MFOFC Annual Meeting
Location: The Arc of Mass
Address: 217 South St., Waltham, MA
RSVP no later than November 22 to Dianne Huggon.
Email: mfofc@mfofc.org
Phone: 508-824-6946

Saturday
November 13, 2010
8:30 am - 3 pm

EVENT BROCHURE

Building a Home Conference

Brandeis University
Harold Hassenfeld Conference Center
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Peter V. Berns , CEO The Arc of the United States
FOCUS: Sharing resources and information on creative community living
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Individuals with disabilities, the people who love and support them, service providers, and innovative thinkers
YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT: Local, state and federal resources, as well as many different examples of self directed housing models, how to utilize community support waivers, financially sustaining your long term plan, innovative trends happening around the United States, an opportunity to network and meet individuals who are making it work. In addition, come meet representatives from various agencies that provide a wide variety of housing options.
CLICK HERE for complete details, presenter information and schedule.

Wednesday
November 3, 2010
9 am - 3 pm

EVENT BROCHURE

Joining Voices Conference

The Massachusetts Family-to-Family Health Information Center hosts an annual Joining Voices Conference for families raising children and youth with special health care needs. This FREE event is an opportunity to learn skills to navigate healthcare systems and partner in decision-making with health care providers, other providers, systems of care, and with policymakers. Joining Voices is also a great time to network with other families throughout the state.

Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center
222 Maple Avenue
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For directions to the Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center click here.

This is a free day of learning and networking for families with children and youth with special healthcare needs (including mental, behavioral, emotional needs).

Keynote Presentation by Rosalie Edes, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Disability Policies & Programs, Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Breakout sessions include information about: Guardianship, Mental Health, Medical Home, Outreach to and Working with Diverse Families, and more. Click here for the latest updates.

DEADLINE
October 15, 2010

REQUEST FOR RESOURCES

The Build a Home Conference Planning Committee is creating a CD to be given to attendees at the November 13th Housing Conference being held at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. The planning committee is in the process of gathering useful and current information on:

Housing options
Housing models
Resource listings
Best practices

The focus of Building a Home Toolkit CD is to share resources and information on creative community living for individuals with disabilities, for people who love and support them; as well as for service providers and innovative thinkers. This CD will have tips and strategies on the "how to's" of residential planning, listings of local, state and federal agencies, as well as residential provider agencies, self-directed housing models, contractors, architects, designers, realtors and more. Please share your knowledge and resources. Click here to learn more.

October 5, 2010
in Palmer, MA
October 28, 2010
in Brockton, MA
9:30 am - 12:30 pm

EVENT FLYER
with complete details

DDC Regional Employment Forums
An opportunity for networking and sharing promising practices!

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) with the support of the national State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) is hosting regional employment forums to showcase practices that improve employment outcomes and to promote information-sharing and local networking.

Attendance is free, but space is limited. Save your spot today!
Register: www.communityinclusion.org/ddsforums
Questions: Berenise Reyes-Albino, 1-617-287-4314 or Berenise.Albino@umb.edu

Saturday
August 28
11 am

EVENT FLYER
with complete details
& Directions

MFOFC-Central Region Annual Alumni Family BBQ
Dunn State Park Rt. 101 Gardner, MA

This event is FREE and open to all Leadership series graduates and their families.

You must RSVP for this event! Call Kathy Black at 978-297-2240 or email to caseyblack922@aol.com. (Rain date is August 29th.)

Wednesday
May 5
7 - 9 pm

EVENT FLYER
with further details

Stating Our Case Forum
Sponsors: MFOFC, The Arc of East Middlesex, The Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy & Riverside Community Care

Location: Most Blessed Sacrament - Community Room, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, MA

As the budget is being debated please join us to “State Our Case” to allow your representatives and senators to understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. Legislators will be present to speak about these issues and to hear your stories. It is crucial that you make your legislators aware of the potential impact cuts like this would have on your family.

RSVP to Susan Nadworny, by email or phone: 781 665 5179

April 16 through May 14

EVENT FLYER

Regional Health Dialogues
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Commissioner John Auerbach will visit eight communities this spring to conduct his fifth round of Regional Health Dialogues. Members of the public, health care providers, representatives from local health and other organizations are all encouraged to attend. No registration, sign in or RSVPs are required. The meetings will include an overview of the Department's soon to be released report: The Health of Massachusetts. Each meeting will feature a brief presentation by local partners on an issue they have identified as a priority for their communities. There will be an opportunity to share your ideas and concerns with the Commissioner. Dates, times and locations are subject to change. Please visit: www.mass.gov/dph for details and the most up to date information. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or a person with a disability who requires accommodation, please contact: laura.innis@state.ma.us 617-624-6021, 617-624-5992 TTY

Event flyer click here | Directions to all locations

Event page on DPH site

Thursday
March 25
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

EVENT FLYER

Massachusetts 2010 Lifespan Respite Summit
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
Marlborough MA
Register by March 16, 2010: Registration URL

A Summit for Government Agencies, Caregiver Organizations, Family Members, and Community Leaders. See Event Flyer for complete details.

TAKE ACTION - TAKE CHARGE!
Dept. of Developmental Services: 14th Annual Statewide Advisory Council State House Celebration
Massachusetts State House - The Great Hall
Boston, MA

The 2010 Gunnar Dybwad Leadership Award will be awarded to MFOFC President Susan Nadworny. Congratulations Susan!

Saturday
March 13

MFOFC Workshop Session II
1:30 - 3:00 pm

Federation for Children with Special Needs
Visions of Community Conference
World Trade Center - Boston

Implementing a 21st Century Disability Policy (MA21)
Presenters: Lauri Medeiros and Dianne Huggon, Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change
Description: Learn strategies to change the world by creating policies that respect and advance full community participation for all individuals with disabilities.

Visit www.fcsn.org for conference details

March & April
Various Dates & Times

EVENT FLYER

Stating Our Case - Preserving the Disability Safety Net
An opportunity for families and supporters to inform and stress to the legislators, the importance of services individuals with disabilities and their families receive.

These forums are being held statewide. Click here for complete dates, times, locations and links to further detaisl.

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and the ARC of Massachusetts Legislative Reception

Location: Grand Staircase - State House, Boston, MA

If you have any questions regarding this reception, please contact the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council at 617-770-7676.

Thursday
February 25
12:30 pm

"Walk in Our Shoes" Statehouse Event
Meet in Room 437 in the Massachusetts State House

Help us reach the public and legislature about proposed budget cuts at DDS and other disability agencies. Click here for schedule and event description.

January 15 - 22
4 Regional Sessions

FLYER WITH DETAILS

REGIONAL INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS - RESTRUCTURING FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

Informational presentations by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (Announcement Dated 1/07/10). DDS will hold a statewide round of regional informational sessions designed to provide an update on current plans to restructure Family Support and some related services. All interested parties are welcome.

CLICK HERE for complete details, schedule and loctions for these important sessions.

Campaign to Save Family Support Funding

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION