You're Not Listening rally June 23rd

CALLING ALL CONCERNED

The “You’re Not Listening!” event takes place TUESDAY, June 23. This event will have a different feel/appeal than what has been done in the past.

There has been marching, rallying, chanting, singing, moments of silence, emailing, phone calling, meeting with your legislators, articles in the news, letters to the editor, interest stories on the news/tv and the list goes on… These efforts HAVE made a difference. A judgment was awarded resulting in 69 days without budget cuts and restoration of non-title 19 funded services – so far; restoration of Early Intervention Services and a renewed sense of urgency and attention to the disabled population. But we cannot stop there. We need assurances for our children well beyond the age of 3. Our State government is NOT LISTENING to our cries for justice for ALL disabled citizens.

Therefore think visual, symbolic, strong messages that convey images, feelings and thoughts, to other participants. Our focused target group is the Governor, Legislators, the press/media and passersby.

Ideas…Suggestions…

• Earmuffs representing you’re not listening/hearing us

• Trace two hands together and “cut” off one finger – representing a loss of 10%

**Place your name, address, phone number on the back for delivery to Governor/Legislators**

• Group of 100 people, 90 in white shirts, 10 in black.

• Candlelight Vigil – 100 candles, 10 not lit

We need large banners like bed sheets, bolts of cloth with statements representing what “You’re Not Listening” means to you and the individuals you serve. Use your body as a billboard – wearing white t-shirts with your message of “You’re Not Listening”. Or depict thoughts and feelings about being developmentally disabled – that it is a challenge in itself - having to justify that disability - having to justify necessary life supporting services - having to settle for anything less than whole is an injustice – merciless - acts of violence (another train of thought).

Timelines…..this is an estimate, details will be sent Monday 6/22/09

11:30a – Governors tower

12:00p – Press Release House Lawn

12:30p – House of Representatives

1pm – Senate

Prayer/Candlelight Vigil – 7pm-9pm

As Tom stated in his last email, “I am begging each of you to put aside any differences and work together to fight the extremely destructive appropriations that will hurt people with disabilities, their families and providers of service for years to come, if they are approved as currently recommended. We would love to see you next Tuesday and we hope you will support our efforts to get our Governor and Legislature to listen to our plea.”

Please forward this notice, as well as future notices, to anyone you think might be potentially interested.

Free Anat Baniel clinic

Anat Baniel Method for Children with Special Needs

Come learn about the Anat Baniel Method on June 7th from 10am-4pm at

Millennium Martial Arts School

91st Avenue & Peoria Avenue

(Next to Peter Piper Pizza)

9976 N. 91st Ave, B-110

Peoria, AZ 85345

What is the Anat Baniel Method?

The Anat Baniel Method expands on the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. It is a non-medical, learning based approach that uses gentle touch and movement to enable the child with special needs or a learning disability to improve physically, mentally and emotionally. It asks children to move only in ways which are within their true capabilities, creating a feeling of safety, encouraging a willingness to expand into new abilities. Practitioners certified in this method provide learning experiences that help children develop beyond their limitations. Infants’ and children’s progress often surpass medical expectations.

To reserve your free lesson call:

Michelle M. Turner 602.909.2565

Reserve a space for your child to receive a free introductory Anat Baniel Method lesson. Find out what a difference this new work can make in a special needs child’s life.

You can find out more about the Anat Baniel Method here. I will say that from what I've seen of this method, this is a great opportunity.

Free Conference for Parents

Raising Special Kids
FREE

Conference for parents:

Learn collaborative strategies for therapy

Raising Special Kids is sponsoring workshops taught by professionals to aid families in helping their children learn and maintain skills.

Professionals from the fields of Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Behavior Analysis and more will offer workshops to teach parents techniques they can use at home to help their child's progress.

Saturday, May 2, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Cohen Rosenberg Building, Mel Cohen Conference Room
1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016 · Parking available in adjacent parking garage

Space is limited, please register by contacting Raising Special Kids at 602-242-4366 or info@raisingspecialkids.org
(please put "Conference" in the subject line) with your name, phone and email.

Spanish translation available.

Public Notice for Comments

These are important issues, and these meetings are a good time for parents and families to comment on services and what is and isn't meeting their needs. The text below is a bit wordy, so I've tried to bold the important parts (meeting times/locations and contact info).

According to one parent, there are several proposals on the table that parents need to be aware of:
1. Families will be informed that their IFSP records will be kept for five years after their child leaves AzEIP.
2. AzEIP will institute a Family Cost Participation (FCP), this would require that families whose children receive services from AzEIP and DDD (but not ASDB) families making over 200% of the federal poverty level will pay 15% of the costs of their child's services (therapies, not service coordination, evalutions/assessme nts or IFSP development) and then it will increase by 5% to 100% of the costs.

The Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP), is seeking public comment between April 3, 2009 and June 3, 2009 on the attached proposed FFY 2009 Application for
Federal Funds under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, including proposed changes to Family Cost Participation, General Supervision, and Procedural Safeguards policies.

PUBLIC NOTICE:
APPLICATION FOR FUNDS UNDER PART C OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2009 (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010)
The Department of Economic Security (DES), as the Lead Agency for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is seeking public comment on Arizona's draft 2009 Application for Federal Funds. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP) will accept input on the application beginning April 3, 2009 until June 3, 2009. The application is for Arizona's early intervention program, a statewide program for infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with disabilities and their families. The participating State agencies include: the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB), Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS), Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Persons submitting comments on specific items in the application should indicate support, opposition, suggested changes, additions, or deletions pertaining to the specific item. Input received by DES/AzEIP by 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2009 will be considered. The draft application will be available at www.azdes.gov/AzEIP. If you are unable to access the application electronically, please contact DES/AzEIP at (602) 532-9960; toll-free at (888) 439-5609, or by email at AllAzeip2@azdes. gov.

The Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP) will conduct public comment hearings on the draft 2009 Application for Federal Funds, at the following locations and dates:

Phoenix May 8, 2009
2:30-3:30 p.m. AZ DOT - HRDC
Grand Canyon Rooms 1&2
1130 N. 22nd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009

Flagstaff
May 26, 2009
2:00-4:00 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Meeting Room
3000 N. Fourth Street, Suite 5
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Phoenix
May 27, 2009
4:00-6:00 p.m. Yucca Library Meeting Room
5648 N. 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Tucson
May 28, 2009
4:00-6:00 p.m. Himmel Park Branch Library Meeting Room
1035 N. Treat Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85716

Oral and written comments will be accepted at the public hearing.
Written comments may also be mailed to DES/AzEIP, 3839 N. 3rd Street,
Suite 304, Phoenix, AZ 85012; or emailed to allazeip2@azdes. gov.

Thank you in advance for your careful consideration and comments.

Arizona Early Intervention Program
3839 N. Third Street, Suite 304
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-532-9960, toll free 888-439-5609
fax 602-200-9820
WWW.AZDES.GOV/ AzEIP

Sensory Friendly Films!

ASA & AMC Present Sensory Friendly Films!

Hannah Montana:
The Movie

DATE: Saturday, April 18th

TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: Two Valley Locations

MORE: Visit our website for
locations and more information!

Celebrate Autism Awareness Month with the ASA Picnic!

Annual ASA Family Support Picnic!
WHEN: Saturday, April 11th
WHERE: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park,
7301 E. Indian Bend Road
TIME: 12:00 - 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Papago Ramada
(South End of the Park past the Tunnel)

ASA-Greater Phoenix will be providing GFCF Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, condiments, and paper products (plates, napkins, utensils). There are BBQ Grills and Covered Picnic Tables. Bathroom facilities are located nearby. There will be BOUNCERS and other fun activities for the kids as well as the train and carousel! This is a wonderful opportunity for our families to get together and socialize as well as network with other autism families in their communities.

We are asking families to bring an item to share by last name: A-H: Drinks/Water/Juice/ Soda, I-Q: Desserts, R-Z: Side Dishes. We encourage you to bring a GFCF or special diet item to share if your family follows one! Please RSVP by April 1st to Katie at Katie@phxautism.org or at 602-295-8062 so we have enough food for everyone!
Original link here