• TRAINING AND EVENTS
    FOR 2022-2023

    Click here for our events calendarMany events are added to the calendar
    and open for registration approximately 30 days before the event.

    LAST UPDATED ON 5/9/23


    Select a link below to jump to disability-specific training opportunities.

    Autism Training and Resource Center

    Blind/Visually Impaired

    Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    Deafblindness

    Orthopedic Impairment

    Traumatic Brain Injury


     

     

     

     boys reading together   

     AUTISM TRAINING AND RESOURCE CENTER 

     

    Conducting Autism Evaluations and Determining Eligibility
    October 6, 2022
    8:30 - 3:30 PM
    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two Rivers Conference Room

    2-Day OrPATS Workshop: Implementing ABA & Evidence-Based Practices as used in the STAR Program
    November 2 & 3, 2022
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two Rivers Conference Room

    Social Communication Assessment for Autism Evaluations: Inservice for SLPs

    November 30, 2022

    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

    Format: Virtual via Zoom

     

    Video Modeling: An Evidence-Based Practice for Autism

    April 13, 2023

    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two Rivers Conference Room

     

    Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Strategies to Support Autistic Students Across Settings

    April 27, 2023

    9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two Rivers Conference Room

     

     



    Additional Autism Workshops In Development
    Dates to be Announced

    Autism and Structured Teaching for Students Requiring Very Substantial Support (Level 3 severity)

    Supporting Autistic Students: A Multipart Series for Paraeducators

    Autism and Inclusive Classroom Practices (Level 1 severity)

    Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Students on the Autism Spectrum

    Autism and Fundamentals of Effective Instruction and Skill Development

    Autism and Practical Behavior Management Strategies in the Classroom

    Peer Mediated Interventions for Students on the Autism Spectrum

     



    Autism Webinars (1 to 2 hours) in Development

    Autism Identification through an Equity Lens: Girls, Black and Latino Children

    Autism, Bullying Prevention and Emotional Safety

     



    Autism Guest Presenters and Special Projects

     

    Marge BlancUSING NATURAL LANGUAGE ACQUISITION TO SUPPORT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN GESTALT LANGUAGE PROCESSORS: A TWO-PART SERIES
    Featuring Marge Blanc, MA, CCC-SLP, author of "Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum"
     
    December 7, 2022 (Part 1)
    9:00 AM to 12:00 PM:
    Foundation, Younger Students on the Autism Spectrum

    December 14, 2022 (Part 2)
    9:00 AM to 12:00 PM:
    Older Students and Multi-modal Communicators
     

    Dr. Adam Hahs | People on The Move - Phoenix Business Journal

    ACCEPT, IDENTIFY, MOVE (AIM) CURRICULUM - TWO DAY CONFERENCE!
    An evidence-based program for teaching social-emotional understanding, coping and mindfulness skills, and the tools needed to navigate the social world and develop positive interpersonal relationships.  
    February 1 & 2, 2023

    Featuring Adam D. Hahs, PhD, BCBA-D
    Department of Psychology, Arizona State University



    Our Team - Action Behavior Centers PRACTICAL FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND SKILL-BASED TREATMENT (PFA SBT)
    An evidence-based approach for supporting neurodivergent children and youth with very significant behavioral support needs. This is an extension of the 2021-2022 apprenticeship, train-the-trainer

    Offered in collaboration with Dr. Gregory Hanley and FTF Behavioral Consulting

     

     

    Check back for additional guest presenters and opportunities!


    Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2nd (ADOS-2) Workshop 

    REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

    March 14 & 15, 2023
    Toddler Module May 24, 2023 (separate registration required)

    Tanya St John

    Featuring Dr. Tanya St. John, Autism Center at the University of Washington

     


    Looking for training on the STAR or LINKS curriculum in Oregon? Click here


    REGIONWIDE AUTISM
    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

    Regionwide Autism PLC meetings are held on second Mondays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The purpose of the Regionwide Autism PLC is to foster collegiality among educational professionals specialized in supporting children and youth on the autism spectrum, to share information and resources, and to participate in professional development. 

    If you play a specialized role in your district leading or providing autism and behavioral services (e.g., autism specialist, BCBA, inclusion specialist) and would like to be included in the Regionwide Autism PLC? Email Darthea Park at dpark@pps.net.

    Autism PLC Meeting Dates for 2022-2023

    • October 10, 2022
    • November 14, 2022
    • December 12, 2022 - Special Guest! Amy Gravino on autism, relationships, and sexuality  
    • January 9, 2023
    • February 13, 2023
    • March 13, 2023
    • April 10, 2023
    • May 8, 2023

    Back to top



      

     


    braille

    BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED (BVI)


    Designing an Accessible Academic Experience for Students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

    Featuring Matt Tietjen, M.Ed., CTVI  

    March 20 - April 6 - April 17 - May 4

    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    Format: Virtual via Zoom

     

    Effective AAC System Design for Students with CVI

    March 23, 2023

    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

    Format: Virtual via Zoom

    What to Expect When You Have a Visually Impaired Student in Your Classroom
    Date TBA

    8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
    Presenters: Teachers of the Visually Impaired & Orientation and Mobility Specialists

    Working with Visually Impaired Students as a Paraeducator in the Classroom
    Date TBA

    8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
    Presenters: Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Paraeducator Trainers


     

    Statewide CVI Conference
    October 6-7, 2022


    This is an opportunity for Oregon Regional Inclusive Services TVIs to collaborate and come together and learn about current CVI research, promising practices and some amazing new strategies and tools to use for students with CVI.

     

    Topics will include CVI and AAC focus, sensory balance for LMAs, learn to make animated books, active learning and O&M, what’s new in the world of CVI, babies and CVI.

     


    ECC Camp Logo

    COMING SUMMER 2023!

    For information regarding the ECC Summer Camp for students who are
    blind and visually impaired, contact Scott Wall at swall1@pps.net





     

    Back to top


     

     

     

     young girl using ASL

    DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (DHH)

    baby with cochlear implant plays with toys and parentDHH Play Group!  

    Who is this for?
    Children and families birth-to-age five, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    What time does it occur?
    10:00 AM to 11:15 AM 

    Where is Play Group?
    At our Wilcox Elementary School building, offices for Columbia Regional Inclusive Services (CRIS) 
    833 NE 74th Avenue
    Portland, OR 97213

    What are the dates?

    • September 30, 2022
    • October 28, 2022
    • November 18, 2022
    • January 13, 2023
    • February 24, 2023
    • March 10, 2023
    • April 14, 2023
    • May 12, 2023

     

    Please contact Jennifer Goshman with any questions.

     

    Back to top 


     

     

     

     boy using tactile sign language

    DEAFBLIND (DB)

    2022-23 Oregon Deafblind Multi-Tiered Training Scope and Sequence

    Contact Information: Lea Cook at lcook@pps.net or 503-916-5570 x 78235

     

    Enroll with the following link: Oregon Deafblind Multi-Tiered Training Registration  

     

    The Oregon Deafblind Multi-Tiered Training is structured with independent, synchronous, and in-person components. Participants will be expected to participate in synchronous virtual meeting scheduled for 60-90 minutes to review topics, answer questions, and support participants' implementation of strategies. Participants have the option to complete monthly modules in their own time. Most Open Hands, Open Access (OHOA) modules are approximately 4-6 hours to view and complete the tasks. Lastly, participants are offered opportunities for the Statewide DeafBlind TOSA to visit their sites, or virtual program, to provide direct consultation. 

    Thursday November 3, 2022 - Zoom Welcome, 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Successfully access the online learning platform.

    • Recognize that deaf-blindness is a disability of access to information that results in significant challenges in interactions and learning.

    • Understand the key areas of impact on students who are deafblind.

    • Describe key instructional principles and strategies that are effective in educating and interacting with these learners.

    • Understand the Principles of Intervention.

    November 2022:

    Module 2: Sensory Systems, The Brain and Learning 

    Zoom Meeting December 1, 2022 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives

    • Understand the importance of each of the seven senses.

    • Understand the brain-senses connection and its impact on learning.

    • Understand some general strategies for supporting a student's learning.

    • Understand basic information about all seven senses.

    • Know how to identify additional resources to learn more.

    December 2022:

    In person simulations

    Module 4: Building Trusting Relationships and Positive Self-Image

    Module 5: Availability for Learning

    Zoom Meeting December 15th, 2022 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Recognize the internal and external factors that influence a student’s availability to learn.

    • Be able to identify a student’s state of arousal and how to influence it so the student is available to communicate and learn.

    • Be able to identify a student’s likes and dislikes and know how to use those preferences to support the student‘s availability to learn.

    • Be able to identify the strongest sensory channels for a student and know how to adapt activities and actions in ways that take advantage of those channels.

    • Be able to identify a student’s stress level and identify strategies that can support the student’s availability for communicating and learning. 

    January 2023:

    Field Visits: Visiting the school site (virtual or in-person).

    Module 25: Touch for Connecting and Learning

    Zoom Meeting January 26, 2023 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Reflect on your own experiences with touch and learn about the varying cultural, personal, and physical boundaries that influence how human beings relate to one another with touch.

    • Be able to explain the importance of touch as an access point for students who are deaf-blind and how to use touch in a variety of environments.

    • Discover the spectrum of touch support needs and how to provide the appropriate amount of touch support to students on an individual basis. 

    February 2023: 

    Module 7: Emerging Communication

    Zoom Meeting February 23, 2023 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Develop knowledge about "movements," "sounds," and "touching objects," and recognize them as meaningful, concrete, purposeful behaviors.

    • Know how to establish "shared experiences" with a student.

    • Gain insight into how experiences leave bodily-emotional traces in the memory and how students express these memory traces in their behavior.

    • Understand strategies that can be used to develop gestures, meaningful sounds, and objects of reference (object cues) based on forms of communication.

    • Understand the steps that need to be taken to expand concrete communication forms before moving on to abstract communication forms.

    March 2023:  

    Module 9: Routines

    Zoom Meeting March 23, 2023 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Describe routines as a foundation for early learning, concept development, and interactions.

    • Describe how routines support and organize learning for students who are deaf-blind by compensating for sensory gaps.

    • Explain the importance of collaboration with family members and the use of routines in both home and school environments.

    • Identify how routines support the student, the intervener, the teacher, and the family.

    • Identify how routines are a framework for assessment and intervention.

    • List the prerequisites and considerations for designing and using routines.

    • Identify the steps for reviewing routine materials with a student and the process for developing a dialogue for communication.

    • Create and evaluate an effective routine for a case-study student.

    • Describe ways to expand on routines to help a student make progress.

    • Summarize the importance of routines for learning all types of skills. 

    April 2023:

    Module 10: Concept Development

    Zoom Meeting April 27th, 2023 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Recognize the impact of deaf-blindness on an individual’s development of concepts and incidental learning.

    • Compare and contrast skill development and concept development.

    • Recognize that trusting relationships are essential for the development of concepts about the self (and concepts about the self are essential for learning).

    • Recognize the role of touch and exploration in the development of concepts and active learning.

    • Identify the role of language and communication in the development of concepts.

    • Describe methods for incorporating experiential learning and functional tasks.

    • Apply deaf-blind strategies in the development of routines that support active learning and concept development.

    May 2023:

    Field Visits: Visiting the school site (virtual or in-person).

    Zoom Meeting May 25th, 2023 from 4-5:30pm

    Learning Objectives:

    • Review topics covered throughout the year and create implementation plans for the end of the year and beginning of the next school year.

    Enroll with the following link: Oregon Deafblind Multi-Tiered Training Registration

    Questions? Please contact Lea Cook at lcook@pps.net or 503-916-5570 x 78235

     Back to top


     

     

     

    smiling child in wheelchair  smiling high school girl

    ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT
    ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AUGMENTATIVE & ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION

    Adapted Play for Students with Complex Motor and Communication Needs

    December 5, 2022 

    9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two-Rivers Conference Room

     

    AAC for Emergent Communicators in EI/ECSE

    January 19, 2023

    12:00 PM to 3:30 PM

    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two-Rivers Conference Room

     

    Communication Evaluation for Beginning Communicators

    February 15, 2023

    1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

    Format: Virtual via Zoom

     

    Effective AAC System Design for Students with CVI

    March 23, 2023

    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

    Format: Virtual via Zoom

     

    Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Strategies to Support Autistic Students Across Settings  

    April 27, 2023

    9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two-Rivers Conference Room

     

    Obtaining Funding for Assistive Technology, AAC, and Motor Equipment: A Panel Presentation and Discussion

    Date TBD 

    Format: Virtual, estimated 2 hour duration

     


    OI Guest Presenters and Special Projects

      

    Jane Korsten

    EVERY MOVE COUNTS: CLICKS AND CHATS: A VIRTUAL FOUR-PART TRAINING SERIES
    Featuring Jane Korsten, M.S., CCC-SLP

    March 15  -  April 5  -  April 19  -  May 10
    8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
    Virtual via Zoom
     

    Chris Bugaj

    Make Learning Accessible, Inclusive and Awesome for All - including AAC Users!
    Featuring Christopher R. Bugaj, M.A. CCC-SLP. Educational Experience Designer - Inclusive Design Facilitator - Speech-Language Pathologist - Author - Presenter

    MAY 26, 2023
    8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
    Format: In-Person at CRIS, Two Rivers Conference Room

     

     

    Carlo Vialu and Peggy Morris
    Working Together to Create and Monitor Interprofessional Collaborative Goals: A Workshop for OTs, PTs and other Service Providers
    with Peggy Morris, OTD, OTR/L, BCP & Carlo Vialu, PT, MBA

    Date TBD 

     

     


    REGIONWIDE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PLC

    The AT PLC emphasizes support for students with complex communication and motor needs with low incidence disabilities, with a focus on access (e.g., ability switches, adapted toys, accessing computers and devices) and AAC. SLPs, special education teachers, OTs, and others with specialized expertise and interest in this area are welcome to attend!

    AT PLC Meeting Dates for 2022-2023

    • October 20, 2022
    • December 1, 2022 
    • January 12, 2023
    • March 2, 2023
    • April 6, 2023
    • May 18, 2023

    Would you like to join the AT PLC or have other questions? Contact Ruth McKee. 


    ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT PLC

    The OI PLC emphasizes services provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists for students with complex motor needs. Mobility, standing, transferring, positioning, seating, and various professional issues are discussed. If you are an early childhood or school-based therapist in Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, or Wasco counties you are welcome to join the OI PLC!

    The OI PLC is facilitated by our consulting physical therapist, Erin Bompiani.

    Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM via Zoom.

    2022-2023 Dates

    • October 5, 2022
    • November 2, 2022
    • December 7, 2022
    • January 4, 2023
    • February 1, 2023
    • March 1, 2022
    • April 5, 2022
    • May 3, 2023
    • June meeting TBD

     


    AT & AAC TRAINING TOPICS AVAILABLE PER DISTRICT REQUEST

    Did you know that districts in our region may request custom trainings specifically for their staff?

    The following list represents topics that we can focus upon, combine, or customize based upon staff interests and needs. To request a workshop, contact Darthea Park at dpark@pps.net or contact any member of the OI team.

    Assessment of Children with Complex Communication Needs: Assessing children with Complex Communication Needs for eligibility and program planning purposes can be challenging.  In this training, we will review state eligibility requirements and share assessment tools and strategies that school districts have found helpful in this process.

    Communication Partner Training: Successful communication is dependent not only on the augmentative communication tools available but also on communication strategies. This training will teach partner skills, in addition to student skills, that are critical to allow students to develop effective communication.

    Partner Assisted Scanning: Partner assisted scanning is a way for communication "partners" to "assist" students by listing or "scanning" through possible choices.  It is an especially valuable strategy for those who have severe motor challenges and limited functional vision.

    AAC Implementation Ideas and How to Get Started: May be customized to emphasize different age groups (EI/ECSE, School-Aged).  This training will focus on providing educators and therapists working in early intervention or in school-aged settings with evidence-based techniques for teaching and implementing AAC. Topics will include incorporating the use of core vocabulary for motivating activities and also for communication for academic tasks (Science experiments, etc.).

    No tech and light tech AAC Ideas: Have you wondered why, in this fast-paced world of technology, no tech or light technology tools should be considered? Confused about all the names for these tools (PODD, PAS, PECS, PCS, Pixon). This training offers an overview of how to create and use individualized no tech or light tech tools to enhance your students’ communication, and it reinforces how vital these tools are.

    Student Environment Tasks Tools (SETT): Framework for Identifying and Implementing Assistive Technology Interventions: The SETT Framework is a tool that helps teams gather and organize information that can be used to guide collaborative decisions about services that foster the educational success of students with disabilities. Participants will learn why considering the Student, Environment and Tasks are just as important as considering the features of the Tools. Individuals will learn a team-based, approach to implement AT and AAC tools and strategies.

    Aided Language Stimulation and Core Vocabulary: AAC is not just about tools, it's about using effective strategies and techniques to teach communicative competence.  Very few students begin communicating immediately when a tool is presented to them, they need to be taught how to use the tool. This training focuses on one of the most important strategies for teaching students to communicate using AAC tools, Aided Language Stimulation. The Importance of modeling core vocabulary within authentic and motivating strategies will also be discussed.

    Programming and Use of Specific AAC Apps (Proloquo2go, LAMP, GoTalk Now, TouchChat, etc.): With all of the AAC apps that are available now, it can be challenging to keep up with how to go about programming the app so that it can be individualized for a particular student. This training is ideal for Speech & Language Pathologists that may not be familiar with a specific app and would like to learn more about how to program the device for their student.

    Mastering the Art of Switch Assessment and Switch Access: Switches help people with disabilities access a range of equipment and technology. The aim of a switch assessment is to determine which switch, movement and switch position is the most appropriate for the student. This involves a process of trial and error, trying a range of switches, movements and positions to determine which combination provides the most successful method of access to an activity for the user.

    iPads:  Switch it up!: This provides a hands-on class with iPads provided by CRIS that covers an array of apps that are specifically designed with built in switch access as well as switch access within iOS.

     


     

    Back to top 


     

     

     

     head and brain graphic

     TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)

    CBIRT

    The Oregon Center on Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT) in partnership with Regional Inclusive Services offers TBI professional development opportunities for school-based and early childhood professionals via the CBIRT events page. 

    You can also access a treasure trove of recorded TBI presentations via this CBIRT link providing access to recorded webinars featuring experts in the field of brain injury.

     


    Back to top