Family to Family May Digest of Events and Resources

May 1st, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting on Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Options: The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will hold a series of town hall meetings across the state to provide an opportunity for individuals, service providers and the general public to learn more about the CDS service delivery option available in many DADS programs. These meetings will include an information session and an opportunity to ask questions. Registration is not required and attendance is free. If you or someone you know is in one of the following DADS programs (CBA, PHC, FC, CAS, CMPAS, ICM, CLASS, DBMD, HCS or TxHmL) and you want to learn more about how to be the employer of your services and have more control, choice and responsibility, you are invited to attend one of the meetings. The Houston area meeting on May 1st will take place at the MHMRA of Harris County Conference Center, Room B, 7011 SW Frwy, Houston 77074. For more information, contact Elizabeth Jones at Elizabeth.jones@dads.state.tx.us.

May 1st, 7 - 9 p.m. “TEA Complaint Resolution Process for Parents”: Presented by the NW Houston Chapter of the Autism Society of America at Graceview Baptist Church, 25510 Tomball Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77375. Ron Roberts and Keith Swink will be speaking. Both are complaint investigators with the Division of IDEA Coordination at the Texas Education Agency. They will provide valuable information for parents on filing a complaint with TEA, unresolved issues with ARD meetings, etc. Childcare is provided if you register in advance by contacting Denise Briley at TheJOYLady@msn.com or 281-351-4979. For more information about the meeting, contact NorthwestHoustonChapterASA@yahoo.com.

May 1st, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Aldine ISD Transition Fair: To be held at MO Campbell Center.

May 1st - 2nd, “Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson’s Three-Part Treatment Plan for Oral-Motor Therapy”: Sponsored by The Learning Lane and the NW Houston ASA Chapter at Graceview Baptist Church, 25510 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball 77375. Presented by Renee Roy Hill, MS, CCC/SLP. Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson’s innovative tactile-sensory approach to speech therapy uses therapy tools to train and transition muscle movements for speech production. Learn how 40 highly motivating motor activities can be used to improve phonation, resonation, and speech clarity. Register online at www.InnovativeTherapists.com. For more information, go to www.TheLearningLane.com or contact Jennifer@TheLearningLane.com.

May 3rd, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. “Maximizing Cooperative Behavior: A Workshop in the 123’s of ABA Series”: Presented by FEAT-Houston and the NW Houston ASA Chapter at Graceview Baptist Church, 25510 Tomball Pkwy., Tomball 77375. Board Certified Behavior Analysts Ellen Catoe and David Whitcher will present. This workshop is for individuals who have some training in basic ABA Skills. Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so register early. Register by April 23rd for reduced registration fee. Some scholarships available. For more information, contact Carol Sloan at cysloan@earthlink.net.

May 3rd, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. “Marriage Event for Parents of Special Needs Children”: Hosted by Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. Life is all about your kids… Make this day all about your marriage! Speakers include: Jim Markle, father of a son with autism, speaking on couples caring for a child with special needs and how they can nurture their marriage. And Steve Rhatigan, speaking on how to have a financially healthy marriage while caring for a child with a disability. Cost is $10 and includes a couples’ lunch. Childcare is provided for children with special needs who are 18 and younger, and also for siblings 8 and younger. (Please bring a lunch for your child.) R.S.V.P. by April 20th. For more information, contact Alicia Boykin at aboykin@mdpc.org or go to www.mdpc.org.

May 7th, 6 p.m. Early Registration and Open House for Summer Camp “Targeting Skills for Social Success”: The Shape of Behavior will be presenting their camp curriculum, introducing teachers, answering questions, and providing snacks and fun activities for the kids at their Museum District Location (go to www.shapeofbehavior.com for clinic addresses.) The camp goal is to create a supportive and structured group setting to teach, role-play, model, and practice appropriate social rules with each child targeting individualized goals. Session One: June 23rd - July 23rd. Session Two: July 28th - August 27th. (Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:15 - 11:45 a.m. at locations in Sugar Land, Katy or Tomball.) Tuition is $1250 for each 5 week camp (25 hours of social training). Camp is open to students between 4-9 years old who have been diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, High Functioning Autism and generalized social skills deficits. Students should be verbal, have average to above average cognitive abilities, should not exhibit harmful behaviors toward peers, and should be able to participate without the assistance of a shadow. Please email Erin Webb LMFT at erin@shapeofbehavior.com to reserve a space for you and your camper at the Early Registration and Open House.

May 8th, 10 a.m. - noon “Student Introduction Portfolios”: Presented by Family to Family Network. Students are more than a disability label and what you read in an IEP. Learn how to create a Student Introduction Portfolio that can be used to promote communication & inclusion in the classroom, self advocacy in ARD meetings, and assist with transition. Summer is a great time to work on portfolios. Come to the Family to Family Network office (13150 FM 529, Suite 106, Houston 77041) on May 8th to learn where to begin, what to include and look at samples of other portfolios. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Brenda at f2fbrenda@sbcglobal.net or 713-466-6304.

May 10th, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. “Open Clinic (Bring your paperwork & questions.)”: Presented by Partners Resource Network – Path Project at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2601 Montgomery Rd., Huntsville. For more information, contact Gail Wright at 936-291-2097 or walkercountypath@yahoo.com.

May 12th, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. “Developing Student Portfolios”: Presented by The Arc of Greater Houston at MHMRA’s Conference Center, 7033 SW Freeway, Houston 77074, Room A. The presentation is free, but reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, contact 713-957-1600 ext. 13 or ksnead@thearcofgreaterhouston.com.

May 13th, 3 - 7 p.m. HHSC Seeks Public Comments: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is conducting hearings to receive public comments on the 2009-2013 coordinated strategic plan for the state’s five health and human services agencies. The draft HHSC Strategic Plan has been posted at: http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/StrategicPlans/HHS09-13/DRAFT_StrategicPlan_FY2009-2013.pdf. The Houston area public hearing will be held on May 13th at Lee Community College, 200 Lee Dr., Baytown. Written comments may also be submitted until 5 p.m. on May 16th to SPDraftComments@hhsc.state.tx.us or via mail, Attention: Laura Jordan, P.O. Box 13247, Austin, TX 78711-3247.

May 14th, 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 ksnead@thearcofgreaterhouston.com or 713-957-1600 ext. 13.

May 17th, 8 a.m. 5th Annual Katy Sunrise Rotary 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, Stroll or Roll Benefiting Family to Family Network: This event is open to everyone so the entire family can make it the one to run, walk, or roll year after year! Start time is 8 a.m. at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch. The 5K run features ChampionChip Timing and a USATF certified 5K course. Register online at: http://www.signmeup.com/site/calendar/details.aspx?calendarid=29&CalendarListingId=22515 or go to www.KatySunriseRotary.com for more information.

May 20th, 7 - 9 p.m. Katy Autism Support Group monthly meeting: Held at St. Peters United Methodist Church – Asbury Hall. Please join our group online at KatyAutismSupport-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. For more information, contact group coordinator, Karen Jaggers, at kkinkaty@comcast.net.

May 30th, 7 - 9 p.m. Celebrate Summer Family Party!: Hosted by Family to Family Network - Katy Chapter at the Kingsland Baptist Church Gym, 20555 Kingsland Blvd., Katy. Join us to celebrate the beginning of summer with a party for children of all ages. All families that have a child with a disability are invited to attend. The evening will begin with fun games and activities. Light refreshments will be served, including a gluten free/casein free table for children with food sensitivities. If your child is on the GFCF diet, please consider bringing a treat for the table to be shared with the other children. The evening will conclude with a special performance by The Lost Dogz, a group of gifted young people that have pooled their talents to make the type of music they love to listen to. RSVP by May 26th to Brenda at 713-466-6304 or f2fbrenda@sbcglobal.net.

June 15th - 17th 2008 Statewide Texas Behavior Support Initiative (TBSI) Conference: “Positive Schools, Positive Results: Linking Behavior and Achievement”. Presented by the Region 4 Education Service Center and held at the Hilton San Antonio Airport. Keynote speakers are Gwen Webb-Johnson, Ph.D.. Texas A&M University and Pedro Noguera, Ph.D., New York University. For more information, go to www.txbsi.org. Deadline for hotel reservations at the TBSI rate is May 26th.

June 16th, Texas Focus 2008 Pre-Conference for Parents: Hosted by the Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.
June 17th - 18th Texas Focus 2008 Conference “Access to the General Education Curriculum for Students Who Are Visually Impaired”: How do you provide access to the general education curriculum for all students who are visually impaired? More importantly, how do you insure that after graduation they will have all the skills they need to access life? Presented by the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Held at the Doubletree Hotel Austin located at 6505 IH-35 North in Austin, Texas. Open to both families and professionals. For conference and pre-conference details, go to www.tsbvi.edu. The deadline for early registration discounts and special hotel rates is May 15th. Registration ends on June 1st.

June 23rd - 25th Texas Assistive Technology Regional Conference: Sponsored by the Texas Assistive Technology Network and the Texas Education Agency at the Region 4 Education Service Center, 7145 Tidwell, Houston 77092. The conference fee is $75 and will feature national presenters, concurrent presentations and commercial exhibits. For more information, go to www.texasatconference.net.

June 23rd, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. FREE Assistive Technology Exhibit Hall Open House: Attention Parents! You are cordially invited to attend at no charge an exhibit hall open house as part of the Texas Assistive Technology Regional Conference (listed above). June 23rd only. Location: Region 4 Education Service Center, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston 77092.

June 27th - 28th, 4th Annual TxP2P Parent Conference “We’re All in This Together”: Presented by Texas Parent to Parent at the Omni Hotel Austin at Southpark, Austin. Includes a Teen Transition Expo on June 28th for teens and young adults, ages 13-22, who have disabilities or special healthcare needs. For conference details, go to: www.txp2p.org. Early registration (with reduced registration fee) ends on May 1st.

July 22nd - 24th, Texas Statewide Conference on Education of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Held at Moody Gardens Conference Center in Galveston. Reservations should be made early! Conference cost: Professional/Paraprofessional = $160; Families (2 adults) = $30; Students = $20; High School Student = FREE. There will be one day of childcare offered on Tuesday, July 22nd for deaf or hard of hearing children and their siblings for an additional fee. Families must pre-register by April 30th to be guaranteed childcare. After April 30th, childcare will be determined based on available space. For more information and conference details, go to www.swced.org.

August 8th - 10th Texas Advocates 2008 Annual Conference: Save the date! Location will be The Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th St., Austin 78701. Texas Advocates just celebrated its 25th Anniversary of teaching people with disabilities to Speak Out for Themselves. Texas Advocates is the only statewide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Texas run by and for people with disabilities. For more details, go to www.thearcoftexas.org/ta.

August 9th, 8:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. Autism Families Connect Conference: A one day conference designed to educate, encourage, and connect families of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Held at Sagemont Church Children’s Building, 11300 S. Sam Houston Pkwy E., Houston, TX 77089. For detailed descriptions of each session as well as speaker biographies, or to register online, go to: http://www.sagemontchurch.org/afcpc. Registration completed by May 30th is $15/person. After May 30th, the cost will be $20/person. Cost includes a box lunch. No childcare will be provided.

New Free 7-1-1 Speech-to-Speech Option: The Texas Public Utility Commission along with Sprint Relay is proud to announce still another first in Relay Texas. In the past, some individuals with speech disabilities have had difficulty making a 7-1-1 call and getting transferred to the Speech-to-Speech (STS) service. Relay agents sometimes had difficulty understanding the individual’s speech or the wait time to be transferred could be long. Sprint Relay has now changed 7-1-1 to add a direct STS option! Individuals dialing 7-1-1 can now press “1” to place a relay call, or press “2” to be routed directly to the STS center.

New Fort Bend Play Group for Children with Autism: The purpose of this playgroup is to create social opportunities for children with Autism & their families while building a support network in Fort Bend County. Participants include residents & non-residents of Fort Bend County who have a family member age 1yr to 5th grade with a diagnosis somewhere on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. No age restriction on the sibling participation. The playgroup will meet the 2nd Saturday of every Month starting in April in Fort Bend County – location will vary. Most outings will be free yet some will require minimal cost per person depending on event. For more information, contact Susan at susanbgar@earthlink.net or cell 281-726-2665.

The Network School Summer Camp 2008: The Network School is a special needs school. Each summer camp session will focus on fun and engaging activities centered around a summer theme. Younger students will be exposed to art, music, and sensory skills while maintaining their cognitive interest. Older students will work on cognitive and academic skills based on each child’s individual needs while enjoying a fun, social atmosphere that includes music, art and gross motor activities. Music therapy will be offered weekly. Camp sessions will be offered in both June and July (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. depending on the session). For more information, contact Melissa Larson at 713-523-0837 or Dr. Faiza Khoja at 832-693-5361. Dr. Khoja can also address questions about financial assistance for the camp sessions.

Summer Sibling Support Project: Offered by the Shape of Behavior on Wednesdays (6/25, 7/2, 7/9 and 7/16) from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Graduation on Saturday, 7/19. The goal is to assist siblings in understanding that they are not the only child with a brother or sister with special needs, offering them a peer group to talk openly and safely with, teaching ways to cope with their brothers’ and sisters’ behaviors and learning to understand that they are not alone in their experiences and feelings. Tuition is $125. Location to be determined depending on number of attendees. For more information and early enrollment, please contact Erin Webb LMFT by May 15th at erin@shapeofbehavior.com or 713-480-8294.

Katrina Survivors Asked to Share Their Stories: Researchers at the Center for Disability and Development at Texas A&M University are conducting a study on the long-term recovery survivors from Hurricane Katrina who have intellectual disabilities (mental retardation). If selected, individuals will participate in either an interview, telephone survey, or a focus group and be eligible for up to $50 in compensation. Interested individuals or their guardians (if applicable) should contact the Texas A&M project using their toll free number at 1-866-578-4366. All calls will be confidential and consent procedures will be carefully followed with all potential participants.

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