Weekly Update of Events 8-20-04

[Guest guest]

Source : Bowen

OF GEORGIA

Weekly Update of Events In and Around Georgia - August 20 , 2004

Please continue to send in your notices to me so that I may include it in next week's update. This week, there are many additions. Please check the Parent Advocacy training announcement. These are held at two different locations and are sponsored by the Georgia Parent Support Network.

For information about The Arc of Georgia and The Arc of Georgia Statewide Education Committee, please visit www.arcga.org . Here, you will also find information about other events from The Arc of Georgia , affiliate chapters , associate members of The Arc of Georgia or our Annual Conference in October 2004

The next meeting of the Statewide Education Committee of The Arc of Georgia is Sept. 11, 2004 in Macon at the Rosewood Building. The meeting will take place from 10am to 4 pm. If you have an issue that needs to be brought to our attention, please visit our website and contact your representative .

The Arc of Carroll County mets the 3rd Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Carroll County Training Center 200 Alton Ested Blvd. Carrollton GA

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See Georgia 's hottest online discussion groups for parents, families and advocates who are interested in disability and advocacy issues !!!!

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-ParentNetwork

GA-ParentNetwork is designed exclusively for Georgia parents / guardians of children or adult dependents with disabilities. The purpose is to allow communication between families on the common issues we share so we can better support, advocate, and influence change for our children.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BCWFamilies

BCWFamilies is designed for families whose children are currently enrolled in the State of Georgia's Babies Can't Wait early intervention program and the Parent Educators of Project SCEIs. The purpose is to allow families to share, support and educate each other during the early intervention phase of their child's life.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/autism-georgia

Autism-Georgia is designed for parents, professionals and others interested in news, information, and resources about Autism and Autism-spectrum disorders in Georgia such as events, nutrition issues, mercury and other vaccination research as specifically related to this spectrum of disorders

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/advocatesroundtable

This Statewide newsgroup supported by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is comprised of experienced self-advocates, professionals, family members and consumers sharing important disability, legislative and advocacy information to families throughout our State.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/familysupporttalkga

This Family Support Council supported by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities provides resources, recommendations and advice about Family Support Programs , home and community based services in Georgia and the Unlock The Waiting Lists Campaign.

www.familyvoices.org

Family Voices is a National grassroots network of families and friends speaking on behalf of children with special health care needs.

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/peppinc

This is the Federal funding parent training center in Georgia . Here, you will find discussions between other parents , great advice from the PEPPAC trainers and online trainings . See ongoing workshops listed below

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - PEPPAC

Date

Location

Presenter/ Topic

Contact

Every 2nd Monday

PEPP Inc., Decatur Office

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Thelma

Charlene Gamble Subjects selected by request

Thelma

Charlene Gamble

PEPP, Inc.

Every 2nd Monday

Co.Public Library

Hwy 27

Hamilton , GA

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Sue Koone

Subjects selected by request

Sue Koone

PEPP, Inc .

8/16/04

The Giving Tree

1892 Clairmont Rd.

Decatur , Ga. 30033

7:00 -8:30p

Sharon Gudger

Advocating for special needs children in the school system

Traci Yazbec

PEPP< Inc.

Shamim Neal-Backus

10/02/04

mood Bell

3200 Cobb-Galleria Pkwy Suite 228

Atlanta , Ga. 30339

Charlene Gamble

SPED laws, IDEA, State and Local Resources

Traci Yazbec

Genereux

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Family support meetings held the 4th Friday of the month at 12:00 pm at the Georgia Paremt Support Network Office . Call Ext. 329 for more information

Parent Advocacy Training takes place for parents on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month immediately following these meetings only at the 1395 Parkway Metropolitan Way, Atlanta address.

North Fulton Family Support meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 am at 1140 Hammond Drive Suite J1075 in Dunwoody . Call the same number listed above for information.

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"Outside the Box" is a fun skill-building after school program for special

needs children 4 - 10 years of age. This tailored program focuses on

enhancing social and language skills through interactive, structured

activities. Plenty of fun games, physical activities and creative art play

are included to build fine and gross motor skills and group participation.

Groups are limited to 6 to ensure adequate support and specialized

facilitation for each child. Children must possess some verbal ability in

order to participate in this program. "Outside the Box" begins August 16,

and is offered Monday - Friday, 2:30 - 5:30, at Oak Bridge Academy. The

cost is $25 per session. For more information and to register your child,

please contact Sandy Dixon at , or Sgier at

.

"Outside the Box" will be provided by two highly skilled facilitators.

Sandy Dixon and Sgier bring over 10 years experience working with

special needs children. Both are experienced in recreational therapy.

Sandy is a trained Floor Time and ABA therapist who majored in elementary

education. has degrees in art and psychology.

Oak Bridge Academy is located at 355 Brogdon Road, Suite 207, Suwanee, GA.

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The Fulton County Commission on Disability Affairs meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from 6-8 p,m. These are public meetings. Call for information. Meetings for the remainder of this year ( 2004 ) are Sept. 15. October 20, November 17 and December 15

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Miscellaneous Programs

FOCUS offers one-week camps this summer at various locations around Atlanta. Scholarships available also. Call or visit www.focus-ga.org

GAA Special Populations Programs Call for more information or visit www.gaaspecialneeds.com

Lionheart School Summer programs Call or for information

Sight Program - overnight camp specifically designed for AS Kids - located in NC. Use the keywords Sight Program for info

Camp Timberwolf- overnight camp for ADD, ADHD, LD, OCD kids . Use the keywords Camp Timberwolf

Camp Soar- overnight camp for LD, ADHD kids, Use the key words Camp Soar

Outdoor Sensory Adventures- Clay White-

Beyond Words Social Skills Training / Counseling

Fulton County Disability Information Assistance Line

The Parent Leadership Support Project is seeking participants to support parents of children with disabilities to enroll in training which will allow participants to advocate on behalf of other people’s children with disabilities in a school context. Project Bridges and the Georgia Advocacy Office are collaborating to support participants and offer thirteen weeks of training. Trainees will be provided with the best information on the complex issues surrounding Georgia's educational system to raise competency levels of people advocating on behalf of students with disabilities. Our kickoff session will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2004, 10-3 p.m. and our last session will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2004, 10-3 p.m. The in-between sessions are to be held on Thursdays from 10-1 p.m.

Contact Lori von Schmeling at for more info

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www.atlantamoodsupport

DBSA Metro Atlanta meeting schedule ( Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance )

8-9:30 pm 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month Dunwoody

8-9:30 pm 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month Smyrna

7:30 to 9pm 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month Atlanta

7-8 pm 2nd and lst Tuesday of each month Carroll County

7:30 to 9:30 pm 1st Monday of each month North Cobb/ SO. Cherokee

8-9:30 pm 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month Marietta

7:30 to 9 pm 1st and 3rd Monday of each month Conyers

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Social Skills Groups

Every group is specifically designed to best match the needs and ages of the children, therefore, there may be a wait time before being able to enroll your child. A group will begin as soon as a minimum of five children with similar needs are enrolled. No more than 8 children will be enrolled.*********************************************************************************Meeting and greetingEye contact/body language/facial cuesPersonal space/conversationAge appropriate activities/expectationsRules/playing fairSelf protection/self-esteem*********************************************************************************Thursdays in Alpharetta.Time to be determined at the start of the group.$180.00 per six week session

The group will focus on a separate topic each week. We will start with meeting and greeting. Although there is a basic outline for the group, it will be adapted as the children need, prioritizing any issues that they may currently feel are stressors for them. As with all children who are challenged with difficulties in social skills, these activities will need to be practiced, cued and repeated. This group will be an introduction to developing personal skills. A decision about the continuation of group will be made following the last session.

Lis Krawiecki has over 20 years of experience as a social worker, and specializes in working with families who have children with developmental disabilities. In addition to individual and family therapy, she has extensive experience facilitating groups. She has spoken at local conferences on developmental disabilities, and has been published nationally in Exceptional Parent Magazine. In addition to her private practice, Lis holds a social work position at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and a board position with FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress).

Lisbeth Moch Krawiecki, LCSW, ACSW6205 Barfield Road Old Milton CommonsSuite 140 3534 Old Milton PkwyAtlanta, GA 30328 Alpharetta, GA 30005

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August 17, 2004 Advocating for special needs children in the school system , Given by Thelma from PEPPAC at The Giving Tree 1892 Clairmont Rd. Decatur GA Call for info

August 17, 2004 11:00 am to 1:30 pm - DIsability Law and Policy Network presents " Enriching Workplaces and Reducing Barriers : Creating n Action Plan to Increase the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in GA " / email uegemon@... for information

Sat., August 21, 2004 Greater Atlanta Speech and Language Clinic , Marietta / The Basics of Dietary Intervention- What is the Casein Free Diet and how does it work ? Cost $ 25.00 RSVP to Stefanie at

August 27-29, 2004 A Family Fun Weekend through FOCUS Camp Twin Lakes / Call all for information and reservations

September 8-10, 2004 The National Respite Conference / Atlantic City Convention Center, New Jersey / For more info, visit www.familysupportnj.com / This event is sponsored by the NJ Epilepsy Foundation in collaboration with the National Respite Network and Resource Center

Out of This World ADHD Conference , Stockbridge GA / Sept 10 & 11 , 2004 For more information, call .

Sept. 9-29, 2004 Online Conference on Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities / Info and registration http://disability-abuse.com

September 17-18, 2004 Language Training workshop / Prime Hotel and Suites @ Perimeter / Cosponsor of this is International Dyslexia Assoc., GA Chapter / $ 225 per person / Register online at www.wilsonlanguage.com/workshop

September 18, 2004 Autism Resource and Information Fair / 2-4-pm / Oak Hill Church of Christ Rome GA / No Childcare / Contact Christie Atkins at CLMAtkins@... for more information

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ATTEND THE FIRST NATIONAL AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES POLITICAL CONVENTION ON

SEPTEMBER 18TH IN ATLANTIC CITY, NJ

Momentum is building for the first national political convention for people

with disabilities — THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES CONVENTION, Sept. 18,

2004 in Atlantic City. Nineteen states, in addition to New Jersey, have

already expressed interest in sending delegates. Some states are engaged in

fund raising activities to help constituents who want to attend. And the two

major party presidential campaigns have acknowledged their interest in

putting the event on their schedule, while they continue to monitor the

growing build-up to the convention.

This is New Jersey’s fourth convention but the first that’s opened up to the

rest of the country. Thousands of people with disabilities, their families

and friends have come to the previous statewide conventions—the first of

their kind—and with the early interest across the country, many more are

expected this year.

This year’s convention is focused on the presidential race in November.

Go to www.disabilitiesconvention.com for more info or contact Luke

Koppisch via email at mailto:luke.koppisch@... or by phone at

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An Information Fair for Children with Special NeedsDate: Sat., Sept. 25, 2004Place: Porterfield Methodist Church 2200 Dawson Rd. Albany, GA 31721Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.The two main topics at this Information Fair will be focus on:1) Cerebral Palsy In Children2) Developing Communication and Language in Special Needs Children

Anyone who is interested in having a booth or display table can contact Anne Stokes at . There is NO cost for a booth/display table. There will also be sessions done by SLPs, PTs, OTs, Medical Equipment companies. SSI, Medicaid, and Family Support Funding Sources will also be identified...... Information on specific disabilities will be provided at this fair. More information will be announced later concerning this event.....

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Sept. 26-28, 2004 Georgia Gerontology Society Annual Meeting and Training Conference / Renaissance Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta For more info, visit www.ggs.org

Sept. 30, 2004 The GA AAMR ( Association of Mental Retardation ) Fall Conference 9am to 4 pm / " The Ecology of Choice " / Clairmont Presbyterian Church, Clairmont Road, Atlanta // For more info, visit GAAAMR@...

Oct . 2004 PUFF Conference, Augusta GA Visit www.gtfl.org for information

Oct 6-9, 2004 The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry will have it's annual medical / dental academic conference in Orlando / A fill conference brochure can be viewed at http://www.wcdexpo.com/aadmd

October 8 and 9, 2004 Georgia Association on Young Children / Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, Atlanta Contact GAYC at or visit www.gayconline.org for more info

October 9, 2004 2nd Annual Independent Living Network Banquet / Visit www.silcga.org for details

October 7-10, 2004 The Arc of Georgia Annual Conference , Wyndam Conference Center, Peachtree City GA / Contact for more information

October 20-22, 2004 Child Welfare League of America Summitt " Is the System Broken ? " / Hilton Head SC / Call 1- for more info

October 23, 2004 LDAG Annual Conference / GA State University

October 28-29, 2004 It;s a Winderful Life : Aging with Disabilities , Marriott West, Milwaukee WI. / See www.rfw.org for details

Oct. 28-30, 2004 Annual Conference on ADHD / Renaissance Nashville Hotel, Nashville TN/ For Conference Info, phone 1- or visit www.chadd.org

Oct. 29-30, 2004 / Applied Autism Research and Intervention Conference / Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington VA / For information, email Fidler at nfidler@...

November 3-6-, 2004 International Dyslexia Assoc. Conference / Philadelphia PA Visit www.interdys.org for info

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2004 TASH International Conference on Inclusion - "Blazing The Trail" The TASH Conference is the largest conference in the world to focus on model, innovative, and effective strategies for achieving full inclusion of all people with disabilities. This conference features over 250 sessions, exhibits, roundtable discussions, and poster sessions jam-packed with info. It provides a forum for individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, researchers, administrators, policymakers, educators, scholars, and others to create dialogue and action for reform. Date: November 17-20, 2004 At the Hilton in Reno, Nevada For information: http://www.tash.org/2004reno/ Some of the topics at the TASH Conference focus on the following themes: Building Partnerships & Communication Inclusive Education Across the Lifespan Transition, Community Living & Employment Diversity, Values, Equality, & Advocacy Quality of Life

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Jan. 24-30, 2005 National Folic Acid Awareness Week / Sponsored by the National Council on Folic Acid / visit www.folicacidinfo.org

Various Web Conferences and Other Events as Published by Family Voices National NOVEMBER 9 -12, 2004 7TH ANNUAL ACCESSING HIGHER GROUND'S "ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSIBLE MEDIA IN HIGHER EDUCATION"Sponsored by Disability Services at the University of Colorado and held atthe University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. For more information go tohttp://www.colorado.edu/ATconference

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Cherokee County and North Atlanta CHADD Schedule

Meetings the 4th Monday of the month 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Roswell United Methodist Church- Dodd Youth Bldg. Room 137

Call for info Adult ADHD Meetings , same dates as above, same location, but different speakers

Join us for a new and exciting after school program at the Lullwater School presented by Learning on the Log, a sensory based program for exceptional children. It will run on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. The session cost is $ 175.00 per month. Program Director is Zelski. For more information on Learning on the Log, please visit their website at www.learningonthelog.com. Contact the Lullwater School at for more information

Learning on the Log

Sensory Based Programs for Exceptional Children Learning on the Log is a non-profit organization serving the Atlanta area offering comprehensive sensory-based programs for children with special needs.

Based on Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s Floortime Model, our programs work to engage children in enjoyable and

meaningful activities while improving their communication, gross and fine motor skills. We have refined our programs through years of working with special needs children. Learning on the Log is unlike many traditional learning experiences for exceptional children – these programs

feature fun, physically challenging activities in a natural environment and a variety of settings. View our current Programs now in progress!

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The 2004 Directory of Summer Recreation Programs is now available on the

GLRS web site, www.glrs.org. Camps are listed alphabetically and indexed

by the disabilities served. This Directory is available every year in a new edition.

Parents and public school personnel from the Metro East service area

(Buford, Decatur, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, & Rockdale School Systems) may

come by the Center and pick up a print copy for free.

Print copies can be obtained by mail by sending a check for $3.00 made

payable to GLRS Teacher Center to:

Metro East GLRS

2415 C North Druid Hills Road, NE

Atlanta, GA 30329

Lodus Schreiner

Director, Metro East GLRS/Jim Cherry Teacher Center

2415 C North Druid Hills Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

, FAX - or

Lodus_Schreiner@...

www.glrs.org