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What is the Center for Exceptional Families?
We are a non profit made up of mentors, parents, and advocates who strive for positive outcomes for those with disabilities, including their families. Some of the services we provide are:
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December 2nd - 9:30 AM Sensory Cinema showing of Trolls or The Marvels at Malco Towne Theater in Jonesboro. Click Here
December 8th - TCFEF Art Contest due date. Click Here
December 16th - 9:30 AM Sensory Cinema showing of Wish or Wonka at Malco Towne Theater in Jonesboro. Click Here
December 21st - 1:00-7:00 PM Christmas Celebration in Mountain Home. Join TCFEF and local sponsors for a sensory friendly event with Santa pictures and family fun! Location TBD. Click Here to follow our FB page and stay updated.
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Art Contest!
TCFEF is having an art contest for teens and adults with disabilities to help us create a new mascot for our Teen and Adults with Disabilities Newsletter for 2024! The deadline is December 8th 2023!
To learn more about how to enter, click the button below!
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As the holiday season begins, we reflect with immense gratitude on the relationships that have flourished between our organization and its partners. Your support and the relationships established have been the cornerstone of our shared journey toward a better future for persons with disabilities. In this season of togetherness, we at The Center for Exceptional Families extend heartfelt wishes for peace, love, and joy to each one of you. May the warmth of the holiday season brighten our shared path and may the spirit of the holidays bring an abundance of joy to all our lives.
-Shelby Knight
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A word from YOUR parent mentors | |
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When my son was young, I was asked what my goal in life was for him. I replied, “No different than the goal for my other children; happiness, health, and to be as independent as possible.” I knew that a good education was important but never thought much about teaching or monitoring their ability to perform life skills. Learning the importance of such became a reality when they reached their teenage years. At this point, I realized that I should have started earlier.To help you start, RSW IFTW has a checklist that you can use to monitor your child's progress on life skills!
CLICK HERE to access the printable. If you need one mailed to you, email me at karen.lutrick@tcfef.org
Hope you have a safe and happy holidays!
-Karen Lutrick, Southwest and Central Regions
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My name is Candie Corona and I will be working with our Spanish speaking families in Arkansas to provide them with the same services that we provide to our current families. I have worked with families for over a decade and it's something that I am passionate about. If you have a child with an IEP, 504 plan, a young adult that is transitioning to adulthood, or you do not know how to start the process for any of these services, I am here to provide you with that support.
Mi nombre es Candie Corona y trabajaré con nuestras familias en Arkansas, les brindaré los mismos servicios que brindamos a nuestras familias actuales. He trabajado con familias durante más de una década y es algo que me apasiona. Si tiene un hijo/a con un IEP (Plan de Educación Individual), plan 504, un adulto joven que está en transición a la edad adulta o no sabe cómo iniciar el proceso para cualquiera de estos servicios, estoy aquí para brindarle ese apoyo.
-Candie Corona, Parent Mentor and Hispanic Community Outreach Coordinator, Statewide
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Whether you are travelling by car or air this holiday season, take a moment to visit the following links for tips and helpful information: Traveling by car - CLICK HERE
Traveling by air - CLICK HERE
Hoping you and yours have a happy and safe holiday season.
-Loreena Hegenbart, Northwest, River Valley, and North Central Regions
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Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times for being with loved ones but can be stressful for families of children and adults with disabilities. Here are a few tips: make a schedule, explain the needs of your child to guests or hosts, bring sensory items and/or familiar toys for your child, make a quiet spot or area for your child to take a break. We wish you all happy holidays! For more CLICK HERE
-Teresa Hendrix, Northeast & Delta Regions
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School Resource Spotlight | |
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Join us December 2nd and 16th,
for Sensory Cinema with 2 movie options!!
Sensory Cinema is a program where kids and adults with disabilities can enjoy a movie in a relaxing, judgment free, sensory friendly environment! This includes dimmed lighting, comfortable temperature, lowered volume, and reclining seats. Movie goers can walk, flap, stim, and make noises as they need to!
Tickets are $8 each cash not including tax and can be paid upon arrival. Ticket prices do not include concession, but concession can be purchased separately. Adults with disabilities living in community or group homes are FREE! Thank you to Miracle Kids for sponsoring this wonderful program!
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At The Center for Exceptional Families, we believe organization is important in the special education process and beyond! To support families in that task, we started the Parent Toolkit Initiative where Arkansas parents of children with disabilities can request a FREE Toolkit which includes a binder, labeled tabs, printables, and more! | | |
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Did you know:
TCFEF is partnering with the Wynne and Harrisburg's schools' transition programs to collate the TCFEF Toolkit for parents statewide?? TCFEF supplies the binders and the toolkit contents and students earn a wage per hour to collate the material into a presentable form. When you request a toolkit, you are also helping students work towards independence!
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Local Organization Support!
TCFEF is also partnering with Summit Community Care to provide toolkits to all of their families with school aged children with an IEP or 504. Summit's investment in the Toolkit project is ongoing and we hope, beneficial to all the families choosing Summit Community Care as their PASSE provider. If you are receiving PASSE services from Summit, contact your care coordinator to obtain your toolkit.
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Announcement about Webinar Wednesdays! | | |
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The time for Webinar Wednesdays will change from 10 AM to 12 PM. We hope this time change helps more parents and professionals access our trainings.
We also can schedule specific trainings, in-person or virtual, for different times for small or large groups of parents and professionals!
CLICK HERE to access our calendar for dates and topics for Webinar Wednesdays
CLICK HERE to email us about scheduling virtual or in-person trainings for your group
CLICK HERE to register for all Webinar Wednesdays and get a dedicated link so you can attend when you want!
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Federal Judges criticize Social Security for errors as nearly 60% of disability cases sent back for new hearings.
As more social security appeals find their way to federal court, the Washington Post reports that, "...judges complain of legal errors, inaccurate assessments on whether claimants can work, according to court rulings and Social Security's own data..." Click below to read more.
CLICK HERE
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