Top Topics for 2008

On January 10th members of the Garfield County Sooner SUCCESS coalition got together to set their agenda for the new year. Here are the 4 topics that came out as high prioiries for 2008.

Lack of a local parent support group or means of networking.

Key issues:
1. Enid has few opportunities for parents to connect with each other for regular support and information sharing.
2. It can be very difficult for families that don't utilize DHS or DDSD services to find out about available resources or connect with other parents.
3. Area schools do not appear to be promoting communication between parents involved in the special education system on a consistent basis, but might be a means of reaching families if requested.

A potential solution might be for Sooner SUCCESS to sponsor a parent support group focused on information sharing and emotional support. Parents already affiliated with Sooner SUCCESS have expressed an interest in helping to establish a group for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, and ADHD.

Poor access to dental care for children with behavioral issues

Key issues:
1. Many area dentists now accept the medical card for services, however providers continue to be reluctant to sedate children or to work through a desensitization process with kids (and adults) whose special needs result in anxiety and behavioral symptoms during dental treatment.

2. Currently kids with behavioral issues are referred to Oklahoma City for sedation and/or treatment. The need to travel to OKC causes hardship for many families as it requires time away from work and other responsibilities at home.

A potential solution might be to explore bringing an experienced OKC dentist to the area on a regular basis to provide a special needs dental clinic within one of our local facilities.

Difficulty finding daycare for older children with special needs

Key issues:
1. DHS can currently pay for daycare services through age 18, however as children get older the daycare options decrease significantly.

2. Providers are hesitant because of the child's difference in size and age from others in the program and often worry about behavioral issues and possible injury to staff/other children.

3. The kids most frequently refused care are those over age 13, with few self care skills, and a high risk of leaving the premises if not closely supervised.

4. Because these children attend school for most of the day, the highest need is during school breaks (Christmas break, spring break, summer vacation).

Ideally a program could be created at a local childcare center specifically to meet the needs of this population during school breaks and potentially as an after school program and staffed with personnel experienced in supporting individuals with special needs.

Difficulty finding experienced counselors for children/youth with significant impairments

Key Issues:
1. Difficulties around insurance payment/approval
2. Lack of follow up recommendations from counselors to assist parents after a diagnosis is made.
3. Inexperience of many local providers when it comes to treating individuals who are dually diagnosed or have significant developmental or communication impairments.

A possible solution to explore would be the creation or expansion of psychological outreach services from NORCE or the Greer Center.

Do these issues impact your family?

Are you a service provider supporting families challenged in these areas?

Do you have ideas on how to effectively solve these problems?

If you would like to be part of the process when it comes to working on these issues, contact Lisa Simmons at 603-1580 or plan to attend our next coalition meeting on February 14th from noon to 1 p.m. at Bass Integris Healthcare Center (Northeast Conference Room).