Update

There will not be any meetings for the months of December, 2011 and January, 2012. The space is reserved and anyone is welcome to hold a meeting if they would like, I do not have to be present. Should anyone decide to hold a meeting either of those months, just let me know and I can send out emails for you.

The next scheduled meeting is for February 15th, 2012 from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center in the first floor conference room. I will be sending out fliers with details in February.

Please have safe and Happy Holidays until then!

Upcoming Presentations

The Michigan Alliance for Families is hosting two presentations the first week of November. On 11/1 in Houghton they will have a presentation called Getting and Keeping the First Job. The second is on 11/2 and it will be held in Baraga and the topic is, Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy.

Getting And Keeping the First Job

Topics will include:

• Straight talk about employment
• What you need to know about employment
• Accommodations, disclosure, and interviewing
• The employer's perspective
• Self employment
• Building your resume

When: 11/1/11 - Tuesday from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Where: BHK Houghton, 700 Park Avenue

AND
Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy

Topics will include:

• Understanding your child's disability
• Knowing who's who and what role they play
• Knowing your rights and responsibilities
• Getting organized
• Using clear and effective communication
• Knowing how to resolve disagreements

When: 11/2/11 - Wednesday from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Where: Best Western, Baraga

Advance registration is required. To RSVP contact Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org or you can also call at (906) 483-0442 to reserve your place. Due to the travel involved for the guest speakers, MAF needs a minimum number to register in advance in order to hold each event. Please register by 10/30. Pizza and beverages will be served.

October 19, 2011 Meeting Wrap-Up

We had a small crowd at the meeting but it was extremely productive and informative. For anyone that is looking to homeschool and you'd like to explore options, I highly recommend contacting John and Julie (they requested that I leave their last name off of this post) via email at: parent49@yahoo.com

Another great resource that was brought to the table during the meeting is Copper Country Home Educators (cchomeeducators.com). Jennifer Olson (crazyjolson@gmail.com), is on the board for this volunteer organization and she would be happy to assist parents with any questions.

A huge thank you goes out to Alissa Erickson, for her assistance with the childcare. The kids had a great time playing in the gym.

Our next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2011 at the BHK Houghton Center from 6-8 p.m. A flyer will be following in the next few weeks.

Cheers!

October 19, 2011 Meeting

Our meeting this month will be held at the BHK Houghton Center, in the first floor conference room from 6-8pm. This is an open meeting for parents, professionals, and community members.

The topic of the meeting will be homeschooling options and networking with other families who homeschool. Our speakers are John and Julie, two of our active group parents (they have asked that their last name be left out of this post). They are well versed in homeschooling and have been providing high quality education to their children in the home for several years. Please join us in giving John and Julie a warm welcome.

Childcare is being provided but is limited. Please be sure to RSVP for care and include the number of children needing care.

For more information or to RSVP contact: Heather at 906-482-4216

Cheers!

September 21st Meeting

Our first meeting after the summer recess is a collaboration with Michigan Alliance for Families. Lisa Kahnke (Regional Parent Mentor for MAF) along with Sara Menzel of UCP of Michigan are putting on a workshop titled: Understanding Assisted Technology Services.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 21st, from 5:30-8:30 at the BHK Houghton Center in Houghton in the first floor conference room. Pizza and beverages will be provided. Registration is required. To register please contact Lisa Kahnke via email at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org or by phone: 906-483-0442.

Spread the Word!

We are now on Facebook!! To find us, just search for Copper Country Autism Understanding, Support and Education (CCAUSE).

For those of you not on Facebook, I will still continue to post blogs here so that you can follow what's going on.

Watch for upcoming posts here and on Facebook in the next few weeks. Emails will also be sent out with fliers attached for presentations that are starting in September.

Cheers!

Upcoming Developments

As you can see, we have changed the name of the support group. We are no longer calling ourselves the Parent-to-Parent Support Group. A few parents and myself felt that it would better promote the group and help to bring more awareness if we changed the title to be a bit more specific and descriptive. After mulling over a few choices, we came up with the name, Copper Country Autism Understanding, Support and Education (CCAUSE). Please excuse the inconsistency with the old label still being on the flier that is posted on this blog. That will be remedied as soon as possible.

I'm also excited to announce that we will have a Facebook page within the week. The goal is to hopefully spread awareness more effectively. So keep your eyes peeled for that new development. I will still maintain this blog for those of you who are not on Facebook so that you can still follow events.

There are several exciting presentations coming up in the next few months. Emails will be sent out as soon as details are worked out and we will be posting the information here as always.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer. It is going far too fast.

Cheers!!

Positive Behavior Supports Presentations

The Michigan Alliance for Families is hosting presentations across the U.P. on Positive Behavior Supports-Interpreting and Modifying Your Child's Behaviors in School and Elsewhere with Sandee Koski.

Topics will include:

• Understanding Behavior Communication
• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
• Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
• Positive Behavior Supports (PBS)

7/25/11-Monday from 5:30-8:00 pm at BHK Houghton Center, 700 Park Avenue, Houghton.

7/27/11-Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 pm Dickinson-Iron ISD, 1074 Pyles Drive, Kingsford.

You can view the MAF calendar for events on-line at: www.michiganallianceforfamilies.com

To RSVP for this event please contact Lisa Kahnke (MAF Regional Parent Mentor-Western UP) at 906-483-0442 or email her at: Lisa.Kahnke@arcmi.org

Face Book Page

I'm going to be creating a Face Book page for the support group. It's been reported that this blog is helpful however, I feel we can reach more people on Face Book. Also, I'm thinking of changing the name of the group. I've never felt that the current name really projects what the group is about. I sent out an email to a couple of the other group leaders asking for feedback. I would really appreciate comments from anyone else as well. If you would like to change the name and you have an idea please email me or leave a comment on this post.

Right now there are two names on the list to take seriously and they are: Copper Country Autism Understanding, Support and Education (CCAUSE) or Keweenaw Autism Understanding, Support and Education (KAUSE).

Let me know what you think! :)

Star Power Walk

Please join us for our 3rd Annual CC Great Start Collaborative Star Power Walk!
on May 19th, at the Ramada Waterfront Inn., in Hancock

Registration: 5:30-6:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby
Walk: 6:00-6:30 from the hotel to Chutes and Ladders
FREE ice cream and activities from 6:30-7:30

*The Red Jacket Trolley will be available to give free rides back to the hotel!*

Star Power celebrates parents, teachers, advocates and community members devoted to supporting Michigan infants and young children. We gather to encourage support of early childhood investment, celebrating early childhood initiatives, while enjoying activities for the entire family.

For further information on this event feel free to contact any of the following people:

Heather Poll
Parent-to-Parent Support Group, Group Leader and Coordinator
CC Great Start Parent Coalition Member
906-231-0666 or email: hlpoll_5@hotmail.com

Heather Store
CC Great Start Parent Coalition, Parent Liaison
906-337-6488 or 906-370-1477 or email: hstore@charter.net

Emilie Krznarich
CC Great Start Collaborative, Director
906-482-4250 ext. 186 or email: emiliek@copperisd.org

Upcoming Training

Michigan Alliance for Families is putting on a workshop to help parents better understand how to be a partner in their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This event will take place on Saturday, May 21st, from 11:30-2:30 at 700 Park Avenue in Houghton. For further information and to register for this event, please contact Lisa Kahnke (MAF Regional Parent Mentor) at 483-0442 or email her at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org

Final Parent-to-Parent Group Meeting!!

Our final group meeting until the Fall will be held on May 18th, from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center in the first floor conference room. Kristen Miller, a local speech-language pathologist, will be giving a presentation at this meeting. Kristen took the liberty of creating a detailed introduction letter for the meeting and biography. You can view this by clicking the link below. Childcare is currently not being provided for this meeting. I will make a post and send out emails should this change.

Cheers!

Click here to download.

April 20th, 2011 Meeting Re-cap

We had a great meeting last night. I want to thank Linda Reynolds, for collaborating with me this month and for bringing pizza for the dinner. A big thank you to Enneesa Ewing and Eli Luoma for helping with the childcare, the kids had a great time in the gym. Last but not least, thank you to Chrissy and Zach Halkola for letting us view Autistic Like-Graham's Story, in observance of National Autism Awareness Month.

After the meeting there was some discussion about changes that will be occurring this fall. As of September, 2011 I will be starting course work at the Institute of Natural Therapies. I've had such wonderful results with the massage therapy and cranio sacral manipulation that my son has received, I feel that I need to give some back. It is still in the discussion phase, but I have asked a family to step in my place while I attend the Institute and the family is considering my request.

The current plan for now is for me to step behind the curtain and offer support when needed. The goal for the group is for parents to begin taking ownership of the group by running the group meetings and coordinating together to pull in speakers and host workshops. I have always said this is a group run by parents, for parents, and now it is time for that to happen. The ultimate goal has always been for the group to not always fall on the shoulders of one individual, but rather for several families to work together and step in for each other when needed. This idea wont always work, and at times responsibility will fall on one family/person. However, it has always been my desire to have other parents acting as group leaders and ready to step in when they are comfortable/able.

I will still be available, and participating in the group. My roll for the most part, starting in September, will be more of a group liaison. I'm very excited about this step forward for the group and I hope that other parents will be stepping up to help this other family manage the group.

Below is the mission statement that I comprised last summer for review. This is also on the general group flier that is posted to this blog at all times. If you would ever like to print the flier, just click on it and it will pop up as a PDF. If you have difficulties printing it or viewing it, just let me know.

Mission Statement

The mission is to provide information to parents and family members about community resources, school services, therapies, and much more.

The group is comprised of parents of neurodiverse children. The parents offer other parents a safe place to share information, give and receive emotional support, and work together to address common concerns. Parents also help empower each other through knowledge and experiences.

We came together to provide much needed emotional support, knowledge, and a sense of community. To create a place where we can come together and feel no judgment. We can talk, laugh, and cry about the same problems and draw strength from one another.

Together we are a unified voice taking our message to special interest groups, schools, professionals and the community.

*Monthly meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month, from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center.*

Celebrating Autism!

This month the parent group will be collaborating with Linda Reynolds from the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

For the first hour of the evening, we will be showing a movie called, Autistic Like-Graham's Story. Zach and Chrissy Halkola (two of our active parent leaders) are generously lending the video to the group for viewing.

The second hour of the night will be comprised of trying out the various sensory stations that Linda and myself will set up. The purpose of the sensory stations is to give people an idea of what individuals living on the spectrum cope with each day.

Gluten and casein free snacks will be provided. If anyone would like to bring a dish to pass (it does not have to be GFCF) you are more than welcome to do so.

This meeting is open to everyone. Childcare is limited, be sure to RSVP.

Cheers!!

World Autism Awareness Day!

Whether you are a relative, friend, or someone who is living with autism, help show your support by wearing blue for the month of April. April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day and many businesses and individuals will be wearing blue and/or using blue lights to help shine light on autism.

Here are a few websites to check out:

marquetteasdsupport.blogspot.com
blog.autismspeaks.org
www.autismspeaks.org
www.autism-mi.org

Cheers!

March 16th, Meeting Wrap-Up

We had a busy meeting this month. We had Sonya Lovegrove travel all the way from Canada to give a wonderful and informative presentation on Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Both the afternoon and evening session had a great turnout of professionals, parents, and a couple of community members. If anyone would like to know what the presentation was about, I took many notes and I'd be happy to share them.

I want to send out a big thank you to Christa Gardner for helping to bring Sonya Lovegrove to our community, and for helping me to prepare food for the luncheon and evening meeting.

From Michigan Technological University, we had Elyse Beebe and Colin McCorkel. Elyse and Colin brought three fabulous weighted blankets that they designed themselves for a product design class. In addition to presenting the blankets Elyse and Colin collected parents feedback to include in their final project.

On a final note I want to thank everyone for all of your hard work. Without such woderful and supportive speakers our support group wouldn't be able to bring the awareness that is much needed for our parents. It was a delight and a pleasure to hear you all speak!

Cheers!!

February 16th, Wrap-Up

We had a really big turnout at tonight's meeting. It was nice to see some old and new faces with us this evening.

Thank you to Cindy Figures and Sandy Uusitalo for the very informative presentation on the Individualized Education Program and the Parent Advisory Committee. Just a reminder that I will post the next PAC meeting when I receive it.

A huge thank you to the Americorps workers Tori, and Angela, and my family friend, Enneesa for helping us out with childcare. Without the help of Americorps and our friends many parents wouldn't be able to attend meetings.

Our next meeting is scheduled for March 16th. A detailed flier will be following in a couple of weeks. Until then, mark in your calendars that for the March meeting there will be two slots. There will be a luncheon from 12:30p-3 and then another slot from 5p-8. More details soon! :)

Cheers!

February 16th, I.E.P Night!

For the February group meeting, we will be welcoming Sandy Uusitalo and Cindy Figures. Both ladies will be covering the new Individualized Education Program (I.E.P). They will also be discussing the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), and how we as parents can get involved and/or seek assistance from the PAC. Below you can read a little about our presenters.

Sandy is the Coordinator of Monitoring and Compliance at the Copper Country Intermediate School District. This is Sandy's sixth year at the CCISD. Her role includes assisting local districts to understand and complete special education monitoring activities required by the State. Michigan's system for this is called the Continuous Improvement and Monitoring System (CIMS). She provides training to help local district staff develop quality and compliant I.E.P's and meet other requirements of the IDEA and Michigan's Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE). Other duties include serving as CCISD-PAC liaison, investigating formal special education complaints, and overseeing state assessment ordering/return, etc., for the CCISD Learning Center programs.

Some of you may know Cindy Figures from her work at Portage Health. What you may not know is that she is the Parent Advisory Committee Chairperson, and she is in her fifth year in this position. She began her work with the PAC in 2002. Cindy has a 14 year old son living with Down Syndrome, which is how she became involved with the PAC. Only parents of diverse children that are in the public school system can participate in the PAC.

If you have questions about the new format of the I.E.P, you're seeking information about how to better help your child(ren) in the school system, or you're looking to acquire more information for future use, then you will want to come hear these ladies speak.

The meeting will be held February 16th, 2011 at the BHK Houghton Center in the conference room on the first floor from 6-8. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by February 15th, 2011 to ensure we have enough materials on hand. If you plan to utilize the childcare, let me know how many children will need care when you RSVP.

January 19th, 2011 Meeting Wrap-Up

I want to thank Keweenaw Krayons and the Michigan Alliance for Families for sponsoring last nights Family Art Therapy Workshop. The children and parents had a great time. There was a lot of creative sculptures made by the children using modeling clay. Later music was played and children were asked to "draw the music". It was a lot of fun and a great night!

Cheers!

January 19th, 2011 Meeting Update

The Channel 6 News crew will be coming to the meeting tomorrow evening (Wednesday 19th) and interviewing willing parents and filming some of the children during the workshop (with parental or guardian consent). This matter will be addressed tomorrow evening before the meeting begins. No one is being forced or expected to take part in the news event, so please do not let it be a deterrent. We will set the conference room up accordingly to meet the needs of everyone.

I'm going to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the Parent Support Group is hosting this event, and as always, the meetings are a safe place for people to come. The news cast will respect and honor this.

I think that Channel 6 coming is a great opportunity. However, I do realize that not everyone may wish to expose themselves in this fashion. I can't stress enough that this will be respected. Again, please still come and enjoy the evening and all the activities that are planned.

Lisa Kahnke (MAF Regional Parent Mentor) has asked me to mention that even if you haven't registered for the workshop, all are welcome! Registration was merely to get an idea of how many people to plan for to ensure enough materials would be provided. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org

This is going to be a great family night, especially for the kids! Spread the word and join us tomorrow night from 6-8 at the BHK Houghton Center on the first floor in the conference room.

Cheers!!

January 19th, 2011 Meeting

It's our first meeting of the new year! I'm excited to announce that the support is hosting a collaboration between Michigan Alliance for Families and Keweenaw Krayons. Below are the details for the evening.

What: Art Night for Families at the Parent-to-Parent Support Group Meeting

When: January 19th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00

Where: BHK Houghton Center - First floor conference room

Please RSVP by January 18th to Lisa Kahnke at: lisa@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
Preregistration is required for the event. This is a free workshop and refreshments will be provided.

All parents of children who are living with unique physical, emotional, and/or learning diversities and their siblings are welcome.The workshop is for children so there is no childcare. Parents are responsible for their own children during the meeting.

Cheers!