Here are the highlights of our upcoming events and recent activity online. Not everything is included due to timeliness.

If an advertised event already took place, we've left it off. 

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Art by Julene I’m delighted to share this special project that is very dear to my heart. The program is called Work of Art. Teaching art and pre-employment skills to kids with disabilities, ages 14-21. These vibrant paintings and art piece that will soon grace the walls of the Outpatient Infusion rooms at Gritman Medical Center.

Eight amazing young artists with the Work of Art program, all from Moscow, created the pieces for patients to look at when getting routine infusion treatments on the second floor of the hospital. The program pairs students with a community-based client to help create an artistic project for the community. Personally, I spent a year in many infusion rooms while receiving treatment for breast cancer. These paintings will be such a gift for the long hours of infusions.

Thank you to the Work of Art students, as well as my AMAZING co-teacher Theresa Carter. Thank you to the 1912 Center for providing the workspace for the students to create their art. A huge thank you to Gritman Medical Center for making a difference in our community.

Work of Art is a program of Idaho Parents Unlimited, serving families since 1985. The Work of Art program is made possible with the support of The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. For more information please visit ipulidaho.org

For those in the Treasure Valley, My Places is holding their annual All Abilities Carnival which includes a HIRING EVENT on May 29th at Expo Idaho from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm! Check out the flyer below as well as all of the details in the text. There are tons of activities and volunteer opportunities. Links throughout:

Come One, Come All to the 6th Annual All Ages and Abilities Carnival hosted by My Places Community Events. With over 800 people attending last year, we've decided to expand and have both the main and south expo to enjoy!

What is this for?

1.) To have FUN! – All ages and abilities are welcome to attend. There will be games, prizes, bounce houses, pictures, food trucks, places to socialize, stage performances, racecars, vendors, exhibitors, and information booths for local support agencies.

2.) To recruit Caregivers - There are not enough caregivers, this is a crisis, and we need help. But what does being a caregiver look like? Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the foundation of all support given to people with disabilities in our community by providing one-on-one personal care services that clinical professionals do not have time for. DSPs support people to live full and meaningful lives. Again, what does this look like? Come to the Carnival and see. See how these amazing people interact and support their clients and friends. Interact with community members who need support and decide if you have time or interest in becoming a DSP. There will be agencies hiring and a booth of community support worker positions. Full-time, Part-time, Days, Nights, Evenings, Weekends, all shifts are available. Need training, no problem, we can help with that too. Being a Caregiver is not for everyone. That’s okay. If you only attend to have FUN, you are still supporting our community!

3.) To Connect our Community – It is hard to ask for help. It is even harder to find help when you don’t know who to ask. Many times, people do not know there is help for them. If you feel alone or unable to get the support you need, come to our Carnival. Our community is full of amazing and knowledgeable people who care. This event is an opportunity to network with and meet others who believe that Everyone Deserves Support. We need to support those who give support.

FREE Admission: includes a Booth Bingo Card, map, and schedule to performances by the Idaho Renaissance Festival, Whiskey Tango Blues Jazz Band, Akashic Moves, and more to be announced.

Carnival Tickets: 1 for $3, 2 for $5, 5 for $10, 10 for $18 & 20 for $30

This is the fundraising part of the Carnival. All proceeds will benefit My Places Community Events 501c3 to continue providing educational and recreational events for people with disabilities throughout our community. Visit Myplacesce.org for more information.

CLICK HERE to check out the video from last year, which had over 800 people in attendance!

CLICK HERE to volunteer to run one of the Carnival Games. This is for fundraising for https://myplacesce.org/

CLICK HERE to perform on one of our stages! Please keep your performances PG.

Sponsors:

Gold: DCI & GG Mobile Gaming

Silver: Sylvan Learning Center, Idaho Inflatables

Bronze: CK Quade Law, Boise Bench Dentistry, Amarant Design

Booths:

Developmental Concepts of Idaho

CK Quade Law

The Idaho Renaissance Fair

Whiskey Tango Band

Akashic Moves

LEARN Idaho

Boise Music Therapy

Lucy's Book

Pictures with RedZone Fandom

Spud State Cares

Liberty Healthcare

OFL Network

Adventure Supported Living

Arrow of Idaho

LINC

Blue Cross of Idaho

Idaho Caregiver Alliance

Leaf Filter

Magic Dragon Games

Coloring with Marian

CSW Hiring Booth

And Many Many More!

Food Trucks:

Tacos

Chill Time 208

Belong Co

Entertainment:

Whiskey Tango and Rebecca Pearce Jazz Combo

Idaho Renaissance Fair

Akashic Moves Studios

GG Mobile Game Truck

Gracie the Great!

Carnival Games

Bounce Houses & Obstacles Courses

Booth BINGO

Pictures & Live Music

1 week away! 

Don't forget to RSVP for Idaho Parents Unlimited's Statewide Regional Training Event:

Health & Education Training Buffet 

Take what you need, leave what you don’t, and come back for seconds if you want.

Region 4 – Boise 

May 16, 2024 

Free to Attend 

Registration Required

Register at ipulidaho.org/tour/

IPUL’s events are at no cost to participants. 

Travel and childcare assistance are available upon request. 

10 am-12 pm IEP Deep Dive

1 pm-3 pm PBIS

6 pm-8 pm Understanding Idaho Medicaid

Location: 

Idaho Parents Unlimited

4619 Emerald St. Ste. E 

Boise, ID 83706

Featured Menu Items

• Deep dive special education and the Individualized Education Plan IEP Choose between Early Childhood, Standard, or Secondary IEP 

• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Explore and walk away with strategies for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports 

• Learn how to navigate Idaho’s Medicaid systems and healthcare options for your child or youth with disabilities or special health care needs

Hi all, this link is closing soon so we wanted to share one more opportunity to provide feedback regarding Idaho's Maternal Child Health Program.

You can scan the QR code in the photo or click on this link:

https://boisestate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iBqtpJMeSGfbGm

Self Guided Modules

available now!

Reading the Procedural Safeguards with Confidence and Ease

The modules will cover:

• History
• Parental Rights

Registration Required

Join our comprehensive training on procedural safeguards in special education!

Whether you’re an educator, parent, or community provider, this course equips you with essential knowledge to navigate the complexities of special education. Learn how to effectively safeguard the rights of students with diverse needs, ensuring equitable access to quality education.

Gain practical insights and strategies for collaborative advocacy and meaningful engagement. Empower yourself to make informed decisions and positively impact the education experiences of children with disabilities.

Do you still have questions after the modules?

Connect the Dots: Monthly Office Hours are for those questions!

Zoom link for the current month's connect the dots is provided with module registration.

Contact Idaho Parents Unlimited!

The best method to reach us for assistance is through our website:  

https://ipulidaho.org/connect-with-us/ . You can also shoot us a question using the abbreviated version of that form at the bottom of every page on our website, although we may need to get more information from you.

We monitor our intake phone line (208-342-5884) during the workday, and will try to respond to any request there within 24 hours. We use an automated intake phone system, so you will be leaving a message. (Please be sure the number you are leaving us can accept text or voice messages.)

For questions that are not about something in our scope of work, you can still leave a phone message as above, send the question to the form on our website, or shoot us an email at parents@ipulidaho.org.

We keep our website updated with new events and maintain a presence on Facebook, and Instagram

Programs and services offered by Idaho Parents Unlimited are supported in part by the U.S. Department of Education (H328M200033) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Affordable Care Act Family to Family Health Information Center (H84MC12896), opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions of either department, endorsement is not assumed