ITA UPDATE

As winter draws to a close, the members and staff of ITA are looking forward to more outdoor activities, fresh air, and sunshine! The Hike and Swim club, BRIDGE Fitness, visits to the Silverdale YMCA and bowling have helped to keep everyone moving this winter. It has been a busy season, filled with good friends, community adventures, and monthly Saturday Suppers. Did you know you can follow ITA on Facebook and Instagram? Almost daily you’ll see new pictures and updates chronicling what ITA members and staff are up to. Exciting changes have been afoot in the leadership of ITA this quarter! Joining the Board of Directors are Teresa Vail and Sheila Meidell . Teresa graduated from Cal State Northridge, after working at a small business management accounting firm, she realized she loves working with people and hearing what they hope to achieve, once they become financially stable. It gives her great pleasure to be able to help them “ see ” the story their finances tell and where it coincides or collides with their dreams. She is a CPA of 30 years, with over several hundred clients around the world. ITA is grateful she is sharing her valuable skills and enthusiasm by serving on the Board. Sheila graduated from Ohio State University. She left an early career in banking and moved to the Island 20 years ago with her husband and two children. She has spent the ensuing years raising her children who are both cognitively gifted and learning disabled, a combination known as twice-exceptional. Sheila served on many school district-level committees, was a college admissions advisor and offered tutoring/editing on crafting college admissions essays.  ITA is fortunate to have Sheila’s unique perspective serving on the Board. With heartfelt thanks, the Board accepted the resignation of Doug Leonard at its January meeting. During his tenure Doug offered calm guidance and committed support for the mission of ITA. His cheerful disposition will be missed! Continuing the with positive additions, here are ITA’s new staff members: Jenny Jewell has joined the ITA team as Program Coordinator. Every day she brings a positive and pro-social attitude which she hopes will impact the lives of members and staff. Jenny has a passion for helping others achieve their goals and has committed her life to those that want to help themselves live a quality life of integrity, dignity, and self-respect. Her education, training, and extensive experience show dedication as a facilitator of evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral therapies. Jenny moved to Western Washington in December 2018 to pursue personal and professional interests in social justice reform and to be a part of the incorporation of yoga and mindfulness for youth in the educational system. Michelle Thompson is supporting ITA‘s Friday and Saturday evening programming while also working as a paraeducator in the North Kitsap School District. She was a counselor at Camp Beausite for four summers as well. Michelle is really finding her niche in supporting adults with special needs. Dash Wood joins the daily staff of ITA, working with members both onsite and out in the community. Dash, whose brother Julian is an ITA member, brings terrific focus and energy to ITA .  Milan Kenan joins the ITA team onsite to encourage members’ projects and personal growth. She is the daughter of Holly Patton, ITA co-founder.

NOW PLAYING FRIDAYS: "DINNER AND A MOVIE"

New programming at ITA includes a relaxed Friday afternoon and evening event called “Dinner and a Movie”. Here are the details: The program runs 3:30p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Transportation home may be arranged Dinner is a simple meal members help prepare Movies are projected onto a screen and are chosen from the catalogues of Disney Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Deb says ”there’s no pressure on ITA members; just come relax and laugh. Parents can relax at home and don't even have to go back out to pick up their young adults. It is a win-win for all.” ITA charges its hourly rate, which can be paid out of pocket or billed as respite. Come and join the fun!

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

The nation celebrates the potential of people with developmental disabilities each year in March. This annual awareness campaign was started 33 years ago to focus on the importance of community inclusion. Americans are becoming increasingly aware that disabilities need not keep individuals from realizing their full potential in school, at work or at home, as members of their families and of their communities. This year’s theme, "Our Time to Shine," will promote inclusion and respect at local, state, and national levels. On Bainbridge Island we are partnering with Casa Rojas restaurant in a fundraising campaign to support ITA’s programming. We are grateful to Armando Rojas and his family for being supportive and compassionate community members by helping ITA in this way.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GARDEN VARIETY SHOW

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary and Kitsap Great Give this year we are hosting a Variety Show, with a garden, "Help Us Grow" theme, to highlight our members talents and have a fun filled evening. This program is being supported by a generous grant from the City of Bainbridge Island’s Cultural Funding Advisory committee. ITA staff and members have been preparing skits and learning songs and dances to entertain the night away. Local theater group, the Lesser Known Players are volunteering their expertise to help us plan and prepare the show. Our BRIDGE Fitness instructor Karen Kilbane has been teaching new steps and songs, and Mary McCormic-McInnis has been coming with her guitar and percussion instruments every Monday and working on songs and stories. We're excited for what's in store! Please save the date and look for more information.  When: Tuesday April 21, 7pm Where: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Auditorium

KITSAP GREAT GIVE

The annual fundraising drive Kitsap Great Give takes place on April 21st this year. This is a 24 hour fundraiser through which ITA relies on generous donations to raise a significant portion of its annual funds. Please mark your calendars and be sure to pledge your support for ITA that day. We will also have computers at the BIMA event so you can make your donation there.    In the meantime, alert your friends and family about the role ITA plays in your family's life. By sharing with your network the meaningful work ITA does to support individuals with intellectual disabilities, you help raise awareness of the need to financially support ITA's mission. Anyone can donate online during this campaign, so it is a perfect way for distant family and friends to be supportive of our members. Below is the link to our leaderboard, when the Kitsap Great Give goes live on April 21, here is where you can donate directly to ITA: https://kitsapgreatgive.org/profile/s/island-time-activities Please give generously!

THANK YOU!

In so many ways the lives of ITA members and staff are improved by the larger community. Here are just a few people and organizations that have lent a hand to the mission we serve in the past quarter: City of Bainbridge Island/Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee – Through a generous grant, ITA is celebrating its 20 th Anniversary with a Variety Show at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum on April 21 st . Funding received from COBI and the volunteer efforts of Lesser Known Players , a local theatre group, make this event possible. Jennifer Hodges, Karen Houser, and Tyler Weaver are with the theatrical troupe and are helping ITA members develop and refine their acts. Hitchcock Group has contributed the talents of Jamie Herda . Jamie is a farm intern with the company and is spending some of the slow agricultural season with ITA members on Wednesday afternoons.

D DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Kellie Creamer, ITA Executive Director, and Jenny Jewell, ITA’s new Program Coordinator, traveled to Olympia to attend the Washington Non-Profits Legislative Reception on February 11. While there they met with Shannon Turner, Legislative Assistant to State Rep. Sherry Appleton. They introduced what ITA does in the community and found Shannon, he and Rep Appleton are interested in coming to our ITA to learn more about our programs. Kellie and Jenny also connected with Senator Rolfes who may also come do a site visit. As mentioned in the last newsletter, next year will bring the 2020 US Census. Please take time to fill it out and return it promptly. Federal representation and funding are based on the data collected every ten years. It’s the three Ds: Dollars, Data, and Democracy. Dollars means federal and state funds for roads, schools and services. Data means the information needed to know who needs theses services and where they need them. Democracy means ensuring all members of our community have a represented voice in our state and national capitols. www.census.gov has much more information. Finally - don’t forget to VOTE! Washington’s primary date is March 10, 2020. Your participation matters!

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT

DSHS/ DDA –Changes Ahead Background checks for Parent Providers is starting in early 2020. In order to provide services, all DDA care providers will need a current background check. Visit www.dshs.wa.gov/dda to learn more. NOTE: you do not need to contact DDA staff to arrange for this background check. Contracts staff will contact you to complete a background check if needed. Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) – If you are an Individual Provider (IP) or a person who hires IPs for personal care or respite, changes are coming in 2021. Look for more information at www.informingfamilies.org/CDE-Update-Jan-2020. Kitsap County Parent Coalition Community Guide, Engagement, and Respite information will be the topic of the monthly meeting March 12, 11a.m. – 1p.m. For more information contact KCPC Coordinator Melissa Lund at [email protected].

Island Time Activities Address: P.O. Box 10822, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: 206.842.5594 Email: [email protected]

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