• A chance to talk about voting accessibility issues with disability advocates, self-advocates, support professionals and election officials.  Some topics include:
• The Help America Vote Act 
• Barriers in voting
• Potential solutions to barriers
• Step-by-step training on how to educate others
• Training Toolkit
• DLAC assistance coordinating and conducting training

What is required?

• Training Partners: Each applicant must apply as a team with at least one other person.
• Conducting Training: Each team will be responsible for holding at least one training in their area. 

DLAC will be available to help teams form voter outreach strategies within their communities. Apply Now! Space is limited. Conference is free for accepted participants. Travel Stipends available. Contact Kate Georgen Seipel or Angela Webster at 615-298-1080 ext. 112.

DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Physician Biomedical Patient Openings
Autism Solution Center, Inc. has several patient spots open in May 2010 to see our DAN! physician. If you are seeking biomedical treatment for an autism spectrum disorder by a DAN! physician and would like to take advantage of one of our openings, please contact the Autism Solution Center office ASAP, as these spots will go quickly. New patients are $250.00 and returning patients are $200.00.
Participants must attend Biomedical class before seeing the physician. Biomedical class is $25.00. To schedule your class and/or appointment, please call Shari at (901) 758-8288 or email her at shariautismsolutioncenter@yahoo.com.


LEGISLATIVE ALERTS

Support the creation of a Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
There is legislation moving through committee that will create a Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The creation of a department will give the Commissioner a direct line to the Governor rather than having to go through layers of administration. Below are some talking points for you to use when you contact your representatives and senators:
SB3341/HB3526 creates a Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities which will include the Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services.
The Arc of Tennessee SUPPORTS this legislation.
Rationale:

• A Commissioner knowledgeable of the service system that currently exists and unmet needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be a part of the Governor's cabinet rather than reporting to the Commissioner of Finance and Administration. 
• The infrastructure for a Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities already exists in the current Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services thus minimizing costs to enact this legislation.
• While no services exist at this time for people with developmental disabilities, community agencies that contract with DIDS have the infrastructure and capability to provide these services as funding becomes available.
• A department will be able to best develop and expand the programs to meet the needs of all Tennesseans with both intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• An intellectual disability (formerly known as mental retardation) is a type of developmental disability. It is logical for intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities to be in the same department.

Contact your legislators today!
A bill has been proposed that has the power to dramatically affect funding for various programs through the Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services. We are encouraging you to contact your legislator and ask them to do the following:

1. Vote NO on SB 3729 /HB 3758: This bill delays the closure of a State Institution and requires DIDS to build numerous state operated residential facilities for transition. 
2. Support the 5.5 million dollar budget amendment to restore the residential rate reductions to the DIDS Community Services Budget.  

Post-Secondary Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to young adults with Down syndrome who want to enroll in post-secondary programs or take classes that will help them with employment, independent living, and life skills. To date, over thirty students have received grants from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to help cover the costs of pursuing their post-secondary education and enrichment goals. The 2010 application form can be downloaded in PDF format. Application deadline is July 16, 2010.

Summer Inclusion Solutions Edition    
The Summer Inclusion Solutions newsletter is now available online at www.dsamemphis.org/resourcesforeducators. This newsletter is geared towards our educators, but parents will find lots of helpful resources included as well. This newsletter is distributed electronically. If you would like to be added to the distribution, please provide your contact/email information to communications@dsamemphis.org.

Senior Handbook Available                      
The new edition of the handy Senior Information Handbook, provided by the Shelby County Mayor's Office on Aging and the Aging Commission of the Mid-South, is now available in PDF format on the Aging Commission website at http://agingcommission.org/. Just choose and click the PDF or ZIP drive format. The online edition is the same format as the print version (minus the advertisements, which are posted in the print directory).  Aging Commission staff urges agency staff and consumers who are internet savvy to access the information online, leaving more copies of the print Handbooks available for consumers who prefer or are more comfortable with the print format. Print copies of the Senior Information Handbook 2010-2011 will be available for consumers beginning with the Senior Expo on May 12. Agency staff who wish to order copies of the print Handbook for their consumers should email Larry Turner at lturner@agingcommission.org after May 12. The Aging Commission will mail copies of the Handbook directly to consumers who request it. Other questions? Contact the Aging Commission of the Mid-South at (901) 324-3399.

Martha's Manor, a day program for women. This program meets the continuing educational needs of women over 22 with disabilities. The daily program includes ongoing educational instruction focusing on the individual needs of the participants. The structure of the day and the companionship of other women makes this program unique and one of a kind in the country. Regular outings, ongoing projects, and socialization are other highlights of this program which will be entering its 25th year of operation. For more information call Mrs. Mike Hodges, program director, at (901) 763-1373. Visit the website at www.marthasmanor.com.

The Arc of the Mid-South's Summer Camp Guide is Here! This includes a listing of over 25 camps in the Mid-South for individuals with disabilities. Email mlong@arcmidsouth.net to receive a copy.

Transit Rights Training
The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Office of Civil Rights invites its grant recipients and other interested stakeholders in FTA Region IV to attend a three-day training from May 11-13, 2010 on FTA's civil rights requirements and guidance. The training will review federal laws, regulations, executive orders, and guidance covering the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity, and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. This event is in Nashville. Register by Friday, April 23, 2010. For further information and to register, please go to http://www.disability.gov/transportation/laws_%26_regulations.

Lori M. Siegal Self-Advocate Conference Leadership Scholarship
In memory of Lori Siegal and in honor of her efforts to advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, her parents Bruce and Sheila Siegal established the Lori M. Siegal Self-Advocate Conference Leadership Scholarship. The Lori M. Siegal Scholarship is given annually to a self-advocate (a person with Down syndrome ages 14 and older) who wants to attend the NDSC Convention. Priority for the scholarship are given to (1) a self-advocate seeking a NDSC board position or (2) a self-advocate who will be demonstrating leadership/advocacy by leading or presenting at the convention. Contact the DSAMoffice for an application form or go online to download from www.dsamemphis.org/newsevents. Application deadline is May 15, 2010. Applicants will be notified by June 1, 2010. For more information, contact (901) 547-7588 or email Alyson.edwards@dsamemphis.org.

Sibling Interviews Needed
A graduate student that is very involved with ASMS needs participants for her thesis regarding siblings of children with autism. She will come to you and it doesn't take long at all. It involves interviewing a sibling and a short parent interview. If you can participate, please email Mindy at mrtaylr1@memphis.edufor more details.

Parents Learning to Manage Behavior at Home
Do you have a 2 to 8-year-old child with a developmental disability and difficult behavior?
We are interested in testing a parent/caregiver-implemented behavior strategy to improve aggressive, self-injurious, destructive, or disruptive behavior in children with autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities, or any other developmental disability.

Screening involves:

• 2-6 visits at your home, each lasting between ½ and 1 hour
• No cost behavioral evaluation 
• Videotaping you and your child interacting 
• $20 for your time

Intervention involves:

• 15 to 27 half-hour visits at your home
• Videotaping you and your child interacting
• Helping you identify and respond to your child's communicative behaviors
• Using this strategy to help reduce your child's problem behaviors
• $40 for your time
• Participating in screening plus intervention may last 3 to 6 months

Support Group!
Powerful information and support from parents of children with behavioral and emotional concerns. Will meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month, beginning April 10th. 10:00am at Lucy Baptist Church, 4005 Lucy Road, Millington, TN. Ever ask: How do other parents deal? Ever thought: Does anyone else understand what I'm going through? Ever wonder: How can I learn about how other parents deal with their child's issues?
For more information, contact Rhonda Ewing, Parent Advocate/Youth Coordinator, Tennessee Voices for Children at 731-984-8599 or rewing@tnvoices.org.

The ABA Place is a non profit organization in the Bartlett area serving children and families affected by developmental delays. They offer private ABA, social skills classes, camps, family counseling, BCBA services and a Parent's Night Out!
For summer camp info, visit www.socialskillsforasd.com or contact The ABA Place at (901) 881-1342 or theabaplace@gmail.com.

2010 Camp Staff Needed
United Cerebral Palsy of the Mid-South seeks qualified individuals to staff their 2010 Camp Livitup June 7 - July 30. Open positions include Group Leaders, Floaters/Substitute Group Leaders, and Physical and Occupational Therapy Assistants. "Leaders in Training" internship positions are also available. Friday, April 16 is the deadline to apply for any of the positions. Please call (901) 761-4277 or
email camplivitup@ucpmemphis.org for further information.


Four Friends Special Needs Ministry welcomes Patrick Henry Hughes
Saturday, April 24, 6:30pm at Longview Heights Baptist Church, 4501 Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS. Four Friends Special Needs Ministry of LHBC is proud to host the internationally known Patrick Henry Hughes of the University of Louisville Marching Band. Patrick is a remarkable young man who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs, making him unable to walk. Despite circumstances that seem overwhelming to us, Patrick has overcome these physical issues to excel as a musician and student. This event is intended to be a gift to the community and there will be no charge for tickets. The Hughes will be at Longview Heights on Saturday, April 24, at 6:30pm and free tickets for this event can be acquired by visiting the church website at www.longviewheights.org. Please contact Alan Wilson at awilson@longviewheights.org or 662-895-1900 or Monica Kirby at mkirby@longviewheights.org or 662-895-1900.

Register now for the 2nd Annual Focus, Aim, Achieve! Conference
Saturday, April 17, from 8:00am - 4:00pm at Christian Brothers University! In addition to keynote speaker Michael Remus and lunch keynote speaker Lee Jones, there will be presenters from many community organizations and resources that will address topics from early childhood and school age, to adolescent and adult. There will also be self-advocate sessions for individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities, open to ages 14 and up. Registration forms are in the mail this week, or you can visit http://www.dsamemphis.org/newsevents to download a registration form or for more information.

NAMI Launches Social Networking Site for Young Adults with Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched StrengthofUs.org, a new online community where young adults living with mental health concerns can provide mutual support in navigating unique challenges and opportunities during the critical transition years from ages 18 to 25. Developed by young adults, www.StrengthofUs.org is a user-driven social networking community where members can connect with peers, share personal stories, creativity and helpful resources by writing and responding to blog entries, engaging in discussion groups and sharing videos, photos and other news.

Partners in Policymaking Leadership Institute
Partners in Policymaking is a free leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities. It is funded by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities and has been training Tennesseans since 1993. Partners will also tour the Capitol, meet with a TN Legislator, and participate in a Mock Testimony designed to enhance their public policy advocacy skills. In February, all of the Partners grads since 1993 are invited to attend an annual reunion conference with keynote speakers, general sessions, breakout sessions on a variety of topics, and a Friday night dance. Weekend sessions take place September through November and January through April each year. The 2010-11 Partners sessions will take place at Embassy Suites Hotel, Cool Springs in Williamson County. All participants are required to spend the night and attend all seven sessions. There is no cost for hotel rooms, meals during the program times, or the trainings. Mileage to and from each session will be reimbursed approximately two weeks after each session. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, April 30, 2010. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
If you need an application sent by mail or have any questions about the program, including eligibility, please contact program director Ned Andrew Solomon at (615) 532-6556 or ned.solomon@tn.gov.

Do you know about the Tennessee Justice Center?
The Tennessee Justice Center is a non-profit, public interest law and advocacy firm. They help parents and foster parents advocate for their children to get medically necessary health and mental health care from TennCare. Also provided are ongoing advocacy services to parents who call the Tennessee Justice Center needing assistance, as well as referrals to other organizations or attorneys, when appropriate. Do you have questions about TennCare eligibility for your child? Are you having trouble getting care like glasses, dental work, surgery, etc. for your child on TennCare? You can call 1-877-608-1009 for help. You can also check out their website, www.tnjustice.org, or blog, http://tennesseejustice.blogspot.com/, to read the stories of families they have helped. The TJC is also available to give presentations with more detailed information about how to help children on TennCare get the care they need. For more information, email sbennett@tnjustice.org.

Register now for Tennessee Disability MegaConference
Thursday, June 3 through Friday, June 4, 2010, Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel
Come and enjoy:
World Class Speakers
Interactive Workshops
Education Sessions
Exhibits of Disability Products & Services
Awards Banquet & Dance
Respite/Sitter Service Available

System of Care for Children's Mental Health Services
The JustCare Family Network, a new system of care initiative for Memphis and Shelby County, is pleased to announce that effective March 15, 2010 we will be accepting referrals for services. This children's mental health initiative trains and utilizes parents/caregivers as care coordinators (family support providers) with support from mental health consultants, and partners with parents at all levels. JustCare Family Network will serve youth with a serious emotional disturbance between ages 5 to 19. The JustCare Family Network is a partnership between Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD), Tennessee Voices for Children, Comprehensive Counseling Network (also known as Frayser Family Counseling Center), Rhodes College, and Urban Youth Initiative. Contact Tracey Davis at (901) 969-1680.

CALLING ALL CAMPS!
The Arc of the Mid-South is compiling our annual Summer Camp Guide! If your church or organization is sponsoring a camp this summer that welcomes individuals with disabilities, please complete the information below and email it to  Megan Long at mlong@arcmidsouth.net.
Camp Guide will be available for distribution on Thursday, April 8th, 2010.

1.Organization Name and Location of Camp
2.Camp name
3.Ages Served
4.Cost
5.Dates
6.Contact info
7.Additional Info
(overnight or day camp, additional eligibility requirements, etc)

The Arc of the Mid-South is now tweeting! Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ArcMidSouth

National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering a FREE CLASS for Parents and other Direct Caregivers of Children and Teens with ADD/ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and more...
Three classes chock full of valuable information to help parents support children and teens with mental illness while maintaining their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members who know what it's like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders. Topics covered will be the 'no fault' approach, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems involved with your child, record keeping, advocating, and team building for you and your child.
Childcare is provided with advance notice. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Contact Brenda Stacey-Scott at (800) 467-3589 ext. 307 or bstaceyscott@namitn.org.
Next class: March 6, 13, 20, 11:00am - 4:00pm, Aldersgate United Methodist Church at corner of Parkway and Campbell, Jackson, TN.

Alzheimer's Association presents: New Support Group Facilitator Training. Wednesday March 24, 9:00am - 4:00pm at Trezevant Terrace, 177 N Highland Road, Memphis, TN 38111. A light lunch will be provided! To register, please call 1-800-272-3900.

Applications are now being accepted for admission to Next Step at Vanderbilt. Next Step is a 2-year certification program for students with intellectual disabilities, providing individualized programs of study in the areas of education, social skills, and vocational training. Next class of Students begins August 2010. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 15. For admissions requirements and to request an admissions packet, call (615) 343-0822 or visit NextStep.vanderbilt.edu.

Partners in Policymaking Leadership Institute
Partners in Policymaking is a free leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities. Over the course of seven, once-a-month weekend sessions (from 12 pm on Friday through 3 pm on Saturday), Partners will attend workshops conducted by national and local experts, on:
          The History of the Disability Experience
          People First Language
          Best Practices in Inclusive Education
          Building Inclusive Communities
          Self-Determination, Self-Direction and Person-Centered Practices
          Living in the Community
          The State and Federal Legislative Processes
          Customized Employment
          Conducting Effective Meetings
          Assistive Technology
          Working with the Media
Weekend sessions take place September through November, and January through April, each year. Partners sessions take place at a hotel in Middle Tennessee. All participants are required to spend the night and attend all seven sessions. There is no cost for hotel rooms and meals during the program times or the trainings. Mileage to and from each session will be reimbursed approximately two weeks after each session.
If you need an application, or have any questions about the program including eligibility, please contact program director Ned Andrew Solomon at (615) 532-6556, or by email at ned.solomon@tn.gov. All applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2010. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

1st Annual Jackson Culley Mito What? 5K and Fun Run presented by The Memphis Area Mitochondrial Disease Support Group. March 27, 2010 at 9:00am. The race will begin at the USA Baseball Stadium in Millington, TN. Mitochondrial disease is the body's inability to turn food into energy to sustain life. Mitochondria exist in nearly every cell of the human body, producing 90 percent of the energy the body needs to function. In a person with mitochondrial disease, the mitochondria are failing and cannot convert food and oxygen into life-sustaining energy.  For many, mitochondrial disease is an inherited genetic condition, while for others the body's mitochondria can be affected by other environmental factors. For more information about how to register, sponsor or volunteer for the race please go to www.mitowhat5k.blogspot.com. Please join us in the fight for life.

Calling All Artists with Disabilities!
The Tennessee Disability MegaConference Steering Committee is proud to announce our 2010 Art Contest! Our conference theme this year is Sharing Our Strength in Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience. A picture of the winning artwork, a short bio, and picture of the artist will be featured on the 2010 Program Booklet cover and on the Tennessee Disability MegaConference website. The winning artist will also receive a complimentary exhibit table. The winning artist will be notified by Friday, April 2, 2010. All artwork submitted will be displayed in the Exhibit Area June 3-4, 2010 during the MegaConference at the Nashville Airport Marriott. The deadline for entry is Friday, March 19, 2010. High quality digital images (300 dpi) of your artwork must accompany the entry form and be emailed to Lori Israel at lisrael@thearctn.org. If you have any questions, please call Lori at (615) 248-5878 or (800) 835-7077 ext. 22.

WebAIM is conducting a study on how to make the web more accessible for students with cognitive and learning disabilities and they need your help! WebAIM is looking for students with an IEP from ages 12-18 (7th grade to 12th grade). There will be compensation for those willing to participate. If you know a student who is willing to participate, please visit the website at http://webaim.org/projects/steppingstones/invitation or contact Dr. Cyndi Rowland.

2010 Through the Looking Glass Scholarship Announcement
Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2010. There are separate scholarship awards for high school seniors and for college students, and each has separate eligibility requirements:

1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2010, planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least one parent with a disability.
2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 1, 2010, and have at least one parent with a disability. All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

Save the date for TABS:
April 16-17, 2010--2nd Annual Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters Conference in Nashville, TN. TABS is an information, support, and networking group for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities. For more information, please contact Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Associate Director of Communications and Dissemination, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center at (615) 322-5658.

Check out the Exceptional Foundation's new website:
www.exceptionalfoundationwesttn.org.

Do you know a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who struggles with moodiness, irritability, tantrums, or aggression? Vanderbilt University is studying a new medication to help with these behaviors in children and teens with ASD. Baclofen has been used successfully for 30 years with other groups of people. The purpose of this study is to find out if STX209 (R-Baclofen) is well-tolerated by people with ASD. We also want to know if it is helpful in treating the irritable behavior that goes along with ASD. All volunteers will have the medication at some point. Current participants have reported improvements on the medication. The study lasts 10 weeks. It involves 6 visits to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. We need you to give blood at 3 of those visits. There is no cost to you for being in this research study. You will get evaluations with Cassandra Newsome, PhD, neuropsychologist, study visits with Dr. Kevin Sanders, psychiatrist, and study medications at no cost. You will also get money back for your transportation costs and time. Sponsored by Seaside Therapeutics.

Participant Criteria:

• children and teens with ASD
• ages 6-17
• have trouble with moodiness, irritability, tantrums, or aggression

Compensation: yes
Visit Requirements: 6 visits to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN

Download the brochure here. For more information, contact Gina Murfree, RN at (615) 936-3288 or Gina.Murfree@vanderbilt.edu.

What is YLF?
The Youth Leadership Forum is a leadership and self-advocacy training for high school students with disabilities from across the state, sponsored by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.

• What will the selected students do?  Attend sessions by local and national presenters on a variety of topics, including leadership, self-advocacy, planning for life after high school, employment, college resources for students with disabilities, and the legislative process.
  Students will also participate in:
  *several small group discussions about their lives, hopes, dreams and plans following high school
  *a photography workshop
  *a drum circle  
  *a talent show
  *a tour of the Capitol, including a conversation with a legislator
• When will the forum take place?  Monday-Thursday, July 5-8, 2010
• Where will it take place? On the campus of Vanderbilt University
• Where will the students stay? In an accessible dorm on Vanderbilt University campus
• What does it cost? There is no cost for the training, sleeping rooms, or meals. Students or their families will be reimbursed for mileage to and from the Forum approximately two weeks after the event.
• Who can attend?  Rising tenth graders through students that will graduate in 2010. Students do not attend with family members.
• Who will supervise the forum?  8-10 adult counselors and coordinating staff, mostly adults with disabilities themselves, family members of persons with disabilities, and returning YLF graduates
• How many students will be selected? Twenty. An effort will be made to select a diverse group, based on type of disability, ethnicity, gender, school year, and region of the state the student lives in.
• How does a student apply? Please contact Ned Andrew Solomon at (615) 532-6556 or by email at ned.solomon@tn.gov for an application. All applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.

The Family Support Program has started a new support group. DSP (Daughters Supporting Parents) will be meeting on December 18 at 12:00pm. The meeting will be held at SRVS, 3592 Knight Arnold Road, Memphis, TN 38118. Guest speaker will be Lamar Frizzell with Delta Medical Group. Anyone that is 60 or older or anyone that is caring for someone that is 60 or older is eligible to attend. Lunch will be served.

New Contact for West TN STEP office. Parents and professionals that need assistance or information from the West TN STEP office, please email Jacqueline Sakho at jacqueline.sakho@tnstep.org. The phone number for the West TN STEP office is (901) 726-4334. To get in touch with STEP's Executive Director, Karen Harrison, please email karen.harrison@tnstep.org or call (423) 639-0125 ext. 11.
Thank you for contacting STEP. We believe Empowered Parents = Successful Kids and our mission is to provide support, training, and information to families across TN. Please visit our website for additional information regarding STEP services or to be added to our mailing list.

IDEA Training Curriculum Now In Spanish. Building the Legacy/Construyendo el Legado: A Training Curriculum on IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) 2004. The online curriculum is intended to help all those involved with children with disabilities understand and implement IDEA 2004.


Survey of statewide needs for services in developmental disabilities. Researchers from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) in collaboration with the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Network are investigating the need for disability services in Tennessee. VKC wants to learn what is most important to the disability community and about needs across Tennessee. They will use your ideas to shape their work for the next five years. Filling out the survey is a good way to report on how well your community is doing and how much aid may be needed. The survey should take about 15 minutes. VKC invites you to complete our survey if you are:

• a person with a disability
• a family member of a person with a disability
• a person who works with individuals with disabilities
• a member of a disability organization

* Please find information about SSA's Ticket To Work for students with disabilities pasted below from http://www.cessi.net/ttw/faqs/index.asp. You can sign up for the New Ticket Express E-mail List at http://www.cessi.net/ttw/index.htm. Enjoy!
.

Support The Arc of the Mid-South when you shop at Schnucks!
The Arc of the Mid-South is now participating in the eScrip program with Schnucks. Every time you use your Schnucks card, 3% of your purchase will be donated to The Arc. This is a great way to support The Arc of the Mid-South and our mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their fill potential in life.

The best part is that it couldn't be easier. First, you'll need to get a customer card from your local Schnucks store. If you are already a Schnucks shopper, you can use your existing card.

After that, you just need to register your card with escrip. There's two ways to do that:

• Call (800) 931-6258 and provide your card number, the 12-digit number below the bar code on the back of the card. You'll also need to provide our group ID number: 500022601.
• You can also sign up online. Click on "Register Online Now" and enter either the agency name - The Arc of the Mid-South - or our group ID number: 500022601. Again, you'll need to enter the12-digit card number located below the bar code on the back of the card.

Once your card is registered, all you have to do is shop. There's no catch, no hidden fees. Every time you shop at Schnucks, you're supporting The Arc of the Mid-South.

The Disability Coalition on Education is a Statewide alliance of family members, educators, State and advocacy organizations, focused on bringing about positive change in the education of students with and without disabilities. DCE has monthly meetings in Nashville, which are open to anyone who has an interest or stake in issues related to the education of Tennessee's children. There is no cost to join DCE. If you or someone you know is interested in joining DCE, please let us know by sending your contact information, including phone number, mailing address and e-mail address to members@dce-tn.org. There are many possible levels of participation, and there is absolutely no obligation ever to do anything more than receive updates from DCE about educational initiatives that we believe are important to any family with a school-aged student, with or without disabilities.

CaringBridge® is a free, non-profit web service that connects family and friends to share information, love and support during a serious medical condition, treatment, and recovery. It takes just a few moments for you to create your own personal and private CaringBridge website. Click here to see sponsors within the state of Tennessee.

Day Program @ The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee: The Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee offers a day program from 8:00am -6:00pm Monday-Thursday during the school year.  Participants can come and enjoy social and recreational activities all day, half day, or for after-school hours.  The activities that participants at The Exceptional Foundation engage themselves in are fun and entertaining, but the ultimate goal of any sport, craft, or field trip is to teach the participants social skills and cognitive skills, thus enabling the participants to attain the greatest level of independence that they have known.  

We serve a wide age range of individuals, young adults- adults for our DAY PROGRAM, SUMMER CAMP, and WEEKEND EVENTS, as well as children and young adults for our AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, SUMMER CAMP, and WEEKEND EVENTS.  Call 387-5002 to inquire about being a participant at The Exceptional Foundation.  All individuals must complete an interview, and meet criteria before beginning the program.

CSA TOP Soccer- Sign up now for the Fall Season! The goal of CSA TOPSoccer is to provide all children with special needs the opportunity to play, learn and benefit from the game of soccer. Join us if: You are at least 5 years old through high school; You have physical and/or cognitive disabilities; We have playing opportunities for those athletes over 18; You have desire to get off the sidelines and into the game! To Register or learn more about us, visit us at www.colsoc.co or contact our office at: (901) 854-8724 or email: colsoc1@aol.com. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

* National Summit on Disability Policy 2010
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is seeking people with disabilities, individuals representing grassroots organizations, and others to help shape disability policies and programs for the next decade. This Summit commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a reception, an ADA retrospective and a series of working meetings. The results of the meetings will help shape disability policy and programs for the next decade.The National Summit is an invitation-only event. If you are interested in attending, please review the participant information and complete an application.



* Updates in Family Support: Check out the new Tennessee Family Support Alliance website. The purpose of this Alliance is to voice our endorsement of one of Tennessee's most valued and effective statewide programs serving persons of all ages with a variety of severe disabilities, and providing essential support to their families and caregivers. This site should serve as the primary portal for communication throughout our network of volunteers and friends. There is a "Discuss" section on the site for you to add ideas and share information with others about the Family Support Program. Encourage family members and other interested individuals to join the Alliance. We will begin to send periodic e-news blasts to the membership list shortly. There have been many reports in the media throughout the state about threats to the Family Support Program. These are documented in the News section of the website. Please continue to keep Family Support in the news and forward all press releases and stories to include on the site.

* Tennessee ranks #43 (out of 51) in the quality of Medicaid Services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See how other states fared according to a United Cerebral Palsy analysis released last week. The full ranking of the 50 states and Washington, DC is here. You can click here to view the full analysis, entitled "A Case for Inclusion."
A Student's Guide to the IEP from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY).

* United Health Care Grants
Families struggling with the medical bills of children with special needs may get help from the United Health Care Children's Foundation (UHCCF). The nonprofit offers grants of up to $5,000 to families whose children need special services - including [but not limited to] speech language treatment, audiology, and hearing aids -not fully covered by health insurance. UHCCF is accepting applications for 2009 grants. There are some age, income, and residential qualifiers. For more information, please visit their website www.uhccf.org.

* The TN Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Planning and Policy
The Regional Council wants your involvement in planning services for persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. Your voice can be heard in many ways.

1) Contact Your Regional Council Chair (See contact information below)
2) Attend a Council Meeting in Your Area
3) Become a Council Member
         
REGION VI
Chair - Rhonda Ewing (Acting Chair) (731) 984-8599
Counties: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Tipton, Weakley
REGION VII
Chair - Harry Diament (901) 527-1455  
County: Shelby

* The University of Connecticut is requesting help from wheelchair users. They are conducting research on wheelchair user's opinions pertaining to wheelchair technology and services. The survey is about 40 questions, takes 10 minutes to complete, and includes a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card. Your participation in this survey will directly contribute to an increased awareness of problems faced by wheelchair users. The survey will be available for the next two weeks, so if you wish to  participate or know someone who might like to participate, time is short. Please click here to take survey.

* Volunteer Opportunities Available at MIFA
The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is seeking volunteers for its Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. Volunteer Ombudsman Representatives advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and residential care homes throughout Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, and Lauderdale counties. Through weekly visits to facilities, volunteers will investigate complaints and monitor the residents' quality of life, care, and rights. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and complete a 12-hour training and certification program slated for August 18, 19, and 20 from 8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. at the MIFA headquarters, 910 Vance Avenue. The application process also requires references, an interview, and background check. To volunteer or for more information, contact Rick Finkey, volunteer coordinator, by email, or call him at (901) 527-0208, x230.