You may have noticed our staff's email addresses throughout this newsletter. Simply write the person's firstname.lastname@partoparvt.org to send email to us. Or write to p2pvt@together.net for general comments/questions. Please visit our WEB site to keep informed on calendar events and information at: http://www.partoparvt.org
Has your address changed? Due to the new 911 system, many addresses have changed. Please mail us your new address or email Libby at: Libby.Ingalls@partoparvt.org
The "Insure Kids Now", a national campaign, is designed to enroll eligible but uninsured children in Medicaid and the new Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). www.insurekidsnow.gov 1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669)
Molly Holland, one of our Supporting Parents, is getting together a group to organize a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program in the Burlington area. She is looking for parent participation in the planning process and names of children who would be interested in participating. Call her at 865-7709.
Would you like to help create the next Partners in Care Conference? Planning for the 1999 Partners in Care Conference will begin in early May. If you are interested in joining our planning committee and/or would like to volunteer for this event, please contact Fran Campbell at 655-5290.
Childcare
Program Update:
Each
year following the UVM school calendar, students from the Physical Therapy
department volunteer 3-5 hours of time per week to families for childcare.
Families are free to use the childcare in a way that benefits their family.
For example a student (or two) may care for all the children in the family
so the parent(s) can go out, or the parent(s) may want to create a special
time with just one child at a time. The important thing is that the program
is set up so that families can use it in a way that works for them.
We bid
a fond farewell to senior students and senior coordinators (Erica Brown
and Michelle Richard.) We look forward to the continuation of the childcare
program under the capable leadership of Alyson Lamothe and Lindsay Adams.
Alyson and Lindsay have been junior coordinators since last year and bring
a lot of enthusiasm and energy to the childcare program. They have also
already recruited 2 new coordinators to work with them over the next year!
Call 655-5290.
Behavior-Development-Individuality
An electronic
(e-mail) newsletter for parents and caregivers that links the latest research
with practical parenting ideas for children, from birth to 12, with challenging
temperament and more. To receive a free trial newsletter, just send an
e-mail to:
B-DI@temperament.com
with the message "subscribe newsletter".
KIDS
DAY is May 15 "A Celebration of Friends" Join the Parade see the booths,
performances and artwork. Parent to Parent is planning to see you there.
Burlington/Waterfront Park.
SibShops:
We have
had one SibShop this spring, for children ages 8-11 on March 6th. Many
thanks to several new volunteers who helped make the day extra fun! At
the time of this newsletter, we are gathering information to try out a
pilot teen SibShop. We invite comments from families (teens and parents)
about what they would like to see included in a teen SibShop. SibShops
are a wonderful way for children to meet others who have siblings with
special needs and have to fun. They can also provide opportunities for
sharing with others who understand what it's like. Give us a call to get
your
name on the SibShop mailing list (802)655-5290.
View more info
on SibShops
Now siblings can also get support on an ongoing basis.... Donald Meyer, Director of The Sibling Support Project (and co-author of SibShops!) invites adults as well as children to visit the Sibling Support Project's web page at http://www.chmc.org/departmt/sisupp From there you can sign up for a NO-COST subscription to join SibNet (for adult siblings) or SibKids (for younger siblings). Through these lists you can connect with peers, from around the world, who have a sibling with special health, developmental, and emotional needs.
International
Parent to Parent Conference 2000:
"Pioneer
Spirit - Blazing New Trails" 10th biennial "Parent to Parent" Conference
in Nevada; one of the largest conferences of parents and families. For
parents and professionals from around the world. May 4 - 7, 2000; Reno
Hilton Casino & Resort. Contact: Cheryl Dinnell, (702)784-4921, ext.
2352, cdinnell@scs.unr.edu
http://www.unr.edu/repc/npn
Institute
on Movement Therapy & Expressive Arts in Education
Nonverbal
Assessment and Intervention; Movement Therapy with Children and Youth,
June 28-July 1. Dianne L. Dulicai, Ph.D., ADTR (Academy of Dance Therapists
Registered) and William Charles Freeman, Ph.D., ADTR
Focuses
on teaching the use of nonverbal/movement assessment and intervention with
children with disabilities and those at-risk in education and treatment.
Emphasizes a comprehensive model for development of movement therapy services
in a collaborative team-based approach in school settings. Integrates assessment
of nonverbal behavior, development of goals and objectives for Individual
Education Programs (IEPs), direct services, and evaluation of progress.
Also addresses methods for increasing awareness and understanding of the
benefits of movement therapy services among teachers, parents, administrators,
and the public. 30 hr credit. For teachers, paraprofessionals, related
services providers, and parents. Call: Marie Rock @ 656-1141 or William
Freeman @ 802-722-3388; movement@sover.net
Try
Out Program at VPIC
Try
out cool software and hardware designed for people who have difficulty
with standard computers! Includes talking word processors, special keyboard,
mouse, and talking educational software! For more info call Teresa Poquette
(802)658-5315, 1-800-639-7170 or vpic@together.net
Are you interested in supporting other parents who have a situation similar to yours? We are planning a Skill-Building Workshop to train Supporting Parents, in the St. Johnsbury area on Friday, May 21. This is a full day of learning to know each other and ourselves better and to talk about skills we all use in helping others. Call 1-800-800-4005 to let us know you are interested and we will send more details.
Summer
Camp Opportunities
Easter
Seals of VT offers a fully integrated camping program for boys and girls
in cooperation with the Boys Scouts of America. The camps are open to children
and young adults with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities
and feature personal support depending on the camper's needs. Working with
the Boy Scouts of America this camping experience allows children &
young adults to participate in archery, leatherwork, wood carving, basketry,
Indian lore, environmental science, fishing, outdoor cooking, and a variety
of field sports and waterfront activities. 1-888-372-2636 for more information
or an application for camps in VT, NH, and NY.
Wish
List for Parent to Parent
As you
have read previously in this newsletter, we have grown! We are currently
looking for a medium dorm-sized refrigerator, a small couch, and an overhead
projector. If you can donate one to us, please call 655-5290. Thanks!
Artsability:
The
second session of Artsability began February 6th and runs through May 1st.
Families who have children ages 3-17 years old come together to sing, dance,
sign, meet friends and play. Sarah Brutzman continues to facilitate this
wonderful workshop. Date remaining: May 1st at The Movement Center (Essex
Ctr.) from 1-3pm. This is FREE with no registration required. For more
info call us at 655-5290 or Sarah Brutzman 862-5890. See
more info on Artsability
Down
Syndrome Support Group
A group
of parents have gotten together to form a support group for parents of
children with Down Syndrome. If you are interested in attending a meeting,
please call Parent to Parent
at 655-5290 for more information.
FREE
Ensure Plus Nutritional Supplement
Parent
to Parent has 50 cans of "Ensure Plus" to give away. Please call us at
655-5290 to arrange pickup!
Partners
In Care Conference
Remember
to mark your calendar for next year's Partners In Care Conference. December
3, 1999!
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