Winter Updates


FEBRUARY 2023

Photo of Sooner SUCCESS employees celebrating 20 years of supporting families raising a loved one with special health care needs in their community and the providers that serve them
Who We Serve Sooner SUCCESS is a statewide, community-based service available to assist families that have a loved one with special needs. Their needs can be physical, developmental, emotional, behavioral, or due to abuse and neglect. We can also help families that may have concerns about their child and need assistance locating a provider to do an evaluation. Sooner SUCCESS supports families in their own communities. Too often, families who have children with special needs don’t know where to turn for supports, help, or equipment. They worry about their child’s future and about how to pay for services if they can find them. They need information about their child’s disability or condition. Sooner SUCCESS connects families to supports in their community that will meet their child’s unique needs. Some examples of supports are helping Family Caregivers access Respite, Sibshops, Health Care Transition resources, Supplemental Formula, Supporting Parents with Disabilities, and other resources that help families in their community. Bilingual Spanish services are also available. Sooner SUCCESS supports service providers where they serve. Primary care doctors and related service providers want to assure that a child’s needs are met — both medical and non-medical. Sooner SUCCESS is the partner that can make this coordination of care possible. We work together with service providers to help families access and coordinate specialty care, education services, family support, and other types of community services. We can also help families apply for SoonerCare coverage or fully utilize their existing benefits. Help for families begins with a Click or a Phone Call Do you know a family that has a loved one with special needs? Whether you are a family member or a provider who wants to offer more support for families, help is just a call or click away! Not only can Sooner SUCCESS help locate needed supports for individual families, but we can help communities find ways to be more inclusive and offer new local services. Contact us or visit our website to connect with our coordinators and to learn how we can help the families in your community: https://soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu
Photo of Lisa Copeland, retiring after 20 years. Photo of Cassidy Carlton, celebrating 5 years at Sooner SUCCESS

Sooner SUCCESS Fall and Winter 2022 Events

caregivers holding painted pumpkins
Sooner SUCCESS staff and volunteers standing in front of decorated tree

In partnership with the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma, Sooner SUCCESS hosted 27 caregivers at the October Family Caregiver Retreat in Sulphur. In December, Sooner SUCCESS provided an activity-filled afternoon for over 200 attendees at the Sensory Winter Wonderland event held at First Moore Baptist Church.

Helping Families

Are you a family needing resources/information or a provider serving families and wanting to connect a family with us? If so, we have a new referral form on the top of our website pages titled "Need Help" (see image below). Once you complete the form, it will be forwarded to the appropriate county coordinator who will reach out to assist. Or you can always contact us by phone at 405-271-2710.


UPCOMING EVENTS



Community Stem Engagement Event

Stillwater - February 18


Community Stem Engagement Event, Where: Endeavor Lab, OSU Campus, 215 N Hester St., Stillwater, OK  Who: Children and young adults with disabilities and their families. WHEN: February 18, 2023 from 1:00 - 3:00pm. Inclement Weather February 25, 2023. WHAT: A free community event hosted by the NASA Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium with over 10 hands-on STEM booths demonstrating current NASA missions. Families will be able to take most of the activities home (bags will be provided). NASA prizes will be given to those who complete the activities, and door prizes will be drawn throughout the event!  Contact us: NASA OKSG Education Coordinator, dorinda.risenhoover@okstate.edu 405-314-9161. NASA logo, Sooner SUCCESS logo


Health Care Transition Provider Trainings

Designed for all Specialties, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Fellow, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Medical Student, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (NP), Physician, Physician Assistant, Psychologist, Registered Nurse (RN), and Resident. Register online

Feb. 20, 22 & 24, 2023 | 1 - 2 p.m. Health Care Transition Provider Training Sponsored by Sooner Success in partnership with Oklahoma Human Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau Title V

On the Road Family Perspective Conference

Conference Presented in English and Spanish

Bethany Children's Health Center

March 2 - More Information Registration


THURSDAY , MARCH 2, 2 0 2 3 | 8:30AM – 4PM Bethany Children's Health. “On the Road” is a one-day training that educates families and caregivers who live with an individual with a disability, connect with agencies that serve the disability community and learn about what they do and how to contact them. These organizations will present their programs in a brief summary or "speed share" and there will also be a variety of additional resource booths. Food will be provided upon registration. *Educational vouchers available but families need to apply before or the day of the event. Contact Mayra-Castaneda@ouhsc.edu.  Center – Oklahoma County. Registration: https://okcontheroad.eventbrite.com/


RARE OK Resource Fair

March 4 - Registration


Rare OK Resource Fair, March 4, from 1-4 pm at Bethany Children's Health Center


Cleveland County disABILITY Resource Fair

March 9, 4-7pm at The Well in Norman


Save the Date. Cleveland County disABIILITY Coalition. 1st Annual disABILITY Resource Fair. March 9, 2022 from 4 - 7 pm. The Well. 210 S James Garner Avenue, Norman, OK. This is a great opportunity to connect with local agencies and learn about the services they provide for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Email okccdc@gmail.com with any questions


OKIPSE Alliance Summit

Friday, April 14

MetroTech Springlake Conference Center

Register Here

OKIPSE Alliance, Inclusive Post Secondary Education. Friday April 14. MetroTech Springlake Conference Center, Oklahoma City. www.okipsealliance.org


Save the Dates - April 21 & 22

Sibshops Facilitator Certification Training


Sibshops Facilitator Certification Training. Save The Date: April 21st & 22nd FOR MORE INFO: Please contact: Kelly Williamson Sooner SUCCESS. kelly-m-williamson@ouhsc.edu 405-593-9266. $25 fee for Oklahoma Residents, $50 for non- residents Scholarships Available Attendance on both days is required for certification.





Save the Date - Family Caregiver Conference

November 2, 2023

More Information: OKCares.org

Caregivers Rock! 2023 Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference. Save the Date. November 2, 2023

Additional Events in our Regions

Region 1

Kay County

May 13 Community Resource Fair - from 9:00-12:00 pm at The Summit at City Central

400 E Central, Ponca City

Garfield County

March 25 Sooner SUCCESS/Safe Care Community Baby Shower - from 1:00-3:00 pm

at Champion Gym, 740 N 10th, Enid

April 1 Family Fun Day - from 9:00-12:00 pm at Meadowlake Park, 1200 W Rupe,

Enid


Region 2

Tulsa County

February 28 On the Road Health Care and Transition Services Event, United Church, 700

E. Cherokee St, Wagoner - More information

April 13 On the Road Healthcare and Transition Services Event, Tulsa Tech, Lemley

Memorial Campus, Tulsa - On the Road Health Care and Transition - More

information


Region 3

Oklahoma County

March 2 On the Road Family Perspective Conference – Bethany Children's Health

Center, 6800 NW 39th Expy, Bethany - Registration

March 4 Rare OK Resource Fair from 1:00-4:00 pm at Bethany Children's Center

Hospital, Conference Center, 6800 NW Expy, Bethany. Registration

March 7 People with Disabilities Awareness Day from 12:00-4:00 pm at the Oklahoma

History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City More information

 

Region 4

Cleveland County

March 9 disABILITY Coalition Resource Fair, the Well, 210 S James Garner Avenue,

Norman - More information

Pottawatomie County

March 7 Community Baby Shower, Grand Casino Event Center, 777 Grand Casino

Blvd, Shawnee - Registration

Stephens County

April 15 Community Baby Shower, Stephens County Fairgrounds and Expo Center,

2002 South 13th Street, Duncan - More Information


Statewide

May 17-19 Special Olympics State Games, Stillwater - more info at Special Olympics Oklahoma

June 14-16 Sooner SUCCESS/Cavett Kids Sibling Camp - More information coming soon on Sooner SUCCESS web calendar



Supplemental Formula Program

Questions ------Application


Supplemental Formula Program Used as a supplement to improve health Requests reviewed on a case by case basis Program eligibility reviewed annually Eligibility: Child with special health care needs Birth through 17 years old Documentation for oral use from a Healthcare Professional (required) Does not qualify for another supplemental formula program. For more information 405-271-2710 nutrition@ouhsc.edu

Respite Vouchers

Several respite programs are available in Oklahoma. Contact us and let us help locate the most appropriate program for you. Also, Educational Vouchers may be available to help you pay for care of your loved one while you receive training related to your caregiving.

RESPITE SERVICES CAN: provide a much-needed, temporary break from the challenges faced by family caregivers; give caregivers the ability to hire another person (respite provider) to temporarily care for their loved ones.Caregiver must: be 18 or older, full-time, unpaid; be a grandparent or other relative age 54 or younger raising a child; and not receive respite services or payments from other programs including, but not limited to foster care, Family Support Assistance Payment, OAA Title III-E or ODMHSAS Systems of Care funding. recipient must: •be 59 or younger who needs help withactivities of daily living (ADL) who has: •Cognitive Impairment/Dementia •Intellectual Disabilities •Developmental Disabilities •Mental Health/Behavioral Issues •Physical Disabilities •Traumatic Brain Injury •Other special health care needs • not qualify for respite services or payments through any other program. Educational and Emergency Vouchers also available.
OKCares, www.okcares.org, okcares@okdhs.org 1-800-211-2116 Statewide resources directory for Oklahoma caregivers across the lifespan:  Respite locator  Support groups  Legal support  Grandparents or other relatives raising children  Advocacy opportunities  Join the OK Caregiver Coalition  Upcoming events
Maximize Your Respite Time Here are some ways you can take time to care for yourself! 15 Minute Time Out • Write in a journal • Read literature (1 chapter) that is unrelated to work or education • Meditate and pray • Stretch • Call a friend • Make an appointment for yourself (doctor, hair, dentist, manicure) 1 Hour Time Out • Go to the gym or take a fitness/yoga class • Cook your favorite recipe • Meet a friend for lunch • Attend a support group • Go shopping • Get a massage 30 Minute Time Out • Take a walk • Take a hot bath • Take a nap • Work in the garden • Watch a funny TV show • Make a cup of hot tea and enjoy it quietly A Day of Self Care • Go to the museum or take a drive/day trip • You and your spouse go to the movie and then dinner afterwards • Go hiking and have a picnic • Spend the day with a friend • Attend a scheduled appointment Tips for choosing your respite activity: Choose an activity that you have always enjoyed doing you did before you became a caregiver that has meaning to you that will help improve satisfaction with caregiving that will help you reduce the stress you might be feeling that encourages you to use your respite more regularly Caregivers who use their respite time to do what they intended to do may feel less stress and more satisfaction with their caregiving role.
We are hiring: Psychological Clinician, TEFRA Family Support Coordinator, Woods/Woodward/Harper, Mayes/Rogers/Delaware, Cleveland


Sooner SUCCESS - New Team Member

Sooner SUCCESS

Phone: (405) 271-2710

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