PACER Center
952-838-9000
Champions for Children with Disabilities
In the event of inclement weather, PACER Center may cancel workshops. If you are registered for a workshop, we will contact you about cancellations. Also, please check this site the day of the workshop for a possible cancellation due to weather problems.
Select workshops may include:
Workshops with this notice means that this workshop offers an off-site attendance option: a video-streaming service will broadcast the workshop live over the Internet so people who can’t attend the workshop in person can view the presentation live on their computer or tablet. The link to the Livestream channel is in the workshop confirmation you receive after you register. All events are free. You do not need a Livestream account to view our live and recorded events. You can sign up for a free account if you would like to receive notifications when we go live or when we post new events.
Links to the handouts will be posted on the event page. Certificates of attendance are available for attending the live event stream and can be accessed by completing a workshop evaluation after the event.
Filters:
Filter Workshops by Online Streaming Available APPy Hour Early Childhood and Assistive Technology Housing: Starting the Journey Special Events Tech for Girls Club Tech for Teens Club View Archived Live Stream EventsNovember 2018
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Becoming an Active Partner in Your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Date: Monday, November 26, 2018 — 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will help parents of children birth to age 3 understand early intervention services, the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and how families can be involved in writing child and family outcomes and become an active participants in the IFSP process.Becoming an Active Partner in Your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) - live stream event page Becoming an Active Partner in Your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) - Register for this workshop
Sponsored by PACER’s Family Information and Resources Project. Funding for this workshop is made possible with a contract from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of the funds is from federal awards, Special Education Part C. -
APPy Hour : Apps to Support Youth with Vision Loss in the Transition to Adulthood
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 — 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will provide an overview and demonstration of apps that support increased independence for youth who are blind or vision impaired. Apps will address accessing print and digital text, identifying objects, and transportation. -
A Recipe for Success: A Healthy Start with Augmentative Communication at Home
Date: Thursday, November 29, 2018 — 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressA recipe for success with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) starts with consistency and opportunity. Join us to learn how to create communication opportunities at home using AAC and how to get off to a healthy start. During this session we will practice modeling on an AAC system and review other tips and tricks to include it in your daily activities and routines. This session will be presented by Elizabeth Barry, Assistive Technology Specialist at PACER Center, and Meghan Kunz, Augmentative Communication Consultant with Prentke Romich Company (PRC).
December 2018
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Using Smartphones, Watches, and Wearables to Support Executive Function for All Ages
Date: Monday, December 3, 2018 — 4:00 PM - 5:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will explore ways that smart phones, smart watches, and other wearable can support executive function skills for people of all ages. Participants will learn ways to increase time awareness and focus, how to use reminders, explore tools to organize and prioritize, and discuss task initiation and completion. The tools and strategies demonstrated will benefit people with disabilities such as ADHD, executive function disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and blind or low vision. -
School Engagement and Avoidance: What to do when your child is struggling
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 — 6:30 PM - 8:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis training will help parents and others consider positive approaches to working with a child’s school to increase school engagement when attendance becomes a concern. Special attention will be paid to children struggling with mental health needs and challenging behaviors. -
Ins and Outs of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Benefit Planning for Youth with Vision Loss
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 — 12:00 PM - 1:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressWondering what help is available for transition age youth who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind who want to prepare for a career or find a job? This workshop, presented by Kristina Petronko and Anna Solowiej, attorneys at Minnesotal Disability Law Center (MDLC), will provide an overview of SSI and discuss how youth can work while preserving benefits. -
The Next Step: Planning for Success in Employment and Postsecondary Education
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 — 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: Mankato - Map and AddressAttendees will gain information on the link between postsecondary education and employment success, and offer strategies to help youth prepare for work and education after high school. -
Tech for Girls Club : Artbots – Part II
Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop expands on skills learned in the November Tech for Girls workshop. Girls with disabilities, ages 11-18, will continue to learn how to code the Hummingbird robot. They will build a creature out of recycled materials and craft supplies. Once their creature is built, girls will make it come alive! This workshop is led by TPT, Twin Cities Public Television. Attending the November workshop is encouraged but not required. No programming experience is necessary; all skill levels are welcome. -
Becoming an Active Partner in Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Date: Monday, December 10, 2018 — 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop for parents of children ages 3 to 5 will provide an overview of the early childhood special education process and how to take an active lead in the IEP process.Becoming an Active Partner in Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) - live stream event page Becoming an Active Partner in Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) - Register for this workshop
This workshop is offered by PACER’s Family Information and Resources Project. It is funded in part by a contract from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of the funds is federal awards, Special Education Part B. -
ABCs of the IEP for Transition-age Students and Their Parents
Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2018 — 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMLocation: Minnetrista - Map and AddressThis workshop helps parents and students in 8th grade and above understand how to use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to support the transition to adulthood. Students can register separately for their own workshop where they will have the opportunity to talk about what transition means to them, learn about the laws that support transition, get to know their IEP better, and create a self-advocacy tool. -
Tech for Teens Club : Building Websites
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2018 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will introduce teens with disabilities to the basics of coding for the internet with HTML and CSS. Students will create their own unique website and publish it on the Internet using Mozilla Thimble. Students will be able to experiment with code and see the results online in real time. This workshop is designed for students with basic computer skills, but no previous coding knowledge is required. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend.
January 2019
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Tech for Teens Club : A Star Wars 3D Printed Universe
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressA guest speaker from a galaxy far far away will present the basics behind 3D printing. Teens with disabilities are invited to watch a 3D print from start to finish and to experiment with the 3D design software called SketchUp. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend. Curiosity is the only requirement. -
Early Childhood and Assistive Technology : Assistive Technology Consideration and Assessment
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 — 2:00 PM - 4:00 PMLocation: onlineAssistive technology (AT) is important for many children with disabilities but it isn’t always clear how to consider and document AT in the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Although AT consideration for children ages birth to 3 is not legally required, it is considered best practice. This workshop will address how to intentionally consider AT and ensure it is documented in both the IFSP and IEP. The AT assessment process will also be discussed. Live captioning provided.Assistive Technology Consideration and Assessment - Register for this workshop
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education -
Parent Leadership Training on Children’s Mental Health
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 8:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressParents of children and youth who have behavioral health challenges play an important role in their child’s services and supports and can use those experiences to help others. This training will cover information for parent leaders in Minnesota including: Parent leadership opportunitis, systems advocacy: an overview for parent leaders, and influencing change through the parent story. -
Transitioning to Employment
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: St CloudFamilies of youth will receive information on career exploration and planning, including preparing their youth for employment, and information about agencies that provide independent living, financial, and employment services and supports.
February 2019
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Tech for Teens Club : Building a Robot
Date: Saturday, February 9, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressIn this workshop, teens with disabilities will assemble a robot and program it to respond to the environment. Students will learn about the entire process of building a robot, from assembly to executing code. This workshop is designed for students with basic computer skills but no previous coding knowledge is required. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend. -
Housing: Starting the Journey : How do we start? (Step 1)
Date: Monday, February 11, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressHelp your son or daughter get started with their vision for community living, housing, and services. An overview of housing and services options will be provided. Registration recommended for all three workshops in this series (Monday 2/11, Monday 2/25, Tuesday 3/12). -
Early Childhood and Assistive Technology : Introduction to Assistive Technology (AT) for Young Children
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019 — 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: onlineThis workshop will explore the breadth of assistive technology (AT) available for young children (ages birth to five). Participants will learn about the continuum of early childhood AT tools from the very simple to the highly complex and the research that supports the use of AT with young children. Live captioning provided.Introduction to Assistive Technology (AT) for Young Children - Register for this workshop
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education -
Early Childhood and Assistive Technology : Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for Young Learners
Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 — 2:00 PM - 4:00 PMLocation: onlineAugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools can help individuals say whatever they want to say to whomever they want to say it to whenever they want to say it. This workshop will introduce AAC and explore tools, strategies, and resources to implement communication tools in early childhood routines, settings, and classrooms. Live captioning provided.Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for Young Learners - Register for this workshop
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education -
Housing: Starting the Journey : How is it paid for? (Step 2)
Date: Monday, February 25, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressGain a “big picture” view of how housing is funded through federal, state, and county resources. Learn how your son or daughter can become eligible for and access funding. Topics include income supplements and budgets. Registration recommended for all three workshops in this series (Monday 2/11, Monday 2/25, Tuesday 3/12).
March 2019
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Early Childhood and Assistive Technology : Assistive Technology and Play in the Natural Environment
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 — 2:00 PM - 4:00 PMLocation: onlinePlay is an essential part of a child’s development. However, young children with disabilities often experience barriers to play. In this workshop, assistive technology tools and strategies will be explored to make play more accessible for young children with disabilities in their natural routines and environments. Live captioning provided.Assistive Technology and Play in the Natural Environment - Register for this workshop
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education -
Housing: Starting the Journey : What are the options? (Step 3)
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressA more detailed explanation of individualized housing and services options will be provided by a panel of parents, young adults, and housing providers as they share their journeys through the process. Registration recommended for all three workshops in this series (Monday 2/11, Monday 2/25, Tuesday 3/12).
April 2019
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Special Events : PACER’s 15th Annual Housing Resource and Information Fair
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2019 — 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressFamilies can meet with service providers, state and county representatives, along with representatives from referral organizations to discuss housing options, services, supports, and related issues for children and young adults with disabilities.
August 2019
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Incorporating Home Living Skills Into Daily Life for Your Middle School Youth
Date: Monday, August 19, 2019 — 6:30 PM - 8:30 AMLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressCome have fun exploring the tools and technology to help your son or daughter learn and practice home living skills. Topics will include: Meal planning and cooking, healthy living and smart choices, safety and emergency services, shopping and managing money, communication and self-advocacy, recreation and leisure, transportation.