Update on direction of NC schools

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

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!!!!!!!!

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

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!!

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

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!

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

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!!

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

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!!!!!!

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.

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"

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

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

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

http://picasaweb.google.com/smailliWcMnahtE

Link to photos for 2007