News from the Caroline County Public Schools –

 Parent Resource Center

Have a Great Spring Break! April 10-17th

April 27, 2017- Continuing Workshop Series (Sponsored by the FACT Committee) SSI/SSDI What is it?  How do I apply for it?   @ the disAbility Resource Center – 409 Progress St, Fredericksburg, VA – 7:00-8:30pm   Registration NOT required. 540-373-2559

Diploma Options
The VDOE has posted a new video training for parents and students to help explain the different diploma options available in Virginia and to share any pertinent info you may need. CLICK HERE to view.

• Join PEATC this spring for FREE NEW webinars!
  Participate LIVE or access on-demand LATER. Topics to include:Music Therapy, Homeschooling and Special Needs, Post-Secondary Transition, Homework Strategies, and Understanding Trauma

Sleep-Away Summer Camps:

This isn’t an exhaustive list and it’s not an endorsement…just thought I’d share a few ideas with you before summer sneaks up on us 🙂

• Camp Baker located near Pocahontas State Park in southern Chesterfield County
  Camp Baker is a barrier-free, fully accessible facility providing a rewarding, rustic camp experience for individuals ages 6 through adult with developmental disabilities. Week long summer sessions include activities, such as: swimming, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, dance & theatre arts, arts & crafts and a variety sports, while providing care and supervision from a well-trained team of counselors, specialists and program directors. There is nursing staff on site to provide medical services and a low staff-to-camper ratio.
• Young Life Capernaum Camp @ Rockbridge
  August 12-16, 2017
  Rockbridge Alum Springs is near Lexington, VA. This camp offers high adventure, delicious food, first-class cabins, incredible music, and Young Life club with 500 others campers. Campers will play hard, eat well, laugh a lot and have an opportunity to grow in their faith.
• Camp Easter Seals in New Castle, VA
  Camp Easter Seals provides a traditional camping experience for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Located in Craig County near Roanoke, VA, in a beautiful mountain setting. The camp features eight separate living cabins and various activities including an outdoor swimming pool and Craig Creek for canoeing. Programs and accommodations for:ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Asthma, Autism, Cerebral Palsy,Cognitive Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Deaf and Hard Of Hearing, Learning Disabilities, Muscular Dystrophy, Physical Disabilities, Social Skills, Speech Impairments, Spina Bifida, Tourette Syndrome, Vision Impairments
• Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, VA
  This camp is for children with special medical needs & chronic illnesses, autism and/or social/communicative challenges come to have fun, challenge themselves, take safe risks, and learn to better manage their healthcare…without having to worry about being different, being excluded, or being the odd one out. Staff focuses on the Camper, not the illness, and are committed to providing a positive experience for every child while they are at Camp.
• Camp Virginia Jaycee in Blue Ridge, VA
  Camp Virginia Jaycee provides a recreational and educational experience for individuals with autism or an intellectual disability. The programs are designed to give campers new outdoor experiences that provide opportunities for socialization and recreation. Current activities include: swimming, arts & crafts, music, sports & recreation, dances, hayrides, talent & skit shows, campfire programs, scavenger hunts, and tons more…

Down Syndrome:

• Registration is now open for the Summer Employment Academy 
  The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) is so excited to open this unique learning opportunity to teens with down syndrome (ages 16+) looking for an enriching summer opportunity! The Summer Employment Academy will immerse your teenager in a creative and fun soft skills employment course two days per week at the DSAGR office and then a career exploration/soft skills practice opportunity two days per week at local businesses. The Academy is open to students with Down syndrome ages 16+ that are still eligible for school services.

LD /ADHD:

• LD on-line has a great resources. Click on the link to check out their site and look over their resources.

Mental Health:

• The 55th Annual Children’s Mental Health Symposium:
  Crossing the Threshold –Transitioning from Youth to Adulthood
  Friday, April 28, 2017 7:30 am – 4:30 pm in Richmond
  Focused on the mental health & service needs of transition-aged youth, age 16 – 24
  Topics explored include: the developmental milestones of transition-aged youth. Learning tracks include Prevention; Treatment; Community School, Family Interventions and Complex Needs.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Why Many Autistic Girls Are Overlooked
  Becky Arky at ChildMind.org states that even when girls’ presentation is clearer, they can be overlooked.
  They often go undiagnosed because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they mask symptoms better than boys do. They don’t fit the stereotypes or their symptoms are misinterpreted as something else. Click the above link to read the article.
• VCU Autism Center for Excellence (VCU ACE)
  Roadmap to Independence series – Entering High School
  As they continue through the Roadmap to Independence, their next stop is high school. Because high school is such a complex topic, this month they’ll discuss the transition to high school. Next month they’ll tackle success in high school and the preparation for life beyond graduation!Resources you need to know:

Paragon Autism Services:
1st Saturday of each month from 10 to 12 p.m.

Paragon’s Lego/Train Club at our Chatham office.  We provide Legos and trains for the children.  Older individuals bring Lego Games and are provided a separate room. The children have fun and the parents exchange information, stories, and comradery.

2nd Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.  Paragon Autism Services and ASNV co-host a Support Group in our Princess Ann St. office   Every other month a topic which has been requested by the group is presented by a local professional.  February has free discussion on the agenda and March has a presentation scheduled for transition services.

3rd Wednesday of each month from 5-7 p.m

Paragon’s Special Needs Night at KD’z Kidz World where we rent the entire facility and limit attendance to 50 children to ensure safety.  It proves to be a fun evening for both children and their parents!!!!

4th Thursday of each month from 12 to 1 p.m.  Rappahannock Area Autism Council Lunch and Learn held at the dRC.  This event is a unique opportunity for parents and caregivers of individuals with Autism to ask questions and seek information from local service providers.

• Autism Society-Central Virginia (AS-CV)
  Whether you’re new or have been involved in the ASD community for a while the AS-CV is the #1 resource for you and your family. They offer a wealth of information and resources, as well as, social, support and sibling opportunities. Becky Boswell, Bradford Hulcher, Tammy Burns and the rest of the team are committed, knowledgeable and passionate about helping you and your family. Be sure to check out their ‘meetings and events’ page.
• Community Services Board (CSB)
  The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides prevention, treatment, employment and support services for Caroline citizens and families with mental health, substance use and intellectual disabilities. They work collaboratively with schools, law enforcement, and social services. They can also assist you with case management, counseling, crisis services, and general parenting education.
• Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
  The department offers a wide array of specialized services, supports, resources and programs for Virginia residents of all ages who are experiencing significant visual disabilities. The DBVI is committed to providing quality services to assist Virginia’s citizens who are blind, deafblind or vision impaired in achieving their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence.
• Department of Social Services (DSS)
  and the CSB work very closely together to serve you, your child and your family. They help to ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have access to the best services and benefits available to them, such as: Financial Assistance, Medicaid Waivers, Health Financial Assistance, Family & Individual Services, Services for Children, and Services for Adults.
• Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR)
  DSAGR is a wonderful resource. They strive to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.
• Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
  DARS can assist you with many things. They collaborate with schools in providing Transition Services. They offer Employment Services help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep a job. We have a residential training and medical rehabilitation center known as Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, and they process disability claims for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs.

For more information on any topics addressed in this email, please contact the Parent Resource Center.

Have a great spring break!!

Susan