CARE Parent Network September 2015 Bulletin

From CARE Parent Network

What is Care Parent Network?

We are the Family Resource Center for families of children with special in Contra Costa County. We provide information, referral, resources, training opportunities and family support.

Your Voice Counts

Your action is needed in two areas:
1. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is seeking input on the plan to have Medi-Cal Managed Care take on the responsibility of serving children who are now served by California Children’s Services. There are many groups around the state that have concerns and would like DHCS to PLEASE extend the CCS Carve Out until there is data to show that CA Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans are ready and that DHCS is ready to monitor them. Children with special health care needs must continue to have protections and access to specialty care so they come to no harm.

* Go to: http://www.familyvoicesofca.org/your-voice-counts-dhcs-input-needed/ to give your input

2. The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Service Act provides for services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and those services have been underfunded for such a long time that many service providers are closing their doors.

* Let your State Legislator know that: a) service providers need a one time 10% increase to help stop the decline; 2) the legislature needs to reform the funding rates to adequate levels; and 3) until the system funding reform is in place, provide an annual 5% increase. Go to: http:// www.capwiz.com/thearc/ca/issues/alert/?alertid=66721626&type=ST and enter your zipcode.

Bulletin (English) HERE.
Bulletin (Spanish) HERE.

Care Parent Network – Training and Events Calendar December 2014

From Deborah L. Penry, Ph.D., Early Education Coordinator – CARE Parent Network

Attention parents and family members!  Take note of the events highlighted in yellow.

All events are open to parents/family members and professionals (unless otherwise noted). 

Information on how to register for events is available from the sponsoring organizations.

December 10, 2014: Ban the Busy: Time to Thrive Campaign. Sponsored by San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs Special Needs Committee. Charlotte Wood Middle School, Danville, CA. For more information and registration: http://srvcpta-ca.schoolloop.com/specialneeds (Free).

January 13, 2015: Transition to Middle School. Sponsored by Contra Costa SELPA Community Advisory Committee. Brentwood Union School District Office, Brentwood, CA. For more information: visit www.ccselpa.org or email Lisa Ambrosini at Lambrosini@ccselpa.org (Free).

January 14, 2015: Early Education Council Meeting. Speaker and topic: Barbara Sheehy (tentative), California Children’s Services. Sponsored by Care Parent Network. Care Parent Network Office, 1340 Arnold Dr, Suite 115, Martinez, CA. (Free).

January 15, 2015: Understanding Your Child’s Social/Emotional Assessments and IEP Goals. Presenter: Gina Miller, M.Ed. Sponsored by Care Parent Network. Care Parent Network office, Martinez,. CA. For information and registration: call 925-313-0999 or email info@careparentnetwork.org. (Free).

February 10-12, 2015: SAVE THE DATE: 1^st Annual Child Health, Education and Care Summit. Sponsored by First 5 California and other partners. Sacramento, CA. Registration opens in fall 2014. For more information: email Monica Roy at First5CAevents@ccfc.ca.gov .(Fee).

March 3, 2015: Transition to Middle School. Sponsored by Contra Costa SELPA Community Advisory Committee. Contra Costa SELPA, 2520 Stanwell Dr., Suite 270, Concord, CA. For more information: visit www.ccselpa.org or email Lisa Ambrosini at Lambrosini@ccselpa.org (Free).

March 11, 2015: Early Education Council Meeting. Speaker and topic: Cally Martin, First 5 Contra Costa, “Help Me Grow”. Sponsored by Care Parent Network. Care Parent Network Office, 1340 Arnold Dr, Suite 115, Martinez, CA. (Free).

March 28, 2014: Speak Out for Children: Educate and Advocate, Young Children’s Issues Forum 2015. Sponsored by Contra Costa County Local Planning and Advisory Council for Early Care and Education (LPC). Pleasant Hill Community Center, Pleasant Hill, CA. For information and registration: https://11thannualforum2015.eventbrite.com (Free).

May 13, 2015: Early Education Council Meeting. Sponsored by Care Parent Network. Care Parent Network Office, 1340 Arnold Dr, Suite 115, Martinez, CA. (Free).

Flyer HERE.

Deborah L. Penry, Ph.D. 


Early Education Coordinator 


Care Parent Network 


1340 Arnold Dr., Suite 115 


Martinez, CA 94563 


(925) 313-0999 x 107 


dpenry@CareParentNetwork.org

CARE Training Calendar

The February 2014 issue of the Care Parent Network Training Calendar. Check it out to see if there are any trainings of interest to you!

Community Resources - Interview with We Care's Vi Ibarra

What does your organization do for children of special needs?  

We Care has been providing children with special needs skills for a better start in life for 50 years!  Our programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community.  Some of our services include an early intervention preschool for kids with developmental delays, We Chat language group for late talkers, supports for children with mental health issues and their families, and the program I oversee, the Autism Family Support Project (AFSP).

How can a person access your services (i.e. fees, application process, eligibility, ages, etc.)?  

We are a non-profit and the majority of our services are available free of charge to parents.  Eligibility ages vary among programs.  For the AFSP, any family with a young child with an autistic spectrum disorder may access our services by contacting me.   Information about other programs may be found at www.WeCareChildren.org.

How does your program support social interaction among all children, typically developing and with special needs? 

The AFSP offers a number of family events throughout the year.  These events are open to all members of the family and include typically developing siblings.  It is nice for our kids with autism to have the opportunity to interact with typically developing kids, and it is also a focus of the program to include typical siblings.  Typical siblings can sometimes feel left out, or like they get less attention that their brother or sister with special needs.  Every member of the family is important and special in their own right and we strive to be inclusive.

Can you tell us what events/activities are happening this year?   

This will be our seventh year of offering Summer Camp for kids with autism and their siblings.  We have two distinct camps: one for kids up to age 7, and one for kids age 7 to 12.  Both will be held in August and are funded by RCEB for those children who qualify.  Throughout the year we also have monthly Parent-to-Parent support meeting, Parent Education events and Family Nights Out.  If you have a young child with autism, contact me to be added to our roster and get invitations for each of our events.

Another exciting event is our Making Connections family resource fair for parents of children from birth to age 5.   For parents who have questions about their child's development, this is an event they don't want to miss!  Saturday, April 20 from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Trinity Ave in Walnut Creek.  We will have free vision, hearing and developmental screenings as well as lots of local resources for parents and a fun zone for the whole family.  Parents of school age kids can help by passing the word along to any parents of younger kids.  Folks can contact me for more details.

Any suggestions for other community supports for parents to check out? 

I always refer parents to Care Parent Network.  Their staff has a huge depth and breadth of knowledge, and they offer a variety of services and supports as a child grows.  

What have you found most rewarding working with We Care Services for Children?  

As a parent of two children, one of whom has autism, it is so fulfilling to be able to work with other parents.  It is an honor for me to be able to accompany another parent in their journey with autism.  I am the coordinator of the program, and my family is receiving support through the program.  My children have had a lot of fun at We Care events over the years.

What is your favorite activity? 

My favorite We Care activities are any that bring the entire family together.  We have Family Nights Out several times per year which is an opportunity for the entire family to go do something together with other families with similar challenges.  Some examples of events we have done are going to the movies together, Encore Gymnastics, watching an A's baseball game or having family picnics on a Saturday at We Care.  It's a great way for parents to network informally while also giving our kids with autism and their siblings some fun time with mom and dad.

Contact Info.

Vi Ibarra, Project Coordinator at We Care Services for Children (925) 671-0777, ext 214

Care Parent Network Training Calendar

Training Calendar February - May 2013 HERE.

San Ramon PTA Special Needs Committee Workshop - Employment: Is It For Me?

Wednesday, January 16, 2012
 Iron Horse Middle School MPR
 7-9 p.m.
More information HERE.

S*T*A*R 2012 Parent Conference on Autism and Resource Fair

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs

16360 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo

$35.00 per person

$50.00 per family

(two adults from same family)

Limited scholarships available

Mail-in registration required if requesting scholarship

Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided

Conference Schedule:

8:00 Shuttle pick up for BART riders. (El Cerrito del

Norte Station)

8:30 Check In/Breakfast

9:15 “The Brain, the Immune System, and

Autism ”

David Amaral, Ph.D.

Research Director, UC Davis MIND Institute.

10:45 “Autism and Parenting: Making the most of

a quirky family”

Laura Shumaker

Parent, Advocate, & Author

12:00 “Understanding Treatment Approaches:

Choosing for your child”

Mimi Lou, Ph.D.

Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland

Andrew Shahan, M.A.

Easter Seals

1:00 Vendor Fair/Lunch

Registration Form and additional information HERE.

Reminder -CARE Special Needs Dads Support Group

Wednesday, March 8th
7 p.m.- 8 p.m.
More info HERE.

Community Agency Highlights - We Care

Interview with Vi Ibarra, Project Coordinator, Autism Family Support Project for We Care:

What does your organization do for children of special needs?

We Care has been providing children with special needs the skills for a better start in life since 1960. We offer mental health and developmental services, as well as support for families with children with autism.

How can a person access your services (i.e. fees, application process, eligibility, ages, etc.)?

The Autism Family Support Project serves families with young children (up to age 7) with an autism spectrum disorder. A family can self refer by contacting me directly. There are no fees to join the program, and no wait list. We serve families from both Contra Costa and Alameda counties, and most of our events are held in and around Concord. Many of our events are free of charge, some require a nominal fee.

How does your program support social interaction among all children, typically developing and with special needs?

A primary focus of this program is to reduce isolation felt by parents. We do this by offering family social events throughout the year. By working with a venue to accommodate our children, parents have a chance to be out in the community surrounded by other parents who understand the challenges they may be facing. These social events are a great way for kids with autism and their typical siblings to interact. We further support parents through our monthly support meetings. Parents are invited to support one another emotionally and make connections that can carry over to their day to day life.

Each summer we offer a day camp for kids with autism and their typically developing peers. Social interaction is the focus of all of our activities at camp and we have a lot of fun!

Can you tell us what events/activities are happening this year?

This year we will offer Parent Education events, Family Nights Out, Parent-to-Parent support meetings as well as Summer Camp. Keep an eye on the calendar at www.WeCareChildren.org for dates, or contact me to be added to our roster to receive email announcements.

Any suggestions for other community supports for parents to check out?

For parent support and seemingly unlimited resources, I suggest Care Parent Network at www.careparentnetwork.org. They provide support to parents with children with all special needs, as well from early childhood through adulthood. They also have lots of information available in Spanish as well as bilingual staff members.

What have you found most rewarding working with We Care?

Most rewarding to me is that I get to join parents in their journey in raising a child with autism. As a parent of a child with autism myself, I know how important peer support is and it is an honor for me to be able to accompany other parents during their difficult times.

What is your favorite activity?

Once per year we have a weekend family camp at Camp Arroyo in Livermore. The Taylor Family Foundation offers the opportunity to us to spend a weekend at this gorgeous facility. Families spend the weekend together relaxing and enjoying one another in a safe, supportive environment. I see so many smiles during this one weekend!


Vi Ibarra
Project Coordinator, Autism Family Support Project
vibarra@wecarechildren.org
(925) 671-0777, ext 14
Website Here

CARE Special Needs Mom's Support group

When: Thursday Dec 1st

Time: 7 - 8 pm

More information HERE.

Reminder: CARE Special Needs Dads Support Group

When: Wed Nov 2nd from 7 pm - 8 pm

More info HERE.

Reminder: CARE Special Teen's Parent Support Group @ Wed Oct 12 7pm - 8pm

More info HERE.

CARE Special Needs Mom's Support group

When: Thursday, October 6th

Time: 7pm – 8pm

More Information HERE.

Care Parent Network Workshop - Understanding Special Education

WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
WHERE: Care Parent Network, 1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 115, Martinez
WHO: Ann McDonald-Cacho, Education Advocate, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)

Participants of this workshop will become knowledgeable about the special education process and the rights of children with disabilities and special health care needs. You will learn about special education rights protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and learn how to assert those rights on behalf of your child.

Registration is required by March 28th. Contact Sheri Proctor at: sproctor@careparentnetwork.org or 1-800-281-3023.