estate

A Guardian of Estate is the most restrictive for an individual and is appointed by the court to manage a person’s financial affairs. A Guardian of Estate is appointed when an individual does not have to mental capacity to make decisions regarding his or her finances and less restrictive options would not meet the individual’s needs.

For more information, please see Guardian of Estate Brochure

Special Needs Asset Planning

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts 

A Guardian of Estate is the most restrictive for an individual and is appointed by the court to manage a person’s financial affairs. A Guardian of Estate is appointed when an individual does not have to mental capacity to make decisions regarding his or her finances and less restrictive options would not meet the individual’s needs.

For more information go to Quantum Planners website