Friday Feature: Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support forUnderserved Communities

January 29, 2021

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National Leaders in the Mental Health Aspects
of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Friday Feature

A recent Executive Order addressing racial equity and underserved communities was signed at the federal level. The Center for START Services celebrates that people with disabilities were included in this Executive Order which calls for "fair, just, and impartial treatment" of several named groups, among them ‘persons with disabilities’. It is exciting to see this level of support that is in line with CSS’s commitment to cultural and linguistic competence, equity, and inclusion.

Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

Read the Full Executive Order

White House adding sign language interpreter for briefings

The Biden administration is adding a sign language interpreter to its daily press briefings. White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced the move during her briefing on Monday January 25th, and an interpreter could be seen on the White House’s YouTube stream of the event.

Psaki said President Joe Biden “is committed to building an America that is more inclusive, more just and more accessible for every American, including Americans with disabilities and their families.”

Upcoming Virtual Conference

African American Conference on Disabilities (AACD)

February 1-26, 2021

It's time to register for this year's first-ever virtual African American Conference on Disabilities (AACD) throughout the month of February. https://bit.ly/2YiQyMR

This conference is a FREE event! Hosted by The Arizona Center for Disability Law and the Arizona Center for African American Resources (AzCAAR), the AACD is the only comprehensive conference in the U.S. that addresses the intersection between race and disabilities. You can register for 11 sessions via the links below. The Opening Session will start on February 1st and the Closing Session will be on February 26th.

Research Opportunity

Research Study to Develop an Accessible Character Strengths Survey
CSS is partnering with a researcher at Boston University to assess the accessibility of the VIA Character Strengths Survey. The VIA is a survey of the 24 character strengths that we all possess. Participants in this research study will play an important role in identifying survey items that are and are not accessible. This information will be used to move towards the long-term goal of an accessible Character Strengths Survey. Please share the following information about the study with the individuals you serve.

Ariel Schwartz at Boston University is in charge of this study. For more information, contact her at: VIAatBostonUniversity@gmail.com or aeschwar@bu.edu.

This study is funded by the National Research Consortium on Mental Health in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Professional Development Series

MHIDD Course for Direct Support Professionals
Registration Open for Next Course Beginning on February 25, 2021

This live, 6-session course gives Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to provide individuals with IDD and mental health service needs (IDD-MH) positive, person-centered, strengths and wellness-based supports and services. The course facilitator will demonstrate how the information reviewed during session can be applied in the day-to-day support of people with IDD-MH. The course features guest speakers with lived experience and optional 30-minute office hours sessions where participants can ask questions and further discuss course topics. Registration for the course is $149 per person.

Learn More and Register

MHIDD Course for Care Coordinators and Case Managers
Registration Open for Next Course Beginning on March 15, 2021

This 6-week online course is designed to improve knowledge for care coordinators and case managers to successfully support children and adults with IDD and mental health service needs and their families. Speakers will include family members and people with lived experiences along with experts in the field. Dr. Joan B. Beasley will demonstrate how the information provided can be applied to improve the ability of care coordinators/case managers to identify service and support needs, and monitor outcomes for individuals and their families. Registration for the course is $299 per person.

Learn More and Register

SAVE THE DATE

Have a happy and healthy weekend,

The Center for START Services

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