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The Arc of Whatcom County
Parent Coalition E-alert:
April 2012 |
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Know Your Legislators |
FEDERAL
2nd District
STATE
42nd District
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Greetings!
We hope you are enjoying the warmer weather and the beautiful sunshine!
There are many educational and social activities in our community in the coming weeks. Please read below for more information. If you have any questions, contact Monica (360) 715-0170, monicab@arcwhatcom.org.
Thank you, and we hope you have a great week!
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE | |
Good news from Olympia was reported early Wednesday morning. After a very long night and having to officially go into a 2nd special session for 2012, the Washington State Legislature has approved a state operating budget.
Many individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are grateful for the session's outcome. For more information, click here. The last step is the Governor's office where she can sign the budget, veto the budget or veto certain sections only. |
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DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY CONFERENCE | |
The conference will feature presentations and workshops on Nutrition, Fitness, and Health. The keynote will be given by Joan Guthrie Medlen, R.D., L.D., a dietician, the author of The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook, A Guide to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles, and a Mom.
Community representatives of several organizations will be available for discussion; Woodbine House books will be for sale; and the DSC Library will be available for loans and returns.
9am - 3:30pm, April 14
Blackriver Training and Conference Center, Renton
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FREE ICE SKATING EVENT | | 
3:30-5pm, Saturday, April 14
Bellingham Sportsplex
1225 Civic Field Way, Bellingham
FREE event co-sponsored by Bellingham Sportsplex and Parent to Parent of Whatcom & Skagit Counties. Families are encouraged to bring bicycle helmets, warm coats, hats and gloves. SPACE is LIMITED. Please RSVP: (360)255-2056. |
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AUTISM 200 SERIES WORKSHOP | | |
7-8:30pm, Thursday, April 19
Autism 204: Making Decisions -- What to do and When to do it
Instructors: Gary Stobbe, MD & Jim Mancini MS, CCC-SLP
Western Washington University Speech-Language Clinic
(Please report to the reception area in the clinic at 6:50pm)
Autism 200 is a series of 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism who wish to better understand this disorder. Faculty from Seattle Children's, the University of Washington and community providers teach the classes.
NOTE: If you're planning to attend you need to email Dr. Eva Baharav at: eva.baharav@wwu.edu or call the clinic (360)650-3881 so that a parking slip can be prepared for you. You may not park at the clinic parking lot unless you receive a parking slip. Those who come late will need to park at parking lot 12A, located on East College Way, which is the gravel lot by Fairhaven College south of campus.
For more topics and dates, visit: www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/autism-200-series/. |
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AUTISM WORKSHOP in BLAINE | | |
Dr. Nancy Rosenberg will be discussing how to provide effective instructional and parenting supports for children with Autism spectrum disorders, both in the home and classroom.
"Preventing Challenging Behaviors in Your Child
with Autism: Strategies for Families"
6-7:30pm, Tuesday, April 17
Blaine Middle School Library
Open to all Blaine Staff, Parents and Community Members
Pizza will be served from 5:30-6pm,
and childcare will be provided in room 14.
If you want to attend or have questions,
Dr. Nancy Rosenberg, Ph.D., BCBA, is an autism specialist and the parent of a child with autism. Nancy received her doctorate in special education from the University of Washington with primary emphases in autism and Positive Behavior Support (PBS). She teaches a graduate level class at UW on Positive Behavior Support and also teaches classes for families on how to address challenging behaviors in their children with autism spectrum disorders. Nancy is currently a Research Scientist at the University of Washington conducting autism research. She also provides consultation and training for schools and families on children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
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"IT'S ABOUT DADS TOO" | | |
Tuesday, April 24
7:00pm - 8:30pm
St. Luke's Community Health Ed Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham
 This is a presentation and workshop to honor all dads of children with developmental delays and disabilities. Greg Schell and other dads of the WA State Fathers Network will share helpful information and personal stories. All are invited - dads, grandfathers, uncles, moms, grandmothers, aunts. Pizza and beverages will be provided.
Please RSVP by Sunday, April 22:
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DD LIFE OPPORTUNITIES TRUST MEETING | | |
As a special needs trust, the Life Opportunities Trust (www.ddlot.org) shelters and preserves assets that would otherwise disqualify someone from government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The trust also allows for families and individuals to save for important services that may not otherwise be provided by the government, such as work training, assistive technology, respite care and more.
If you have questions or need more information about the Life Opportunities Trust Program, contact Ed Holen, DDLOT Director: 800-634-4473, Ed.Holen@ddc.wa.gov. For information about enrolling or requesting disbursements, please call Patti at the Arc of Washington: 888-754-8798, Patti@arcwa.org.
Everyone is welcome! Whether you have been a trust holder for years or are just now thinking about it, this a great opportunity to learn more.
Tuesday, April 24
6:30pm - 8:45pm
DD Life Opportunities Trust Annual Meeting
Cotton Tree Convention Center
2300 Market Street, Mount Vernon
If you plan on attending the meeting or need more information, contact Sieng Bonham: 586-3555, sieng.bonham@ddc.wa.gov. |
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JOURNEY INTO AUTISM:
THROUGH THE EYES OF A HORSE | | |
This workshop is designed as an experiential portal into the perspective of a child or adult with autism. Horses and those with autism share a perspective very different from our own and the horses can give us a unique insight into what it is like to live with autism.
Through dialog, human simulations, and experiential interactions with the horses we will journey into uncharted territory and attempt to reach a deeper level of understanding of the many different types of experiences those with autism struggle with every day. We will explore communication, behavior, learning, sensory issues, and many other common struggles. This workshop can benefit parents, practitioners, caretakers, and anyone else who desires a deeper understanding and insight about how to more effectively connect with those with autism.
This workshop will be facilitated by Ginger Kennell MA LMFT and the InterPlay Academy herd of horses.
Saturday, April 28
10am - 4pm
Cost: $100.00
Hidden Treasure Farm, Lynden
(8 miles north of Bellingham)
For more information or to register,
call 739-8676 or visit www.interplayacademy.com.
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ORGANIZING PAPERWORK" WORKSHOP | |
Ask the Advocate Workshop:The Binder of Epic Proportions
6:30-8:30pm, Tuesday, May 1
The Arc's Dan Godwin Community Center 2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham When caring for an individual with developmental disabilities, the amount of paperwork to maintain can be daunting. It is important to have organized records so you can quickly access records for caregivers, doctors, and other service providers. If you have a folder/box/pile of papers that need to be organized, this workshop is for you! For more information, contact Monica: 715-0170 ext 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. |
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THE HUMAN RACE FUN RUN / WALK | |
Saturday, May 12
Whatcom Volunteer Center Human Race
9am - Registration begins, 10am - Race begins
Zuanich Point Park
www.whatcomvolunteer.org
The Arc of Whatcom County's TEAM INVINCIBLE will be participating in the Whatcom Volunteer Center's 2012 Human Race event, and we want you to join the fun! The Human Race is a 5K walk and 5K/10K run inside the beautiful harbor loop on Bellingham Bay. Participants decide what agency to support and raise funds for it by asking friends, family, co-workers and neighbors for donations.
This is a great opportunity to get involved and bring awareness to our community about individuals with developmental disabilities. We look forward to your support!
To join TEAM INVINCIBLE, please contact Maureen:
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Parent Coalition
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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 Health Department, Developmental Disabilities Program and the United Way of Whatcom County. | |
www.arcwhatcom.org
360-715-0170
2602 McLeod Road
Bellingham, WA 98225
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