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Jul/Aug/Sep 2020 Issue 82
Parent to Parent Connection Newsletter Do you care for a child with special needs and feel like you are alone?
Are you adjusting to a new diagnosis for your child? Do you have questions about services and resources but don’t know who to ask?
Would you like to meet other parents who are also raising children with special needs?
Please join us for
Holland is an eight-week class where parents of children with special needs ...
Meet in a small group setting to share about the journey of raising a
child with special needs
Learn about grief and loss, self care, community resources and more
Connect with other parents raising children with special needs
HOLLAND
“Holland … It’s just a different place. It’s slower paced than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your
breath, you look around…and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills… and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.”
Fridays 10:00 am - 11:30 am
September 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13 ZOOM Tracie & Debbi
Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm
September 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18 ZOOM Amy & Gloria
Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:30 am September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27: November 3
(Spanish language class) ZOOM Maria & Lori
2020 Fall Holland Sessions
Support provided through a grant from the
CALL TO REGISTER and get your Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode: Amy Berkheimer (509) 907-0508 [email protected]
Gloria Urness (509) 833-8489 [email protected]
Maria Pulido (509) 907-0872 [email protected] se habla español
“What I enjoyed the most from attending ZOOM Holland was the ability to have the option for virtual group because of my strenuous work schedule! This group exceeded my expectations. The materials given in the binder were fantastic! This group was so beneficial and a “must” for all parents who have children with special needs! Hands down! “
- Mom who graduated from the Spring 2020 Zoom Holland session
Parent to Parent at Children’s Village relies on MANY volunteers to make our programming possible. Our ability to serve hundreds of children with special needs and their families in Yakima County is due, in large
part, to our incredible volunteers. These include parent volunteers who give their time and care to: support a new parent; serve on the Parent to Parent Advisory Board or another committee; help with meetings and events; write an article or speak on a panel; work in the Parent to Parent office, and more. Volunteers also
include our youth who serve as mentors in the one 2 one social recreation program, and the Kids on the Block disability awareness program. There are also countless community members who make our work
possible- from donating candy for the Halloween Trunk-or-Treat to hosting an activity at the annual Holiday Open House. Each year Parent to Parent recognizes our volunteers with a special evening of
celebration. This year, we were unable to do this because of COVID-19, but would like to say THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers, and highlight just a few here in this newsletter. Thank you volunteers for
your support and commitment to Parent to Parent and the children and families we serve!!
MARIA CISNEROS
I have loved volunteering for 3 years because I identify with other families who have children with special needs. I understand the difficult path they are walking and I learn from each family and
from each parent. And each story makes me stronger and helps me grow as a person and as a mother of a child with Autism.
DANIELLE WOODCOCK
The Parent to Parent program has done so much for me as our family has navigated this journey of raising a child with special needs.
After receiving so much help and support I wanted to give back and help others so they knew they weren’t alone. I started volunteering about 4 years ago at special events. About a year and a half ago I started helping in the office once a week. Co-chairing the Trunk-or-Treat committee last year was one of my favorite tasks I’ve done. Parent to Parent has helped save our family!! I’m happy I get to help others.
Volunteer Spotlight
SWASTI TIWARI
Why I Like Being A one2one Youth Mentor
My interaction with my close tennis buddy got me interested in working with
people who I don’t have a natural connection with. My friendship is my inspiration for mentorship. I like being a mentor because it gives me an oppor-tunity to guide, support, and understand the world through the eyes of someone else. I hope my mentoring helps bring a smile on someone’s face and serves a purpose.
OAKLEY AFUALO
Why I Like Being A one2one Youth Mentor
I participated in activities at Children’s Village when I was
younger, and I find being a mentor to be the best way to give back. I like working with kids whose lives are affected by special needs and helping them find and make friends.
CARIN OLSON I like being a volunteer because I like the people I get to see when I’m volunteering, and it gets me out of the house and into the community doing something I enjoy. Her favorite events to help with are Eggstravaganza and Holiday Open House.
PARENT TO PARENT STAFF: Tracie Hoppis (509) 907-0873
Maria Pulido Text: (509) 907-0872
Se habla espanol
Amy Berkheimer Text: (509) 907-0508
Gloria Urness Text: (509) 833-8489
From INFORMING FAMILIES, regarding the new series on their website: The start of the school year is fast approaching, and no clear path forward for students who receive special education, we have invited parents to share their perspectives on the challenges they face in trying to make decisions during these incredibly difficult times. We recognize that every situation is different, and that every family is making the best choices they can. Our hope is that families can borrow ideas from each other, and that educators can also gain insight and help create solutions. If you have a story you would like to contribute for this series, please send us an email.
Distance Learning: Not an Easy Choice An article by a parent. You can read it here: https://informingfamilies.org/distance-learning/
Resources
Advocacy & Support Arc Chapters
PAVE
Parent to Parent Office of Education Ombuds
Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy
Education Guidelines
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Technology and Communications
Internet and phone resources. Locate free cell phones, low cost internet service, and other assistive technology resources.
Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) Program. Devices and apps for anyone who lives in Washington State (over age 4) and who is deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or has difficulty with speech.
Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds (833) 727-8900 [email protected] www.ddombuds.org Information, referrals, complaint resolution, monitoring visits,
and improving systems.
https://informingfamilies.org/
(800) 572-7368 https://wapave.org/ We walk beside you to provide information, resources, train-
ing, and special education advocacy support. PAVE has been helping families in Washington since 1979.
O S P I
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 public
education in Washington state. Main: (360) 725-6000 or http://www.k12.wa.us/
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm TTY: (360) 664-3631
People for People Yakima: 509-248-6793
http://www.pfp.org/pfp/index.aspx
(800) 233-1624 Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30 pm
Arranges transportation for people of all ages who have current Wash-ington state DSHS Provider One Medicaid card and need transportation
to non-emergency medical services. Can provide gas vouchers if you have your own vehicle, or provide rides with contracted providers.
Are you looking for safe, affordable, licensed child care? Are you a child care provider in need of additional
education or resources?
Childcare Aware
(800) 446-1114
https://www.childcareaware.org/
Crisis Line
(509) 575-4200
or (800) 572-8122 24-hour confidential mental health and substance use crisis line.
Special Education Technology Center
(509) 963-3350 https://www.specialedtechcenter.org/
A lending library of toys, switches, augmentative communication devices, alternate keyboards, and other computer input devices, environmental con-
trol devices, and software designed for students with special needs. You can access it through your student’s school district!
www.featwa.org/bens-fund.html
The Ben's Fund Mission is to provide support to children
and young adults with autism through financial assistance
and guidance. Grants available up to $1,000.
Jordan’s Fund http://www.jordanfund.org/what-we-do.html
TELEPHONE: (425) 829-1121 We are a grant-making foundation. We provide grants to assist
individual families and also organizations whose mission is to
provide assistance to families of children with special needs.
Medicaid Might Cover Diapers or Pull-ups! A doctor or physician must determine that incontinence supplies are needed.
The recipient of the products must be older than age 3. You may need to get pre-approval from Medicaid in order to get supplies.
Talk to your doctor for a prescription. Call Parent to Parent if you have more questions.
Washington State Prescription Drug Program
Discount Card Enrollment
Moda Health Phone: 1-800-913-4146
2-1-1 is a free confidential community
service and your one-stop connection to
the local services you need, from utility
assistance, food banks, housing, health,
child care, elder care, crisis intervention,
and much more!
“I am not the only one who has traveled on this path. I will follow the footprints before me
and reach back a hand to those who come behind.” -author unknown
Would you like to be added to an email or regular mail distribution list to receive up-to-date information about classes,
events and resources? Please send an email with this request to: [email protected]
Or, call Parent to Parent at: (509) 574-3200
STAY INFORMED Yakima County Parent to
Parent is supported by:
Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital
The Memorial Foundation
Yakima County Department of Human Services
United Way of Central Washington
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Department of Children, Youth & Families
Yakima County Parent to Parent
♥ Nurturing kids and families through support
and friendship.
♥ Fostering attitudes in the community that
welcome and value people with special needs.
♥ Helping kids realize their dreams!
We offer:
Emotional support and information for parents
and caregivers raising children with special needs
Parent sharing groups in Yakima and Sunnyside
Training for parents and caregivers interested in
joining the Parent to Parent network as
volunteer “Helping Parents”
Family social events
SibShops– Workshops for brothers & sisters of
children with special needs
Parent to Parent Connection– English and
Spanish newsletter for families and providers
one 2 one- Inclusive recreation program for chil-
dren with special needs
The Kids on the Block– Disability awareness
program
Visit Parent to Parent on the Children’s
Village website under the
“Family Support” tab:
http://www.yakimachildrensvillage.org
Social Connections and Personal Care are important for your health and well-
being...Try to make time, without feeling guilty, to add some of these ideas:
Need help?
Know someone who does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling over-
whelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or
anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others - Call 911
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline
call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233
and TTY 1-800-787-3224
Washington Department of Health’s website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
Having a bad day? Reach out to a friend and talk it out. It may be just the energizer you need to keep going that day.
Having a great day? Call and friend and check in on them! It may be just what they need.
Take a drive and listen to your favorite music.
Spend time in nature.
