‘Building Bridges’ conference slated
The Fayette County Development Disabilities/Aging Coalition will present a “Building Bridges” conference focusing on “more effective services through improved communication and awareness of resources.” The primary focus will be on older adults who have a developmental disability, those who are mentally challenged and the adult who has a dual diagnosis.
This one-day conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 15, at the historic Summit Inn, 101 Skyline Drive, Farmington.
This free conference includes materials, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments. People who should attend are MH/MR and aging staff, health, human and social service workers, law enforcement, clergy, people who work with victims and other professionals who work or come in contact with people with disabilities.
Dr. Jo Jankoski will be the keynote speaker for the conference.
Dr. Jankoski is a professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, and will provide training on “Emergency Preparedness and Prevention, Stress of the Caregiver and Stress Management.”
In addition to the keynote speaker, representative from Fayette County Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation, The Fayette County Partnership for Housing and Homelessness and the Crime Victims’ Center will provide participants with information on available resources to help better serve consumers.
The conference is funded by a grant received from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Office of Mental Retardation. This is a joint effort between the Fayette County MH/MR Program, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and the Fayette County Developmental Disabilities/Aging Coalition to cross train staff.
For more information or to register for the conference, call Chris Homer at the Area Agency on Aging at 724-430-4603.