February 2017

HOMEOWNERSHIP

PARTNERSHIP 4 SAFETY

Advocacy & Family Support

February 2016 Newsletter

The

Page 1

A newsletter for programs

of The Arc of Spokane:

SPOKANE COUNTY

PARENT COALITION

(SCPC)

PARENT 2 PARENT

Submissions

To submit material for the

A & FS Newsletter, please

send information by the

15th of the month to

Brian Holloway at:

The Arc of Spokane

320 E. 2nd Ave.

Spokane, WA 99202

(509)328-6326 bholloway@arc-spokane.org

Mailing List

To be added or removed

from our print mailing list

contact Suzette Wilson at:

(509) 328-6326 or

swilson@arc-spokane.org

To receive the A&FS

Newsletter via email, send

an email to Brian

Holloway at bholloway@arc-spokane.org.

INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY

ACCESS 4 ALL

Volume 12, Issue 2

EDUCATION SECRETARY CALLS FOR END TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (Source: The WA State Fathers Network)

Citing disproportionate use among students with disabilities, the U.S. secretary of education is calling for schools to stop relying on physical punishment to address behavior issues. In a letter to governors and state education officials across the country, Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.* said corporal punishment sends the wrong message and should be halted in the 22 states where the practice is still allowed. “School-sponsored corporal punishment is not only ineffective, it is a harmful practice, and one that disproportionally impacts student of color and students with disabilities,” King wrote in the correspondence this month. “This practice has no place in the public schools of a modern nation that lays such an essential role in the advancement and protection of civil and human rights.” Already, corporal punishment is banned in 28 states, but it remains widely used elsewhere. Education Department data indicates that 110,000 students were subjected to some type of physical punishment in school during the 2013-2014 academic year. The odds of experiencing corporal punishment were consistently higher for kids with disabilities and black children, disparities that King said “shock the conscience.” Though corporal punishment is intended to influence a child’s behavior, King said that it can prompt kids to become more aggressive or oppositional and can have long-term mental health consequences. In many cases, King said that the punishments allowed in schools would be considered criminal assault or battery if applied to adults in the very same states. What’s more, he said such practices have already been banned in U.S. prisons and military training facilities. “While some may argue that corporal punishment is a tradition in some school communities, society has evolved and past practice alone is no justification,” King said. “No school can be considered safe or supportive if its student are fearful of being physically punished. We strongly urge states to eliminate the use of corporal punishment in schools.” The Education Department correspondence came as 80 organizations including the National Disability Rights Network, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and the National Down Syndrome Congress issued a joint letter to policymakers urging similar action. The groups said that children with disabilities are often subjected to corporal punishment for exhibiting behaviors related to their special needs. * The secretary of education may be a different individual by the time this newsletter goes to print because of the change of administrations

February 2017

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Feb. 1 Dads Only Trivia Night--6 to 9 p.m. The Bar @ Pizza Pipeline, 1403 N. Division St., Spokane. Meet other dads who have a child with special needs. Not a support group structure; it’s casual, for dads to unwind and hang out. Complimentary pizza. Sponsored by The ISAAC Foundation. Contact: Krysten Carl at (509) 325-1515

Feb. 2 United Way “Ovation 2017” 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave, Spokane. A celebration to thank you for your support. Appetizers and drinks provided. Awards to honor individuals and businesses for their contribution to this year’s campaign. Call: (509) 324-5029 or email: LisaC@unitedwayspokane.org Feb. 2 Spokane Autistic Social and Support Group (SASS)—6 to 8 p.m. at Marycliff Hall, 701 W 7th Avenue, Suite 280,

Spokane. Group is for higher functioning individuals seen as having Asperger. Welcome to those who are self-diagnosed. SASS provides a social setting and is also a peer-to-peer support group. Parents and caregivers are asked to not attend. Also meets Feb. 9, 16, 23. Contact Andrea at: aspie.sass@gmail.com

Feb. 3 Teen Movie Night (ages 16-21)—6 to 8:30 p.m. The Arc of Spokane Community Center, 320 E. 2nd Ave.,

Spokane. A safe and fun place for teens to meet up with old friends or make new friends. Snacks provided. Sponsored by The Partnership for Safety. Contact: Theresa Fears, (509) 328-6326. Free.

Feb 8 Spokane Fathers Network—6:00 p.m., The Arc of Spokane, 320 E. 2nd Ave. A chance to eat pizza and connect

with other dads of kids with special needs. Contact: Brian Holloway, Director of Advocacy and Family Support at bholloway@arc-spokane.org or (509) 328-6326.

Feb. 10 A Taste of Hope—6 p.m., CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. A silent

and live auction fundraising event to support The ISAAC Foundation. Tickets $65 each. Call: (509) 325-1515 or go to: www.theisaacfoundation.org

Feb. 11 Sensory Friendly Movie—10 a.m. AMC Theatre, River Park Square, 808 W Main Avenue, Spokane. 2nd and 4th

Tuesday and Saturday of the month; featured presentations are listed at the AMC theater website. Sponsored by The Autism Society of Washington, Spokane Chapter.

Feb. 14 Sensory Friendly Movie—(see details from 2-11-17)

Feb. 15 Parents 4 Life Support Group—Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. at The Arc of Spokane, 320 E. 2nd Ave. For any parent of a child with a developmental disability or other special health care need who is older than age 18. Contact: Jennifer Lee, Parent to Parent Coordinator, at jlee@arc-spokane.org

Feb. 15 Disability Awareness Film Festival—all showings at noon. North Idaho College, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur

d’Alene. The festival hosts screenings of a different film each month, from September through April of 2017. See website for film titles and descriptions. Free. Call: (208) 665-4520 or (208) 769-7794 or go to: bit.ly/1SiBHKi

Feb. 16 Assistive Technology Conference—9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane. Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Come learn what is happening, the enormous impact it is having on the lives of people with disabilities, and how you can take part. Sponsored by Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE). Call Jim Corey at (206) 391-8172 or email: jim@gowise.org

Feb. 25 Sensory Friendly Movie—(see details from 2-11-17) Feb. 28 Sensory Friendly Movie—(see details from 2-11-17)

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 2017

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) to notify travelers of upcoming 2018 REAL ID Airport Enforcement. The TSA has begun posting signs at airports notifying travelers that in one year, it will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints. This means that travelers seeking to use their state-issued driver’s license or identification card for boarding commercial aircraft may only use such documents if they are issued by a REAL ID–compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension. Non-compliant states include: Kentucky Maine Minnesota Missouri Montana Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Washington Please visit this page to check the status of your state’s compliance: https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories Check this page for a list of acceptable IDs: https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/resources/realid_factsheet_071516-508.pdf SAVE THE DATE-Free Rein Therapeutic Riding Annual Auction and Barbecue. Saturday, March 25th, 5:30 p.m. Spokane Community College Lair Auditorium Student Center. Looking for donations to auction currently. Please drop off donations by March 11 to 2205 W. Gibbs Rd. Spokane, WA 99224. Event tickets go on sale soon. Contact Free Rein at: (509) 979-1468 or email: freereinspokane@gmail.com MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. FAMILY OUTREACH CENTER—Crime Victim Advocacy. “Crime victim advocacy services are free to individuals who have been the victim of a crime. As a crime victim advocate our job is to assist victims in developing safety plans, access victim compensation, and provide guidance in navigating the criminal justice and social services systems. Our family emergency services program provides financial assistance for basic needs to local families in the 99202 area code. Also, we offer referrals, individualized life skills in budgeting, family nutrition, and job search activities.” Call: Cindy Hamamoto, Family Advocate, at: (509) 455-8722, extension 206 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE. Thursday, February 16, 2017, Spokane Falls Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane. ”From the Person to the Practical to the Possible” is our theme as we delve into how people with disabilities and their supports can access technology, assess what is pertinent for them, fund it, train to use and maintain the technology and increase independence in all domains of life. Call Jim Corey at (206) 391-8172 or email: jim@gowise.ohorizon THE GUIDED TOUR, INC.—Supervised Travel for Persons with Developmental Challenges and/or Intellectual Disabilities. The new “Rates & Dates” schedule of tours and trips has come out for 2017-2018. There is a great selection of locations and activities in the catalog, which you can request in hard copy form. Call: (215) 782-1370, email: theguidedtour@gmail.com or visit: www.guidetour.com

February 2017

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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Every year, approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner.

It is also known that 3 in 4 parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence. In light of these alarming

facts, every year during the month of February advocates join efforts to raise awareness about dating violence, highlight

promising practices, and encourage communities to get involved.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is defined as a pattern of abuse or threat of abuse against teenaged dating partners, occurring

in different forms including verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and cyber/digital. TDV occurs across diverse groups and

cultures.

Although the dynamics of TDV are similar to adult domestic violence, the forms and experience of TDV, as well as the

challenges in seeking and providing services, make the problem of TDV unique.

What can parents do if they are concerned? They can take action by beginning a conversation with their children. Because

starting a conversation with teens can be daunting, the “No More” campaign has developed a toolkit. The toolkit provides

parents with an easy-to-follow guide complete with sample open-ended questions to start a conversation about teen

dating violence.

This toolkit is free and can be downloaded from http://www.nrcdv.org/dvam/tdvam

(Information for this article came from The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence)

Partnership 4 Safety

RESOURCES Sesame Street Autism Resources—This website offers free tools you can download and print, such as “Daily Routine Cards,” which help break down the steps involved in many daily activities. The site also offers online storybooks such as “We’re Amazing, 1,2,3” and other topics such as making friends, preparing for outings, and care for caregivers. Go to: autism.sesamestreet.org National Autism Center (NAC)—Has informational manuals on their website free to download and print. There are manuals for parents, educators, and practitioners. Go to: nationalautismcenter.org/resources/for-families

February 2017

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Spokane County Parent Coalition

Help Solve the Care Giving Crisis in Washington! If you are the parent of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), there is something you should know: There is a crisis right now in Supported Living services for people with I/DD across Washington. Why? Because there aren’t enough qualified applicants to fill care giving positions at the hundreds of Supported Living homes across the state. It’s hard work, and the pay is so low that people can find easier jobs elsewhere. Nonprofit agencies that provide Supported Living services are experiencing turnover rates for care givers as high as 70%. And now that the state’s minimum wage is increasing, the problem is only getting worse.

What does that mean for your son or daughter with I/DD? If your son or daughter lives in a home where paid staff provides care, it means that he or she may not be receiving the support they need. As a parent, you know how hard it can be to learn a person with I/DD’s communication style, dietary needs, sleep habits and other routines. For some, a subtle signal can be the difference between, “I’m happy” and “I am in crisis.” Good care givers work to understand a person’s needs and routines so that “I’m happy” doesn’t turn into “I’m in crisis.” But when care givers do not stay long enough to learn that information, people with I/DD do not receive the level of care they need. They feel anxious, frustrated or angry whenever they have to “train” a new care giver, and those feelings often lead to challenging behavior—which in turn leads to even more stress on the individual and on care giving staff. What does that mean for care giving staff at my son or daughter’s house? It means that they are often overworked, under-paid and stressed out. Consider this: A typical Supported Living home has two care givers for each shift (day, swing and night) to support up to four people. If one of those care givers leaves, someone has to work a double shift; and if two leave . . . or three? You get the picture. Care giving is hard work; a person literally gives of themselves to see that others are safe and happy. But when there is not enough of a person to go around—if they are exhausted from working double shifts, longing to see their families, worried about not being able to pay the bills—then how much of themselves is there left to give? As a society, we must put our priorities in order and pay care givers what they are worth. What can we do? The State of Washington sets pay rates for care givers. During the state’s 2017 legislative sessions, parents and other family members need to communicate with their elected representatives to encourage them to increase pay rates for Supported Living care givers by $2 per hour. On February 15, 2017, The Arc of Spokane will be chartering a bus to Olympia to meet with Spokane’s state representatives during the legislative session. Parents, guardians, self-advocates, and care givers who have a personal story to share about the care crisis are invited. Plan for a long trip (12 to 16 hours there and back) and prepare a brief statement to share with your elected representative. There is nothing like a face-to-face chat to show them you are serious! If you are willing to travel to Olympia with us, contact Darci Ladwig at the Spokane County Parent Coalition at (509) 789-8327 or dladwig@arc-spokane.org.

February 2017

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Parent to Parent & Parent Training

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING In December, I was able to attend a great workshop called SpoKids 2020. It was for early intervention and social-emotional learning and how important it is for everyone, but especially for kids with special needs. There was a great video called “Are We Crazy About Our Kids” from the Raising of America series. The Zone project is leading a group in developing a common action plan that improves social-emotional readiness for all of Spokane’s kids. Social-emotional learning comprises the skills that help children to make friends, calm themselves when angry, to respectfully resolve disputes, and make safe and appropriate choices in life. If you have worked in a school recently, you know that this skill is greatly needed and is not as well accomplished as it once was. Children need to learn how to live in this world inside and outside of school. This group is working toward a way to help improve the education of children in social-emotional skills, as well as academic skills, before they get into elementary school. These skills not only improve how well kids work together, but also help academic achievement. For more information or to get involved in this much-needed cause, contact Heather Wallace from Spokane Regional Health District at hwallace@srhd.org or 509-324-1646. For more information you can also look at their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/891851294249900/ HELPING PARENTS As the parent of a child with a disability/special health care need, I’m sure you have had the opportunity to learn a great deal. You probably have come to understand the emotions behind the diagnosis, deepened your values with regard to children with disabilities, learned about community resources, and strengthened relationships with others. Would you like to share what you have learned with new parents? Parent to Parent Support is looking for parents who are interested in reaching out to others. You could also benefit from being a helping parent. Sometimes it helps to talk to other people about their problems to work out your own. Please consider becoming a Helping Parent. If you are interested, please contact me, Jennifer Lee, at (509) 789-8323 or by email at jlee@arc-spokane.org SUPPORT GROUPS If you are interested in being involved in a support group but there is just not the right one out there for you, contact me at (509) 789-8323 or by email at jlee@arc-Spokane.org

February 2017

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IS RENT-TO-OWN FOR YOU?

(Some of this information was acquired from the Spokesman-Review)

We sometimes get questions in our office about Rent-to-Own arrangements for home purchases. We hope this will help.

Rent-to-own arrangements between landlords/owners and their tenants exist because the renter is not currently in a position to buy. They may have credit issues or are lacking adequate income.

How does rent-to-own work? Basically, you arrange to pay extra rent to the owner/landlord, and the extra amount you have paid is credited toward the purchase of the property or toward a down payment. This credit is determined by calculating the difference between the “market rent” and the actual rent paid for the last 12 months. (Market rent is determined by an appraiser). Problems can arise:

For one thing, the purchase price is determined at the beginning of the arrangement. And it is locked in. What if home prices were to go down by the time the option period ends? You will have paid too much for the home, or your lender may not be able to finance you because the appraised value is too low.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t end up buying the house, the extra money you paid does nothing for you-it just made your rent higher.

What if you can’t qualify for a mortgage at the end of the term? What if in the meantime you see a home you like better? You are locked in.

If you miss even one larger rent payment the whole deal may be cancelled. And you lose the extra funds you paid up to that point.

You must keep detailed records to present to lenders.

This is a partial list, but by now you may see that these arrangements tend to work in favor of the owner and not you as the renter.

A better plan might be to put aside money as if you were paying extra rent and put it into an account. Pile up as much savings as you can, and go to a local housing counseling agency to see if there is a down payment program you can qualify for. Many such programs exist. The Arc, SNAP, Community Frameworks, and Habitat for Humanity are a few places to contact for information on home purchase help.

Home Ownership Opportunities

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Spokane, WA

Permit #223

The Arc of Spokane

320 E. 2nd Ave

Spokane, WA 99202

(Spokane to Olympia and back) Wednesday, February 25, 2017

Who should go? Parents/guardians

Self-advocates Supported Living Staff

Anyone who has a story to share about the Care Crisis

Seating is limited...sign up now! This will be a long (but fun) day...bring what you need to be comfortable for the trip, such as a pillow, water, rain gear, snacks, etc.

Dinner will be provided.

To sign up or for more information contact: Darci Ladwig at (509)328-6326 email: dladwig@arc-spokane.org

Supported Living Care Crisis Bus Rally