We talk with Noel about his podcast show called Strivecast, living in Southern Maine and how he has used Strive Services to learn things that he values. Other guests include Strive Director, Pete Brown, show tech support, Ryan Taylor and Olivia Fraioli. Find out about online learning through Strive Worldwide and upcoming fundraising events at our EPISODE PAGE.

We talk with David about his article "Does God Have Enough Hands" that explores the nature of trauma during times of societal crisis, the importance of supporting those who support others and ways of staying healthy. Find out more at the EPISODE PAGE where you can research links to works referenced during the conversation.

Angela Amado has been researching and teaching the value of friendships around the world for many years and has great wisdom to share with us on what we can do during times of isolation. Her books on Friendship for families and agencies are widely read. Join us for a most valuable conversation. Find out more at the episode page HERE.

Janet Sauer and Zach Rossetti are seeking accomplices in their pursuit of creating equitable school cultures of excellence. Through their work as instructor in special education at Lesley University and Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development they have invited parents of culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities into their classroom to help students discovery the strengths and assets that they bring to the relationship. Their intent in writing the book is for readers to acknowledge inequities in the system and turn energy into action. Find out more at our episode page HERE.

In the midst of a world pandemic, some communities are exploring ways to protect the most vulnerable friends, family and neighbors through strength-based approaches that leverage communal connections. The Upper Valley Nursing Project is one. In this special "Here's to Your Health" edition of the podcast, we speak with the co-founders about what they are doing and what they hope to accomplish.

Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 30 years. She has published articles about therapeutic interventions for people with disabilities and two books. Her first was titled Positive Identity Development and her second was Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions.

Jonathan is the Senior Director for Law and Policy at the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. His recent book with co-author Peter Blanck is called Supported Decision Making: From Justice for Jenny to Justice for All! shows how you can use Supported Decision Making (SDM) in your life, with family members, or people you support. They give you practical tips and model language to help you request, receive, and use SDM in the programs and life areas people with disabilities use every day, including Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Person Centered Planning, Health Care, Money Management, and others. It's available purchase on Amazon. Jonathan is active in many projects nation-wide in his role as Co-Project Director of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making led by the Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities. We were pleased to have his as our guest.

Lawrence Seiler joined us recently to talk about the show that he and his wife Arlene produces called Abled and on Air. They create it in association with ORCA Media. We learn about his journey as a journalist, relocating from Brooklyn NY to Montpelier VT and the help that he received along the way from nonprofits and friends.

Every year holds new opportunities and challenges for a state system that is dedicated to insuring that all people are included in society and Vermont is no different. What is different is the people who hold leadership positions and their unique combination of passion and dedication to the values and beliefs that mak a community-based services tick. Monica Hutt, the person appointed by the Governor to serve as the Commissioner for the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, spent some time with us recently to take a look back at 2019 to admire the accomplishments and then contemplate projects that lay ahead in 2020. You'll see some similarities to issues in your own state and be impressed with the sharp focus and determination of this insightful leader. Be sure to check out our podcast page for this episode where you can read and learn more about the intriguing topics that are covered.

The DD Act has had a tremendous impact on the course of civil rights in the United States. Programs authorized through this legislation conduct important research and test innovative new service delivery models, bring the latest knowledge and resources to those who can put it to the best use, and also investigate cases of abuse and advance advocacy. In this episode we explore DD Councils. Find yours at the NACDD website. We were pleased to spend time with Kirsten Murphy from the Vermont DD Council. She educates us on the latest systems changes and how the voice and participation of people with disabilities is supported in those activities. We also talk about the important document "Keeping the Promise". The website for the Vermont DD Council is www.ddc.vermont.gov and you can call the Council at 1-800-828-1310