The Arc of Whatcom County

The Arc of Whatcom County

Parent Coalition E-alert

March 2011
In This Issue
DOWN SYNDROME CONFERENCE 2011
NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILLS?
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
ADVOCACY DAYS 2011

Quick Links

  
  

 

Know Your Legislators

FEDERAL

 

Sen. Maria Cantwell

cantwell.senate.gov

(202)224-3441

 

Sen. Patty Murray

murray.senate.gov

(202)224-2621

  
2nd District

Rep. Rick Larsen

www.house.gov/larsen/

(202)225-2605

  
  
STATE
  
42nd District

 

Sen. Doug Ericksen

ericksen.doug@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7682

 

Rep. Vincent Buys

buys.vincent@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7980

 

Rep. Jason Overstreet

overstreet.jason@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7980

 

40th District

 

Sen. Kevin Ranker

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7678

 

Rep. Kristine Lytton

lytton.kristine@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7800

 

Rep. Jeff Morris

morris.jeff@leg.wa.gov

(360)786-7970

Activity Highlight
Knitting Class  
  Meta Fares-Boulos has been teaching a knitting class at Bellis Fair Mall on Wednesdays from 3-6 pm.
This class will end May and begin again in the fall.  Scarves, blankets, baby sweaters and more...the projects are beautiful! 
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Greetings!

We hope you and your family are doing well and looking forward to the warm weather of Spring. There are many exciting events and activities in the coming weeks and months, including Advocacy Days in Olympia, The Human Race, Ski to Sea Parade, IEP Workshop...and much more!
  
For more information, please visit The Arc's *NEW* community events calendar (also available in the left sidebar under "Quick Links"). To add events, email monicab@arcwhatcom.org.
  

DOWN SYNDROME CONFERENCE 2011

 
Stipends Available through Local DsO
Saturday, April 16
Blackriver Training & Conference Center
Renton, WA
  
Presentations will pertain to lifetime subjects affecting those with developmental disabilities. Breakout sessions will include Housing, Friendships, Sexuality, Alzheimer's and more.  For information, visit: www.downsyndromecommunity.org.
  
The DsO of Whatcom County would love to have people attend this conference and has $50 stipends available to help cover expenses. The number of stipends is limited, so please call Makenna at (360)715-0170 and reserve one. The DsO wants more parents and caregivers to be able to share current information with their family, friends and support network.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILLS?

 
Grants Available through Opportunity Council
The Opportunity Council is available to help Whatcom County residents with grants through The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For an appointment, call (360)255-2192 or (888)586-7293 from 9am-12pm or 1-4pm Monday through Thursday. Appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The council is a nonprofit agency that provides services, including emergency and transitional housing, energy assistance, early childhood education and child-care resources.

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

 

Autism Awareness DayGreat Activities for Families
There are many exciting events planned in April for Autism Awareness Month. Click here for details. (Several include free child care!)
 
A bonus activity will be held on Saturday April 2, in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. The Seattle Children's Museum will open their doors at 8:00am so that children with autism spectrum disorders and their families can explore and enjoy the museum. There will also be a short "Light It Up Blue" ceremony.  This event kicks off an exciting new venture for the Seattle Children's Museum in which they will routinely hold early openings at discounted rates ($3 per person) for families with children with autism spectrum disorders.  

ADVOCACY DAYS 2011

Local Leadership participants attend Advocay Day in Olympia

There are still many opportunities to make your voice heard in Olympia. Below are two upcoming events that represent key issues in our state.

 

Click here to watch the coverage from the "Walk in our Shoes" rally on March 23. What a great event! 

 

  

Independent Living Day Rally

11am, Wednesday, March 30

Capitol Steps - Olympia, WA

 

Let's tell our legislators and Governor that we stand united working for supports and services to successfully live in the community. Please make appointments with your legislators in advance.

 

For more information, contact:

Betty Schwieterman, Disability Rights Washington

(800)562-2702, bettys@dr-wa.org

Bean Driscoll, The Arc

(888)754-8798, ext.105, bean@arcwa.org

 

 

Autism Awareness Day in Olympia

12-1pm, Wednesday, April 6

The Legislative Building Rotunda


"Putting the Pieces Together"
Join individuals with autism, their families, care providers and many of our state's legislators as we observe April as Autism Awareness Month and recognize the April 2nd World Autism Day as declared by the United Nations.


Hear from speakers about current services and programs in our state that assist individuals with autism and their families as well as finding out what we still need to work toward as we strive to empower children and adults across the autism spectrum.


For more information, contact Diana Stadden at (253) 576-6351. This event is sponsored by The Arc of Washington State and the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council.

Parent Coalition

 

 

 
The Parent Coalition of The Arc of Whatcom County provides information and education to individuals with developmental disabilities, their caregivers, families and the community by responding to requests for assistance. We provide 1:1 support and serve as a resource to increase understanding of the developmental disability service system and special education system.

For information and assistance, contact Monica, Parent Coalition Co-Coordinator at (360)715-0170, x303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org.

  

This E-Alert is made possible by funding from the Whatcom County Division of Developmental Disabilities program. 

www.arcwhatcom.org

360-715-0170

2602 McLeod Road

Bellingham, WA 98225

 

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