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MAKING CONNECTIONS CENTRAL TARRANT
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 9:00 A.M. - 1 P.M. 
M.G. Ellis Elementary School ♦ 215 NE 14th St., Ft. Worth, 76164

Making Connections Resource Fairs bring together the disability resources in our community to one, easily accessed location for families and caregivers to collect information and learn about benefits and services each provide.

Attend Breakout Sessions and Visit with organizations providing services for:
Medicaid Waivers, Social Security, Guardianship/Supported Decision-Making, Behavioral Health, Transition & Employment Services, Homelessness, College Programs, Assistive & Adaptive Technology, Special Needs Trusts / Wills, Assisted Living / Housing, Financial Planning, Recreation & Leisure, Therapy & Camp Providers, Respite/Day Habilitation, and more 

Sponsorship Opportunities and Exhibitor Registration

Schedule

Breakout Descriptions

About Our Presenters

Exhibitor Directory

información en español

Sponsorships Now Available

 

Special Thanks to Exhibiting Sponsors:

 

Caregiver, Inc.​

www.cg-idd.com

Soundly Speaking Therapy Services

www.soundlyspeakingtherapyservices.com

Star Medical Specialties

www.star-medical.net 

Urban Village Family Services​

www.facebook.com/Urbanvillagefamilyservices

​The IDD Council is proud to partner with Fort Worth ISD to host “MAKING CONNECTIONS” CENTRAL TARRANT​

 

 

To All Presenters, Exhibitors,
Sponsors, and Donors:

WE THANK YOU!

Together we are Making Connections to disability resources in our great community.  Thank you for your support!

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Schedule (Subject to change)

9 A.M.

Visit with a variety of Exhibitors providing services and resources for people with disabilities and their families

9:45 - 10:30

Choose to attend a breakout session on:

  • Homeless Education Linking Partners

  • Special Needs Trusts, Wills, and ABLE Accounts

11:00 - 11:45

Choose to attend a breakout session on:

  • Partnering with Your Child's School

  • Sexuality Health and Puberty

12:00 - 1:00

Choose to attend a breakout session on:

  • Guardianship: Rush to the Courthouse or Last Result? (most useful for caregivers with children 17 or older)

  • Interests Lists: The Place to Be!

  • Green Garden: Sustainable Gardening

12:30

Exhibitor Hall Closes

Breakout Session Anchor
Session Descriptions:

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Guardianship and Alternatives: What is Best for My Child?

An overview of the laws applicable to guardianship in Texas, the evidence and standard of proof needed to obtain a guardianship and the many alternatives to guardianship. By Judge Brooke Allen, Tarrant County Probate 2 Court

Accessing Services through My Health My Resources

As the State’s Local IDD Authority (LIDDA), MHMR is the first point of contact for families looking for services. Learn about Texas’ interest lists, options and benefits, and the criteria for services. By Stephanie Morris & Natasha Sankey, My Health My Resources of Tarrant County

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Life Planning Nuts and Bolts

Caregivers have many concerns and responsibilities in the care of their loved one.  How does one plan for their finances, daily physical care, emotional support, medical and education needs, housing and transportation needs, or attendants for legal matters?  Learn the many steps in preparing for your child’s future. By TJ Kroehle, Texas Life Planning

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework that uses proactive strategies to identify, teach, and reinforce positive behaviors in students. PBIS aims to improve student outcomes in a safe and positive learning environment. By:  Adrianne Yule, Partners Resource Network

About our Presenters

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TJ Kroehle

For Families of Special Needs

TJ Has been working with Families of Special Needs since he was age 16. TJ and Tracey are parenting Lauren, a person of Special Needs. TJ helps clients understand their need to develop the appropriate wills and trusts. He helps them see the need for a "Letter of Intent" which defines their special needs person's hopes, dreams and desires through a lifetime strategy. He is knowledgeable in government programs that aid special needs families, and he coaches families in how to obtain government aid, such as SSI. More importantly he helps the family understand how to maintain those government programs throughout their loved one's lifetime. Life Planning for Families of Special Needs is a non-profit group created by TJ to specialize in assisting individuals with disabilities and their families. TJ frequently speaks to state and local groups such as ARC, Life Path, Down Syndrome Guilds, Autism Societies, Region X and XI, various ISD's, and other similar organizations. Whether it is insurance and estate planning, a secure retirement, or leaving a legacy, every person, family and situation is unique and requires customized and highly personalized solutions.
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Adrianne Yule

Partners Resource Network

Adrianne Yule worked as a writer and editor for years for companies such as Amazon Web Services, National Instruments, and Dun and Bradstreet. She has a husband and two children. Adrianne utilized Partners Resource Network services for years to support her efforts advocating for her son before joining the agency in 2023. She loves empowering parents and youth self-advocates with information to help them better navigate the education system
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Stephanie Morris

My Health My Resources of Tarrant County

Stephanie Morris is the Parent & Family Advocate for Disability Services, MHMRTC. She is a parent of a young man with special needs.  She supports families by helping them make decisions and choices regarding services and negotiates families' concerns with service providers when requested.  She helps educate families to have a clear understanding of their rights and how services should be provided. Finally, she is parent who can relate and listen to your concerns.
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Judge Brooke Allen

Tarrant County Probate Court #2

Judge Brooke Allen serves the citizens of Tarrant County, Texas, as judge of Probate Court No. 2. The Court hears estate, guardianship, and civil mental health matters in addition to any civil matters ancillary to an estate or guardianship. Appointed in 2016, and re-elected in 2018 and 2022, Judge Allen has streamlined the docket, reduced the Court’s budget by more than 5%, and been a voice for ensuring litigants Constitutional rights. In addition, she has tried numerous jury trials in both probate and ancillary matters such as wrongful death, medical malpractice, and breach of fiduciary duty. With her team of 13, Judge Allen has reached numerous citizens throughout Texas educating them on the importance of estate planning, the Texas guardianship laws, and civil litigation in general. When not in court, you might find Judge Allen on the court playing tennis or coaching the “Killer Puppies,” her daughter’s basketball team. She’s married to Cameron Allen, a sergeant with the Dallas Police Department. To learn more about Probate Court No. 2, please go to: Probate Court No. 2 (tarrantcounty.com). To learn more about Judge Allen, please go to www.JudgeAllen.com
Presenter Bios

Bringing INCLUSION, AWARENESS and EDUCATION to Tarrant County

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The IDD Council of Tarrant County is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation

1300 Circle Drive,  Fort Worth, TX  76119

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