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We Need Your Help!!

From The Provider Alliance

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The final negotiations for the Pennsylvania budget continue. Our legislators are now determining whether to invest in DSP wages or place these funds as part of a $5 billion allocation to the Rainy Day Fund. We still need your help as we fight for DSP wages! 


We ask that you keep sending messages to your Senators and Representatives and tell them to actively support $65 million in DSP wages. We have consistently requested a total investment of $541 million for our DSP workforce. The Governor has already proposed $405 million in funding and we need the $65 million additional state dollars, matched by $71 million in federal funds, to accomplish this goal. 


Please click the link below and revisit our Action Center TODAY and urge your Senator and Representative to support DSP wages. Please share this link widely across your organizations and stakeholder communities.


Thank you for your advocacy.



Call To Action Click here the House and Senate are finalizing the budget
Thank you to our 2022 e-news underwriter:
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ACHIEVA logo Protecting Futures. Enhancing Lives.

Standard Quality-of-Life Screener

Standard Quality-of-Life Screener Validated for Autistic Adults

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Read More Here

Media

Activist Leon Ford, Outgoing Pittsburgh Police Chief Schubert form Nonprofit to Improve Police-Youth Relations

Ford and Schubert

The Hear Foundation Executive Director Kamal Nigam and co-founders Leon Ford and Scott Schubert.

Photographer: JOSHUA FRANZOS

When Is the Right Time to Tell a Child They Have Autism?


Podcast: What It's Like to be a Black Autism Researcher

Research

Poor Sleep Shifts Social Circuit in Mice

How the Cerebellum Modulates Our Ability to Socialize

Workshops and Webinars
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Integrating Social Skills into Criminal Justice Interactions: Case Studies


This webinar will provide a detailed breakdown of several cases of the integration of social skills instruction into daily interactions of justice professionals with their clients and colleagues. 


Date/Time by Time Zone

Thu, Jul 14th, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET

Thu, Jul 14th, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM CT

Thu, Jul 14th, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM MT

Thu, Jul 14th, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM PT


More information here

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Register Here
Events and Activities

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Sensory Friendly Afternoons

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Three year old child painting with bright colors in an art studio with two adults painting alongside
Sensory Friendly afternoons take place on the second Tuesday of every month from 1-5pm
Children and families with autism spectrum disorders and sensory sensitivities can enjoy a fun, friendly experience in a comfortable and accepting environment.
  • Lights and sounds in spaces throughout the museum are adjusted
  • Designated Quiet Areas offer spaces to take a break
  • Sensory Kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, an assortment of fidgets, and other items are available.
 Regular admission rates apply.
Please contact accessibility@pittsburghkids.org for more information.


Visit the Children's Museum Website for More Information

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Interested in advertising your event, program, research study or employment opportunities here?

Upcoming Support Group

ACHIEVA'S EMPOWERED VOICES LEADERSHIP GROUP


Achieva’s Empowered Voices Leadership Group is comprised of self-advocates from around the Pittsburgh area. Driven by the voices and interests of the members, participants meet for opportunities to learn new things, have fun, and meet new people. 


Former topics covered during group meetings include Able Accounts, Grief and Loss, and Public Speaking.


Empowered Voices meet virtually on the first and third Thursday of each month from 6 - 8 p.m.


Meeting Link 


Or dial: (US) 1 617-675-4444 

and enter PIN: 955 107 492 6951#


More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/iuu-miaf-wio?pin=9551074926951



Please contact Melissa Skiffen, Achieva Advocacy and Family Supports, at mskiffen@achieva.info or 724-837-8159 x 114 with any questions.

Participants Needed

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY AUTISM SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTION


PSU Lab of Developmental Neuroscience

Participate in a computer game intervention designed to alleviate social symptoms and foster more independence in autistic adolescents (10-18 years). Families come to Penn State Univ. 3 times over 6 months to play computer games, answer survey questions, and have eye movements observed. Adolescents play a computer game at home 3 times/week for 3 of the months.


Families are paid for lab visits and game play time and reimbursed for travel costs. Scheduling is flexible. For more information go to http://sagaintervention.com or email: psu.asd.gameintervention@gmail.com

NEW RESEARCH STUDY: DEVELOPING A MEASURE OF ADULT FUNCTIONING IN ASD


Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry are seeking volunteers aged 18 and older diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or caregivers of adults with ASD to participate in a study. The purpose of this study is to create a reliable and valid measure of adult functioning in adults with ASD.

  • Online surveys
  • Complete on your own time
  • $80 compensation provided

If you are interested, please contact 412-260-6593 or AFSstudy@upmc.edu



Autism Connection of PA disclaims and does not endorse or support any individual or entity included in this publication, makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or promises on behalf of or for those listed, and assumes no liability nor responsibility for any service or product provided or advertised. We strongly recommend that readers of this e-blast and related publications such as newsletters, exercise their own best judgment when making the decision to use the services, products, interventions or advice from any entity listed herein. 

Autism Connection of PA is a member of the Achieva family of organizations. Achieva logo is on the right of the image.