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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:
Dear Parents and Educators,
For June the East San Gabriel Valley SELPA, the CAC, and our Community Agency Partner, the San Gabriel Pomona Parents’ Place Family Resource and Empowerment Center (Parents’ Place), will be hosting our last Parent In-Service for the 2019-2020 school year. We will focus on work experience, college programs, and the Regional Center on Wednesday, June 17th, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for students on certificate and diploma track. To register for the virtual in-service please click the flyer below or email cacselpa@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.
To view our May In-Service about Strategies to Support New Learning Routines & Positive Behaviors in the Home, visit https://www.esgvselpa.org/domain/22 and scroll down.
The CAC would like to share with you activities they participated in for Mental Health Awareness Month, resources for Better Hearing and Speech Month, and information for COVID-19. This month we will introduce you to Julie Lopez; our West Covina USD CAC Parent Representative; to Aida Amare our Walnut Valley USD CAC Parent Representative, and to my family.
We look forward to continue serving you during these trying times. Stay healthy & safe.
Tavia L. Lawson
Chair, ESGV SELPA CAC
Julie Lopez, CAC Parent Representative West Covina USD
Our CAC Parent Representative Julie Lopez of West Covina shares about her activities during COVID-19, Mental Health, Autism, and Mothers’ day. “Both my son and I suffer from severe anxiety and being at home has elevated it. My daughter is a Mental Health Specialist. Recently, she was awarded a medal for her advocacy. Our family recently purchased a book called, “Give a Mouse a Cookie,” by Laura Numeroff and a self-help book called, “Boundaries,” by Dr. Henry Cloud. These books have allowed us to have an open discussion on ways to cope as a family. My son Jr and I are part of an Olympic Weightlifting team called VICE. Our team competes locally, statewide, and globally. When I realized this lockdown was going to last longer, I built a gym in my home and our team members lift together using Zoom. We also made some cool shirts to spread Autism Awareness through our sport."
"Lastly, for Mothers’ Day, I plan to write all the women in my life a little memory of what I have learned from them. This includes coworkers, friends, and family. I believe when we share, it helps others to know the impact they have made on our life. My daughter would like to tell parents to take out time for self-care and not to put a lot of pressure on yourself due to COVID-19. Remember to give yourself time to breathe and relax."
Aida Amare, CAC Parent Representative Walnut Valley USD
Our CAC Parent Representative Aida Amare of Walnut Valley USD shares about her activities during COVID-19, Mental Health, Autism, and Mothers’ day. "The first week was very hard. I have 3 children. One is elementary, the other middle school, and the last one in high school. Those with Autism like routines and structure. When I saw the elementary school class schedule, I decided to implement it for everyone. A whiteboard was created to structure our day with schedules and visual supports. It was a lifesaver! At 8 am, we get up and go through our morning routine as if they are going to school. My timer serves as a school bell. By 2:45 they are done with school work. We even have PE workout schedules sent from school and they do that all together. My son Ethan gets nervous about the virus and wishes it would go away. To help take his mind off of the virus, we do Zoom calls with the cousins, play foosball, table tennis, ice hockey, basketball, card games, and pool at our house. Ethan likes that. Every night after dinner, we take turns to watch a movie that a different family member selects and we look forward to this. The kids go to bed by 9 or the latest 10 pm. Lastly, my son would like parents to know, “Parents, please help your kids do homework. Also, make the kids happy and easier for them.”
Aida Amare's family has a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching and training educational, therapeutic, and healthcare professionals in developing countries. Their son Ethan helps share his story with the professionals. You can learn more about Aide and her family here: https://www.hopeforspecialeducation.org/about/
UCLA Disability Services Video:
https://youtu.be/tD8QqPXw0QE
Tavia L. Lawson, CAC Chair/Parent Representative Azusa USD
"Our CAC is a diverse community with rich ethnic backgrounds. In these challenging times, I am proud to serve with a group of minorities who aim to support the community, with all the challenges we currently face in society. My passion for serving those with disabilities stems from my Mother who raised three children of which two have disabilities. As one of my Mothers children with a disability, I have taken a front-row seat to witness how family and community support can improve a person's quality of life as it did mine. Mental Health is important to my family; therefore, we participate in charity events throughout the year. The Los Angeles County Crime Survivors 5K is dear to us. This walk helps victims and survivors of crime. Families are provided with mental health and support resources, housing, and more. Due to the opportunity technology provides, we are able to continue our services virtually during COVID-19. My sisters' husband and I are essential workers and as a result, we think of creative ways we can make collages together for our various charities. Pictured is my son and I to the left. On the right are my sister and her daughter who is a gymnast."
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