FIRST Hot News and Alerts

Asheville Activities for Children and Youth with Disabilities

2012-01-17T10:49:00.002-05:00

SOCIAL EVENTS
Therapeutic Recreation

Social Dances
Teens & Adults,13 and older come out and dance the night away with new and old friends with snacks provided!
Location: Shiloh Center; 121 Shiloh Rd
Fee: $2 per dance

Sweetheart Social: February 17, 7-9pm
Spring Fling: April 20, 7-9pm

Evening Social
Event designed for adults 18 and older with or without disabilities. Enjoy socializing with old friends, and making new ones, too! We will try a variety of events, from dining out, watching movies, or just getting together to talk about a good book.
Location: Throughout Asheville area
Last Tuesday of each month
January-May, 5-7pm
Fee: Participants must pay for their meals, movies, etc.
Participants must RSVP to 259-5483 by 4pm on the Monday before.

CLUB REC
This program is designed for participants 18 years of age and older who have a disability or physical limitation. Club Rec focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals who would benefit from supervised social, recreational, or wellness programs. Club Rec will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10AM-1PM., starting January 3rd
Location: W. Grant Southside Center;
285 Livingston St.
Monthly Fee: $50R, $55 NR.
Participants are also responsible for their own lunch. One to one workers or CAP workers are welcome free of charge.
Registration: December 1-20; ongoing following holidays.

ADAPTED SPORTS
Jr. Bobcats Adapted Basketball Program Sponsored by F.I.R.S.T., this non-competitive
basketball program is designed for boys & girls ages 6-18 with or without disabilities. Players will learn basic basketball skills while having FUN.
Location: TC Roberson PEP Gym
Date: January 26-February 23;
Thursdays 6-7:30pm
Fee: $40 R, $45 NR
Registration: 11am-3pm on December 7th, 6-8pm December 30th & January 6th at the
W. Grant Southside Center 285 Livingston St.

Ted E. Tourist Adapted Baseball Program
This adapted baseball program is designed for boys & girls ages 6-18, with different abilities. Players will learn the basics of baseball and team sports, with an extra emphasis on FUN!
Location: MLK Jr. Park
Date: April 21-June 2, Saturdays 10AM-1PM
Fee: $25 R, $30 NR
Registration: March 30 & April 6 from 6-8pm, March 31 & April 7 from 1-4pm
W. Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St.

SPRING BREAK CAMP
Spring Break Camp is a 5 day inclusive recreation program designed for youth 6-13
years old with or without disabilities who meet eligibility requirements.
Location: West Asheville Center
Dates: April 2-6, 9AM-5:30PM
Fee: $60 R, $65 NR
Registration: March 1-23

SUMMER CAMPS
Summer Enrichment Camp
SEC is a 9 week summer camp designed for youth 6-13 years old with or without
disabilities.
Location: West Asheville Center
Dates: June-August, 10AM-5:30PM
Registration: Begins in May
Registration Fee: TBA
Camp Fee: TBA
Summer Teen Fun Camp
Sponsored by FIRST & Asheville Parks,Recreation, & Cultural Arts Department.
Summer Teen Fun Camp is an inclusive summer recreation camp designed for middle
and high school aged teen with or without mild to moderate cognitive and/or developmental delays.
Location: West Asheville Center
Dates: June-August, 10AM-5:30PM
Registration: Begins in May
Registration Fee: TBA
Weekly Camp Fees: TBA

Summer Theatre Camp
Sponsored by FIRST and Asheville Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Arts Department.
This is a theatre camp for youth, teens and adults with disabilities who want to
experience acting and drama.
Location: West Asheville Center
Date: June-July
Fee: TBA, scholarships available
For information, call Janet at 277-1315

NATIONAL THERAPEUTIC RECREATION WEEK July 2012
Event date and location: TBA

New Services for Families

2011-06-09T12:42:00.003-05:00

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES GRANT
Buncombe County Department of Health

The IA Steering Committee is funding care coordination services through
Community Care of
Western North Carolina*
*formerly Access II Care

to 5 participating IA pediatric practices:

• ABC Pediatrics
• Asheville Children’s Medical Center
• Asheville Pediatric Associates
• Blue Sky Pediatrics
• Mountain Area Pediatrics

Care Coordination services:

• Are available from now until June 2012 (dependent on grant funding)

• Can be requested for CSHCN by a referral to your CCWNC Care Coordinators

What can a CCWNC Care
Coordinator do for uninsured
and private pay CSHCN?

• Assist families in establishing their child with their medical home team and help them build a strong relationship within that medical home.
• Refer families to other community agencies to address the family’s needs and concerns.
• Help families navigate the healthcare system which can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing!

Budget Cut Meetings in Buncombe County

2011-05-20T07:26:00.002-05:00

Dr. Baldwin will present budget information at District Advisory Council meetings to be held at 5:30pm at high schools:
5/19-Reynolds District
5/23-Enka District
5/24-Erwin District
5/25-N.Buncombe
5/26-Roberson District
5/31-Owen District

This is very important for us to understand the cuts to our children schools. Can our children afford to lose their chance on an education because the legislators in Raleigh think that cuts are the only way to balance the budget.

Maintaining the penny sales tax could keep all the teachers in job. Cutting the budget this way is cutting jobs and our children education. This penny sales tax costs a family on average $116 per year. What is the price of the cuts to our children.

Be informed and call your legislators and tell them this is wrong!!!

2011-03-03T16:23:00.003-05:00

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is continuing to accept written comments about the needs of people with developmental disabilities in all stages of life: Childhood/Education; Adulthood,Aging, and Caregiver/Family Supports. The deadline for comment has been extended to Friday March 4, 2011. The comments will be used to shape ADD's understanding of people's needs and to develop its strategic plan for people with developmental disabilities. ADD also works with other agencies and with Congress.

Go to www.envision2010.net/comment_submit.php to submit your comments. The questions for each life stage are:

Childhood (0-21):

How do we ensure that each child with a developmental disability will live a healthy and happy life in a loving family home; fully participate in all of the experiences of childhood in inclusive, welcoming communities; be empowered to advocate for themselves; and successfully graduate from school prepared for college or a career of their choosing?

Adulthood (21-60):

In the future, what will be the most important contributing factors to ensuring that adults with developmental disabilities achieve equality of opportunity, independent living, economic self-sufficiency and full participation as valued members of inclusive, integrated communities?

Which critical issues must be prioritized - access to healthcare, employment, supports and services, technology, housing, transportation, other issues?

Aging (60-end of life):

Aging concerns affect us all. The number of adults with developmental disabilities age 60 years and older is projected to nearly double from 642,000 (2000) to 1.2 million (2030). What can we do to empower older individuals with developmental disabilities to remain in their own homes with a high quality of life, to maintain independence and good health for as long as possible, and to enjoy community and family relationships through the end of life?

Supports from families, caregivers, professionals and other allies:

Over 75% of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with families, often with aging parents. Direct support workers usually earn very low wages. Families and caregivers often struggle to access any level of formal support at all. How can we address the future caregiving and support challenges of communities, families, and the allies who care about people with developmental disabilities?

Please feel free to share this or forward this to others

COME JOIN US & HAVE YOUR SAY!!!

2011-02-24T11:08:00.002-05:00

You are invited to a Town Hall Meeting on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Services
Sponsored by The Coalition

The Coalition, 40 organizations advocating together to meet the needs of North Carolinian's living with the developmental disabilities, the disease of addiction, & mental illness, will host a series of town hall meetings on MH, DD, & SA services across the state. These listening sessions will:

 Provide a briefing on the current budget outlook

 Offer an opportunity to share your opinions about MHDDSA services and supports; in person, in writing, or online

 Update you on how to make a difference on these issues through advocacy

TIME: All meetings are from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and the program begins at 6:30.

DATES & LOCATIONS:
March 17 – Charlotte
Myers Park United Methodist Church
1501 Queens Road, Charlotte

March 17 – Raleigh
NC Advocates for Justice Building
1312 Annapolis Drive, Raleigh

March 24 - Fayetteville
Southern Regional AHEC
1601 Owen Drive

March 31 – Greenville/Winterville
Pitt Community College
Leslie Building - Room 143
1986 Pitt Tech Road Winterville

March 31 - Wilmington
Hampton Inn
2320 South 17th Street, Wilmington

April 7 – Winston-Salem
Forsyth Community College, Main Campus
Ardmore Hall Auditorium
2100 Silas Creek Parkway

April 7 - Asheville
Mountain Area Heath Education Center (MAHEC)
501 Biltmore Ave

Free clf bulbs

2011-02-16T16:30:00.000-05:00

Duke Energy Customers can go online and put in their account number and the last 4 digits of their SS# and receive 15 free cfl bulbs.

www.duke-energy.com/freecfls

What CUTS or TAXES would you make!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-16T16:25:00.000-05:00

Hi, Everyone:

The Governor’s office has an interactive budget tool online that is fairly interesting in terms of looking at choices to balance the budget.

http://www.governor.state.nc.us/budgetapp/default.aspx

ALERT ALERT ALERT

2011-01-09T21:08:00.002-05:00

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO FAMILIES AND CONSUMERS!!!!!

Have you heard about the Medicaid Waiver?

Do you know how it will change the way Medicaid services are delivered in our 8 counties?

Do you want to know the pros and cons of Western Highlands LME’s implementation of this waiver?

Come to the meeting of NAMI-FOUR SEASONS on Saturday, January 15, 2011

Business Meeting/Election of Board Members at 10:15 a.m.

Social Networking at 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by

Our Educational program featuring guest speakers

Don Herring and Dick Graham from Western Highlands

You will have plenty of time to ask questions.

For further information, call

Leslie Huntley – 894-3507 (Polk County)

2010-12-08T21:07:00.005-05:00

Feds launch probe of N.C. mental health system

2010-11-26T09:09:00.000-05:00

Published Wed, Nov 24, 2010 01:39 PM
Modified Wed, Nov 24, 2010 01:48 PM

RALEIGH The U.S. Justice Department has opened a formal investigation into
North Carolina's struggling mental health system, the first step in a
process that could trigger a federal edict for sweeping reform.

The probe is the result of a complaint filed in July by the advocacy group
Disability Rights North Carolina, which contends that the state is
violating
the Americans With Disabilities Act for failing to provide proper housing
for people with mental illness.

Nearly a decade after the state Department of Health and Human Services
closed thousands of beds in government-run psychiatric hospitals as part
of
a reform effort, more than 6,400 people with severe mental illness are
housed in adult care homes scattered across the state, living in sometimes
squalid and dangerous conditions.

The mental patients, their care typically paid for with taxpayer money,
are
often far younger than the elderly residents with whom they are housed. In
the last two years, at least four residents with mental illness have been
killed by fellow patients who had histories of severe mental illness and
violence.

Vicki Smith, the executive director of Disability Rights, said the federal
investigation could force the state to take actions to fix the mistakes
made
during North Carolina's 2001 reform effort, which has also resulted in
people with mental illness routinely languishing for days in emergency
rooms
because no bed in a psychiatric facility is available.

Word of the federal investigation also comes as the state is debating
further cuts to the state's mental health system and moving to close
Dorothea Dix Hospital.

"Now DHHS is going to have to answer a whole series of questions about why
mental health reform has failed," Smith said. "This is huge, from our
point
of view. Huge."

The Justice Department informed the state of its pending investigation
through a five page letter received by DHHS administrators in Raleigh on
Thursday. However, the state department did not publically reveal the news
until it issued a three-sentence media release earlier today, hours before
the start of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Renee McCoy, a spokeswoman for the state agency, said there would be no
comment beyond the media release, which said the state will "work with the
Department of Justice to provide all necessary documents and information
in
response to the complaint."
michael.biesecker@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4698

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship

2010-11-22T09:52:00.001-05:00

Dear Friend,
Our Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship is a unique opportunity offered only to seniors in high school who have an identified learning disability. Qualified applicants may be eligible for one of two $10,000 awards. For more detailed information and to download an application, please visit our Anne Ford and Allegra Ford scholarship page. Applicants should download all materials and send them in one package to our office in New York (as noted on the application checklist).

http://ncld.convio.net/site/R?i=EN2o_EU5RE8G-QpEewPfWQ..

The application deadline is around the corner! All materials must be postmarked by December 31, 2010.

To find other financial aid and scholarship opportunities, please visit our Financial Aid and Resources section.

If your child or student is not eligible for this year’s award, please forward this email to someone who may know an eligible candidate. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Regards,
The NCLD Team

Answers to some of the Questions around the new "Waiver"

2010-11-01T08:35:00.002-05:00

This is a PowerPoint with some of the questions asking about the new "waiver" that are coming to Western Highlands Network. We are not promising that this will answer all the questions but maybe a start.

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/waiver/nccounciddwaiverhandout%20-5-20-10.pdf

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

2010-10-25T21:47:00.002-05:00

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

2010-10-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

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

2010-10-16T18:02:00.000-05:00

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

Your Opinion is Wanted!!!!!!!!

2010-09-13T14:39:00.001-05:00

Families and other persons that are impacted by CAP services please give your feedback regarding the CAP-MR/DD waivers; current and creation of new tiered waivers. Please use the link below and follow instructions BEFORE September 30, 2010.

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/cap-mrdd/index.htm

Guitar Hero Adapted for Persons with Disabililites

2010-08-23T12:57:00.000-05:00

Enabling Devices Adapts Guitar Hero

Hawthorne, NY – August 24, 2010 – Enabling Devices today announced that it has adapted the bestselling music video game, Guitar Hero.

According to Steven Kanor, Ph.D., President of Enabling Devices: “One of the goals of our company is to adapt bestselling games and toys so that people with disabilities can enjoy them along with their family and friends. We are thrilled that we have been able to adapt the electronics of Guitar Hero and create an easy to use tabletop control center.

Gail Cocciardi, Director of Product Development, says: “Our development team at Enabling Devices wanted to create a device that would allow our customers to have easy access to this popular game. Now there is no need to strum a guitar to join in on the fun. What makes it even more exciting is that the user can play at different levels of difficulty from beginner to expert – all with our tabletop controller. We’ve put together a great package which includes the tabletop control center, two software packages, and a guitar, all at a very reasonable price.”

Guitar Hero #4065

Guitar Hero Controller

Features:

Our brand new unique state-of-the-art tabletop control center allows you to play five colored buttons in sync with the musical notes.

Control has select button, an up arrow to select the song and a start/stop button
Easy beginner level allows the user to hit any colored button to go to the beat of the music without having to follow a pattern
The guitar is fully functional so others can join in the fun
Package includes: Control Center, Les Paul Guitar, and Two Playstation 3 software packages: Guitar Hero World Tour (with beginner level) and Hero Legends of Rock
The control center can also be used with your Playstation 2 and Playstation 2 software

About Enabling Devices

Enabling Devices is a company dedicated to developing affordable learning and assistive technology devices to help people of all ages with disabling conditions. The company specializes in creating custom devices for individuals with severe disabilities. Founded by Steven E. Kanor, Ph.D. and originally known as Toys for Special Children, the company has been creating innovative communicators, toys, switches, and sensory devices for the physically challenged for more than 35 years.

For Information: www.enablingdevices.com or

Thank you from the cast of Peter Pan

2010-08-20T08:06:00.002-05:00

A special Thank You to Community Foundation Summertime Kids program, Cyberonics, Asheville Community Theater, Makeup at the Grove Arcade, Dave Bortle, Starr Hogan. A GREAT Big thank you to Debbie Lombard of Exceptional Theatre Company, Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Dept, TR Program and F.I.R.S.T.

GREAT job to all the actors and shadows.

Participate in One of the Listening Sessions Being Held Across the State -- We Want to Hear from You!

2010-08-18T09:16:00.001-05:00

Over the next three months, Disability Rights North Carolina will host public Listening Sessions across the State. At these sessions, Executive Director Vicki Smith will lead conversations that will help define our organization's issue targets for the next three years.

This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts with Disability Rights NC. Don't miss these Listening Sessions if . . .

You are curious about how Disability Rights NC selects the cases it accepts;
You want to have input into the types of cases Disability Rights NC accepts;
You want to share critical information with Disability Rights NC about the violation of the rights of people with disabilities in our State.

All Listening Sessions are open to the public. Pass this email along to other people you know who want to ensure that all people with disabilities in North Carolina are treated equally and fairly, and have full access to the community.

If you plan to attend and need an ASL interpreter, please contact Janice Willmott at janice.willmott@disabilityrightsnc.org to request assistance.

Thur., October 14

Asheville

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Public Works Building

Room A11

161 S. Charlotte Street

other sites available across the state. Check their website disabilityrightsnc.org

“Recognizing and Treating Children Whose Minds Play Tricks on Them”

2010-08-17T12:35:00.001-05:00

Family Support Network of WNC

Will present

“Recognizing and Treating Children Whose Minds Play Tricks on Them”

Children normally experience flights of fancy, including imaginary friends and conversations with stuffed animals. However, some of them are also having hallucinations and delusions which may included unprovoked aggression and nonsensical “lies”. These might be the early signs of psychosis. This family-oriented workshop will provide an informal discussion to learn more about ways that childhood psychosis presents itself, possible methods to manage and appropriate services to pursue. Discussion will cover some of the benefits and controversy of antipsychotic medications and the impact on individual well-being, social and educational function.

Linmarie, Sikich, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. The majority of her work is focused on evaluating and developing treatments for severe neurodevelopment disorders such as autism and schizophrenia using standard efficacy measures, effectiveness measures that also consider the tolerability and acceptability of treatments, and neurocognitive outcomes.

Update on direction of NC schools

2010-07-25T20:23:00.001-05:00

Keep your eye on the North Carolina Joining Our Businesses and Schools (JOBS) Commission that was established about a year ago. The lieutenant governor Walter Dalton heads up the Commission. Dalton was instrumental in establishing North Carolina's early college program which is nationally recognized. More info follow the link
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/education/08school.html?_r=1&ref=us

Top 20 Most Livable U.S. Cities for Wheelchair Users

2010-07-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

Top 20 Most Livable U.S. Cities for Wheelchair Users

By Sara Vigneri

Every American deserves access to our country's cities-it's the law. But what does it really mean for a city to be accessible?

For more info http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.6150343/k.F282/Top_20_Most_Livable_US_Cities_for_Wheelchair_Users.htm

Your Opinion is Wanted!!!!!!!!

2010-07-10T09:07:00.000-05:00

http://rtc.umn.edu/fast/main/index.asp

You are invited to be in a national research study of supports for families of youth with disabilities. This Survey is for the parent or primary caregiver of a young person with disabilities between 12 and 22 years old. If you qualify please click on the above link to partake in this research study.

Getting A Life - Not A Program

2010-05-05T09:51:00.002-05:00

by Derrick Dufresne, CRA cra@aol.com

Please read article, a must read for all families

People with disabilities in this country have been attending programs for the better part of 60 years. For too long, we have measured inputs (i.e., number of times the person attended) rather than outputs (i.e., did he/she want to attend at all?) It is critically important, as Tom Nerney once said,”

not to measure the number of times the person got out of bed in the morning, but why get up at all?"

Ultimately one of the things that separate us from lower forms of life is that humans seek meaning. For too long we have neglected this important truth and instead focused on an activity, a need, or a program. If we are really interested in quality, we must look to measure different things to get different outcomes.

First and foremost, it is important not to confuse quality and compliance. Systems determine compliance - people determine quality. Many years ago Michael Smull taught us true quality can only be measured by that which is important "to" someone other than that which is important "for" someone. This changes the nature of the discussion.

Systems are capable of compliance assurance, not quality assurance. Health and safety (now considered one word) have often been used as a reason to limit liability or to focus on a minimal set of expectations for the individual. This lowers rather than raises the bar. It is about time that we raised rather than lowered expectations if we truly are about helping people get a life.

The new barometer of quality is not about systems, but about people. We no longer measure community presence, but value community participation. We are no longer impressed when people are in the community, but value people being of it. We no longer value people being clients of programs, but being citizens of their community.

What an exciting change! This new reality in no way diminishes the importance of staff or agencies. It simply changes what we measure as success. We now measure not the program's success, but the individual’s success. We no longer measure how visible staff are in people's lives, but how visible friends, connections, and community participation are in someone's life.

Staff become invisible supports - there to nurture, to build bridges and foster connectors. Most importantly, I am now totally convinced that many people with disabilities will not get a life without us. At the same time, we need to make certain that we are not the person’s life.

Finally, personal outcomes are incredibly important and must be utilized as a benchmark to indicate the first layer of quality that we measure. However, this is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for true quality. Neither is choice any longer to be considered an icon or an absolute measure of quality. Maybe it is indeed about freedom and contribution. If we truly are seeking to have people be full citizens of the community, then we need to change the nature of the discussion

It is not just that it is better for people with disabilities to be in the community. It is also better for our communities that people with disabilities are there - side-by-side at our churches, schools and community events and truly part of, not just in the community. To truly value personal outcomes we must also promote community contribution. As citizens we have a responsibility, not only to ourselves but also to those who make up our broader community. We must all have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the communities in which we live and work.

To deny people with disabilities the same opportunity is to focus on clienthood rather than citizenship. If we truly believe that all people have gifts, then everyone must be allowed to make a contribution.

It is truly time to raise the bar. The people we support deserve no less.

-Written for Hammer Discoveries, Issue 85/Spring 2010, p. 1

www.hammer.org

Hammer Residences, Inc.

Wayzata, MN

If you or someone you know did not get a diploma because they did not pass the Competency Test - READ THIS!!

2010-04-30T07:28:00.001-05:00

Please see the following from NC Voc. Rehab and NC Schools

Attachment: DPI letter.pdf

Attached is a letter from DPI-NC School Board regarding the “Competency Test”. Basically if any student did not receive a regular high school diploma because they did not pass the competency test they can go back to their high school and request and receive a high school diploma. The competency has been given since the 1980. The letter is attached for proof. The key is they had to have completed all other required course credits except passing the Competency test.

They passed all required credits for a high school diploma but did not pass the competency test so they received a certificate instead. Many of these students may have taken the GED so they would have that rather than nothing. So it may effect some GED graduates.

This would make a difference for students that need an actual high school diploma and not a GED or certificate.

Alma P. Taylor, M.S.

Program Specialist for Transition Services

N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Phone: 919-855-3572

Fax: 919-715-0616

Alma.Taylor@dhhs.nc.gov

http://dvr.dhhs.state.us.nc

Upcoming Events for Autism Community Center of Asheville

2010-01-29T08:42:00.001-05:00

Parent’s Time Off
Once per month, we invite you and your children to visit us at our brand new location at Westwood Baptist Church in west Asheville. Our professional staff will engage your child in sensory, recreation, and leisure activities, while you have some time off. Siblings are welcome too!
Date: Saturday, Feb 13th 2010 Time: 2-4:30pm Fee: $25/child

Workshops
Local Resources
This workshop quickly goes through the roles various agencies play in the autism community. Who does music therapy? Where can I find a good tutor? Is there a summer camp my child can go to? The first 45 minutes will be an overview of the resources in our area, followed by a question and answer period. The second part of the workshop breaks into two sessions: one regarding resources for adults, and the other will detail the process of obtaining state and federal services for children. Childcare is available upon request.
Date: Tuesday, Feb 16th 2010 Time: 5-8pm Fee: $35

Home Program Basics
This workshop begins with choosing individual household priorities regarding rules, healthy routines, and behavior, and then walks through the steps of creating a home-program that smoothes out the difficult parts of the day. Schedules, token economies, visual structure and sustainability will be covered in a refreshing, empowering format that allows parents to address issues specific to their home and their child in an organized and constructive manner. Childcare is available upon request.
Date: Tuesday, Feb 23rd 2010 Time: 5-8pm Fee: $35

Creative Programming
This workshop goes beyond basic schedule making and token economies. Come hear some new ideas about how to keep your home program refreshingly fun for all of you. We will discuss creative community involvement, fostering friendships, and early employment ideas. Childcare is available upon request.
Date: Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 Time: 5-8pm Fee: $35

Please register online or by phone.
www.autismcommunitycenter.com (828)458-0313

Comment on Case Manager Cuts - Let them hear from you!

2010-01-12T13:27:00.000-05:00

Limiting case mgt to 3 hrs/month is irrational. Such a limit defeats the purpose of Person Centered services and prevents case mgrs from doing their jobs. Inform your consumers & families of this planned cut and the negative impact it will have on their services. Encourage them to make their feelings/opinions known to the state by using the e-mail address below. Notifying their legislators or copying them their e-mails will also be very helpful.

Go to state Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse website www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/

Click Implementation Updates on right below Liza Wainwright photo

Click 1/5/10 Implementation Update #66

Very last article is "Limits for Medicaid CM Services" explaining that Targeted Case Mgt will be limited to 3 hrs/month effective March 1, 2010.

www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/servicedefinitions/servdefupdates/update66/dmadmh66memo.pdf

At end of article is e-mail address for commenting:

"Unless noted otherwise, please email any questions related to this Implementation Update to ContactDMH@dhhs.nc.gov."

Consumers and families can send their concerns, comments, protests to the above e-mail address.

Great Opportunities for Teens with Autism

2010-01-08T16:21:00.004-05:00

Here are some group and learning activities for persons with Autism. All groups will run for 6 weeks, and meet once per week. After 6 weeks, a new round of groups will start. The idea behind the groups is to facilitate activities that people truly enjoy, with enough structure and explanations that people know exactly what to do. Ideally, I would like people to come to these groups with an adult non-parent. If this is not possible, please contact me and we can negotiate.

TO REGISTER: email me at: sylvia@autismcommunitycenter.com

Include the name, and age of the potential group member, and a phone number where you can be reached. I will call you to finalize your registration and payment.

Autism Activity Groups for Winter 2010:

Writing and Illustrating for Teens:
This group is for teens. Each meeting will revolve around a theme, such as animals, travel, aliens, insects etc. Group members can write or illustrate (or both) about the theme, or do their own, non-thematic work. Structured collaboration on projects is encouraged and optional. We anticipate illustrations in a variety of themes, including cartooning, anime-style drawings, realism, and modern art. Group members who wish to share their work with the group may do so at the end of each meeting. Online publishing of writing and/or illustrations is optional.
Class fee: $120
Schedule: Tuesdays 4-5pm January 19th - Feb 23rd
Location: Westwood Baptist Church 150 Westwood Place Asheville, NC 28806

Writing and Illustrating for Adults:
For adults. Each meeting will revolve around a theme, such as family, jokes, music, foods etc. Group members can write or illustrate (or both) about the theme, or do their own, non-thematic work. Structured collaboration on projects is encouraged and optional. We anticipate illustrations in a variety of themes, including cartooning, anime-style drawings, realism, and modern art. Group members who wish to share their work with the group may do so at the end of each meeting. Online publishing of writing and/or illustrations is optional.
Class fee: $120
Tuesdays 2-3pm January 19th - Feb 23rd
Location: Westwood Baptist Church 150 Westwood Place Asheville, NC 28806

Recreation:
For youth. This group will participate in creative, active games each week. Weather permitting, we will hike or play games outside, like disc golf, or lightning. If it is too cold, we will play games indoors, like no-outs dodgeball, or obstacle course building.
Class fee: $120
Schedule: Mondays 4-5pm Jan 25th - March 1st.
Location: Fosters 7th Day Adventist Church Gym 375 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803

Gamers Group
For people older youth and teens. This group will play Nintendo Wii games together. Appropriate procedures for winning, losing, and waiting will be addressed and practiced.
Class fee: $120
Schedule: Fridays 4-5pm Jan 22-Feb 26
Location: West Asheville Recreation Center 970 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806

Bowling League for Persons with Disabilities!!

2009-12-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

The AMF Star Lanes on Kenilworth off Tunnel Road will be beginning a Special Needs Bowling League starting January 30, 2010 from 10 a.m. until noon. Cost will be $8.50 for three games, includes shoes. This Special League will run for 12 weeks. Trophies and party will be held at the end of the 12 weeks.

For more information please contact AMF00024@AMF.com or call Kerri at 254 6161

Workshops about Special Education

2009-11-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

F.I.R.S.T. is offering IEP Clinics for parents and family members to learn about advocacy, the Special Education forms and tips for writing good IEPs. Come and learn to be your child’s best advocate for more information at www.firstwnc.org. Special Education can be intimidating and confusing. Come to one or more workshops for a series of topics.

2nd Tuesdays 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11

West Asheville Community Center

670 Haywood Road

Asheville, NC 28806

3rd Tuesdays 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Dec 15; Jan 19; Feb 16; March 16; April 20 and May 18

Fletcher Public Library

120 Library Road

Fletcher, NC 28732

3rd Thursdays 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Dec 17; Jan 21; Feb 18; March 18; April 22 and May 20

Marshall Public Library

1335 North Main Street

Marshall, NC 28753

Reservations are not required but appreciated. If you would like to have an IEP Clinic or another workshop in your community call the F.I.R.S.T. office for more information at 277-1315. If the schools are closed due to weather, workshops are cancelled.

Call your House Reps Today!!!!! All must ACT!!!!!!

2009-06-01T11:20:00.003-05:00

The House Budget Threatens Our Lives
The House\'s proposed budget will destroy the economic fabric of our state. (If you would like to read the proposed budget go to our action alert page at:

http://72.167.22.100/action_alert/index.shtml . Click on the link for the House Budget Proposal)

Our service system will be set back 40 years. The House\'s proposed budget cuts to Health and Human Services and Medicaid will have a total impact of close to $3.5 billion.

The entire service system will be destroyed. Individuals and families will lose their services. It\'s not even a matter of trying to send people with developmental disabilities back to institutions - there won’t be institutions and there won\'t be community supports.

A few of the worst cuts are:
Reducing the budget for state-funded services by over $150,000,000
Cuts all Medicaid service rates by 4% causing salary reductions and layoffs
Cuts Medicaid Personal Care Services by over $50,000,000...reducing the services by over half. This is the only direct service other than case management that is a Medicaid entitlement for people with developmental disabilities
Eliminates continuation increases in Medicaid of over $500,000,000. This cut means serious reductions because any increases in CAP plans implemented during the last fiscal year will be eliminated
Cuts case management services by over $50,000,000 by \"consolidation\"
Eliminates the Medicaid service called Community Support which is the one Medicaid service that is designed to support people with mental illness in the community.
The House\'s budget will cause a depression in North Carolina. The massive reduction in jobs in health and human services and education, as well as in other areas, will result in a lower tax base, which in turn will necessitate further budget cuts and more losses in services. It’s a vicious, downward spiraling cycle.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! We must all unite to fight the House\'s proposed budget, and we have no time to waste. The House may vote on the budget as early as June 8.
No one can afford to sit back and watch this budget debacle play out. The lives of people with disabilities, their families and the entire state of North Carolina depend on everyone getting involved. Don\'t think someone else will make the calls. YOU must make the calls!

The Arc of NC has a strategic advocacy plan. Today, tomorrow and Wednesday the leadership of the House must hear from you. We will send out an e-alert when it is time for the next steps, but today, you need to make three calls:

Speaker Hackney 919-733-3451
Majority Leader Holliman 919-715-0873
Minority Leader Stam 919-733-2962

Our Area House Representatives are:

Buncombe Bruce Goforth 919-733-5746
Jane Whilden 919-715-3012
Susan Fisher 919-715-2013

Henderson Carolyn Justus 919-733-5956
David Guice 919 715-4466

Madison, Yancey, Haywood Ray Rapp 919-733-5732

Parts of Yancey and Mitchell Phillip Frye 919-733-5661

Check to see who you have and make calls.

Tell them:
The proposed cuts in HHS and education will destroy our state, risking the lives of people with disabilities, our children’s future, cost thousands of jobs and drive our state into a depression! Raise taxes in order to avoid this disaster! We hold the House accountable!

These representatives must receive thousands of phone calls in the next two days.

To follow The Arc of North Carolina\'s activities on the House budget, read our blog at: www.thearcnc.blogspot.com.

2009-01-26T09:13:00.002-05:00

Next Class of Incredible Years Parenting Classes will run for 14 weeks and will build on weekly skills of developing positive approach to discipline. The program will be offered at the YWCA of Asheville on South French Broad Avenue, starting February 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 and running to end of May.

We start by discussing importance of building relationships through the use of play. This may be basic for some parents who are already doing this, but gives ideas on what to say to a child during play and how to use play time as teaching opportunities. We will also cover using praise and positive reinforcement strategies as a tool for decreasing behaviors, in addition to discussing effective limit setting and learning techniques to manage misbehavior associated with tantrums, aggression, biting, defiant behavior etc... Also, a lot of the class will involve discussions with other parents as to the challenges they have, how they handle them, while the facilitators listen and provide guidance. There will be video segments that are watched that show real parent/child interactions to use as a base for discussions and teachings. Each week there will small amount of homework to do, usually hands on practice with a child and small amount of reading.

There are no special requirements for you except to register, call 277-1315, and show up!!! If you have further questions call 277-1315. Hope to see you in classes! Parents and children must be registered for classes, childcare and dinner.

Respect - the positive "R word"

2008-10-03T08:51:00.004-05:00

Since the release of the multi-million dollar film "Tropic Thunder", Special Olympics International, the Arc and many other organizations have worked to change our vocabulary to eliminate the use of the "R word" - retarded.

A Virginia parent has put together a wonderful video that focuses on respect for and honoring people with disabilities.

http://firstwnc.org/video/respect-english.html

Please have a look and share with others!

ACCESS Project

2008-08-29T11:07:00.002-05:00

F.I.R.S.T. offers a new project to help families understand the services available to persons with developmental disabilities

Asheville, NC – July 24, 2008 – The services for persons with Developmental Disabilities has changed as the state of North Carolina has made changes in the Mental Health system which can be confusing to professionals and especially families. F.I.R.S.T. is very excited to offer families and professionals support and education about how the system works.

With our ACCESS Project, staff will train families and individuals about both state and federal services. F.I.R.S.T. will offer sessions open to the public in each of the eight counties in the Western Highlands Network monthly making the ACCESS Project accessible to families in all areas. These training are made possible with funding from Western Highlands Network. “Every parent that I have talked to over the years is confused about how services for developmental disabilities work. Many families have had CAP MR/DD for many years and do not understand the procedures one because they have changed on a regular basis and no one has really explain the system to them. We are very excited to offer this education to families and have Mike Brown, who knows the system so well is really an asset to F.I.R.S.T.”

Mike Brown, formally with Turning Point and Blue Ridge will spend most of his time doing training to groups about how the system works and what you can expect from the system. “Our goal is to have parents and families members have a better understanding of how they can support and be helped supporting a family member with Developmental Disabilities.” Brown will also work individually with individual to support them in learning the system and advocating for their needs. ACCESS Project will closely watch the changes in the system and inform families how those changes may affect them. Outreach into the communities of stakeholders about how Developmental Disabilities servcies work and support families in Western North Carolina is a major part of the ACCESS Project.

F.I.R.S.T. is a resource center for families of children with or at risk of disabilities that has served over 2100 families and professionals in Western North Carolina since 2002 about special education issues and access to community resources. Most of this support to families has been one to one help at the time of crisis or for specific information usually dealing with school issues and accessing community services through state and government agencies.

F.I.R.S.T.’s mission is to help persons with disabilities to live included, productive lives as members of the community by supporting and education families to be their child’s best advocate and youth to be self-advocates.

All families qualify for education and training from F.I.R.S.T. but we focus on families with family members with disabilities or at risk of disabilities including developmental delays, physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental illness. Through collaborations in the community, F.I.R.S.T. looks for projects to fill gaps in services for persons with disabilities.

For information: www.firstwnc.org or

Contact: access@firstwnc.org

Phone: 828.277.1315

Direct line to ACCESS: 828.216.9925

Incredible Years Parenting Classes

2008-01-21T12:28:00.002-05:00

The Incredible Years classes will run for 14 weeks and will build on weekly skills of developing positive approach to discipline. The program will be offered at the YWCA of Asheville on South French Broad Avenue, starting February 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 and running to end of May.

We start by discussing importance of building relationships through the use of play. This may be basic for some parents who are already doing this, but gives ideas on what to say to a child during play and how to use play time as teaching opportunities. We will also cover using praise and positive reinforcement strategies as a tool for decreasing behaviors, in addition to discussing effective limit setting and learning techniques to manage misbehavior associated with tantrums, aggression, biting, defiant behavior etc...

Also, a lot of the class will involve discussions with other parents as to the challenges they have, how they handle them, while the facilitators listen and provide guidance. There will be video segments that are watched that show real parent/child interactions to use as a base for discussions and teachings. Each week there will small amount of homework to do, usually hands on practice with a child and small amount of reading.

There are no special requirements for you except to register, call 277-1315, and show up!!! If you have further questions call 277-1315. Hope to see you in classes! Parents and children must be registered for classes, childcare and dinner.

FirstShine 2007

2007-07-30T06:31:00.000-05:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/smailliWcMnahtE

Link to photos for 2007