2024 37th Annual Education Conference (2)

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Saturday, January 27th 2024

8AM-3:30PM

Oak Grove United Methodist Church | 1722 Oak Grove Road Decatur

FOCUS welcomes you to our 37th Annual Education Conference! We are excited to host families, presenters, and exhibitors for an opportunity to explore and connect.

We host an Annual Education Conference every January. It is an opportunity for parents to learn about various topics specific to their journey as parents of children with disabilities. Parents enjoy lunch, connecting with others and meeting local exhibitors.

 

Advanced registration for the conference is now closed.

On-site registration is available. 

37th Annual Education Conference Sponsors

Agenda

8AM Registration 

8:15AM-9:20AM Session 1 - Attorney Q&A

  • Turning 18 
  • Wills, Trusts and Guardians: All Your Questions Answered!
  • Understanding Guardianship - Navigating the Basics
  • Advocacy in and out of IEP Meetings

9:30AM-10AM Exhibitors

10AM-11:10AM Session 2 

  • Picky Eaters: How To Make Eating Fun and Functional for Children Who Won't Eat
  • Puberty Questions/Considerations for Males with a Disability
  • Periods and Puberty
  • Safe Transfer Training for Parents of Children and Young Adults with Physical Limitations

11:20AM-12:30PM Session 3 

  • Nutrition Support for Medically Complex Kids
  • Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB 10) 101
  • Sex and Relationship Equity for People with Disabilities
  • Extraordinary Siblings

12:30PM-1:30PM Lunch & Exhibitors 

1:00PM-1:20PM Keynote Speaker 

1:45PM-3PM Session 4: Diagnosis Specific Share Groups

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism
  • Down Syndrome
  • Rare Genetic Disorders

Fees:

Parent $12

Parent + Spouse $20

Professional $50

 

Advanced registration for the conference is now closed. On-site registration is available. 

Keynote Speaker 

Dr.  Leslie Rubin

Developmental Pediatrician at The Rubin Center for Autism and Developmental Pediatrics

 

Leslie Rubin

Challenging Behaviors: Causes, Consequences, and Conversations

Workshops

Exhibitors

Nadler Biernath, LLC | At Nadler Biernath LLC, our entire focus is on individuals with special needs. Our team helps clients cut through the confusion that often comes from navigating the legal and healthcare systems. And because we understand that all families are different, we never use a one-size-fits-all approach.

Jeyaram & Associates | Special Needs Trusts, wills and estate planning. Guardianship. At Jeyaram and Associates, ALL of our attorneys have special needs children and specialize in special needs trusts, wills, estate plans, guardianship, conservatorship, and Katie Beckett & NOW/COMP appeals.  We understand your life and your legal needs. Making sure your family is safe and cared for is our #1priority.

Harrison LLP | Kim Martin is a partner at Harrison LLP. Her practice is devoted to special needs estate planning, guardianships, and consultation with divorce  attorneys if the divorce involves a child who is or may someday be on benefits.

Better Beginnings Healthcare Services | Family Centered In-Home Care specializing in proving personal care support and skilled nursing care to children, adults, and seniors. We are an  approved provider for Georgia’s Pediatric Program (GAPP), a Medicaid funded program. This means we are able to provide our quality care at NO COST to families of medically fragile children under 21 years old who qualify. Our mission is to exceed expectations and provide outstanding service for all your home care needs. Our services include companionship, personal care assistance and skilled nursing care. We believe healing happens best in a place that is both comfortable and familiar. Allow us to provide peace and additional support to your family while helping you or your loved one thrive at home!

Sojourne | Sojorne is a platform for family caregivers raising children with special needs, disabilities, and chronic health conditions. We provide our families with access to modern care, coordination and community - to help them liv their best lives.

Songs For Kids | Songs For Kids provides music mentorship and interactive programs for kids and young adults with illnesses, injuries, and disabilities. We focus on creative expression, encourage exploration in a safe space, and never lose sight of the fun. The Songs For Kids Center is available for kids with illnesses, injuries, and disabilities to come take lessons, write and record music, enjoy a performance, or put on their own! We’ve created a safe space that respects and honors life challenges while fostering a sense of normalcy. Kids are able to be kids, and we nurture and develop their love of music throughout the year.

Focus on Function | Focus on Function is a neuro-affirming pediatric occupational therapy clinic in Cumming/Alpharetta. We specialize in supporting our families' autism journeys and primarily use the DIR/Floortime model. We offer in-clinic and virtual OT sessions, parent coaching, behavior observations, and preschool continuing education.

The Kyle Pease Foundation | To improve the lives of people with disabilities through endurance sports.

Innovative Financial Group | Herman (Tommy) Thompson, Jr., CFP®, ChSNC®, ChFC® is a Financial Planner with Innovative Financial Group in Alpharetta, GA. Tommy has been an investment professional since 2004, helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals through comprehensive planning and investment management. In 2022, Tommy earned the ChSNC® (Chartered Special Needs Consultant®) designation, which is an accreditation designed for financial advisors who want to make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities or special needs. In addition to the ChSNC®, Tommy has earned the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) certificate and the ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant®) designations.

The Elaine Clark Center | Inclusive child care for children 6 weeks to 5 years old, K-12 Academy, after school care, summer camp, young adult program for 18-25 year olds.

TeamUp Therapy | We #TeamUp with families like yours to unlock the unique potential of your child through ultra-convenient and family-centered speech therapy. Our team is expert in helping kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities thrive.

GeorgiaCAN | GeorgiaCAN is statewide non-profit focused on ensuring all students have access to a great school and great teacher. We specifically support families around the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and special education advocacy.

Jacob's Ladder | Jacob's Ladder is internationally renowned and accredited by SAIS-SACS as a private school and therapeutic entity. Since its founding in 1998, over 4,000 individuals have received hope and effective treatment through Jacob's Ladder and its patent-pending model of care, The Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care™ (IWBMC). At Jacob's Ladder, we believe in the possibility and potential of every person. We believe that growth and change are possible in the mind, body, and spirit of every person we serve, and we pursue this without exception for everyone in need.

Everlasting Growth Private Home Care | Private Duty In Home Skilled Nursing, Personal Care and Companion Sitter Services including for all ages and children who are medically fragile or have significant developmental /intellectual/and or physical disabilities. Temporary assistance available for family caregivers who must be capable of rendering personal care services and employed by our GAPP provider agency in order to be reimbursed.

Spectrum Autism Support Group, Inc. | Support, education and resources for individuals and families impacted by autism. This includes support
groups, Camps (day camps and overnight camps), social skills groups, respite, family, events, and community education and training.

Learning and Behavioral Solutions, LLC | At LABS we Advocate, Educate, and Create Social Groups for Non-Speaking and Minimally Speaking Youth.

TELIC Empowerment | Mission: Teach, Empower, Listen, Include, and Care for special needs families. We provide free monthly parent empowerment groups, inclusive community events, verified disability resources, education, information and parent support for families with a child or young adult with a disability, ages 3-30.

WEE ARE FIRST LLC | We provide adult day program servives for individuals with special needs. We provide community outings, Volunteer opportunities and community connections!

BlazeSports America | BlazeSports America’s mission is to change the lives of individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sport and recreation. We’ve always understood the positive impact adaptive sports can have, from promoting life-long health and personal empowerment to providing successful futures for young people with disabilities. From the start, we’ve been dedicated to ensuring the quality, diversity and availability of our programs are equal to sports programs open to those without disabilities. We believe BlazeSports’ commitment to equity, inclusion and the application of interdisciplinary, evidence-based practice fosters a culture of innovation and efficacy. By cultivating local, state, national and international strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, BlazeSports America is advancing the equality, visibility and human rights of people with physical disabilities through sport.

Axess Health Solutions, LLC | GAPP - Family caregiver program, in home care, personal support services, home health

Dynamic Therapy/DTA Schools | Speech Therapy to support AAC development, language and articulation skills. We specialize in working with families of children with significant special needs. We are a team of licensed, certified Speech Language Pathologists, family members and special education teachers all FOCUSed on you!

Del Mar Healthcare | Through the Georgia Pediatric Program, Del Mar Healthcare is able to offer in-home care for children and young adults under the age of 21 with no out of pocket expenses to families.

Special Pops Tennis | Enriching lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through the lifetime sport of tennis

DeKalb County Board of Health | Children's Medical Services (CMS) is a Department of Public Health (DPH) program that provides or arranges specialty medical/health care services for eligible children with chronic medical conditions in DeKalb County.

G3 Robotics | G3 robotics does outreach to provide kids with special needs with interactive STEM activities.

The Bobby Dodd Insistute | We offer support for all ages, stages & levels of need for the disabled & their families. Join Our Mission. Become a Part of Our Movement to Build a More Inclusive World. Positive Relationships. Teamwork. Integrity. Diversity. Honesty. Inclusion. Services: GVRA, DBHDD.

MDE School | MDE School is a non-profit private special education school that serves children with developmental delays who cannot succeed in a traditional educational setting. We help special needs students reach their full potential through individualized education, enrichment, and life skills training in a nurturing environment.  MDE School employs highly skilled teachers with many years of experience working with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, communication disorders, and learning differences. Our unique approach allows every student to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.  MDE School serves K - 12. MDE Vocational Academy serves children aged 16+. MDE will offer a Pre-School program starting in August 2024. We also offer weekly summer day camps.

Our World School | Our World School is a private, non-profit school for children in grades K-12 who have been diagnosed with special needs, including but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus. ADHD and other medical/learning disabilities. Our World focuses on academics, life skills, social skills, and parenting with the parent/guardian to provide consistency for the child for the transition from home to school and back home again.

Debbie Dobbs Advocacy, LLC | The mission of Debbie Dobbs Advocacy, LLC is to advocate for children with special needs to have appropriate educational and financial resources and opportunities. Debbie guides families to educational and financial resources, answers parents’ special education questions, and attends school meetings to create appropriate IEPs and 504 plans. We partner with families empowering them to help get the best outcomes for their children. Families also gain our assistance in applying for the Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver and other funding programs.

The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta | Connecting individuals and families to opportunities for an amazing life.

LIFE Behavior Consulting | We believe everyone has it already within them to work toward their goals! LIFE Behavior helps teens and adults learn the skills to take action steps toward goals and overcome challenges through training, coaching and support.  We provide virtual services individually or within group classes!  Our primary areas of focus are: Personal Development, Interdependent Living, Career Development, Behavior Support, and Parent Support.

Rise and Restore Healthcare | Private care nursing & personal care assistance for medically fragile children

MobiliQuest | MobiliQuest is an informational website that connects accessible services, products, and experiences to the community.

Lincare AAC | we know living with speech disorders can be isolating, which is why we are committed to helping you gain the power to communicate and connect. Lincare AAC® can provide speech-generating devices to help with communication issues caused by congenital conditions, developmental delays, acquired diseases, or injuries. Lincare AAC®’s lineup of Expression Series devices present multiple methods of creating novel (unique) messages based on letter-by-letter spelling, selection of whole words, phrases or sentences, or selecting pre-stored phrases or sentences. Your speech-language pathologist can provide an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) evaluation to determine the appropriate AAC device to meet your needs.

Parent to Parent of Georgia | offers a variety of services to Georgia families impacted by disabilities or special healthcare needs. Our Vision is to be the source of choice for support, information, education, and leadership development for Georgians with disabilities or special health care needs, ages birth to 26, and their families. Our Mission is to support Georgia families and individuals from birth to 26 impacted by disabilities or special health care needs.