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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P)
Newsletter: April 2020
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Thinking of you all as we continue to move forward during this very difficult time in our world. Moving forward takes courage and strength as we put one foot in front of the other and care for ourselves, our families and others.
We CAN do this amidst 'physical distancing'. Although in-person support meetings and events are cancelled or postponed, many Parent to Parent programs across Washington are now offering virtual support- where parents raising children with special needs can meet virtually to support and encourage one another. Visit the Parent to Parent page on the Arc of Washington's website to find a program near you:
https://arcwa.org/parent-to-parent/map/
Also, P2P Coordinators: Please take advantage of our network's connect calls. We'll be connecting virtually every 2 weeks to support and encourage one another, as well as share ideas and strategies for supporting Washington families virtually.
And, lastly, some hope and encouragement from Mister Rogers...
"At many times throughout their lives, children will feel the world has turned topsy-turvy. It's not the ever-present smile that will keep them secure. It's knowing that love can hold many feelings, including sadness, and that they can count on the people they love to be with them until the world turns right side up again."
"In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers."
"Some days, doing 'the best we can' may still fall short of what we would like to be able to do, but life isn't perfect on any front and doing what we can with what we have is the most we should expect of ourselves or anyone else."
Take care everyone,
Tracie, Theresa and Jackie
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1. Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing - They will help get interpreters for events and programs across WA, along with individual family support.
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2,
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program is hiring.
Please share this opportunity with your network, contacts, and staff.
Office of Family and Community Health Improvement, Thriving Children and Youth Section
Tumwater, WA
Closing: April 13, 2020
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3.
Seattle Times, March 24, 2020
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced Monday three of its offices are closing to the public in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The agency's Division of DVR closed all of its offices Monday, and the Aging and Long-Term Support and the D.D. administrations will close Tuesday.
The offices well remain closed to the public until further notice, though full services will be available by phone at 1-877-501-2233.
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4.
For low income individuals using Molina Healthcare, the SafeLink program provides a free smartphone, 3GB of data, unlimited texting and 350 minutes. Attached are flyers in English and Spanish and an explanation of how the program works and how to qualify. Share this anyone you think would be eligible!
Please contact Molina with questions. 877-631-2550
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5.
The NEW! Graduation Pathways Toolkit is a resource to help educators and families understand state graduation requirements. The Toolkit for the Class of 2020 has information about the changes stemming from House Bill 1599 (2019). School districts should ensure all key personnel and families are aware of the NEW Graduation Pathways Toolkit.
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6.
High School Halt: Ways to Support Youth Working on Adult Life Plans During the School Shutdown
School closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been a shock to families everywhere but may feel especially confusing for those who are working toward graduation and life-after-high-school plans. Parents and students may be wondering what will enable students to complete work toward their diplomas, to meet college admission requirements or to continue work toward vocational and/or independent living goals....
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COVID-19 Resources
Talking with your child about Corona virus:
The Washington Department of Health has released a series of eight ASL/captioned educational videos about the COVID-19 pandemic and includes information on how to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus. Here are the YouTube listings available now. Watch for this on Facebook and other social media.
Mental/Behavioral Health Needs
If you or your family is experiencing distress and need support call:
- National Parent Helpline 1-855-4 A PARENT or 1-855-427-2736
- Info Children /Parent Helpline 1-778-782-3548
- National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255
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Links for Archived Newsletters
(Click
to read archived past editions
through August 2016 of the P2P Newsletter!)
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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P) | The Arc of Washington State | 1.888.754.8798 x-2
For a current listing of Washington State Parent to Parent programs, please contact:
The Arc of Washington State at
info@arcwa.org or call the above phone #.
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