The Parent Coalition Newsletter The E-newsletter of The Arc of Whatcom County
February 9, 2009

Greetings!
in this issue
  • Upcoming Events
  • Health and Lifestyle of Teens with Disabilities survey
  • Advocacy Days in Olympia
  • Skagit County Human Services
  • ADVOCATE
  • ADVOCATE
  • Thanks for reading...

    • Health and Lifestyle of Teens with Disabilities survey

    Request for Research Participants for an online parent survey

    The University of Illinois at Chicago is partnering with many organizations serving youth with disabilities to conduct an internet-based survey with youth with disabilities aged 12-18 and their parents/caregivers.

    The survey is on the lifestyle and environment of adolescents with disabilities.

    Please share the link and the survey information with other families you know.

    For more information, or if you have difficulty accessing the survey, please contact:
    Brienne Davis in the
    Department of Disability and Human Development
    bdavis7@uic.edu or 312-355-4054.


    Advocacy Days in Olympia

    Issues important to the Developmental Disabilities Community will be the focus

    Up coming schedule for Advocacy Days:

    February 11- Judicial System

    February 18- RHC Statute on Education

    February 25- Intensive Behavior Supports

    March 4- Budget Overview

    March 11- Independent Living Day Rally

    For more information on Advocacy Days and other events, follow the link below to the Arc of Washington State


    Skagit County Human Services

    Change of Address

    Skagit County Human Services
    309 S. 3rd Street
    Mount Vernon, WA 98273


    ADVOCATE

    Keeping track of important bills

    In general, issues that are important to individuals with developmental disabilities have not had the severe budget cuts that were feared.

    Even with that information, it is important to monitor the progress of and to advocate for bills that affect supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

    The link below is to the Arc of Washington State's Bill of Interest sheet. It contains a lot of useful information for following the bills.

    Remember, bills need to be out of their originating committee by Feb. 25.
    If they have a cost, they go to the Finance committee and need to be out of there by the following week in order to continue their progress.


    ADVOCATE

    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.


    Thanks for reading...
    Logo

    Upcoming Events
    Safety Awareness Group Meeting

    Safety Awareness Group-
    Sign up NOW to join new group starting this month!

    Wednesdays
    Knowing Your
    Personal Boundaries~
    Safety Awareness
    4:00-5:30 p.m.
    Register now
    Groups now forming for sessions
    that will begin this month!
    Here is an opportunity to learn all about personal safety and awareness.
    Presented by
    John Davis, Ph.D. and
    Jan Jung, M.Ed.
    Bellingham, WA
    Registration required
    please call 360-715-0170 X 304

    Wednesdays
    Parent Therapeutic Support Group
    Learn Self-Nurturing Techniques
    Noon-1:30 p.m.
    Weekly Group Meetings for parents and other family members who are primary care providers.
    Facilitated by
    John Davis, Ph.D. and
    Jan Jung, M.Ed.
    Bellingham, WA
    No fees
    Registration required, please call
    360-715-0170 X 304

    February 9
    Parent to Parent Support Meeting
    7:00-8:30 p.m.
    2001 H Street
    Childcare available please call ahead
    Contact Christine at 360-255-2056 X 1

    February 14
     Youth Self Advocacy Group
     10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    The Arc's
    Dan Godwin Community Center
    2602 McLeod Rd.
    Bellingham, WA
    Contact: Maureen at
    360-715-0170 X 302

    February 23
    Whatcom County
    Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board
    4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
    St. Luke's Health Education Center
    3333 Squalicum Pkwy
    Information contact: Jessica
    360-676-6724 X 32014

    February 26
    Everything you need to Know
    Medicaid Personal Care Training
    Medicaid Personal Care hours, Guardianships, Special Needs Trusts, Social Security, Medicaid, How the Social Service system works
    Contact Beverly:
    360-715-0170 X 306

    February 28
    Parent to Parent Sibshop
    What are your Dreams?
    Learn to help your dreams come true!
    Whatcom Educational Credit Union
    5659 Barrett Rd.
    Ferndale
    Ages 6-9 years 9:30 am -12:00 p.m.
    10-15 years 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    RSVP by Feb. 16 to
    Christine at 360-255-2056 X 1

    March 5
    David Pitoynak speaking on:
    "One Day the World will be a Perfect Place- Strategies for the the Meantime"
    7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
    A workshop about living with intention in an imperfect world for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and care givers.
    St. Luke's Health Education Center
    3333 Squalicum Parkway
    Bellingham
    For more information contact Vicki McClure
    at 360-676-6724 ext. 32243
    vmcclure@whatcomcounty.us

    March 6
    David Pitoynak:
    Supporting a person with Difficult Behaviors:
    Supporting the people who care
    9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    St. Luke's Health Education Center
    3333 Squalicum Parkway
    Bellingham
    To register and for more information
    contact Vicki McClure at 360-676-6724 ext. 32243
    vmcclure@whatcomcounty.us

    Know Of An Event ?
    Want One Published?
    Contact Us at parentcoalition@arcwhatcom.org



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