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Upcoming Events
ABA Training Classes
Part 1: October 23rd
Part 2: November 6th
AZA United
Fall Break Family Events
Gilbert: October 12th
Phoenix: October 15th
AZA United
Suns-Bulls Game with AZA
November 24th
US Airways Arena (Phoenix)
Walk Now for Autism Speaks
October 31st
Contact us for more information on any of these events!
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Link of the Month
A 13-year-old girl with autism has won a national art competition.
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Join us for Fall Break Family Events!
 One of the winning ideas for this year's Parent Initiative was to host activities for kids and families during the school fall break. On that note, we are excited to invite you to join us for two great activities! These events are for all AZA families (including siblings and habilitators), and other families and friends are welcome to join us as well so feel free to pass on the invite.
Links to sign up for both of these events are available on our website (www.AZAunited.org). Hope to see you all there!
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Dates Announced for Fall ABA Training Classes
 We are now accepting registrations for our fall 2010 ABA training classes. We recommend these classes for all habilitators of children with autism in Arizona, as well as parents and family members.
These classes is free for employees of AZA United and parents. AZA habilitators will also receive credit for professional development hours. The cost for all others to attend is $20 per class. The dates and times are as follows:
- Part 1: Saturday, October 23rd, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Part 2: Saturday, November 6th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Click here for more information or to sign up. Space is limited!
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Get Your Tickets for the Suns Games!
 In case you missed it last year, join us for two great Suns games and your chance to play on the court of US Airways Arena during an hour of "open gym," exclusively for guests of AZA United!!
- Wednesday, November 24th, 7:00 pm
Suns vs. Bulls
- Sunday, March 13th, 12:30 pm
Suns vs. Magic - and 1 hour of court time for AZA guests!
Get your tickets for each game separately, or get a package deal of only $35 for both games. Everyone's invited, so bring your friends! Each game will include a group welcome up on the Jumbotron and a free player jersey bag for everyone in your group. Following game 2, a Sunday afternoon game against the eastern conference powerhouse Orlando Magic (March 13th), AZA United will own the Suns court for a full hour as we host an open gym for all ages and abilities! These tickets are discounted from face value and help support programs for children with autism.
Click here for more information or to reserve your tickets.
Get your tickets soon - space is limited!
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Attend the Annual Co-op Conference
 As you probably know, AZA United is structured using a unique organizational model called the Human Service Co-op. With the co-op model, families have the opportunity for direct input and influence on the organization's programs and policies to make sure we are truly providing services that create value in the lives of our kids and families. Some examples of our co-op activities include open board meetings with community feedback time for parents, the annual meeting for all families to attend and vote, and a board of directors that has at least 80% representation by parents whose children receive services through AZA United.
Did you know that we are not alone? AZA United began 5 years ago with the help of a national effort, the Federated Human Service Co-op (HSC), whose mission was to help local groups of families or individuals with disabilities establish their own provider organizations using the HSC model. The purpose was to give people receiving services more control over those services, and ultimately over their own lives. The future of AZA United, and every other HSC, is determined over time by the people who receive the services, which is based on the concept of self-determination.
If you would like to learn more about the Federated HSC and other Human Service Co-ops around the country, join us for the annual Federated HSC conference on Friday, October 22nd! Guest speakers include Barbara Brent (DDD), David Carey (Inspire HSC), Aaron Blocher-Rubin (AZA United), and Jami Snyder (AZ Dept of Health Svcs). The conference will take place in AZA United's building, the Disability Empowerment Center. Contact us for more information or to sign up.
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New Special Needs Support Group for Parents
Contributed by Melissa Shah
CLASS ACT (Connecting Learning And Special education Support -- Awhatukee Chandler Tempe) is a new support group for all special needs parents. Though it will focus on local information in Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Tempe it is open to all parents needing support. This support group will be a forum for parents to discuss issues that are currently affecting their family and child. Networking is such an essential part of a special needs child's development. It is difficult to obtain help for your child if you do not know where to begin. That's where CLASS ACT plays a role for parents. Each month a discussion topic will be presented to encourage open conversation on a variety of special needs topics. Parents will be encouraged to share information and speak freely about their current situation. CLASS ACT will rely on parents to recommend helpful therapists, agencies, respite providers, teachers, after school activities, and summer programs. This information will be emailed out periodically to help parents' in their current search for services. CLASS ACT's first meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd at 7pm. Meeting will be held periodically on the 1st Tuesday of each month in Ahwatukee. For more information or to be added the email list, please contact Melissa Shah at melissashah26@gmail.com.
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Thanks for all you do, and don't forget to tell us what else we can do...for you! |
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