Current Trainings
Positive Behavioral Supports
1-day regional training program
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
ChildServe, 5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA
Positive Behavioral Supports is a 1-day, regional training program open to all providers of home- and community-based services interested in helping individuals transition to homes in community settings through Iowa’s Money Follows the Person grant.
This training will focus on the foundation and skills of how to provide positive behavioral supports to individuals you are providing services to. Intended audiences are supervisors, administrators, case workers, trainers, and direct support staff.
Registration is required. More information and to register.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2025: Celebrate the Resilience of Iowa Families!
Digital Story-Telling Project
Friday, March 7, 2025 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Celebrate the strength of Iowa families during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!
Listen to the stories of families with real life experience as they navigate through services and support and persistently advocate for their children.
We will share four videos created by families and then have time for discussion and questions after each video.
This webinar is brought you by the DD council and the Digital Story-Telling Project of Child Health Specialty Clinics.
Mindspring Hosts Webinars & Events
Free Training Opportunities
February 2025 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 and Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm, and Wednesday from 10:00-11:00pm and 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.
Upcoming Events
From Assessment to Action: FBA, BIP & School Discipline Explained
ASK an Expert Webinar Series
All sessions are held virtually via Zoom
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
February 10, 2025 | Components of a Functional Behavior Assessment
Learn about the Functional Behavior Assessment process and how it is used to create a student’s Behavior Plan. This webinar will help you understand key terms and information in each section of the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). Learn more and register.
February 17, 2025 | Components of a Behavior Intervention Plan
A Behavior Intervention Plan is the best way for parents and school staff to get on the same page about how to prevent and respond to challenging behavior in school. In this webinar, we will help you understand key terms and information in each section of the Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Learn more and register.
February 24, 2025 | Manifestation Determination
The decisions made at a Manifestation Determination meeting can affect the duration of a suspension for a child with a disability. This webinar will help you understand when a manifestation determination meeting is needed, what to expect during a meeting, and the possible outcomes for the student. Learn more and register.
March 10, 2025 | Removal from School & School Discipline
Parents of children with disabilities may get calls from school to pick them up due to behavioral issues. This webinar will explain the two reasons a school may send a child home, the rights of the child, and identify the next steps for effective solutions. Learn more and register.
Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Power of Attorney Training Courses
Five free online training modules
Iowa’s Office of Public Guardian offers five free online training modules for Iowans interested in learning about adult guardianship, conservatorship, and powers of attorney. Scroll down the page to “Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Power of Attorney Training Courses” to learn more and set up a free training account.
SAVE THE DATE: SOAR Conference 2025
Seeking Opportunities for an Advocacy Revolution
October 3-5, 2025
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Omaha Downtown
Old Market, 555 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68102
This event brings together self-advocates with disabilities from around the Midwest to exchange ideas and learn from each other about advocacy.
Participating States: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming
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.
Empowering Families in Special Education: Navigating Resources for Your Student
The Iowa DD Council hosted a discussion with the Iowa Department of Education, ASK Resource Center, Disability Rights Iowa, and Health and Human Services. They discussed resources and tools available for your family and how to advocate for the services your child needs.
Disability Exchange Podcast
The Disability Exchange (DX) podcast is produced and presented by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Iowa’s UCEDD, at the Center for Disabilities and Development. Join UCEDD staff and podcast co-hosts, Mike Hoenig, Laury Scheidler and Judy Warth, for this engaging series.
All episodes of the DX podcast are available on the Anchor by Spotify platform.
Or search for “Disability Exchange” wherever you get your podcasts. And find links to a variety of other platforms on the DX Anchor by Spotify page. DX is not yet available on Apple podcasts.
Joanna Sabha produces the DX podcast for the UCEDD. Get in touch with her if you have questions or would like to learn more about it at Joanna-sabha@uiowa.edu or 319-356-1347.
Download transcripts of new podcast episodes, below, or catch up with episodes from previous seasons.
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.