The PEN Southern Regional Conference was held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Orange River Elementary School in Fort Myers.This year's theme was "Parents and Professionals United". Almost 60 families spent the day with us and many local agencies to gather information and resources.

FND Transition Specialist Alma Johnson (left), works with families at the conference.

Free childcare was provided.

FND staff members (L-R) Family STAR Project Director, Marilyn Ruiz, Parental Information and Resource  Center Educator, Roxana Bruiget, and Parent Education Network Co-Director, Margarita Montalvo.

If you were unable to attend, but would like information, please contact Amber Dame at amber@fndfl.org or 800-825-5736.

You are invited to the party!

The next Día del Niño event will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Clewiston High School (MAP). Information will be provided in English, Spanish and Creole. Join us for a day of fun beginning at 9:30 am.

Together, Let's Bring VSA Florida Art Classes "My Art My Way" to Your Community!

While moving around their regions, VSA Florida Regional Program Coordinators have heard the outcry for community art classes for children with disabilities. In their ongoing effort to serve the state with quality art programming for students of all abilities, the push has begun for that request! This past spring, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have spearheaded after-school and summer programming for students of all ages. The program is ready to expand throughout the state, so VSAFL regional coordinators are looking for free space within their territories that can be used to propose this much needed offering. School multipurpose or classrooms, churches, museums, community centers, university spaces are all options. They must have at least 5 students in each class for this opportunity to take place. Each class will be $10 per student, with registration being blocks of 4 classes for $40. Visual, Dance, Music, Performing or Literary arts are all possibilities for the classes. If you are aware of such space or an interested group to attend, please contact your coordinator as they are eager to get these classes started.

Jennifer Bonaventura, Region 1         jennifer@bonavstudio.com  

Pat York, Region 2                           yorkpat@cox.net 

Anna Preston, Region 3                    ampreston13@aol.com 

Heather Spooner, Region 4               heatherspooner@hotmail.com 

TBD, Region 5                                               

VSA Florida Brings Art Statewide to People of All Abilities

VSA Florida, the state organization on arts and disability, is headquartered at the University of South Florida in the College of Education. We are a member of the international network of VSA, and a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA Florida provides arts, education, and cultural opportunities for and by people with disabilities in all 67 counties of the state. Programming is based on community needs that could include artist residencies, exhibitions, festivals, workshops and trainings. Professional development is available on inclusion for artists and teachers who work directly with students and adults with disabilities as well as access training for cultural venues interested in disability awareness, compliance with ADA regulations and assisting patrons with disabilities. State and national Calls for Art are distributed for students and adults of all abilities throughout the year. Through a network of Regional Coordinators and Affiliates, VSA Florida is able to successfully offer statewide services.