Feb 4: Jane Meier Hamilton

Self-Care for the Caregiver

Jane Meier Hamilton MSN, RN, a nurse for 35 years and family caregiver for 20 years, has practiced clinically, taught psychiatric nursing, published numerous professional journal articles and co-authored Survival Skills for the New Nurse (JB Lippincott, 1986). She established Hamilton Consulting in 1979 to address the needs of health care professionals, later expanding her practice to include caring for family caregivers. She has consulted with more than 150 organizations and presented over 2,500 workshops and keynote addresses nationwide. In 2008, she founded Partners on the Path to help professional and family caregivers preserve their health, well-being and capacity to care. Participants will receive a free copy of her book Journey of a Lifetime: The Caregiver’s Guide to Self-Care (Infinity 2010), an original, research-based, stress-coping model for self-care.

Apr 16: Ira Fingles, Attorney

This month we welcome Ira Fingles, an attorney with the law firm Hinkle, Fingles & Prior. The firm has many years of experience providing expert counsel and legal services to families of people with disabilities. Mr. Fingles will introduce the topics of estate planning, guardianship and special needs trusts – what every parent should know in order to avoid mistakes when planning for your child’s financial future.

Come at 12:30 for light refreshments and to meet other parents. We will start the presentation promptly at 1:00.

Nov 13, 2010: Trish Luberda

Saturday, November 13, 2010
from 1:00-2:30

Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia

Come for light refreshments between 12:30 and 1:00, and meet other parents!

Speaker: Trish Luberda, M. Ed., CSEC
“The IEP Process: Get the Nuts & Bolts of
Obtaining Appropriate Services for Your Child”

On November 13 we welcome Trish Luberda, Certified Special Education Consultant, advocate,
and experienced parent of children with special needs. She also has experience in Assistive
Technology. As the recession lingers and schools face budget cuts, parents need more than ever
to advocate effectively for their children, whether navigating the IEP (Individualized Education
Plan) process, seeking behavioral services, planning for transitions, or planning for adult services.

If you have specific questions and topics of interest in advance of the meeting, please forward
them to JeanMcCoubrey@gmail.com, so that Trish can direct her discussion toward the issues of greatest concern.

May 8, 2010: Resources for Parents

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

For our May 8 meeting, we have two events in one!

1. Presentation on Financial Planning for your special child's future, by Branden Sacks, a financial planner with expertise in helping families like ours. This is a great follow-up to the wonderful April 10 presentation by Hillary Freeman on the legal aspects of future planning.

2. Display of books on special needs, organized by Margaret Brunton of the Chestnut Hill Library. She is gathering books from throughout the Philadelphia library system and will briefly discuss how to find books and other resources offered through your local library.

Note the change from our regular time: 10 am to 12 noon (refreshments served at the end, so please arrive promptly at 10!).

+++ Extra Benefit Event May 8 +++

The SPEC meeting is early so you can come over to Finley Recreation Center at 1pm for "An Afternoon Delight" ~~ a dance party fundraiser for Autism Sharing and Parenting. Of course, the event is open to all. Join us, have some fun! Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to anyone who you think may enjoy an afternoon of dancing. The $25 donation includes childcare, if a family needs to bring the kids.

Apr 14: Nancy Nowell @ Seedlings

PHILADELPHIA AUTISM NETWORK

2009-2010

(for ALL families and professionals working with children with Autism… free and open to the public)

childcare available for all trainings no need to register

held at Seedlings 3300 Henry Ave (see below for directions)

Wednesday April 14th

from 6-7 p.m.

Relationships, Sexuality and Safety in Children With Disabilities

Nancy Nowell, MPA,M.Ed.

Directions: Elwyn Seedlings at the Falls Center is located at 3300 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19129. Seedlings is on the campus of the old MCP Hospital, currently marked by two entrances with signs that read “Falls Center”. There are a number of buildings on the campus, however only one belongs to Seedlings! Seedlings is best accessed via the southern entrance closest to Roosevelt Expressway, through the black fence and gate. The sign says “The Falls Center/Elwyn Visitors”. The Center is easily accessible by bus however we suggest you call SEPTA at 215-580-7800 to find the best route from your home. A map is available online at : http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Phila&state=PA&address=3300+Henry+Ave&zipcode=19129#a/maps/m::13:40.01337:-75.184129:0::/e

Please call or email Karen Krivit for any questions at krivitk@elwyn.org or 267-784-2009.

Apr 10: Estate Planning and Guardianship

“Estate Planning and Guardianship”
Hillary Freeman
Attorney with the law firm Hinkle, Fingles & Prior.

Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 1:00 – 3:00 Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia

On April 10 we welcome Hillary Freeman, Attorney with the law firm Hinkle, Fingles & Prior. The firm has many years of experience providing expert counsel and legal services to families of people with disabilities. She will introduce the topics of estate planning, guardianship and special needs trusts – what every parent should know in order to avoid mistakes when planning for your child’s financial future.
No RSVP is necessary. Light refreshments will be served from 12:30 TO 1:00.

Parking is available at the lot behind Top of the Hill Plaza, entrance on Bethlehem Pike. The Library is close to the terminus of the 23, L and 94 buses and the final stops of the R8 and R7 train lines.. For more information, directions, to volunteer, offer to bring refreshments, or to get on the mailing list, call Jean at 215-913-9027 or email JFMcCou@aol.com.
Next Meeting: MAY 8 from 10:00-12:00 (NOTE CHANGE IN TIME!)

Mar 6: Robert Naseef

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have a wonderful speaker scheduled for Saturday March 6 - psychologist Robert Naseef. He will address a concern we all share - stress, and how to manage it.

The following meeting, April 10, will feature the presentation by attorney Hillary Freeman, rescheduled from February 6 (the blizzard day): Planning for the Future - Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, and Estate Planning.

Regards,

Jean McCoubrey

Co-Organizer, SPEC