Families Together, Inc.
Children getting on school bus.
Families Together, Inc. Winter 2009
Britney and her dad look at the winner's trophy.Dear Parents and Education Advocates:
 
Greetings to all of you from the Families Together staff for a wonderful holiday season!   Enjoy the break from the routine and gather your strength for a great second half of the school year.
 
During this season, we are so thankful for the opportunity to offer services to all of you.  We are also very thankful for the donors who make our services possible.  In addition to our agency partners, many of you have become regular contributors to our organization.  We appreciate your confidence in our services!
 
This fall, there were two Step-by-Step walks to raise funds for Families Together.  On November 12, the Wichita Center hosted Thanks for Giving, an event to thank the walk teams, and other contributors.  The event included an Open House and a presentation of awards.  The Britney Bunch, a walk team in Hutchinson, took home the award for the highest fund raising team.  Visit our website to see pictures of the Step-by-Step walks and the Thanks for Giving celebration.  (www.familiestogetherinc.org)
Connie
Scoop Essentials: Disclosing Disability, Tackling A Dicey Proposition
 
By Michelle Diament
 
Reprinted with permission from Disability Scoop, The Premier Source for Developmental Disability News.  On the Web at www.disabilityscoop.com 
 
Whether you're out in public or in the company of family, talking about a disability and what it means to you or a family member can be tough business.  But with the right approach, talking about a disability can go from stressful to meaningful, says family therapist Diane Smith, who herself has a child with a disability.
 
In this installment of Scoop Essentials, Smith helps you find the right words and a healthy approach to explaining a disability to family, friends or even perfect strangers.
Education Advocate Update

Education Advocate Logo

Submitted by Darla Nelson-Metzger, Education Advocate Co-Coordinator
 
Q: I've been asked to sign a release of educational records.  I'm I the person to do this and if so, should I sign?
 
A: Birth and adoptive parents, legal guardians, persons acting as parents and education advocates are the only persons who have the authority to sign for the release of special education records.  
 
You should sign for the release of these records if you believe it is in the student's best interest to do so.  If you do not know who the records will be going to, ask.  If the answer you get seems to legitimate, go ahead and sign.  If not  or if the release seems too vague, you don't have to sign or you can limit the release to certain agencies or persons by name.
Families Together, Inc.
www.familiestogetherinc.org
 
Administrative Office

(316) 945-7747
(888) 815-6364
 
Topeka Center
(785) 233-4777
(800) 264-6343
 
Garden City Center
(888) 820-6364
(620) 276-6364
 
Kansas City Center
(913) 287-1970
(877) 499-5369
 
Wichita Center
(316) 945-7747
(888) 815-6364
 
Statewide Spanish Parent Line
(800) 499-9443
Together We Can Learn Conference
 
February 27, 2010
Topeka, Kansas
 
Featuring:
Keynotes: 
I Can't Make You:  Attitude Shifts and Derailments for Resistance
 
Honoring Jay Turnbull's Contributions to Inclusion and Quality of Life: 10 Take-Home Lessons for Families and Professionals
 
 
 
Online Registration
 
Printable Registration
1 page
Family Story: Destiny's Journey
 
By Johnni Ramsey
 
I received the phone call that no parent wants to hear...  "Mom, I'm pregnant and they (her father and his family) are going to make me have an abortion.
 
I got that phone call in the fall of 2001. My new husband, Bob, and I had only been married for a few months. Both of us had led single lives for many years and when we met, were both close to having the empty nest syndrome. LOL
 
We tossed and turned for several sleepless nights and then Bob said,  "We can't allow this to happen, no matter what else happens." The "what else" he was referring to, was the fact that my daughter, Nichole, has many issues and we knew that she would never be able to raise a child. He was so correct on the "what else".
  How to Help Your Child Have a Happy Holiday
 
By: Dale S. Brown (2008)
 
The holiday season is a time for family togetherness, community, and friendship when we enjoy parties and fun celebrations. Unfortunately, children who struggle with social and behavioral problems can feel lonely and excluded during this happy time.
There are many ways, however, that you can make things easier for your child throughout the season, by helping him enjoy the holidays and feel beloved. This article provides a dozen ideas designed to help your child with learning disabilities have a happy holiday and lessen stress on your family. Read these ideas and choose the ones that you think are the best fit for your child.
C�mo ayudar a que su ni�o pase unas felices fiestas decembrinas 
 
 La temporada de las fiestas decembrinas es la �poca de la uni�n familiar, la comunidad y la amistad en la que gozamos de divertidas fiestas y celebraciones. Desafortunadamente, los ni�os que padecen de problemas sociales y de comportamiento pueden sentirse solos y excluidos durante esta �poca de felicidad.
No obstante, hay muchas maneras en que usted puede facilitarle las cosas a su ni�o durante esta temporada, ayud�ndole a que disfrute de las fiestas y a sentirse querido. En este art�culo se presenta una docena de ideas sobre c�mo ayudar a que su ni�o con discapacidades pase unas felices fiestas decembrinas y a disminuir la tensi�n en el seno de su familia. Ent�rese de estas ideas y elija las que le parezcan que mejor se adaptan a su ni�o:
The Kansas Youth Leadership Forum 
 
The Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy has announced the 2010 Kansas Youth Leadership forum and is recruiting delegates and volunteers.  The forum is June 8-12, 2010 at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.  Delegates must be high school juniors or seniors with disabilities who have show some leadership in their school or outside activities. Deadline for applications is December 15. Call Carrie Greenwood at 1-866-577-5932 for an application today!
 
Volunteers are also needed for the forum.  Because this forum is for youth with disabilities, the volunteers need to be adults with disabilities.  Call Carrie Greenwood at 1-866-577-5932 for an application and more information.
Families Together, Inc.

Families Together, Inc. is a statewide organization that serves families of children and youth with exceptional needs. 

Families Together, Inc.The Parent Training and Information Center assists families to be partners in their child's education.
 
The Family-to-Family Health Care Center provides guidance and support for families of children and youth with special health care needs to navigate the health care systems and work with their child's medical home. 

Other grants from state agencies and foundations support the work of the staff to help families with many aspects of raising a child with exceptional needs.

FREE
Parent to Parent logo 
 
Whether it's learning that a child has a disability, navigating educational and/or medical mazes, making a move or dealing with a new behavior, parents can sometimes feel like they are on an emotional rollercoaster. Family, friends, and professionals can provide support, but few can say "I've been there."  The most valuable source of emotional support and encouragement is another parent who also has a child with special needs. The majority of our staff are parents of children with disabilities or serve as education advocates.  We are here to listen, provide information, support, resources and training at no charge.  Please contact us today to learn more about our Parent-to-Parent program as well as other services and supports.  You are not alone..

SUPPORT - INFORMATION - RESOURCES - TRAINING