The Connection
Programs for Exceptional Children, April 19, 2021, 16th ed.
Welcome Back!
We hope you had a great spring break and are ready to finish strong! It's hard to believe we're winding this crazy year down! This edition of The Connection is full of important info for parents!
You'll find information on a webinar by Family Connection of SC all about Medicaid waivers, parent training on preparing your student for employment, as well as one on transition resources in SC, an opportunity for your youth to apply for the Virtual SC Youth Leadership Forum and a fun way to spend the afternoon as a family exploring the Florence Rotary Beauty Trail!
We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!
Bright Spot
Just For Fun!
Rotary Beauty Trail
For an image of the Rotary Club Beauty Trail map click here.
Parent Training
WAZE to Adulthood: Parent Training
A FREE SELF-PACED online course focused on providing transition information to parents/caregivers of students with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to adulthood. Information provided in this course is to help make transition planning easier.
Each training will take approximately 2 hours and can be accessed anytime during the 1 week time frame. A certificate of completion for 2 hours will be provided to participants who complete the training.
The course begins on May 17, 2021 and will be open through May 23, 2021.
Sessions contain video content, written content, discussion opportunities and resources.
Presented by PEATC in collaboration with Family Connection of South Carolina.
Things You Want To Know
APPLY FOR THE VIRTUAL SC YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM!
Do you have a student that might be interested?
They could spend their summer having fun and learning how to be a disability rights advocate!
July 25-30th, 2021
The South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum is an opportunity for young adults with disabilities living in South Carolina to cultivate leadership skills and learn how to become an advocate in their community. Selected delegates will spend four days learning about independent living and advocacy in a safe and supportive setting while building relationships with other young adults from around the state!
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, YLF will be held online this year, like it was in 2020. While we will miss seeing you all in person, YLF will be just as fun and engaging as ever!
You can apply for SC YLF if:
1.You are between 15 and 23 years old
2.You have a disability
3.You've shown leadership potential in the school and/or community.You live in South Carolina
National Autism Awareness Month
There is even an online e-learning environment, called Autism Tuned In, that uses animated videos and activities to expand upon the Kit for Kids lesson. This site not only reinforces knowledge learned about autism, but also addresses topics that are important for every child to explore: being different, understanding others, expressing oneself, and using one’s senses.
Make sure to check it out in April!
Parent Resource
Family Connection: An Introduction to Home and Community Based Waivers
This is incredibly important information for our families to know! If your child is eligible for DDSN (Dept. of Disabilities and Special Needs) services, then your child may also be eligible for a waiver. Waiver waiting lists can be 5-7 years long, however, so it is essential to get on a waiting list as soon as possible!
Register here: An Intro to Home and Community Based Waivers workshop
Related Services Tip
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.
Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include:
- an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals,
- customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and
- an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan.
Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team. It is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science.
Transition Tip
Hire Me SC: Making the Transition to Employment
Register: http://bit.ly/family_engage
Exploring Career Options: Where Do They Want to Work?
We know that people with all types of disabilities CAN work for real wages in the community. We have seen it happen many times. This webinar will help you explore your expectations around the career and life you envision for your young adult.
April 21, 2021, 6:30-7:45 PM (live)
April 22, 2021, 10:00-11:15 AM (rebroadcast)
Preparing to Work: Building Skills and Matching to Job Tasks
Did you know there is a wide range of career choices for youth with disabilities? Every person with a disability has a skill that will allow them to be successful with the right job match. This webinar digs deeper into the job development process. You will learn how to translate a person’s talents and interests to meaningful work in the community.
April 28, 2021, 6:30-7:45 PM (live)
April 29, 2021, 10:00-11:15 AM (rebroadcast)
Have a question?
You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.
Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161