newsletter - Support for Families of Children with Disabilities

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

NEWSLETTER Table of Contents

Join Us!

W+D Save the Date

Where to Get Help with a Child's Special Education Services

FALL 2017

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2-3

Be a Parent Mentor!

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CHA Family Advocacy Day

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Thank You!/ Upcoming Special Events

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Inclusion Tools for 10 After-School Professionals

Growing With Groups

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SFCD Board & Staff

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Support for Families of Children with Disabilities is a nonprofit support, resource, and networking organization for families of children with disabilities, concerns, and special health care needs and the professionals who work with them. All services are free of charge including resources, phone line, drop-in center, support groups, workshops & family gatherings.

Friday, October 6th | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm The Galleria, San Francisco Design Center a fundraiser benefit for

Celebrate 35 with us! Individual reservations: $150/person Sponsorship packages start at $500 For more information, contact Matt Cherry at 650-491-9780 or [email protected] Visit www.supportforfamilies.org for donation and sponsorship opportunities!

Access to Adventure 2017!

Access to Adventure 2017 was amazing! The weather couldn't have been better. We had a great day crafting, climbing, and drumming, and enjoyed exciting outdoor activities provided by dozens of community organizations! Thanks so much to everyone who made it out, and thanks to those who helped make it a success!

Fall 2017

Support for Families Newsletter

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Education

Where to Get Help with a Child's Special Education Services Compiled by Support for Families and the San Francisco Unified School District If you have any questions about this article, please contact Joe Goyos, SFCD Education Programs Director, at [email protected].

It is important for parents to know where to get help if they believe there are problems with their child's special education services. Special Education law creates a partnership between parents and the school so that education can be more effectively designed and delivered to students. With any partnership, communication may break down. It is in the best interest of your child to resolve problems at the earliest indication of communication breakdowns and to seek resolution at the school site first whenever possible. While the law establishes formal methods for dispute resolution, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has established a system of internal, less formal resolution options, which you are encouraged to use whenever you believe a problem is developing. 1. Discuss the problem with your child's classroom teacher and/or other school staff member who knows your child's needs. This can include your child's Special Education teacher, Counselor, Related Service provider (i.e. speech, occupational therapy, etc.), Psychologist or other specialist helping your child. It may also include the school site family liaison, who may be able to help with school site communications with staff. 2. Review your child's IEP and determine if the plan is being implemented. Does it need updating to meet any changing needs of your child? You may request a review of the IEP at anytime. A meeting must be held within 30 days of your request. Be sure to ask that all relevant IEP team members be present to address your concerns. 3. If there is no resolution, discuss the problem with the school Principal. Your Principal may assign staff with responsibility for Special Education to help. You should also speak with the special education program content specialist assigned to your child's school. The Special Education teacher and the school Principal will be able to provide you with contact information for the Special Education Content Specialist. It is also located on the Special Education Services website at https://goo.gl/ yuJPhw

4. If there is still no resolution, call SFUSD Special Education Services at (415) 759-2222 and ask for the Special Education Supervisor for your school. 5. If you feel that your concerns haven’t been addressed through the above four avenues, you can call the Special Education Ombudsman at 415-447-7802 (office) or 415-660-0051 (cell) for help resolving your concerns. The Ombudsman can work with appropriate SFUSD staff to address your concerns. 6. Your concerns can also be addressed through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Collaborative Conference. Please visit https://goo.gl/1We7bL for more information about this informal meeting. The goal is to create a positive, peaceable approach to finding studentcentered resolutions. Please email or call the Program Administrator for ADR at [email protected] or 415-4209198. 7. You may also call the appropriate Assistant Superintendent, Elementary & K-8 Schools 415-241-6310, Middle Schools 415-241-6607, High Schools 415-2416478, County/Court Schools 415-241-6478. The Director of Charter Schools can be reached at 415-241-6121. For the Chief of Early Education please call 415-750-8599. 8. For issues not related to the IEP, parents may contact Ramon Martinez 415-241-6150 in the SFUSD Office of Family Voice for assistance with addressing concerns regarding to the school site climate, bullying and other issues that can’t be addressed in the IEP. 9. State law provides several mechanisms for resolving issues with the local school district. The California Department of Education (CDE) coordinates the Procedural Safeguards and Referral Services, which provide technical assistance information and resources for parents, school districts, advocates, agencies and others of procedural safeguards regarding students between ages 3-21 with disabilities and their educational rights.

1663 Mission Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94103 •(415) 282-7494 • [email protected] • www.supportforfamilies.org

Fall 2017


Contact & Online Resources Procedural Safeguards & Referral Services Toll-free Help Line: 800-926-0648; Weekdays 9am - 4pm Fax: 916-327-3704 or email: [email protected] The current (2016) Special Education Rights of Parents & Children, Procedural Safeguards Notice can be downloaded (in multiple languages) from the CDE web site at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/pseng.asp The SFUSD Procedural Safeguards packet (which includes the 2016 updated version) can be found here: https://goo.gl/yy66CP CDE compliance complaint process: http://www.cde. ca.gov/sp/se/qa/cmplntproc.asp

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1. The Request for Compliant Investigation form is linked on the aforementioned page. 2. Additional Complaint Procedures: http://www. cde.ca.gov/re/cp/ 3. For systems issues, the CAC for Special Education is an advisory committee to the Board of Education, made up of parents and professionals, whose purpose is to advocate for quality special education. The CAC welcomes all to attend meetings and share information the 4th Thursday of every month, 7pm at SFCD. SFUSD Special Education Supervisors will host an Open Forum Group Coffee Chat before the regular CAC meeting from 5:45 - 6:30pm. You may contact the CAC at cacspedsf@ gmail.com or visit their website at www.cacspedsf.org.

Want to Help Others? Be a Parent Mentor!

PMP

By Joan Selby, Parent Mentor Coordinator

The Parent Mentor Program started back in 1987 and is in its 30th year; it is one of the oldest programs at Support for Families. Parents, receiving training through the PMP, have helped provide families with children of special needs with support and information. Aside from being matched with families, PM’s are a rich resource to our agency by participating in various activities, including assisting in SFCD outreach, participating on focus groups and Parent Panels, or doing interviews for the media. In May we graduated our most recent batch of Parent Mentors from the PMP’s Special Education training. They received the tools to work towards positive outcomes in successful special education issues which in turn may provide positive experiences when talking with mentee families. In September we will start an 8-month series for Project Leadership. Through Project Leadership Parent Mentors gain an understanding of health care systems and public policy advocacy. The curriculum provides insight in understanding systems process and addressing concerns through various outlets, including participation in committees and planning bodies, providing testimonies at state and federal hearings, and sharing their stories through the media. Understanding methods of advocating can help make change happen.

When families are ready to become a Parent Mentor, training on “how” a Parent can mentor other families is covered in the extensive Parent-to-Parent (P2P) training. The P2P provides helpful information in order to be responsive to families’ needs. Training includes accessing resources (including Support for Families as a resource), active listening techniques, and communication skills. This training is helpful to the Parent Mentors themselves as it provides them skills to work with families and professionals. This training occurs twice a year in June and December and is required in becoming a Parent Mentor. Interested in becoming a Parent Mentor?* Contact us! For information or to register for a training, please contact a PMP Coordinator, as follows: Joan E. Selby (English) Phone: (415) 966-2917 Email: [email protected] JoAnna Van Brusselen (Spanish) Phone: (415) 282-7494, Ext. 141 Email: [email protected] *Note: Registration with Joan (English) or JoAnna (Spanish) is required. Thank you.


Fall 2017


CHA Family Advocacy Day

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By Alison Beier, Eastern Los Angeles Family Resource Center Project Leadership graduate

Children’s Hospital Association held their 13th annual Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. July 12-13. Our family, which includes 7-year-old Evan who has multiple congenital anomalies, was asked to represent UCLA Mattel Children’s at the event. Much like a Family Voices of California (FVCA) Health Summit & Legislative Day, we were prepped upon arrival for our meetings with legislators the following day. In fact, the entire legislative day mirrored our experience at FVCA’s Health Summit in Sacramento this February. We were fortunate to meet with Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi, California State Senator Kamala Harris, and Congressman Tony Cárdenas (from California’s 29th congressional district). We also met with staff from Congresswoman Lucille Roybal–Allard’s and Congressman Ted Lieu’s offices. In our meetings, Evan and I told his story and explained the critical role Medicaid funding plays in our everyday lives. We touched on Regional Center funding and how Evan received speech, physical, and occupational therapies through their Early Intervention Services. We spoke of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) as I am Evan’s primary care provider through the program. Through IHSS, I am afforded the opportunity to be with my son 24-hours a day — no one is more attuned to him than myself. There have been specific instances where I, noticing a nuance in his behavior, have been able to get him the care he needs before it becomes a full-blown medical crisis. I believe the IHSS program has saved Evan’s life. In our meetings, we also spoke on the importance of mental health services being available for all, and what life was like before, and after, Evan was accepted into the Medi-Cal program. In short, we’re not bankrupt because we have Medi-Cal, but we easily could have been without it. Additionally, we advocated for the continuation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding, which is set to expire late September, and showed our support for the ACE Kids Act, which aims to improve care for children with medical complexity.

I covered most of the heavy stuff while Evan charmed whomever we spoke with. He was quizzed on his state capitals (he knows them all), personally escorted to the House floor by Leader Pelosi, and then led back to the floor by Rep. Tony Cárdenas where he voted on an issue for the Congressman. At his last meeting of the day, Evan secured Senator Kamala Harris’ vote for his future presidential run and was even featured on her Facebook and Twitter pages later that evening. Everyone we spoke with thanked us for telling Evan’s story and explained that this is the most valuable contribution we can offer to the cause: boots-on-the-ground advocacy is where real change happens. We were told our story was eloquent, impactful, memorable, and we were encouraged to tell it often. My experience with FVCA Project Leadership empowered me to confidently share our experiences. Having a working knowledge of how legislation is created enabled me to feel comfortable when speaking with our legislators. Learning how to effectively tell our story proved invaluable. Because of Project Leadership and Family Voices of California, Evan and I were fully equipped to be most effective advocates with our time in front of our representatives. We’re honored to have had the pleasure to represent all medically complex kids — a privilege we took to heart. Our time on The Hill was a dream come true. Thank you Family Voices of CA for preparing me for every moment of it.



Fall 2017

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SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Providing services for families and professionals of children with disabilities

Our Services CALL US: 415-920-5040 EMAIL US: [email protected] FAX US: 415-282-1226 VISIT US: 1663 Mission Street Suite 700 San Francisco, CA 94103 HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30am-4:30pm Tuesday, Thursday 12:30pm - 8:30pm GO TO OUR WEBSITE: www.supportforfamilies.org to get the latest information on workshops, events and new resources. FIND US ON:

facebook.com/ supportforfamiliessf

twitter.com/supportforfams

Phone line/Drop-in Center Get individualized information, referrals, and answers to all your questions from Support for Families staff, who are parents themselves. Staff will follow up to make sure you get the answers you need. Staff speak English, Spanish, and Cantonese. Caregiving for children available 4:308:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Resource Library Access more than 4,500 books, DVDs, and a toy lending collection for families and professionals in our onsite library. Visit the library catalog online at: www.supportforfamilies. org/library.html. On-site computer access and assistance is also available. The library is open during drop-in center hours and during on-site workshops and special events. Support Groups Come to a support group to find solutions to challenges, learn advocacy skills, and explore resources. Support groups provide a network for families to gain strength

by sharing experiences with peers. Volunteer Parent Mentors Find a match with a trained volunteer Parent Mentor based on a shared issue, condition and or situation. Educational Workshops and Clinics Learn about resources, rights, and responsibilities in monthly parent/professional workshops and weekly smallgroup clinics. Care giving for children and interpretation services are available with advance reservation for clinics and workshops. Case Management Get professional consultation from social workers. Family Special Events Socialize and network in a fun relaxed atmosphere at quarterly events, such as our annual ice-skating party and Halloween party. Newsletter Read the quarterly newsletter in English, Spanish, or Chinese to find articles of interest to families and professionals.

How You Can Help All services and events, even childcare, are always free of charge to encourage participation by all families. With the demand for services greater than ever, your donations help make this possible. A gift to Support

for Families means that families of children with special needs will be better prepared to help their children—and that more children with disabilities will live their lives with dignity and opportunity.

Send a check to the address below or give online at www.supportforfamilies. org/help.html. Every gift can help make a difference in the life of a child with special needs.

MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of Support for Families is to ensure that families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need, and the providers who serve them, have the knowledge and support to make informed choices that enhance children's development and well-being. We promote partnership with families, professionals and the community at large, because it is through partnership that we create a community where our children can flourish.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Diego Valderrama, President Laura Lanzone, Vice President Jake Block, Treasurer Kathy Bello Shepherd, Secretary Eileen Boussina Elizabeth Brogna Tal Eslick David Fazio

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Juno Duenas

INSIDE

Support Groups

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Workshops

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Calendar of Events & Clinics

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Fall 2017

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Support Groups All support groups are free of charge. Groups are located at Support for Families unless otherwise indicated.Childcare can be provided unless otherwise indicated but MUST be reserved in advance. If you are interested in participating in any of these groups, or if you are interested in a specific issue, call (415) 920-5040 or e-mail us at [email protected] for more information. We have staff who speak English, Spanish, and Cantonese. PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS Cantonese-Speaking Parents Support Group Meets 2nd Saturday of the month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Chinatown Child Development Center (CCDC) Group For Cantonese-speaking families of children with special needs. Meets at the CCDC on the 3rd Monday of the month, 9:30am - 12:00pm. Living with Loss: Loss, Hope and Healing A group for parents/caretakers of medically fragile children and children facing life threatening illness. Call 415-920-5040 for dates. Prader-Willi Group Meets quarterly on Saturdays. Call 415-920-5040 for dates.

Spanish-Speaking Down Syndrome Parent Support Group Meets 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Spanish-Speaking Parent Support Group Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month, 10:00am - 12:00pm. Speech Apraxia Parent Support Group Meets 4th Tuesdays of the month 6:00pm - 7:30pm Parents of Transition Age Youth Currently focusing on issues related to housing. Meets 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:15pm - 8:15pm. (Parent Advocates for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Housing (PANDH) meets monthly during the Parents of Transition Age Youth Support Group. We are working toward creative inclusive community housing and programs to support those with cognitive and developmental differences. Visit our website at pandh-sf.org.

Workshops

Planning a Gap Year Thursday, September 7th; 6:00pm - 7:00pm Come learn about the many advantages to taking a well planned Gap Year after graduation including: Gaining life experience, taking a break to do something different besides going to school, working to save money, exploring areas of interest for potential career options, and substantiating skills and discipline. Presented by Susan Abbott Martin & Yasmin Lambe-Simpson Special Education Discipline Basics Saturday, September 9th; 8:30am - 12:30pm This presentation will explain the special education discipline process, as well as when your child may be subject to nonspecial education discipline. We will discuss an overview of IEP behavioral supports and what happens when the supports are

Tuesday Night Group A group for parents who have children with disabilities or special health care needs. Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 6:45pm - 8:30pm. UCSF Inpatient Parent Support Group Meets every Thursday, 4:00pm - 5:30pm. GROUPS FOR YOUTH Asian & Pacific Islander Disabilities Group for Youth 18-30 Meets 4th Saturday of the month, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Conversation Club for AAC Users Meets at the Noe Valley Public Library Meeting Room every Monday, 4:30pm 5:30pm. Transition AAC Group Meets every Monday, 3:00pm - 4:30pm Young AAC Kids Conversation Club Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month, 3:30pm - 4:30pm.

not sufficient. The presentation also will address manifestation determination IEPs, special education rights in the discipline process, and what to do if your child has not yet qualified for services. Presented by Peter Sturges Medical and Dental Visits Made Easier! Thursday, September 21st; 6:00pm - 8:00pm Participants will learn a variety of methods to help make medical and dental visits with their children easier for them and their child. The group will also explore what to look for when choosing a medical professional for their child, as well as how to discuss their child's needs prior to the appointment to help things go as smoothly as possible. Presented by Gateway Learning Group


Fall 2017


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Workshops & Clinics Taking Action toward International Exchange, Study, and Volunteer Opportunities for Women with Disabilities Tuesday, September 26th; 6:00pm - 8:00pm Historically women with disabilities have not participated in international exchange such as study, teach, volunteer or work abroad, and this workshop is a step toward addressing that problem. This workshop give participants an opportunity to: • Spark new ideas for ways women with disabilities can gain professional development experience., • Learn how to get information and apply for international exchange program to study and work abroad. • Build confidence to participate in international exchange where there may be no other women with disabilities Presented by Page Ive Local author Phyllis Grilikhes reads from Autism's Stepchild: A Mother's Story Thursday, October 5th; 6:00pm - 8:00pm Autism's Stepchild is a non-technical human story of family love and friendship that shows what it was like for a family who had a daughter with autism before much was known about the syndrome. Presented by Phyllis Grilikhes Workplace Rights of Pregnant Woman and New Parents Tuesday, October 10th; 6:00pm - 8:00pm In this workshop you will learn about the various employment protections for pregnant women and new parents, including a workers’ right to time off, paid leave and accommodations for: pregnancy, bonding and breastfeeding. It will also include detailed information on the new San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO). Presentd by Jenna Gerry Beyond Eye Contact: An Introduction to the RDI Program Saturday, October 14th; 8:30am - 12:30pm Building on the emerging science of neuro-plasticity, RDI™ is a cognitive developmental approach that makes actual neurological changes over time that provide the affected individual with the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges on their own. By developing a individual’s

capacity for dynamic thinking, RDI can open the door to the possibility of a greater quality of life, one that includes: Reciprocal communication Confident, independent living Prolonged relationships Genuine friendships Meaningful employment Presentd by Pete Dunlavey Limited Conservatorship: A Self-Help Workshop Tuesday, October 24th; 6:00pm - 8:00pm This class will go over the basic procedures, paperwork, timeline, documents, and information needed to start the limited conservatorship of person process. It will provide you with a check list of documents, provide guidance about what to expect, help answer questions about how to fill these forms out, and pose questions to think about before you and your family decide to move forward with the Court process. Presentd by Melanie Emmons Preparing for the Holidays Using Applied Behavior Analysis Thursday, November 2nd; 6:00pm - 8:00pm The holiday breaks can be a stressful time for children and parents. This workshop will explore a variety of strategies that parents can employ to help ease the stress and help make the holiday breaks fun and enjoyable for the whole family. The group will discuss ways to use structure and routine to decrease problem behaviors, talking to family members about how to support your child's needs and ways to use priming and role play to help your child prepare for special events. Presentd by Gateway Learning Group The Top 5 IEP Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them) Saturday, November 11th; 830am - 12:30pm Presentd by Ms. Adams

Workshops and Clinics are FREE and held at Support for Families (SFCD), 1663 Mission St., 7th Floor, San Francisco (between Duboce St. and S. Van Ness Ave.). Pre-registration is required. To attend, reserve childcare and/or interpretation services, you must register at least one week in advance by calling 415-920-5040 or emailing [email protected].


Fall 2017


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Calendar of Events September 2017

November 2017

4-Sep

SFCD HOLIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED

2-Nov

IEP - Cantonese

6:00pm - 8:00pm

7-Sep

IEP Clinic- Cantonese

6:00pm - 8:00pm

2-Nov

Preparing for the Holidays

6:00pm - 8:00pm

7-Sep

Planning a Gap Year

6:00pm - 7:00pm

9-Nov

IEP Clinic- English

4:00pm - 6:00pm

9-Sep

PPW: Special Education Discipline

8:30am - 12:30pm 10-Nov


14-Sep IEP Clinic- English

4:00pm - 6:00pm

11-Nov

Top 5 IEP Mistakes

8:30am - 12:30pm

19-Sep PMP: Project Leadership - English

5:30pm - 8:30pm

14-Nov

PMP: Project Leadership - English

5:30pm - 8:30pm

21-Sep IEP - Spanish

4:00pm - 6:00pm

16-Nov

IEP - Spanish

4:00pm - 6:00pm

21-Sep Medical and Dental Visits Made Easier!

6:00pm - 8:00pm

23-Nov


26-Sep Opportunities for Women w/Disabilities 6:00pm - 8:00pm

23-Nov

Transition to Adult Svcs- CANCELLED

28-Sep Transition to Adult Services

24-Nov


30-Nov

Skills For Effective Advocacy

4:00pm - 6:00pm

October 2017

4:00pm - 6:00pm

5-Oct

IEP - Cantonese

6:00pm - 8:00pm

December 2017

5-Oct

Local author Phyllis Grilikhes

6:00pm - 8:00pm

2-Dec

Parent Mentor Training: P2P

8:30pm - 4:30pm

9-Oct


7-Dec

IEP - Cantonese

6:00pm - 8:00pm

10-Oct Workplace Rights of Pregnant Woman 6:00pm - 8:00pm

9-Dec

PPW: CANCELLED

12-Oct IEP - English

4:00pm - 6:00pm

14-Dec

IEP - English

4:00pm - 6:00pm

14-Oct PPW: An Introduction to RDI Program

8:30am - 12:30pm 19-Dec

PMP: Project Leadership - English

5:30pm - 8:30pm

17-Oct PMP: Project Leadership - English

5:30pm - 8:30pm

21-Dec

IEP - Spanish

4:00pm - 6:00pm

19-Oct IEP - Spanish

4:00pm - 6:00pm

25-Dec


24-Oct Limited Conservatorship

6:00pm - 8:00pm

26-Oct Transition to Adult Services

4:00pm - 6:00pm

28-Oct Halloween Party at AoTB

5:30pm - 8:00pm

For more information or to register for any of these events, please call us at 415-920-5040 or visit us at www.supportforfamilies.org.

CLINICS IEP Clinic Learn about Special Education law, the IEP process, what to do when things aren't working, and how to become a more active and effective team member. Bring your questions and real life issues! Chinese: 1st Thursday; English: 2nd Thursday; Spanish: 3rd Thursday.

Transition to Adulthood Clinic Successfully navigate the transition from school to adulthood. Learn how to navigate special education transition services and how to effectively participate in the development of your child's transition plan. Appropriate for parents of children 12+. 4th Thursday of the month.



Fall 2017

Thank you!

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Donations received May 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017 Support for Families gratefully acknowledges gifts from the following individuals, groups and businesses. We apologize for any omissions or misspellings; please contact us so we can correct our records. Individuals Linda Banovac Peggy Barbieri Penelope Bellamy & Mark Simon Allison Bianchi Michael Conte Drs. Wililam and Lucy Crain Chris Dehner Michelle Diamond Mike Elmore Tal & Rachel Eslick Breena Fain Marcus Griswold Joanna Goger David Greene Monique Harris

Françoise Herrmann Lorie Hickerson Sara Humphreys Gregg Hyman Judith Janec Laurel Kloomok Magen Kuzma Cory Lane Ann Lapides Jane Lapides George & Kit Lee Peter Mansfield David Rothman & Margaret Barbieri Laurie Strawn Ellen Tang Yvone Ryzak

Upcoming Special Events

Businesses, Groups, Foundations Allene & Jerome Lapides Foundation East Bay Community Foundation Lucile Packard Foundation Metta Fund Pamakid Runners Silicon Valley Community Foundation S&P Company The Tin-Hanley Family Fund Silicon Valley Community Foundation Thoresen Foundation UCSF

Special Events

September Movie Night

Halloween Party at Aquarium of the Bay!!

BFG Friday, September 15th; 6:00pm

October Movie Night

Frankenweenie Friday, October 20th; 6:00pm

Save the DateSaturday, October 28th 5:30pm - 8:00pm

Registration opens Thursday, September 28th


Fall 2017


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Inclusion Tools for After School Professionals Brought to you by the San Francisco Special Needs Inclusion Mental Health Consultation Collaborative, The Special Needs Inclusion Project, Instituto Familiar de la Raza & Edgewood Center for Children and Families

During your after school program, have you ever thought: "I’ve told her three times already!" "He’s so disorganized!" "He never pays attention!" "She doesn’t do well with changes!" "All of these children could benefit from visual supports." WHAT ARE VISUAL SUPPORTS Visual supports are things that we see. They often give us information and help support communication. Think about these visual supports: Body Language - crossed arms, stamping feet Gestures – waving, blowing a kiss Facial expression – frown, smile Environmental Cues – thunderclouds, water boiling on the stove Photos – catalogues, travel brochures, car brochures Signs – street signs, restroom, information, first aid Pictures – furniture assembly instructions, road maps Text – recipes, reminder notes Adults use visual supports all the time. Calendars, alarm clocks, shopping lists, to do lists, road maps and diaries are all examples of visual supports. Visual supports can also be useful for children who: Are learning English Are easily distracted Follow the group and copy others Have difficulty attending to a speaker Have difficulty listening in busy environments Have difficulty remembering Don’t like change or transitions Have language, hearing and other impairments

Inclusion

WHY USE VISUAL SUPPORTS Research about communication shows us that communication is 56% - Visual, 37% - Vocal (intensity and tone of voice, volume and speed of speech, and 7% - Actual message or words Spoken word can be transient and fleeting, once it has been said, it’s gone! It can also be abstract, and worded differently each time you say it. For example, “it’s packing up time” gives the same message, but sounds different to “time to clean up”. Spoken word relies on the listener to be attending to you, and understand what you have said, and often to remember it later. Visual supports can always be there so you can refer to them to remind yourself. Visual supports can also be easily recognizable, and are usually consistent and don’t change, making it easier for you to learn and remember what they mean. V I S U A L S U P P O R T S: G E T T I N G STAR T E D 1. Decide what the visual support needs to do. Visual supports can be used for many purposes and in many ways. Almost everything you say can be presented in a visual way. Sometimes you can give information visually in a way that’s much easier than actually saying it. Think about what you want your visual support to do. Is it going to provide information? (about transitions, about where people are, about what’s happening next), Is it going to give choices? Is it going to help organize? Is it going to help teach a new skill? 2. What does the child understand? There are lots of types of visual supports you can use, including actual objects, pictures, photographs & text. Some are easier than others to recognize and understand.

Concrete

Real objects

Easiest

Remnants or partial objects Photographs Line drawings

They can also be useful for other adults in the room, such as substitutes, volunteers, aides and paraprofessionals.

Abstract

Written word or text

Most

Difficult


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3. Gather the visual supports. Choose visuals that are appropriate to the children’s level of understanding. When you choose a picture, try to make sure the image is clear and specific, so it is just the item you’re talking about, not background information (eg: is it the computer, or the desk which has a computer on it, or the classroom?) Try to reduce the distraction in the background of the photo. If you have children in your group who are very literal, be careful about using photographs. Some children might only drink out of a red cup if that is what is in the photograph. It’s a good idea to pair text with the picture to help develop children’s literacy skills. 4. Make them durable. There are lots of ways you can make the visuals durable. Think about using laminate, clear contact paper, tag board, kitchen magnets, magnet paper, index cards, packing tape, plastic sleeves, cardboard, poster boards or carpet squares. When thinking about how you will attach your pictures, try Velcro, Blu-tak or adhesive putty, magnets or pocket squares 5. Decide on the location and framework. Planning out your visual support at the start will make using it a lot easier later. Think about who will be using the visual support. Will it be the whole group or an individual? Often, more than one child in the group will benefit from using it, and children will often use the pictures to communicate with each other. Does the visual schedule need to co-ordinate with times? How will you show this? Using times can be great for some children so they know exactly when things will happen. However, you will need to be prepared for when things don’t happen on time, how will you explain this?

Growing with Groups

By Steve Vigilante, Support Services Program Director

Thirty-five years ago, Support for Families was started by a group of parents who identified a need for support in the community. Since then, we have grown, and grown, and grown! Currently we offer THIRTEEN different support groups. Many of the groups continue to be facilitated by parents of children with disabilities! Some of the newest groups at Support for Families are our Prader Willi group that meets quarterly, with the next meeting on 9/23, and our Speech Apraxia Support Group which meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month. The next group to get started at Support for Families is an English speaking support group for families that have children with Down Syndrome. This brand new

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Where will the visual support be placed? It’s generally best to keep the visual support somewhere consistent so the children always know where to find it. If you need to have a visual support that is portable, how will you move it around? Where will it be displayed? Can you wear it on a lanyard? Or put it on a clipboard, in a binder, on the side of your program cart? How will you store extra pieces? Visual supports are much easier to use when you can find the picture you need, when you need them. Some good ideas for storage are envelopes, zip lock bags, binders with Velcro strips inside, recipe card boxes, takeout containers Will you use a ‘finish’ envelope, pouch or box? These can help children understand when something is completed, and assist in transitions. How big does it need to be? It will need to be big enough that you can put everything you need on it; in a way that everyone can see it. However, it also needs to be small enough to manage, move and store. 6. Decide how you will use it Think about what your routine will be when using the visual support. Try to keep it as consistent as possible so that children can learn it. When you are using the visual support, make sure you have the children’s attention first. Show them the image and pair it with the verbal information, telling them clearly what it is or what is happening. 7. Use it! For a visual support to be beneficial, you actually need to use it! You need to follow it, and show the children that you are following it. Refer back to it regularly during the day or the activity. If you’re not following it – change it! Support

group kicks off on 8/27 from 7-8:15 at Support for Families. Please review this newsletter for the next meeting of our other incredible groups! If you’re reading this and thinking, “Why isn’t there a group for me?” or “I really think an awesome group would be…” I would LOVE to hear from you! We are ALWAYS looking for more ways to support the community! We are currently brainstorming possibilities around a mental health support group, and a recurring series on the Protective Factors! If these, or other ideas, interest you please contact me at [email protected].


SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 1663 Mission Street, Suite 700 San Francisco, CA 94103

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES All services are free of charge:  Phone Line & Drop-In Center  Information & Resources  Resource Library  Support Groups  Parent Mentor Program  Educational Workshops  Family Gatherings  Short-term Counseling  Community Outreach  Website: www.supportforfamilies.org This NEWSLETTER is published quarterly in English, Spanish & Chinese. If you have a question or comment, email us: [email protected]

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID SAN FRANCISCO, CA PERMIT NO. 1887

Board of Directors Diego Valderrama, President Laura Lanzone, Vice President Jake Block, Treasurer Kathy Bello Shepherd, Secretary Eileen Boussina Elizabeth Brogna Tal Eslick David Fazio

Kristine Thai, Education Coordinator Linda Tung, Administrative Coordinator JoAnna VanBrusselen, Parent Mentor Coordinator Steve Vigilante, Support Services Program Director Kiely Watt, Program Coordinator John Wong, Social Worker Lisa Yee, Family Resource Specialist

Executive Director Juno Duenas

Family Voices of CA (FVCA) Pip Marks, FVCA Project Director Allison Gray, FVCA Project Leadership Manager Sara Godley, FVCA Communications Associate

Family Resource Center Micaela Azzopardi, Caregiver Karen Baca, Assistive Technology Specialist Support for Families Ali Barclay, Information & Resource Family Resource Center Network of CA 1663 Mission Street, Suite 700 Manager (FRCNCA) San Francisco, CA 94103 Martha Barrera, Caregiver Debbie Sarmento, FRCNCA Manager Marteal Barton, Caregiver T: 415.282.7494 Sarah Bennet, Social Worker F: 415.282.1226 Nina Boyle, Community Projects Help Me Grow (HMG) Manager Family Resource Center Warmline, Nadia Thind, Director Elaine Butler, Librarian Information, and Referral Daniel Chao, Accountant 1663 Mission Street, Suite 700 Matt Cherry, Development Director San Francisco, CA 94103 SF Inclusion Networks (SFIN) Michelle Cochran, Caregiving T: 415.920.5040 Amy Pacio, Director Coordinator Alison Stewart, Special Needs Inclusion Jasmin Gauci, Family Health Liaison/ Network Manager Family Resource Specialist Support for Families strives to present families Joe Goyos, Education Program Director Sonia Valenzuela, Family Involvement and professionals with a wide range of views Manager Gus Gunn, Data Director and options in its materials and trainings. Zulema Rubalcava, ASQ Trainer & Coach Dennis Lockett, Family Resource May-Ling Joa, Inclusion Coach Specialist The materials and trainings are not Ramya Krishna, Inclusion Coach Felix Lopez, Education Coordinator/ necessarily comprehensive, are not Mary-Jane Roebuck, Project Coordinator Family Resource Specialist meant to be exhaustive, nor are they an Debra Rolf, Inclusion Coach Sean Lowry, Program Coordinator endorsement of the author and/or presenter. Olga Maldonado, Family Resource Specialist If you would like to offer feedback or if you Indra Mungal, Special Events & Volunteer know of additional resources, speakers and Manager /or materials that may be helpful, please Christine Reina, Family Resource contact us at [email protected]. Specialist Joan Selby, Parent Mentor Coordinator