Oct/Nov/Dec 2018 Issue 76

Parent Support in a Casual Atmosphere:

Crafting, Coffee & Chatting!

“I love my son with special needs! That said, sometimes the unique parenting challenges I face feel isolating. One of the greatest gifts I have received through Crafting at Children’s Village (and other Parent to Parent activities) is the gift of friendship! That’s because we really can relate to each other. I usually bring some card-making or scrapbooking crafts to do around a large table but anything works! The point is we are together, talking and laughing and meeting new friends! If you don’t have supplies, Parent to Parent has supplies that were donated for you to use. Sometimes I learn new crafting ideas and techniques from my friends. But I go mainly to spend relaxing and creative time with others who really do understand!” ~Lisa

“I like to attend the crafting group at Children’s Village because I feel like I’m in my home doing crafts, chatting with and meeting new people. That makes me happy and comfortable.” ~Rocio

Craft Day is one of my favorite days at Children’s Village! For seven years crafting has been my safe place. A place where if I could not accomplish anything at home, I could actually

finish one small craft project and feel good about myself. It was rare to have those special moments, when my Autistic son was young.

While raising two children, and caring for my father-in-law who has severe dementia,

knowing that I will get those crafting hours, every chance it’s available, gets me through some dark days. ~Margaret

Parent to Parent Connection Newsletter

C R A F T & C H A T

A Partnership for Better Communication on

Developmental Disability Issues in Washington State

www.informingfamilies.org

Community Guide & Community Engagement Services

WHAT is it? Community Guide and Community Engagement Services are flexible, individually designed services to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities connect to their local community and reach goals that they set for themselves. A person can have more than one goal, or change goals as they discover more about themselves, meet new people and connect with their community. The goals are typically short-term, lasting 3 months to a year; however, service hours can be renewed at the person’s annual service planning meeting. Services are provided by an individual or agency who is contracted with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). A provider may not be a parent of the participant or an employee of Aging and Long Term Care Services Administration or DDA. For a listing of providers by county, visit the locator map at: www.informingfamilies.org/locator

WHO is it for? Community Guide services are for individuals enrolled in DDA’s Basic Plus and Core waivers. Community Engagement services are for individuals enrolled in DDA’s Individual and Family Services (IFS) Waiver.

HOW do I request it? If you are currently enrolled in DDA’s Basic Plus, Core, or IFS Waiver, contact your DDA case manager to request services. If you are on DDA’s No Paid Services Caseload, fill out an online request form or call the Service Request & Information Line nearest you. For more information visit: www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/service-and-information-request

TRANSITION TIDBITS TRANSITION TIDBITS

Making Meaningful Connections

Ways Community Guides & Engagement Services have been used:

Pursue creative and educational goals

Access free and low cost resources

Get connected to community classes (cooking, pottery, dance, sign language, exercise, yoga, etc)

Locate housing and/or roomates Learn how to manage finances Explore assistive technologies to increase

communication, independence and con-nection to others.

Connect with people in the community who share similar interests like art, mu-sic, games, sports, etc.

Create an emergency preparedness plan that maximizes connections to neighbors and others in the community

Post-Secondary Education and Vocational Training www.informingfamiles.org

When your child turns 18 they have the option to:

Graduate and continue in the school district’s high school transition program until age 21. This gives them the benefit of a guided transition to adult life, a bridge to adult services, the development of independent living skills, and job skills and training.

Graduate and exit the K-12 system. Some choose to seek post-secondary or vocational training independently (or with help from family). Support from agencies such as DDA & DVR may be limited if you leave high school before age 21. Check with your child’s case manager.

Post-secondary educational and vocational opportunities exist for all adults, regardless of age or ability.

WWW.THINKCOLLEGE.NET is an online resource for students with intellectual disabilities.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) may be able to help you navigate local college offerings.

All colleges have a Disability Coordinator to help you plan for the supports needed.

Washington State Hands & Voices 2950 Newmarket St., Suite 101-124 Bellingham, WA 98226 Phone: 425-268-7087 Fax: 877-289-2796 E-mail: info@wahandsandvoices.org

Guide By Your Side Coordinator: Christine Griffin E-mail: GBYS@WAhandsandvoices.org Phone: 425-268-7087 Fax: 360-715-9970

Washington State Hands & Voices was founded on a concept to provide information and support to family’s raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing, equally across our state. We believe that all children can achieve their

highest potential with encouragement and advocacy from their families. For some of us this journey into deafness and hearing loss is brand new and there is much to learn. As a parent-driven

organization we understand first-hand the value that comes with learning up to date information, having guidance by experienced parents, and making connections with other families and community members regardless of communication mode.

Each year we are able to extend our supports further with the ongoing commitment of our volunteers, state funding partners and donations. We are an organization made up of parents, professionals and community members like you.

“We envision a world where children who are deaf and hard of hearing have

RESOURCES

Healthy Bodies Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

A Parent’s Guide on Puberty

for Children with Disabilities

https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/healthybodies/

Boys:

https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/healthybodies

/files/HealthyBodies-Boys-web.pdf

Girls:

https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/healthybodies

/files/HealthyBodies-Girls-web.pdf

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, BUILDING RESILIENCY

1) Shut down catastrophic thinking, it leaves you unable to

take purposeful action.

2) Identify your family’s strengths and leverage what each

family member does well.

3) Remember positive interactions, at the end of the day, and

why they were important.

4) Encourage positive risks and discuss lessons learned from

failures.

5) Rejuvenate regularly. Laugh. Exercise. Play.

6) Be there for each other when things go right. How you

respond to good news builds better relationships.

7) Allow family members to replicate successes by being

very specific about what you are praising them for.

“You’re such a great athlete” isn’t as satisfying as, “Wow!

The way you sprinted down the middle of the field,

blocked the defense, and kicked the ball to the right side

of the goal was amazing.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pressure-proof/

201111/7-strategies-building-your-familys-resilience

For families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing

Support Group Date/Time/Place Contact

Information

Valley Parents Sunnyside Support and sharing group for parents and caregivers raising

children with special needs. See info below!

Parent to Parent 509-574-3200

SibShops Support group for siblings of children with social, emotional,

communication and behavioral concerns. Registration required.

Second Thursday September through May

5:30 - 8:00 pm Children’s Village

Parent to Parent 509-574-3200

Autism Support Group For parents and caregivers raising children with special needs

Third Thursday 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Children’s Village

Parent to Parent 509-574-3200

Down syndrome Support Group “Homies with Extra Chromies”

Support, Sharing, and Socials for parents and caregivers raising children with Down syndrome.

Fourth Thursday 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Children’s Village, (sometimes off-site)

Parent to Parent 509-574-3200

Holland An eight-week support and learning class for parents raising

children with special needs. Small group setting to learn about the grief process, understand the importance of taking care of

yourself, and learn about resources in our community.

Various days of the week Mornings and Evenings available

Yakima & Sunnyside English & Spanish

Parent to Parent 509-574-3200

Call now to register for our next session!

PARENT TO PARENT STAFF: Tracie Hoppis (509) 574-3263 Call Stacy to register for childcare!

(509) 574-3255

Maria Pulido (509) 574-3297 Text: (509) 907-0872

Se habla espanol

Amy Berkheimer (509) 574-3234 Text: (509) 907-0508

Gloria Urness (509) 574-3257 Text: (509) 833-8489

Valley Parents - Sunnyside

We’re back in 2019!

First Thursdays! February 7th & March 7th

We hope you can join us at our new location: Sunnyside School District Administration Building

1110 N. 6th Street, Sunnyside

A support group for parents and caregivers raising children with special needs. It’s a special time of sharing, celebrating, and building community.

Call for more information: Amy 509.574.3234 or Gloria 509.574-3257

Limited childcare available, call at least 24 hours in advance. Stacy: 509.574.3255

“I am not the only one who has traveled on this path. I will follow the footprints before me

and reach back a hand to those who come behind.” -author unknown

Would you like to be added to an email or regular mail distribution list to receive up-to-date information about classes,

events and resources? Please send an email with this request to: traciehoppis@yvmh.org

Or, call Parent to Parent at: (509) 574-3200

STAY INFORMED Yakima County Parent to

Parent is supported by:

Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital

The Memorial Foundation

Yakima County Department of Human Services

United Way of Central Washington

Developmental Disabilities Administration

Department of Children, Youth & Families

Yakima County Parent to Parent

♥ Nurturing kids and families through support

and friendship.

♥ Fostering attitudes in the community that

welcome and value people with special needs.

♥ Helping kids realize their dreams!

We offer:

Emotional support and information for parents

and caregivers raising children with special needs

Parent sharing groups in Yakima and Sunnyside

Training for parents and caregivers interested in

joining the Parent to Parent network as

volunteer “Helping Parents”

Family social events

SibShops– Workshops for brothers & sisters of

children with special needs

Parent to Parent Connection– English and

Spanish newsletter for families and providers

one 2 one- Inclusive recreation program for chil-

dren with special needs

The Kids on the Block– Disability awareness

program

Visit Parent to Parent on the Children’s

Village website under the

“Family Support” tab:

http://www.yakimachildrensvillage.org

Parenthood is about raising and celebrating the child you have,

not the child you thought you’d have. It’s about understanding they are

exactly the person they are supposed to be.

And, if you’re lucky, they might be the teacher who turns you into

the person you’re supposed to be.”

The Water Giver