Winterfest 2022

Welcome to the Winterfest 2022 website! Due to the resiliency and commitment our community has demonstrated in following COVID-19 protocols, we have been able to remain open and safe while delivering programming. We are so proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. To ensure the safety of our participants, families, and staff, Winterfest 2022 will be delivered in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual programming.

What is Winterfest?

Every year in January, we host a weekend event for our community that gives participants and families a chance to connect, learn, and celebrate! This year, Winterfest will be delivered in an in-person and virtual hybrid format to ensure the safety of our participants and families. On January 7th and 8th we will host live virtual Zoom presentations and social activities.

The full agenda and schedule can be found below. All times listed are CST.

How do I participate?

You can visit this page to join the live Zoom presentations and activities at the scheduled time by clicking the corresponding links on the detailed agenda. We have also included a library below of prerecorded presentations that can be viewed on demand.

As a reminder, College Program participants may begin move-in following winter break on Sunday, January 9th at 12:00 PM.

Winterfest 2022 Schedule Overview

Detailed Agenda

Friday, January 7th at 12:00 pm CST
Virtual MICC Programs Update
Anna Hilfers, Sarah Arentson, Aaron Carper
For all MICC College, Careers, and Community Participants and Families
The MICC Program Directors will provide program-specific updates and information. Attendees will be able to join breakout rooms with each Director after the presentation for informal drop-ins to say hello or ask specific questions!

Click here to join the live Zoom

Friday, January 7th at 6:00 pm CST
Virtual BINGO
Social Program Team
For all MICC College, Careers, and Community Participants and Families
Join our social engagement extraordinaires in virtual BINGO! Bingo winners will receive MICC swag.

Click here to join the live Zoom

Saturday, January 8th at 10:00 am CST
Virtual Family Coffee Connection
MICC Virtual Host
For MICC College, Careers, and Community Families Only
MICC families are invited to join an open (unstructured) coffee social hour! This is time for families to make connections, enjoy conversation, and share resources.

Click here to join the live Zoom

Saturday, January 8th at 1:00 pm CST
Virtual Music Trivia
MICC Social Program Team
For all MICC College, Careers, and Community Participants and Families
Participants and families are invited to join the Social Program team for virtual games and fun!

Click here to join the live Zoom

*CANCELED* Sunday, January 9th
In-person MICC Broom Ball Game and Snowman Making Contest

*CANCELED* Sunday, January 9th
In-person Pinstripes

Prerecorded Presentation Library

We are excited to continue to provide access to a wide variety of prerecorded virtual presentations by key staff and experts that have been delivered over the past year. Presentations can be watched at any time and will provide valuable information for all MICC participants and families.

Resource Presentations

Navigating the Ins and Outs of Community Resources

Disability Hub MN
This presentation is for families of transition-age youth and young adults will provide information on the Disability Hub, a free statewide resource network that helps you solve problems, navigate the system, and plan for your future

FutureLife Options™

Allycia Wolff from Arc of Minnesota
For All MICC Families and Participants
Families of people with disabilities want their loved one’s future to be secure and happy but may not know exactly what to consider. The Arc Minnesota created FutureLife Options™ as a comprehensive program to help families have peace of mind about the future. With support from an Advocate, families consider every area of their loved one’s life and document it all in one place. Each plan is designed for the individual, the people in their life, and anyone who will be there for them in the future. The plan outlines how to make dreams a reality, while also addressing legal or financial planning. Allycia Wolff, an Advocate from The Arc, will give an overview of the program and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and hopefully join a cohort of MICC families going through the process together

Financial Planning Northwestern Mutual

Ivailo Grigorov, Northwestern Mutual 
Topics covered include an overview of SSI & SSDI, Medicaid & Waivers, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and other important considerations to help family members better understand how planning for a child with special needs is different both legally & financially. I provide also a comparison between special needs trusts and ABLE accounts and walk families through pros/cons and example of how you can use them.

BestNotes Portal Training

Chrissy Cleveland, Assessment and Accountability Program Manager
For All MICC Families
An overview training regarding how to login and access participant information on the BestNotes system.

Work and Benefits

Disability Hub MN
This presentation will provide information on Work and Benefits, conducted by Disability Hub, a free statewide resource network that helps you solve problems, navigate the system, and plan for your future. Work and benefits can go together to support your goals. Every benefit in Minnesota has work incentives. These special rules let you get a benefit while working, keep a benefit longer while you work, or get the benefit back quickly if it stops due to work. Most people who get benefits and go to work end up better off financially — even if their benefits go down. This presentation will give an overview of the basics and resources available.

SSI/SSDI 101 Overview

Jena Kulenkamp, Transition and Resource Coordinator
For All MICC Families and Participants
Learn more about disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration including a comparison of Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income programs while explaining the requirements for each. The session will also cover the process the Social Security Administration uses to determine eligibility for disability benefits.

Guardianship and SSI

Jason Schellack, Autism Advocacy & Law Center
In this presentation Jason Schellack will provide an overview of guardianship in the state of Minnesota and share the revisions to Minnesota's guardianship laws that occurred this year. Jason will also discuss benefits individuals with disabilities can benefit from in an array of government programs, including Social Security and Medical Assistance. The presentation will give an overview of services and resources available through the Autism Advocacy and Law Center.

Introduction to Job Development

Ali Brickner, Job Developer
For College and Community Families and Participants
Learn more about the job development process at MICC.

Zoom Virtual Backgrounds

Join in on the Winterfest spirit by adding a fun MICC Zoom background when you join a live session! Right click on your favorite, choose "Save Image As...". On mobile, long tap, and save!
Learn how to change your Zoom background here.