TAKE ACTION ~ State Must Restore Funding for People with Developmental Disabilities

CA IHSS Statewide Authority Seeking Applicants for New Statewide IHSS Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Deadline to Apply May 1

The California In-Home Supportive Services Statewide Authority (IHSS Statewide Authority) is seeking applicants for a 13 member new statewide IHSS Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) including persons who are IHSS recipients, workers, union representatives and advocates. The deadline to submit an application is May 1, 2015.

The IHSS Stakeholder Advisory Committee responsibilities include providing advice and recommendations regarding the IHSS Program to the IHSS Statewide Authority and the Department of Social Services (the state agency that oversees statewide the IHSS program), and the Department of Health Care Services (the state agency that administers the Medi-Cal program statewide and the Waiver Personal Care Services program).

Watch "Out Cry Against Bullying" by Howard McBroom

Bullying of children and teens with disabilities is significant. Research shows that they are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their nondisabled peers.

April 13 ~ Spring Playgroup for Children 2 to 5 Years of Age Starts

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:

Spring Monday Afternoon Session
Mondays, April 13, 20 and 27 and May 4, 11 and 18, 2015
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.

April 14 ~ Service Provider Training In-Service: Health Care Follow-up, Provider’s Responsibility

This training provided by Margarita Blanco, RN, on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lanterman, will include information and tips on how service providers can monitor the health status of clients.

What to look for, what to ask and common issues or concerns to report to the Regional Center's attention will also be discussed. In addition there will be information on conditions that require Restricted Health Care plans for clients in adult residential facilities.

April 14 and 16 ~ Music Together: Two Series of Parent and Me Music Sessions Start

Lanterman presents two sessions of Music Together, both 10-week series, one starting Tuesday, April 14, 2015, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. running through Tuesday, June 16, 2015, and the other starting on Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and running through Thursday, June 18, 2015, at Lanterman. 

The series brings together families in sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented setting.

Music is learned through developmentally appropriate activities that support and respect the unique learning styles of young children from 1 to 5 years of age. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers participate at their own levels in family-style classes of mixed ages.

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

Space is limited, registration required.

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

April 14 ~ Transitioning from High School to Adulthood Presentation

This presentation with Lanterman Special Education Law Clinic Staff and Sam Suzuki, Lanterman regional manager, will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at BCR, and will cover everything you need to know about making the transition from high school to adulthood successful.

Topics covered include:

• Inclusion in high school and beyond
• What is a transition IEP and how to prepare for it
• The transition services that should be provided by the school district
• What are the steps and timelines associated with transitioning out of high school

 Seating is limited. Reserve your space by April 10, 2015.

For more information, contact Edward Perez at 213.252.4986 or eperez@lanterman.org.

April 29 ~ Conservatorship, Special Needs Trusts and Wills Presentation

This presentation with Attorney Pat Huth, on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lanterman, will cover the following topics:

• The definition and types of conservatorship
• The right to consent or withhold consent to medical treatment
• The right to enter into contracts
• The right to make decisions concerning education
• What is a special needs trust and how it benefits you and your son/daughter with a developmental disability
• What is a will with special needs trust
• Will the Special Needs Trust have an impact on SSI, Medi-Cal, or IHSS

For more information, contact Edward Perez at 213.252.4986 or eperez@lanterman.org.

Seating is very limited. Reserve your space by April 27, 2015.

April 30 ~ Baby Play Day for Children Birth to 2 Years of Age

Come and join us for our monthly baby play days. Enjoy access to KYRC toys and play equipment, stories, arts and crafts, fun activities, and helpful resources while getting to know other families.

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

• Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Thursday, June 25, 2015 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.

DDS SafetyNet ~ All About Allergies

Allergies:
Some people are allergic to foods, cats or dogs, or a medicine. Be aware of your allergies. Learn more about Allergic Reactions.

Seasonal Allergies:
Seasonal allergies are caused by flowering plants. People are most affected during the spring and summer. Learn more about Seasonal Allergies.

Asthma:
Allergies can worsen asthma, a sickness that makes it difficult to breathe. Learn more about Asthma.

For more useful tips on allergies, visit the DDS SafetyNet.

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