Family to Family Network October Digest of Events and Resources

October 8th, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. “Practical Negotiating Strategies”: Presented by The Arc of Greater Houston at MHMRA’s Conference Center, 7033 SW Freeway, Houston 77074, Room C. For more information or to RSVP, contact 713-957-1600 ext. 13.
October 10th, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. “Special Education 101”: Presented by The Arc of Greater Houston at 3737 Dacoma, Suite E, Houston 77072. Special Education 101 is an overview of federal and state law governing public school special education procedures. Child and parent rights are discussed along with the referral process and practical tips for securing an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Cost is $25 (individuals may qualify for a 50% scholarship). Please RSVP at least 3 days prior to the event. For more information or to RSVP, contact Karen Snead at 713-957-1600 ext. 13.

October 12th, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. “Transition”: Presented by Partners Resource Network – TEAM Project at 3311 Richmond, Suite 334, Houston, 77098. For more information, contact 713-524-2147 or prnteam@sbcglobal.net.

October 12th, 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. “Special Education Training”: Presented by The Arc of Fort Bend at Mission Bend United Methodist Church, 3710 Hwy. 6 S., Houston, 77082. For parents, educators, agency representatives, and the general public. Become an informed parent and better advocate for children with special needs! Receive information and handouts to help you navigate the special education maze. Q & A will follow the presentation from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Please RSVP and specify the date and location you are attending. For more information or to RSVP, contact Cheryl Sewell at 281-494-5924 or cbsewell@arcoffortbend.org.

October 14th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. “Co-morbid Conditions”: The monthly meeting of the Attention Deficit Disorders Association Southern Region (ADDA-SR), Katy Area Chapter. Meetings are held the 2nd Sunday of each month at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 20775 Kingsland Blvd., Room S201. For more information, call 281-392-6064 or e-mail lpeddicord@houston.rr.com.

October 15th, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. “White Cane/Disability Awareness Event 2007”: The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services DBS/DRS, the Texas RehabACTion Network (TRAN), University of Houston Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with Disabilities, and a host of community partners invite you to “Join Our Celebration!” This free event will be held at the University of Houston Main Campus, Justin Dart Jr. Center for Students with DisABILITIES, 4361 Wheeler. For more information, please contact Lillie Guillory at 713-802-3100.

October 15th, 7:00 p.m. “Accessing and Coordinating Services: Tips on Managing Your Consumer’s Case”: Presented by NAMI West Houston at The Connection Center, 13194 Memorial Dr. (in the TJ Maxx shopping strip on the north side of Memorial). For more information, call 713-984-2538 or email bccord@swbell.net.

October 15th, “Developing Proper Wills, Trusts and Estate Management Documents”: Monthly meeting of Side by Side, Our Community Parent Support Team. Presented by Mr. Steve Rhatigan at the Tad Aker’s Facility, 218 Clear Creek Ave., League City. For more information, contact Renee’ at 281-332-9270 or bennett4@prodigy.net.

October 16th, 7-9 p.m. “My Asperger’s Child: A Different Kind of Kid”: Presented by Behavior Plus at 902 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood 77546. Come learn about Asperger’s Syndrome and better understand what makes your child tick. For more information, go to http://www.behaviorplus-texas.com/ or call 281-482-7587.

October 16th, “Investing in a Brighter Future Annual Luncheon”: Hosted by Collaborative for Children. Keynote speaker: James J. Heckman, Ph.D., 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. Held at the InterContinental Hotel Houston, 2222 West Loop South, Houston, 77027. For more information, call 713-600-1172 or email kmccormick@collabforchildren.org.
October 18th, 7 – 9 p.m. “Outside of Treatment & School Hours: How Do I Manage?”: Presented by FEAT – Fort Bend. Speaker is Christie Enzinna, BCBA, Behavior Treatment and Training Center. Meeting location is Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Adult Chapel,13333 SW Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478, 281-242-2858. For more information, go to http://www.feathouston.org/.

October 19th - 21st “The Arc of Texas 2007 Annual Conference”: The Arc of Texas wants to help make your dreams reality! Join us for the 2007 The Arc of Texas Conference where experts and respected disability advocates will help you explore and develop a roadmap for making your dreams reality. Held at the fully accessible Camp For All located in Burton Texas. Registration deadline is September 28th. Space is limited, so register early! Babysitting and a Kids Camp is available for children and youth ages 18 and under. Stipends are also available. For more information, go to http://www.thearcoftexas.org/ or call 1-800-252-9729.

October 19th - 21st, “God’s Holy Family Retreat”: Hosted by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Continuing Christian Education at Circle Lake Retreat Center, Pinehurst, TX (located between Tomball and Magnolia off Hwy. 249). This retreat is being planned for persons with disabilities and their families. The focus will be on the Gospel of Luke (18:1-8) on the necessity to pray always without becoming weary. There will be times scheduled for prayer and reflection. And there will be various group events and activities offered. Full weekend registration is $60/person ($220 maximum per family). Saturday only registration is $30/person ($100 maximum per family). Meals are provided, and financial assistance is available. Registration deadline is October 12th. For more information, contact Charleen Katra at 713-741-8793 or ckatra@archgh.org.

October 19th, Submission Deadline for Art Exhibition: If you are an artist, 17-25 years old, and have a chronic illness or disability, you are invited to submit your work for a juried art exhibition. Art should be two dimensional. Subject matter is of the artist’s choice. Judges will be looking at artistic talent, skills and abilities. Five $100 prizes will be awarded. All submitted work will be displayed at the Chronic Illness and Disability: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care Conference on November 8th and 9th at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center. For more information, contact Diane at dvmurrell@sbcglobal.net.

October 20th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “The Day After: Developing a Unique Lifeplan for You and Your Special Needs Child”: The Autism Society of America - Gulf Coast Chapter invites you to attend this seminar and discussion presented by Steve Rhatigan of Estate and Financial Plans for Special Needs, and Lisa Wilson, Special Needs Attorney. Cost is $10 per family. Held at Bay Area United Way Service Center, 1300-A Bay Area Blvd., Houston, downstairs in Conference Room C. For more information, contact Kim Lindquist at kimbo77571@yahoo.com or call 281-470-7274.

October 23rd, 7 p.m. “Focus on Behavior”: Presented by Family to Family Network - Katy, at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy. Do you have questions about behavior? What can you do to help your child both in and out of school? Katy ISD Behavioral Specialists, Kalief Muhammed and Trish Reynolds, will join us for this open discussion on behavior. Bring your questions and concerns. For more information, contact Brenda Nelson at 713-466-6304 or f2fbrenda@sbcglobal.net.

October 23rd, 4:30 – 6:50 p.m. “Top 10 Tips for Parents of Children with Disabilities to Get Better Educational Services”: Presented by TOPAA (Texas Organization for Parents, Attorneys and Advocates) Region 4 at the Katy Public Library, 5414 Franz Rd., Katy 77493. Speakers: Advocates Jimmy Kilpatrick, Louis Geigerman, David Beinke, and Special Education Attorney Dorene Philpot. For more information, email dphilpotlawtexas@gmail.com.
October 23rd, 7-9 p.m. “Visual Strategies for the Home and Community”: Presented by Behavior Plus at 902 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood 77546. Develop a better understanding of why visuals are important during this group session. You will also have 2 follow-up consultations with a Behavior Plus consultant to develop visual supports for your child. For more information, go to http://www.behaviorplus-texas.com/ or call 281-482-7587.

October 26th, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. “Positive Behavioral Intervention”: Presented by Partners Resource Network – TEAM Project at 3311 Richmond, Suite 334, Houston, 77098. For more information, contact 713-524-2147 or prnteam@sbcglobal.net.

October 31st, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Autism and Special Education Needs”: Presented by The Arc of Greater Houston at MHMRA’s Conference Center, 7033 SW Freeway, Houston 77074, Room B. For more information or to RSVP, contact 713-957-1600 ext. 13.
November 8th - 9th, “8 th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care Conference”: Presented by the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center, 2151 W. Holcombe Blvd. at H. Pressler, Houston, 77030-3303. For clinicians, the conference includes discussion applicable to both primary and specialty care practices and provides an interdisciplinary perspective on how teams can come together to facilitate the important transition from adolescence to adulthood in healthcare. For parents, teens, and young adults, the conference offers an opportunity to hear practical medical, legal, and insurance information. Presentations this year also cover important issues with respect to mental healthcare and family support. To register/pay online, visit the activity website at www.BaylorCME.org/1376 and follow the instructions.

Free Childhood Immunizations 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Provided by Christus Community Health Ministries at St. Austin Center, 2002 S. Wayside, Houston, TX 77023. Dates: Oct. 25th, and Nov. 29th. You must bring your child’s shot records. For more information, call 713-923-4791.
Updated “It’s a New IDEA!” 2007 Parent Manual is Now Available: This 61-page manual is an invaluable resource for families trying to understand the Texas special education system. The newly updated August 2007 version is available online on The Arc of Texas website, http://www.thearcoftexas.org/, and Advocacy, Inc.’s website, http://www.advocacyinc.org/, and can be downloaded and used by anyone. The manual incorporates the most recent changes in federal regulations and state law. For a printed version from The Arc of Texas, call 1-800-252-9729 or email rstatman@thearcoftexas.org.

Policy and Disclaimer:
It is the desire of Family to Family Network to share information and items that may be of interest to our email list subscribers. These items are not necessarily endorsed by Family to Family Network or our funders.
Organizations wishing to publicize events to the list may submit a brief description and contact information to info@familytofamilynetwork.org by the 15th of the month prior to the event. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please reply to info@familytofamilynetwork.org.
For more information about Family to Family Network, go to http://www.familytofamilynetwork.org/.