Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

Peak Parent Conference (Colorado)
2024-09-11 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
We are so thrilled to once again be participating in the PEAK Parent Center in Colorado! This event is a beacon for inclusive education, bringing together students, families, educators, administrators, and community members to collaborate on creating equitable and accessible learning environments for all.

This year, PLAN is excited to present our session: Creating Connections: Building Personal Support Networks for Young People with Disabilities.

This immersive workshop will guide participants in building effective personal support networks that extend beyond traditional systems, ensuring a robust circle of support for young people. We’ll explore strategies for network building, sustainability, community connections, and actionable plans that can be implemented in your own communities.

This session is perfect for self-advocates, family members, educators, and anyone interested in innovative support strategies.

Let’s come together to create a more inclusive future for all!

#InclusiveEducation #PeakParentConference #BuildingConnections #PLAN

Staying Connected Call (Weekly Zoom Call)
2024-09-04 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-28 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-21 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-31 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-17 16:00 - 17:00 and 14 more dates
You’re invited to gather with long-time and new friends, learn about current advocacy opportunities, connect with others during fun sharing activities, and exchange ideas.
Please join the conversation, either by video or phone, and visit with other families looking to connect with families like YOU!
Email hello@plan.ca for the link!

New York Family Group
2024-08-29 18:00 - 21:00
Rebecca will be sharing about Personal Networks with a Family Group in upstate New York.

Music and Stories Together
2024-08-29 15:30 - 16:30
Music and Stories Together is back – we are meeting on Zoom next Thursday August 29th at 3:30pm. We hope you can join us!

We will sing familiar songs together, tell stories, listen and connect and remember.

As always, there is no pressure to sing. Feel free to listen in, dance, dream a little, share a story, or participate however you feel comfortable.

Any late summer song requests or theme ideas? Email them to Sophie at hello(at)plan.ca.

To join Music and Stories Together, please send us a quick note at hell0(at)plan.ca and we will send you the link.

Family Network
2024-07-16 18:30 - 20:00
Dear PLAN Family Network,

Families who have experienced similar challenges are the best resources for one another – that’s why the PLAN Family Network hosts monthly family conversations! During online Zoom gatherings facilitated by Shelley Nessman and Claire Inkster, families come together to engage in conversations, learn from one another, and provide mutual support as they discuss matters related to their lives and future planning.

Please accept this invitation to join the PLAN Family Network Zoom call next week on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, for a presentation and family conversation focused on “Navigating Systems and Collaborative Practice” with Meaghen Taylor-Reid and Monique Nelson.

We understand everyone’s time is valuable and that learning styles vary greatly. To maximize your time and learning we plan on following this call outline:

6:30 to 6:45 pm

Land Acknowledgment

Welcome and check-in

6:45 to 7:30 pm

Presentation on Navigating Systems and Collaborative Practice

7:30 pm to 8 pm

Group conversation, questions, ideas

For the July Family Network conversation, we are thrilled that Meaghen Taylor-Ried, Director of Planning and Advocacy at PLAN, and family member Monique Nelson, will share a presentation on how collaborative practice can support increased services within and between services and supports. Get ready to hear about legislation, policy, stories, tips, and tricks.

Monique and Meaghen are passionate about mentoring those involved in systems navigation and advocacy on how collaborative practice can ensure choice and opportunity.

Meaghen Taylor-Ried is a PLAN team member and a family member with over 15 years of inter-ministerial collaborative practice-focused work with Community Living BC (CLBC), the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR). Monique is a passionate mom, community builder, and seeker of places where radical hospitality abounds! Monique is the Director of Community Engagement at PosAbilities Community Association of BC.

To learn more about Meaghen, please visit the PLAN website, and to learn more about Monique, please visit the PosAbilities website.

Following the presentation, please bring your questions and ideas for a conversation on systems navigation and collaborative practices.

We kindly ask you to send an RSVP to Claire Inkster at hello(at)plan.ca

On behalf of the PLAN Family Network,
Claire Inkster

Family Network
2024-06-18 18:30 - 20:00
Dear PLAN Family Network,
Families who have experienced similar challenges are the best resources for one another – that’s why the PLAN Family Network hosts monthly family conversations!
During online Zoom gatherings facilitated by Shelley Nessman and Claire Inkster, families come together to engage in conversations, learn from one another, and provide mutual support as they discuss matters related to their lives and future planning.

You are invited to join the PLAN Family Network Zoom call on
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
The evening’s presentation and family conversation will focus on “Self Determination and Empowering People in their Decision Making” with Jule Hopkins and guest.
In March 2024, Jule Hopkins, PLAN’s Family Advocate, and two local self-advocates shared a presentation on self-determination and decision-making with the Family Network. Families were interested in learning more and we are thrilled to have Jule and a guest back to share further about empowered decision-making and the connection to the right to self-determination.
During the evening Jule will also review Representation Agreements, how they work, why they are important, and the role that Representatives have in supporting the person’s decision-making as well as ways of honouring the voices of individuals with disabilities and the role of families and friends/networks to support their voices
Jule Hopkins has worked to provide services for children and adults with disabilities for close to 40 years. In 2016, Jule joined PLAN as a Family Advocate, working with the Family Network and Lifetime Members on matters such as empowered decision-making, exploring housing options, and other types of complex planning and advocacy. To learn more about Jule, please visit the PLAN website.
Please bring your questions and ideas for a conversation on empowered decision-making and self-determination following the presentation.
We kindly ask you to send an RSVP to Claire Inkster at cinkster@plan.ca
On behalf of the PLAN Family Network,
Claire Inkster

June 2024 details for joining by Zoom
Date Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Time 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location Zoom
RSVP to cinkster@plan.ca

Staying connected throughout the month
Would you like to connect with other Family Network families outside of the monthly conversations? You are invited to join a “Family Network Contact List” by emailing your information to Claire Inkster at cinkster@plan.ca. This is an optional offering and the contact list will only be shared with other PLAN Family Network families.

Life Beyond Services: Navigating natural and formal supports in the community
2024-05-31 16:00 - 17:00
Workshop at the Inclusion BC Conference:
Come learn about a study about natural support (support given freely out of love, loyalty, and necessity) and formal support (government or privately funded services).
This research is guided by respected family advocates – the late Vickie Cammack, and Donna Thompson; three service organizations: PLAN – Rebecca Pauls, Vela Canada – Linda Perry CM and posAbilities – Monique Nelson.
An advisory committee whose members have lived expertise of disability and caregiving were engaged throughout the study. In this workshop, the team will share results of a scoping review on natural supports in disability in Canada and findings from interviews and focus groups including individuals served, family members, and employees of the three BC-based organizations.
After the presentation, participants will discuss the findings that are most relevant to them and their advocacy work. They will also have the opportunity to offer suggestions about how to move this research to action and positive change.

Everybody PLANs!
2024-05-31 10:00 - 14:00
Workshop at Inclusion BC Conference:
Spend a half day thinking together about what you need and want for your life and some ways to make them happen. This interactive session promises to get you thinking and planning for the life you want for yourself.

National PLAN Alliance Conference
2024-04-24 08:00 - 17:00
Rebecca and our California partner Mary Eble will be at the National PLAN Alliance Conference this week in Kansas City, Missouri.
The National PLAN Alliance, Inc. (NPA) provides resources, referrals and information and promotes collaborative relationships with non-profit organizations that serves individuals with disabilities. Its organizations provide people with disabilities and their families with supports, planning and advocacy for current and future needs.
Rebecca and Mary will be sharing about Pathways, the new family driven, network based future planning supports that families in the North Bay region of California are building with the support of PLAN.
Here is a link for more information:
Why PLAN
