Fund Raising 
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN!!!
Please click on the link below to view our Annual Campaign Letter and give what you can! We thank you for your support!
Parent to Parent is now using Click and Pledge to take donations. If you would like to make a donation to the agency, please go to
Click and Pledge
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Calendar
February
*2/5 Autism Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
*2/6 Entre Madres - P2P @ 10:30 to 11:30 am
*2/7 ICC Meeting - P2P @ 1:00 pm
*2/8 Sibshops - P2P from 4:30-5:30 for ages 6-9 and 6:00 to 7:30 for ages 10-14
*2/9 Down Syndrome Valentine's Dance - P2P @ 7:00-9:00 pm
*2/10 Skateland - 1200 South Bay Rd. NE @ 5:00-7:00 pm
*2/12 Transition Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
*2/19 Down Syndrome Support Group - P2P @ 6:30 pm
*2/25 Parent Coalition - P2P @ 6:00 to 7:30 pm
*2/26 Mom to Mom Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
March*3/5 Autism Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
*3/6 Entre Madres - P2P @ 10:30 to 11:30 am
*3/8 Sibshops - P2P from 4:30-5:30 for ages 6-9 and 6:00 to 7:30 for ages 10-14
*3/9 Sensory Friendly Movie - Yelm Cinema, movie TBA
*3/12 Transition Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
*3/24 Spring Fling Treasure Hunt - P2P (more details in next newsletter)
*3/26 Mom to Mom Support Group - P2P @ 6:00 pm
*** Please note that FREE Child Care is provided for Mom to Mom and Autism Support Groups
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Volunteer Needs
Helping Parents of young people who have Transitioned out of High School
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Child care volunteers for support group meetings!
If you can help in any way, please contact Kim Smith at 352-1126 ext. 108 or Sylvia Heiser at ext. 106
Thank you!
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Thank You!
We could not run our programs without donors and grants. Thank you to all of those who have supported our efforts over the years.
Thank you to Thurston County Millage Funds and the County Commissioners for continuing to fund our Helping Parent Program!
Thank you to the ARC of WA for the grant that is allowing us to support families moving through Transition from school to work.
We couldn't do it without all of you! |
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Board News
 Board Members Needed! For this month's newsletter I would like to highlight our need for new board members. We have some openings on the Board of Directors at this time and we are interested in people who have various life experiences. Your experiences could make you a valuable board member. We could use interested people in the finance community, teachers, therapists, building contractors, or people who have experience in strategic planning. Right now our board consists of a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, a physical therapy assistant, and various other community members. Many are parents of children with disabilities, but some like myself are not. All of us care about children and want to make a difference. If you think you have something to bring to the table, please give us a call. (call Kim Smith at 352-1126 ext. 108). Laurie Kagels Board President
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Parent to Parent is a network of families who have experienced the unique joys and challenges of parenting children with special needs. If you are caring for a person with special needs and would like to be connected with others in the community, we can help!
Please call us at (360) 352-1126 and say "Operator" or press 0 if you do not know who to ask for. Someone will take your call and connect you with the right person!
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South Sound Parent to Parent
February 2013
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Kid's Corner
A place to share cute stories!
A family donated books they no longer read to SSP2P. When they got back to Alaska, the parents wanted to continue teaching their children to help others. They usually make the choice for them as to where they will help. It seems the number in P2P stuck with JC:
"Jay and I have always chosen, so we gave JC the option this year. I was trying to help him narrow it down, so I asked if he wanted to help people or animals and he said he wanted to help humans. When I was listing the choices that helped people in Fairbanks, I got to the Resource Center for Parents and Children. He said, "Oh I want that one! Then I can help TWO kinds of humans!"
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Transition Support Group 
The new Transition Support Group got off to a great start last month! This group is "Parent Driven" so participants will decide which topics to cover from month to month.
The next meeting will take place on 2/12/13 at 6:00 p.m. at Parent to Parent.
Housing options will be the topic and there will be speakers from: Kokua, the Division of Developmental Disabilities and a family who has experienced housing first hand.
If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia at
sheiser@ssp2p.org or (360)352-1126 ext. 106
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Events/Activities
Please come and join the fun!!!  ***Please note that ALL P2P activities, workshops and support groups are free to P2P Thurston/Mason County families unless otherwise specified. Thanks!
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Community
Thurston/Mason Parent Coalition Greetings from the new Thurston / Mason County Parent Coalition. We are excited to be starting up and joining the Washington State Parent Coalition. Parent Coalitions throughout Washington State help parents, family members, and guardians become effective advocates for their family members and others who have developmental disabilities. Efforts are directed toward: Accessing and improving the service delivery system linking families with community supports
Ensuring adequate funding for programs and services
Forming a strong advocacy base
Impacting opinion leaders and policy makers through legislative advocacy
Working for a better future in the community for people with developmental disabilities
While Parent Coalitions vary in scope and funding, they typically draw from various parent groups to form a committed coalition that addresses common needs and concerns among people with developmental disabilities and those who support them.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Thurston / Mason County Parent Coalition, let us know by sending an email to TMparentcoalition@gmail.com. If you have questions, contact Gregg at 360-878-7518.
Looking forward to a wonderful time with all of you!
FIRST MEETING: February 25, 2013 at 6:00 pm @ Parent to Parent!
Gregg Osborne
Thurston / Mason Parent Coalition Coordinator
Facebook Page
Father's Network
Hi Dads!
Washington State has had a Fathers Network in many areas, and Thurston County is now a part of that network. What is the Fathers Network? I can tell you it's not a support group, so you can feel better as you read on!
The Washington State Fathers Network (WSFN) connects men with other dads, resources, information and education, plus opportunities for "all family" celebrations. Focus is on assisting fathers as they become more competent and compassionate caregivers for their children with special needs. WSFN is the only regional program in the United States and Canada fully devoted to fathers of children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities. Since 1986 it has opened new doors of hope for thousands of men and their families, providing them with support and resources to be effective, nurturing dads. So who am I? I am the father of a 10 year old beautiful little girl, who has developmental disabilities. I was the facilitator of the Spokane County Fathers Network for 6 years, and a member of the Fathers Network Steering Committee for the past 4 years. I have recently moved to Thurston County, and decided to start up the group here.
Typically, once a month (or more if people are interested), we plan a meeting location and have a good time. There have been boating outings, BBQs, bonfires, the list is too long to mention all of the meetings, but we always have a great time! What do we talk about? There really is no agenda for any of the meetings, other than just hanging out and finding ways to become better dads or spouses.
If you are interested in getting more information about the Fathers Network, send me an email at: fathersnetwork@gmail.comI look forward to meeting you!
Gregg Osborne
Capitol Little League Challenger Division It is with much excitement that I send out news of the 2013 Challenger Baseball season nearing. Online registration is open currently on our website http://www.eteamz.com/CapitolLittleLeague/ make sure that you check the challenger box on the registration and give your uniform size information (uniforms will be the same as last year - MLB Minor League Teams).
Help with Medical Debt
Families who have a child or other family member with developmental disabilities often shoulder the burden of large medical bills. This Informing Families Bulletin shares some resources for dealing with medical debt. Medical Debt
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P2P Staff
Kim Smith, Executive Director and Lead FRC ext. 108
Sheila Kavanaugh, Office Manager ext. 101
Sylvia Heiser, Helping Parent and Transition Coordinator ext. 106
Shana Patterson, FRC (North Thurston and Griffin) ext. 102Karen Huggins, FRC (North Thurston) ext. 103Shanelle Montano, FRC (Olympia) ext.109Sarah Hodge, FRC (Tumwater and Tenino) ext. 107
Tina Washington, FRC (Olympia, Yelm and Rochester) ext. 104
Jullysa Fox, Custodian Chris Brandt, Office Support
Kasey Gates, Data Entry Birth to Three Lara Putnam, Medical Records
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Thank you for the ongoing support of South Sound Parent to Parent that allows us to serve our community!
Sincerely,
Kim Smith
Executive Director |
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