Embedded Files
Here are some excellent safety resources to share with your families.
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center’s Preparing for the Future educational workshops cover a variety of important topics to help you plan ahead with confidence. Register for any of these events through SARRC's Eventbrite page. A Zoom link will be sent to the email address provided at registration.
Sept. 19: Guardianship and Alternative Options
Matthew A. Gobbato, Attorney at Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., will provide attendees with insights into guardianship, limited guardianship, and the new Supported Decision-Making (SDM) law, highlighting how SDM differs from traditional guardianship
Date: Friday, Sept. 19
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m. (AZ Time)
Location: Virtually by Zoom
Oct. 3: Special Needs Trusts
Join legal expert Megan Selvey of Bivens & Associates Law Firm as she provides participants with a foundational understanding of the different types of special needs trusts and guidance on determining which option is best for their child or adult with special needs.
Date: Friday, Oct. 3
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m. (AZ Time)
Location: Virtually by Zoom
Oct. 31: Creating a Lifecare Plan
Karen Starbowski, SpecialCare Planner at MassMutual Arizona, will review the key components of creating a Life Care Plan and how these decisions can shape the long-term well-being and quality of life for a loved one with special needs when you’re no longer here.
Date: Friday, Oct. 31
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m. (AZ Time)
Location: Virtually by Zoom
Nov. 7: Government Benefits
Presented by Charlotte Johnson, this workshop will explore the significant changes that come with turning 18, particularly regarding government benefits for individuals with disabilities, such as eligibility for SSI and reassessment for DDD.
Date: Friday, Nov. 7
Time: 9:00-10:00 a.m. (AZ Time)
Location: Virtually by Zoom
Family Education and Support program that is grant-funded and open to anyone in the state of Arizona raising a child with vision loss. It is free and there are no barriers to accessing support (such as diagnosis, enrollment in a program, location, age of child).
We offer:
Family Navigation
Social Events
Educational Opportunities for parents/caregivers
Emotional Support, both in groups and 1:1
Here's the link to learn more: https://seeitourway.org/programs/family-support-and-education/
Learning Disorders & ADHD Resources for Families & Schools
These resources — videos, articles, fact sheets, and a college toolkit — focus on both the learning needs and emotional well-being of kids with learning disorders.
Read More / En español
Upcoming Programs & Events from DSNetwork
Tuesdays UPLifted Voices Singing Group
November 15 – Down Syndrome Walk Arizona at ASU Homecoming
December 13 – Winter Wonderland Holiday Brunch at Ashley Castle
Parenting tips
Parenting tips
Critical brain connections for higher-level abilities like problem-solving, empathy, and self-control are formed—or not—in the early years. Without positive interactions and stimulation, these essential connections may not develop fully, making it much harder to build them later in life.
Critical brain connections for higher-level abilities like problem-solving, empathy, and self-control are formed—or not—in the early years. Without positive interactions and stimulation, these essential connections may not develop fully, making it much harder to build them later in life.
Family guides for promoting resilience and supporting social-emotional development
Promoting Resilience For Now and Forever, Preschoolers
Promoting Resilience For Now and Forever, Infants/Toddlers
These guides have two goals: (1) help readers learn what healthy social and emotional development looks like in young children, and (2) give families easy-to-use strategies that support social and emotional development and resilience. They're great resources for parents and any adult family member with a young child in their life.
Available from our partners at Kaplan Early Learning Co.
The Birth to Five Helpline is here for you to help answer questions, provide support, and offer resources. You can give us a call or encourage a family to call!
The Birth to Five Helpline specialists are available to support all families, caregivers, and professionals in Arizona. If you work with families and are interested in a presentation, please get in touch with us. We can arrange presentations at a time that will work for the families you work with in English or Spanish. The presentations can be in person or virtual, depending on your location and needs.
We are here, just a phone call, email, or text away, every Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.! Contact us at 877-705-KIDS (5437) or visit birthtofivehelpline.org
Hope Haircuts
A Sensory-Friendly Salon Service for Children with Autism and Special Needs
A Sensory-Friendly Salon Service for Children with Autism and Special Needs
Click Here for more information
From: JacksonWhite Elder Law
The following is the link to the current edition of our booklet entitled How to Qualify for Long-Term Care Benefits, which includes information on ALTCS, VA Wartime Pension, advance directives, guardianship/conservatorship, and estate planning:
There are many things happening within the government that are affecting the disability community on a national and state level, including potential cuts to DDD/ALTCS. ALTCS is a program that helps a wide range of ages and disabilities. There many are facets of this program to maintaining lives and quality of life. We encourage you to share your voice and personal stories. It is important to do this in a positive and respectful manner. It is vital to stay connected while also ensuring the well-being of your mental health. We will share more details on our advocacy efforts in the days to come and throughout the year. We frequently share updates across our social media channels. We are constantly working behind the scenes with our community partners to improve the systems of care for the disability community. We recommend viewing the Arizona State Legislature's website FAQs to learn how to become involved. Click the button below to seek and connect to your legislators. Learn More
Services Before High School Graduation
Students with disabilities and their families may find the journey of transition planning nerve wracking. In the 3E series, OSERS provides examples of intentional transition planning for families concerned about the support their students with disabilities will need.
Gut-Brain Axis Therapeutics
90% of children with Autism have chronic gut infections which affect the gut, body, and brain. Sometimes they cause obvious gut symptoms, but sometimes the only symptoms are worse Autism symptoms. Learn more about our discoveries from our free webinars by clicking here.
DES contracts directly with Community Action Agencies and the Arizona Community Action Association. These agencies work with other community agencies within their service area to provide additional services. Contact your local Community Action Agency to get help with: utilities, eviction, foreclosures, rental deposits and shelter. Arizona Self Help is a free and easy way to find out if your family can get help from 40 different health and human services programs. Wildfire - formerly known as Arizona Community Action Association, represents all community action agencies across Arizona. They are the statewide voice for local agencies and low-income citizens, and the primary source for advocacy, education, technical assistance, news, and networking for community action in Arizona. Here is the link to the Community Action website on the Dept of Economic Security.
Playful Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
With support from the LEGO Foundation, we created these handouts with playful, age-appropriate activities for children, from newborns to adolescents, that are easy to do at home or just about anywhere.
Postpartum Support for Families
Welcoming a new baby into the family is a unique experience for parents and caregivers.
Though it’s often a time of joy and wonderment, it’s also a vulnerable time as caregivers move through feelings of uncertainty and get to know their baby.
Caregivers may feel overwhelmed, depressed and have frequent mood changes while navigating sleep deprivation, soothing a fussy baby or simply meeting the new demands of parenthood.
Birth to Five Helpline Specialists can offer emotional support and guidance during this tender time, as well as connect families with ongoing mental health resources in the community to meet their specific needs.
If you are working with a family who could use support, encourage them to give us a call or call together.
Additional resources are available through ZerotoThree.org. Click Here
Building Resilience Through Play
Play contributes to sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. To learn more about how play contributes to the development of resilience, listen to this episode of The Brain Architects podcast.
Play in Early Childhood: The Role of Play in Any Setting
When children play, they can reduce sources of stress, strengthen core life skills, and build responsive relationships with caring adults—all of which are core principles of early childhood development. Watch this video to learn more about the importance of play.
Raising Special Kids has classes and events in English and Spanish for parents. Some classes are online and others are in person. To check out the schedule of classes available to you click here.
Funding for early intervention explained
Funding for early intervention explained
In Arizona, early intervention services are provided at no cost to families. The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) uses multiple funding sources, including private health insurance, Medicaid/ Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), and state and federal funds, to pay for a child’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C services. Using all possible funding sources helps maximize AzEIP’s resources to ensure the program is available for all infants and toddlers and their families at no charge.
To learn more, view "A Family's Guide to Funding Early Intervention Services in Arizona," talk to your Service Coordinator, or contact AzEIP at AzEIP@azdes.gov.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Promotes Newborn Screening Education Through Video Series
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) released an educational video series focused on newborn screening. This series aims to increase awareness and understanding of the state's newborn screening program, which tests all newborns for rare but serious medical conditions.
The video series answers important questions for new parents and caregivers, such as: what newborn screening is, what happens if an infant’s test result is out of range, and information about follow-up care for babies with screened conditions.
Click Here to access the ADHS Site for more info. Click Here to access the video series.
Here is a Strong Families Toolkit to track and get more information.
AzEip website updates and resources
AzEip website updates and resources
Did you know that you can contact the AzEIP office when it is convenient for you? Reach us by sending a message from our website and our team will contact you during regular business hours.
Family Feedback - We want to hear from you! AzEIP welcomes feedback about your family’s early intervention experience. Please tell us how your provider has made an impact on your child and family.
Birth to Five Helpline
Birth to Five Helpline
Parenting Help is a Phone Call Away. Call the Birth to Five Helpline at 877-705-KIDS (5437).
Parenting Help is a Phone Call Away. Call the Birth to Five Helpline at 877-705-KIDS (5437).
Young children don’t come with an instruction manual. You’re going to have questions. There will be times when you can use some advice. Sometimes you just need someone to listen. The Birth to Five Helpline is here to help.
CDC’s Milestone Tracker App
CDC’s Milestone Tracker App
Milestones matter!! Track your child’s developmental milestones from age 2 months to 5 years. This free app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play for IOS and Android in English and Spanish.
Features in the app includes:
Milestones Tracker - Track your child's development progress by looking for important milestones using an interactive checklist.
Tips and activities - Support your child's development at every age.
Milestone Summary - Get a summary of your child’s milestones to view, and share with or email to your child’s doctor and other important care providers
Appointments – keep track of your child’s doctors’ appointments and get reminders about recommended developmental screenings. And More!
The pArentZ pod – The Arizona baby and toddler podcast by First Things First – features interesting conversations with early childhood experts and information you can use to be the best parent you can be. Hosted by K Vilay, each episode also lets you know where you can find early childhood programs and services in your Arizona community. You can now listen, download and subscribe to FTF’s pArentZ pod on Apple Podcasts or Google Play.
How to Support Young Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
Voices for CASA Children invited our Program and Training Director, Meghan Hays Davis, on their podcast, By Their Side: Advocating for Children in Foster Care. Listen Here
Maternal Mental Health Programming
Charlie Health’s virtual IOP offers a curated maternal mental health program for perinatal and postpartum clients. This program includes evidence-based groups and personalized individual therapy designed to treat the unique needs of clients struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and/or postpartum depression (PPD).
We know that new moms are busy, tired, and often feel isolated. That’s why we offer:
Flexible scheduling
Entirely virtual access
20+ free family support groups
Group session with other new moms and parents
Individual therapists who specialize in PPD and PMADs
Comprehensive family therapy
Reach out today:
www.charliehealth.com
(866) 491-5196
outreach@charliehealth.com
Specialized Neurodivergent Curriculum
Charlie Health's virtual IOP is proud to offer specialized clinical curriculum for neurodivergent clients who may have autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent conditions, along with other co-occurring mental health issues. Our program provides a safe and healing space for clients to deal with the challenges that come with living in a neurotypical world, together.
Each client's personalized treatment plan includes:
Curated peer group
Individual therapy
Family therapy
Neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed clinicians
Free family support groups
Reach out for support:
www.charliehealth.com
(866) 491-5196
outreach@charliehealth.com
Valleywise Health
Valleywise Health
Family Resource Center Locations
You and your family should always feel supported and confident in your ability to manage every aspect of your life.
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) at Valleywise Health provide you with all the support and tools you need to keep your family safe and healthy.
View Locations Offering this Service
Charlie Health Family Programming you to our free open Family Support Groups
Free and open to the public. Please click the link below to register for groups like:
Parents & Caregivers of Adolescents
Parents & Caregivers of Young Adults
Parents & Caregivers of LGBTQIA+
Families of Color
El Grupo de Cuidadores en Español (Spanish-speaking only)
Neurodivergence and Your Family
Allies of Young Adults
RSVP by Clicking Here
Mondays 5:00pm PT • 6:00pm MT • 7:00pm CT • 8:00pm ET
In celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month, DEC SC CoP Resource is sharing some additional resources from Hands & Voices for families with children who have hearing impairments. Hands & Voices is a parent-driven organization that supports families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without bias around communication modes or methodology.
Resources include:
Family Support Activities Guide promotes family learning in well-being (how you are doing), knowledge (what you need to know), and empowerment (the confidence to get where you are going). It can be used by families and those providing family support.
8 Reasons to Say Yes to Early Intervention for Your Child who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing(D/HH) illustrates the importance of EI as soon as there is a confirmed diagnosis.
5 Reasons to Say YES to Assessments in Early Intervention gives families a vision of their role as their child’s best advocate in those first valuable years in EI and beyond.
Parent Tip Sheets provide fun, everyday activities to enhance infants' cognitive, social, emotional, language, pre-literacy, and literacy development.
Language, Literacy, and Social Development Additional parent tips sheets are also available.
Resource: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many new moms feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after the baby is born.
Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But if these feelings last for more than two weeks, and make it hard to carry out daily tasks, like caring for themselves or their family, a mom may have perinatal depression or anxiety. These are common and treatable health conditions during or after pregnancy. And that's why a new mom, or those supporting them, should reach out right away for help.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
24/7, free, confidential hotline for pregnant and new moms in English and Spanish
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262.
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