November 2017 News
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Upcoming Events:

November 3: Turkey Trot Dance with Jackson County Parks + Rec.  Click here for flyer.

November 8:  Company of Champions Bingo Night.  Click here for flyer.

November 9: Affiliated Providers Organization (APO) Legislative Breakfast

November 28:  Giving Tuesday!  Help DPI fund clothes and coats for the individuals we serve with your donations!  Watch for upcoming emails!

November 22: DD Month Poster and Bookmark Contest Deadline  Click here for more information. 

December 1: Mark your calendars for DPI's "What Makes Me Smile" Community Recognition Gala with keynote speaker and humorist Brad Neider.   Click here to find out about sponsorship opportunities.

December 4: 12 Days of Caring gift donations due - Click here to sign up!

December 5:  DPI Holiday Gift Wrapping/Craft Making Party - Click here to sign up!

December 8: Gingerbread Dance with Jackson County Parks + Rec.  Click here for flyer.

December 15: Kansas City Regional Office Relationships and Sexual Health Education Course - Parent/Guardian/Provider Information Session  - See additional information below.

January 5: New Year's Dance with Jackson County Parks + Rec.  Click here for flyer.
Holiday Days of Caring

This year, DPI is hosting the 12 Days of Holiday Caring for our individuals.  This will be over 2 weeks of holiday cheer including decorating our sites, caroling, special holiday treats to try, and gifts.  Please join our efforts to make the holiday season merry and bright for the individuals we serve.  Many of our individuals only experience the holiday season through DPI.  Please, be a part! 

to support our program by sponsoring holiday gifts and/or join our 
Holiday Gift Wrapping/Craft Party!

Does your business or civic organization want to sponsor a Day of Caring?  Contact Amy Cox at acox@developingpotential.org for more information!
 "What Makes Me Smile" 
DPI Community Recognition Night

Friday, December 1, 2017
5:30pm
Longview Mansion
1200 SW Longview Park Dr.
Lee's Summit, MO 64081
 
On Friday, December 1, Developing Potential will be hosting our "What Makes Me Smile" Community Recognition Night to support those we serve.

The evening will consist of wonderful holiday jazz music from A La Mode, a silent auction, dinner, keynote speaker Dr. Brad Nieder - The Healthy Humorist, and awards.

Attendees will also have a chance to bid on a suite at the Kansas City Chiefs 
December 16 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.  
Suite package includes tickets for 13 individuals and 5 parking passes, valued at $13,000! 
Generously donated by Premier Mazda.


Contact acox@developingpotential.org to purchase tickets.
Click here for sponsorship information and form.
Support the purchase of clothing and 
coats and holiday food for the individuals we serve.  

Help us warm their bodies and their hearts 
this holiday season. 



DPI Employment Connections
Danny gets his first job!

Danny has reached a major milestone!  In October, Danny experienced going to work for the first time and he is so proud of this accomplishment.  Through support from DPI Employment Connections, Danny was able to learn more about work, explore some of his gifts and interests, discover how that related to many, many job options for him and target the type of employment that would bring him joy.  Danny is pleased to announce that he will be working at Pizza Hut one day per week with the goal to increase his work hours in the future.  Danny has a wonderful, supportive team at Pizza Hut and a very bright future ahead of him.  

Are you a job seeker interested in receiving services from
DPI Employment Connections?
For more information, contact Lori Oxborough at loxborough@developingpotential.org or 816.525.6000 ext.112.
DPI Advocacy Update:
Advocating for Transportation Needs

Developing Potential is involved in several initiatives to advocate for transportation services for individuals having disabilities.

The Mid-America Regional Council is updating its Coordinated Plan, which establishes regional goals and strategies for transportation and mobility services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Please help them in this endeavor by completing this survey. Your input will influence new and existing programs, and help generate new services to meet needs.

Click here to take survey.

You can get more involved in this process and learn about the results of this survey by attending the Mobility Advisory Committee meetings on Dec. 11 and Feb. 12 (locations TBA). To learn more, please contact Drew Stiehl at dstiehl@marc.org or visit the Mobility Advisory Committee website.

DPI in the Community

We just had to share a compliment we received when we were out in the community!

"I had to stop and write you to say how wonderful it was working with your staff to help with your group on these tours. They are all so good with your (individuals) and helpful in all aspects of their job. I hope your group had a good time seeing Kansas City. Look forward to working with you in the future." 
Thanks, 
Tom McIntosh 
General Manager, KC Fun Tours
Thank you to the following for donations 
October 2017:

 Salon Ami
Premier Mazda
Pizza Ranch
Country Club Bank
Connell Insurance
Summit Pet Care

Direct Support Professional positions available at DPI's
Independence, Lee's Summit and Kansas City locations.

Click here for job description, requirements and more information.
DPI Outcomes:

DPI Health and Wellness:
Tips for Eating Healthy this Holiday Season

The holiday season is all about friends, family, and food!  So staying on track with a healthy diet can prove to be a challenge this time of year.  Here are some tips to help navigate your way through the season.

Include:
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Beans and legumes
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fish, skinless poultry, and plant-based alternatives
  • Fat-free and low-fat dairy products
  • Healthier fats
Limit
  • Sodium and salt
  • Saturated fat
  • Sweets and added sugars, including sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Red meats-If you do eat red meat try to select the leanest cuts
Avoid
  • Trans fat and partially hydrogenated oils
Additional Tips
  • Choose wisely, even with healthier foods.
  • Compare nutrition Information
  • Watch your calorie intake
  • Eat reasonable portions
  • Eat a wide variety of foods
  • Prepare and eat healthier meals at home
Source:  American Heart Association
  Partners in Policymaking:  

Are you a parent of a child with a disability or a person with a disability?

Would you like to see a barrier-free society where everyone is a valued member of their community?

Are you interested in promoting change within your community? Within the state?

 

If you answered yes to these questions, you might be interested in becoming one of a growing number of Missouri's Partners in Policymaking Graduates.  Partners in Policymaking is a leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities.  The program teaches leadership skills and techniques to develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel and other individuals who make policy decisions about services that you and/or your family use.

In monthy sessions, you will have the opportunity to practice new skills in a comfortable and safe environment, build a network of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences,and then learn from national experts.  Partners is about systems change -- creating, working toward and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities.  This program is based on the belief that the most effective and enduring public policy decisions are made by the people who need and use services in partnerships with policymakers.  It's about becoming confident in yourself, competent in the knowledge and information you'll receive, and comfortable in sharing the life experiences and expertise you bring to the program.

We accept applications during the fall of each year, with the new session beginning each February for the annual Partners in Policymaking classes. 

Click here for application.  Applications are due December 10, 2017.
Relationships and Sexual Health Education Course
Hosted by Kansas City Regional Office

Click here for flyer.
Click here for consent form.

The Kansas City Regional Office is excited to offer a series of workshops called Relationships and Sexual Health from January 5th, 2018 through February 9th, 2018. This class series will be comprised of six sessions that cover a range of topics such as healthy relationship boundaries, communication, STI's, birth control, and decision making.

The purpose of this class is to give individuals the tools necessary to navigate the confusing (and constantly changing) world of relationships and sexual health, not to force participants to adhere to any one agenda. Because there are so many messages that our individuals receive about sex from books, TV, the internet, and other media, we want them to receive factual, medically accurate information about sexual health and relationships from a source that they trust.  Our goal is to empower people to make informed and healthy decisions about their own lives with help from the information in this workshop series.

Each lesson will focus on a different topic related to sexual health and relationships. There will be interactive games, discussions, videos, and other activities to help us teach to a wide variety of learning styles. Participants will be encouraged to voice their own opinions and share their thoughts in a respectful and honest manner. Parents, guardians, staff members, and all stakeholders are encouraged to attend all six sessions so that they may discuss the information with participants. Additional materials will also be available to parents, guardians, and staff members for processing and discussion.

Because the information in this curriculum builds on itself, participants should attend all six sessions. However, if for some reason they cannot attend all sessions, participants may come to as many as they can. Sessions will be held every Friday from 10:30am- 12:00pm from January 5th- February 9th. Attached to this letter is a brief outline of our intended curriculum, a short explanation of how our educator intends to handle sensitive topics, and a consent form for you to sign for your individual's participation in this program.

DEADLINE FOR CONSENT FORMS: December 30th, 2017
Consent forms (after being COMPLETELY filled out - including email addresses!) may be returned by mail to: Kansas City Regional Office 821 E. Admiral Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106 Attn: Chad Reyes or by email at chad.reyes@dmh.mo.gov; or by fax - Attn: Chad Reyes at  1.816.889.3325. 
DPI Recycles!
Please bring your used print cartridges to any
DPI location and we will recycle them. 
Cartridge World makes a donation to
DPI for each cartridge we recycle!
Give Back to DPI Every Time You Shop!
Go to    smile.amazon.com and choose Developing Potential, Inc. as your charity of choice.

Each time you shop, DPI receives a donation.

It's that easy!
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  Developing Potential, Inc.| info@developingpotential.org | 816.525.6000 | developingpotential.org
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