On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This new legislation provides a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.
Over 60 million beneficiaries will receive a one-time payment. All payments should be delivered by late May 2009. Government officials are requesting that beneficiaries not contact Social Security unless they do not receive their payment by June 4th.
You can learn more about these one-time payments at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Strategies to Facilitate Math Concepts and Homework.
Regina Richards received a frantic call at her education therapy clinic. It was Sammy's mother. Sammy was one of her clients who usually worked on reading. "I just picked Sammy up from school," the mother exclaimed. "And he's pretty hysterical. It seems he doesn't understand the words his teacher is using in math. He says he's going to flunk the class because of these words."
This story starts a practical article for parents and teachers on helping children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia with math. It is a newly updated article, exclusive to LD OnLine, titled Strategies to Facilitate Math Concepts and Homework.
Here are some of the strategies to facilitate math concepts and homework recommended in the article:
1. Be sure that the child is relaxed so that he can "take in" new information.
2. Hook new vocabulary words to something that is familiar to the child. For example, Regina Richards taught Sammy the word "circumference" by reading a story about a table made from a tree. The bark around the tree represented the circumference.
3. Teach children the morphology or word parts. For example, "multi" means many and "equi" means equal.
4. Use rhymes to help them remember. For example, the rhyme, "A meter measures 3 ft. 3. It's longer than a yard, you see."
5. Color code the "ones" column and the "tens" column to help them line up the two columns when they add. This is particularly important when they learn to carry numbers.
6. Teach patterns that make things easier, such as writing the digit twice if you multiply by 11.
Click here to read entire article at LD Online
This story starts a practical article for parents and teachers on helping children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia with math. It is a newly updated article, exclusive to LD OnLine, titled Strategies to Facilitate Math Concepts and Homework.
Here are some of the strategies to facilitate math concepts and homework recommended in the article:
1. Be sure that the child is relaxed so that he can "take in" new information.
2. Hook new vocabulary words to something that is familiar to the child. For example, Regina Richards taught Sammy the word "circumference" by reading a story about a table made from a tree. The bark around the tree represented the circumference.
3. Teach children the morphology or word parts. For example, "multi" means many and "equi" means equal.
4. Use rhymes to help them remember. For example, the rhyme, "A meter measures 3 ft. 3. It's longer than a yard, you see."
5. Color code the "ones" column and the "tens" column to help them line up the two columns when they add. This is particularly important when they learn to carry numbers.
6. Teach patterns that make things easier, such as writing the digit twice if you multiply by 11.
Click here to read entire article at LD Online
Bring a SIBShop to your neighborhood
WHAT ARE SIBSHOPS? Opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with special health, mental health, and developmental needs to obtain peer support and education within a recreational context. For more information, see: www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops/index_html
The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilies Council is seeking to establish more Sibshops through out Oklahoma. Currently Sibshops have been held in only Oklahoma City and Tulsa. They are willing to furnish mileage, room, per diem and registration to the Governor’s Conference on Disabilities on March 2 & 3 in Tulsa for Sibshop training. The training will run concurrently with the Governor’s Council, but attendees will be involved in Sibshop sessions, rather than the regular Governor’s Conference sessions. Attendees must plan to attend both days and be committed for one year to establishing a Sibshop in their community.
For questions and registration information, please contact Louis Worley at louis-worley@ouhsc.edu or 405/271-6824, extension 45131.
The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilies Council is seeking to establish more Sibshops through out Oklahoma. Currently Sibshops have been held in only Oklahoma City and Tulsa. They are willing to furnish mileage, room, per diem and registration to the Governor’s Conference on Disabilities on March 2 & 3 in Tulsa for Sibshop training. The training will run concurrently with the Governor’s Council, but attendees will be involved in Sibshop sessions, rather than the regular Governor’s Conference sessions. Attendees must plan to attend both days and be committed for one year to establishing a Sibshop in their community.
For questions and registration information, please contact Louis Worley at louis-worley@ouhsc.edu or 405/271-6824, extension 45131.
FDA approves brain device for treatment of OCD
Feb. 19, 2009 -- The FDA today approved use of an implanted brain device for patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Click here to read more at WedMD Health News
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
New Directions Program for Children in Foster Care
This new program is part of the federally funded Oklahoma Partnership Initiative through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. New Directions is a 12 week group treatment program for children ages 3 to 12 in foster care due, in some part, to parental substance abuse, and their foster parents. The program curriculum integrates principles from the Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Center and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) model and is designed to help foster children and foster parents more effectively cope with the negative impact of parental substance abuse. Additional services provided at no cost to foster children and their foster parents include cognitive and developmental screenings, assessment of current psychosocial functioning, treatment, education and advocacy for foster parents, and babysitting during group hours.
Program Objectives
New Directions works to improve child functioning and enhance foster placement stability by:
• Teaching safe and healthy coping
• Stabilizing mood and increasing self-esteem
• Reducing acting-out behaviors
• Reducing trauma symptoms
• Teaching foster parents additional ways to manage challenging child behaviors
• Assisting in the child’s transition from foster care to the biological parent(s),
when applicable
For more information about New Directions or to make a referral, please contact the New Directions Program coordinator, Susan Schmidt at: (405) 271-8858.
Additional program details and a downloadable referral form are located on the New Directions website: http://oumedicine.com/newdirections
Program Objectives
New Directions works to improve child functioning and enhance foster placement stability by:
• Teaching safe and healthy coping
• Stabilizing mood and increasing self-esteem
• Reducing acting-out behaviors
• Reducing trauma symptoms
• Teaching foster parents additional ways to manage challenging child behaviors
• Assisting in the child’s transition from foster care to the biological parent(s),
when applicable
For more information about New Directions or to make a referral, please contact the New Directions Program coordinator, Susan Schmidt at: (405) 271-8858.
Additional program details and a downloadable referral form are located on the New Directions website: http://oumedicine.com/newdirections
President Obama Signs Kids' Health Insurance Bill
Feb. 4, 2009 -- President Barack Obama has signed a bill that adds an estimated 4 million children to government-sponsored health insurance coverage.
The bill adds nearly $33 billion to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In all it would insure 11 million children in lower-income families.
The new law pays for the expanded coverage by raising federal tobacco taxes 61 cents per pack. That brings the total federal tax to $1.01 per pack. All 50 states have their own tobacco taxes, averaging $1.19 per pack, but ranging from $0.07 in South Carolina to $2.75 per pack in New York, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The bill adds nearly $33 billion to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In all it would insure 11 million children in lower-income families.
The new law pays for the expanded coverage by raising federal tobacco taxes 61 cents per pack. That brings the total federal tax to $1.01 per pack. All 50 states have their own tobacco taxes, averaging $1.19 per pack, but ranging from $0.07 in South Carolina to $2.75 per pack in New York, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Spring Events List from Early Childhood Workgroup
THURS-SAT, FEBRUARY 12-14 - DENTON, TX
International Conference on Parent Education and Parenting
Keynote: Dr. Wally Goddard on "New Discoveries in Parent Education" and Dr. Jay Fagan on "Parent Education for Fathers: Lessons Learned from Research"
SAT, FEBRUARY 21 - ADA
Ada Early Childhood Association conference.
Contact Monnie Smith at 580-332-7673
SAT, FEBRUARY 21 - TULSA
Mini-Conference presented in SPANISH
Socio-Emotional Development of Babies and their Families (A Zero to Three Training)
For more information call Keila Garcia (405) 942-4179 or Sam Stephenson (918)834-2273
MON-TUES, MARCH 2-3 - TULSA
2009 Governor's Conference on Developmental Disabilities
"You're Not the Boss of Me!" The Road to Freedom, Support, Authority and Responsibility
THURS-FRI, MARCH 5-6 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Partners Conference for Oklahoma Families
Topics include: Gang Awareness, Pro Active Health and Lifestyle, Stalking, Vicarious Trauma, Domestic Violence Issues, and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
For more information: click here
FRIDAY, MARCH 6 - EDMOND
Oklahoma Council on Family Relations Conference
Theme: Healthy Families: Physical, Sexual,and Emotional Wellness
SAT, MARCH 7- NORMAN
Central Oklahoma Friends of Early Education conference;
Contact Tammy Maus at 405-364-4343
SAT, MARCH 7 - OKLAHOMA CITY
"Reaching Across the Plain" Statewide Down Syndrome Conference
Keynote speaker: Jan Moss
SAT, MARCH 7 - TULSA
Oklahoma Afterschool Association Out of School Time conference.
Contact Debbie Sekel at (918) 746-6448
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 - ENID
On the Road Family Perspective Conference featuring a variety of speakers from OASIS- Oklahoma Areawide Services Information System and OKDHS/DDSD- Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Developmental Disabilities Services Division
For more information contact Sally Selvidge, OASIS Outreach Coordinator at 800-426-2747 or Garfield county Sooner SUCCESS coordinator Lisa Simmons at 580-603-1580.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28 - ENID
Wheat Capital Early Childhood Association conference;
Contact Terrie Dally at 580-548-2050.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol
For info, contact Sherie Trice at 405-271-7611
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition Annual Family Matters Conference
Keynote Gordon Neufeld
FRI-SAT, APRIL 17-18 - DEL CITY
Oklahoma Child Care Association Conference.
Contact Jennifer McCord at 800-580-4181
SUN-SAT, APRIL 19-25
National Week of the Young Child. Events planned statewide. Details forthcoming.
THURS-SAT, APRIL 23-25 - TULSA
International Infant/Toddler Conference
Speakers: Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Beverly Kovach, Elsa Chahin, Laura Briley, Agnes Szanto-Feder, Alexandra Curtis Boyer, Deborah Greenwald, Ruth Anne Hammond, Denise DaRos-Voseles, Johanna Herwitz, Diane Horm
MAY 6-8 - NORMAN
16th Annual Children's Conference, The Art of Creating Resilience
Keynote: Dave Pelzer, author of "A Child Called It"
For information, please call 405-522-8300.
FRIDAY, MAY 8
National Provider Appreciation Day
Events planned statewide. Details forthcoming.
TUES-THURS, JUNE 2-4 - CATOOSA/TULSA
National Indian Child Care Association Conference
For info: contact (918) 453-5045
International Conference on Parent Education and Parenting
Keynote: Dr. Wally Goddard on "New Discoveries in Parent Education" and Dr. Jay Fagan on "Parent Education for Fathers: Lessons Learned from Research"
SAT, FEBRUARY 21 - ADA
Ada Early Childhood Association conference.
Contact Monnie Smith at 580-332-7673
SAT, FEBRUARY 21 - TULSA
Mini-Conference presented in SPANISH
Socio-Emotional Development of Babies and their Families (A Zero to Three Training)
For more information call Keila Garcia (405) 942-4179 or Sam Stephenson (918)834-2273
MON-TUES, MARCH 2-3 - TULSA
2009 Governor's Conference on Developmental Disabilities
"You're Not the Boss of Me!" The Road to Freedom, Support, Authority and Responsibility
THURS-FRI, MARCH 5-6 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Partners Conference for Oklahoma Families
Topics include: Gang Awareness, Pro Active Health and Lifestyle, Stalking, Vicarious Trauma, Domestic Violence Issues, and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
For more information: click here
FRIDAY, MARCH 6 - EDMOND
Oklahoma Council on Family Relations Conference
Theme: Healthy Families: Physical, Sexual,and Emotional Wellness
SAT, MARCH 7- NORMAN
Central Oklahoma Friends of Early Education conference;
Contact Tammy Maus at 405-364-4343
SAT, MARCH 7 - OKLAHOMA CITY
"Reaching Across the Plain" Statewide Down Syndrome Conference
Keynote speaker: Jan Moss
SAT, MARCH 7 - TULSA
Oklahoma Afterschool Association Out of School Time conference.
Contact Debbie Sekel at (918) 746-6448
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 - ENID
On the Road Family Perspective Conference featuring a variety of speakers from OASIS- Oklahoma Areawide Services Information System and OKDHS/DDSD- Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Developmental Disabilities Services Division
For more information contact Sally Selvidge, OASIS Outreach Coordinator at 800-426-2747 or Garfield county Sooner SUCCESS coordinator Lisa Simmons at 580-603-1580.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28 - ENID
Wheat Capital Early Childhood Association conference;
Contact Terrie Dally at 580-548-2050.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol
For info, contact Sherie Trice at 405-271-7611
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 - OKLAHOMA CITY
Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition Annual Family Matters Conference
Keynote Gordon Neufeld
FRI-SAT, APRIL 17-18 - DEL CITY
Oklahoma Child Care Association Conference.
Contact Jennifer McCord at 800-580-4181
SUN-SAT, APRIL 19-25
National Week of the Young Child. Events planned statewide. Details forthcoming.
THURS-SAT, APRIL 23-25 - TULSA
International Infant/Toddler Conference
Speakers: Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Beverly Kovach, Elsa Chahin, Laura Briley, Agnes Szanto-Feder, Alexandra Curtis Boyer, Deborah Greenwald, Ruth Anne Hammond, Denise DaRos-Voseles, Johanna Herwitz, Diane Horm
MAY 6-8 - NORMAN
16th Annual Children's Conference, The Art of Creating Resilience
Keynote: Dave Pelzer, author of "A Child Called It"
For information, please call 405-522-8300.
FRIDAY, MAY 8
National Provider Appreciation Day
Events planned statewide. Details forthcoming.
TUES-THURS, JUNE 2-4 - CATOOSA/TULSA
National Indian Child Care Association Conference
For info: contact (918) 453-5045
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