David Pitonyak presents two workshops from a not-so-common point of view.

Thursday, March 5
One day the world will be a perfect place,
strategies for the meantime.
7:00-9:00 p.m.

Join us for a workshop about living with intention in an imperfect world.

This event is designed for parents and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Service providers and community members are welcome as well.

Friday March 6
Supporting a person with difficult behaviors, supporting the people who care
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Difficult behaviors result from unmet needs.

Based on the idea that a person's needs are best met by people whose own needs are met,
this workshop examines strategies for supporting not only an individual who experiences disabilities but also the needs of his or her caregivers.

Both events will be at:
St. Luke's Health Education Center,
3333 Squalicum Parkway,
Bellingham.

To register or for information please contact
Vicki McClure at (360) 676-6724 X 32243
vmcclure@whatcomcounty.us
(Clock hours for educators is in process)

Learning can be Fun!
Join the new session of Life Skills Classes.

Social Skills are
usually "caught" versus "taught"
but sometimes relationship skills are best learned in an interactive lab whether with family, friends, or in a professional setting.

These four important ingredients will help you to be successful:

• Self-Concept and Self-Worth- Learning to like me
• Relationships- Family, friends, formal- Recognizing boundaries
• Dealing with my emotions- Feelings are Okay
• Communication- More than talking

Classes will be taught by Rick Pribbernow,
Life Skills coordinator, Compass Health
Rick will review and build on skills covered in previous classes.
Everybody's welcome, whether you've participated with Rick before or not.

Registration is required,
for any registration questions contact:
Vicki at 676-6724 Ext. 32243 or
vmcclure@co.whatcom.wa.us

For class content questions call Jessica Lee at
676-6724 ext. 32014

2 bills that affect individuals with developmental disabilities had their first committee hearings.

SB 5117,which puts the Children's Intensive In-home Behavior Supports bill into statute and
SB 5203 which will create autism insurance parity
were heard in the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee.

Remember that bills are heard in their originating committee and then passed on to the Rules Committee.
From the Rules Committees, they are placed on the calendar for a vote by the full body.
The bill then goes to the other house and follows the same process.

After both houses have voted on the bill, it then goes to the governor for her signature.

To see where these 2 bills are,
or any other bill you are interested in following,
follow the link below to the Washington State Legislature.

The Arc of Washington State's website also has a lot of information on bills of interest and importance to individuals with developmental disabilities and the people who care about them.
http://www.arcwa.org/news_events.htm

To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may use a searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.

Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.