Current Trainings
Storytelling for Family Leaders Training
Blended Online and In-person Training
Applications are now open for the fall cohort of Storytelling for Family Leaders.
A well-crafted story from lived experience can be a powerful advocacy tool. This no-cost blended training (in-person/ Zoom/ online) will help families, who have a story to tell, craft a 10-minute oral story that can be shared anywhere decisions about children and youth with special health care needs are being made.
The training runs from September 15- November 17. Participants will spend about 10-15 hours per month. Deadline to apply is September 1.
Download the training flyer with application link.
Link to the Storytelling for Family Leaders application.
Mindspring Hosts Webinars & Events
Free Training Opportunities
August 2022 dates
Webinar Series
Mindspring provides free mental health education opportunities to the public through webinars on a wide variety of mental health topics. Webinars are hosted every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm CST.
All webinars are free and open to the public. Webinars are recorded and emailed to all registrants. Certificates of attendance are administered to anyone who participates in the live webinar and completes the survey at the end.
Learn more from Mindspring Webinar & Events.
Upcoming Events
Iowa Autism Learning Community Webinar Series
Autism in Infants and Toddlers
September 28, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM, virtual
Guest Speaker: Wendy Trotter, MS, CCC-SLP, Education Program Consultant for Autism, Iowa Department of Education
Purpose: To help primary care providers build their capacity to screen, diagnose, and treat children with/at risk for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. It will also provide family-centered care that encourages shared-decision making.
Course objectives:
- Recognize the early warning signs of ASD in young children (which can be more subtle and easy to miss)
- Understand the importance of early detection and early intervention
- Recall amazing resources that are available to both professionals and families
CME and IBC CE Credit Available.
To learn more and register, download the Autism Learning Community Flyer.
RESPECT Training Workshops
Four Locations Planned for Fall 2022
RESPECT: Recognizing Everyone’s Strengths by Peace Building, Empathizing, Communicating, and Trust Building
RESPECT Training is a free, 4-day workshop focused on family and professional partnerships, team building, and conflict resolution. Trainees will learn strategies for resolving conflict among members of teams, such as IEP and behavior-planning teams.
Day 1 is self-paced, and takes place online during September. Days 2-4 take place in person, at four locations: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, or Storm Lake. Learn more and register.
Save the Date!
The ADA Turns 32!
Iowa City Pedestrian Mall (Bad weather location: MERGE Iowa City, on the Ped Mall)
October 15, 2022, 10 a.m. to noon
The annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration in Iowa City is planned for October 15 from 10:00 to noon on the Ped Pall. The planning committee is working on the details, but the celebration is expected to include a City of Iowa City proclamation and individual awards. Performances by people with disabilities are also planned for the event.
Mike Hoenig, Program Coordinator at the UI Center for Disabilities and Development, and Joey Wesselink, former self-advocacy trainee in Iowa’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, will serve as co-emcees.
Representatives of disability-related organizations will share information. This event is free and open to the public--all are welcome to join!
Training Sources
Health Care Provider Training
Free suite of videos
Assuring Access to Quality Health Care for Persons with Disabilities is a free suite of videos aimed at educating current and future health care professionals on strategies to effectively communicate with and accommodate patients with a variety of disabilities.
Access to Training
Our Training Sources page provides links to a variety of training resources that are available on an ongoing basis. Most of these resources are online, available any day, any time. Check websites for fees associated with the trainings.
The Conner Training Connection makes every effort to assure these listings are up-to-date. Visit our Training Sources page.
Training Calendar
Please visit our interactive calendar to find trainings on disability-related topics, including autism, brain injury, mental health, self-advocacy and transition. We invite you to share trainings with us and others using the "Add Event" button on this calendar.
Please visit our Contact Us page on this website for more information or support.