News from The Arc of WA/Parent to Parent

Parent to Parent of Washington State
Newsletter

March 2011

A Program of the Arc of Washington State
www.arcwa.org

1-800-821-5927

"Some of the most popular online communities serve as an 'efficient first step' toward an in-person interaction. We may all be likely to start our searches online, but for many people, it still leads up to the need for a face to face connection or phone call."

- www.windermere.com

A "pat on the back" to the Arc, the Coordinators, families, providers, and Parent Coalitions who spoke to their legislators and Governor's office about restoring funding for Parent to Parent Programs in the Supplemental Budget.

We did it...thank you! It is because we are a community that is dedicated to helping each other and those around us.

Now on to getting funding for the next two years. It will be very difficult with all the cuts to programs and services in our state, but as you know, Parent to Parent Programs leverage state funding efficiently by employing skilled, experienced parents of children with special needs as P2P Program Coordinators who in turn utilize over 500 P2P trained Parent Volunteers in their communities.

Stay warm and no slip, sliding away...in the snow.

Susan

And remember: there are 13,600 families with NO PAID SERVICES from DDD in our state! They get no services to help their family - Legislators need to hear from them.

Calendar of Events

NEW RESOURCES:

LA Times, February 8, 2011: A study links teen bullying to social status. "As students get more popular, they are more likely to harass peers," researchers say. "Teens are always trying to climb the social ladder at school and so it is really critical for bystanders, peers, to speak up - the only way to stop the bully." Click here for the full article.

Informing Families, Building Trust Podcast: The "Hows" of Housing Series - Part 1 features Susan Atkins' daughter Alexa and her experience renting an apartment.

The 2011 Summer Camps and Programs Directory for Children with Special Needs is available! Over 70 camps and programs are listed for children with special needs and disabilities. You can download a PDF version by clicking here, or call the Children's Resource line at 1-866-987-2500, option 3, or at (206) 987-2500 to get a free copy.

Click here to learn more about Partners4Housing.

The Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO) brings parents and educators together to resolve disputes and conflict that affect student academic progress. Click here for more information and to sign up for their e-bulletin.

March 2011

3/9 - 11: Special Education Conference: "Improving Services and Results for Students with Disabilities" in Seattle. Click here for more information.

3/22: "Tools 4 Success" - a free conference in Tacoma focusing on preparation for employment for persons with disabilities. Pre-registration is required - accommodations will be provided if requested by March 8th. To register, call WA PAVE at (253) 565-2266 or e-mail Kady Duggan by clicking here.

April 2011

4/8: 32nd Annual Duncan Seminar: "I've Got Something to Say!" Communication Strategies for Young Children with Physical Disabilities. Parent scholarships available. For more details, contact Marianne Gonterman, Seattle Children's Outreach Education Program Coordinator at (206) 987-5318 or by e-mail here.

4/16: Down Syndrome Community Conference - 9am to 3pm in Renton. Click here for registration forms and more details.

4/28 - 29: 2011 Washington State TBI Conference - Limited number of scholarships available for individuals with TBI and their unpaid caregivers. Click here for more information.

May 2011

5/5 - 6: Infant and Early Childhood Conference - Tacoma, WA. Save the Date! Click here for more info and updates.

5/7 - Conference: "Life from the Perspective of Adults with Aspergers" co-sponsored by the Thurston/Mason County affiliate of the Autism Society of Washington. Registration starts March 1, space is limited. Click here for more information.

August 2011

8/1 - 2: Spectrum Training Systems, Inc Upcoming Washington Workshop: "The Inclusive Classroom and Learning Disabilities in Children" - Kennewick, WA. Click here for more information.

Resource Links

Resource Links now on website:

Click here to access the links.