The Bermuda School Fairs

THE FOURTH ANNUAL BERMUDA SPECIAL NEEDS FAIR - April 28, 2011 Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel

Another year has flown by and now we are ready to embark on another round of meetings and the program fair here in Bermuda.

The first year that we held a seminar, I (Tory Dodge) made a “Who, What, Why and How” presentation on special needs and the services available to students. Prior to that, social workers and counselors here in Bermuda knew little about these programs.

The second year the seminar was given by Dr. Sam Goldstein on Teenagers and Resilience.

The third year, Lynn Sanford LICSW, did a presentation entitled “What Children Do with their Pain.”

This year we are taking a new approach and appealing more to the parents and private pay individuals on the island as well as the staff of Child and Family Services.

With the relatively poor economy over this past year in Bermuda, the Premier announced major budget cuts for 2011. This included a 33% cut for therapeutic programs off of the island. When Child and Family Services was questioned on this, I was told that they will have to share the financial burden more with the parents of these children then ever before.

With this in mind, a meeting with members of all of the departments that make up Child and Family Services are being invited to a meeting with you the day before the Program Fair. It is our intention to either provide a “speed dating” format or some way for them to get to know your programs. I am sure that Mr. Maybury would like to meet with you as well.

The exact planning of this has been delayed with the budget announcement this week. I will continue to work with the department and will communicate with you as things progress.

The fair the following evening will be advertised to the general public and parents of students looking for specialized programs and will be held at the Hamilton Princess Hotel from 5 to 8 PM.

THE EVENT: I recommend that participants arrive on April 26 so that you are in time to attend the meetings and to meet with Mr. Maybury, head of the funding of Child and Family Services in Bermuda. The only way that the government will fund a program is if Mr. Maybury has visited and this is your opportunity to educate him about your program.

The Days Schedule: Wednesday, April 27 - To be announced.

The Days Schedule: Thursday, April 28:

• 4 to 5 PM – Set up time for program displays at the Hamilton Princess Hotel either in the Gazebo Room or the Ballroom. Each program will have a large covered and skirted table.
• 5-8 PM – Special Needs Program Fair

What we need from you:

1. We will be doing a hand out similar to the one we did last year and will need updates. If you need me to send what you wrote last year just let me know and I will email it to you. If you are new to the group, I will email the form to you.
2. The fee for the fair is $850 which covers the rental of the space, fair refreshments, brochures, postage, printing, newspaper, radio advertising & co-ordination. Payment specifics are on the registration form which follows this email.

A list of hotel accommodations will follow shortly. www.bermuda.com has package deals that are very good as does TNT Vacations and some of the other discount travel groups.

We hope that you will consider joining us this year. Most of the programs that came in prior years are returning and I think you will find that it will prove to be a good investment of your time and resources.

PS. I will be working out of the New Hampshire office for the month of March so call 603-783-4681 if you would like to talk to me. Don’t hesitate to email me at schools2kn@aol.com  if you have any questions.

April 28, 2011 Special Needs Program Fair In Bermuda Complete registration form on-line or print and mail registration.

Tory Dodge