March is Intellectual Disability Awareness Month
Each March, Chester County observes Intellectual Disability Awareness Month and recognizes friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors and others who have intellectual disability. They work, develop relationships, pursue dreams, and live fulfilled lives as valued and contributing members of our community.
Visit the display in the lobby of the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, to see success stories of local individuals throughout March. Use stories of personal strength, self-determination, courage and achievements to recognize others in the intellectual disability community as well.
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#Me Too Movement is for Everyone
When a two-word hashtag recently started an outpouring of personal stories about sexual assault and harassment, the #MeToo movement was launched, and millions of people realized that they were not alone. But individuals with intellectual disability, who are the victims of sexual assault at rates more than seven times those of the general population, haven't always been given the same platform or compassion.
In a special series that recently aired on WHYY Philadelphia, National Public Radio highlighted the shocking and disturbing issue of sexual assault in the ID community. The series,
Abused and Betrayed
, was reported after a year-long investigation and can serve as an alarm bell for those working with this population.
Jen Harniman-Crangle, the Quality/Risk Management Specialist for Chester County's Intellectual Disability Services, notes that the series, although graphic and potentially upsetting, is an important piece of journalism and valuable information for those working in the field.
"In the incident management work that I do, I know these situations occur more frequently than we'd like to believe. It's important that we are open to having the conversations and looking at the facts so that we can continue to empower people with intellectual disability to report these experiences and hold perpetrators accountable," Harniman-Crangle said.
Click for the NPR Series
.
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Have you heard of the Mazzoni Center?
The largest health care provider in the Philadelphia region specifically targeting the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
Find out more
!
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Foster Grandparents At Pennhurst
History to Remember by J. Gregory Pirmann
Beginning in the late 1960’s individuals living at Pennhurst benefited from a state-funded “Foster Grandparents Program,” created under the Older Americans Act. The program, which also operated at the Cresson, Ebensburg and Selinsgrove Centers, was described in the Challenge newsletter from April 1970, pictured to the left.
The clients involved in the program would “watch from the windows when [the] bus was due” each day, knowing that their special friend was on the way. “Seeing someone who has time to fuss over you, to sing songs, read a story and show you how to brush your teeth … all this and much more is what the foster grandparents mean to the residents. … aides who have the responsibility for the physical care of residents confide that they can see the difference since the grandparents program started.” [The Challenge]
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Join us for the next fundraiser for the 2019 Self-Determination Awards!
Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 5 PM to 9 PM
At
SNAP Pizza -
Main Street Shopping Center, 231 Main St., Exton, 484-875-5800
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What's Your Vision of A Good Life?
The
LifeCourse Tools
can help families and individuals envision and pursue a good life. Darcy Elks, Family Advisor with the PA Family Network is available to mentor families and individuals charting their LifeCourse.
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Resources, Training, Opportunities
ODP Announcement
- Certified Employment Support Professional Credential Examinations
Ready for Download
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Assistive Technology (AT) EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDE
Refer Web
- Chester County's source for human services
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Chester County Department of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA
Chester County Commissioners
Administrator: Linda Cox
Deputy Administrator: Bridget Thrash
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