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Stay up to date on news stories, upcoming training opportunities events and resources by continuing to receive our Weekly News Digest.
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'Sesame Street' Unveils Character With Autism
The makers of "Sesame Street" say Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Grover are getting a new friend with autism as part of an effort to reduce stigma and help those on the spectrum learn life skills.
Sesame Workshop said Wednesday that it is introducing a new character named Julia, a preschool girl with autism who "does things a little differently when playing with her friends."
Julia is part of the nonprofit's "See Amazing in All Children" initiative, which is designed to teach kids about autism and offer tools for those with the developmental disorder.
A
website includes tips for parents and siblings, as well as guides to help kids on the spectrum learn everyday basics like brushing teeth and going to the grocery store, Sesame Workshop said. In addition, the initiative includes an iPad app and printed storybooks.
"Sesame Workshop is uniquely positioned to play a meaningful role in increasing peoples' understanding about autism," said Sherrie Westin, executive vice president of global impact and philanthropy at Sesame Workshop. "This project is an extension of the belief we've always promoted: 'we are all different, but all the same.'"
Sesame Workshop said it collaborated with more than a dozen organizations including The Arc, Autism Speaks, the Autism Society and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to produce the content.
In addition, the nonprofit said it engaged Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit animation studio staffed by young adults on the spectrum, to assist with video editing.
CLICK here for more information
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SAVE THE DATE
Saturday Oct. 17, 2015 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Learning, networking and promoting your services to
Families from the Philadelphia area.
Click here for more information
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Disabilities Rights Clinic
- Do you have a disability or health condition?
- Think you've faced discrimination?
- Need an accommodation at work, school, or from your doctor or landlord?
Attend a free clinic and learn about work incentives and your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Upcoming Clinic
November 6th 2015
The Sierra Group
2-5pm
714 Market Street
Philadelphia PA, 19106
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OSEP is celebrating 40 years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
As part of our celebration, we want to hear from individuals with disabilities, teachers, researchers, and other IDEA stakeholders about the personal impact this legislation has had.
How has IDEA made a difference to you?
What do inclusion, equity, and opportunity look like for you?
We want to hear from children and youth with disabilities, teachers, parents, researchers, and other IDEA stakeholders about the impact this legislation has had. Please share your art, photographs, and writing with us for possible use during the upcoming 40th Anniversary events.
You may submit your documents and personal stories up to November 8th.
Please share your art, photographs, poetry, and written stories with us for possible use during an event in Washington DC to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of IDEA.
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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is planning five Listening Sessions at sites across the Commonwealth along with two conference calls to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the Intellectual Disability Waivers.
ODP's Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers expire on June 30, 2017, requiring ODP to apply for renewals. As a result, ODP is in the initial stages of discussions for updating and changing the waiver content. In preparation, we are asking our stakeholders for their ideas and suggestions. ODP has scheduled five Listening Sessions at local sites across the Commonwealth to allow our stakeholders to voice their input. There will also be two conference calls conducted to allow individuals who are not able to attend a local session to add their ideas. Registration is required at each session (local or conference call). Initial comments will be limited to 5 minutes so everyone who has comments will have an opportunity to give them.
ODP is in the early stages of developing the Waiver Renewal for the Person/Family Directed Support and Consolidated Waivers. In preparation, we would like to hear your ideas. We are offering these sessions so that we can hear what changes you would like to have considered during the writing of the Waiver applications. These Listening Sessions do not replace the public forums that will be offered after the Waiver is drafted and prior to submission to CMS.
If you would like to register for one of the conference calls, click the date you would like to register for to complete that registration.
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PEAC's 4th Inclusion Conference Has Something for Everyone!
Some of the sessions during the conference include:
- How to Talk About Disability: for Parents & Self Advocates Lauren Beller, PEAC, SAN
- The Road to Real Inclusion Joshua M. Kershenbaum and Ellen Fennick
- Caring For Your Loved One with Special Needs: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know Patrick Bergmaier and Lori Leathers
- What Happens when the School Bus stops coming? A Guide to Meaningful Transitions from Child to Adult ServicesMichele A. Leahy
- Preparing for Mediation Dr. Virginia Sutton, Maureen Stankiewicz, Cheryl Cutrona, Esq. & Bonita McCabe
Click here for registration
Click here for printable brochure
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The Strengthening Families Program
Raising children can be a challenge for all families....
The SFP is here to help families tackle those challenges
For Families with children newborn thru 5 years old
A 14 week program for parents and children held once per week.
Parents and children meet separately and then together during each session.
Parents and children are able to learn ways to
- Build a strong and loving family that works and has fun
- Build social connections with other families
- Enhance knowledge of parent and child development build healthy social and emotional development of children
Free Event
Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia
Northeast Family Services Center
7340 Jackson Street Philadelphia, Pa 19136
Call to Pre-register
215-624-5920
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RESOURCES
LIHEAP program opens on November 2, 2015
As colder weather moves in, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, opens Monday. LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills and deal with such heating emergencies as a broken furnace, fuel shortage or utility service shutoff.
If you're living in a family of four and have a household income less than $36,375, you qualify for LIHEAP. To find out if your household is eligible, please view these requirements.
To get an application, please visit this site.
Heating your home can be expensive, but there are things you can do to help reduce those costs. Visit this site to learn more about ways you can save money on heating expenses by making your home more energy-efficient.
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Printable 2015 PAR Solutions Conference Brochure
with Descriptions NOW Available!
Register NOW for PAR's 2015 Solutions Conference
LEADing Forward
November 9 & 10, Post Conference November 11
at the Harrisburg Hilton
Remember to reserve your room now at the Harrisburg Hilton for PAR's discounted
rate of $134/night - Room block is protected until October 20th
Print the full Conference Brochure Now!
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10 Short Films by Dan Habib Featured in
SWIFT's Free Guide for Inclusive Practices
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SWIFT (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) is a national K-8 technical assistance center that promotes the inclusive academic and social achievement of ALL students, including students with disabilities and those with the most extensive needs.
Dan Habib of the Institute on Disability at UNH has worked with SWIFT to develop ten "SWIFT in 60" films. These films are now included in the
SWIFT Field Guide
, a tool to support the implementation of inclusive educational practices.
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The Gold Book 2013
Understanding the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania: Intellectual Disability and Autism Services
Click here for printable copy
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The Tech Toolbox
The Arc's Tech Toolbox is a place to find, share, rate and review technology for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).
The need for a service that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) access technology has long been apparent and The Arc decided to step in to help centralize resources in this field. Through a partnership with the Comcast Foundation, The Arc was able to create the TechToolbox. Staff from across The Arc's chapter network came together to design a one-stop-shop, peer- reviewed directory of technology products that are effective for people with I/DD. Through this directory, chapter staff, people with I/DD, and the general public can find, review, and post examples of technology tools that work well for them. There are already over 500 apps and devices in Tech Toolbox, and the list will continue to grow with your input! Tech Toolbox is supported by a grant from the Comcast Foundation
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Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) Releases
Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual
PHLP has expanded and updated its Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual. Intended for health care advocates and the general public, this manual describes eligibility for Pennsylvania's Medicaid Assistance (or Medicaid) program in plain language. Readers will learn Medicaid coverage "categories" as well as the program's income and resource counting rules.
The updated Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual can be found here.
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Get $50 in groceries for $20 and community service. Fresh produce packages available for $15. Accepts SNAP (food stamps) and farmers' market vouchers
For 25 years SHARE has worked to create stronger, healthier communities through its mission of providing good, affordable food to all. Over the years, the needs of its communities have evolved. Opportunities to expand its reach to more individuals and families has led SHARE from its beginnings as the SHARE Food Package program to a leader in the food relief system providing an array of services. At its core, the SHARE Food Package program is larger than ever, but is now accompanied by emergency relief programs, fresh food packages, dinner and nutrition programs, and urban agriculture.
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College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Prospective college students with disabilities will find that many campuses are equipped with offices and services that address accessibility, accommodation, and assistive technology for a diverse range of needs. Student services offices and disability coordinators at many colleges work to make campuses inclusive environments through specialized advocacy, support, and academic services.
CLICK HERE for more information
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CAP4KIDS Programs
We all know the importance of quality after school/weekend programs for kids through sports and other positive recreational activities, but sometime finding the right fit isn't so easy.
website, under After School Programs (click here), you will find dozens of great programs including: tennis; lacrosse; golf; rowing; running; horse back riding; squash; and more, all focused on serving lower income youth.
Also on this site you can find specific programs by zip code using the Department of Recreation's site (click here
) or the wonderful After School Activities Partnership site (click here).
Check these search functions out!!! Also, to sign up for Cap4Kids hint, please have your friends and coworkers sign up here. Thanks.
Daniel R. Taylor, D.O., FAAP, FACOP
Associate Professor Drexel University College of Medicine
Director Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
Articles on being a Philly Pediatrician
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Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Intake Referral Unit -
Call 215-685-4646
Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) coordinates the Infant Toddler Early Invention Program in Philadelphia!
The Infant Toddler Early Intervention program serves children from birth to three years of age who have a developmental delay. This Program is a state and federal entitlement for eligible children and is provided at no cost to families in Pennsylvania.
Referrals come directly from parents or family members, and from hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics, and other agencies serving children. Once a child is referred, an IDS Early Intervention Intake Coordinator contacts the family to complete the intake application. The Coordinator then assigns the child and family to service coordination. ChildLink, the service coordination organization, works closely with the family and the Early Intervention Provider Agencies to identify and deliver the needed services.
See Sections II-D and V of the 2014 IDS Directory of Services and Supports for more detailed information.
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