IPUL's E-News for May 1, 2020
Here are the highlights of our recent activity online. Not all everything is included due to timeliness. If an advertised event already took place, we've left it off.
IPUL Is Here For You!

The best method to reach us is through our website request form:   

We are still monitoring our   intake phone line   several times a day, and will try to respond to any request there within 24 hours. 

For questions that are  not  about something in our  scope of work , you can still leave a phone message as above, or send us an email at  parents@ipulidaho.org   - this account will be monitored daily, but is not as heavily monitored as the main intake systems.
We keep constantly updating our COVID-19 page with new information as it becomes available:
That Didn't go Exactly as Planned...
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We fought some technical issues on the day we'd planned to do our training -Zoom and Facebook decided to not play well together. We ironed that out, and then on the next day, the Boise area had a historic thunderstorm knock out power and internet for several of us, an hour before we were going live!

But we did roll with it, and managed to bring you our Apps and Apps livestream, which you can watch by clicking the above image or the link below!

Idaho - Temporary PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE April 15, 2020: Spouses and Parents of Minor Children as Direct Care Providers
Personal Assistance Agencies may temporarily employ spouses of adult participants receiving Aged and Disabled Waiver and Personal Care Services and parents of minor children receiving Personal Care Services.

This option may be most beneficial for participants that are electing to self-isolate who have a spouse, or parent, who is able to render the care. Agencies may take advantage of the criminal history background check and training flexibilities described above to expedite the hiring process.

NORD Opens COVID-19 Financial Aid Program for Rare Disease Community
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The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has opened a financial assistance program for people in rare disease community who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Called the  NORD COVID-19 Critical Relief Program , the effort will provide up to $1,000 annually to those eligible to support critical, non-medical needs. The program is designed to help rare disease patients and their families who may be facing monetary hardships due to the outbreak.

The Challenge of Distance Learning for Parents of Children With Special Needs
a father helps his son with distance learning
Roughly 14 percent of students enrolled in U.S. public schools receive special education services. As families across the nation grapple with home learning, what are the particular challenges the parents of these children face? Judy Woodruff reports and talks to Selene Almazan of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a nonprofit aiming to protect the rights of children with disabilities.

Free Online Parent Support Group
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For Idaho caregivers of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities

Focus: To provide support during social isolation/COVID-19 and connect with other families in this online confidential therapist led support group

or
Call the ISU CARES Lab for more information:
(323) 744-9198
Or the Psychology Clinic at
(208) 282-2129
Podcast about Vulnerable Students' Needs and Rights in Pandemic
a woman on a laptop
We are happy to bring you this podcast from Diana Autin (SPAN-NJ) a leader in the Family Voices network, in which she discusses the shortcomings of distance learning.

Statewide Training for May -
When Your Child Turns Three ...
...Moving on From Infant Toddler Services
may workshop flyer showing a teacher and an assistant reading to children surrounded by text which is below
If you have a child who is moving out of the infant-toddler program and about to enter into the education system and you want to know what to expect... this training is for you! We'll be talking about the transition from an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and all that it entails.  
Our statewide training is webcast monthly live via Zoom.  Registration is required.  
Once you have registered, you will be sent an email with your registration confirmation as well as a link so you can join the webcast.  
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IPUL will only be offering this training online.  
We will be offering this training on May 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM Mountain Time  

Phone: (208) 342-5884