|
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities NICHCY Website « All text-only publications have been reformatted to a new easy-to-read layout « A side-bar menu makes navigation easy « The ALL-NEW resource library featuring the Technical Assistance & Dissemination (TA&D) Network makes finding information a breeze
|
|
Family Voices Submitted by Susan Arnold, Topeka Center
Family Voices, as a leader in helping families of children and youth with special health care needs, has created a Legislative Action Center to keep families and others informed of what's happening in Congress that impacts health care policy and programs. The Legislative Action Center, funded entirely by private funds, provides an easy and convenient way for families to learn about legislative issues, write letters to Senators, Representatives, and journalists, read background information on policymakers and many other features all in one site! Check out the legislative Action Center by visiting the Family Voices website at www.familyvoices.org and linking to the center or go directly to http://capwiz.com/familyvoices/home/. Let those who make decisions that affect your families hear from you. |
|
Traditionally, the presentations are all done in English and interpreted for the Spanish speaking only participants. Our challenge at Families Together, especially in southwest Kansas, is to get the much needed information to our families in their home language. These presentations were all done in Spanish. This was very well received by the parents participating. Many wanted more information and more workshops in Spanish, another challenge for us. The last event of the day was breaking the pińatas, “Celebrating Our Heritage”. What a day! What a day! Que dia! Que dia! |
|
3 |
|
Something for Nothing Submitted by Leia Holley
There it lies on the table, a flier for Family Enrichment Weekend/Parent Networking Conferences (FEW/PNC). Free conferences promising to help me understand my child’s educational program, opportunities to meet other parents who understand, and learn about community resources. While I search daily for anyone who understands my child’s disability, I can’t help but linger on one word, free. It sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? Nothing is ever free.
During the November Kansas City PNC, Merlin Lockett, Families Together, shared a similar story regarding her first memory of Families Together. She laid the flier aside and years later after struggling to find someone who could understand, she made that free phone call.
Families Together’s staff members are parents, siblings and education advocates who have struggled to find resources; had doors closed because their child didn’t fit the label needed for a service; sat in cold isolated doctors offices wondering “what’s next”; and, listened as professionals talk about a child who can’t be their child. The staff now has the privilege of being there for parents as they share their struggles and celebrate victories.
While administrators talk about budgets, test scores and AYP, Families Together provides toll free numbers for parents, workshops, FEW/PNC’s, Parent to Parent matches and mini-conferences, all free to Kansas parents.
Free as defined by a parent who attended the Kansas City PNC : “I spent months and hundreds of dollars trying to find the information this conference presented in 1 ˝ days. I cannot thank you all enough for giving me hope that the child I love so much will become a happy, successful adult! It is help I would never have gotten anywhere else. For the first time, I feel knowledgeable and empowered!” |
|
The Garden City Spanish FEW "Celebrating Our Heritage" Submitted by Laurie Gerber, Garden City Center
Trick or Treat, games, crafts, swimming and fun!!!!! That’s what happened at the Plaza Inn in Garden City, KS, October 21st and 22nd. Families Together Garden City Parent Center sponsored and presented our first Spanish Family Enrichment Weekend. While Mom and Dad were together getting to know the other moms and dads, the kids were making Halloween costumes. The theme was "Celebrating Our Heritage". |