Family Valentine's Dance and Fundraiser 2010

Mark your calendars!

Family Valentine's Dance and Fundraiser
Feb 12th
6-8pm
Hal Holmes in Ellensburg
Tickets $10 per family

Come for the dancing, food, fun with other families of children with special needs and help support P2P. We will be having a silent auction to help raise funds to keep P2P going through 2010.
For information contact Michelle Williams, P2P Coordinator.
Tickets available at Jerrol's Book and Supply, Co.

January 2010 Schedule of Events

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Jan 7th 6-7pm Palace Cafe on Main and 3rd in Ellensburg

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Jan 12th 6:30-7:30 Rodeo City BBQ on Main and 2nd

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Jan 13th 12-1pm CC Thai Cuisine 807 W. Davis #104

Mom's Appetizers
7-8:30 pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
Jan 29th 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by Jan 24th

December 2009 Schedule of Events

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Dec 3rd 6-7pm Palace Cafe on Main and 3rd in Ellensburg

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Dec 8th 6:30-7:30pm Rodeo City BBQ on Main and 2nd

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Dec 9th noon-1pm CC Thai Cuisine 807 W. Davis #104

Mom's Luncheon
Dec 14th 11:30-1pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
Dec 18th 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by Dec 13

November 2009 Activity Schedule

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Nov 5th 6-7pm Palace Cafe on Main and 3rd in Ellensburg

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Featuring John James of Protected Tomorrows presenting on Future Care Plans
Nov 10th 6:30-8pm Rodeo City BBQ 2nd and Main

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Nov 11th 12-1pm CC Thai Cuisine 807 W. Davis #104

Mom's Luncheon
Nov 17th 11:30-1pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
Nov 20th 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple St RSVP by Nov 15

October 2009 Schedule of Activities

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Oct 1st 6-7pm at the Palace Cafe on Main and 3rd in Ellensburg

Camp Prime Time
Oct 2-4th Registration is closed.

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Oct 13th 6:30-7:30pm at Rodeo City BBQ on Main and 2nd

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Oct 14th 12-1pm at CC Thai Cuisine 807 W. Davis #104

Mom's Luncheon
Oct 22nd 11:30-1pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
Oct 30th 6-8pm at the Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by Oct 25

September is National ADHD Awareness Month

ADDitude - Living Well with ADD and Learning Disabilities
additudemag.com

National Resource Center on ADHD
www.help4adhd.org

Center for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ADHD/

National Institute of Mental Health
http://nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Pictures from Appetizer Night!

We had a great turnout, and I think everyone had a fun time. Here are some pictures from the evening.

Appetizer Night!

The Storrs family is hosting an evening gathering this Friday, September 11th from 7-8:30 pm. This will be a great way to wind-down after the first week back to school. So bring your favorite appetizer or snack and come join us! (By tradition, we will be making mojitos but will also have lots of non-alcoholic drink options.)

We are looking forward to seeing everyone!

September 2009 Activity Schedule

Mom's Appetizers
Sept 11th 7-8:30pm

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Sept 15th 6:30-7:30pm Rodeo City BBQ on Main and 2nd

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Sept 16th 12-1pm CC Thai Cuisine 807 W. Davis #104

Kidtivity Respite Night
Sept 25th 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by Sept 20th

Autism Asperger's Support Meeting
Canceled this month due to the Rodeo and Fair

August 2009 Activity Schedule

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Aug 6th 6-7pm Palace Cafe 4th and Main in Ellensburg

Family Potluck BBQ
Aug 8th 5-7pm

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Aug 11th 6:30-7:30 Rodeo City BBQ 2nd and Main

Kidtivity - Respite Night
Aug 21st 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by Aug 16th

July 2009 Activity Schedule

Mom's Luncheon
July 8th 11:30-1pm

Ellensburg Support Meeting
July 14th 6:30-7:30pm Rodeo City BBQ on Main St.

Kidtivity Respite Night
July 31st 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple St. RSVP by July 26

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
CANCELED due to the 4th of July Holiday

Summer Camps and Ideas

Now that summer is upon us, I've started a list of activities happening in the next few months.

Outdoorsforall Camping Trip for teens
June 27-28 in the Leavenworth area
Update - All spots have been filled.

YMCA Autism Family Camp
June 26-28 at Camp Dudley
Update - Registration has closed.

Young Life Capernaum Camp
www.younglife.org/Capernaum
http://sites.younglife.org/camps/washingtonfamilyranch/default.aspx
Aug 19-23 in Oregon at the Washington Family Ranch
Update - Registration has closed.

Outdoorsforall.org
fun activities all summer long for children and adults with disabilities

CWU Summer Physical Education
day and overnight camps
www.cwu.edu/~pesc/

Gallery One
summer art camp program
www.gallery-one.org

Washington State Parks
reduced fee passes for people with disabilities
www.parks.wa.gov/passes/

National Parks
free pass for people with disabilities
www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

June 2009 Schedule of Events

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
June 4th 6-7pm at the Palace Cafe 4th and Main

Ellensburg Support Meeting
June 9th 6:30-7:30pm at Rodeo City BBQ on Main

Cle Elum Support Meeting
June 10th 5:30-6:30pm at the Cottage Cafe 911 E. 1st

Mom's Brown Bag Luncheon
June 22nd 11:30-1pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
June 25th 6-8pm at the Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by June 20

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Month is helping to create awareness of the vast needs of children, youth and families whose lives are impacted by the challenges of mental illness, serious emotional disturbance and/or behavioral disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org

Department of Social and Health Services
Mental Health Division
www.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/

Mental Health America
www.nmha.org

May 2009 Activities

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
May 7 from 6-7pm at the Palace Cafe on 4th and Main in Ellensburg

Ellensburg Support Meeting
May 12 from 6:30-7:30pm at Rodeo City BBQ on Main

Cle Elum Support Meeting
May 13 from 5:30-6:30 at the Cottage Cafe 911 E. 1st

Mom's Luncheon
May 19 from 11:30-1pm

Kidtivity Respite Night
May 29 from 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple RSVP by May 24

April is Autism Awareness Month

Here are some great resources for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder's

Educational Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.k12.wa.us/SpecialEd/pubdocs/Autism%20Manual.pdf

This recently revised and updated manual provides education-related information for families and educators including steps parents should take first when their child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, indicators of an appropriate educational program for a student with ASD, and where to find additional information and resources.

Autism Outreach Project Lending Library
http://www.nwesd.org/autism

The Autism Outreach Project has a lending library containing over 1,200 books, videos, DVDs and curriculum materials spanning the autism spectrum. The lending library is open to all parents, professionals, educators, and other interested individuals in Washington State.

Autism Task Force Guidebook
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/mch/Autism/guidebook.htm

The guidebook created by the Autism Task Force is an extensive resource for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders in Washington State.

April 2009 Schedule of Events

Autism/Asperger's Support Meeting
Apr 2 from 6-7pm at the Palace Cafe

Ellensburg Support Meeting
Apr 14 from 6:30-7:30 at Rodeo City BBQ

Cle Elum Support Meeting
Apr 15 from 5:30-6:30 at the Cottage Cafe

Mom's Luncheon
Apr 17 from 11:30-1pm

IEP's and Communication Workshop - PAVE
Apr 18 from 9-noon Pre-registration required

Kidtivity Respite Night
Apr 24 from 6-8pm Church of Christ RSVP by Apr 19

Seminar on Special Needs Planning

***This seminar has already occurred, so the "interactive" part no longer applies. But you can still log in and listen to the audio.***

February 25, 2009; 7:00 – 9:30 PM EST

Join a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor, a third-party special needs trust attorney, and a representative from a third-party disability organization as they discuss the financial, legal and social challenges faced by families like yours. (Please note that neither Merrill Lynch nor its personnel provide tax, accounting, or legal advice).

Location:
www.epliveonline.com in 2 convenient formats

Live, one-way audio/video streamed with e-mail chat (no longer available)

Archived (viewed online after the event)

Our panel of experts will:

Explore the team approach to special needs planning

Discuss the financial challenges facing families of children with disabilities and review the key elements of an effective financial strategy

Examine how a Special Needs Trust can be used to supplement income and protect quality of life for your child with special needs

Explain how third-party disability organizations can play a role in the special needs planning process

Registration: go to www.epliveonline.com/ep_20090225.html and follow the prompts
There is no registration fee to participate in this program.

Who Should Attend:

Nurses - Educators and School Administrators - Physicians - Allied Health Care Professionals - Families and Caregivers

Others Who Would Benefit: Institutions Serving the MR/DD Population - State and Private Facilities - Military Healthcare Personnel

Panelists:
Frank Quacinella, CFP, CSNA, First Vice President-Investments, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Frank is a national spokesperson for Merrill Lynch's Families of Children with Disabilities Program which offers a wide array of special needs financial solutions. He works closely with disability organizations conducting training and educational workshops, and frequently provides source information for articles published in media publication like: The Record, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Time Warner for articles regarding Special Needs Planning.

Bernard A. Krooks, J.D., CPA, LLM (in taxation), CELA, Founding Partner, Littman Krooks LLP. President of the Special Needs Alliance (www.specialneedsalliance.org), a national network of attorneys dedicated to assisting families with special needs planning. Past President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Fellow of NAELA, a founding member and past President of the New York Chapter of NAELA. In addition, he is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. A member of the editorial advisory board of Exceptional Parent magazine, Mr. Krooks serves on the board of directors and volunteers his time to a number of organizations in the disability community. The law firm of Littman Krooks has offices in New York City, White Plains, and Fishkill.

Ellen Ball Nalven, M. Ed, Executive Director, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN/NJ). Ellen’s 30 years of employment experience encompasses working with individuals with a variety of disabilities including developmental disabilities, deafness and severe mental illness. Ellen is on the executive committee of the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, State Rehabilitation Council, and is board member and first president of the NJ Association of Persons in Supported Employment.

PAVE - You Are The Expert Conference 2009

May 29-30, 2009
Yakima, WA
$125 per person
www.washingtonpave.com
1-800-572-7368

Learn about -
*Teaching Social Skills
*Mental Health Resources
*Wills
*Guardianships
*Parent & Professional Partnerships
*Disability Laws that protect your rights
*Learn about Attention Disabilities
*Emergency Readiness and much more!

Registration closes May 10th.

For information and to register please contact PAVE
www.washingtonpave.com
1-800-572-7368

Another ASL Class

Free ASL Classes at Children's Village

Discovery Sign: Conversations in Sign Language

Are you a family member or friend to a child with a communication disorder, hearing loss, or deafness?

This free beginning Sign class is offered to families and caregivers and will provide a friendly relaxed environment where all family members can learn to sign together.

Dates: Mondays, April 6th-May 11th (6 weeks of sign!)
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Children’s Village, 3801 Kern Rd., Yakima
Child care: Available upon request- please call to register

****Refreshments will be served****

Limited enrollment- Please call Parent to Parent to register (registration required):

(509)574-3260/(800)745-1077

Helping Parents

If your child is diagnosed with an uncommon condition or syndrome, it's not uncommon to feel like no one else really knows how you feel.

Did you know that you can be connected to another family with a child who has the same diagnosis as your child?

Helping Parents are trained, experienced parents who are matched one-to-one with families who have recently received a diagnosis.

If you are interested in being matched up (or becoming a Helping Parent), contact Michelle. She can help make a connection for you.

March 2009 Activity Schedule

Mar 5- Autism/Asperger Support Meeting 6-7pm Palace Café 4^th and Main St. in Ellensburg

Mar 10- Ellensburg Support Meeting 6:30-7:30pm Rodeo City BBQ on Main St.

Mar 11- Cle Elum Support Meeting 5:30-6:30pm Cottage Café 911 E. 1^st

Mar 17- Mom’s Luncheon 11:30-1pm Hosted by Elizabeth Miller

Mar 20– Kidtivity Respite Night 6-8pm Church of Christ 408 S. Maple. Pre-register by Mar 15

Mar 28- Managing Challenging Behaviors 10-12noon Presented by Tory Fiedler DDD. This workshop is FREE.

and mark your calendars...

April 18- IEP's and Communication 9-12noon Presented by Andrea Sheehan PAVE. Fee $5 per person.

Overview of KC Parent to Parent Sponsored Activities

Kidtivity Respite Nights

Kidtivity/respite is a supervised playgroup for children with disabilities and their siblings. The purpose of these evenings is to provide a few hours of respite for the parents and fun activities for their children. Spaces are limited and children need to be registered five days prior to insure adequate adult supervision.

Volunteers have lots of experience with children of all different abilities. During the evening, children can complete an art project and a snack is served. Parents are asked to provide a group snack on a rotating basis. Donations to cover expenses are graciously accepted but not required.

Support Groups

This is a talk time for parents, care-givers, and legal guardians of children with special needs to share information, network, and support each other. The support group is an evening event--casual, friendly, and offered at a safe environment to inspire communication.

Currently KC Parent to Parent holds three monthly support groups. Parents are welcome to drop in to one (or more meetings).

Ladies Luncheon

The "Ladies Luncheon" is hosted by a parent at their own home or a place of their choosing. In spite of the name, fathers are invited also. The lunch could be brown bag, potluck, or full service depending on the preference of the hostess. These luncheons are very casual.

Family Activities

The Parent to Parent program values family time and community integration. We offer ongoing family activities that encourage all family members to participate. These activities vary in dates and times.

The two main family activities KC Parent to Parent sponsors are a free family swim at the Ellensburg City Pool and an annual BBQ in September.

Workshops

Once or twice a year, KC Parent to Parent sponsors workshops about topics pertinent to special needs. Past topics include the IEP Process, Transition and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Pre-registration and a small fee to cover the cost of the class are required.