The ODP Consulting System Website The website provides information about supports and services administered by PA Department of Public Welfare, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The mission of ODP is to provide individuals with mental retardation, autism, and their families the services and supports they need and the opportunity to make real choices about living, working and options for social activities to enable them to live in and participate fully in the life of their communities. http://www.odpconsulting.net/
Summer Program for Young People Who Use Communication Supports The Institute on Disabilities at Temple is offering a two-week residential opportunity next summer for young people using communication supports. The 2-week program "in residence" on Temple's campus for individuals with complex communication needs who use "high tech" communication devices, helps them learn to use their voice both literally (improving the use of their device) and figuratively (via empowerment and self-advocacy). The focus is on transitioning young adults - and it is perfect for those who think they might like to participate in higher education (as well as employment and independent living). http://gallery.mailchimp.com/19e8ee8c57999492d1f109d2b/files/ACESsheet.pdf
Inclusive Schools Week - December 7- 11, 2009 Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) at Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), which is held each year during the first week in December. The week provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. http://inclusiveschools.org/week2009
New Including Samuel DVD! "Including Samuel" now available Subtitled in 17 languages: Arabic · Catalan · Chinese · Czech · Dutch · French · German · Greek · Hebrew Hindi · Italian · Korean · Portuguese · Russian · Serbian · Spanish · Swedish $25 for the Individual Use DVD! For more information visit: http://www.includingsamuel.com/store
Call for Proposals for 9th Annual Pennsylvania Community on Transition Conference: Empowerment in Action: A Unified Approach, to be held July 21 - 23, 2010 at the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA 16803, 814-863-5000. The primary purpose of this conference is to expand the capacity of schools and community partners to promote the successful transition of youth/young adults with disabilities to the post-school outcomes of: Employment, Post-Secondary Education and Training, Healthy Lifestyles, Community Participation and Independent Living. All proposal applicants need to review the2010 PA Community on Transition Conference Overview (click here), prior to completing a proposal to present. Click here for proposal request. A copy of this document and the overview can also be obtained electronically by visiting www.sharedwork.org, click on the National Community of Practice on Transition, take a minute to register, and click on Pennsylvania. Proposal Submission Requirements: Deadline December 15, 2009.
Coordinator for a Transition Learning Collaborative The PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in collaboration with The PEAL Center, the PA Health Law Project and the PA Department of Health, is seeking a Coordinator for a Transition Learning Collaborative under a federally-funded State Implementation Grant (SIG) focused on integrating services for children and youth with special health care needs. Click here for more information.
Miracle League of Southwestern PA has now opened registration for the Spring 2010 Season. The Miracle League is “focused on building a field of dreams for all disabled children [and adults] in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We cannot change or cure the medical issues life has dealt disabled children. What we can do is provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing our National pastime—baseball at the new Pirates Charities Miracle League Field in Cranberry Township.” The MLSWPA now has three divisions from which to choose: the Miracle Division, the Competitive Youth Division, and the Adult Division. If you are interested in participating as either a player or a volunteer, please visit the Miracle League’s website for further information: http://www.mlswpa.org/game/central.asp
Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) ACAP services now include Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Chester counties. To help families better understand this program, Click the following linke for some questions and answers. http://gallery.mailchimp.com/19e8ee8c57999492d1f109d2b/files/BASACAPFAQ200910.pdf For more information, contact Bureau of Autism Services, Office of Developmental Programs, Department of Public Welfare, 866-539-7689, ww.autisminpa.org
Share the Power of a Wish Make-A-Wish is looking for children to experience the magic of a wish. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is short on referrals of qualified children who live in the Greater Pittsburgh area. If you know a child with a life-threatening medical condition refer them today. To refer a child or for more information, call Dana at 800-676-9474 or email dantkowiak@wishworld.org . http://www.wishgreaterpa.org/
Free communication devices are available to Pennsylvanians through a generous donation from AstraZeneca. The Zam Communicator is a lightweight, two-sided communication device that does NOT generate speech. It was developed to help improve communication between patients who are unable to speak and medical professionals. The device offers a keypad for spelling out words and icons representing medically related messages. The messages are displayed on a dual sided LCD screen at the top of the communication device. Zam Communicators are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis to individual Pennsylvanians. Individuals will be asked to pick up the device from PIAT's main office or pay for shipping. AstraZeneca is a Delaware-based pharmaceutical company that donated these devices to Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology. These devices must be distributed directly to patients and may not be distributed to or through physicians, other health care professionals, medical group practices, or to hospitals. They can be distributed directly to patient groups in individual, outpatient, or health clinic settings. Health care and disability professionals can promote the availability of these devices and encourage individuals to contact their Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) (for a listing of ATRCs, go to http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/atrc.shtml. ) AstraZeneca and Temple University make no warranty and assume no liability on the device or any of the included components. For more information, please contact PIAT at 800-204-PIAT (7428), (866) 268-0579 (TTY) or atinfo@temple.edu.
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at the Temple University, helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities learn about and acquire the tools they need in order to learn, work, play, and participate in community life. If you have any assistive technology needs, please contact PIAT at (800) 204-PIAT (7248) voice), or (866) 268-0579 (TTY), at info@temple.edu or visit www.disabilities.temple.edu/piat.
Disability.gov is a comprehensive website designed to offer people with disabilities access to important information they can use. Disability.gov also is a useful information and referral tool for responding to the questions and concerns of Social Security's 52 million beneficiaries. The Disability.gov website shares general information about how Social Security can help people with disabilities, and much more. For specific, detailed information about benefits available through Social Security for people with disabilities, you can visit: www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. To learn more about information available for people with disabilities, visit www.disability.gov. To learn more about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
Maximum Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to help families dealing with the financial hurdles that often accompany caring for a terminally ill child. http://maximumhopefoundation.org/
New Caregiver Support Group (Free)- Greensburg Family and friends who are caring for another's child will have the opportunity to meet twice a month for information, support and education. Child care and a light supper will be provided. Group will meet in Greensburg, two evenings per month beginning in October. Please call 724 837-5410 ext 702 or ext. 704.
Impartial Hearing Officer Job Posting The Pennsylvania Department of Education is soliciting resumes of individuals interested in serving as a full-time impartial due process hearing officer for the Office for Dispute Resolution. Bilingual and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PEALCenter/074fc42e73/ed0e3a906a/0bac016f21> For more information click here
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PEALCenter/074fc42e73/ed0e3a906a/7728e1eb75> . CVS Grant - Inclusion in Public Schools “The program will also award grants to public schools that promote a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular programs for children with disabilities. Proposed programs must be
fully inclusive where children with disabilities are full participants in an early childhood, adolescent, or teenage programs alongside their typically developing peers.” Schools that apply must be in states
Request for Research Participants The University of Illinois at Chicago is currently conducting Internet-based survey research on the heath and lifestyle of adolescents with disabilities. This confidential study is looking for teens 12-18 with
physical or cognitive disabilities, as well as their parent or caregiver, to complete an online survey. If you would like to participate in this research, please visit the following link: www.healthforyouth.org
Department of Disability and Human Development at bdavis7@uic.edu or 312-355-4054.
Quality of Life Grant Information Quality of Life Grant Information - These grants provide qualified families caring for children and adults with autism and other special needs with stipends that may be used for a wide variety of supports related to their family member. To be considered for a Quality of Life Grant, applicant must: Have an individual with a diagnosed developmental disability living at home; Have a family income of less than $30,000 per year (see below); Live in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States (i.e., Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York only). For details about this grant visit: http://www.neighborheart.org/grants.asp
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is offering a $1 entrance fee per person with an Access card to all of the Carnegie Museums (good for 4 family members on 1 card!) Link to to Carnegie: http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/index.php
Autism Insurance Act This new law will change the way your child’s autism-related services are covered. This Act will make changes to the way that autism services are covered through the Medical Assistance program and private health insurers. www.PAAutismInsurance.org.
School Reform A Costing Out Study for Special Education was released in February. Funded by the Education Law Center, the Disability Rights Network and The Arc of Pennsylvania, the study shows that there is a $380 million statewide gap in funding for Pennsylvania’s 270,000 special education students. The study concluded that 391 of the state’s 501 school districts have inadequate funding for special education, with an average shortfall per district of $1 million. Advocacy work has begun to address this issue and both agency and parent involvement is needed to move this issue forward. For more information go to http://www.reformspecialedfunding.org/
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is going on a listening tour. He has launched a nationwide listening and learning tour, and wants to hear your take on what's working – and what' is not working – in our schools. You can submit comments online at: http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/topic/listening-tour/
Pfizer Program to Help Unemployed
Pfizer Inc announced that it has a new program to help eligible unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their health insurance continue to receive their Pfizer medicines at no cost for up to one year. The program will be open for enrollment through December 31, 2009 and applies to eligible Americans who have become unemployed since January 1, 2009. To be eligible, individuals and their immediate family must "have become unemployed since January 1, 2009;" " were prescribed and have been taking a Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months prior to becoming unemployed and enrolling in the program;" must "have no prescription coverage' and can attest to their financial hardship." patients who qualify may receive their Pfizer medicines at no cost for up to 12 months For more information about this program visit: http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/programs/ProgramDetails.aspx?p=116 or call 1-866-706-2400.
Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) newsletter article re: resources to help families of children with disabilities who utilize AT for their child's camp experience. http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/index.php
All-Inclusive Playgrounds at North and Boyce Parks - Pittsburgh area All-inclusive playgrounds have been installed at Boyce Park and North Park. The playgrounds are specially designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities, but they are meant to be enjoyed by children of all capabilities. http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2009/20090520a.aspx The Family Resource Guide for Allegheny County is online and it contains great information for families: http://www.familyresourceguide.org/index.html
A new website specifically for people Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing, designed to give access to general medical and behavioral health information. It has video streamed ASL, captioning, and text and a wide variety of information. www.healthbridges.info.
ACCESScard holders are entitled to $1 admission per person to all four Carnegie Museums (good for up to four people). Just present your ACCESS card at an admissions desk. Not valid for group admissions, or with other offers; additional charges may apply for special exhibitions and programs. For more information about visiting one of the Carnegie Museums, call one of the numbers listed or visit www.CarnegieMuseums.org. Oakland Museums: 412.622.3131 -- Carnegie Science Center: 412.237.3400 -- The Warhol: 412.237.8300
Grants for TBI Support Groups-- The Bureau of Family Health's Division of Child and Adult Health Services is accepting applications to promote education, greater public awareness and networking for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family members. Funding for up to $3,000 is available to establish support groups in areas of need or expand existing support groups within the community that focus on TBI as it relates to the individual with TBI or family members. Activities should assist in facilitating a support group in underserved areas or expanding an existing support group. The goal is to promote education and networking at the grass roots level focused on TBI. http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-1/24.html RESOURCES -- HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED -- Click Here
IDEA Infant and Toddler Association (ITCA) National and Regional Parent Leadership Awards are given annually to acknowledge outstanding state / regional, and/or national parent leadership on behalf of the Part C program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. Parents may be nominated on the basis of significant contributions, in either a volunteer or paid capacity, during a specific period of time, or for exceptional efforts over a period of several years. These efforts may range from family support efforts, recruiting and/or training families, serving on committees, working on legislative initiatives etc. The ITCA will make Parent Leadership Awards in each of the Regional Resource Center (RRC) regions. Additionally, the National Parent leadership award will be chosen from individuals nominated for leadership efforts at the national level. Click here for details
Medical Assistance Grants The United Healthcare Children's Foundation is accepting applications for families who have children with critical healthcare treatment, services or equipment not covered or not fully covered by their parents health benefits plans. For more information or to apply, please visit www.uhccf.org/apply_applicant.html
Free Medications to Qualifying Individuals Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need. All in one place. http://www.rxassist.org/
SPROUT - New Website provides information about support in Erie County SPROUT is intended to provide Erie County, Pennsylvania parents, caregivers and youth with information about where to turn for help and how to make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones. The website is interactive and user-friendly – providing people with the ability to submit questions and be linked with agencies and informed individuals to help meet their needs. SPROUT will also allow access to a community calendar, and promote connections with mentors and other support groups. http://www.eriesprout.com
Free cell phone for income-eligible customers SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers. For details visit: https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh New website for the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh. http://www.dsapgh.org/ Free Medications For Qualifying Patients Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need. All in one place. http://www.rxassist.org/
“CommunicatePA”is a new website developed by the Institute on Disabilities at TempleUniversity with funding from Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs. It is part of a statewide effort to unite all individuals concerned with communication rights for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities that often include communication challenges. This website is intended to raise awareness of individuals in Pennsylvania who have complex communication needs and provides resources for information-sharing, problem-solving, and networking http://www.communicatepa.wikispaces.com/.