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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P)
Newsletter: September 2020
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As we start the school year with modified attendance and learning in many areas of the state, opportunities to support families raising children with special needs is so very important!
Our network of programs across Washington State is offering meaningful ways to support and engage families- through traditional support groups to fun social and recreational activities... all in the virtual world. Some examples include: Movie and Book Clubs; Mindfulness and Journaling groups; Bingo and other games; Scavenger Hunts; Cooking and Crafting groups; Guest speakers; Training- including our Helping Parent Training; and so much more!
THANK YOU P2P Coordinators!! You continue to uplift Washington families as you are navigating the challenges of COVID-19 with your own loved ones. You are valued and appreciated!
Tracie, Theresa, Patty and Jackie
My wife Sarah Coomber and I adopted our son Daniel from India at the age of 3.
As Sarah and I have journeyed through the process of finding the support we need to care for a child with special needs, one thing that's been particularly helpful is the dad's conversation group that Jeremy Van Pelt and I started in early 2019. It has truly been a rewarding experience to connect with and learn from other dads who are experiencing similar parenting situations.
And having recently participated in Parent Helper training, I now have a fresh lens with which to offer support to the other dads that I come into contact with.
Thank you for the training and equipping that you are doing in this important area!
-- Jon Suomala
Pictured: Jon Suomala and family w/ Jeremy Van Pelt and family at Camp Prime Time summer of 2019.
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4. The Kuni Foundation is excited to announce that our Transformation Grants Program to Advance Housing Options for Adults who Experience I/DD is accepting Letters of Inquiry from organizations in Oregon and Washington.Funding is for one-year grants or multi-year grants
up to three years. Please share this information with your networks.
Funding range is $100,000 to $300,000 per year.
Maximum funding request is $900,000 over a three-year period.
Please visit our website for more information regarding the application process:
Angela Hult
President
Wayne D. Kuni & Joan E. Kuni Foundation
O: 360.663.KUNI
C: 503.250.1026
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5. The National Indian Health Board, in collaboration with CDC, has launched a new
resource hub! Many Tribal individuals, families, and communities have been impacted
by childhood experiences causing physical and mental health adversities throughout
the lifespan. However, with understanding and effort, individuals and communities can
confront Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) for positive health outcomes. This
information hub, launched by the National Indian Health Board includes a "resource
basket" designed for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, communities, professionals, and leaders to rummage through, harvesting resources. This Hub can assist
Tribes to learn more about ACEs, research, tools, and interventions. Visit the ACES hub here.
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7. Keys to Well-Being.
These are Greater Good's ten building blocks of individual and community well-being - the behaviors that research suggests will support your health and happiness and foster positive connections with other people.
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11. Camp Korey's upcoming fall family weekends will be going virtual (application).
All of our virtual camp experiences are free, all-inclusive, are developed with intentionality and are outcomes based. Our Virtual Family Weekends will be formatted to resemble a typical weekend at camp. We'll facilitate a lot of the traditional camp activities, such as Campfire, Stage Morning, Parent coffee hours, Arts & Crafts, and more. Plus, we'll offer new and exciting activities that will keep campers and family members engaged and having fun. Each family will get their own Camp box full of supplies to participate in all of the activities hosted on Zoom from Friday evenings through Sunday morning.
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12. An individual who experiences a disability or special health care need may qualify for food benefits called WASHCAP once they turn 18? Parents are often confused about this as it is similar to basic food benefits, which a person living in their parents home is not eligible for until after the age of 24.
With WASHCAP, a person is eligible to receive these food benefits when they turn 18, receive SSI and still live at home. The key to supporting parents and individuals to receive these supports is to know the correct number to call and complete the application as this is not done on the general DSHS WA Connections line. Having the WAC's can also help get you to the correct place to apply.
- Start by applying for basic food online at https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/ or call to apply over the phone.
- The number to call and complete your WASHCAP application is 1-877-380-5784.
The WAC's for WASHCAP can be found at https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?dispo=true&cite=388-492
SPANISH RESOURCES - EN ESPANOL
1. Relaciones Saludables para este regrese a clases 2020 - 2021
El ciclo escolar ya está por comenzar y aún existe mucha incertidumbre por las familias, los estudiantes y también por el personal escolar. Todos están a la expectativa porque no saben a ciencia cierta como esto será, que tan efectivo en cuestión del aprovechamiento será estudiar desde casa, si van a ir a la escuela, ¿por cuánto tiempo será? Hay muchas preguntas y tan pocas respuestas. ¿Pero qué hay de las familias que sus hijos reciben servicios de educación especial? ¿Aquellos que tienen un Plan de Educación individualizado? La mayoría de las familias aún no reciben información alguna y ya faltan muy pocos días para empezar. Pero la incertidumbre crece para los alumnos que reciben terapias de aprovechamiento para incrementar sus habilidades para una vida futura independiente. Las terapias que un estudiante podrá recibir en clase son: terapias físicas, de motricidad fina y gruesa, habilidades sociales, del habla, y apoyo de uno a unos para el mejor aprovechamiento de todos los servicios aquí mencionados y que decir de las terapias del comportamiento.
Muchos padres han expresado que el comportamiento de sus hijos ha escalado, ya que durante todo este tiempo no han tenido la oportunidad de recibir estos servicios - servicios que los estudiantes tiene derecho a recibir de acuerdo con la ley de IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act en inglés) y FAPE (Fair Appropriate Public Education Act en inglés).
Para tomar en consideración, todos los días les recomendamos a las familias que tomen en consideración las circunstancias y cómo podemos abogar de una manera efectiva por los derechos de nuestros hijos. Ahora más que nunca es importante crear relaciones saludables con los maestros. Hay aspectos importantes que debemos considerar cómo para establecer estas relaciones, por ejemplo:
- Formato de comunicación con la/el maestro
- Mantenerse informados en actividades escolares y participar activamente
- Establecer estrategias para trabajar en equipo
- Crear una zona de aprendizaje para los estudiantes:
- Respetar las clases
- Horarios
- Descansos
- Material
- Herramientas tecnológicas
- Hay que considerar que no será una jornada tradicional escolar de ocho horas
- Mantener expectativas reales de aprendizaje con los hijos
- Recopilar recurso para los estudiantes y también para los padres
- Mantener actividades sociales
Mantenerse activos en círculos sociales con medidas saludables o virtuales nos ayudara a no sentirnos solos y a no estar aislados.
Sabemos que todos tenemos nuestro propio estilo y técnicas para abogar por nuestros hijos, pero ahora más que nunca, queremos que sepan que no están solos y que en el programa de Padre a Padre siempre encontraran una mano amiga con la cual pueden contar.
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2. Desafío de cuidado personal (Self-Care Challenge)
Los desafíos de cuidado personal se han vuelto muy populares de diferentes estilos deportivos y actividades físicas. Muchos de ellos tienen como finalidad no solo mantener a las personas activas, sino también poder unificar a las personas que tiene un propósito deportivo en común. Muchos otros han encontrado esto como una excelente oportunidad de apoyar una causa de beneficencia comunitaria.
Nuestra coordinadora Ysabel Fuentes del programa de Padre a Padre localizado en Walla Walla/Columbia/Garfield/Asotin, se dió a la tarea de adaptar culturalmente la actividad de Desafío de cuidado personal (Self-Care Challenge). En este participaron el grupo Mamas Especiales, al cual Ysabel le dio por nombre desde hace ya mucho tiempo. La actividad tuvo como finalidad que las familias latinas en esta área se sintieran bienvenidas, tener una actividad física, además de incluir a sus seres queridos con habilidades diferentes.
Para cumplir con las reglas de sanidad, las participantes, caminaron por varios días solas o con sus seres queridos, hasta cumplir con la meta de llegar a un total de 57 millas. Ysabel media la actividad de las mamás por medio de fotos que las mismas mamas le mandaban.
Ysabel no conto con patrocinadores para podómetros, playeras y mucho menos se entregaron medallas. Las participantes recibieron como estímulo un certificado y una tarjeta de (gift card en inglés) de Walmart, para que ellas compararan comida para traer a sus hogares. La idea original era preparar unas hermosas canastas con productos de limpieza, pero debido a desabasto de las tiendas por la pandemia del Covid -19, esto no fue posible. Por esta razón, optaron por darles una tarjeta de regalo.
Cuando Ysabel comparte la experiencia de las nueve mamás participantes, en su cara se dibuja un brillo especial. Y es que las mamas le comparten que, ahora ya están más activas, se sienten más relajadas, pero sobre todos sienten que han hecho una conexión con ellas mismas.
Ysabel espera que, esto sirva como modelo para otras coordinadoras o grupos para conectarse, compartirse sus experiencias, estar más activas considerando que nuestra comunidad es muy creativa y ahora más que nunca nos debemos apoyar las unas a las otras.
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New! COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families Available. The COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group developed the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families:
The toolbox gives tips on how to understand emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It includes an appendix on Tips for Families of Children & Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Behavioral Health Strike team guides the work for the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group. The Behavioral Health Strike Team includes seven doctoral-level psychologists, one psychiatrist, and one Board Certified Couple and Family Psychologist. We hope that you will use this resource to help the families and children you serve. By learning to recognize the signs of pandemic stress and knowing what actions to take, we can improve behavioral health outcomes in our communities.
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New! Self-Care & Healing During COVID-19 Webinar Series:
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For languages that do not have dedicated webpages, taglines are in the sidebar about how
to request the translations from Constituent Services.
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News release - WA State Healthcare Authority - For immediate release - July 6, 2020
State launches Washington Listens program to support people affected by the stress of
COVID-19 The program includes a phone line to speak with support specialists and connect
to community resources
OLYMPIA - In response to COVID-19, Washington has launched Washington Listens, a
support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to
the pandemic.
People who call the Washington Listens support line will speak with a support specialist
and get connected to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous.
"Washington Listens helps people cope and strengthen their resiliency in these uncertain
times," said Sue Birch, director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, the agency
managing the program. "It complements the state's behavioral health response services by
providing an outlet for people who are not in crisis but need an outlet to manage stress."
"This pandemic has had far-reaching effects that extend beyond our physical health.
We are still in this fight against this virus, and this assistance will help Washingtonians
recover during this uniquely stressful time," said Mike O'Hare, FEMA Region 10 administrator.
The Washington Listens support line is 1-833-681-0211. It is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language
access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method.
Providers and tribes that have partnered with Washington Listens include American Indian
Community Center, Colville Tribe, Community Integrated Health Services, Crisis Connections,
Frontier Behavioral Health, Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, and Swinomish Tribe.
The Washington Listens support line is made available by a $2.2 million Crisis Counseling
Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grant funded by Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). This program supports short-term interventions to mitigate
stress, promote the use or development of coping strategies, and provide emotional
support to help Washingtonians understand and process their stress.
Media contactsAmy Blondin, Chief Communications Officer 360-725-1915 (office) 360-688-0131 (cell) FEMA Region 10 News Desk
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Coping with Crayons: Kid-Friendly COVID-19 Information - To help children understand
the disruption in their lives, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth
University created a coloring book to provide COVID-19 information that children of all ages
can easily digest and understand. An article from the Children's Hospital Association notes
that the activity book, available online and in print, also can help parents gauge their
children's feelings about the pandemic.
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In a video (Covid-19 Content: PTSD During a Pandemic for Parents with Medically
Fragile Children)from the Child Neurology Foundation, a caregiver and a psychologist
discuss the impact of isolation and stress on parents caring for medically fragile children
during a pandemic.
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Informing Families-Charting the Life Course: Integrated Services and Supports
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Resilience Loans - A new loan product to help those who have become unemployed, underemployed, or furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Strengthening Families Washington team collaborated with many state-wide
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Families Learning from Families June Virtual Roundtable Series
A discussion and learning forum for families learning with and from each other to
support their children and loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a parent/caregiver ONLY event. This experience is designed to be responsive
to the interest and needs unique to historically underserved families.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
June 6, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
June 13, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
June 27, 2020 - 12 noon - 1:00 PM EST [11 AM CT; 10 AM MT]
5 Essential e-Tools & Family Activities for Summer Enrichment
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The series of free webinars and online conversations will occur monthly from May
through October 2020. The next two events are scheduled for June 25, and July 28
at noon EDT.
For more information about future events, contact Deborah Dokken: ddokken@ipfcc.org
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A Parent's Guide:
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A fresh round of stimulus checks for people with disabilities and billions for home- and
community-based services are part of a $3 trillion relief bill that faces an uncertain future.
(Click on the article for the rest of the story.)
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COVID-1 Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers. The Washington State Department
of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) recently created a resource guide to help parents
and caregivers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. DCYF recognizes the challenges parents and
caregivers are experiencing during this unprecedented time. Many parents and caregivers have
the responsibility of balancing their work schedules in the face of school closures and limited
child care availability, or job loss.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a series of videos about COVID-19 in
American Sign Language at: Sharing CDC's ASL resource
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Revised DOH website regarding COVID-19 with multilingual resources.
Need a phone number to call with questions about the virus?
DOH operates a hotline, with multiple language assistance, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at
1-800-525-0127. The call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. You can also text
the word "Coronavirus" to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone.
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People With Disabilities, Families, and Direct Support Professionals: #WeAreEssential
We are fighting every day to make sure the critical needs of people with disabilities, their
families, and the direct support professional (DSP) workforce are included in the next
coronavirus relief bill. And we need your help!
From home and community based services to minimize the risk of people with disabilities being
forced into institutions, paid leave for all caregivers, personal protective equipment for the vital
DSP workforce, and stimulus payments for all - our essential needs must be included.
What matters most to you and why? Share YOUR story with The Arc and send a personalized message to your Members of Congress by answering 3 short questions! Then, help spread the word to three friends and ask them to share their story too.
For the latest information about the disability community and the coronavirus pandemic, visit visit thearc.org/covid. Thank you for your advocacy!
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CDC's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Educational Materials
CDC has developed new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) educational materials to be used
as an aide when training healthcare personnel on selecting and correctly using; donning (putting
on), doffing (taking off), and disposing of PPE to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19
in the healthcare settings.
COVID-19 Educational Materials Include:
These materials were created to increase the safety of the healthcare work environment through improved use of PPE by healthcare personnel. Additional Infection Control recommendations for Healthcare Personnel can be found on CDC's Infection Control Guidance website. ......................................................................................................................................
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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Yes... You can do it...you are doing it!!! ...and on the side...What about...
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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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