Annual Windmill Retreat set for parents of children with disabilities

“Dream, Believe, Achieve” is the theme for the 2012 Windmill Project Parent Retreat. Parents and adult family caregivers are invited to attend the event scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13 at Holiday Inn, 5637 Highway 29 South, Alexandria.

New this year is a free workshop on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. Family Voices of Minnesota’s Parent to Parent program will train experienced parents interested in becoming volunteer support parents. The training prepares them to provide support to new parents via phone or e-mail conversations. If interested, e-mail holly@familyvoicesofminnesota.org.

Retreat check-in begins at 4 p.m. on Friday. Attendees will be able to visit the Resource Area where representatives from agencies and organizations will provide information about services or products they provide. The Resource Area will also be available Saturday morning. Friday includes dinner and How to Have Fun with Bob Slaybaugh, program director at Camp Confidence Learning Center. The evening ends with small group discussions.

Workshop presentations for Saturday include bullying prevention: everyone’s responsibility; three assistive technology breakouts; guardianship/conservatorship; the importance and purpose of play; when stickers don’t stick and wills, trusts, financial planning.

Saturday’s luncheon keynote, A Servant’s Heart, presenter is Deena McMahon. Based on work with children, adolescents, couples and families, McMahon knows the importance of self-care for caregivers. This topic is presented through story-telling and humor.

This event is for parents and adult family caregivers of children/youth who are eligible for a written service plan (IFSP, IEP, IIIP or 504). The only children allowed are nursing infants. Parents can register for Friday and/or Saturday.

For additional details, call (320) 763-9228 or e-mail windmill2004@gmail.com. Download registration at WindmillProject

.org/events. Advanced registration is required.

Tags: local news, news, retreat, children, disabilities