Re: best state to relocate to....

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 12:03:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jhawk329@... writes:

> Any suggestions ?

>

> Not Virginia.

>

> Cheryl

People with disabilities are here today to remind us that equal justice under

the law is not a privilege but a fundamental birthright in America.

                            Senator Ted Kennedy, during the Senate's passage

of ADA-July 13, 1990

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 2:08:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

nickysmom@... writes:

> (Carlisle)

>

My husbands favorite place to visit in July ... for the Mopar show so he can

buy stuff for his drag cars! ;-)

Cheryl

People with disabilities are here today to remind us that equal justice under

the law is not a privilege but a fundamental birthright in America.

                            Senator Ted Kennedy, during the Senate's passage

of ADA-July 13, 1990

[Guest guest]

Well.....stay away from Arizona...that is for sure.

I have heard that Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota are the best. There

is an ARC website that tells you where they rank in sp ed.

[Guest guest]

I like it here in South Central Pennsylvania. The schools in Dallastown School

District are really good about inclusion and also have excellent sports programs

for all kids. Jordan is in a Karate class (not through school) and will be

doing some equestrian therapy in the fall. She's currently enrolled at Camp

Pennwood for the next six weeks.

Judi

best state to relocate to....

My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no longer afford to live

nicely on Long Island, we are looking to move out of NY......but since we have

(age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an area that has awesome

resources for him and yet our other " typical " children.

Any suggestions?

Jacqui

[Guest guest]

I'll have to agree with Judi on this. We live about an hour north-west of

her, and we've had good experiences with the school district here (Carlisle)

as long as you will stand up for your rights. We've had a very active group

of parents who came before us who have been 'educating' the schools here.

Our UCP has a rec. aide program that provides summer 'helpers' (at no cost

to parents) for kids with disabilities so they can fully participate in

typical day camps. Nicky and several of the kids we've grown up with go to

the local YMCA outdoor adventure day camp with the help of summer rec

aides.

The MH-MR county agency is pretty good about educational seminars several

times a year. They also have a respite care/babysitting service which we've

rarely used, but may soon as we no longer have live in teenage babysitters.

I hear there is an active aurora club, or maybe its ARC, that is active

with the young adults.

There is a year round parent initiated recreational program that does

soccer, bowling, baseball and basketball in various community settings.

We've been involved in this for the last 6 years. Non competitive, very

relaxed, includes siblings, and lots of fun for all ages.

Alas there is no organized DS group in our three county area anymore. Used

to be two, but they both dissolved due to lack of participation as the kids

got older.

Special olympics is pretty active, haven't tried that yet, but intend to

get involved in swimming this next year, as this is Nickys great love.

It's not perfect here, but all in all pretty good.

a

mom of three,

including Nicky, 12 years old, DS, Hirschsprungs, & " I'm so full of myself

cause I'm almost a teenager " syndrome.

best state to relocate to....

>

>

> My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no longer afford to

live nicely on Long Island, we are looking to move out of NY......but since

we have (age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an area that has

awesome resources for him and yet our other " typical " children.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

> Jacqui

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 12:28:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jls1995@... writes:

>

> I like it here in South Central Pennsylvania. The schools in Dallastown

> School District are really good about inclusion and also have excellent sports

> programs for all kids. Jordan is in a Karate class (not through school) and

> will be doing some equestrian therapy in the fall. She's currently enrolled

> at Camp Pennwood for the next six weeks.

I'd second this. They also have great medical insurance for our kids. I've

heard other parents describe it as filling in the gap between expenses and

personal insurance.

Judi, do you know what I'm talking about?

Kathy, Liam's mom( 5)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 12:03:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jhawk329@... writes:

> My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no longer afford to live

> nicely on Long Island, we are looking to move out of NY......but since we have

> (age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an area that has awesome

> resources for him and yet our other " typical " children.

>

Jacqui,

You might try other places within the state. I have family upstate in

Duchess county. The taxes are much lower and the schools have more inclusion.

They

have plenty of sports and rec programs for their kids.

Kathy, Liam's mom( 5)

[Guest guest]

As someone who lives in Michigan and serves on our State Interagency

Coordinating Council, I can tell you that services and attitudes vary from

county to county and school district to school district. Some counties in

Michigan do a great job with early intervention services, providing it in the

home, others operate on a special education model, where the kids attend special

education classes in centers. However, Michigan currently provides special

education services until the age of 26, , and when that was in danger of being

lowered a couple of years ago, parents convinced legislators that it should

remain the same.

Re: best state to relocate to....

Well.....stay away from Arizona...that is for sure.

I have heard that Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota are the best. There

is an ARC website that tells you where they rank in sp ed.

[Guest guest]

,

A New Yorker moving to the mid west??????

Move to the city- more affordable, no lack of services. No land either! LOL

~ Mom to 12 DS and Diabetes Type 1 and 9 NY

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 8:26:43 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

linman42@... writes:

> A New Yorker moving to the mid west??????

>

Well, I'm from the midwest....and living in the southwest. Never been to the

BIG APPLE, and not sure I want to. My brother lives in NY state not near the

city.

Arizona is SO bad on all mental health services or anything to do with

children. I work in the foster care system as a Transition Consultant and a

foster

parent, I parent children with sp needs and in the mental health system, and

my husband is an Early Interventionist with DDD and believe me.....if there is

ANY money in Arizona it is NOT going to anything in those areas! could

get paid easily 3 times what he gets here if we moved out of state!

[Guest guest]

Stay far away from Illinois. We moved up here from

Texas 3 years ago and didn't thing the south was

farther advanced in anything.

One more time - Illinois = BAD

Texas had great services in the Fort Worth school

district.

Jeff (Illinois = bad)

--- Jacquie Hawkins <jhawk329@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no

longer afford to live nicely on Long Island, we are

looking to move out of NY......but since we have

(age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an

area that has awesome resources for him and yet our

other " typical " children.

Any suggestions?

Jacqui

[Guest guest]

You got that right, Jeff!!! Illinois=bad news!!! If you move to our state,

be prepared to fight for everything!!!!

..

[Guest guest]

Doesn't it really depend on the city or county as well? I'm in Dekalb

county in Georgia and my experience so far has been very good and from

what I've heard the school system is pretty good. But, I've heard other

counties in the metro area are just awful. It's interesting, there are

two other boys w/DS who are in our neighborhood, my daughter's brownie

leader has a son w/DS, there is a boy with DS in her grade and I met a

mom with a 2 y.o. with DS at a swim meet a few weeks ago.

Anne mom to Nicky age 9 months, and 2 others

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/4/2003 11:45:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

aedevaux@... writes:

> Doesn't it really depend on the city or county as well?

For school age yes, but as adults, it is the state that rules what happens.

How many people here with adults can tell us about the employment benefits,

the medical insurance, the living situations, and any additional schooling or

job training that is provided for their adults with disabilities.

Cheryl in VA, where adults are not well taken care of

People with disabilities are here today to remind us that equal justice under

the law is not a privilege but a fundamental birthright in America.

                            Senator Ted Kennedy, during the Senate's passage

of ADA-July 13, 1990

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/5/2003 7:59:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

drf218@... writes:

> We should seeing as we are in the " land of high taxes " (a drawback)

>

I thought NJ had that title up there! ;-)

Cheryl in VA

People with disabilities are here today to remind us that equal justice under

the law is not a privilege but a fundamental birthright in America.

                            Senator Ted Kennedy, during the Senate's passage

of ADA-July 13, 1990

[Guest guest]

I also have to say PA provides good services. Of course depending where you are

there are always some " bad eggs " . We should seeing as we are in the " land of

high taxes " (a drawback)

Di

best state to relocate to....

>

>

> My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no longer afford to

live nicely on Long Island, we are looking to move out of NY......but since

we have (age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an area that has

awesome resources for him and yet our other " typical " children.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

> Jacqui

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

After moving around the country in the military for 's 22 years of

school, I can honestly say there is NO good state or great place to move. We

are in No VA, and moved here to escape Northern Michigan, we were there

exactly 11 months!

I would say look at what your family needs first, economics, job

availability, housing costs, schools for all your kids. Once you can narrow

that down go visit during the school year. Call first to talk to parents

from the local DS support group there and call the PTI to have them send you

a copy of that states laws for special needs. Make an appointment to see

classrooms at several schools, don't show up announced and do not make any

mention of your child having DS.

Housing is always an issue, no matter where you are but what seems worse is

finding jobs once the student has graduated. One of the major reasons we

have stayed here is the government employs a lot of adults with various

disabilities.

I met a woman last week from PA who is so miserable about the school system

there, that she is now homeschooling all her kids, two with disabilities,

yet we have parents on this list happy with PA!

Good luck,

Rejoice!

Amie

mom to 22yrs

[Guest guest]

After moving around the country in the military for 's 22 years of

school, I can honestly say there is NO good state or great place to move. We

are in No VA, and moved here to escape Northern Michigan, we were there

exactly 11 months!

I would say look at what your family needs first, economics, job

availability, housing costs, schools for all your kids. Once you can narrow

that down go visit during the school year. Call first to talk to parents

from the local DS support group there and call the PTI to have them send you

a copy of that states laws for special needs. Make an appointment to see

classrooms at several schools, don't show up announced and do not make any

mention of your child having DS.

Housing is always an issue, no matter where you are but what seems worse is

finding jobs once the student has graduated. One of the major reasons we

have stayed here is the government employs a lot of adults with various

disabilities.

I met a woman last week from PA who is so miserable about the school system

there, that she is now homeschooling all her kids, two with disabilities,

yet we have parents on this list happy with PA!

Good luck,

Rejoice!

Amie

mom to 22yrs

[Guest guest]

Something else to remember--not only are there differences between states,

districts, and even schools, but finding a place you are happy with doesn't

guarantee that the school/district/state will continue to be what you

originally thought it was and/or wanted.

One of the bits of advice we got early on was not to base major family

decisions on disability and not to let our family life revolve around the

disability. While I agree that parents should look into the school

situation and avoid places that are terrible, I also agree that parents

shouldn't base a move just on or primarily on that one element.

There is more to life, after all.

Judi

Re: best state to relocate to....

After moving around the country in the military for 's 22 years of

school, I can honestly say there is NO good state or great place to move. We

are in No VA, and moved here to escape Northern Michigan, we were there

exactly 11 months!

I would say look at what your family needs first, economics, job

availability, housing costs, schools for all your kids. Once you can narrow

that down go visit during the school year. Call first to talk to parents

from the local DS support group there and call the PTI to have them send you

a copy of that states laws for special needs. Make an appointment to see

classrooms at several schools, don't show up announced and do not make any

mention of your child having DS.

Housing is always an issue, no matter where you are but what seems worse is

finding jobs once the student has graduated. One of the major reasons we

have stayed here is the government employs a lot of adults with various

disabilities.

I met a woman last week from PA who is so miserable about the school system

there, that she is now homeschooling all her kids, two with disabilities,

yet we have parents on this list happy with PA!

Good luck,

Rejoice!

Amie

mom to 22yrs

Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for

messages to go to the sender of the message.

[Guest guest]

I do know what you are talking about, but since I'm a single mom, Jordan's only

medical coverage is given to her through the state. She's on the Access card,

but she's got MedPlus as her primary because I had to choose one last year. But

yes, I do know what you are talking about :-)

Judi

Re: best state to relocate to....

I'd second this. They also have great medical insurance for our kids. I've

heard other parents describe it as filling in the gap between expenses and

personal insurance.

Judi, do you know what I'm talking about?

Kathy, Liam's mom( 5)

[Guest guest]

he he he...... ever hear of an " occupation tax " ? not only do we have those, but

you get those depending on what township or borough you happen to live in. Then

there's the local tax, county tax, state tax, federal tax, school tax, property

tax, hmmm am I leaving anything out? So much for living in a commonwealth

state :-)

Judi

Re: best state to relocate to....

In a message dated 7/5/2003 7:59:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

drf218@... writes:

> We should seeing as we are in the " land of high taxes " (a drawback)

>

I thought NJ had that title up there! ;-)

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/6/2003 1:45:52 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

shippd@... writes:

> The best state to relocate to is Missouri.

Well now..... I have heard that Missouri is REALLY bad with inclusion.

What are your experiences with that?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/6/03 3:45:50 PM Central Daylight Time, shippd@...

writes:

>

> The best state to relocate to is Missouri. You have to be assertive, stand

> up for your kids rights and your rights and in a round about way educate the

> social workers about what they should know without letting them know you

> know more than they do.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

The best state to relocate to is Missouri. You have to be assertive, stand

up for your kids rights and your rights and in a round about way educate the

social workers about what they should know without letting them know you

know more than they do.

Dad to , Kristi, (all three Down syndrome) and (Cri du

chat)

Husband to C.

best state to relocate to....

> My husband and I are looking to relocate, we can no longer afford to live

nicely on Long Island, we are looking to move out of NY......but since we

have (age 10, DS w/Autism) we want to move to an area that has

awesome resources for him and yet our other " typical " children.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

> Jacqui

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/6/03 7:22:52 PM Central Daylight Time, JB66111@...

writes:

> In a message dated 7/6/03 3:45:50 PM Central Daylight Time,

> shippd@...

> writes:

>

>

> >

> > The best state to relocate to is Missouri. You have to be assertive, stand

> > up for your kids rights and your rights and in a round about way educate

> the

> > social workers about what they should know without letting them know you

> > know more than they do.

> >

> > My answer to this, which got left off was:

NO,NO,NO, NO

>