Newsletter SPRING 2016 - Walla Walla Valley Disability Network

Parent to Parent
FAMILY LINKS
SPRING
2016
DDA OPENINGS
THANKS TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING BY OUR
STATE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR, OUR
STATE HAS OPENED ITS DOOR TO ENROLLMENT FOR NEARLY 4,000 CHILDREN AND
ADULTS ON DDA’S NO PAID SERVICES
CASELOAD.
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IFS is Open for Enrollment.
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If your son or daughter is a client of the Developmental
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Disabilities Administration (DDA) and not receiving a
paid service, they may be eligible to receive a broad array 
of services and supports through the Individual & Family 
Services (IFS) waiver. The IFS waiver has four different
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funding levels (determined by assessed need): $1200;
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$1800; $2400; $3600. These are the same funding levels
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as the state-only IFS program that’s being phased out.
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IFS Waiver Services Include:
Assistive Technology
Behavior Support & Consultation
Behavioral Health Stabilization
Community Engagement
Environmental & Vehicle Modifications
Peer Mentoring
Person Centered Planning Facilitation
PT, OT, Speech, Hearing & Language Services
Respite Care
Sexual Deviancy Evaluation
Skilled Nursing
Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
Staff/Family Consultation & Training
Supportive Parenting Services
Therapeutic Equipment & Supplies
Transportation (non-Medicaid Broker)
IF YOUR SON/DAUGHTER IS ON THE NO
PAID SERVICES CASELOAD AND HAS A NEED
THAT COULD BE MET BY THE IFS WAVIER,
CALL DDA AND REQUEST IFS SERVICES.
SERVICE REQUEST & INFORMATION LINE
Senior Basketball
Family Income is Not Considered.
After an assessment determines level of need, a financial
eligibility determination is made based on the individual’s
income*, not the family’s. In addition to IFS services, clients on the IFS waiver will be eligible for Apple Health/
Medicaid health care.
*DDA clients who have resources in their name in excess
of $2,000 may not be eligible for the IFS waiver.
FOR INDIVIDUALS ON DDA’S NO PAID
SERVICES CASELOAD
Region 1
(IPOne) is an
Spokane: 800-319-7116
online, electronic
Yakima: 866-715-3646
system that will make managing your
Region 2
Seattle: 800-974-4428
Everett: 800-567-5582
Medicaid claims easier. IPOne has
Region 3
Tacoma: 800-735-6740
Olympia: 888-707-1202
you worked March 1st. Training is still
replaced the Social Service Payment
System (SSPS) starting with the hours
available to support you with this
change. Visit http://www.ipone.org/
for info.
Parent to Parent
Page 2
Watch for an upcoming training on using the CARE
Notebook System to keep track of your child’s records
and to be as prepared for medical and specialist visits as
you can be!
SUPPORT GROUPS
Mamas eEspeciales
Latino Support Meeting
April 8, May 13, June 15.
Contact Ysabel
[email protected]
Monthly Support Meetings
April 12 and May 10
6:30-8:00 pm
Diana Bergevin Field House
1629 Evergreen Street
Senior P2P Support Dinner
No Host at Chiquillas
428 Ash Street
March 30 and April 20
6:00-8:00 pm
May Potluck (time/date/place to be
announced)
Zach Meyer & Julio Jimenez
at SibShop
Save the
Date!
June 11,
JOURNEY
OF HOPE
Picnic
CHILDREN’S DAY
SUNDAY MAY 1, 2-5 PM
1629 Evergreen Street
A celebration event. Contact Ysabel
at [email protected] for
information.
CHALLENGER BASEBALL
Pacific Little League Field 4
Beginning Friday April 15, 2016
For 5-18 Year olds
Costs: $30.00
Registration is available at Shopko on February 29, March
1-3 from 5:30-8:00 P.M.
Or online at www.eteamz.com/w2pacificll//
Registration deadline is April 8th.
For questions, please contact Karen Zodnick at 520-8447
or Angie Witt at 540-9880
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
AND SERVICES
Are you a parent or caregiver for
a person with disabilities? Do you
want to learn more about these
services? You need to attend this
training to learn more about:
 Developmental Disabilities Administration
 Social Security
 Vocational Rehabilitation
 Employment
April 26, 2016, 6:30-8:00 pm
Diana Bergevin Field House
1629 Evergreen Street
SIBSHOP
Saturday, April 30, 2016
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Valley Residential Services
240 Bush Street
This is an active, fun energetic time for siblings of an
individual with disabilities. It’s a safe place to connect
with others who understand. The workshop is
recreation-based and facilitated by caring adults who
also have a sibling with a disability. Lunch is included.
CO-ED SOFTBALL
THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION
FOR 16 AND OLDER COST $35.00 per player
Practice begin Sunday April 9 at 3:00 P.M. at the Mill Creek Sportsplex.
Games begin May 2nd and will last for 5 weeks.
This is a Co-Ed Softball league through the Parks and Recreation. These
are regulated competitive games played against other co-ed teams. Our
team will consist of Men and Women with and without disabilities. There
will be two games a week on Monday and Wednesday beginning at 6:30
P.M.
Please Call Angie Witt at 540-9880 to register. Must have Registration fee no later than April 9th. Players will need to provide their
own mitt. Parents and Caregivers are encouraged to participate.
PEER MENTORS-WITH A LITTLE
HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
This training is an opportunity for middle
school and high school students to learn
about their peers who have disabilities and to
become ready to help their friends in various
recreation activities throughout the year.
TRAINING:
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016
1:00-6:00 PM
Place to be announced.
SPRING 2016
Page 3
20 THINGS TO SAY TO AN ANXIOUS CHILD By Renee Jain, MAPP
It happens to every child in one form or another – anxiety. As parents, 11. “Let’s put your worry on the shelf while we _____ (listen
we would like to shield our children from life’s anxious moments, but to your favorite song, run around the block, read this story).
navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the
Then we’ll pick it back up again.”
years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to Those who are anxiety-prone often feel as though they have to carry
help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious
their anxiety until whatever they are anxious about is over. This is
moments.
especially difficult when your children are anxious about something
1. “Can you draw it?”
they cannot change in the future. Setting it aside to do something fun
can help put their worries into perspective.
Drawing, painting or doodling about an anxiety provides kids with an
outlet for their feelings when they can’t use
12. “This feeling will go away. Let’s get comforttheir words.
able until it does.”
2. “I love you. You are safe.”
The act of getting comfortable calms the mind as well as
the body. Weightier blankets have even been shown to
Being told that you will be kept safe by the
reduce anxiety by increasing mild physical stimuli.
person you love the most is a powerful affirmation. Remember, anxiety makes your children
13. “Let’s learn more about it.”
feel as if their minds and bodys are in danger.
Let your children explore their fears by asking as many
Repeating they are safe can soothe the nervous
questions as they need. After all, knowledge is power.
system.
14. “Let’s count _____.”
3. “Let’s pretend we’re blowing up a giThis distraction technique requires no advance preparation.
ant balloon. We’ll take a deep breath and
Counting the number of people wearing boots, the number
blow it up to the count of 5.”
of watches, the number of kids, or the number of hats in
If you tell a child to take a deep breath in the
the room requires observation and thought, both of which
SibShop
middle of a panic attack, chances are you’ll
detract from the anxiety your child is feeling.
hear, “I CAN’T!” Instead, make it a game. Pre15. “I need you to tell me when 2 minutes have
tend to blow up a balloon, making funny noises in the process. Taking gone by.”
three deep breaths and blowing them out will actually reverse the
Time is a powerful tool when children are anxious. By watching a
stress response in the body and may even get you a few giggles in the clock or a watch for movement, a child has a focus point other than
process.
what is happening.
4. “I will say something and I want you to say it exactly as I
16. “Close your eyes. Picture this…”
do: ‘I can do this.'” Do this 10 times at variable volume.
Visualization is a powerful technique used to ease pain and anxiety.
Marathon runners use this trick all of the time to get past “the wall.”
Guide your child through imagining a safe, warm, happy place where
5. “Why do you think that is?”
they feel comfortable. If they are listening intently, the physical sympThis is especially helpful for older kids who can better articulate the
toms of anxiety will dissipate.
“Why” in what they are feeling.
17. “I get scared/nervous/anxious sometimes too. It’s no fun.”
6. “What will happen next?”
Empathy wins in many, many situations. It may even strike up a conIf your children are anxious about an event, help them think through
versation with your older child about how you overcame anxiety.
the event and identify what will come after
18. “Let’s pull out our calm-down checkit. Anxiety causes myopic vision, which
list.”
makes life after the event seem to disapAnxiety can hijack the logical brain; carry a
pear.
checklist with coping skills your child has prac7. “We are an unstoppable team.”
ticed. When the need presents itself, operate
Separation is a powerful anxiety trigger for
off of this checklist.
young children. Reassure them that you will
19. “You are not alone in how you feel.”
work together, even if they can’t see you.
Pointing out all of the people who may share
8. Have a battle cry: “I am a warrior!”;
their fears and anxieties helps your child under“I am unstoppable!”; or “Look out
stand that overcoming anxiety is universal.
World, here I come!”
20. “Tell me the worst thing that could
There is a reason why movies show people
possibly happen.”
yelling before they go into battle. The physiOnce you’ve imagined the worst possible outcal act of yelling replaces fear with endorcome of the worry, talk about the likelihood of
phins. It can also be fun.
that worst possible situation happening. Next,
9. “If how you feel was a monster,
2016 Bowling
ask your child about the best possible outwhat would it look like?”
come. Finally, ask them about the most likely
Giving anxiety a characterization means you
outcome. The goal of this exercise is to help a child think more accutake a confusing feeling and make it concrete and palpable. Once kids
rately during their anxious experience.
have a worry character, they can talk to their worry.
may learn a lot about their reasoning in the process.
10. “I can’t wait until _____.”
Excitement about a future moment is contagious.
Parent to
Parent
PO BOX 1918
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(5872 701-0007
[email protected]
facebook/WallaWallaParent2Parent
www.wwvdn.org
SPONSORING AGENCY:
NIGHT OF STARS - SILVERWOOD THEME PARK - MAY 13
On Friday May, 13, 2016, 4-8 pm, Silverwood Theme Park will bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of
Inland Northwest Citizens confronting terminal illnesses and permanent physical and mental disabilities.
This one of a kind event lets them enjoy an evening of fun in the Northwest’s largest Theme Park. Each
STAR and one parent, guardian or
caretaker will receive one free ticket
into the park and a free meal. Please
contact your CRM to obtain a Waiver
of Liability by APRIL 5. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Additional tickets for other family
members available the night of the
Basketball Coach
event at reduced prices.
SibShop with Nancy Riggle
McFetridge