lairmer loop summer 2012
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter for families and kids with special needsTRANSCRIPT
The weather was chilly but the response was warm for the 4th Annual Flying Pig Charity 5K Run/Walk. Scores
of sponsors, contributors, volunteers, runners/walkers and spectators gathered at Spring Canyon Park Sunday,
April 15th to prove that there is no end to what this community can accomplish. 300 runners/walkers complet-
ed the route and qualified for an array of fabulous prizes. Several children under 10 yrs participated in the
“Piglet Walk”. Each received a free T-shirt and a goody bag filled with toys, gift certificates, and a “flying pig”
decorated cookie. Numerous volunteers donated their time and efforts before, during and after this event to
ensure its success. 48 sponsors financed the race, provided food and beverages for the post run/walk brunch,
and/or donated items and gift certificates used for the prizes awarded age group winners and winners of the
random drawing. Foot of the Rockies/Runlimited Timing set up the course, and officially timed each run-
ner/walker. All Occasions Catering served the delicious brunch. Community members offered emotional sup-
port to families and friends of race participants as well as the Family Support Services Program Council at Foot-
hills Gateway Inc. We would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors, contributors, volunteers, run-
ners/walkers and all other community supporters for making this event a tremendous success! Enjoy the photo
montage of race day on page 3 of this newsletter. Please take note of our sponsors listed on page 2. Whenever
you visit one of these businesses thank them for supporting the 4th Annual Flying Pig 5K Run/Walk. Next
year’s race is scheduled for April 14, 2013. Save the date!!
-Family Support Services Program Council
Summer 2012
What’s inside the
Loop
5K Sponsors
Page 2
5K Pictures
Page 3
FSSP Staff
Page 3
Support Groups
Page 4
Online Resources
and Support
Page 5
Bulletin Board
Page 6
Children’s Medicaid
Buy-In Program
Page 7
HCP Staff
Page 7
Drowning facts
Pages 8-9
Unified Play Group
Page 10
Safe Fun in The Sun
Page 11
Who’s Who at the
Loop
Page 11
Page 2
Special Thank You to all of the Sponsors of
The 4th Annual Flying Pig Charity 5KRun/Walk
SILVER SPONSORS
ALL OCCASIONS CATERING
CHICK –FIL A SAM’S CLUB
GSI GALLEGOS SANITATION
MORNING FRESH DAIRY
POUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
PUBLIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION
WALMART DISTRIBUTION CENTER # 6019
BRONZE SPONSORS:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Center
Advanced Medical Imaging Consultants
All About Braces ATG Rehab
Big O Tires Brinkman Partners
Consuelo’s Express Coren Printing
KineticWise
Eye Center of Northern Colorado
Green Ride Colorado
IBMC Markley Motors, Inc.
Old Town Athletic Club
Old Chicago
Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies
Starbucks Coffee The Tooth Zone
Walmart #4599 and #6019
Walrus Ice Cream
Contributors:
Albertsons - Riverside and Lemay, Char-
co Broiler,
Discover Massage,
Eddie's Wholesale Meats,
Edible Arrangements,
Littwin Carpentry,
Speech & Language
Stimulation Center,
Walgreen's,
Walmart #4599 & 6019,
Yancey's
Page 3
Foothills Gateway Inc.
Children’s Case Management
Coordinator/Part C Coordinator
Sondra Lee
(970) 266-5424
Children’s Case Managers
Malori Webb
970) 266-5422
Paige Rose
(970) 266-5426
Billy Hurst
(970) 266-5395
Pam Miller
(970) 266-5409
Sarah Varble
(970)266-5437
Stacie Seim
266-5418
Matt Cloven
266-5445
Christie Sebesta
266-5411
Amy Wulbecker
266-5394
Joan Sugarman
266-5439
Katie Dockery
266-5425
Laura Veradt
Family Support Services
Program Council Members
Trista (Tree) Roecker
(Parent)-Chairperson
Gayle Timm (Parent)
Brenda Tuttle (Parent)
Maria Donohue (Parent)
Shawna Hodges (Parent)
Cheryl Pugh
(Community member)
Kim Walkenhorst
(LCDHE –Healthy Communities)
Debbie Lapp
(Foothills Gateway Inc.)
Sondra Lee
(Foothills Gateway Inc.)
Page 4
Support Groups
Parents of Asthmatic &
Allergic Children
Meetings quarterly-call for
dates and times
Cindy Coopersmith
(970) 495-8153
Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren Support Group
Loveland Support Group
Meets the 4th Monday of every
month,
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Lifespring Covenant Church,
743 S. Dotsero
Loveland, CO
Fort Collins Support Group
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each
month, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Foothills Gateway Inc
301 W Skyway Dr
Fort Collins, CO
Daycare provided at both groups.
For more information, contact Josh
Rabe at
(970) 6669-7550 or
(970) 290-1624
Mile High Down Syndrome
Larimer County
New Parent Group
Focus: birth to 5 years old
Meets on the 3rd Friday of
each month from 6:30-8:30pm
Vineyard Church of the Rockies
1201 Riverside Ave
Fort Collins, CO
Contact:
(303) 797-1699
Northern Colorado Circle of
Friends Community Group for
families of children with Down
Syndrome ages 5 to 12 who live in
the Greeley, Windsor, Ft. Collins,
Loveland, Estes Park, Red Feather
Lakes, Wellington and Berthoud
areas . We plan a social activity in
the Summer and Fall (~July and
October) and have a mix of
meetings with and without formal
presentations to allow us to get to
know one another and share
information about how our kids
are doing. (September, January,
February, and May) We meet the
second Saturday of the month
from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at
Crossroads Church, 5420 N. Taft
Avenue, Loveland, Colorado. For
more information, contact Bernie
Connell (970) 221-3758 or send
an email to
A-Team Parent/Community Group
Provides advocacy and mentorship
to Thompson School District
families of students on the
Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
Meeting Dates to be announced.
Please contact: Cecilia Gasner
Autism Specialist
Exceptional Student Services
(970) 613-6771 [email protected]
D.I.S.H Dietary Intervention
Support and Hope
provides personal one on one
FREE consultations and individual
meetings. These services are open
to anyone who is inquiring, starting
out or is a veteran of the gluten-
free, casein-free diet and
biomedical interventions.
Contact: Phyllis Zimmerman
(970) 206-4979
Email: [email protected]
Larimer County
Epilepsy Support Group
Provides support for people
with epilepsy, their family and
community members.
For further information contact
Amanda Jaksha
Moms Night
Support and friendship for
Northern Colorado Mothers of
Children with and without special
needs.
Meets the last Wednesday of
each month 7-9pm
Locations vary. Please contact
:Brenda Tuttle at
(970) 267-8705 or email
Upcoming dates and locations are:
July 25, 2012
Taverna Greek Grill
4235 S College Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80525
August 29, 2012
Maya Cove
802 West Drake Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
September 26, 2012
East Moon Asian Bistro & Hibachi
2400 E Harmony Rd #102
Fort Collins, CO 80528
More than a BUMP on the
HEAD…If you or someone you care
about is dealing with brain injury,
you do not have to do it ALONE!
TBI CONNECTIONS support group
in Northern Colorado, invites you
to join us.
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the
month
Westbridge Medical Suites –
Conference Center
1107 S. Lemay Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
For more information please
contact
Arla 970-221-1114.
Poudre School District Special
Education Advisory Committee
SEAC is comprised of teachers,
school staff, service providers
(occupational and speech
therapists, psychologists, etc),
community members and parents
who advocate for quality special
education in Poudre School
District.
During these meetings you’ll have
a chance to:
• Listen to speakers providing up-
to-date information
• Participate in and provide input
for
upcoming programs and events
• Network and socialize with other
parents
• Enjoy dinner on us! Childcare
provided.
Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday
of the month
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Shepardson Elementary
1501 Spring Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
For further information contact:
Sandy Stoltzfus
(970) 490-3225 or
Your Are Not Alone
A support group for families of
children with special needs.
Sponsored by Larimer County
Autism Society
Meetings are held bi-monthly on
Sunday s from 2-4pm
Reader’s Cove
100 E Harmony Road #C
Fort Collins, CO
For further information or to RSVP
contact: Tina Boyer at 970 980-
7525 or email
Special Online Support for
Parents of Special Kids is a
list serve for parents who
reside in Northern Colorado.
To join email
or contact
Brenda Tuttle at
(970) 267-8705.
www.p2p-co.org
Parent-to-Parent of Colorado
We are a non-profit organization
committed to quality Parent to
Parent support across Colorado.
We offer encouragement to each
other on the journey of parenting
our sons and daughters with
disabilities or special health care
needs. We do this by providing
emotional and informational
support, resources and by
matching parents seeking sup-
port with a support parent.
www.peakparent.org
PEAK Parent Center .
800-284-0251
The mission of PEAK Parent
Center is to provide training,
information and technical assis-
tance to equip families of chil-
dren birth through twenty-six
including all disability conditions
with strategies to advocate suc-
cessfully for their children. As a
result of PEAK’s services to fami-
lies and professionals, children
and adults with disabilities will
live rich, active lives participat-
ing as full members of their
schools and communities.
www.arclc.org
The Arc of Larimer County advo-
cates for all individuals who
have developmental disabilities
to have opportunities and choic-
es for inclusion and involvement
in all aspects of life within our
communities.
www.autismcolorado.org
Autism Society of Colorado
Our mission is to promote the
quality of life for people with
autism spectrum disorders and
their families.
FortCollinsAspergers_Austim@yahoo
groups.com A group for parents, caretakers,
teachers, of children on the au-
tism spectrum to share infor-
mation in the Larimer County,
Northeastern Colorado areas.
www.uchsc.edu/atp
Assistive Technology Partners
800-255-3477
Device exchange program, data
base of potential AT funding
resources. Make and Take di-
rections on various low cost AT
adaptations and devices. Com-
munity based demonstrations,
annual conference
www.ccdconline.org
Colorado Cross Disability
Coalition
(303) 839-1775
Information and assistance on
disability rights issues for youth
and adults. Advances legislation
and public policy impacting the
disability community
www.cde.state.co.us/index_spec
ial.htm
Colorado Department of Educa-
tion-Exceptional Student Leader-
ship Unit
(303) 866-6694
Website resources on special
education law/school/district
programs etc. FAST FACTS on a
variety of topics. Information on
educational specialists, parent-
professional partnerships
www.citizensforpatientsafety.org
Citizens for Patient Safety
(303) 226-5526
Patient safety information and
referral. Advocacy training for
those who have family members
in the hospital. Support for fami-
lies/individuals dealing with
legal issues in the medical sys-
tem
www.cdhs.state.co.us/ddd
Division for Developmental
Disabilities
(303) 866-7450
Provides various services to
individuals with developmental
disabilities. Administers children
and family program, adult pro-
grams. Information on CCBS
(Community Centered Boards)
www.eastersealscolorado.org
Easter Seals Colorado
(303)233-1666 x237
Respite, including Discovery
Club, weekend programs and
summer camp. Warm water
therapy and aquatic programs.
Employment services/support,
transition trainings, transporta-
tion assessments.
www.eicolorado.org
Early Intervention Colorado
888-777-4041
Connects families with early
intervention services to help
infants and toddlers under age
three grow and develop as well
as help their families in the pro-
cess
www.elgrupovida.org
El Grupo Vida
(303) 904-6073
Information, referrals and sup-
port groups for Spanish speak-
ing families of children with spe-
cial needs. Annual free confer-
ence.
www.empowercolorado.com
Support, education, advocacy for
families of children/youth with
mental health issues. Support
groups throughout the state.
Statewide listserve
www.familyvoicesco.org
Advocacy for children with spe-
cial health care needs. Assists
families in navigating health
systems including Medicaid,
Medicaid waivers and private
insurance
www.guardianshipallianceof
colorado.org
Guardianship Alliance
of Colorado
(303) 228-5382
Information and referral on
guardianship, including volun-
teer guardianship matching pro-
gram. Information and training
for those wishing to become a
guardian for a family member
who is 18 yrs or older.
www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/P
EP.asp
Parents Encouraging Parents
(303) 866-6846
Free conference including lodg-
ing and meals, held twice per
year at various statewide loca-
tion (apply early as waiting lists
occur frequently). Brings to-
gether parents and professional
for education on supporting your
child in school and
the community
www.thelegalcenter.org
The Legal Center for People with
Disabilities and Older People
800-288-1376
Advice on the legal rights of peo-
ple with disabilities.
Publishes: “Everyday Guide to
Special Education Law”
DS-Autism Connection - Offered
in collaboration with the Denver
Adult Down Syndrome Clinic
(DADSC) and the Autism Society
of Colorado (ASC).
Focus: Providing support, educa-
tion, resources and inspiration to
families, health care providers,
teachers and community sup-
port persons who provide care
and services to individuals with
Down syndrome and au-
tism/complex behaviors.
Interested? Please email rob-
[email protected] to learn
how to join our listserve and to
receive updates on this new
initiative. Please email familypro-
[email protected] to be invited
to join our new listserv for fami-
lies and providers (All ages)
Online
Resources and
Support
Page 5
BULLETIN BOARD
New Medicaid Resource Availa-
ble from The Arc
The Arc is excited to announce
a valuable new resource avail-
able at www.thearc.org to help
guide people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities
and their families through the
complexities of Medicaid bene-
fits, services and supports. The
Medicaid Reference Desk of-
fers detailed, state-by-state
information about Medicaid
benefits, a glossary of terms,
answers to frequently asked
questions, person-centered
planning resources and a blog
from The Arc’s training special-
ist about issues related to
Medicaid, self-advocacy and
person-centered planning.
Medicaid is the largest source
of financing for disabilities
services in the United States.
For people with disabilities and
for those who provide their
care, Medicaid serves as a
valuable safety net. Often the
only source of financial assis-
tance for health care, Medicaid
plays a critical role for people
with disabilities in providing
coverage and access to care.
Medicaid is, however, extreme-
ly complicated. At least half of
the funds for Medicaid pro-
grams come from the Federal
government with the remain-
der coming from state funds.
Federal law contains detailed
requirements and limitations
on eligibility, services, and
financing. But, state law varies
widely.
This project was made possible
by a grant from the U.S. De-
partment of Health and Human
Services, Administration on
Developmental Disabilities
(Grant No. 90 DN0215). We
encourage you to explore the
Medicaid Reference Desk via
the Resources section of
www.thearc.org or
www.thedesk.info.
Colorado Special Education
Advisory Committee Annual
Planning Retreat
7/19/2012 - 7/20/2012
8:30:00 AM - 3:30:00 PM
CSEAC is a state-level commit-
tee mandated by federal and
state law. Members are inter-
ested in the quality of educa-
tion received by children/youth
with disabilities. The commit-
tee includes parents of and
individuals with disabilities,
educational service providers,
administrators and representa-
tives from a variety of related
agencies. Participation is
statewide and representative
of diverse disabilities.
Location: TBD
Contact Information:
DeLinda Rose
303-866-6943
Assisted Cycling Tours (ACT)
Is a non-profit organization that
provides bike trips for people
with physical and developmen-
tal disabilities and their fami-
lies.
For further information email:
or call (303) 578-ACT1
Building Communication
Through Music
Offered by:
MusiClinic &
Speech and Language
Stimulation Center, Inc.
It’s a natural harmony of
speech-language therapy
& music therapy
to facilitate your child’s
basic social communication
skills!
Thursdays 10 – 11 am
7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9
Speech Stimulation Language
Center, Inc.
317 North Meldrum
Fort Collins 80521
To register, call 970-495-1150
Class size is limited – Call ear-
ly!
For more information, visit
www.MusiClinic.com/SLSCMT
Registration Deadline: July 6,
2012
Join us for the Grand Opening
of our Sensory Play Center
Saturday, September 29th
10am – 3pm at 441 N Denver
Avenue, Loveland
Tyler's Place is a Non-profit
that provides a place in the
community (Northern Colora-
do) for children and young
adults with disabilities and
their families. At Tyler's Place
these children can develop
important social skills, receive
support, and build their self-
esteem.
For more information:
Email:
Colorado Children’s Immuniza-
tion Coalition
Weld and Larimer County
Annual Dinner Event
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
5:30pm - 8:00pm MDT
McKee Medical Center
2000 Boise Ave.
Loveland, Colorado 80538
McKee Wellness Center
The dinner's featured speaker
is Alison Singer, President of
the Autism Science Founda-
tion.
Tentative schedule:
5:30-6:00 registration and
vendor displays
6:00-6:30 Dinner buffet
6:30-7:30 Speaker presenta-
tion
7:30-8:00 Awards and ques-
tions
Continuing Education Credit
Available.
Contact Samantha Orozco,
Immunization Coordinator for
Weld County Department of
Public Health and Environ-
ment, for more information:
To register, please visit:
www.childrensimmunization.or
g/weldandlarimerdinner
In Partnership with the Autism
Society, AMC Cinema Saver 6
is Offering Sensory Friendly
Films to Families Affected by
Autism on a Monthly Basis
here in Larimer County.
The program provides a special
opportunity for families to en-
joy their favorite films in a safe
and accepting environment.
The auditoriums dedicated to
the program have their lights
up, the sound turned down and
audience members are invited
to get up and dance, walk,
shout or sing!
For further Information contact
AMC Cinema Saver 6
2525 Worthington Cir
Fort Collins, CO 80526
888-AMC-4FUN
High Park Fire Health Assis-
tance information
Available at
http://larimer.org/highparkfire
Social Thinking
Denver Conference
Oct 4-5 2012
Early Bird and Group Discounts
Now Active for Professionals
AND Parents
Michelle Garcia Winner Brings
Her Latest Strategies to Colora-
do
This conference is designed for
professionals and parents
working with students who are
experiencing social communi-
cation and related emotional,
behavioral and academic chal-
lenges (high-functioning au-
tism, social communication
disorder, Asperger's, ADHD... or
no diagnosis).
For further information visit:
http://socialthinking.com/conf
erences/workshops/denver-
Page 6
Health Care Program
for Children with Special Needs
Mailing Address and Phone Number:
Health Care Program for
Children with Special Needs
Larimer County Department
of Health and Environment
1525 Blue Spruce Dr
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 498-6732
Larimer County Staff
Team Leader/Community Heath Services
Director
Averil Strand, RN, MSN
(970) 498-6760
Nursing Coordinator
Cindy Bradrick, RN BSN
498-6747
Program Coordinator
Ginger Hillyard, BSW
(970) 498-6732
CO-HEAR Regional Coordinator
Annette Landes, SLP
(970) 217-9532
Family Regional Consultant
Brenda Tuttle
(970) 267-8705
Nutrition Regional Coordinator
Donna Uhlrich, RD
(970) 498-6732
OT/PT Regional Coordinator
Caryn Stanwyck, MS, PT
(970) 691-1223
Social Work Regional Coordinator
Meagan Walker, MSW
(970) 498-6733
Audiology Coordinator
Nancy Alexander, MA, CCC-A
(970) 586-6812
Page 7
NEW! Health Care Coverage for Children with Disabilities Medi-
caid Buy-In program for Children with Disabilites (Children’s Buy-In)
Improving access to cost-effective, quality health care ser-vices for Coloradans Colorado.gov/hcpf
DID YOU KNOW? Beginning July 1, 2012, a new Medicaid program will be available for
children with disabilities under age 19. Eligible families will pay a
monthly premium based on their income so that their child can receive
health care coverage through Medicaid.
The Children’s Buy-In Program may help you if…
Your child with a disability needs additional health care coverage;
or
Your child with a disability is currently without health care cover-
age; or
Your family’s income/resources are too high to qualify for Medi-
caid/CHP+ or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or
Your child is on the waitlist for a Medicaid waiver; or
Your child does not meet the level of care to qualify for a Medicaid
waiver
How Children’s Buy-In works… Eligible families pay a premium based on household income and fami-
ly size
Premiums are based on adjusted monthly income on a sliding
scale. For information on how to estimate your monthly premium
payment, please refer to the Children’s Buy-In Income Chart and
Premium Guide on the Children’s Buy-In Web page:
Colorado.gov/hcpf/MedicaidBuyInPrograms
Children’s Buy-In provides Regular Medicaid benefits.
Children must have a disability, but do not need to meet a certain
level of care to qualify.
There is no waitlist for the Children’s Buy-In.
Children on the waitlist for a waiver may be able to stay on the
waitlist AND be enrolled in the Children’s Buy-In – (inquire for
additional information).
Medicaid will act as secondary coverage to “wrap-around” your
primary health insurance.
LEARN more and where to APPLY:
For more information
Visit the Web at: Coloado.gov/hcpf/MedicaidBuyInPrograms
Call 1-800-221-3943 and ask about the Children’s Buy-In program
Apply
In person at your local county department; or
Online at Colorado.gov/PEAK
Page 8
Drowning deaths increase up to 89% in the summer months
Larimer County, Colorado — It’s a warm summer day and you’re at the beach, pool, or just simply near water with
your kids. Your cell phone rings and you answer it, shifting your focus from your kids to the conversation. Good
idea? Not at all, according to Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc. and it could even be deadly. Children can get into trou-
ble in a matter of seconds when around water, so Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc. recommends that parents actively
supervise – with their eyes on their kids at all times – and use additional layers of protection when children are
in or near the water.
In the U.S., Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-14 years old. Nation-
ally approximately 750 children ages 14 and under die each year due to unintentional drownings, and on aver-
age, there are an estimated 5,016 injuries to children after near-drowning incidents each year.
“Kids drown quickly and quietly,” said Trista Roecker, founder of Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc. “A drowning child can-
not cry or shout for help. It is important to remember that simple steps save lives – supervise children when they
are in or near water, learn water safety skills like swimming and CPR and for home pools and spas, use barriers
and anti-entrapment devices. The most important precaution for parents is active supervision. Simply being near
your child is not necessarily supervising.”
To help keep kids safe this pool and outdoor recreation season, Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc. in partnership with
Safe Kids Larimer County, recommends these precautions:
Always actively supervise children in and around water. Don’t leave, even for a moment. Stay where
you can see, hear and reach kids in water. Avoid talking or texting on the phone, preparing a meal,
reading and other distractions. Avoid drinking alcohol while supervising children.
Never let children swim alone.
Strongly discourage children from prolonged breath holding, breath holding contests, and prolonged
underwater swimming as these can and have caused drowning and sudden death from passing out
while in the water (called Shallow Water Blackout). Physical exertion, repeated hyperventilation and
breath-holding increase the risks of Shallow Water Blackout.
Talk with teenagers about “risky behavior,” including diving or swimming in unfamiliar water, and the
dangers of alcohol or drug use when engaging in recreational water sports or swimming.
If you have a pool or spa, or if your child visits a home that has a pool or spa, it should be surrounded
on all four sides by a fence at least four feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates that lock.
Studies estimate that this type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drownings
in residential pools.
Teach children about the dangers of swimming around drains. Children should not swim or play near
any drain or suction outlet.
Make sure all pools and spas have compliant anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices to
ensure safer places for children to swim.
.
Drowning is Quick and Quiet, So Keep
Your Eyes on Your Kids around Water
Page 9
Know how to swim and enroll your kids in swimming lessons. Swimming lessons will not make your
child immune to drowning, but it is an important skill for both adults and children to learn. There is
no substitute for active supervision.
Don’t leave toys in or near the pool, where they could attract unsupervised kids. For extra protection,
consider a pool alarm and alarms on the doors, windows and gates leading to the pool.
Don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as “water wings” and noodles; these toys should never be
used in place of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. If your child can’t swim, stay within an arm’s
reach of the child.
Learn infant and child CPR. In less than two hours, you can learn effective interventions that can give a
fighting chance to a child whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped. Contact your local hospital, fire
department or recreation department for information about local CPR classes.
Learn how to use rescue equipment.
Keep rescue equipment, a phone and emergency numbers nearby in case there is an emergency.
Even a non-fatal drowning incident can have lifelong consequences. Kids who survive a non-fatal drowning
may have brain damage, and after four to six minutes under water, the damage is usually irreversible. Although
90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many acknowledge that they engage
in other distracting activities at the same time – talking, eating, reading or taking care of another child.
“A supervised child is in sight at all times with your undivided attention focused on the child,” said Trista
Roecker. When there are children in or near the water, adults should take turns serving as the designated
“Water Watcher,” paying undivided attention. Visit www.safekids.org to download a free Water Watcher badge.
For more information about drowning and water safety, contact Safe Kids of Larimer County at 970-495-7504
or visit www.safekids.org or www.macksmission.org
Safe Kids Larimer County works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disabil-
ity to children ages birth to 14 years old. Safe Kids of Larimer County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a
global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental childhood injury. Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc.
was founded in 2011 by Trista Roecker, the parent of a non-fatal drowning victim, and works to reduce the
number of fatal and non-fatal drowning that occur each year.
Contact: Mackenzie’s Mission, Inc
Page 10
Unified Play Group
Summer 2012 A play group for children of all ages and abilities
Child (ren) must be supervised by a “personal care provider” at all times. (A “personal
Care provider” is defined as a person who accompanies the child and assists the child
with all daily living skills.) Please note that this is not a respite group.
Thursday, July 12 10am-12pm, City Park Pool, 1599 City Park Avenue, Fort Collins, CO
Entrance fee required.
Wednesday, July 18 10am-4pm Water World, 88th & Pecos, Denver, CO
Entrance fee required, Bring your own lunch.
Friday, July 27 10am-12pm, “Take a Hike Scavenger Hunt”, Location TBA, Wear comfortable shoes.
Please RSVP (970) 689-0823
Friday, August 3 3:30pm-5:30pm Greeley Family Fun Plex, Adventure Island. 1501 65TH Avenue, Greeley, CO
Entrance fee required. Bring a swimsuit and change of clothes.
Friday, August 10 10am-12pm, Chippers Lanes,217 West Horsetooth Road, Fort Collins, CO
Fees required. Please RSVP (970) 689-0823
Friday, August 17 10am-12pm, City Park Pool, 1599 City Park Avenue, Fort Collins, CO
Entrance fee required
Sunday, August 26 Family End of Summer MESSY, Tie-dye Party, ()116 E Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO
bring an item to tie-dye
Any entrance fees/passes are participants responsibility. If you have questions or need additional information please contact
Gayle Timm, Family Support Services Program Council Member or Rusty Richardson, Parent at (970) 689-0823 or email at
Have a Safe and Fun Summer!!
Page 11
Who’s Who at the Larimer Loop
Newsletter Editor:
Brenda Tuttle,
HCP Family Consultant
and FSSP Council Co Chair
(970) 267-8705
Newsletter Review Team:
Ginger Hillyard,
HCP Program Coordinator
(970) 498-6732
Kim Walkenhorst,
EPSDT Coordinator and
FSSP Council Member
(970) 498-6755,
Sondra Lee
Children’s Case Management
Coordinator at
Foothills Gateway Inc
(970)266-5424
Tim O’Neill
Executive Director at
Foothills Gateway Inc.
(970) 226-2345
Debbie Lapp
Director of Resource
Coordination and
Development at
Foothills Gateway Inc.
(970) 226-2345
Averil Strand, RN, MSN
HCP Team Leader/Community
Health Services Director
(970) 498-6760
Health Care Program for
Children with Special Needs
Larimer County Department
of Health and Environment
1525 Blue Spruce Dr
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 498-6732
Foothills Gateway, Inc.
301 W. Skyway Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: (970) 226-2345
Safe Fun in the Sun
We all need some sun exposure; it's our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us
absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn't take much time in the sun for
most people to get the vitamin D they need, and repeated unprotected exposure to the
sun's ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression,
and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.
Most kids rack up a lot of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, so it's important that
parents teach their children how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. With the right precautions,
you can greatly reduce your child's chance of developing skin cancer.
Avoid the strongest rays of the day. Usually 10am-4pm. On cloudy, cool or over-
cast days, UV rays travel through the clouds and reflect off sand, water, and even con-
crete. The “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.
Apply and reapply protective sunscreen. For kids age 6 months and older, select
an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent both sunburn and tanning. Choose a sunscreen that
states on the label that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays (referred to as
"broad-spectrum" sunscreen). In general, sunscreens provide better protections
against UVB rays than UVA rays, making signs of skin aging a risk even with consistent
use of sunscreen. To avoid possible skin allergy, don't use sunscreens with PABA; if
your child has sensitive skin, look for a product with the active ingredient titanium di-
oxide (a chemical-free block). Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure and
30 minutes after exposure begins, then reapply after kids have been swimming or
sweating.
Cover Up. One of the best ways to protect your family from the sun is to cover up and
shield skin from UV rays. Ensure that clothes will screen out harmful UV rays by plac-
ing your hand inside the garments and making sure you can't see it through them. Be-
cause infants have thinner skin and underdeveloped melanin, their skin burns more
easily than that of older kids. But sunscreen should not be applied to babies under 6
months of age, so they absolutely must be kept out of the sun whenever possible. If
your infant must be in the sun, dress him or her in clothing that covers the body, in-
cluding hats with wide brims to shadow the face. Use an umbrella to create shade.
Use protective eyewear for kids. Sun exposure damages the eyes as well as the
skin. The best way to protect eyes is to wear sunglasses. Not all sunglasses provide
the same level of ultraviolet protection; darkened plastic or glass lenses without special
UV filters just trick the eyes into a false sense of safety. Purchase sunglasses with la-
bels ensuring that they provide 100% UV protection.
Educate yourself on your child’s medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any
prescription (especially antibiotics and acne medications) and over-the-counter medi-
cations your child is taking can increase sun sensitivity. If so, always take extra sun
precautions. The best protection is simply covering up or staying indoors; even sun-
screen can't always protect skin from sun sensitivity caused by medications.
Know the signs and symptoms of sunburn. Sunburn can happen within 15 minutes
of being in the sun, but the redness and discomfort may not be noticed for a few
hours. Mild symptoms include: skin redness and warmth, pain and itchiness. Severe
symptoms include: skin redness and blistering, nausea, pain and tingling, fever and
chills, swelling, dizziness and headache. Seek Emergency Medical Care if: a sun-
burn forms blisters or is extremely painful, there is facial swelling, the sunburn covers
a large area, fever and chills are present after getting sunburned, headache, confusion
or feeling of faintness, signs of dehydration (increased thrist or dry eyes and mouth)
Be a good role model. Consistently wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater, wear
sunglasses, and limit your time in the sun. These preventive behaviors not only re-
duce your risk of sun damage, but teach your kids good sun sense.
Larimer LOOP
C/O Brenda Tuttle
Family Support Services Program Council
Foothills Gateway Inc.
301 W. Skyway Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
(970) 267-8705
Have you received two copies of this newsletter? Would you prefer to receive this newsletter electronically or in Spanish?
Please contact Brenda Tuttle at (970) 267-8705.
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Fort Collins. CO
Permit No. 483
You care about people and it shows.
You are generous with your time, giving of your energy,
lavish with your unselfish deeds. Larimer County will remember your kindness
For years to come Thank you for keeping our County and State safe
It really means more than words can say.
Special thanks to all the Firefighters, Larimer
County employees and Volunteers who continue
to work endless hours to keep our citizens safe.
You are our Heroes!