School Districts Co-Sponsoring Parent-School Engagement
The Millcreek Township and Girard School Districts have joined with Mission Empower to offer an in-depth Parent-School Engagement training at Asbury Woods Nature Center three Thursday evenings this winter: January 26th, February 23rd and March 22nd from 6 - 8:30 pm.
Parents in these districts who have students receiving special education services who would like to learn more about education law, how to engage more effectively with their IEP team, writing effective IEP goals and how to advocate effectively for your child, register now at the Mission Empower Website.
Important Information About Medical Assistance Benefits
The Department of Public Welfare is making a change to Medical Assistance prescription drug benefits. The change starts January 3, 2012.
What is the change?
You can get up to 6 prescriptions each month. This is a new limit.
Does this change apply to you?
If you are in a managed care plan, contact your managed care plan to ask how this change applies to you.
The change does not apply if:
- You are under 21 years of age;
- You are pregnant; or
- You live in a nursing home or an intermediate care facility.
If you use the PA ACCESS card to get your prescriptions and you do not fit an exception, this change applies to you.
To read the entire notice, please click here.
"Everyong is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live his whole life believing that it is stupid."
- Albert Einstein
Submitted by Brian M., Sprout Contributor
Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms Available to protect residents in Erie
Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are available through the City of Erie Fire Department and Safe Kids Erie partnership known as “Protect the Place You Call Home”. For more information call 870-1402.
New Internet Parenting Education and Support Group for Mothers with Psychiatric Disabilities: A Research Study
The Temple University Collaborative has launched an Internet-based parenting education and social support program, part of a national research study examining the effectiveness of an Internet parenting education and social support program for mothers with a psychiatric disability. Participants will be compensated up to $100 for their participation in this study. For more information about this project email momsupport@temple.edu or contact Katy Kaplan at 215-204-6779, or email her at katy.kaplan@temple.edu.
Click here to view the flyer.
Changes Affecting Graduated Driver Licensing and Passenger Restraint Laws
In an effort to enhance safety on Pennsylvania roads, Governor Corbett and the Legislature have agreed on changes to the Vehicle Code involving graduated driver licensing requirements, passenger restrictions for junior drivers and passenger restraint laws. The new rules in Act 81 of 2011 take effect on Dec. 24, 2011. The changes to the law were initiated to help junior drivers receive more comprehensive training, ease young driver distractions through limiting the number of passengers they may carry and improve general highway safety through improvements to passenger restraint laws.
Click here for the Act 81 2011 Fact Sheet
Free Blood Pressure Screenings offered by UPMC Hamot
Date: Thursday, November 3 and Thursday, December 1
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital, Lincoln Education Center, 118 East Second Street
Free blood pressure screenings will be offered for anyone who wishes to be screened. A registered nurse will be issuing the screenings in the Lincoln Education Center at UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital. No appointment necessary.
Medical Assistance Co-Pays
As part of the PA state budget for 2011-12, the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) will begin charging co-pays for Medical Assistance services for children with disabilities whose family income is more than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (or about $45,000 for a family of four). At this point, DPW is still deciding how to implement these co-pays.
Several organizations are concerned about the impact this will have on families. In order to give the DPW some information about out-of-pocket costs families are facing, these organizations have created a short survey asking families to complete.
Please distribute to other friends or families you know who have children with disabilities. Please fill out a separate survey for each child on Medical Assistance due to a disability.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/S7JLQ88
Check out LearntobeHealthy.org!
LearntobeHealthy.org is an online health education center that has been designed to communicate physical and mental health science education concepts to students K-12 through health educational resources such as games, activities, and health education lesson plans. To learn more, visit www.learntobehealthy.org.
Front Porch Project offers local trainings
We each have a role to play in protecting children and supporting families. Learn how you can make a difference.
Front Porch training sessions teach you:
- How and when to safely respond when you are worried about a child in your neighborhood
- To understand issues effecting families today
- The many ways we can help protect all children
Attend a free, two-day session in your community! Advance registration is required!
Upcoming Erie Training: October 26 and November 8 (must attend both days)
For more information, or to register for a training session, contact the Family Support Alliance at 1-800-448-4906 or info@pa-fsa.org.
The Regional Cancer Center 2011 Mobile Mammography Schedule
Women over the age of 40 should be screened every year for breast cancer. The Regional Cancer Center is providing mammograms to women in your neighborhood.
Funding may be available for women without insurance through Pennsylvania’s Healthy Women program and The Pittsburgh Affiliate of the Komen for the Cure Foundation. Appointments are required. Call 814-838-9000 or 800-477-6647.
October 2011
October 21: Fairview Presbyterian Church
October 24: Gertrude A. Barber Center
October 25: Grace United Methodist Church
October 27 and 28: Plastek
October 31: Curves for Women
November 2011
November 1: Second Baptist Church
November 3: YMCA- Downtown
November 4: Federated Church of E. Springfield
November 7: General Electric
November 8: Community Health Net
November 10: Eastside Medical Center
November 15: John E. Horan Garden Apartments
November 16: Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
November 18, 21, 22 and 23: Adagio Health- Edinboro
November 29 and 30: Spartansburg Medical Center
December 2011
December 1: Presque Isle Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
December 2: Community Heath Net
December 6 and 7: St. Mary's East
For more information, please visit www.trcc.org, or download the complete schedule.
Stairways Behavioral Health Opens New Family Therapy Clinic on Erie’s East Side
ERIE, PA – In response to community demand for emotional support to families and neighborhoods dealing with trauma – and to best serve all families throughout Erie County – Stairways Behavioral Health announces the opening of a new clinic, on Erie’s east side, dedicated to the practice of family therapy.
“The Family Therapy and Training Institute is the product of Stairways’ vision of services delivered to families, and a rich history of best practices in the Erie community,” says Jeff Natalie, director of program development and supporting director of Stairways’ child and family services.
Sharing a campus with Stairways’ Center City Arts center on the grounds of the historic Rose Koehler Curtze estate at 138 E. 26th Street, the new ‘Family Therapy and Training Institute’ serves as an important social service anchor in the Central City Neighborhood of the U.S. DOJ’s ‘Weed and Seed’ community-based strategy.
The decision to open a clinic in this location, and one that is dedicated to families and relationships, is intentional, says Natalie. “As children grow through adolescence and into young adulthood, they will invariably experience more stress, particularly when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult or painful, and they feel they do not have the resources to cope. Through the Family Therapy and Training Institute, Stairways provides a centrally-located retreat for children, adolescents and their families.”
Additional strategy has gone into the type of services offered. Recognizing that children and youth get better in the context of their families and with the support of other important relationships, Stairways dedicates this new practice to the very best of prevailing family therapy models - those which address the needs of each family member in context of the full family dynamic.
“If your child breaks their leg, you don’t drive him or her to the doctor or emergency room and drop them off, then come back and pick them up once the cast is in place,” says Natalie. “Similarly, a child who is experiencing anxiety or depression or effects of a trauma, heal best when treated with family by their side. For too long we’ve been dropping our kids off at therapy, in hopes that they’ll get better. And they don’t.”
Stairways’ existing continuum of child and youth services, including the Stairways Mobile Adolescent Rehabilitation Team, Child and Adolescent Blended Case Management and Youth in Transition, is now complemented by this community outpatient mental health program. And while Erie County residents with private insurance have come to expect this full continuum of services and high standard of care from their privately paneled doctors, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals, The Family Therapy and Training Institute is open exclusively to families receiving medical assistance.
The Family Therapy and Training Institute is now accepting counseling cases for children, adolescents, couples and families. Families may obtain more information or schedule an intake appointment by calling the FTTI directly, at 814-878-2094, or toll free at 888-453-5806.
For more information, please visit www.stairwaysbh.org.
Erie County Drug and Alcohol Coalition Announces new Website to Aid in Fighting Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The Erie County Drug and Alcohol Coalition (ECDAC) announces the launch of a new website that will aid Erie professionals to fight drug and alcohol abuse. The website, www.eriedrugandalcohol.org, was made possible, in part, with a grant from the Erie Community Foundation.
The Erie County Drug and Alcohol Coalition, established in 1993, is an all-volunteer 501(C)3 organization. The board of directors and general membership represent human service agencies, health professionals, law enforcement, parents, business and community leaders, elected officials and others concerned with the development of an integrated drug and alcohol education and prevention delivery system. ECDAD is the oldest coalition of its kind in Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit www.eriedrugandalcohol.org.
Whirlwind Summer Learning in Motion
Summer Learning in Motion is a program that has grown out of a partnership between United Way of Erie County, The Nonprofit Partnership, ArtsErie, and Erie Day School, where the program will have its home base. The group came together over the concern that when students are not challenged, active learners over the summer months, they tend to fall back academically.
Whirlwind is led by a team of certified educators and college interns who enjoy having students do their best through active, hands-on learning activities.
Dates: June 27 – August 5, 2011; Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Erie Day School, 1372 West 6th Street
Eligibility: Erie City school students aged 10-14 who will be entering grades 6, 7, or 8
Cost: $60 per child for the 6 week session- scholarship and transportation assistance are available
For more information call Bob Wooler at 814-454-8800 ext. 3, or visit www.thenonprofitpartnership.org/whirlwind.
FREE Dental Cleanings and Exams!
FREE Dental Cleanings and Exams being offered by the Tri-State Business Institute Dental Hygiene Clinic, located in Building E at 5757 West 26th Street in Erie! Appointments are available Monday through Friday. Please visit www.tsbi.com for more information, or call 814-838-4317 to make an appointment.
Care is provided for individuals of all ages: child, adult, and geriatric. Many other services are available free of charge: sealants, x-rays, fluoride, periodontal debridement, and screening exams by a dentist!
Housing Authority of the City of Erie 2011 Summer Student Internships
The Housing Authority of the City of Erie is seeking student interns for summer 2011. Internships are open only to Housing Authority of the City of Erie Public Housing and Section 8 residents ages 18-22 (not head of household), and attending college fulltime or accepted for the fall 2011 semester. Interns will gain valuable employment experience, earn money for college ($7.50/hour), and can work in recreation, clerical and maintenance programs.
Apply at the Housing Authority of the City of Erie, 606 Holland Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Applications accepted until Friday, June 3rd. Internships limited to first 25 approved applicants.
For more information, call Michael R. Fraley at 814-452-2425.
Mercyhurst College now at the Booker T. Washington Center
Consistent with the Mercyhurst College mission and the mission of the Booker T. Washington Center, Mercyhurst College at the Booker T. Washington Center makes starting a college education affordable and accessible to members of the Erie community who may have not otherwise felt college was attainable.
The Center offers a total of 27 credits per year of three classes per term for three terms. Students can choose to take up to 27 credits before transferring the credits to any of the Mercyhurst branches of to another accredited college.
A discounted tuition rate is offered and financial aid is available to those who qualify.
For more information, visit btwcenter.mercyhurst.edu.
Bullying Hotline set up by Safe Harbor Behavioral Health
Students in grades K-12 who are being bullied can now get immediate help. A 24-hour hotline SAFELine has been set up by Safe Harbor Behavioral Health. They are currently working with school superintendents and other community leaders to schedule meetings to learn about the hotline.
The number to call is 814-456-SAFE (7233).
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Searching for Deserving Families
Do you know someone whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover? If so, the producers of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition want to hear from you! Ty Pennington and his crew have been all across the map and they are ready to drive their famous bus into your neighborhood. For information on how to apply please visit http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/apply.
FROGS Support Group for Children and Adults
Friends Relying on Group Support (FROGS) is a program for children and adults that meet on Wednesdays at the First United Methodist Church on Worth Street. During this time, the children and adults meet at 5:30 for a free dinner and then have class.
Discussion topics include Autism Waivers, Diaper Services, IEP, Medical Services, Medicaid, CHIP, and Insurance. Speakers will come from the Barber Institute, Achievement Center, Counseling Center, and the Union City Family Support Center.
For more information, please contact Allison at 814-462-4854.
Pennsylvania State Police Summer Programs
Camp Cadet
Camp Cadet is a summer camp for boys and girls from Pennsylvania between the ages of 12 and 15. The camp is held at various locations throughout the state and staffed by Troopers, local Police Officers and many other volunteers. The goal of Camp Cadet is to introduce participants to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship with law enforcement personnel. Camp Cadet is open to all youth and is structured similar to training at the police academy. All participants who attend camp are addressed as “Cadet” during the week. Cadets are required to participate in all scheduled events. The camp focuses on discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, drug and alcohol education, violence prevention and many other issues facing today’s youth.
For more information about Camp Cadet, please visit the PA State Police website at www.psp.state.pa.us. Click Public Services, Camp Cadet Programs, and select applicable Troop.
American Legion State Police Youth Week
American Legion State Police Youth Week is a leadership summer camp for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 17. The camp is held at York College, York County, York PA. The camp is from June 12 through June 18, 2011. The American Legion Stat Police Youth Week is open to all Pennsylvania Youths. For more information please visit the PA American Legion Website at www.pa-legion.com. Click Programs, Student Programs, and State Police Youth Week.
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Transition Age Youth Subcommittee is looking for new members!
The Transition Age Youth Subcommittee was formed in 2006 for the purpose of addressing the unique needs of this population. Since its formation the subcommittee has addressed housing issues of your adults, recognized the needs of special populations, developed services, worked to break down the stigma of mental illness and has allowed the youth voice to be heard.
Members are youth ages 14-26, who are comfortable sharing their lived experience with mental health difficulties and/or substance abuse, working towards easing the transition from adolescence into adulthood.
Members are responsible to attend bimonthly meetings in the Harrisburg area (expenses reimbursed by OMHSAS), participate in monthly phone conferences and to actively stay involved in e-mail dialogue.
If you or anyone you know is interested, you can find the application for membership here. where you click on Membership Application. Completed application should be sent to Jessica Bradley, OMHSAS, jebradley@state.pa.us.
If you have questions please contact Doris Arena at 717-315-3129, darena@state.pa.u
Erie Community Foundations Posts Healthcare Resources for Low Income Residents of Erie County
In the search for new information to add to the Erie SPROUT Community Resource Guide, we stumbled across a very helpful guide published by The Erie Community Foundation, The Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, The Erie County Department of Health, Erie Times News and GoErie.com.
While we take the time to load this great compilation of resources into our own guide, we wanted to make the information available to SPROUT viewers so they could take advantage immediately. Please look for the addition of this great resource into the Erie SPROUT Community Resource Guide Soon!
Guide to Healthcare Resources for Low Income Residents of Erie County
WebTool Locates Needed Resources
PEPNet has launched a new “Research Search” tool for www.pepnet.org which will improve access to the rapidly growing variety of PEPNet resources which address issues related to providing quality services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The revamped search feature makes it easier to find resources, and provides immediate and accessible references for site visitors, while expanding the site’s search capabilities.
The new feature will search everything in the PEPNet Dissemination Center (PDC) where we house a variety of products, such as handbooks, articles, conference proceedings/tipsheets/curricula/training materials/CDs/DVDs, videoclips, etc. In addition to searching the PDC, you also will be able to search the following offerings:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- PEPNet Listserv Past Posts
- Current and Past PEPNet Perspectives
- Training Materials
For more information, please visit www.pepnet.org.
Use Your Head and Prevent Flat Head Syndrome for your Baby
Flat Head Syndrome is a flat spot on the back or one side of your baby’s head. Being in the same position repeatedly causes this condition.
The first six weeks of your baby’s life is a vital period for you to prevent serious disorders in the future– like facial asymmetry and movement disorders.
Here are just a few tips:
- Alternate your baby’s head direction when placing your baby to sleep on his or her back
- Carry your child in your arms frequently
- Use car seats only for riding in the car
- Avoid extended time in swings and other reclined seats
- Provide frequent, supervised tummy time when your baby is awake
Visit www.flatheadprevention.org to learn more.
This information provided by the Junior League of Erie, Women building better communities
Preparing for Post-Secondary Education at Disability.gov
This guide has tools for parents to prepare them for their child's transition from public school to postsecondary education and adulthood. Includes information about laws that protect parents' rights as well as the rights of adult children in college.
For more information, check out www.disability.gov.
English Language Learners (ELL) Task Force
The ELL Task Force is a group, now over 10 years old, that meets regularly around the state to discuss the education of English language learners in Pennsylvania. There are nearly 200 people on the Task Force mailing list, including educators, social service providers, advocates, and parents. Meetings and e-mail updates enable the task force to work together on ELL concerns at both the state and local levels. For an end-of-year report on what the Task Force did this year, including information on the results of our work with the PA Department of Education, visit our ELL Task Force webpage. (And for additional resources and publications on ELL law and policy, see the Education Law Center website.) http://www.elc-pa.org/ELLTaskForce/news.html. To be added to the Task Force mailing list, contact Len Rieser at lrieser@elc-pa.org.
PASchoolTalk
PASchoolTalk is a new site that provides a forum for people who have concerns and ideas about public education in Pennsylvania. Some ELL Task Force members have already joined the site. We’d really like to see more ideas and information on ELL issues on the site – but that will only happen if more join.
Text4Baby
Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote safe pregnancy and healthy birth outcomes, particularly among underserved populations.
An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby will help women in having safe and healthy pregnancies by providing them with information they need to give their babies the best possible start in life.
Text4baby is the largest national mobile health initiative to date and is being launched by an unprecedented group of public and private partners, including the White House and the Department of Health and Huma Services (HHS).
To sign up, text BABY or BEBE to 511411, or visit www.text4baby.org
New Resource Available for Parents and Educators
Learntobehealthy.org is an online health science learning site designed to help educators, parents and community leaders communicate important health concepts to students. The site contains comprehensive lesson plans, interactive games and activities, webquests and more. The goal of the site is to inspire students and their families to make health choices that will last a lifetime.
To learn more, visit www.learntobehealthy.org
Special Education Eligibility Guidelines
Parents if your child is eligible for special education did you know:
1.
Only you can excuse professional members of the school team from your IEP meeting. Fore example if your child has Speech, Occupational or Physical therapy only you can excuse their presence.
2.
There should always be a special education teacher present and at least one of your child’s regular education teachers.
3.
There should always be a local education agent at your meetings. (LEA rep) This is a person authorized to approve an aide or any monies necessary to meet your child’s needs.
4.
You can bring whoever you want to an IEP meeting.
5.
IEP meetings should be held at your convenience and with enough time allotted to discuss and make changes to the draft document
6.
You can ask for additional goals to be added to any IEP.
7.
Goals must be clearly understood and be measurable. (A good rule of thumb, close your eyes and imagine your child doing this goal, if you can then it is probably a good goal for your child)
8.
Education should take place in the least restrictive environment
9.
Curriculum should be modified to meet your child’s needs.
10.
You can always request an assistive technology evaluation. There are technologies available that support children who have a difficult time with Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Math to name a few.
11.
The Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP) does not need to be signed at the IEP meeting. This is the legal document that you sign agreeing with the child’s program, and placement. It is always best to take home and read over the IEP changes and then decide whether or not you agree. You have 10 days to do this or the IEP will go into effect whether you agree or not.
12.
There are experts available from the IU 5 and PATTAN if your IEP team gets stuck on how to best support your child.
This information has been brought to you by Kathy L.
for more information contact Jill Hrinda-Patten Director of Mission Empower at 814-825-0788
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