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November 21, 2011 

Raising Special Kids sends our sincere wish that you have many reasons to be thankful.

Welcome to our weekly memo featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in the know.  

Super Committee on Deficit Reduction Nears Deadline

Unofficial reports are that the committee could not reach an agreement, and may be ready to admit failure in their efforts to achieve the required $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Additionally, it appears neither side can agree about what went wrong in the process. You can learn more about the Super Committee through a link to CSPAN at UCP's site: http://www.ucp.org/public-policy/america-s-super-committee/supercommittee-coverage .

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and the Epilepsy Foundation's national initiative - Get Seizure Smart - is a grassroots public awareness campaign aimed at getting information about seizure first aid and recognition into the hands of as many Americans as possible, so they will know how to respond if they see someone having a seizure. http://epilepsyfoundation.org/getinvolved/neam/index.cfm

Change in rules for Head Start Centers 

Final rules, published Nov. 9, require the nation's 1,600 Head Start and Early Head Start programs, including migrant and tribal programs, to meet higher quality benchmarks every five years.

Results of Arizona survey on healthy living

Only one-in-five children ages 2-5 are eating three or more vegetables a day according to Arizona Health Survey findings in October's Healthy Eating and Active Living report.

Get insight into the rise of chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and obesity in Arizona via the relationships between healthy, active lives and education, race/ethnicity, income, food access, and access to recreational opportunities. http://www.arizonahealthsurvey.org/healthy-eating-active-living/

18th annual Child Fatality Review Report

Each year the statewide child fatality review team analyzes each child death in AZ and proposes a series of evidence-based recommendations and public health intervention ideas to save kid's lives. Read more.   

Learning Registry

A new online database and search engine geared towards education professionals and researchers. This initiative comes as part of an overall plan to increase the use of technology in schools and classrooms. The Learning Registry, recently announced by week U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, aims to combine, research, specialized lesson plans and professional development resources into one central hub.

ZERO TO THREE - resources for families of young children

Little Kids, Big Questions is a series of 12 podcasts that translates the research of early childhood development into parenting practices that mothers, fathers and other caregivers can tailor to the needs of their own child and family. Click here to listen to or download the podcasts.

http://www.zerotothree.org/

Traumatic Brain Injury

1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Children aged 0 to 4 years and older adolescents aged 15 to 19 years are among the groups most likely to sustain a TBI. Learn about symptoms and what to do. http://www.brainline.org/landing_pages/features/blkids.html

Free resource for families of kids 0-5

For residents of Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tempe with a child 0-5 years old, MyChild'sReady is a free service available to support parents with home visits, parent group meetings, developmental screenings and resources. Also available is support interacting with your child, guidance and discipline techniques, stress management methods, infant brain development information and support enhancing your family life. Home visits occur at least monthly but can be more frequent as support is needed. Contact: 480.304.9440 or email mychildsready@childcrisis.org or visit http://www.childcrisis.org/mychildsready/

Share your story

The Council for Exceptional Children publishes the Federal Outlook for Exceptional Children, providing an overview of federally-funded programs - IDEA and Javits grants - that impact the lives of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The Outlook is distributed to members of Congress, federal agencies, and other leaders in the education community with the hope that a better understanding of such programs will lead to increased federal funding for special/gifted education programs.

Success stories may be submitted by anyone in contact with a student with disabilities and/or gifts and talents (with parent's permission) - including, teachers, related service providers, school administrators, and parents. http://www.policyinsider.org/2011/11/speak-out-on-behalf-of-special-education-and-share-your-story-with-cec.html

Disability Community to Honor Barbara Brent

Please join us and other disability advocates in saying "Thank You" to Barbara Brent, Assistant Director for Arizona's Department of Economic Security, for ten years of leadership and service to families and consumers in the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).  

A reception in Barbara's honor will be held on December 6^th, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM.  

Location: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ. You are welcome to bring a picture of your child or family member to include in a memory book.

Please RSVP to Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or by email: info@raisingspecialkids.org (Use RSVP in the subject line) or register online.

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High Functioning Autism Free Group Party

Phoenix HFA's Holiday Party

December 1st (Thursday), 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Scottsdale Bible Church

7601 E Shea Blvd., Rm E102

Laser Tag, raffle, and dinner

RSVP's required

Email hfautism@cox.net or www.phoenixautism.com

Chino Valley Special Needs Annual Free Christmas Party

Saturday, December 17, 2011, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Chino Valley American Legion on South Highway 89!

Door prizes, Silent Auction, Lunch, and Great Entertainment!

R.S.V.P. by November 28, 2011:

Please email sassylady_2004@hotmail.com with the following info:

• Family name
• Number of family members attending
• Each child's name, diagnosis, gender, & age
• Type of toy your children might like for a gift

Sharing Down Syndrome's Free Christmas Party with Santa

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

10 a.m. - 12pm

First Christian Church

6242 N 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301.

Santa and his favorite Elf, crafts and games for all ages, music, refreshments and great company.

RSVP is required: Jamie@sharingds.org

INCLUDE with your RSVP; your name, the number of adults and the number of children (include their ages and sex).

Highlands Church Free Christmas Party & Respite Time

December 3rd, 2:00 - 5:00 pm,

9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Christmas party for individuals with special needs throughout the community. Families and caregivers will be able to enjoy several hours of respite time while their loved one with special needs participates in Christmas activities with a "buddy". Activities will include caroling, arts and crafts, snack time, games, bounce house and pictures with Santa. The party is free and open to the community.

Buddies are background checked and serving under the direction and a state certified special education teacher.  

RSVP: Please e-mail Missy Farrington: missyf@highlandschurch.org with any questions you may have and to make your reservation.

Pediatric Feeding Disturbances Conference

Reassure or Refer? Presented by P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E. Center ®

Saturday, January 14, 2012

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rosati Education Center at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, Arizona

This seminar is designed for pediatricians, neonatologists, gastroenterologists, allergists, pulmonologists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, students and parents.

Registration due Dec. 31, 2011. Registrations sent in after this date MUST be called in to (602) 222-6222. To register online, visit www.bannerhealth.com/230CARE. (Credit/debit cards only.)

For more information, call (602) 222-6222 or e-mail chris@popsicle.org

Please register for all workshops. To register, click on the name of the workshop or call 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.

Join us in serving families of children with disabilities and special health needs. Each year over 7,000 parents receive individual assistance and support to help them become better advocates for their children.

Please donate to our annual fund through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for supporting families and making a difference in the lives of parents and children!

Raising Special Kids is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

Community Outreach Events

Assistance with Hosting Raising Special Kids Information Table

• FAAN'S Walk (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network), Tempe Arts Park, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 ~ Saturday, December 3, 2011, 9:00 am to Noon.                  
• Maricopa County Kids Safety & Health Fair, Palm Valley Apartments, 1891 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ   ~ Saturday, December 10, 2011, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Call Janna at 602-242-4366 or email jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

"I appreciate how 'real' you are being with me and letting me know the good and the bad!  There may be some surprises along the way, but I want to be as prepared as possible, and talking with you was so helpful."