Contributed by Paulina Tiffany, AZA Parent 

When we lost our former habilitation provider about 2 years ago, I did not think it was going to be possible to find someone as great as her. Then I found Lauren Bolander. Lauren has been my son's habilitation therapist for a year and a half now. My son adores her and he is very responsive to her teaching methods. His face lights up every time he sees Lauren at the door! He pulls her hand in and walks her to the room where we keep his therapy materials. He is always ready to work because she is so fun to be around. They enjoy finger painting, jumping on the trampoline, making cookies, riding his bike, going to the pet store to look at the animals.  She is really great about working towards my son's goals in natural environments. My husband and I are very happy with the way she cares for our son. Lauren often brings new ideas to my son's habilitation programs and helps our other providers with questions they have. She is great at working as a team with other members. We have always been very impressed with her ethics and respect towards us. Lauren is and will always be a very important part of our lives for making an extraordinary difference on my son's life!

Parents - do you have a habilitation therapist that goes above and beyond?  Send your nominations for the next Employee of the Month to GreatWork@AZAunited.org  

The Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AZ ABA) is the local chapter of the Association of Behavior Analysts International (ABAI).  AZ ABA was founded to promote the science of behavior and its associated technologies within Arizona.  You do not have to be a BCBA or BCaBA to join. AZ ABA will:

• Serve as a scientific and professional reference group for all in Arizona who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis.
• Promote research that will advance the understanding of both human and animal behavior and identify and promote the use of effective and humane behavioral procedures in meeting the educational, (re)habilitation, and behavioral health needs of persons within Arizona.
• Advise political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis within Arizona.

Benefits of joining AZ ABA include:

• Stay current on licensure requirements and field operations in AZ.
• Be part of the community of Behavior Analysts.
• Trainings and seminars offered throughout the year.
• Reduced fee to the annual BCBA conference.  The first one takes place on November 5.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn and to complete CEUs.

The annual membership fee is $20.  Please visit www.azaba.org to register.

Your stories were critical in informing the final decision to reduce respite care coverage from 720 hours per year to 600 hours per year - a reduction of just over 15%, rather than the 50% reduction originally proposed.  These changes will be effective October 1, 2011.

We recognize that for some families, a reduction to 600 hours of respite care per year may be challenging.  But we also want to be sure families understand the purpose of respite care.  Respite care is offered so that family members can take some time for themselves to refresh, run errands, take a vacation, attend church or spend time with their spouse or other children. Some of the comments we received demonstrate that families are using respite care for other purposes, like going to work.  Respite care is not designed for purposes other than for the family member to have the ability to take a needed break.  We believe that 600 hours per year - 50 hours per month - will allow for families to receive needed respite.

Join other families on Saturday, August 27th, 10am at the Children's Museum of Phoenix.  You don't want to miss this amazing opportunity to visit this hands-on experience with friends for such a great deal!  Children's admission is just $7.50 each.  Parents are admitted FREE!!  Tickets must be purchased by August 20th in order to receive our group pricing.  We will meet at the museum at 10am sharp to go in as a group with our great group rate!  You are then free to discover the museum with your children for as long as you wish!  Be prepared to stay at least a few hours as they have some amazing hands-on areas that your children will love!  We hope you will join us as we provide enriching social opportunities for our children and families at some amazing places.

Click here to purchase tickets