BI-COUNTY OBSERVER: Northampton Edition

Editor : Ramona Neidig

Telephone: 610-849-8076 ,

Ext. 325

Sept/Oct 2019

Published six times a year to inform persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the community about programs, trainings & events in Lehigh and North-ampton Counties.

Dear Friends and Colleagues: As you may be know, there are a variety of awareness campaigns held throughout the year. Some are just a day, some are a week long, and some last the whole month. Ranging from silly to serious, here are just a few examples of topics for national recognition:

September is: National Chicken Month National Honey Month National Service Dog Month Yoga Awareness Month (Good Shepherd offers a variety of yoga classes. Call 1-888-44-REHAB) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Month (See p. 4 for local event to be held Sept. 6th in Bethlehem) Healthy Aging Month (See Aging with ID Conference at DeSales on p. 6) Suicide Prevention Month (View film “Suicide: A Ripple Effect” at Harvest Full of Hope on Oct. 22nd.)

October is: National Pizza Month National Bullying Prevention Month (See p. 7 & 8 for related info.) National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (See Eastern PA Down Syndrome Buddy Walk on p.11 )

As we move into autumn, may you enjoy colorful leaves and cooler temperatures.

Ramona Neidig

Support Group Meetings Volume 19, Issue 5 Page 2

GRUPO DE APOYO PARA EL AUTISMO

PADRES QUE TIENEN NIÑOS CON AUTISMO:

Sabado 14 de Septiembre, 2019 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

Los invitamos a un espacio seguro para hablar y conocer a padres como ustedes sin temor a ser juzgados. Cuido de niños: Solo por reservación por lo menos 48 horas antes de la fecha del grupo. Tendremos un orador invitado para nuestra reunión de septiembre: Lisbeth Little, de HUNE (Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales) discutirá Mirando Hacia el Futuro y La Importancia de Tener Altas Expectativas para Sus Niños.

Good Shepherd Plaza (Segundo Nivel) 850 South Fifth Street, Allentown PA

Para Reservar Su Plazo Llame Karina Castillo 484-358-9808 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Easton Area Support Group Faith Lutheran Church 2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton PA September 21, 2019 2:00-4:00 PM

Do you have a child with an intellectual disability or autism? Would you like to meet other families who share your world? It is important to know that you are not alone! We need each other. Although our support group meets in Easton, we welcome participants from across the Lehigh Valley. Our group meets once a month on a Saturday. Our meetings alternate between parental support and free presentations that focus on community resources and special education concerns. See page 4 for details of our September presentation on Functional Behavior Assessments!

For more info or to RSVP, please contact Leslie McKelvey at: 610-554-1988 or Leslie.mckelvey@yahoo.com.

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Last, but Not Least, Here’s a Support Group for GRANDPARENTS!

Second Time Around: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Pinebrook Family Answers is offering a free and ongoing psychoeducational group for grandparents who are caregivers to their grandchildren. The group meets weekly on Thursday at 10 AM. Sessions run for 90 minutes. Free socialization groups are available for children while the grandparents meet. This program is run by Masters Level Behavioral Health Interns at no cost to you. Sessions are held at the agency’s Allentown location on 402 N. Fulton Street.

For more info, please call 610-432-3919, Ext. 4040.

Editor’s Note: National Grandparents’ Day always falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which means in 2019 it lands on Sunday, September 8th. If you are a grandparent & get this newsletter in time:

Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Page 3 Volume 19, Issue 5 Local Task Force Info

Are you the parent/family member of a child who receives special education services? Are you a professional who works with students who receive these services? If so, the Right to Education Local Task Force needs your input! Explanation: In Pennsylvania there are 29 intermediate units. Intermediate units serve as liaison agencies between school districts & the PA Department of Education. Each intermediate unit has a Local Task Force. These task forces were created in 1972 as part of a legal decision known as the PARC Consent. Educators, supports coordinators, family members, & other stakeholders who are interested in the quality and delivery of special education services are welcome. Description: The Local Task Force (referred to simply as the LTF) holds its meetings regularly during the school year. Following a general business meeting, there are often guest presenters. There is also an annual spring conference.

Northampton County Meetings: Meetings are held at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, located at 6 Danforth Drive in Easton. Meetings begin at 10 AM & run until approx. 11:30 AM. Days are Monday, unless there is a snow day. An RSVP is appreciated but not required. The co-chairs are: Leslie McKelvey leslie.mckelvey@yahoo.com Migdalia Neely migdalia.neely@gmail.com Meeting Dates for 2019:

Sept. 16 Oct. 7 Nov. 18 Dec. 18 Guest speakers have been confirmed for the September & October Meetings: On Sept. 16, ASERT will discuss the services of their state-wide autism resource center. On Oct, 7, McAndrews Law Office will offer a presentation on engaging families. For more info, or to RSVP, please contact one of the LTF co-chairs.

Volume 19, Issue 5 Page 4

September 6, 2019 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 7:30 AM-12:30 PM Center for Humanistic Change

555 Union Blvd. Suite 7, Bethlehem PA Editor’s Note: This is a CEU credit event. It is made possible by the PA Department of Drugs & Alcohol, Lehigh County Drug & Alcohol, Northampton County Drug & Alcohol, and Center for Humanistic Change. As we went to press, details were not known about the specific focus of the presentation. The event will be held in the CHC auditorium. Please park & enter at the rear of the building. For further details, you may

contact Center for Humanistic Change: www.thechc.org or 610-443-0491. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _

September 18, 2019 PA Link: Guardianship 9:30-11:00 AM 2801 Emrick Boulevard, Bethlehem PA

Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources, commonly referred to as PA Link, is a cross-age network of partner agencies that collaborate to serve people who require long-term care. PA Link meetings often include guest presenters. The September topic is Guardianship. The Supreme Court of PA entered an order that rescinds and replaces all guardianship rules as well as 4 previously used guardianship forms. The new guardianship rules for PA became effective June 2019. The changes included a more comprehensive reporting form as well as a requirement that potential guardians have

police background checks. For more info, or to RSVP, contact Kim Melusky at kimberymelusky@lehighcounty.org.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ September 18, 2019 Red Flags to the IEP 6:00-8:00 PM The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties

2289 Avenue A, Bethlehem PA Our guest presenter, Attorney Angela Murphy, will review the IEP, focusing on what to look for as well as what to look out for! Feel free to bring your child’s most recent IEP with you. This workshop is very thorough. The topic is a perennial favorite, especially at the start of the school year. Early registration highly recommended. If possible, please register online at www.arcoflehighnorthampton.org/events, or you may call Ramona

Neidig at 610-849-8076, Ext. 325. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

September 21, 2019 Functional Behavioral Assessments 2:00-4:00 PM Easton-area Parent Support Group

2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton PA An FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment) is a process for collecting information about problematic behavior so that positive interventions can be developed. A special education attorney from McAndrews Law Office will discuss the methods used to determine the causes of behavior, steps in a functional assessment, behavior as a form of communication, positive behavior approaches and much more. To RSVP, please contact

Leslie McKelvey at 610-554-1988 or Leslie.mckelvey@yahoo.com.

September Events

October Disability Resource Fair Vol. 19 Issue 5 P.5

SAVE THE DATE...

Editor’s Note:

This event is open to the general public. You do not have to be served by IU 21 in order to attend. Families affiliated with IU 20 are also welcome. Last year there were over 30 vendors, and family attendance was excellent. If you are interested in a vendor table for your organization, don’t delay. Space is limited. Please email localtaskforce21@gmail.com for more info.

Even though it is a bit early for Halloween, kids (and vendors, too) can feel free to come in costume!

Page 6 October Trainings Vol. 19, Issue 5

Oct. 9, 2019 Your Will and Why You Need One 6:00-7:30 PM Hosted by The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties 2289 Avenue A, Bethlehem PA

If you do not have a will, this presentation will cover the basics, and basically, Everyone Needs One! A will brings peace of mind. Through a will you can make sure that your wishes are honored after your death, explain how your assets should be distributed, select the person who will serve as executor, designate the guardian for any minor children, provide for a family member with a disability, & reduce death taxes & estate administration costs. Attorney Gregory Reed will hold an informal presentation and take questions from the audience. If possible, please register online at www.arcoflehighnorthampton.org/events.

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Oct. 22, 2019 Harvest Full of Hope Mental Health Conference 8:00AM-3:30 PM ArtsQuest/Steel Stacks

101 Founders Way, Bethlehem PA This annual conference is free, with a light lunch provided. The purpose is to provide mental health outreach to decrease the stigma of mental illness. As always, this event offers ta great opportunity to visit a large number of provider tables. Workshop topics include sensory interventions, recovery, holistic support for mental health, nutrition, autism, navigating through trauma, OCD and much more. At 3:30 PM there will be a screening of a very powerful film: Suicide: The Ripple Effect. Please register

electronically at www.bit.ly/2Mc8u6L.

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October 24, 2019 Aging with ID: A View from a Different Lens 8:00 am-3:00 pm DeSales University Center

2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley PA In order to better support individuals & families through the lifespan, it is necessary to understand the whole individual. Thus, the keynote address is “Full Diagnosis” rather then “Dual Diagnosis”. The conference free is $45.00. Breakout workshops include addiction, driver education, adaptive computer access, problem solving, & mindfulness. Continuing education credits are available for social workers, nurses, and personal home administrators. Please send your check by Oct. 11 to the attn. of Onalise Witty, Lehigh County Aging & Adult Services, 17 South 7th Street, Allentown PA 18101.

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October 25, 2019 Neuropsychological Evaluations for Adult Clients 10:30 am-11:30 am Hosted by The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties

2289 Avenue A, Bethlehem PA Dr. Renee Cantwell will discuss the components of a neuropsychological evaluation. This type of evaluation assesses brain functioning & helps determine what is interfering with effective functioning. It is especially useful when the issues concern working, competency, guardianship, or disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, learning disorders, dementia, & traumatic brain injury. If possible, please register electronically at www.arcoflehighnothampton.org/events or call Ramona at 610-849-8076, ext. 325.

School & Special Education Info Page 7 Volume 19 Issue 5

Bullying in School (See Next Page for More Info) Bullying is one of the most serious challenges facing schools. Some surveys have indicated that children view bullying as their worst childhood experience besides losing a loved one. Victims of bullying may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and in some cases suicidal thoughts. Victims view school as an unsafe place. In fact, many students refuse to go to school to avoid the possibility of being bullying. Bullying also affects

students who are witnesses. The toll-free PA Bullying Prevention Consultation Line invites individuals experiencing bullying to discuss effective strategies and available resources to manage school-based bullying. It is available at no cost to students, parents/guardians, and school districts. The Bullying Prevention and Consultation Line is 1-866-716-0424. Messages left will be returned during normal business hours Monday through Friday. This number is not monitored 24 hours a day/seven days a week and should not be used for emergencies. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Services of the Office of Dispute Resolution The Office of Dispute Resolution provides services to families of children with disabilities and families of students who are considered gifted, along with the educational agencies that support them. Services include: ConsultLIne (800-879-2301) ConsultLIne is a statewide toll-free line to answer special education-related questions. Information is available on special education law, parental rights, the complaint process, & dispute resolution options. IEP Facilitation Facilitation is voluntary. It is available when the local educational agencies (LEAs) & parents agree to have a neutral person (the IEP Facilitator) attend the IEP meeting. The goal is to prevent the need for a due process hearing. Mediation If both parties agree, the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) will arrange for a neutral, specially-trained mediator to help parties resolve conflicts. Mutually agreed upon solutions are documented in a legally binding mediation agreement. Resolution Meeting Facilitation When a parent requests a due process hearing, the school & parents must hold a resolution meeting within 15 days unless both sides agree to waive the meeting & try for mediation instead. If both parties agree to have a neutral person at the resolution meeting, ODR will end a facilitator. If an agreement is reached, a due process hearing might not be needed. Due Process (The LAST Resort!) A due process hearing may be requested by either the parent or the LEA. It may be requested with respect to issues pertaining to identification, evaluation, placement, or provisions of FAPE (Free & Appropriate Public Education). Due process is a last resort. ODR also offers free one-day trainings on Creating Agreement. To learn more, visit www.odr-pa.org or call 800-222-3353.

Page 8 October is National Bullying Prevention Month Volume 19, Issue 5

Unity Day October 23, 2019

Together against bullying. UNITED for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Make it ORANGE and make it end! What are your true colors when it comes to showing that you believe that all youth should be safe from bullying? Come together in one giant ORANGE message of hope and support, WEAR AND SHARE ORANGE to color our nation, and even the world, visibly showing that our society believes that no child should ever experience bullying. “ORANGE provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity,” said Paula Goldberg, Executive Director of PACER Center. “Whether it’s hundreds of individuals at a school wearing ORANGE, store owners offering ORANGE products, or a community changing a landmark to ORANGE, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior.” _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Want to Know More about Bullying? Talk to your school personnel. Find out your school district’s policies & procedures. Don’t let an incident of bullying go unaddressed! The PACER Center, the source of the Unity Day idea, is an excellent resource for all kinds of disability-related and special education issue for children. Their strong bullying prevention outreach includes: PACER.org/Bullying This is a portal for parents & educators to access resources, including educational toolkits, awareness toolkits, contest ideas, & promo0tional products. PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org Created by & for teens, this website is a place for students in middle school and high school to find ways to address bullying, take action, be hear, and “own” an important social cause. PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org A creative, innovative, & educational website designed for elementary students to learn about bullying prevention, engage in fun activities, and be inspired to take action.

P.9 Independent Monitoring for Quality Volume 19, Issue 5

Page 10 ID/MH Services Volume 19, Issue 5

Editor’s Note: What follows is some basic information that bears repeating due to how frequently the same questions arise. What is an MH/ID office? n Pennsylvania, Medicaid-funded mental health and developmental services are administered at the county level. To get these services in your county, you need to contact your county MH/ID office. If you or your child need services, your County MH/ID office will be able to help you apply, enroll, and get services if you or your child are eligible. The county office is also referred to as the Administrative Entity, or AE for short.

What Services are Offered? Early Intervention for kids younger than three years old. Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS, or wraparound) for kids younger than 18 years old. BHRS provides one-to-one supports for children with serious emotional or behavioral challenges. Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) waivers for people with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities of all ages. This includes the consolidated waiver, person/family directed support waiver (P/FDS waiver), and the community living waiver. Waivers are programs that provide services for people who need extra support to live independently in their communities. County MH/ID offices also manage mental health services for children and adults and substance abuse services. If you're not sure what services and supports that you or your child needs, call your county MH/ID office.

What are the Info & Referral Numbers in Lehigh and Northampton County? Lehigh County 610-782-3200 Northampton County 610-829-4800 Staff are trained to answer a wide variety of questions & can make helpful referrals. If you are not sure what department to ask for, let the I &R staff advise you.

I need an intake. What do I do first? Since the majority of our readers live in Northampton County, here is what you need to do for an intake for an intellectual disability (ID): Call 610-829-4800. Ask for the “eligibility assessor” in the Developmental Programs Department. Within 30 days you should have a meeting scheduled. Documentation to bring with you may include: psychological evaluation with a diagnosis (IQ score), school documents (re-evaluation with IQ score), & adaptive rating scales.

Fun & Fitness P. 11 Volume 19, Issue 5

Friendship Dances at Hope Lutheran Church Rte. 248, Cherryville PA

These very popular dances will resume on September 16, 2019. Dances

are held on the 3rd Monday of each month from September through

May. Fee is still only $5.00. No need to RSVP. Please park in the rear

of the church and enter from the rear. The entrance will be on your

left. The other doors will be locked.

Questions? Contact Judy Dieter at 610-767-9170 or dietervj@aol.com.

Dance Dates

2019 Sept. 16 Oct. 21 Nov. 18 Dec. 16

2020 Jan. 20 Feb.17 March 16 April 20 May 18

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Lehigh Valley Sneaker Club (Special Needs Exciting Activities for Kids who Enjoy Running)

Monacacy Park 100 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem PA Starting September 14th at 9:00 AM

Run for fun and run at your own pace. This running club will meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, starting at 9 AM. The club is geared for youth, teens, and young adults with special needs who will be accompanied by

a “running buddy”. This club is not competitive. The goals are fun, friendship, and fitness. After the running and exercise, feel free to join the group for brunch at Denny’s.

Contact: Charles Morris at 215-251-4331 or Kathi Morris-at 484-542-9637. You may also email morriseaston@aol.com.

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20th Annual Lehigh Valley Buddy Walk October 5, 2019 Cedar Crest College 100 College Drive, Allentown PA

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Since 1995, the Buddy Walk has become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States. Locally, this event is held as an outreach of the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center. The center is located at 6900 Hamilton Boulevard in Trexlertown. Their website is www.epdsc.net.

Funds raised at the Buddy Walk benefit Lehigh Valley families affected by Down syndrome. Register today at www.give.classy.org/LVBuddywalk. For more info, please call 610-402-0184.

Published six times a year for persons receiving services from the Intellectual Disabilities Departments in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Ramona Neidig, Editor 610-849-8076 (Ext. 325)

rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org Funded by Lehigh & Northampton Counties’ MH/ID Departments under contract with The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

The Bi-County Observer is available by e-mail. The electronic newsletter arrives much earlier than the hard copy version. Please consider saving some trees and making the switch. Contact Ramona Neidig to be added to the newsletter. Phone: 610-849-8076 (Ext. 325) E-mail: rneidig@arcoflehighnorthampton.org

The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Inc. 2289 Avenue A Bethlehem PA 18017

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