F.I.R.S.T. needs your Support!!

Dear Friends of F.I.R.S.T.,

Since 2003, F.I.R.S.T. has been supported by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. This project of F.I.R.S.T. directly support parents as they navigate the Special Education process by training and supporting parents including attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. We have served all families with a focus on rural and Latino families. Unfortunately, our proposal was approved for funding but did not score in the top ten in the county to receive money. At this point, if F.I.R.S.T. does not obtain additional help, it will have no choice but to suspend this project for lack of funds.

As you know, F.I.R.S.T. is a non-profit organization that provides free information, training, referral, and advocacy to parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs. We serve families of children of ages birth to 26 years old and all disabilities (i.e., physical, intellectual, learning and emotional). Our goal is to help parents learn to advocate for their children and to be meaningful participants in their child’s progress. We do this by offering information and direct support to parents and caregivers regarding special education and disabilities to enable them to be effective members of their child's Individualized

Furthermore there is no other organization in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Yancey counties that provides this type of educational, individualized attention to families of children with all disabilities. Over the last year, F.I.R.S.T. had over 6800 contacts with families including attending 107 IEP meetings with families. In addition to supporting families with their school system, we also help connect them to community supports which improve the outcomes for the whole family.

Please join the F.I.R.S.T. Board, staff, and other F.I.R.S.T. supporters in doing everything possible to continue providing these much needed services to families:

§ Make a tax-deductible donation with the form enclosed or by going to our website http://firstwnc.org/support.html

§ Providing a short letter noting how F.I.R.S.T. has made a difference in your life and your ch

Please be clear that F.I.R.S.T. is not closing our doors. F.I.R.S.T. continues to be a source of information and support to families of children with disabilities. Our SUNSHINE Project, Incredible Years Parenting Class and P.L.A.Y. Project are fully funded and will continue. We also have secure funds for our summer programming including a day camp for teens with disabilities and Drama Camp. But for F.I.R.S.T. to provide direct support to families around the special education process funding is necessary. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

The Board and Staff of F.I.R.S.T.

NC Relationships Upcoming Events

NC Relationships Flyer - Family and Service Provider

http://www.westernhighlands.org/images/stories/nc_relationships_flyer_-_family_and_service_provider.doc

NC Relationships Flyer - Self Advocates

http://www.westernhighlands.org/images/stories/nc_relationships_flyer_-_self_advocates.doc

Monica J. Foster is a dynamic advocate. She is also a community organizer and a professional life coach and speaker. In September, she contacted Liberty Corner to see if there were individuals, families and staff who would be interested in being part of the North Carolina Relationship Initiative. Monica explained that she is working in partnership with the Human Services Research Institute and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities on a grant to unite people with disabilities and those who care about and support individuals (personally and professionally) to engage in conversation around supporting healthy, safe relationships and social opportunities in the community. She further explained that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) proposes to engage self-advocates, family members, and staff to establish a safe and supportive environment in which self-advocates can experience healthy social and emotional relationships.

On October 21st, 2010, Monica will be facilitating two separate focus groups including individuals with disabilities and families and staff. Meetings will be held in the training and conference rooms at LCE. Participants in the focus groups will: (a) identify barriers and supportive factors to healthy relationships, (b) receive education and training to address barriers and promote healthy relationship development, (c) take action in their own lives and communities to address barriers and promote healthy relationship development, and (d) share lessons learned with self-advocates, family members, providers, and other stakeholders across the state.

Please pass the word to anyone who may be interested in this very important topic of discussion. For more information, contact monicajfoster @butterflywheel.com or gbyrd@libertycornerent.com.

Free Clinic for Children with Special Needs

Saturday November 6, 2010
Easter Seals UCP, Asheville, NC

305 Stone Ridge Blvd

Asheville, NC 28804

Call John Robsen for Free Clinic appointment 828-423-3173

Anat Baniel Method for Children

Bring your child and experience this cutting edge gentle approach to working with children with special needs. Movement and awareness are the main tools utilized for communicating with the brain to help form new neural connections and patterns. The Anat Baniel Method expands on the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. It is a non-medical, learning based approach that uses gentle touch and movement to enable the child with special needs or a learning disability to improve physically, mentally and emotionally. It asks children to move only in ways which are within their true capabilities, creating a feeling of safety, encouraging a willingness to expand into new abilities. Practitioners certified in this method provide learning experiences that help children develop beyond their limitations. Infants' and children's progress often surpass medical expectations.

Who can benefit from the Anat Baniel Method?

Conditions that have been improved by this method are numerous but include

· Autism Spectrum Disorder

· Brachial Plexus Injuries

· Brain Injury/Brain Damage

· Cerebellar Atrophy

· Cerebral Palsy

· Delayed Development

· Down's Syndrome

· Failure To Thrive

· Fragile X Syndrome

· Hydrocephaly

· Macrocephaly

· Microcephaly

· Multiple Sclerosis

· Muscular Atrophy

· Premature Birth

· Sensory Integration Dysfunction

· Stroke


This event is free but pre-registration is required

For more information or to register call John Robson at (828) 423-3173 or email john@honestevolution.com

Clinic conducted by
John Robson
Anat Baniel Method for Children
Feldenkrais Method