February 2021 Volume II, Issue 3
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UPDATES on COVID-19 and other resources
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COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
Vaccine roll outs have begun in earnest, but it can be quite challenging to find an appointment. The process continues to be a topic that affects so many in our community. Here are some resources and events to help you with your vaccine journey.
ABOUT THE VACCINE
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Ask Your Vaccine Questions, from your panel of experts from Baystate Health. RSVP and send your questions in advance to kpiorek@mhainc.org. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the Zoom session; Thursday, March 4, 11 am – 12 pm, FLYER
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Virtual Panel Discussion, The COVID Vaccine: Personal & Professional Perspectives Within African American and Latino Communities, from The Public Health Institute of Western MA; Friday, March 5, 12 pm – 1 pm
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FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Third COVID-19 Vaccine: Learn more about the FDA authorization of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
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"Pfizer, Moderna or maybe J&J? Right now, the best vaccine for you is the one you can get", according to the Washington Post.
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Getting the COVID vaccine, social story by Brian Melanson of Pathlight's Whole Selves
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What to expect during my COVID vaccine shot, social story from DDS
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What you can expect after getting the vaccine (especially after the 2nd shot), info from the CDC
ABOUT SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION
GENERAL INFO
PHASED REOPENING: advances starting March 1
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DDS SELF DIRECTED SERVICES WEBINAR from Family Empowerment and Autism Connections
DDS Self-Direction Manager Pam Hickey presented a thorough general information session about the Self-Directed Programs recently. Thanks Pam! View her PRESENTATION or the RECORDING of the webinar to learn more. Self-Directed Services from DDS offer the most flexibility to arrange and customize supports based on an individual’s needs and preferences.
YOU'RE WITH US! Webinar from Family Empowerment and Autism Connections
YOU'RE WITH US identifies and train clubs, teams and mentors from colleges to welcome individuals with disabilities into their groups. Learn more from the webinar powerpoint recently presented: PRESENTATION.
Upcoming Webinars from Merge Inclusion Webinars, sponsored by Family Empowerment and Autism Connections
Join us for a 2-part Webinar Series from Merge Inclusion. On Tuesday, March 9, 6-7pm, Lisa Drennan will present Coping Strategies on how to stay socially connected while physically distancing. March 16, 12-1:15pm will be Lisa's presentation on Community Inclusion. Learn more and register HERE.
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The 30th Annual Autism Conference Registration is OPEN!
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Join us for our exciting virtual event on April 29, 2021, showcasing Keynote Speakers, Breakout Sessions and an Exhibitor Showcase The Conference is for parents, individuals with autism, educators, medical practitioners, therapists, agency professionals and anyone interested in learning more about autism. Learn more and register HERE!
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The Pathlight Community Year in Review
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Did you get a chance to see our Year In Review video a few months back? As the world slowly begins to open up we are remembering 2020 and where we were, as we look forward to where we are going! View the video HERE.
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Special Education Forum for Parents every other Wednesday.
The Forum is an excellent resource group for parents looking for solutions to education related challenges during the pandemic. The next meeting is March 10. LEARN MORE and REGISTER.
Here is what one parent said about the group: Most importantly for me, it has been really helpful to connect with other families that share some of the challenges of this journey. In everyday life there are not a lot of opportunities to connect with people that truly understand. There really is no replacement for connecting with families that can share and relate to the challenges of being a special family.
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES and NEWS
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WEBINARS
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Wednesday, March 3, 1pm; Hippotherapy for people with autism, from the Autism Research Institute
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Thursday, March 4, 11 am – 12 pm, Ask Your Vaccine Questions, from your panel of experts from Baystate Health. RSVP and send your questions in advance to kpiorek@mhainc.org. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the Zoom session, FLYER
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Friday, March 5, 9 am - 10:30 am; Virtually Meet with your legislators from Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties, from the United Arc.
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Friday, March 5, 12 pm – 1 pm; Virtual Panel Discussion, The COVID Vaccine: Personal & Professional Perspectives Within African American and Latino Communities, from The Public Health Institute of Western MA
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Tuesday, March 9, 9-10am, Understanding and Navigating Employment Supports in Massachusetts, from the Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment
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Tuesday, March 9, 6-7pm, Coping Strategies on how to stay socially connected while physically distancing, from Merge Inclusion and Family Empowerment.
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Tuesday, March 16, 12-1:15pm, Community Inclusion, from Merge Inclusion and Family Empowerment.
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Wednesday, March 17, 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm, Disability Disclosure in Employment Series: The Decision to Disclose, from the Massachuetts Office on Disability
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Saturday, March 20 (virtual) 10am - 12pm: Job Searching for the Neurodiverse, from ASPIRE at Mass General Hospital. Learn more (scroll to the bottom for workshop) or apply.
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Tuesday, April 6, 4- 5:30pm, HSF Forum: Supporting Working Parents, from the Human Service Forum. Join HSF for a community forum on the challenges of being a working parent during the pandemic.
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 10-11:00 am; 43rd Legislative Reception, from the Arc of Massachusetts. More information and register HERE.
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Saturday, March 6, Visions of Community, from the Federation of Children with Special Needs.
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Friday, March 26-27, starting at 7am PST, Abilities Expo Virtual Event, products, resources, workshops and adaptive fun for the disability community
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April 19-22, Disability Policy Seminar, from the Arc of the United States
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April 29, Autism Connections' 30th Annual Autism Conference (virtual), Keynotes, Breakouts Sessions, Exhibitor Showcase and more! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
ACTIVITES
STUDIES
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Emory University Study (Harper Psychophysics and Neuroscience Imaging (PaIN) Lab in the Department of Anesthesiology) about pain pathways in individuals with ASD and anxiety.
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COVID-19 SPECIFIC UPDATES
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Emergency Broadband Benefit: The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.
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WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify. Learn more here.
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HAVE YOU WONDERED ABOUT THE KN95 MASKS YOU SEE FOR SALE?
NIOSH-Approved N95 masks (respirators), according to the CDC are "reserved for healthcare personnel and for other workers who are required to wear them for protection against other hazards". KN95 masks are similar, but may or may not meet regulations that are comparable to NIOSH-approved masks (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). More from the CDC.
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Click on the following links for COVID-19 Related Topic Information Sheets
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VIEW ALL PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS HERE.
Adult Family Care, Autism Connections, Family Empowerment, Milestones, Shared Living, Whole Children and Whole Selves are all programs of Pathlight
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