March 2022 eNews
UPCOMING EVENTS

Check out the March Calendar for upcoming trainings and events!
UPCOMING COVID VACCINE, TESTING CLINICS

The Arc will host a Sensory Friendly COVID Vaccine Clinic for Children, Teens on Fri., March 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Eugene. Preregistration is required.

The Oregon Health Authority featured The Arc Lane County's sensory-friendly vaccine clinics in a recent blog. Learn more about how these clinics are filling a community need by reading Sensory-friendly vaccine clinics make vaccines accessible to all.

Lane County Public Health is also hosting drive-through COVD Testing Clinics at The Arc Lane County parking lot on March 4, March 11 and March 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CELEBRATE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH WITH FAMILIES CONNECTED

Governor Brown has issued a formal Proclamation recognizing March as Disability Awareness Month. In the proclamation, Governor Brown recognizes families for their commitment to helping their loved ones live meaningful lives, and she highlights the public policy accomplishments that have helped people with disabilities in our state. Governor Brown also acknowledges the need to do more to help all Oregon's citizens with developmental disabilities be fully included.

To celebrate, Families Connected and The Arc Lane County will host Disability Awareness Spirit Week March 14-19. Join this fun opportunity to be creative, dress up and celebrate diversity in disabilities. Families Connected will also host a Disability Awareness Month Art Contest. Pick up supplies at The Arc Lane County's drive-through window on March 22 and create a unique poster to celebrate disability awareness month. The winner of the art contest will be announced next month.

Be sure to take pictures of your ingenious Spirit Week costumes and art posters and share them on the Families Connected and The Arc Lane County social media pages. Also, tag your pictures with #disabilityawareness and #thearclanecounty for even more people to see. Let's CELEBRATE!
VIDEO SOCIAL STORIES HELP PREPARE CHILDREN, TEENS FOR COVID VACCINE

The Arc Lane County has created a COVID vaccination video social story to help give children and teens a step-by-step understanding of what happens at a vaccination clinic.

Giving children and teens the opportunity to prepare in advance of their scheduled appointments will help reduce anxiety and increase chances of vaccination success.

There is also a Spanish video to help children and teens who speak Spanish.
FEEDBACK WANTED ON IMPROVING
SELF ADVOCACY IN OREGON

The Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) has American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds to improve self advocacy in Oregon. Do you have ideas on how these funds can be used to achieve better outcomes for people with disabilities? ODDS wants to collect feedback from self-advocates and families to determine how to best use these funds.
 
Take this brief survey by March 11 and share your feedback and ideas.
FACT OREGON TO HOST
PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Applications are now being accepted for FACT Oregon's Activate Your Advocacy, a six-week parent leadership training, starting April 4. The training series will explore a variety of topics to help empower parent as advocates.

To help alleviate access barriers, all participants will receive a $500 stipend upon the successful completion of the training. Interpretation and translation will be available. To apply, complete the online application by March 7.
FREE GUIDE PROVIDES TIPS FOR
BOOSTING INDEPENDENCE

Empowering Ability, a resource developed by Eric Goll who is the sibling of a person who experiences a disability, helps families plan for an "awesome, ordinary life" for their family member who experiences a disability.

Goll has created a free guide entitled, The Ultimate Guide to Independence, that outlines five steps people can take to gain confidence and improve their independence.
K12 TUTORING FOR PEERS, BY PEERS


Educational Equity Now has started a free tutoring program to help local students.
 
Students can earn volunteer hours by being a peer tutor and helping other students, and students who need help with their schoolwork, can receive free tutoring from an understanding and supportive peer. It is a win-win for all students!
 
Students can sign up to be a tutor or receive tutoring here. 
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP CHILDREN THRIVE
AT HOME, IN SCHOOL

The Shadow Project is a nonprofit is dedicated to making school more accessible and engaging for children with learning challenges. The organization provides schools with programs to help K-8 students with dyslexia, ADHD and autism build skills for school and life success.

The Shadow Project also has a free resource library for families with video webinars and a guide on how to set goals with your child.
EARN GIFT CARD BY PARTICIPATING IN
OSU RESEARCH STUDY
An Oregon State University research study, focused on improving motor skills and executive functioning skills in young children with autism, is looking for parents to participate.

Parents and legal guardians of children with autism will be asked to take a 15-minute online survey. Upon completion of the survey, parents will receive a $10 eGift card for their participation.
SPRING, SUMMER PLANNING IN THE WORKS
With COVID counts decreasing, Families Connected is planning a full lineup of trainings and fun, in person events this spring and summer. Keep an eye out for events in this newsletter and the Families Connected page on Facebook. Families Connected will also host its Sensory Zone at several community events.

In addition, Families Connected is expanding its reach to rural areas of Lane County to provide support and enriching activities for families. Contact Nancy if you live in a rural area, such as Oakridge or Cottage Grove, and want to be kept in the loop or if you have ideas to share to help bring families together. 
JOIN THE ARC LANE COUNTY'S DYNAMIC TEAM
You can make a difference in your life by making a difference for others. Watch this video to hear what The Arc Lane County employees enjoy most about the work they do.
 
The Arc Lane County is hiring across different programs. Simply text ARCAPPLY to 541-343-5256 to learn about open positions.

Families Connected, a program of The Arc Lane County, provides peer support to parents in their journey raising a child with a disability. Familias en Conexión is a sister program for parents who speak Spanish.