Creekside ~ Connections

ACTION ALERT: Reinstate the Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Contracts

2009-11-10T10:26:00.002-05:00

Please keep the pressure on! Decisions are being made about how the funds the Governor is releasing to the Division of Public Health will be spent. Please contact ALL of the following people and let them know how important assistive technology services are to young children and ask them to reinstate the Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Contracts.

Governor Bev Perdue 800-662-7952
You can also contact the Governor by going to
http://www.governor.state.nc.us/govoffice. Go to eTown Hall on the right
side of the page and choose Constituent Services. Fill out the form and
click submit.

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
Lanier Cansler 919-733-4534 lanier.cansler@dhhs.nc.gov

Division of Public Health
Jeffrey P. Engel, M.D., State Health Director (919)707-5000
jeffrey.engel@dhhs.nc.gov

Dennis Harrington, Deputy Division Director and Chief of Administrative,
Local & Community Support (919)707-5050 dennis.harrington@dhhs.nc.gov

Thanks for supporting assistive technology services for our children!

Update on Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Resource Center Contracts & Funding Cuts!! Have Your Voice Heard!!!

2009-11-10T10:19:00.001-05:00

Please see the information below about meetings to held across the state this month. This is a great opportunity to voice your protest against the elimination of the Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Resource Center Contracts. They are coming up quick so act soon and please forward! Thanks for supporting Assistive Technology services in NC.

Legislative Briefing in Fayetteville Tuesday
It's not too late to RSVP!

Durham on Thursday, Raleigh next Monday

An Overview of the North Carolina State Budget, Economic Forecast, and Issues Affecting Your Community

Presented by the North Carolina Justice Center and United Way of North Carolina

GET READY FOR 2010 at a legislative briefing by local legislators and staff
from the NC Budget & Tax Center, NC Justice Center and United Way of North Carolina. They will discuss top issues in state public policy such as:

*Impacts of current economic conditions on working families and the state
budget
*Updates on key public efforts that support low-income workers and their
families, such as the EITC, child-care subsidies, children’s health
insurance and affordable housing
*Implementation and use of federal economic recovery funds

Fayetteville
November 10
8 am-10:30 am United Way of Cumberland County
Fayetteville State Univ.
Lyons Science Annex
Room 121
Ashley Smith
910-438-1179
acsmith@unitedway-cc.org

Durham
November 12
8:30 - 10:30 am
United Way of the Greater Triangle
Durham County Cooperative Extension
721 Foster Street
Nate Goetz
ngoetz@unitedwaytriangle.org
919-463-5002

Raleigh
November 16
1 pm - 3 pm
NC Justice Center
Covenant for NC Children
United Way of NC
NCAE Headquarters
700 South Salisbury Street
http://www.unitywaync.org/calendar

Wilmington
November 17
9 am - 11:30 am
Cape Fear Area United Way
Warwick Center at UNC Wilmington
liveunited@cfauw.org

Rocky Mount
November 18
9 am - 11:30 am
United Way Tar River Region
RBC Bank Campus
1515 Centura Hwy.
Bldg #2
Annette Mills
(252) 937-2213, x-102
annettemills@
rockymountnc.com

Hickory
November 30
2 pm - 4 pm

United Way of Catawba County
Catawba Valley Community College Dunbar Bldg, Rm 345 http://www.unitywaync.org/calendar

Asheville
December 1
8:30 - 10:30 am
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
AB Tech Enka Campus
Haynes Building Ron.Katz@unitedwayabc.org
(828) 255-0696

Triad Area
December 8
8:30 - 11 am
United Way of Greater Greensboro
Girl Scouts Tarheel Triad Council
8818 W. Market St., Colfax
http://www.unitywaync.org/calendar

The Arc of Craven County's Monthly Social

2009-11-06T11:36:00.002-05:00

The Arc of Craven County's monthly social is tonight from 7-9 @ Centenary UMC in New Bern. Come on out & have some fun with people who are differently abled -- not disabled! FMI call Melissa @ 252-675-2635. See you tonight!!

The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) is holding some great workshops in November on a variety of topics

2009-11-05T09:13:00.001-05:00

The ECAC has lots of great workshops & events going on in November. Check out their calendar for specifics @ this link.

Update on Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Funding Cut! A Vital & Necessary Service!! Act Now & Share with Others!!

2009-10-30T20:03:00.006-04:00

It appears that the elimination of the ATRC contracts is a result of
Amendment #7, to Senate Bill 202, Part X-A. Section 10.79.(a) item 12 that reduced funds for DPH Contracts, sponsored by Rep. Paul Luebke.

You can view the amendment by going to this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/BillDocuments/Senate/PDF/S202v5-A7.pdf

There is also a profile and contact info for Rep Luebke at this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=H&nUserID=63

I have learned that the ATRC services cannot be reinstated without
legislative action. Please contact your legislators and let them know what the loss of the ATRC services mean to our children. You can also contact the Governor by going to http://www.governor.state.nc.us/govoffice. Go to eTown Hall on the right side of the page and choose Constituent Services. Fill out the form and click submit.

Below is an article you can share with your legislators and local newspapers to bring attention to this issue:

Vital Services for Children with Disabilities Cut Infant and Toddler Assistive Technology Resource Center Contracts Terminated

North Carolina has been a national leader in providing innovative programs aimed at improving the lives of its youngest citizens. Over the past 17 years, a statewide network, comprised of 7 regional Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) has evolved with the support of the Department of Health and Human Services. Various agencies within DHHS have contributed resources to the ATRC network, with the majority of the direct funding provided by the Division of Public Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Section, Children and Youth Branch. The ATRCs are strategically located throughout the state.

The ATRCs have served as an assistive technology resource for young
children with disabilities aged birth to five, family members and
professionals in 3 ways: 1) provision of training, consultation and
technical assistance for families and service providers regarding selection, procurement and use of assistive technology and adaptive devices; 2) development of awareness activities to increase the public’s knowledge of the functional application of assistive technology devices and services to enhance a young child’s development and participation in daily living activities and, 3) operation of an extensive assistive technology equipment loan library, including augmentative communication, learning and literacy materials, positioning and mobility equipment, adapted toys, and computer hardware and software applications.

Last week, the ATRCs received notification that effective October 31, 2009 these services will no longer be funded by the Division of Public Health. This appears to be a result of Amendment #7 to Senate Bill 202, Part X-A. Section 10.79. (a) item 12 that reduced funds for Division of Public Health Contracts, sponsored by Rep. Paul Luebke. The amendment may be viewed at this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/BillDocuments/Senate/PDF/S202v5-A7.pdf

Tens of thousands of children and families have received services provided by the ATRCs over the past 17 years. In the past seven years, over 52,000 parents and professionals have attended ATRC training events. In 2009, 10,936 equipment loans that directly impacted children aged birth to five were made by the ATRCs statewide.

The ATRCs have played a major role in the early intervention services in this state and the loss of these services to the families of North Carolina is tragic. For parents of infants and toddlers grappling with the diagnosis of a disability, it is extremely difficult to identify and locate the specialized tools their children need to help them achieve developmental milestones that come automatically to typically developing children. Without access to this equipment and trained professionals to help them determine their child’s needs, they will remain in the dark about the technology that exists that can improve their child’s quality of life.

The loss of these services will have a direct impact on the lives of
children with disabilities and their future development. The formative years between birth and five present a window of opportunity in brain development that cannot be regained if lost. Without access to a walker during the early developmental years, a child may never learn to walk. Without a communication device, a child who cannot speak may never develop language and the ability to communicate. Without access to assistive technology, many of these children will develop secondary disabilities that will negatively impact their development and future abilities. Without these services, these children will enter school unprepared and without the tools and skills they need to participate successfully in the classroom. Without access to assistive technology, we will raise a generation of children who are more disabled than they have to be and who require more costly care. Please contact your legislators and let them know what the loss of these services mean to our children.

These contracts have funded ATRC staff to provide information, training and technical assistance related to a wide range of assistive technology needs and services. These services ensured that families and service providers made sound decisions regarding the equipment and service needs of children across the state. ATRC services were provided at regional loan library locations as well as in homes, childcare centers and schools. Assistance has been provided in a variety of ways including individual consultations, group trainings and workshops. ATRC staff has served as a resource to families and professionals on issues related to accessing funds to purchase assistive technology equipment.

The ATRC program has also provided extensive equipment loan libraries designed to give families and service providers access to equipment prior to purchase. If a piece of equipment was not available in a particular region, the statewide network established by the ATRCs assisted in coordinating a loan across regions to ensure that children had access to the equipment they needed. The ATRC contracts provided funds that allowed each center to purchase new equipment each year so that families had access to up to date technology. These contracts also provided funds used to repair broken or damaged equipment.

Survey Question...

2009-10-29T12:38:00.002-04:00

What do you think is the biggest need in our communities?

Action Alert!! Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Funding Cut!! Act Now & Share with others!

2009-10-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

As of October 31, 2009, the Department of Public Health is eliminating all of the Infant Toddler Assistive Technology Resource Center contracts. These seven centers have provided assistive technology services to children aged birth to five since 1992. They have played a major role in the early intervention services in this state and the loss of these services to the families of North Carolina is tragic. It will have a direct impact on the lives of children with disabilities and their future development. Without access to assistive technology, many of these children will develop secondary disabilities that will negatively impact their development and future abilities. Without access to assistive technology, we will raise a generation of children who are more disabled than they have to be and who require more costly care. I also understand that the 0-3 Assistive Technology Fund that provided last resort funding for families who do not have the means to purchase the equipment their children need will be eliminated.

Please forward this message and ask families and organizations to contact Dennis Harrington, Deputy Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, 919-707-5050 or dennis.harrington@ncmail.net, with their concerns about the loss of these services.

What is Recreational Therapy?

2009-10-28T10:02:00.001-04:00

Recreational Therapy improves people’s ability to function and be independent by promoting health & wellness as well as reducing & eliminating the challenges, limitations and restrictions that people of all ability levels experience on a daily basis. Recreational Therapy (RT) uses recreational and other activities to help people learn new skills and become more independent and achieve their goals.

RT differs from play because before, during and after the activity, the Recreational Therapist speaks with the person (or group) and asks processing questions (sometimes called “debriefing”) and empowers people to learn while they are involved in the activity.

Recreational Therapists assess the people they serve, develop and plan the RT interventions they will use with that person or group, provide or implement the RT interventions or activities, and then evaluate the outcomes of the RT interventions. Recreational Therapists get to know people (by assessing their strengths, needs, interests and functional skills), help them to set goals and use specific activities to help them achieve their goals and teach them how to be able to continue to reach their goals independently. Many times, people don’t even realize they are learning because they're having fun. At Creekside RTS, all recreation is therapeutic -- you just have to make it that way.

RT staff at Creekside RTS use many interventions including Adventure Based Therapy, Horticulture Therapy, Relaxation Techniques, Communication and Social Skills Training, Anger Management Techniques, Assertiveness Training, Therapeutic Touch, Cooperation and Teamwork, and Values Clarification. There are many more interventions that Recreational Therapists commonly use.

RT services can be provided in clinical (hospital, outpatient clinic, doctor's office), residential (group home, foster home, family home or assisted living facility) and community (school, preschool, family child care home, after school program, camp, recreation and parks program, etc.) settings. Creekside RTS staff are available to come to you to provide quality RT services in a familiar place that you feel comfortable.

For more information, please go to the Creekside Recreational Therapy Services website.

Make a Difference Day

2009-10-26T12:52:00.005-04:00

Saturday, October 24th was Make a Difference Day! Did you Make a Difference?? How? Share your stories...

Our Make a Difference Day isn't limited to just 1 day. How about yours?? How can YOU Make a Difference??

New Way to Connect with CreeksideRTS

2009-10-01T14:15:00.002-04:00

CreeksideRTS is now listed on the Wrightslaw website on their Yellow Pages for Kids resources page!! Check it out at:
Yellow Pages for Kids - NC Resources

Welcome to Creekside ~ Connections

2009-10-01T12:03:00.002-04:00

Creekside ~ Connections is the official "what's happenning" link for Creekside Recreational Therapy Services. Here's where you can find out what's going on and get connected.