July 3, 2012
July 3, 2012
Inside this issue:
1) Free Emergency Preparedness Trainings in July
2) Journey Skyward with the Journey of Hope – July 14, Jackson
3) Gulf Coast Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament – July 19-20, Biloxi
4) MSPTI Basic Rights Boot Camp – July 26, Corinth
5) Helping Hands: A Family’s Guide to Early Intervention in Mississippi
6) Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act –What’s Next for CYSHCN
1) Free Emergency Preparedness Trainings in July
If a member of your family has a disability, your family could be at risk during an emergency situation. Learn how to protect your family at free trainings provided by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities. Sessions to be held in July include:
July 11 – Richton – Richton Library, 210 Front St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 17 – Pearl – Pearl Public Library, 3470 Highway 80 E., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 19 – Fayette – Jefferson County Library, 218 S. Main St., 1 to 3 p.m.
July 23 – Lucedale – George County Library, 507 Oak St., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information or ADA accommodations, call Judy Sikes at 1.800.721.7255 or email her at judy@msccd.org.
2) Journey Skyward with the Journey of Hope – July 14, Jackson
Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle trek that began on the west coast and is peddling toward Washington D.C. to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Come meet the Journey of Hope cyclists and take a spin as the co-pilot of an airplane on Sat., July 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at John Bell Williams Field in Raymond. Flights are limited so if you want to fly, call Matt Nalker at The Arc of Mississippi at 601.982.1180 or Christy Dunaway at LIFE at 601.969.4009 as soon as possible. Journey Skyward is presented by The Arc of Mississippi, LIFE of Mississippi and Hinds Community College.
3) Gulf Coast Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament – July 19-20, Biloxi
Bring your racquet and join in the fun at the Gulf Coast Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament on Thurs., July 19 and Fri., July 20, at the Biloxi Tennis Complex at 765 Wells Drive in Biloxi. Registration is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wed., July 18, and 7 to 8 a.m. on Thurs., July 19. Play begins at 8 a.m. on Thurs., July 19. For more information, call Cindy Singletary at LIFE at 228.341.3449 or email her at csingletary.life@gmail.com.
4) MSPTI Basic Rights Boot Camp – July 26, Corinth
Do you want to learn about your rights as a parent in the special education process? Do you want to learn more about IEPs? Plan to attend the MSPTI’s (Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center) Basic Rights Boot Camp on July 26, in Corinth from 12 to 2 p.m. at the MSU Extension Building at 2200 Levee Road. For more information, call Leslie Junkin, MSPTI training coordinator and parent advisor for northeast Mississippi, at 662.251.5599 or email her at leslie@mspti.org.
5) Helping Hands: A Family’s Guide to Early Intervention in Mississippi
The Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Health's First Steps Early Intervention Program is excited to announce a new resource, "Helping Hands, A Family Guide to Early Intervention." This 40-page guide is intended to answer common questions about parent rights and regulations pertaining to the Early Intervention process. You can download the guide at http://www.mspti.org/upload/file127_EIGuide.pdf or contact MSPTI for printed versions by emailing your request to info@mspti.org.
6) Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act –What’s Next for CYSHCN
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional how can parents of children and youth with special health learn more about how this Act affects their children’s services. The Catalyst Center provides information of the Affordable Care Act on their website. For more information visit: http://www.hdwg.org/catalyst/?&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=postwebinar2&utm_source=ACA+rulings&utm_campaign=ACA+ruling&utm_medium=email.
June 8, 2012
June 8, 2012
Inside this issue:
1) LIFE-MACE Inclusive Wheelchair Softball Clinic – June 16, Hattiesburg
2) Mississippi disAbility MegaConference – June 21-22, Jackson
3) MSPE Employment Awareness Sessions – June 21-22, Jackson
4) Citizens with Disabilities Can Get Free Lifetime National Parks Pass
5) FEMA Urges People to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather
1) LIFE-MACE Inclusive Wheelchair Softball Clinic – June 16, Hattiesburg
Come on out for a great summer day of softball and fun on Sat., June 16, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Payne Center on The University of Southern Mississippi campus at 118 College Drive in Hattiesburg. Everyone is welcome to the clinic sponsored by LIFE (Living Independence for Everyone) and MACE (Metro Area Community Empowerment). For more information, call Cindy Singletary at LIFE at 228.388.2402.
2) Mississippi disAbility MegaConference – June 21-22, Jackson
The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference will bring together hundreds of individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals to share best practices, provide training, and inspire innovation among attendees. There will be vendors from across the state, opportunities to earn continuing education units and continuing legal education credits, breakout sessions led by inclusive panels of speakers, incredible networking with individuals and professionals, a silent auction, exceptional door prizes, and an evening entertainment event. Stipends are available for families. For more information, call 1.800.772.4057 or visit http://megaconference.drms.ms/.
3) MSPE Employment Awareness Sessions – June 21-22, Jackson
Four awareness sessions on employment for youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities will be held on June 21-22 in Jackson. Youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families, educators, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials are invited to participate in separate, targeted sessions. Scheduled awareness sessions and locations are:
Mon., June 4 - 1 p.m., community leaders and elected officials – MS Library Commission
5:30 p.m., youth with disabilities and their families – Jackson Marriott
Tues., June 5 - 10 a.m., business leaders - MS Library Commission
1 p.m., educators - MS Library Commission
The Mississippi Library Commission is located at 3881 Eastwood Drive at the Education and Research Center off Ridgewood Road and Eastover Drive. The Jackson Marriott is located at 200 East Amite Street. For more information on the awareness sessions, e-mail Dr. Jerry Alliston, Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu, or Alma Ellis, aellis@ihl.state.ms.us, at the Institute for Disability Studies.
4) Citizens with Disabilities Can Get Free Lifetime National Parks Pass
Did you know that U.S. citizens with documented disabilities can get a free lifetime pass to all national parks and recreation areas? The Access Pass is a free pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. A National Parks Pass usually costs $80 yearly. For more information, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html.
5) FEMA Urges People to Prepare for Hurricanes and Severe Weather
Hurricane Season began June 1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a system that sends severe weather alerts to people on their cell phones. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) look like a text message, and will automatically appear on the mobile device screen showing the type and time of alert, along with any action that should be taken. Check with your cellular carrier to see if WEA alerts are available in your area. Read FEMA’s emergency preparedness tips for people with disabilities in English or Spanish. For more emergency preparedness tips and information about the importance of including people with disabilities in planning for emergencies and disasters and stories about preparing for emergencies, visit https://www.disability.gov/emergency_preparedness.
Preparedness tips in English: http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/FEMA_Disabilities_R-6.pdf
Preparedness tips in Spanish: http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/PrinterFriendly_DisabilitiesSpecialNeeds_ES.pdf
May 16, 2012 Special Edition (2)
Mississippi disAbility
MegaConference
June 21-22
Marriott Jackson
Jackson, MS
Seventeen disability related agencies or groups have come together to plan
and host Mississippi’s first MegaConference. The Mississippi disAbility
MegaConference will bring together, at an affordable price, hundreds of
individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals to share best
practices, provide training, and inspire innovation among attendees. There will
be vendors from across the state, opportunities to earn continuing education
units and continuing legal education credits, breakout sessions led by inclusive
panels of speakers, incredible networking with individuals and professionals, a
silent auction, exceptional door prizes, and an evening entertainment event that
is sure to be a blast! June 21-22
Marriott Jackson
Jackson, MS
The link to the web-page and registration form is: http://megaconference.drms.ms/
For more information, call 1.800.772.4057.
The Facebook page link is: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003766235007
Stipends are available. Call Judy at 601.969.0601 to inquire about the stipend process.
Call the Marriott at 601.969.5100 to reserve your room. Guest rooms are being offered at a special rate of $117 for a single or double. You must tell them you are with the MS disAbility Megaconference. Registration and room reservation DEADLINE is May 28, 2012.
May 16, 2012 Special Edition
Youth with Disabilities Employment Awareness Sessions
Planned for Greenville
Four awareness sessions concerning employment for youth and young adults with
developmental and intellectual disabilities will be held for Delta residents in
Greenville on May 21-22.Youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families, educators, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials are invited to participate in separate, targeted sessions.
Scheduled awareness sessions are:
Mon., May 21 - 1 p.m., community leaders and elected officials
5:30 p.m., youth with disabilities and their families
Tues., May 22 - 10 a.m., business leaders
1 p.m., educators
All sessions will be held in the meeting room of the William Alexander Percy Memorial Library at 341 Main Street in Greenville.
Training session topics will include job development, customized employment, supported employment, federal laws and programs, environmental adaptations, person-centered planning services, and supports for employment of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
These awareness sessions are being held by the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities project developed by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Mississippi and The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies to increase competitive outcomes for youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities by enhancing the collaboration of existing state education and employment services systems.
This project is funded by a grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Mississippi was one of six states chosen from 42 applicants for these grant funds.
Awareness sessions are scheduled for Starkville on June 4-5 and Jackson on June 21-22.
For more information on the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment project and the awareness sessions, contact Jerry Alliston at the Institute for Disability Studies toll free at 1-888-671-0051 or by email at Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu.
May 2, 2012 Special Edition
Sessions Inform Gulf Coast Residents about Employment
for Youth with Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities
for Youth with Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities
Scheduled awareness sessions are:
Mon., May 7 - 10 a.m., community leaders and elected officials
5:30 p.m., youth with disabilities and their families
Tues., May 8 - 10 a.m., business leaders
1 p.m., educators
All sessions will be held at the Technology Learning Center on The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach.
Training session topics will include job development, customized employment, supported employment, federal laws and programs, environmental adaptations, person-centered planning services, and supports for employment of individuals with disabilities.
These awareness sessions are being held by the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities project developed by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies and Disability Rights Mississippi to increase competitive outcomes for youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities by enhancing the collaboration of existing state education and employment services systems. This project is funded by a grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Mississippi was one of six states chosen from 42 applicants for these grant funds
For more information on the Mississ
May 2, 2012
May 2, 2012
Inside this issue:
1) Family Fun Day – May 5, Hattiesburg
2) A Case for Youth Leadership Webinar – May 8, 1 p.m. CDT
3) Be Your Best Treasure Quest – May 12, Jackson
4) Inclusive (Indoor) Camping Trip for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities – June 8-9, Long Beach
5) Summer Jobs Plus Bank
6) Improve Transportation for People with Disabilities
7) HHS and Education Launch StopBullying.gov
8) One Question
1) Family Fun Day – May 5, Hattiesburg
Save the date: Sat., May 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Expect food, fun, games, music and prizes. Family Fun Day is presented by CommUNITY Cares. The theme for the day is The Future’s So Bright, Celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness. For more information, call CommUNITY Cares at 601.544.4641.
2) A Case for Youth Leadership Webinar – May 8, 1 p.m. CDT
Young people have been at the heart of every social justice movement. Register for this webinar to learn more about youth leadership in the Disability Rights Movement! Join Cindy Singletary and Stacey Milbern in this engaging presentation as they discuss youth leadership and how you can be an ally to youth with disabilities. These two youth experts will share the philosophy, various models and best practices in the youth leadership development field. Both speakers bring spark, passion and years of experience to the conversation so reserve your seat today! https://cc.readytalk.com/r/r27l2e6223wj
3) Be Your Best Treasure Quest – May 12, Jackson
Be Your Best Treasure Quest, a mental health awareness event, will provide a scavenger hunt for children of all ages to celebrate positive wellness in youth. Treasure Quest will be held on Sat., May 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fondren Park, at the corner of Northview Drive and Dunbar Street in Jackson, by the Mississippi Transitional Outreach Project. The event will include free food, space jumps, obstacle courses and more. The Quest is co-sponsored by The Arc of Mississippi, the City of Jackson Catholic Charities, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church, Hinds Behavioral Health Services, the Mississippi Department of Education, Youth Engagement Solutions, NAMI Mississippi, NFUSION, Mississippi Families as Allies for Children’s Mental Health, and the Fondren Renaissance Foundation. Mississippi Transitional Outreach Project is funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.
4) Inclusive (Indoor) Camping Trip for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities – June 8-9, Long Beach
An inclusive, indoor camping trip for youth and young adults with disabilities will be held, Fri. afternoon, Jun. 8 through Sat. afternoon, Jun. 9 at the Technology Learning Center on the Gulf Park campus of The University of Southern Mississippi at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. Activities include pottery, games, a cookout and more. For more information, call Jerry Alliston at the Institute for Disability Studies at 1.888.671.0051 (TTY) or e-mail him at jerry.alliston@usm.edu.
5) Summer Jobs Plus Bank
The U.S. Department of Labor recently opened the Summer Jobs Plus Bank, an online resource for young people to find jobs, internships, mentorships and training opportunities. Companies can list summer job opportunities through a three-step process. The bank is part of the federal Summer Jobs Plus Initiative, which asks businesses, nonprofits and government leaders to come together to provide 250,000 employment opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth this summer. The initiative has been supported by the Forum for Youth Investment along with Ready by 21 National Partners, such as SparkAction, Corporate Voice for Working Families and America's Promise Alliance. For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/summerjobs/.
6) Improve Transportation for People with Disabilities
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund ( DREDF) is conducting research on what factors are most important to riders with disabilities when deciding which transit mode to use. The confidential survey results will be part of a national study called Transit Cooperative Research Project B-40: Strategy Guide to Enable and Promote the Use of Fixed-Route Transit by People with Disabilities. The goal is to develop strategies to improve bus and train systems for people with disabilities. DREDF's research partners are TranSystems Corporation, The Collaborative, and KFH Group. Please take the survey (http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/882523/TransitChoices ) and encourage others to do so.
7) HHS and Education Launch StopBullying.gov
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education have launched a redesigned Stop Bullying website to encourage children, parents, teachers and communities to take action. The website includes a section dedicated to youth with disabilities and special health needs. The website also has a map with information on state laws and policies and videos for young people, along with practical strategies for schools and communities to make sure that environments are safe, as well as suggestions for parents and information on the dangers of cyber-bullying. Visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/index.html
8) One Question
“If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?” was the question asked of 35 individuals with developmental disabilities from different backgrounds. Their answers are shared in a seven and a half minute documentary at Sproutflix.org. You can watch it for free. Don’t miss it. It just may make your day and week and more. http://sproutflix.org/content/one-question
April 2, 2012
April 2, 2012
Inside this issue:
1) Stride Across the Spectrum 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run – Apr. 13, Hattiesburg
2) LIFE-MACE Inclusive Wheelchair Tennis Clinic – Apr. 21, Hattiesburg
3) Marriage Retreat for Couples Raising a Child with Special Needs – Apr. 21-22, Chattanooga, TN
4) Finding Your Way in the Health Care System
5) Understanding the Affordable Care Act
6) Family Fun Day – May 5, Hattiesburg
7) Camp Dream Street
1) Stride Across the Spectrum 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run – Apr. 13, Hattiesburg
The Institute for Disability Studies is sponsoring the first Stride Across the Spectrum 5K run and walk and one-mile fun run on Fri., Apr. 13, at the Longleaf Trail at 2895 W. Fourth Street in Hattiesburg. Registration is from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., the one-mile fun run is at 5:30 p.m. and the 5K run/walk is at 6 p.m. The race day registration fees, which include a tee shirt, are $25 for individuals, $20 for Pine Belt Pacers, and $10 for the one-mile fun run. All proceeds will benefit the Stride Across the Spectrum Community Fund which provides financial assistance to individuals and families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information or a printable order form, visit www.usm.edu/ids or call Beth Bruton at 601.266.5163.
2) LIFE-MACE Inclusive Wheelchair Tennis Clinic – Apr. 21, Hattiesburg
Plan for a fun day of tennis on Sat., Apr. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tatum Park Courts at 101 Parkway Drive in Hattiesburg sponsored by LIFE, MACE (Metro Area Community Empowerment) and the Institute for Disability Studies. TRIAD AmeriCorp members will be assisting. Any disability is welcome. Wheelchairs and racquets will be provided, and lunch and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Cindy Singletary at LIFE at 228.388.2401.
3) Marriage Retreat for Couples Raising a Child with Special Needs – Apr. 21-22, Chattanooga, TN
The Two-gether marriage retreat will be held Sat., Apr. 21- Sun., Apr. 22, at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo in Chattanooga, TN. This retreat is specially designed to discuss the unique challenges faced by couples raising a child with special needs. Hear from speakers who “get it” and understand the strains and stresses that can come when you have a special child. For more information visit http://www.risingaboveministries.info/national-ministries/two-gether .
4) Finding Your Way in the Health Care System
From the flu to broken bones, illnesses and medical emergencies seem to be an inevitable part of raising kids. It can be stressful any time your child needs medical attention, but even more so when you’re worried about where to get that care and how much it will cost. Visit this website for information on how to better navigate the health care system for your child: http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/doctor/healthcare.html#cat173 .
5) Understanding the Affordable Care Act
Trying to better understand the Affordable Care Act and how it affects your child with special health care needs? These fact sheets, one from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website and the other, including a Spanish version, from the website HealthCare.gov., explain what you need to know about the Act. Visit http://www.hhs.gov/od/affordable_care_act.html , http://www.healthcare.gov/news/brochures/people-with-disabilities-top5.pdf, or http://www.healthcare.gov/news/brochures/people-with-disabilities-top5-spanish.pdf .
6) Family Fun Day – May 5, Hattiesburg
Save the date: Sat., May 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Expect food, fun, games, music and prizes. Family Fun Day is presented by CommUNITY Cares. The theme for the day is The Future’s So Bright, Celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness. For more information, call CommUNITY Cares at 601.544.4641.
7) Camp Dream Street
Dream Street is a five-day, four-night camping program for children with physical disabilities. The camp is held on the grounds of the Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS. Dream Street will be held May 29 through June 2, 2012. Dream Street accepts approximately 60 children ages 8 to 14 each summer for fun-filled days of arts and crafts, horseback riding, music, fishing and canoeing, athletics, outdoor adventure, science and swimming. Applications are now available. For more information, visit http://www.dreamstreetms.org/campdreamstreetms.php or e-mail Cynthia Huff at cynthia@dreamstreetms.org .
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