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In this issue...
Scholarships
ASI Autism Acceptance Flat Stanley Project
17th Annual Autism Bake Sale
ASI 4th Annual Puzzle Walk & 5K Run
5th Annual AWESOME Autism Awareness Project
Activities Across Iowa
Autism Support Groups
Autism Research Studies
Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute 2016
My Support
Upcoming Classes, Workshops, Webinars & Meetings
Iowa Department Of Human Services Update
Autism Source
IEP Resources

Autism Society of Iowa

 

ASI News
 February 2016
The Autism Society of Iowa offers scholarships for those with autism entering into a vocational field, the UI REACH Program, or planning to study at a four-year school after graduation. We also offer two scholarships for students entering into a field of study that will assist those with autism after graduation. Applications are due March 1st, so please apply today.  Click here, for more information or to apply.

Kris Steinmetz
Executive Director
Autism Society of Iowa
515-327-9075, Iowa Toll Free: 1-888-722-4799
autism50ia@aol.com
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Scholarships
ASI Has Several Scholarships Available 
The Autism Society of Iowa offers family scholarships, 4 different college scholarship opportunities, and scholarships to attend our conferences for families and caregivers of those on the spectrum living in Iowa.

For more information, click here.

ASI Autism Acceptance
Flat Stanley Project
Help ASI Spread Autism Acceptance!
In an effort to spread Autism Awareness and Acceptance throughout all 99 counties of Iowa and beyond, the Autism Society of Iowa is incorporating the help of our very own Autism Acceptance Flat Stanley sparked by the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.

The Autism Society of Iowa would like you to help spread Autism Awareness and Acceptance throughout Iowa by personalizing your very own Autism Acceptance Flat Stanley! To participate and for more information, click here.
 
Permission to reproduce and distribute this page has been granted by the copyright holder, HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved. Art by Macky Pamintuan. Based on the character, stories, and adventures of Flat Stanley created by the late Jeff Brown. FLAT STANLEY® is a registered trademark of the Trust u/w/o Richard C. Brown f/b/o Duncan Brown.

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17th Annual Autism Bake Sale
Saturday, March 26th - Elgin, Iowa
The 17th annual Autism bake sale will be held on Saturday March 26th at the North Fayette Valley Jr. High building. We will let you start buying at 7:00 that morning-and we will sell until sold out! We will have all your favorites there-angel food cakes, cinnamon rolls, bars, cookies, lefse, pies of every kind, breads and quick breads, and all kinds of salads! We hope to see you once again to help support our bake sale that helps children and families in the state of Iowa!

For more information, click here.
ASI 4th Annual
Puzzle Walk & 5K Run
Saturday, April 2 - Creston, IA
Register Today!
Creston High School - 601 W Townline Street
ASI will be hosting the 4th Annual Puzzle Walk and 5K Run on World Autism Day, Saturday, April 2 in Creston, Iowa. Awards will be given to the top three male and female runner in six different age divisions. Registration and T-shirt pickup begins at 2:45pm with welcome, run, walk, autism awareness glow lap and awards to follow.

For more details on the event or to register, click here.
5th Annual AWESOME Autism Awareness Project Art Show
Saturday, April 16
The Awesome Autism Awareness Art Project has a mission to celebrate the talents of individuals with autism spectrum disorders; and increase community awareness of autism spectrum disorders.

For more information on A4 click here and check out their Facebook page.
 
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Activities Across Iowa For The Winter
We are working on updating our list of year round programs and activities across Iowa. Classes and activities are starting up this winter including the SoundReach Choir, UNI Spectrum Project in Cedar Falls, classes at Dance Without Limits, Art Spectrums at the Des Moines Art Center, Courage League Sports and Adventures in Social Drama. There are many activities for those with special needs across Iowa. For more details on these programs, click here. If you have a program you would like us to share or update, please email Kris at autism50ia@aol.com
 
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Autism Support Groups
Across Iowa
Support groups are meeting all over Iowa including Spillville, Creston, Osceola and Shenandoah. For more information on support groups throughout Iowa, click here.  Let us know if your support group is meeting and keep us updated so we can help spread the word.
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Autism Research Studies
New University of South Dakota Study
The Autism Society of Iowa is contacted by students doing research studies in the area of autism throughout the year.  In an effort to assist those in the autism research field and let families and caregivers be aware of participation opportunities, ASI has created a page on their website listing these studies. The Autism Society of Iowa does not endorse any student, study or college listed, but would like to make families and caregivers aware of studies available, that they can participate in.

To view a list of autism research studies to participate in, click here.

 

Iowa Family Leadership Training
Institute 2016
Parents or caregivers of children or youth with special health care diagnoses are invited to participate in a special leadership training being offered in Iowa. Goals of the training are to:
* Learn how the System of Care for children and youth with special health-care needs is structured
* Understand the role of families as change agents in the system * Promote and support family/professional partnerships
* Learn how to advocate at the individual, community and system levels
* Experience the power of mentoring and peer support

Monthly virtual meetings in March, April, May, August, September and October 2016 Face-to-face retreat June 17-18, 2016. Participants will develop individual leadership projects and receive peer support and mentoring For more information contact Martha Hanley, (319) 356-0886, martha-hanley@uiowa.edu

For more information, click here. 
My Support
New Program for IOWA Direct Care Workers and PWDs on the Amerigroup CCO Program Needing Direct Care Workers
This is a NEW and FREE program to Iowa that is signing up direct care workers, and people with disabilities who need a direct care worker/personal attendant, and who are on the Community Choice Option Program! The online service is FREE, and will help match people who need personal attendants and/or direct care worker WITH those workers in their area. The program uses a matching algorithm to suggest providers in the person's area who would be the best match to the person who needs one. For more information, click here.
Upcoming Classes, Camps, Workshops, Seminars, Webinars, Events & Meetings

Siouxland Autism Support Group Family Event 
(No regular meeting this month)
When: Tuesday, February 9, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Rollerama, 4500 Stone Ave. Sioux City, Iowa
Come out and have some family fun in a safe atmosphere with other families with children on the spectrum. If your child has a friend or relative that likes to skate bring them along. There will be nursing student there to help you with your children. The event is sponsored by the Siouxland Autism Support Group and is free of charge.
For more information on Siouxland upcoming events, click here.

2016 Diverse Learners Resource Fair 
Linking Families of Children and Youth with Special Needs to Community and Agency Resources
February 20, 2016, 10am - 12noon
Heartland AEA 11, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
For more information, click here.

Easter Seals Disability Services Upcoming Events
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Eddyville Elementary School Cafeteria, Eddyville, IA
March 25th  4pm-5:30pm
Assistive Technology for Transitions
Prairie Lakes AEA, Twin Meeting Room, Pocahontas, IA
April 20th  10AM-11:30am
For more information on Easter Seals Upcoming Events, click here.

Iowa Department Of
Human Services
DHS Releases Medicaid Modernization Fact Sheet
The Iowa Department of Human Services has released a Medicaid Modernization Fact Sheet. This fact sheet contains frequently asked questions and responses.  Access the fact sheet here, and also find it on the dedicated  Medicaid Modernization web page. Watch for future email updates regarding new documents. Each Friday, new questions and responses will be released and posted on the Medicaid Modernization web page.

Information on Medicaid Modernization can be found on the dedicated web page at:  https://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/about/initiatives/MedicaidModernization.

Autism Source
Support, Guidance And A Compassionate Ear
The Autism Society is now able to provide guidance and support to individuals and families 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday and on the weekends from 8am to 4pm!

The Autism Source Information and Referral services provides one-to-one, expert guidance and support to tens of thousands of people each year who call, email and write with their questions and concerns-or who just need someone to listen. The Autism Source, is the nation's longest serving, largest and most effective provider of information and support to individuals and families impacted by autism. Spanish speaking support is also available.

If you, or someone you know needs support, guidance, or a compassionate ear, please contact them today:

Call:  1-800-3AUTISM
Online: www.autismsource.org
Email:  Info@Autism-Society.org
IEP Resources
Good Websites To Check Out!
It seems like every day can be an IEP day so below are a few links to websites that you may find helpful.

ASK Resource Center - Access for Special Kids - Through various projects and partnerships, we provide a broad range of information, training, advocacy, support, referral and resources related to the needs of persons with all types of disabilities. A single contact to ASK will provide individuals and families with a direct link to the most appropriate services and supports to meet their needs regarding legal matters, special education, health care, mentoring opportunities, and more.

The Parent-Educator Connection (PEC) works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities

Wrightslaw - Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to 
Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. 
Autism Society of Iowa
4549 Waterford Drive
West Des Moines, IA   50265
515-327-9075
Iowa Toll Free:  1-888-722-4799
Fax:  515-457-7225
 
Find us on Facebook 
 
The mission of the Autism Society of Iowa is to provide advocacy, support and information to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families, professionals, and communities throughout the state of Iowa.
 
The Autism Society of Iowa is an integral part of a nationwide association, the Autism Society, that has provided accurate information about autism since its inception in the early 70's.
 
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