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March 5, 2012 

From left: Dolores Herrera; Elidio Reyes, M.A.C.; Elaine Ellis, M.D.; Xionara Starbuck, Professional Linguist; Gabi Orozco, Parent Leader; Carol Zelaya, M. Ed, Ed.S.; Maritza Irizarry, M.D.

What attendees had to say:

(Translated): "Lots of very important information. I wish you could offer these seminars more frequently. Excellent information." 

("Mucha informacioñ muy importante pero me gustaria mas frequentes estos talleres por que me parece muy poco tiempo para esto tan importante. Exelente informacioñ.")

(Translated): "Thank you for all the information brought at no cost for the families. You truly make educating and taking care of the families of kids with special needs much easier." 

("Gracias por toda su informacioñ traida gratuitamente a nuesta familia. De verdad que ayudan a que la carga de educar y cuidar nuestras familias, nuestros niños especiales se haga mas ligera.")

More Americans Seeking Dental Treatment at the ER

More Americans are turning to the emergency room for routine dental problems - a choice that often costs 10 times more than preventive care and offers far fewer treatment options than a dentist's office. Read more.

Editor's note: Arizona eliminated dental care for the adult Developmentally Disabled population as a cost-savings measure. 

House Approves ESEA Bills

The House Education and the Workforce Committee gave its approval to legislation reauthorizing portions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Read more from EdWeek and from CEC who opposes the bills.

Arizona bills on teacher conduct

The Associated Press

Arizona teachers may find themselves under greater scrutiny if the Legislature continues to advance bills barring educators from partisan instruction, using unapproved course materials or using language in the classroom that violates Federal Communication Commission standards. Read article.

Funding for UofA expansion in Phoenix will ease doctor shortage

Opinion/Letter to the Editor

Arizona suffers from a critical shortage of physicians that is compounded by the downturn in national and state economies and the subsequent loss of many jobs. Five years ago, the Legislature took steps to address these issues by supporting the expansion of the University of Arizona's College of Medicine in downtown Phoenix. Read letter to the editor.

For commentary from a national perspective on the shortage of primary care doctors, read this article.

Legislative Updates

SB 1047 creates a new tax credit for contributions to a school tuition organization for scholarships and grants for students with disabilities, signed by the Governor.

Nutrition for children with special health care needs.

• This handbook provides practical information regarding common nutrition and feeding problems of infants and young children with special health care needs resulting from a disability or other cause.
  http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/grow5-x.pdf
• Video: Ounce of prevention encourages healthy eating habits.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IvNJQpoNeg

Learning Language

Tips to help your late-talker develop speech and language skills: http://tinyurl.com/7cur9ng  

Travel Expenses

Is the health care provider your child needs far away? Need assistance getting to the location where your child can receive care? Check out some of these links to funding sources for help with travel expenses.

New Early Learning Webinar Series

Beginning on Tuesday, March 6, the Office of Early Learning at the U.S. Department of Education will host a series of four webinars to support SIG schools using high-quality preschool and P-3 structures to improve outcomes for students. Led by Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Education Jacqueline Jones, this first webinar series will cover four topics: high-quality preschool programs, P-3rd grade structures, foundations in early literacy, and foundations in early mathematics learning.  Registration for the School Turnaround Community and webinars:  http://www.schoolturnaroundsupport.org/user/register Then find the Early learning GROUP.

All four webinars will begin at 3:30pm Eastern time/12:30pm Pacific and last for 90 minutes.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

A brain injury can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. Brain injuries do not discriminate. Did you know that 1.7 million people will sustain a brain injury each year? Read More from the Brain Injury Association of America...

New Dental Tool Kits

Autism Treatment Network released a downloadable toolkit that provides dental professionals with up-to-date information on facilitating successful visits for children with autism. Download one free for your dentist.

And... 

Download a free Dental Guide for Families and watch a video on how to brush your child's teeth as well as how to prepare them for dental visits.

Erika recalled how frustrated she felt when she was trying to find the right placement for her son. Daniel's behavior was becoming more and more challenging. "It just went through the roof," she said.

After receiving help with understanding her rights and how to advocate effectively within the special education system, Daniel's family found the right school and program for him.

Daniel began to respond and his behavior improved drastically. "It was like a miracle," said Erika. "Now he comes home with a big smile on his face."

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Daniel's. Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Special Day for Special Kids

A free event for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs

Saturday, March 24, 2012

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale (located on the southeast corner of Indian Bend and Scottsdale roads)

FREE train rides, carnival activities, carousel rides, games, activity booths, clowns, face painting, petting zoo, plus lots of food and ice cream.

Registration required at the event. Questions? Contact Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.

Wired for Success

March 14, 2012

9:30am -3:00pm

Salt River High School, 4827 North Country Club Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

This workshop is fun-filled, with hands-on experiences that show caregivers how critical their role can be in stimulating a child's development.

Lunch will be provided. Attendees will be entered into a raffle. Limited child care available for children 0-5.

Open to Everyone. Please sign up to secure a spot.

For more information and to sign up please contact: Jessica Begay 480-362-2252 Jessica.begay@srpmic-ed.org

This workshop by New Directions Institute is sponsored by the SRPMIC First Things First Regional Council.

Diabetes Alert Day

March 27th is the American Diabetes Association's Alert Day, a one-day "wake-up call" asking the American public to take a diabetes risk test. Answer a few simple questions to find out if you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  

http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/alert-day/ 

Competition for Writers

Phoenix Sister Cities 2012 International Competition for Writers with Disabilities
This is a poetry competition open for writers with disabilities 19 years of age or older at the time the entries are due on April 13, 2012. Entries must be submitted in English, no longer than 32 lines in length, and inspired by the theme, "Power Lies Within." Cash awards will be $500 for first place; $300 for second place; $150 third place. The award winners will receive recognition at a special event to be held in Phoenix on June 8th, 2012. Visit this page for more information.

Tourette Syndrome Educational Event

Friday, May 4, 2012, 12:45 pm - 6:00 pm

Diagnosing and Treating Tourette Syndrome and Associated Conditions

For more information, please visit the Tourette Syndrome Website.

Register by April 20,2012

• CME Program for physicians and allied health professionals (1:00 - 4:15): Register online here.
  The CME program will be broadcast live online 12:45 - 4:15 pm  
• Program for Individuals/Families and the general public (4:30 - 6:00pm) attend in Tucson:
  To Register: Martie Fankhauser: martie_fankhauser@yahoo.com or call (520) 884-9091.

For more information: http://psychiatry.arizona.edu/events/TSA

13th Annual Greater Phoenix Autism/Asperger's Conference

March 30-31, 2012

MADCAP Theater

730 South Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281

More information: www.phxautism.org

Friday Keynote Speaker is Dr. Temple Grandin, a highly successful adult with autism, and one of the leading lecturers on how to help individuals with autism/Asperger's.

Parent Leaders needed for information table at special event:

Special Day for Special Kids, Saturday, March 24. The event lasts from 10 am to 2pm. Volunteers are needed for 1-to 2-hour shifts assisting at our information table. Please contact Janna at 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

Parent mentoring: Raising Special Kids' Parent Leaders share valuable experience and knowledge with new parents. As mentors they build confidence, increase advocacy skills, and provide support that decreases the isolation and grief new parents often feel when learning of a child's disability. Last year, Parent Leaders mentored 360 new parents. 0ver 90% reported they improved their ability to work with professionals, and their ability to provide for their child's needs, services, and care.

For information about Parent Leader Training, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

"I feel like I need too much, and will take too much of someone's time with my questions and needs. That has made me afraid to call anyone. But you have put me at ease. Thank you for taking the time to hear me and support me."

To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.

Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC). Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.

Raising Special Kids

5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204

Phoenix, AZ 85034