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Summer 2018

A Note from the Executive Director . . .

With the increasingly warmer weather we welcome another Maine summer! Summer can provide multiple challenges for families of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities especially in the areas of childcare and food insecurity. Maine Parent Federation makes available an annual summer camp guide for families and we are happy to provide resources and referrals for support around food insecurity.

We have three new brochures that are now available, contact us for a copy:

• A Guide to Educational Advocacy in Maine • MaineCare Waiver Section 28 • MaineCare Waiver Sections 21 and 29

During the summer MPF will be working on:

• A Community Resource Map on our website • Making our Self-Advocacy workshop available online • A presentation of our Self-Advocacy workshop at the Bureau of

Rehabilitation Services Statewide Training on June 6th • A presentation on August 3rd at the annual Childhood

Development and Behavior Conference at Colby College

We will continue to track legislation at the state level. There is a possibility of a special session to take up issues that have been left on the table, these include:

• Legislation for CDS ages 3-5 to be absorbed by local school districts • Rule making and legislation developments for Proficiency Based Learning Standards • The development of new youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities • Development of legislation from the Education Committee coming from recommendations

from the Task Force to Identify Special Education Cost Drivers and Innovative Approaches to Services

• Rate increases

Please check our website and social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for continued information and as always please reach out to Maine Parent Federation with any questions or concerns. Wishing everybody a warm, sunny, and safe summer!! Kind Regards, Carrie Woodcock

Parent Connection PO Box 2067

Augusta, ME 04338-2067

(800) 870-7746 (Statewide) (207) 588-1933

E-mail: parentconnect@mpf.org Website: www.mpf.org

Central Office:

484 Maine Avenue, Suite 2D Farmingdale, ME 04344

Staff: Carrie Woodcock, Exec. Dir. Anne Bourque Dylan Campbell Debbie Epperson Susan Fairfield Robin Levesque Ann Long Deborah Newcombe Ian Vail

Board of Directors: Jane Morse, President Anne Osolinski, Vice President Cory Rogers Rebecca Chase John Fulp Tina Brooks Deb Kramlich Cory Tilley

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What’s New in the Information Center

at MPF?

Maine Parent Federation has informational packets available on more than 200 topics. These packets contain researched information, tips, local and national resources, and a list of related lending library material available here at MPF. The following information packets have recently been updated: Disability/Disorder Related Topics:

• Bipolar Disorder • Bullying Prevention • Sexuality Education for People

with Disabilities • Tourette’s Syndrome

If you would like to receive any of our information packets, or would like information on another topic, please contact MPF by:

• Phone: (800) 870-7746 (Ask to speak with a Parent Information Specialist) • E-mail: parentconnect@mpf.org

(Please provide mailing information) These materials are offered free of charge!

Check it out! We now have some of our Information

Packets available on our website at www.mpf.org

(Information packets are located under Resources).

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child

with a disability or special health care

need?

Do you feel lost and don’t know where to turn for help?

Maine Parent Federation has trained Family Support Navigators (FSN) that can help support your family at no cost to you! A FSN is an experienced parent who lives in your area and is available for one-on-one support. A FSN can help you:

• organize your paperwork • interview a prospective service provider • prepare for a meeting with your child’s doctor,

school, or service provider • provide support at an IEP meeting • locate resources in your area

To learn more about the FSN program, visit our website at www.mpf.org or call us at (800) 870-7746. We are currently accepting referrals to the program. If you are a parent that needs help or know of a family that needs help, please contact the Regional Family Support Coordinator in your county for more information: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and York Deborah Newcombe, (800) 870-7746, dnewcombe@mpf.org Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, and Washington Robin Levesque, (207) 538-0866, rlevesque@mpf.org. _______________________________________________ The contents of this publication were developed, in full or in part, under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, # H328M140006. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.

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Maine Parent Federation IEP Related Workshops Offered In Collaboration with GEAR Parent Network

FREE - Open to the Public at these three locations or online at: www.gotomeeting.com

All of these interactive workshops are for parents and anyone who works with, or cares for, children with an IEP, a 504 Plan, or is suspected of having a disability. Transition Planning: The High School Years: Explores options for your child’s transition into adult life and what is needed now to help your child get the life he or she wants after high school. SMART GOALS for Your Child’s IEP: Goals are the core of the IEP. Writing clear goals that are appropriate for your child and being able to tell if progress is being made will be discussed.

Location: Workshop: Date: Time: Registration contact: St. Mary’s Hospital Small Lepage Room 99 Campus Ave., Lewiston

Transition Planning: The High School Years

June 13 6-8 PM Contact for all three workshops: Laurie Cavanaugh 207-518-9546 lcavanaugh@crisisandcounseling.org

Chamber of Commerce 4 Western Ave., South Paris

SMART GOALS for Your Child’s IEP

June 20 5:30-7:30 PM

same

Dana Center 22 Bramhall St., Portland

SMART GOALS for Your Child’s IEP

June 27 5:30-7:30 PM

same

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PARENTSNEEDEDTOPARTICIPATEINSTUDY

Areyoutheparentofayoungadultwithadisabilitywhohasrecentlyexitedhighschool?Areyouwillingtosharethestoryofyourson/daughter’stransitionfromhighschooltohelpincreaseunderstandingofwhatthetransitionprocessfromschoolto

adultlifeislikeforyoungpeopleinruralMaine?MynameisLibbyStone-SterlingandIamadoctoralstudentattheUniversityofMassachusetts–Boston.IamcurrentlyconductinginterviewswithparentsandotherstakeholdersacrossMaine.Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateorhavequestions,pleasecallmeconfidentiallyat807-9063oremailmeatElizabeth.stonest001@umb.edu.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou!

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THE NURTURING FATHERS PROGRAM

This 13-session program is tailored to meet the needs and learning styles of any male parenting a child! The class focuses on and explains: the roots of fathering, nurturing children and self, positive discipline methods, managing anger and resolving conflict, teamwork with partner, balancing work and fathering, and more.

WEDNESDAYS - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM June 13, 20, & 27 July 11, 18, & 25

August 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 September 12 & 19

!

KVCAP 26 Mary Street in Skowhegan � Presented by: Anne Osolinski, LSW

For more information, contact Ann at (207) 859-2521or Kristen at (207)-859-2520.

What’s New in the MPF Library?

BOOKS

1001 Great Ideas for Teaching & Raising Children with Autism or Asperger’s – Quickly find solutions, explanations, and strategies that speak to the variety of developmental levels, learning styles, and abilities inherent in children with Autism or Asperger’s The Autism Playbook for Teens – Imagination-based mindfulness activities to calm yourself, build independence, and connect with others Bullying – When Your Child is the Target

Chasing the Rabbit – A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life – For Teens – Dialectical behavior therapy skills for helping to manage mood swings, control angry outbursts, and get along with others Executive Function “Dysfunction” – Strategies for Educators and Parents Great Days Ahead – Parenting Children Who Have ADHD with Hope and Confidence Helicopters, Drill Sergeants, and Consultants – Parenting Styles and the Messages They Send Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood – Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years Grandparenting with Love & Logic – Practical Solutions to Today’s Grandparenting Challenges Parenting Children with Health Issues and Special Needs – Essentials for Raising Happy, Healthier Kids Show Me Your Mad Face – Teaching Children How to Feel Angry without Losing Control When Love is Not Enough – A Guide to Parenting Children with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) Books are loaned for a three-week period and can be renewed if no one is waiting for them. MPF mails the material and the only cost to you is return postage. If you would like to see the complete list of materials available, visit www.mpf.org. If you would like to borrow any of these books, call us at (800) 870-7746 or email: dnewcombe@mpf.org.

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Are You Worried About the Summer Slide for Your Child?

Parents are often concerned that the lazy days of summer can put their child at an academic disadvantage. The following links may be able to help you find ideas that would work for your family!

How to Avoid Summer Learning Loss https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/how-to-avoid-summer-learning-loss-ideas-for-

parents/

Top 10 “Easy Summer Learning Tips” for Parents http://www.summerlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Tip-Sheet-for-Parents.pdf

12 Fun Ways to Help Prevent Summer Learning Loss https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-gail-gross/fun-ways-to-help-prevent-summer-learning-

loss_b_5435718.html

37 Ingenious Summer Learning Resources for Your Kids https://www.mother.ly/parenting/37-ingenious-summer-learning-resources-for-your-kid

The Busy Parent’s Guide to Summer Learning Fun https://www.learningcaregroup.com/news/the-busy-parent%E2%80%99s-guide-to-

summer-learning-fun/

13 Sneaky Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning This Summer (Straight from a Homeschooling Mom)

https://www.parents.com/kids/education/elementary-school/13-sneaky-ways-to-keep-your-kids-learning-this-summer-straight-from/

EVERY KID IN A PARK

Did you know that you own millions of acres of national parks, historic structures, cultural artifacts, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, and clear blue lakes? Our federal public lands and waters belong to all Americans and are waiting for you to explore them! You can get your Every Kid in a Park pass at https://www.everykidinapark.gov/, the official website where parents, educators, and kids can learn more.

To help engage and create our next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, Federal Land Management agencies launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their federal public lands and waters in person throughout the school year.

Every year, beginning September 1, all kids in the fourth grade have access to their own Every Kid in a Park pass at www.everykidinapark.gov. This pass provides free access to national parks across the country. The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for the 4th grade school year, until August 31, 2018. Information on obtaining the pass is available by visiting www.everykidinapark.gov.