LDAWE was a founding member of the Pay Attention and Learn Task Force, which began in January 2004, with the support of a United Way Capacity Building Grant. The Task Force is composed of a group of concerned individuals and professionals in Windsor and Essex County whose purpose is "to promote a community understanding of LD / ADHD and the associated needs of individuals and those who support them, as well as to facilitate the development and co-ordination of resources." The following are the primary areas of focus for the Task Force: Research Public Education Clinical Services Training for post-secondary students Peer support and networking Support to individuals with Learning Disabilities or ADHD Since its inception, the Task Force has sponsored or supported several community workshop presentations: Public viewing of the video Odd Kid Out in 2004, which had over 190 attendees Moms on a Mission workshop in 2005, with approximately 40 attendees NLD or ADHD - That is the Question workshop by Dr. Joe Casey in 2006, which had approximately 60 attendees 2 Richard Lavoie workshops in 2007, with an approximate total of 500 attendees LD & ADHD: A Lifetime of Success Conference in 2007, which had approximately 150 people attend over the 2 days Learning Disabilities: Everything is Possible! event featuring Henry Winkler in 2008, and had approximately 1200 people in attendance Evening with Marlee Matlin event was held in 2009, with approximately 600 people in attendance
Membership on the Task Force consist of the following individuals: Alice Barron, St. Clair College Dr. Sharon Burey, Burey Wellness Inc. Dr. Joe Casey, Department of Psychology at the University of Windsor Bev Clarke, Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor - Essex County Dr. Alison McInnis, Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor Rebecca Reid, Help Link and Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor - Essex County Tina Szymczak, Windsor Essex Family Network Brianne Thompson, M.A. Greg Trepanier, CHADD Canada and Greater Essex County District School Board
The Task Force meets approximately 4-5 times per year, and sets goals and priorities on an annual basis. Below is the Task Force’s current goals, priorities and activities:

Pay Attention and Learn Task Force Goals and Activities
Area of Focus	Goals	Current Activities or Completed Activities	Proposed Future Activities and Priorities for 2009/2010
1. Research	To facilitate access to research subjects To provide expertise to support local research initiatives	Impulsivity and adults ADHD and handwriting Benefits of social skills training for children with LD	LD and incarcerated individuals Benefits of social skills training for adults with LD
2. Public Education	To disseminate the findings of research and their implications on individuals with LD / ADHD To hold public meetings to increase awareness of issues related to LD / ADHD To educate professionals To design and distribute public awareness information packages with reputable websites, recommended readings, consumer skills, advocacy skills and parenting skills	2 day conference for professionals working with adults – March 2004 Public viewing of documentary "Odd Kid Out" – November 2004 Literacy Conference – June 17, 2005 (Children Focus) and June 18-19, 2005 (Adult Focus) Moms on a Mission workshop – October 2005 NLD vs ADHD workshop - October 2006 Richard Lavoie Workshops - April 19, 2007 LD and ADHD: A Lifetime of Success Conference - September 2007 LD: Everything is Possible! - August 21, 2008	Workshop for professionals on monitoring medications (physicians) Mothering Children Targeted training for other professionals – CYW, EA, DSW, SW, and teachers LD and ADHD Event - August 2009
3. Clinical Services	To increase public awareness of existing clinical services To support activities that would encourage further development of clinical services	25 neuropsychological assessments completed or in progress	Directory of Clinical Services for LD Public Awareness activities of existing resources
4. Training for Post Secondary Students	To facilitate the development of clinical placements for students in our community	Sandwich Community Health Centre model for placements Assessments by University of Windsor by referral from LDA Co-op placements for CYW and DSW students at the LDA	Investigate working with Ontario Works clients to provide services Expand Sandwich Community Health Centre model
5. Peer Support & Networking	To encourage self-help support to individuals To assist individuals / families in connecting with other individuals / families with LD / ADHD	Peer Support Group meeting in Leamington Investigated Michigan CHADD program Create link to www.wegetinfo.com on LDA website	Further develop contact with local doctors
6. Support to Individuals with LD or ADHD	To maintain or increase current services and programs offered for LD or ADHD individuals in Windsor / Essex County	Addition of Parent Advocacy Training program offered by LDA Addition of SOAR (Transition Planning Program) offered by LDA

To find out more about services offered in the community for children, youth and adults in Windsor and Essex County please go to the Erie - St. Clair Community Information Database at http://windsoressex.cioc.ca/start.asp.  This database is maintained by 211 Windsor - Essex.

To find our more about the Canadian nonprofit sector, please go to the Charity Village website at www.charityvillage.com.  Everyday, you will find more than 3000 pages of news, jobs, resources, how-to articles, volunteer and event listings, education opportunities, and more...

	Windsor Essex Family Network

Our aim is to keep the community informed about services and facilities that are available to people with learning disabilities. LDAWE does not endorse or recommend any of the facilities listed or any of the methods, programs, products or treatments offered by such facilities. We urge consumers to review carefully any programs and services listed in order to select those, which will most appropriately meet the identified needs of the person with learning disabilities.

LDAWE • 647 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 101 • Windsor, ON N9A 4J4 • Phone: (519) 252-7889 • Fax: (519) 252-4169 • Email: info@ldawe.ca