October ~ PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month

October 8 ~ Toilet Training Workshop Series Starts

This six-week toilet training workshop begins Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. and runs through November, 12, 2014, at AbilityFirst in Pasadena. The workshop is designed to give parents strategies to assist them when teaching their young child to use the toilet. This is designed for parents of children 2 1/2 to 5 years old, however, parents of older children may benefit depending on the developmental level of their child.

Parents will learn about:

• Signs of readiness (being physically ready, getting external feedback, getting internal feedback)
• Parent's perceptions (stress about getting him/her toilet trained before school starts, before he/she is 3, etc.)
• Strategies to get started
• Specific training issues (accidents, nighttime training)
• Habit Training vs. Toilet Training

Contact your Service Coordinator to register for this Toilet Training Workshop.

October 9 ~ Special Senate Hearing in LA on The Lanterman Act and Effects of Inadequate Funding

October 13 and 17 ~ Session 2 of Fall Playgroups for Children 2 to 5 Years of Age Start

Quality play time with parents can lead to improvements in skills such as communication, engagement, sensory awareness, cognitive ability and creativity. Each session of the parent-child playgroups typically runs for six weeks and will provide caregivers with play strategies and tips for engaging children with special needs to make playtime more fun and meaningful as well as exposure to a variety of play mediums and ideas for low-budget activities that can be done at home. Caregivers will also get expert advice and answers to questions from therapists who will visit the group.

Sessions are conducted in English and Spanish concurrently for various age ranges between 2 and 5 years of age and at various days and times to accommodate the needs of the community.

Program made possible by a contribution from the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

Upcoming playgroup sessions are all held at Lanterman and dates and times are as follows:

Fall Monday Afternoon Session 2
Mondays, October 13, 20 and 27, and November 3, 10 and 17, 2014
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Summer Friday Afternoon Session 2
Friday, October 17, 24 and 31, and November 7, 14 and 21, 2014
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information on the sessions, and to register, contact Play Program Coordinator Lisa Anand at 213.252.8348 or lanand@lanterman.org.

Program made possible by a contribution from the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

October 15 ~ GoTalk NOW Application Workshop and Webinar

Lanterman Regional Center and ATEC present an AT workshop and webinar on GoTalk NOW that will help you turn your iPad into a GoTalk. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lanterman.

Come learn about the application’s features, uses and whom it may benefit.

Go Talk NOW is an application from Attainment Company that is highly flexible and adaptable to a variety of individual needs and skill levels. The layout can be set up as a static system or a folder-based dynamic system. The cells are easily programmed using a symbol library or digital images. Pages can be adapted quickly and easily to adjust to an individual’s needs. The application is highly versatile and can be a great tool for supporting individuals with communication needs. Come and learn more about the application and participate in some hands-on practice with the program.

Registration by October 13, 2014 is required. Please be sure to indicate if you will be attending in-person or via webinar.

For more information, contact the Koch-Young Resource Center 213.252.5600 or kyrc@lanterman.org.

October 20 ~ Deadline to Register to Vote; Why Vote? - Members of the ARCA CAC Share What Voting Means to Them

The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers through its Disability Organizing Network is hosting a video contest. Groups and individuals were encouraged to submit brief (30 second to 2 minute) videos encouraging individuals with disabilities to vote. The ARCA CAC members decided at their recent meeting that they wanted to participate in the contest and that given the limited allowed length of the video that they each wanted to share why voting is important to them personally. Their video features 13 members of the ARCA CAC expressing in their own words why voting matters to them. The one minute video can be seen here

The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November elections is October 20, 2014. All necessary information about registering to vote and voting in California is available in the Elections section on the California Secretary of State's Web site.

October 22 ~ Come Read “Bunny Cakes” at KYRC Storytime

It's Grandma's birthday, and both Max and his bossy sister Ruby are making her a cake. How will their cakes taste? Come and find out when we read "Bunny Cakes" at this next KYRC storytime being held in partnership with Jumpstart on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the KYRC Library.

"Max and Ruby" books generously donated by Vroman's Bookstore.

Register online by October 20, 2014 to reserve your spot.

For questions, more information and to register, contact 213.252.5600 or kyrc@lanterman.org.

October 28 ~ Baby Play Day for Children Birth to 2 Years of Age

Come and join the Koch-Young Resource Center for a monthly play day for children birth to 2 years of age and their parents. Enjoy access to KYRC toys and play equipment, while getting to know other families.

The play days will be held on the following days at Lanterman Regional Center:

• Tuesday, October 28, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Contact the KYRC at 213.252.5600 or kyrc@lanterman.org for more information or to advise of your attendance at the play days.

Program made possible by a contribution from the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation.

November 2 ~ Alson’s Tea at Chado Downtown Tea Room: A Day for Siblings

A very special tea for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities, 6 years and older, at Chado Downtown Tea Room on Sunday, November 2, 2014 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a special event for siblings - without mom or dad. Family members are welcomed to visit the Japanese American National Museum or explore Little Tokyo area during the tea event.

For more information, contact the Koch-Young Resource Center at 213.252.5600 or kyrc@lanterman.org.

Register online by October 29, 2014.

DDS SafetyNet ~ Preparing Healthy Meals

• Eat Foods You Love ~ Eating healthy doesn't mean giving up foods you like. Use the My Plate tool to plan healthy, nutritious meals with foods that you like to eat.
• Check Your Eating Habits ~ How healthy are your eating habits? Use this checklist to find out what you know about healthy eating.
• Eat Better on a Budget ~ Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season can save you money. Read more tips on how to eat healthy on a budget here.

Fast Facts Health Tip Sheets ~ Bed Bugs and Colds and Flu