One of our young members had a great time at the beach. The summer’s end also means it’s time to transition back to school. This can be a tough time for students and parents alike, so we hope you can join us at our next Lunch Bunch meeting September 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lucy Simms Center, meeting room 4, to share your dreams, joys, and challenges! Thanks to JH for this submission.
News and updates on the proposed regulation changes for Virginia’s Special Education are available online at:
A survey has been developed by a team of researchers at VCU. The survey is for parents of children who have autism, genetic conditions, and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy and intellectual disability. The goal is to capture parents’ perspectives and feelings about research that might address the health or development of children, potentially the families’ own children. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and results will be kept anonymous.
To participate in the survey electronically or by mail, contact Alicia Carlson directly at: research.survey.request@gmail.com
The team is also conducting a similar survey for clinicians/professionals who work with children who have autism, genetic conditions, and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy and intellectual disability.
Please consider participating in this survey, and please share it with other families and professionals. Please click here: http://valleyautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/request-for-survey-participation.doc to learn more.
Elaine Ogburn, Family Specialist
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program
1000 E. Marshall
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-0073 or (804) 320-4514; Fax (804) 828-0098
mail to: esogburn@vcu.edu
The Planning Committee met on July 30 and heard committee reports. We are developing a plan to implement scholarships that will assist families who have members on the Autism Spectrum. Exciting ideas for fund raising continue, including preparations for the 2009 Walk/Run for Autism. We are also planning programs for year 2008-2009 and look forward to seeing everyone when our Lunch Bunch resumes in September. Our next planning committee meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 5:00 PM, room 325 at Blue Ridge Hall, JMU Campus (across from Costco). If you would like to be on any of our committees, please contact the chairperson listed below:
Scholarship: Karen McCormick (ksmccormick655@gmail.com)
Public Awareness: Fonda Watson (watfonp@comcast.net)
Programs: Sally Chappel (chappesl@jmu.edu)
Fund Raising: Jenny Hummel (jennifer.hummel@reynoldspkg.com)
Coming soon to parents’ mailboxes:
The VA Special Education 2008 Parent Involvement Survey.
The Virginia Department of Education’s third annual Parent Involvement Survey will be arriving in parents’ mailboxes within the next several weeks. It is for all parents and guardians of school-aged children who receive special education services in Virginia’s schools.
This is an opportunity for parents to provide input to help guide efforts to improve services and outcomes for their children. Please circulate this information and actively encourage as many parents as possible to participate in this survey. Thank you 
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The Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership was featured recently by the Daily News-Record in the May 23 “Our Valley” supplement. It apparently is not available online.
Participants just appreciate having someone to talk to. When you have a child with autism, you’re in a totally different world.– Fonda Watson, as quoted in the article.
Valley Music Academy (www.valleymusicacademy.org) currently offers music therapy to individuals with disabilities, including autism, in limited numbers. The academy is hoping to expand this service. If interested, please contact:
Mr. Robert Harrold, Executive Director
Valley Music Academy
P.O. Box 1712
500 South Wayne Avenue
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 942-8648
What if The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well now we can! You can raise money for The Arc just by changing the search engine you use on your computer. GoodSearch.com is a search engine that donates half its revenue (about a penny per search) to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would use any search engine. GoodSearch.com is powered by Yahoo! so you get great results.
Go to www.goodsearch.com and select The Arc-Harrisonburg and Rockingham as your charity. A lot of The Arcs are participating so be sure you have chosen The Arc you wish to support. There are even directions on the website for adding GoodSearch to a Mac or a Foxfire toolbar.
The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham
620 Simms Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540.437.9214
Serving Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as mental retardation and autism since 1962.
“Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers for Persons with Disabilities, Their Parents, and Caregivers.”
This guide focuses on five of the waivers currently available in Virginia:
a. Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disabilities (MR/ID) Waiver
b. Day Support Waiver
c. Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support (IFDDS or DD) Waiver
d. Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) Waiver
e. Technology-Assisted (Tech) Waiver ”
For the pdf version of this guide, click on the following link:
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/valend/MEDICAID%20WAIVERS%20GUIDE%207-07.pdf
“This guide was created by Jessica Cann and Elaine Ogburn of the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (Va-LEND), in collaboration with Terry Smith, Division Director, Division of Long-Term Care, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), and Maureen Hollowell, Director of Advocacy and Services, Medicaid Waiver Technical Assistance Center, Endependence Center, Norfolk, Virginia. Va-LEND is an interdisciplinary leadership training program at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (telephone 804-828-0073).”
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Voice: 703 923 0010/1 800 869 6782 (toll free); Fax 1 800 693 351
Email partners@peatc.org
