 It's hard to believe that 2011 flew by so quickly and we are welcoming a New Year. I rarely make resolutions for new years since I usually don't keep them (especially if they are around decreasing chocolate consumption!) but I always enter a new year with hopes and wishes.
As we enter 2012, I hope for stable funding for Parent to Parent so that we can continue to increase services to families. I hope and wish for our legislators to use wisdom and heart as they consider keeping services for our most vulnerable citizens.
I wish for good health and happiness for our families, providers and the P2P staff.
I hope for learning and growth through the challenges that we all must face as the year goes by.
Happy 2012! Kim Smith
Executive Director and Lead FRC
"If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much."
Marian Wright Edelman
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Support Groups
Support Group Information
January
*1/3 Autism Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 p.m.
*1/5 ICC Meeting - P2P @ 1:00 p.m.
*1/13 Sibshops - P2P from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
*1/15 Hands on Children's Museum - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
*1/17 Down Syndrome Support Group - P2P @ 6:30 p.m.
*1/24 Mom to Mom Support Group - P2P @ 6:30 p.m.
February
*2/2 ICC Meeting - P2P @ 1:00 p.m.
*2/4 Mom's Spa Day - P2P from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m.
*2/7 Autism Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 p.m.
*2/10 Down Syndrome Valentine's Dance - P2P @ 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
*2/10 Sibshops - P2P from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
*2/21 Down Syndrome Support Group - P2P @ 6:30 p.m.
*2/28 Mom to Mom Support Group - P2P @ 6:30 p.m.
NEW ONLINE P2P SUPPORT GROUP!!!
If you're interested in joining our new Parent to Parent Support Group on line, please email Matt at mgraffagnino@ssp2p.org OR Kim at ksmith@ssp2p.org. This is a group for anyone who has a child with a disability and we have MANY topics!
P2P Events/Activities
It's that time of year again!! Please join us at the Hands on Children's Museum for one of our most popular events! If
you're not familiar with the Hands on Children's Museum or if you'd like to learn more about their programs, please click on the link to their web site
http://www.hocm.org/
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Fundraisers/Donation
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Clothing Drive!
Parent to Parent will gladly take all of your used clothes, shoes, belts and purses! When you're cleaning out your closets, please remember to bring your "no longer needed" items to P2P. We'll give you a tax receipt and P2P receives $.15 per pounds from the ARC of Washington. Every little bit helps us continue to provide services, so please remember us in your cleaning efforts!
Donations to South Sound P2P
We Need Your Help!!! South Sound Parent to Parent is NOW accepting donations via Pay Pal Please click on the link below to see our donation page!
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Parent to Parent News
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We have some changes over the next several months at P2P. Elaine Rinker (FRC) will be taking a leave of absence until April to do student teaching as part of her degree program. Shanelle Montano (FRC) will be taking a leave of absence from March to July to have a baby! We would like to welcome our new FRC, Ashlee Stewart who will be taking over for Elaine in the Tumwater School District. We are also happy to have Karen Huggins filling in for Shanelle until she returns in July. We have been very blessed at P2P with great staff and know that will continue! 
Parent to Parent Online Support Group
Our new online group is getting off to a pretty slow start and we'd sure like to perk things up! The group is private so that parents and caregivers can feel comfortable in chatting with each other. Please contact facilitators Kim Smith (ksmith@ssp2p.org) or Matt Graffagnino (mgraffagnino@ssp2p.org) for your personal invitation! 
Barter, Trade, Swap Hello everyone! Do you have a skill that you're particularly good at? Do you have extra baby clothes, diapers, etc. just taking up space? Looking to free up some room in the closet or garage? Well consider putting them on the wants, needs, and trade section of our online support group. In these tough economic times, lots of us in the special needs community are on tight budgets and it's time to think about ways we can help ourselves. Barter for babysitting, trade clothes, swap services, you get the idea! A sense of community is always important around the holidays. Who better knows how to serve our community than us! Become productive, make a friend, help a fellow caregiver. Contact me, Matt Graffagnino at mgraffagnino@ssp2p or Kim Smith at ksmith@ssp2p.org for an invite. Let's make a difference and Communicate, Educate, and Change the world, one person at a time. |
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Legislative Corner
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A Special Session - To Be Continued...
On November 28, 2011, our legislature convened for a special session to discuss cutting an additional 2 billion dollars...yes, that's billion with a "B"...from our state's current budget. They succeeded in cutting a half a billion dollars before they went home for the holidays. When the regular session begins in January, they will still need to cut another 1.5 billion...or, will they? I might be a little optimistic but this writer is hoping that the sales tax revenue, which the state inevitably made off of all of those holiday shoppers, will fill in some of those budget gaps. I don't know about you, but when I went out shopping for my holiday gifts, the stores were packed and all I could think about was all that sales tax revenue! I know, it's a little strange to be thinking about sales tax when everyone else is thinking about candy canes and what they're going to buy for Uncle Fred, but that's ok. It's my job to be thinking about these things so that I can keep you, my readers, informed about what's happening in Olympia. Stay tuned!
~Karen Huggins |
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Parent to Parent is a network of families who have experienced the unique joys and challenges of parenting children with special needs. If you are caring for a person with special needs and would like to be connected with others in the community, we can help!
Please call us at (360) 352-1126 and say "Operator" or press 0 if you do not know who to ask for. Someone will take your call and connect you with the right person!
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Featured Article | |
 The New Year's Resolution
Hello Everyone,
Lots of people make New Year's resolutions. Some are fairly common, like to lose some weight, stop smoking, or try to save some extra money. Not me! I don't make resolutions anymore, I make a New Years reminder list that helps keep me grounded, focused and balanced. I like to share with you how I take the words, "New Year's Resolution" and put a spin on it.
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Never, Ever QUIT!!!
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Even the bad days eventually come to an end.
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Wet diapers are NEVER fun.
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You're in control of your own destiny.
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Excitement presents itself in all forms.
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Always remember to lock the doors!
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Remind yourself that your jobs are important.
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Scotch and Sodas
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Respite is hard to come by.
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Expect the unexpected.
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Sacrifices pay dividends in the end.
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Options; even when you may feel you've run out of them...
go through the list again, they are there.
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Laughing is necessary.
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Unconditional love goes a long way.
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Transitions need preparation to go smoothly.
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Independence with the little things is powerful for our children
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Outlets are "key" to relieving stress.
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Never underestimate the abilities within the disability.
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Stay connected with Parent to Parent and other supportive organizations, friends and family. You are not alone. Well wishes to you all in the coming year.
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Matt Graffagnino
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Volunteers
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Volunteer Needs Clean out Gutters
Someone to help organize equipment
(shelves, hooks, etc.) If you can help, please call Kim Smith at 352-1126, ext. 108. Thank you!
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Thank You
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Thank You Santa!
What a wonderful treat P2P families were given when Sensory Friendly Santa came to visit. He and Mrs. Claus brought goodie bags for the children, the music was low, there were no long lines, coloring books, cookies and cider were available to all and it was an absolutely wonderful event. Thank you to the P2P staff for making cookies, thank you to all the families who came to visit and thank you most of all to Santa and Mrs. Claus for bringing so much joy to our kids!!!!
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Community Events and Activities
Kinship Care In Washington StateAre you a grandparent or other family member raising a relative's child? You are not alone. Over 35,000 people in Washington State are caring for a relative's child. The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative's child can be challenging. Services and support when raising a relative's child can be a lifesaver. Getting answers to questions and finding services, programs, and support can be confusing and overwhelming. We are here to help. For more information, go to http://www.dshs.wa.gov/kinshipcare/index.shtml
Announcing SibTeen!
SibTeen is place where teenage sibs of people with disabilities can connect with others who get it. It's a fun and thoughtful group where members share unique concerns, joys, frustrations, and information with others who truly understand!
Please know this! SibTeen comes in two "flavors"- a Facebook group and as a Yahoogroup. You might want to join both!
SibTeen on Facebook. SibTeen is a "closed" group, meaning that only other SibTeen members can see what you've posted to SibTeen. To join click here http://www.facebook.com/groups/SibTeen/ and ask to join. Due to the limitations of a closed Facebook group, there's not much to see until you've joined.
SibTeen Yahoogroup. Because Facebook can feel so public (even in a closed group), some people might find it easier to chat on the Yahoogroup version. You can easily join by visiting this site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SibTeenGroup/. Be sure to read the description and the information we're asking of new members and then click the bar that says Join This Group!
SibTeen is hosted by the Sibling Support Project, a national project dedicated to the concerns of brothers and sisters. For more information, visit other parts of our website or write us at info@siblingsupport.org
Power Parenting - Parental Agendas
Explore various parenting topics, meet and exchange ideas with other parents while your kids enjoy supervised play in the Museum! Registration is required. January 3rd, 2012, 6-8pm, Hands On Children's Museum, 106 11th Ave SW, Olympia. For more information, contact: 956-0818
Upcoming Autism Mini-Conferencesin Olympia
Save the Date
for a series of three upcoming mini-conferences in Olympia, sponsored by the Open Door Autism Learning Center to benefit the AUTISM FAMILY SUPPORT FOUNDATION. The first mini-conference is scheduled for January 28th, from 9:00 to 12:30. Go to the Open Door Autism Learning Center website to click on registration information. The mini-conferences will be held at the Open Door Autism Learning Center, 1101 Eastside St. SE, Olympia, WA. For more information contact Patty Gee, at 360-556-8151. Apple Health Care for Kids
Apple Health for Kids is a Washington State initiative aimed at streamlining applications for children's healthcare coverage. Many Washington children are still uncovered, even though they are eligible. Their parents just don't know the coverage is available. Don't make that mistake. Healthcare coverage doesn't just help when your children are sick. It also covers preventative care like immunizations, physical exams, and even dental check-ups. If your children need coverage, apply here
WIC
The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children: Depending on income, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby, and children under age five receive monthly WIC checks for healthy food to use in their own community grocery stores.For more information, contact: 1-800-322-2588
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TOPSoccer Families and Buddies
TOPSoccer Winter session will be starting in Jan. 2012. Location: Olympia Armory
515 Eastside St SE
Olympia, WA
Dates: January 15 (Sunday), 10-11am January 22 (Sunday), 10-11am January 29 (Sunday), 10-11am February 5 (Sunday), 10-11am NO SESSION Feb 12 February 19 (Sunday), 10-11am Cost: $20 for the 5 week session Target Age: 4 years and older Registration: Online registration is preferred but paper registration will be accepted. Please RSVP bmunn@comcast.net to reserve a space for your child and to ensure we have enough buddies! Registration for players can be found here: https://korrio.com/groups/olympia-topsoccer/programs (Click 'Sign Up Now' for 'Olympia Winter Player Registration 2012' Paper registration is attached Buddy registration is required with background check (12 years and up please!) TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for differently-abled players over 4 years of age, who have a mental or physical disability. Organized by youth soccer association volunteers, this unique program enables these special athletes to play at levels consistent with their skills, not necessarily their age, while making new friends and having fun. Each child is paired up with a Soccer Buddy to help players be more successful playing soccer. Soccer Buddies are local volunteers and are essential for the success of the program. Parents and siblings of children with special needs have enjoyed getting together on the sidelines as well as on the field. Laura Canali, PT, DPT, and Kyle Jones, Blackhills FC will be the team coaches. They are both experienced soccer coaches and certified TOPSoccer coaches. Looking forward to seeing everybody again! Beth Munn Blackhills FC Club Coordinator TOPSoccer-Olympia Admin |
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News from the Board
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As you know, at Parent to Parent our staff works with the schools, therapists and families to help children get the services they need. P2P also loves to offer activities for families so that we may all enjoy our time together in a fun environment. In the area of activities we have had a few "firsts" for families and staff this year. * On September 17th we had our first annual Sensational Saturday. This was a collaboration with our friends at Kokua. We had tons of fun and next year is sure to be even better! * Our Parent to Parent staff participated in and came in "1st" in our first shot at the Office Olympics. Who knew our staff was so spry? * Our most recent first was Santa's visit to Parent to Parent in December, which left smiles on the faces of the children and adults alike. We love the continuity at Parent to Parent, but leave it to our staff to keep shaking it up and making P2P an even better organization. Great work guys!
Laurie Kagels, Board President
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SSP2P Staff
(360)352-1126
Kim Smith, Executive Director and Lead FRC ext. 108
Sheila Kavanaugh, Office Manager ext. 101
Sylvia Heiser, Helping Parent Coordinator ext. 106
Matt Graffagnino, Outreach Coordinator ext. 105
Karen Huggins, FRC (Temporary) ext. 111
Lara Putnam, Office Support ext. 111
Shana Patterson, FRC (Olympia and Griffin) ext. 102
Elaine Rinker, FRC (Tumwater and Rochester) ext. 107
Jonita Snell, FRC (North Thurston, Tenino, Rainier, Yelm) ext. 103
Ashlee Stewart, FRC (Tumwater) ext. 104
Shanelle Montano, FRC (North Thurston) ext.109
Chris Brandt, Office Support
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January
