Newsletter March 2024

March 2024

Mid-Year Training

This is a reminder the Mid-Year Training will take place on May 15th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We are still looking for a suitable venue that is free or low-cost for hosting the training. If you have any suggestions, please let us know as soon as possible. We also need a training topic for May. We appreciate the submissions we have received so far, but we welcome more ideas. You can reach out to Alexis Ullmann with your suggestions at alexis.ullmann@thearcmov.org or 304-422-3151 ext 114.

At the Mid-Year Training, we will also vote on the classes and t-shirt design and color for this year. We ask each People First Group to send us their top 3 favorite classes. These classes can be from previous years’ conferences or new classes. These submissions need to be in by April 5th, 2023. We will use these submissions to create a master list for voting. The registration will open for Mid-Year Training on April 8th, 2024. You must be registered by May 8th, 2024 in order to attend.

2024 Conference Classes

As we prepare for the 2024 People First Conference we invite you to share your input on the classes you’d like to see during the conference. Your voice matters, and we want to ensure that the conference offers relevant and engaging content.

Each People First group should vote on their top three class preferences. These classes will shape the conference agenda. Advisors have received a list of previous class offerings from 2010 to 2023. However, feel free to propose new ideas beyond those lists. Even if you’re not part of a group, you can still participate in the voting process. We’ll hold the voting session on March 14th, 2024, following each of the Teleconferences.

Please send your top classes to Alexis Ullmann at alexis.ullmann@thearcmov.org or

304-422-3151 Ext 114.

2024 T-Shirt Design Contest

For the first time we are holding a t-shirt design contest for the 2024 conference t-shirt. The guidelines are as follows

o  
You must be a self-advocate in WV to enter

o  
Has to have the theme words in the design

o  
Live It! Learn It! Love It!

o  
The design can be hand drawn or done on a computer but it must be your original artwork

o  
Maximum of 3 colors can be used in the design. Including black or white

o  
You are designing the Front of the shirt, the back with be the People First Logo

o  
The design must fit into 12 inches by 12 inches square

o  
The design must be simple, overly detailed designs will be lost on the shirt

T
he deadline to submit your design is April 5th,2024. You have three options to send us your design:

– Email it to Alexis Ullmann at alexis.ullmann@thearcmov.org and Morgan Spicer at morgan.spicer@thearcmov.org.

– Send a picture through messenger to our People First of West Virginia Facebook page.

– Fax it to 304-865-2072.

If you have any questions please contact Alexis Ullmann at alexis.ullmann@theearcmov.org

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

This March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The purpose is to raise awareness about the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets of life! The campaign also helps to educate and inform individuals of the barriers that advocates face when it comes to connecting into the community in which they live.

For more information and resources you can visit www.nacdd.org/ddam1!

Everyone has the right to be respected, embraced, and provided with opportunities to thrive in their community! Spread the word through various social media outlets using the hashtag #AWorldOfOpportunities and show your support!

 Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! During this time we encourage you to prioritize your mental health by getting the help that you need using various resources that nourish a healthy mind! We had the chance to speak to Steven Perry about the importance of your mental health as well as methods and techniques to help you when you’re dealing with emotional distress. The video is available on the People First of West Virginia Page on YouTube. Click the link
here
.

More importantly if you need help, know you are not alone! You can dial 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline! There is always someone there to talk to you and give you ways to help manage your stress and the best part of it all is it is free!