Contact EFMP

Program Manager (808) 257-7773

Training, Educa on, & Outreach Specialist

(808) 257-0290

Family Case Worker (808) 257-8894

Family Case Worker (808) 257-7782

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Explore Hawai’i Polynesian Cultural Center

Do you have family visiting from the mainland for the holidays? December is the perfect time to enjoy a scenic drive up Oahu’s east coast towards the North Shore into Laie to attend one of the islands best luau’s at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Enjoying the surf during big wave season is enough of a reason to make the trip! However, the Polynesian Cultural Center’s luau, Ha: The Breath of Life, will excite and amaze you creating a memorable Hawaiian experience like no other. It is an entertaining story of romance and Hawaiian history, which includes beautiful hula dances, haka’s, and fire knife dancers.

Along with the luau you can choose a variety of different buffet dinners each of which comes with their own hula show.

If you chose to spend the whole day there, the Polynesian Cultural Center has a wide array of activities to teach you and your family about the history and culture of the Polynesian islands.

Visit the ITT at Mokapu mall and purchase tickets at discounted rate for military personnel.

December 2015

The ‘Ohana Observer Exceptional Family Member Program bldg. 219 01555

Celebrate our Abilities this December!

International Day of People with Disabilities is on December 3 each year, and is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The day aims to promote an understanding of people with a disability and encourage sup-port for their dignity, rights and well-being.

Around 15% of the world's population, or one billion people, live with disabilities. People are often unaware of the great number of persons living with disabilities around the world and the challenges they face.

Persons with disabilities often face barriers to participation in all aspects of society. Barriers can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment, information and communications technology, those resulting from legislation or policy, or from societal attitudes and discrimination.

The result is that persons with disabilities do not have equal access to society or services, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation or justice. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.

Home for the Holidays

Visiting family during the holidays can be an exciting, but stressful event, especially for our family members with disabilities. Travel through airports can be made a little bit easier with these programs:

TSA Cares: This program was initiated to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Call the TSA Cares hotline at 1-855-787-2227. TSA cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for

passengers with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances and their loved ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.

TSA Pre-Check: Members of the military, DoD civilian employees, and those issued a Known Traveler Number (KTN) are eligible to participate in TSA’s pre-check program without an application. Children under 12 may

also accompany a qualifying traveler. TSA pre-check travelers get to experience quicker transit through airport security screening, faster moving lines, and do not have to remove belts, shoes, light jackets and 3-1-1 compliant bag and laptop from carry on. To utilize TSA pre-check, members of the military must use DoD ID number when making flight reservations. For procedures for DoD civilian employees, to see eligibility details

and how to apply, go to: http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck.

AAccording to ssa.gov, 56 million Americans, or 1-in-5, live with disabilities. Thirty-eight million disabled Americans, or 1-in-10, live with severe disabilities.

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Christmas Dare Deviled Eggs IIngredients

1 dozen hard boiled eggs ¼ cup non fat plain yogurt (or desired amount) 1 tablespoon mayonnaise ½ teaspoon yellow mustard salt & pepper

Instructions

Cut eggs in half and take out yolks and place them in a medium bowl.

Use a fork to break up yolk until it's super fine. Add yogurt, mayo, mustard, salt & pepper and whip up with spatula until smooth and creamy. Place mixture into piping bag fitted with a 2D tip. Mix 1 cup hot water and 1 tsp food coloring and 1 teaspoon vinegar. The vinegar helps the color stay bright. Place egg whites into the colored water and let sit until desired color is achieved (about 1-2 minutes). Take out egg whites and place on paper towel to allow excess color to drip off. Then arrange eggs on platter. Pipe the egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves.

**Flavor tip: Add a sprinkle of paprika on top for a little extra flavor!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs

Filled with stories of love and understanding for those who care for children with special needs. Chicken Soup for the Soul reminds us that we are not alone in caring for our loved ones.

These stories will provide insight, comfort and connection with others who have walked this powerful and transformational journey.

Want to check it out? Stop by the EFMP office today in building 219.

Guess How I Feel?

The EFMP Lending Library has more than just books. We strive to provide a variety of materials which you can use to both

educate and engage your children.

Guess How I Feel is a fun and interactive game that can teach your children about understanding their own emotions and learning to be empathic to others.

Christma

www.facebook.com/efmphawaii ***No federal endorsements intended***

Ongoing—Poli’s Place. All Keiki are welcome to par cipate in a fun and enriching environment to develop social skills through play. For more informa on, visit: h p://koka.org/polisplace

Ongoing—Armed Services YMCA. Donate or request a food basket for Christmas. (1) Donate tradi onal holiday foods at any of the drop-boxes (one is located at the MCB Hawaii Library). (2) If you or someone you know would benefit from a Holiday food basket, submit your request by 11 Dec to ASYMCA, to receive a food basket for Christmas (phone: 808-254-4719). For more informa on, visit:: h p://www.asymca.org/honolulu-hi/programs

5—Aloha winter ball. Au sm Society of Hawaii is happy to invite all high school students to the Aloha Winter ball at the Pacific Beach Hotel. For more informa on, visit: www.au smsocietyo awaii.org/community-events/

9—Epilepsy Talk Story. Open to anyone living or connected to epilepsy. Meets at 6—7:30PM at EFH Office, Ward Warehouse. 1050 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 2550. RSVP by calling 808-528-3058

11– Special Educa on Advisory Commi ee. Meets once a month August—May from 9AM—Noon to discuss im-portant issues in Hawaii’s Special Educa on system. For more informa on, visit: www.seac-hawaii.org

12– Young Athletes Program. Special Olympics Hawaii welcomes children ages 2– 7 years to learn sport skills at Kaiser High School 9-11AM. For more informa on, visit: h p://www.specialolympicshawaii.org/get-involved/young-athletes-program.html

12—Santa’s Village. Come out to the annual Santa’s Village on Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base Kulia Youth Center. This year's event will be held on, Saturday, 12 December 2015, from 0900 ll 1200. Santa will be available for pho-tos, and there will be games, rides, cra s, ornaments and so much more! FREE! 19—Hawaii Adap ve Paddling Associa on (HAPA). Monthly recrea onal program that provides an opportunity for persons of all abili es and their families to enjoy the ocean together through canoe paddling. Trained volun-teers ensure a safe and controlled environment. 10AM—Noon at Kailua beach park near the restrooms.

21—Sensory-friendly Photo with Santa. Open to all families enrolled with EFMP. RSVP with EFMP to schedule a me to take a photo with Santa. Phone 808-257-0290.

22—EFMP Coffee Hour. Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 8:30—9:30AM at Mokapu Mall Picnic tables. Grab your favorite cup of joe at Starbucks or bring your home-brew and enjoy good company and conversa on. RSVP not required, but appreciated.

25– Merry Christmas. EFMP office will be closed.

31– New Years Eve. EFMP office will be open for regular business hours.

December i l l