Supporting Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Ongoing Health Care Needs
Virtual Office Hours
Virtual Office Hours
Join Arc Staff on Zoom for Resources, Information & Support.
No RSVP Required.
Thursdays, 11am - 12 noon
Join Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86909304702
Meeting ID: 869 0930 4702
In observance of Thanksgiving, our Virtual Office Hours will be closed on Thursday, November 25, 2021.
Parent Connect Meeting
We may not be therapy, but we sure are therapeutic!
Monday, November 8
7 - 8 pm
via Zoom
We understand how isolating it can be right now, so we are holding our Parent Support Meetings virtually through Zoom. Grab you favorite hot beverage, a cozy blanket and join us. Pop in for a few minutes or stay a while.
Those who attend will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.
To register contact P2P at (360) 715-0170 ext 302 or p2p@arcwhatcom.org
After registering you will receive an email containing the link for you to join the Parent Support Meeting via Zoom. Please register early so you can get the link. Must be able to connect through a cell phone, tablet or computer.
We will be welcoming guest presenter Lori Pollett to share her journey caring for her adult sister with Down syndrome. This Support Meeting is for people who are in the role of caring for adult loved ones (ages 16 and up) with a developmental delay or disability.
Register by emailing p2p@arcwhatcom.org. After registering you will receive an email containing the link for you to join the Parent Support Meeting via Zoom. Please register early so you can get the link. Connect through a cell phone, tablet or computer. For questions, contact Parent to Parent at 360-715-0170 ext 302 or p2p@arcwhatcom.org
The holidays can be a stressful season, and especially during a pandemic. We know that many families have been hit hard by COVID. Parent to Parent, a program of The Arc of Whatcom County, has joined forces with Toys for Tots to bring joy and laughter into your home this year.
We would love to be able to support our Parent to Parent families in need this year with receiving a gift for your child through Toys for Tots. This Holiday season, Whatcom County Toys for Tots will not open a public toy distribution center. They will still collect new and unwrapped toys, for families with children 0-18. Parent to Parent is an approved agency to support families! If you would like a toy for your child/children, please send an email to p2p@arcwhatcom.org with your child’s name, gender and age by Sunday, November 14th 2021. We will work with Toys for Tots to support your child, and will confidently connect with you for a pickup arrangement.
Does your child with a disability have a typically-developing sibling age 3-to-5? Would you like to support the sibling and help evaluate this innovative app and earn $75.
To learn more, contact Melanie Santiago-Ruiz at Influents Innovations. Text or call 785-282-4986 or email at melanie.santiago-ruiz@influentsin.com
You Are Not Alone
Our offices are temporarily closed to the public, we are working remotely, to provide support and resources, Virtual Parent Support Meetings, one on one appointments via zoom or phone, and many other ways to stay connected as a community. You can call and leave a voicemail, email us, and follow our Facebook page for latest information, resources, and updates.
We look forward to a time when we can meet in person again, but until then, you are not alone. We're here to help.
Did your child’s DDA Hours Increase?
The Shared Benefit Rule has been eliminated!!
The Shared Benefit Rule reduced hours of paid care of home care clients. This rule has now been eliminated and many clients and their caregivers will see an increase in hours. When your child/client goes in for their next annual assessment, any Shared Benefit deductions they have will be eliminated by the end of 2021. You can also contact your case manager and ask for the shared benefits to be removed.
November Newsletter
Parent to Parent and
The Arc’s Parent Coalition combined forces and created one newsletter. With this combined newsletter we will have more issues and be able to reach more families.
The November issue is full of virtual Parent Connect meetings, workshops, events, resources, and more!
COVID-19 Resources click on logos for more details
Kids and adults with special needs can benefit from considerations that make it easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Two local healthcare providers—PeaceHealth and Unity Care Northwest—can help reduce transitions and waiting times with virtual check-in and private exam rooms.
To help providers prepare for your visit, you’ll need to call ahead to schedule and request special accommodations for the appointment.
FOR PEACEHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP
CALL 360-752-5246
FOR UNITY CARE NORTHWEST
CALL 360-746-3098
Face Masks or Cloth Faces Coverings
As of August 23rd, Washington is requiring everyone over the age of 5 years wear a mask in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
If you and your family are in need of cloth masks, please email admin@arcwhatcom.org or call 360-715-0170 ext 200 to request masks. We have a variety of different adult and child sized masks, free of charge.
Community Resources click on logos for more details
Lifespan Respite Washington offers grants of up to $1000 for respite care for unpaid caregivers who support a family member, friend, or neighbor who has a special need or condition. For more information about Lifespan Respite Washington or its voucher program please contact: Email: getrespite@wapave.org or Phone: 253-442-3214
Adaptive Life Coaches
Providing respite care and recreational therapy while teaching life, social, and communication skills for those with disabilities, special needs and autism in Whatcom County. Contact: (360)788-3099 https://adaptivelifecoaches.com/home
Did you know that people with permanent disabilities can apply for a FREE Access lifetime pass to the National Park Service
It's FREE if you pick up at a federal recreation site. Or you can pay a $10 processing fee to order through the mail or online.
Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission offers Disability Passes at no charge for people with permanent disabilities, foster families, disabled veterans, low income seniors, etc. This is a great way to reduce the costs of exploring our state parks.
Autism 101
Virtual: This free class will be live-streamed using WebEx
For more information and to sign up to view from home, please website here
The National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Box® is a free-of-charge safety toolkit for autism families in need of wandering-prevention tools.
If you are caring for a child with hearing loss, Washington Hands and Voices has a Guide By Your Side program to provide you with support and guidance. For more information: Phone: 425-268-7087 or Email: GBYS@WAhandsandvoices.org
Facebook Group
P2P: Whatcom County
Join our private Facebook group.
A place where parents of special needs children can connect and support each other without fear of judgment.
Parent to Parent has a closed Facebook group for parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays, disabilities, and on-going health care needs called P2P: Whatcom County. This is a private page for our Parent to Parent of Whatcom County families. A place to share joys and tears. A place for us to ask for help or just be heard. What’s said here, stays here. You are not alone.
Nuestro programa Padres a Padres reúne a familias que hablan español para diferentes eventos y actividades. Conozca a otros padres que comparten la experiencia única de criar a un hijo o hija que tiene necesidades especiales. ¿Le gustaría recibir ayuda o establecer una conexión con otro padre? Comuníquese con
Marta al (360) 715-0170 ext 308 martam@arcwhatcom.org para obtener más información y para inscribirse y recibir por correo el boletín de Padres a Padres. Únete al facebook Padres a Padres del Condado de Whatcom.
Padres a Padres Newsletter & Events
Our Padres a Padres Program brings together families who speak Spanish for a variety of events and activities. Would you like support or to make a connection with another Spanish Speaking parent? Contact Marta at (360) 715-0170 ext 308 for more information and to get on the mailing list for the Padres a Padres newsletter. Join Padres a Padres del Condado de Whatcom on Facebook.
Parent to Parent
Event Calendar
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, November 8, 7 pm - 8 pm Virtual Parent Support Meeting
via Zoom
Thursday, November 18, 7-8:30pm Adult Caregiver Support Meeting
Topic: “Aging Together: What’s Your Plan?”
via Zoom
Sunday, November 14,
Last Day To Register Toys For Tots
To see the Whatcom County Parent to Parent Calendar click here.
