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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P)
Newsletter: December 2020
Welcome December...
As 2020 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on the amazing, creative work that has occurred throughout the Washington State Parent to Parent Network.  With an intimate understanding and appreciation of the emotional support needs of families raising children with special needs (because Coordinators are also parents/family members!), the network rallied to offer hundreds of virtual activities, including support groups, social groups for children and adults, training, and much more. One parent in central Washington shared the following:

'Having the option to still access support groups virtually has been so helpful, now more than ever. As a parent having kiddos home all the time and trying to help with their on-line school is causing huge burnout and I know that I need time for me! Even if it’s just an hour- knowing that’s my time to replenish myself … it is worth it!’

So very thankful for all you Coordinators and friends of Parent to Parent, and wishing you a warm and safe holiday.

~~~Tracie, Theresa, Patricia and Jackie
WA State Fathers NETWORK VIRTUAL MEETINGS

  • South Puget Sound - welcoming men in Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor counties
  • Every Monday night from 6:30-7:30: Through December 28, 2020. Contact Marc at [email protected] to register and receive a meeting link
  • East King County – welcoming men in East King County
  • Meeting on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month, from 7:30-9:30. Contact Robert at [email protected] to receive a meeting link
  • Snohomish County - welcoming men from around the state
  • Meeting on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month, from 7:00-9:00 – The meeting on the second Thursday of the month is, as mentioned above, designated as the all state virtual meeting. 
  • The link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83980800279?pwd=Y2dYbG0vUHphMWkrMWhsdnVQY1JXQT09
  • South King County – welcoming men from around the state
  • Meetings are once a month on the second Monday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Contact Tim at [email protected] to receive a meeting link

CONFERENCES / SEMINARS

42nd Annual Duncan Virtual Seminar with topics on Cerebral Palsy, 
March 26, 2021, 7:45 am - 4:05 pm. 

AUTISM GRANTS


United Healthcare Children's Foundation
The grants from United Healthcare Children's Foundation provide financial relief for families who have children with medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan. The Foundation aims to fill the gap between what medical services/items your child needs and what your commercial health benefit plan will pay for. The Foundation is quite specific about who qualifies for funding, and what the funding will pay for; for example, children must be under 16 and covered under private-pay insurance. 

AutismSpeaks Cares
AutismSpeaks Cares is a program created by the nonprofit Autism Speaks to support families with an autistic member that are affected by natural disasters and similar catastrophes.
The link provided goes to a page with general information about financial resources; there is no online application. According to the website, "to learn more and complete an application to determine final eligibility, families must first speak with a representative from the Autism Response Team." 

The Doug Flutie Foundation (Joey's Fund)
The Doug Flutie Foundation generally funds organizations, but it also offers individual grants through Joey's Fund. Joey's Fund Family Grant Program accepts grant applications from families in New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine) that are in need of financial assistance for their family member(s) with autism.
Families can apply for up to $2,000 through the program (up to $3,000 if​ the grant would benefit more than one family member with autism). According to the website, "You may apply for one service or item that directly improves the life of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder." 

Allison Keller Educational Technology Program
Also funded by the Doug Flutie Foundation, the Allison Keller Educational Technology Program provides up to $7,500 for the purchase of tablets, pads, smartboards, and other tools (and training) for children with autism. While these grants are not available to individual families, families can work with their schools to apply for the funds.

Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
AANE has been given the opportunity, through the generosity of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation and private donors, to offer cash grants of $50 to $500 to fund items or therapies that will improve the life of someone living with Asperger's syndrome (often referred to as high functioning autism). The money is available only to those living in New England, and priority will be given to families with an income at or under $44,100 (for a family of four). 

Additional Grant-Related Resources
In addition to the list above, which includes only larger organizations that give directly to families, be sure to check out these online directories. They include, for example, grants given only to families in specific counties, grants to support specific therapies, scholarship funds, and more:


RESOURCES
 1.) Feds Push States To Prioritize Community-Based Services Medicaid officials are encouraging states to accelerate efforts to "rebalance" long-term care offerings for people with disabilities to favor home- and community-based services over institutions. Read More >
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2.) Did you know? OSPI will cover the costs of internet connectivity for eligible students for the remainder of the 2020–21 school year. K-12 Internet Access Program.
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3.) Need help with childcare costs? If you live in King County, see this flyer.
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4.) The Reduced Cost Services Guide highlights a variety of products and services available in or near Washington state that are offered at reduced cost for people meeting certain income levels.
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5.) Cultivating Resilience in Children With Special Needs: Resources to support families during ‘the most complicated school year in American history’. 
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Title V Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Programs address challenges that are often complex in an ever-changing landscape. Title V CYSHCN agencies are critical partners, and often they are leaders of multisector collaborations aimed to eliminate siloes and advance common goals. The National Standards for Systems of Care for CYSHCN is a helpful framework to bring together nontraditional (such as community-based organizations, community health workers) and traditional partnerships (such as family-led organizations, health systems) to collaborate to improve systems of care for CYSHCN and their families. 
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9.) SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND TEENS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. (PDF)
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10.) We want to hear from you! The Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB) seeks public comments and suggestions as we develop a vision for the future of maternal and child health. (PDF)
Please review our request for information and share your comments: We encourage input from a broad range of stakeholders. We need your feedback to inform the MCHB Strategic Plan and the Blueprint for Change for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. We are developing a new Strategic Plan to provide a roadmap for MCHB's future. The strategic plan will guide MCHB's efforts to advance the health and well-being of mothers, children and families in the United States. Please submit comments to [email protected] by Friday, December 18, 2020 by 9 a.m. 
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11.) “Facing Race,” a KING 5 series that examines racism, social justice and racial inequality in the Pacific Northwest. 
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12.) Taking Care of Yourself. Self-care for professionals. (PDF)
 
COVID - 19 RESOURCES


New! COVID Stress Taking a Toll on Children’s Mental Health, CDC Finds. 
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New! Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic-United States, January 1-October, 2020|CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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New! HELPING CHILDREN WITH TRAUMATIC SEPARATION OR TRAUMATIC GRIEF RELATED TO COVID-19. (PDF)
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New! Eviction Rent Assistance Program
Commerce’s Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP), funded with federal CARES Act dollars, may prevent evictions by paying past due and current/future rent for people in distress due to COVID-19.
Rental assistance is provided through local housing providers in each community, not directly from Commerce. Please share this ERAP provider list with your network so community members who may be impacted know where to apply.
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MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS
1. Phases of Disaster - Adapted from Zunin & Myers as cited in DeWolfe, D. J., 2000. Training manual for mental health and human service workers in major disasters (2nd ed., HHS Publication No. ADM 90-538). Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. (pdf format to share)
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2. Washington State Leadership Board's Boundless Washington
Overview
Boundless Washington is an equity focused program that integrates fun, challenging outdoor activities with leadership training for young people with disabilities in Washington state. At capacity, the program will sponsor 20 middle and high school students to participate in the program. Launched in 2020, the program currently serves 9 students all over the state....
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3. Save the Date! You are invited to attend a free virtual conference
Planning Today for a Safer Tomorrow - Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness Conference
 November 17-18, 2020
Tuesday: 8:30am-4:30pm | Wednesday: 8:30am-12:00pm
 Supported By: WA Emergency Management Division (EMD) | WA State Department of Health (DOH)
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Children with obesity are at higher risk for other chronic health conditions, such as asthma,
sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have higher risk factors for heart disease like hypertension and high cholesterol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website features information to support healthy growth in children.
Breastfeeding, as the normative standard for infant feeding, promotes optimal growth and development and can prevent childhood obesity. To learn more about the differences in growth patterns of breastfed and formula-fed infants, read this AAP publication.
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 This tip sheet explores stress and compassion fatigue, as well as signs of distress after a disaster. It covers strategies healthcare providers can use to reduce their stress during this time and information about coping with compassion fatigue.
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6. Transitioning to Virtual Services and Support for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families
Clinicians, early intervention providers and other community service services providers and educators are having to quickly ramp up telehealth and online learning capacity during COVID-19. (For the rest of the article)
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7. Finding Your Way in Community: Free Online Mindfulness Groups for Parents and Caregivers (Supporting each other through meditation and communication.)
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12. Educating youth (ages 14-24) on current, in-demand, employment opportunities; navigating accommodations through interactive online activities; and real-world business opportunities shared by business professionals, providing insights on advocacy and employment.
Please read attached flyer for presentation dates/times/presenters that will take place throughout the month of October. All presentations are done with Zoom.
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
Think Virtual...Think Smell...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
2638 State Avenue NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 357-5596