A Farewell to Donna Kushi |
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Dear friends and families,
Donna Kushi, Program Manager of our Family Empowerment Program, will be retiring from her current duties as of December 31, 2021. Donna has been the guiding and inspirational spirit with Family Empowerment for many years.
Donna is well known in the community as someone who has the utmost respect for families by meeting them where they are in their journey. She is passionate about describing existing resources to families and discovering new options, so family members understand the system of supports, and with that knowledge develop the skills to help them be an even better advocate to address their needs.
Donna will maintain a presence in Pathlight/Family Empowerment and in the community by pursuing her desire to focus on Person Centered Life Planning issues for families.
We are so grateful to her for sharing her depth of knowledge with families and mentoring those on the Family Empowerment team. One of Donna’s favorite poems, Lessons from Geese, celebrates the value of teamwork and each individual role. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of working together to reach a shared goal.
Donna has always considered it a privilege to work with families throughout her career. Families currently connected with Donna will be contacted by another Family Support Specialist from Family Empowerment who will continue to provide help and guidance.
We all share our best wishes with Donna in her new endeavor and invite families, friends, and co-workers to extend their thoughts and good wishes to her via email until the end of this month at donna.kushi@pathlightgroup.org. When it becomes safe to meet outdoors, we plan a celebration to honor Donna and her many contributions.
By the way, for those of us who were never really sure, the easy key to pronounce her last name is:
kush-EYE!
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In next month’s newsletter, we will introduce the full Family Empowerment Program including what we do and introductions to our complete team. We will continue to profile additional programs and team members in 2022 newsletters.
In the spirit of teamwork, we wish you a peaceful, safe and connected 2022 and a very Happy New Year!
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WEBINARS and GROUPS: Autism Connections and Family Empowerment |
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Special Education Forum
with Nancy Farnsworth, Education Advocate
December 29, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
This popular forum is for parents, and meets to share information/experiences and
receive insight and resources from Nancy.
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Special Needs Family Alliance
Wednesday, 1/5/22, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, 1/20/22, 10:00 a.m.
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Autism Friends and Family Forum
Wednesday, 1/5/22, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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WEBINAR: SSI/SSDI Review
with Caitlyn Thomas
Saturday, 1/8/22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Learn about the differences between the two programs, how to apply, issues related to a parents' retirement and more. Email Michelle.Mendes@pathlightgroup.org to hold your spot.
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Autism Connections Western MA Support Group
Wednesday, 1/12/22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The group is for parents, caregivers, friends and family of children with autism in the Pioneer Valley, but participants from other areas are welcome to join. Contact Kansas at kansas.brown@pathlightgroup.org for more information or Request to join private FB group.
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WEBINAR: PLAN of MA/RI
Tuesday, 1/18/22, 12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m.
Established in 1971, PLAN is a professional trustee providing quality trustee/fiduciary services to individuals and their families through sound and thoughtful trust administration and compassionate, caring social service support. Email Michelle.Mendes@pathlightgroup.org to hold your spot.
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WEBINAR: Creating a Sensory Room at Home (for a child or an adult)
With Sarah Weirich
Tuesday, 1/19/22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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THE 2022 AUTISM CONFERENCE |
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Autism Conference 2022
Drum roll please.....our Keynote Speakers have been selected for the 31st Annual Autism Conference! We are so excited to share that Jed Baker and Alix Generous will be joining the Conference this year to each provide a Keynote Speech and Breakout Session.
Alix Generous is an #ActuallyAutistic advocate for advancing mental health reform and institutional treatment of autistic people. Alix has had five years of professional experience working in behavior analysis, but a lifetime of experience living as an autistic person in a neurotypical world. She hopes one day all autistic voices are heard and respected, and hopes to help create a world designed to accommodate everyone.
Jed Baker, Ph.D. is the director of the Social Skills Training Project, an organization serving individuals with autism and social communication problems. He is an award-winning author of eight books and has been featured on ABC World News, Nightline, the CBS Early Show, and the Discovery Health Channel.
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This is Me, Portraits of Pathlight 2022 Calendar
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- sign up for winter session beginning January 10, 2022
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Activities for families and individuals |
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Look Park Holiday Lights
Look Park, Northampton
November 26 - January 2, 4:00 -9:00 p.m.
Free admission, donations welcome
Winter Wonderland and the Festival of Illumination
Southwick Zoo, Southwick, MA
November 26 - January 2
There is a fee per carload for this event and also an optional Santa's workshop. Review the registration site for fees, hours, closed days of the week, and all other information.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Rebecca M. Johnson School, Springfield
Start December 27 at noon
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
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- sign up for winter session beginning January 10, 2022
ALL IN: Barrier Free recreation for children and adults with special needs
from the Wildfire Alliance
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Community webinars, activities and important updates |
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Updates to PCA Program
PCA PROGRAM CHANGES
Beginning January 1, 2022, Tempus Unlimited will become the only Fiscal Intermediary (FI) serving the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and MFP Self-Directed Waiver programs. All Consumer-employers and PCAs who do not currently use Tempus Unlimited as their FI must complete and return paperwork to Tempus Unlimited FI immediately. Find more information on Tempus Unlimited.
WEBINARS
- DDS Participant Directed Services
- This is an opportunity to hear how participants and their families can design individualized services to meet their needs through the Participant Directed Program or Agency with Choice. Several webinar dates are available in January, February and March.
CONFERENCES
EVENTS
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Resources and family supports |
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PCA PROGRAM CHANGES
Beginning January 1, 2022, Tempus Unlimited will become the only Fiscal Intermediary (FI) serving the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and MFP Self-Directed Waiver programs. All Consumer-employers and PCAs who do not currently use Tempus Unlimited as their FI must complete and return paperwork to Tempus Unlimited FI immediately. Find more information on Tempus Unlimited.
FINANCIAL
Find a food bank or food distribution site near you HERE, or contact the Food Bank of Western MA at 413- 247-9738.
- Wild Ivy Social Justice
- February 9, 2022
- Sponsored by Community Action
- from January 3, 2022
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Discipline, Last Resort
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Flyer from Chapter 222 School Discipline Coalition, in English and Spanish
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GENERAL COVID RESOURCE SITES
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TESTING RESOURCES
- Mass.gov
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City/Town websites: check the websites of your city or town for the distribution of free home test kits.
VACCINE INFORMATION
- BOOSTER SHOTS
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Mass.gov information about booster eligibility and FAQs, including "What should people who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine do?" and "Do I need to get the same brand of vaccine for my booster"?
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