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June 11, 2012 

Funding to Help People with Disabilities Access Long-Term Services and Supports

$25 million in federal funding has become available to help states strengthen and expand their ability to help seniors and people with disabilities access home and community-based long-term services and supports.  Over the next one to three years, funding will support Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) in nearly every state. The ADRC Program will help state agencies administer and better coordinate state and federal long-term service and support programs for older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities. Read more. 

2012 Survey on Impact of Budget Cuts and Pending Sequestration

The Council for Exceptional Children and its division the Council for Administrators of Special Education (CASE), released a joint survey of over 300 local special education directors around the nation. The results indicate the fiscal crisis continues to weaken districts ability to serve students with disabilities and the pending sequestration - across the board cut of 8% - will impact districts ability to educate all students at the local level.

June Edition of Medicaid Watch

Lisa was contacted by Raising Special Kids just after her daughter was born. Without knowing what was behind her daughter's medical condition, she wasn't sure what sort of help to ask for. But Lisa appreciated the periodic calls she received to discuss new developments, and to talk about other issues or questions. 

Now with her daughter in high school, Lisa reflects on the challenges of raising a child with a very rare condition. "We did not even have a diagnosis until she was 10 years old," said Lisa. "There was no specific support group for me to join, but I knew that Raising Special Kids was always there for me if I needed to talk."

It took a lot of research, visits to different doctors in several states, and dogged persistence to discover what was causing her daughter's medical problems. Lisa explained, "When you are going through this struggle, you just feel isolated, and you don't know where to turn. It's so hard because your friends and family want to help, but they don't know what to do, they haven't walked in your shoes. It was good to have other parents I could talk with and share."

"I always feel welcomed--like part of the family," she added.

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

Dandelion Golf Classic for Special Kids

CareScape Inc. will host the 6^th Annual Dandelion Golf Classic to benefit Raising Special Kids on Saturday, September 29^th.

The event helps Raising Special Kids keep family support services available at no cost. 

Enjoy a day of golf at Pebble Creek, Tuscany Falls course, with a terrific lunch, prizes for winners, golf shirts, team photos and more. Sponsorship information and event details are available at www.dandeliongolfclassic.com.

For questions about sponsorship, registration, or prize donations, contact Kat at 602-242-4366 or katr@raisingspecialkids.org.

edpubs.gov

The ED Pubs web site helps parents, students and education professionals identify and order U.S. Department of Education products. All publications are provided at no cost to the general public by the U.S. Department of Education. Search for information by Audience, Education Level, Language, Publication Type, or Subject.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

AUCD's mission is to advance policy and practice for and with people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities by supporting our members in research, education, and service activities that achieve our vision.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists. The site includes information about hearing loss, special education, health insurance and more.

Arizona Self Help

A free service to find out if your family can get help from 31 different health and human services programs.

Correction - in last week's edition the link to this resource was broken. Here is the correct link: http://www.arizonaselfhelp.org/

Free trial swimming class

Arizona Autism United is offering swimming lessons for beginner and intermediate learners!  Classes will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings through the end of June. 

To see if it's a good fit for your child, you can sign up for one FREE class!  If you like it, you are welcome to continue, but no commitment is required. 
More information is available on this flyer.  

Sign up by calling (602) 773-5773 or emailing Teri@azaunited.org.

Identifying and Understanding Attachment and Trauma Difficulties in Children

Seminar for parents and caregivers

Saturday, June 16, 2012

9:30am to 4:30pm

Family Resource Center, 817 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201

$60 per person

To register, call PJ Ortiz at 480-834-9424

Registration deadline is Monday, June 11, 2012

More information: http://www.childcrisis.org/frc/enewsletter/attachmenttrainingjune16.pdf

AzTAP's 14th Assistive Technology Summer Institute 

Assistive Technology: The Future is Now,

July 11 - 12, 2012

Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W Glenn Drive, Glendale, AZ

The conference will emphasize the integration of assistive technology into key aspects of daily life. Participants will understand the importance and value of assistive technology as it is today and as it will be tomorrow. Be a part of Arizona's only statewide AT conference offering the latest information on assistive technology products, applications and practices for education, employment, recreation and independent living.

Continental breakfasts and lunches are included in the registration fee. Whether you are an AT beginner or expert, there will be new and useful information for you. 

Conference for Parents and Professionals Supporting Children with Disabilities

8th Annual Summer Institute on Inclusive Practices

June 13-14, 2012

Deer Valley District Office

20402 N. 15^th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85027

A scholarship fund is available to support self-advocates who wish to attend the training and need financial assistance. Please contact Sherry Mulholland at mulhollandmatsutakeout@yahoo.com 
(520) 603-4010  

Community Dialogue Summit Series

In June, Magellan Health Services of Arizona will host a series of community dialogue sessions to gather input and feedback from service recipients, family members and caregivers, advocates, and community members around shaping central Arizona's continued evolution of the behavioral health system of care.

These sessions provide recipients and their supports with the opportunity to provide input and feedback about the current system of care and ways in which Arizona can continue to move its system forward and develop a new integrated system of care. The sessions will include dialogue around the following topics:

• Health and Wellness
• Adult System of Care
• Children's System of Care
• Peer and Family Support Services
• Community Integration
• Housing and Employment
• Transition Aged Youth Services

Please attend one of the four listening sessions in the Phoenix area:

North Valley

Wednesday, June 13

9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Yesenia's Reception Hall, 8010 N. 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051

Valley Metro Bus Routes 27 (27th Ave.) and 80 (Northern)

South Valley

Thursday, June 14

1 pm to 5 pm

Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034

Valley Metro Bus Route 1 (Washington) and Light Rail Station Priest and Washington

West Valley

Friday, June 15

9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Pendergast Learning Center, 3841 N. 91st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85037

Valley Metro Bus Routes 41 (Indian School) and MARY

East Valley

Tuesday, June 19

1 pm to 5 pm

Mesa Convention Center, Superstition North Ballroom, Building A

263 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201

Valley Metro Bus Routes 30 (University) and BUZZ

Foster Parents - Free Seminar on Secondary Traumatic Stress

by the AZ Child Welfare Advanced Training Academy

"The Cost of Caring: Secondary Traumatic Stress"

Dates: June 18, 19, or 20, 2012

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix Campus, 641 E. Van Buren at 7th Street

Mercado Bldg. A, Room A227

Trainer: David Conrad, LCSW

The Arizona Child Welfare Advanced Training Academy offers this training for child welfare supervisors, case managers, child welfare service providers, foster parents or anyone else who works with families impacted by abuse and neglect to participate in a workshop on secondary trauma.

This Free Seminar is a one-day supportive, psycho-educational training that includes a lecture, discussion and experiential exercise.  After attending this seminar you will:

• Understand the difference between PTSD, Burnout and Secondary Trauma
• Gain personal insight as to why you are at risk for secondary trauma
• Appreciate the unique risk factors for child protection professionals
• Acquire personal and professional strategies to protect yourself from secondary trauma

To register or for more information contact:

Dana Green at email: Dana.M.Green@asu.edu or by phone at 602-496-0047.

World Sickle Cell Day

Educate and Unite

Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 9 to 11 a.m.

Phoenix Children's Hospital

Includes a panel discussion on Sickle Cell Trait, breakfast, activities for kids

Free Admission, Free Parking

Enter the campus off Thomas St. and turn on Children's Way. Free parking is available in the Thomas Garage West.

RSVP By June 13, to Kathryn Hernandez at (602) 546-0914 or khernandez@phoenixchildrens.com

Phoenix Children's Hospital, Main Building * 2nd Floor Heart Center Lobby, 1919 E. Thomas Rd. * Phoenix, AZ 85016

Free Interactive Circus Event

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to the SpoFit Fitness Center.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

10 am - 12 noon

Free event with an interactive experience of mythical proportions! Visit their Facebook page to let them know you're coming! Before the event, please be sure to have a signed waiver for everyone participating. Please download the waiver for adults and the waiver for minors.

Information: http://spofit.org/circus/

Free Class from NAMI Arizona

Family to Family is a free, 12-week course for families, partners and friends of individuals with serious mental illness taught by trained NAMI family members and caregivers of individuals living with mental illness. The course examines the emotional responses families have to the trauma of mental illness; many family members describe their experience in the program as life-changing.

Starts Saturday, June 16, 2012, 10 am to 12:30 pm

Mary's Mission Clinic, 736 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201

Registration required. Contact 602-759-8177

Got Transition Radio Show/Webinar

Episode 10:  Fun, Sun and Healthcare Transition?

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDT

Hear about summer recreation and what that means for our transitioning young adults. What opportunities are out there for young people to feel included in summer activities, and how can this time be used to further independence and responsibility for health.

Space is limited. Reserve your Radio Show seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/370296617

The 4th Annual Arizona Hands & Voices Family Retreat

For families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing

Friday-Sunday, August 24-26, 2012

At Lions Camp Tatiyee 5283 White Mtn. Blvd, Lakeside, AZ 85929

This retreat is designed for families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Workshops will be offered for parents, childcare and children's activities provided during workshops, family time, talent show, and more. This is an opportunity to meet other families and learn from each other.

For more information or questions, please contact Jeanne Hollabaugh, Family Retreat Coordinator at Phone/text: 520-331-3125, VP: 520-282-4553, or gbys@azhv.org

Downloadable registration packet and online registration at www.azhv.org

Financial assistance is available. Space is limited. Registration deadline is July 1, 2012.

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

"An organization which helped us when we thought there was none. Love the trainings, and the informative staff with wonderful caring hearts!!!"

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 

Getting and Keeping the First Job

 June 14, 2012

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

This workshop will assist families with identifying the importance of employment for youth with disabilities and special needs. 

Guardianship/Turning 18, What's Next?

June 14, 2012

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Making the decision; understanding the process.  Learn what guardianship involves before your teen turns 18.  You will also learn about alternatives to guardianship.