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WA State Parent to Parent (P2P)
Newsletter: January 2021
Welcome January...
Hello 2021! We are so glad to see you and have been patiently waiting for you! 2020 taught us a lot…about perseverance, flexibility, the value of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and ZOOM... but now we’re able to say GOODBYE and put you in the PAST! 

The Parent to Parent network will continue to do great things in 2021! We have built a strong foundation of virtual support for families raising children with special needs and have experienced the benefits of this new way to engage families. We also look forward to a time when we can meet in person again… and hopeful this can occur in 2021. 

We’re especially grateful to our many partners around the state- for their on-going support and recognition of the value of Parent to Parent support- especially in times like these when families NEED connection more than ever! 

Our future is bright!  

~~~Tracie, Theresa, Patricia and Jackie
A Message from the Washington State Fathers Network

The Washington State Fathers Network has been around since 1978 providing support, resources and connections for men who have a child with special health care needs in their life. 
No matter where you live in Washington, we invite you to join us. There are multiple ways to be involved, from following our Facebook page or being on our mailing list to taking part in or leading chapter meetings. You can be involved in whatever way is comfortable for you.

Our work is focused in three areas:

  • Connecting men to each other and to resources and information that are of help to them and their families. 
  • The connections can happen on a one to one basis, in a group setting or during social activities (some just for men, others that are family oriented). Due to the pandemic our social activities have stopped, and group meetings are done virtually. But, the benefit of virtual meetings is that you can connect with other men no matter where you live. 
  • Information and resources can be obtained in several ways. One way is by contacting me, Louis Mendoza, directly. Information and resources can also be found on the resources page of our website and on our Facebook page which can be found by searching for Washington State Fathers Network. And, for those on our mailing list, a list of group meeting times and newly found resources is sent out twice a month.
  • Raising the voices of men. We feel that it’s important that men be heard regarding the joys and challenges that come with having a special needs child in your life. So, we look for opportunities for that to happen including at conferences, on panels and on podcasts. As part of that effort, we offer a training program (for men and women) called Telling Your Story with a Purpose.
  • Advocating for equal access to the community for everyone. This is so that organizations like YMCAs, Girl Scouts, theatres and museums keep in mind that the special needs community needs to feel welcome and included.

I hope you’ll consider joining our Network of men. If you’d like to know more or have questions please contact me, Louis Mendoza, at louis.mendoza@kindering.org or 425-653-4286.

WA STATE FATHERS NETWORK VIRTUAL MEETINGS

  • East King County – welcoming men in East King County
  • Meeting on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month, from 7:30-9:30. Contact Robert at robert.thompson.wsfn@gmail.com to receive a meeting link
  • Snohomish County - welcoming men from around the state
  • Meeting on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of the month, from 7:00-9:00 – The meeting on the second Thursday of the month is, as mentioned above, designated as the all state virtual meeting. 
  • The link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83980800279?pwd=Y2dYbG0vUHphMWkrMWhsdnVQY1JXQT09
  • South King County – welcoming men from around the state
  • Meetings are once a month on the second Monday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Contact Tim at tjgames.com@live.com to receive a meeting link

CONFERENCES / SEMINARS

42nd Annual Duncan Virtual Seminar with topics on Cerebral Palsy, 
March 26, 2021, 7:45 am - 4:05 pm

Join us from the comfort of your desk for Microsoft Ability Summit on May 5-6, 2021!
Ability Summit is a two-day, free digital event experience that brings together people with disabilities, allies, and accessibility professionals to Imagine, Build, Include, and Empower the future of disability inclusion and accessibility. We encourage all to join and spread the word throughout your communities!
Agenda
As we are building the agenda for Ability Summit, here’s what you can expect:
  • Keynotes from Microsoft executives and notable members of the disability community
  • Expert panels featuring exciting projects and innovations
  • Demos of the latest accessibility features in Office, Windows, Xbox, and more
  • All sessions will be recorded and available post-event so that no matter what time zone you are in, you can access the content at a time that works for you!
Highlights – Ability Summit 2020
Last year we welcomed nearly 7,000 attendees to the Ability Summit from across 97 countries. Visit our Ability Summit 2020 video playlist to reflect back on the 2-day experience.
Registration
Registration will open in March. In the meantime, you are welcome to help us spread the word and forward this to others within your organization, schools, and communities.
For more information, visit aka.ms/AbilitySummit. We look forward to your participation at Ability Summit!
Ability Team

RESOURCES

1.) NOFAS Washington State is a 501(c)(3) non profit that exists to support individuals with FASD and their families both with direct support and by connecting them with resources in their communities. We are the Washington State Affiliate to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We offer support groups (both virtual and in person when covid allows) for parents and caretakers, training and advocacy. There is no fee for our services. Website: www.nofaswa.org.
Jenn Wisdahl, NOFAS Washington State - Phone: 206-400-7533; Cell: 253-370-8633; Email: jwisdahl@nofaswa.org
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2.) Autism and Safety
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SPANISH RESOURCES 

1.) “Como confiar en la información acerca del COVID-19”
Vivir una pandemia se ha vuelto un dilema. Ha mucha información, mitos, y creencias. Lo mas interesante es ver cómo nuestra cultura interfiere. Abemos muchos papás que la prioridad es mantener nuestros hijos sanos y seguros, incluso muchos han optado por evitar cualquier salida y cuando salen, salen muy protegidos con sus mascarillas, evitan estar cercas de gente y el gel desinfectante está a la orden del día. ¿Como interfiere en este aspecto nuestra cultura? Ya que es un virus que no se ve y si algún miembro de nuestra familia no ha sido contagiado o se ha contagiado, pero es asintomático (con muy pocos o casi nada de síntomas), limita nuestras habilidades de creer el impacto del como este virus nos puede afectar.
Otra forma que estamos viendo cómo nuestra cultura interfiere es, nuestra limitación al seguir las reglas de salubridad. Haciendo reuniones sociales, fiestas familiares y otros convivios. Todavía, aun cuando traen mascarillas en estas fiestas, no traen las apropiadas y ya que están con familiares, el contacto físico no se hace esperar.
La otra forma cultural de cómo esto interfiere en nuestro cuidado es creer que es algo inventado o manejado por los políticos o los magnates.
Hay mucha confusión y controversia, pero queremos crear conciencia e invitarlos a que busques o se conecten con las fuentes de información verídicas que constantemente están compartiendo todo tipo de actualización que nos puede llevar a salir más rápido de esta pandemia. Esto, solo se logra con la colaboración y participación de todos y cada uno de los seres humanos.
Es verdad que no es fácil, que está afectando cómo nos manejamos emocionalmente, cómo sentimos y pensamos. Hay muchas cosas que todavía podemos hacer y estar conectados con nuestros seres queridos, amigos y vecinos siguiendo el protocolo de salubridad de la pandemia.
Por esta razón, los invitamos para que sigan esta fuente de información confiable Washington State Department of Health. Ellos tienen videos con información al día, con un vocabulario preciso y en nuestro idioma. Para encontrar sus videos, ustedes pueden visitar su página en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6GFnJcsLZI
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2.) “Celebración de Invierno”  
El 2020, definitivamente nos ha enseñado a grandes rasgos como nuestra comunidad que hablamos español hemos rompido con estereotipos. En esta época del año, nos damos la oportunidad de recordar, pero sobre todo de celebrar todos aquellos logros que hemos tenido accediendo a recursos, aprendiendo de ellos y también participando a eventos. Unos de los estereotipos que hemos rompido en el 2020, es aquel que se creía que la comunidad no participaba en actividades, reuniones, capacitaciones y celebraciones virtuales. Desde que la pandemia comenzó, se limitaron la toda actividad social a Zero, con la única intención de propagar el virus.
Las familias estaban muy pasivas sin saber que hacer, a donde llamar o cómo actuar. Se le proporciono el apoyo para hacer uso de la plataforma de zoom y BINGO. Desde entonces las familias se mantienen en contacto y mucho más activas que nunca. Se han hecho adaptaciones a cada actividad, todas ellas pensando en el aspecto cultura, de integración, pero además de equidad.
Esto no significa que no extrañamos todas estas actividades como tradicionalmente solían ser, pero nos estamos adaptando y sobre todo aceptando. Lo mas importante y de lo que yo, Patty González, Coordinadora del programa de Padre A Padre en el Condado de King Para familia s que hablan español me siento muy orgullosa. Estamos aprendiendo a vivir un nuevo estilo de vida, pero también un estilo de trabajar como equipo con las familias.
Ahora, ya hemos celebrado el invierno con actividades divertidas típicas y tradicionales en las cuales, toda la familia pudo disfrutar. Además, también se las da el espacio y la oportunidad de interactuar en pequeños grupos para que se conozcan más y sientan ese calor humano virtual.
¡Ahora, ya “Celebramos en Invierno” y TODOS nuestros logros virtualmente!

COVID - 19 RESOURCES


NEW! Facemask Guideline (English)
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NEW! Facemask Guideline (Spanish)
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COVID Stress Taking a Toll on Children’s Mental Health, CDC Finds. 
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Mental Health-Related Emergency Department Visits Among Children Aged <18 Years During the COVID-19 Pandemic-United States, January 1-October, 2020|CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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HELPING CHILDREN WITH TRAUMATIC SEPARATION OR TRAUMATIC GRIEF RELATED TO COVID-19. (PDF)
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Eviction Rent Assistance Program
Commerce’s Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP), funded with federal CARES Act dollars, may prevent evictions by paying past due and current/future rent for people in distress due to COVID-19.
Rental assistance is provided through local housing providers in each community, not directly from Commerce. Please share this ERAP provider list with your network so community members who may be impacted know where to apply.

MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

1. Phases of Disaster - Adapted from Zunin & Myers as cited in DeWolfe, D. J., 2000. Training manual for mental health and human service workers in major disasters (2nd ed., HHS Publication No. ADM 90-538). Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. (pdf format to share)
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2. Washington State Leadership Board's Boundless Washington
Overview
Boundless Washington is an equity focused program that integrates fun, challenging outdoor activities with leadership training for young people with disabilities in Washington state. At capacity, the program will sponsor 20 middle and high school students to participate in the program. Launched in 2020, the program currently serves 9 students all over the state....
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 This tip sheet explores stress and compassion fatigue, as well as signs of distress after a disaster. It covers strategies healthcare providers can use to reduce their stress during this time and information about coping with compassion fatigue.
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4. Transitioning to Virtual Services and Support for Children and Youth with Special Health
Care Needs and Their Families
Clinicians, early intervention providers and other community service services providers
and educators are having to quickly ramp up telehealth and online learning capacity during
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5. Finding Your Way in Community: Free Online Mindfulness Groups for Parents and Caregivers (Supporting each other through meditation and communication.)
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If you or your family is experiencing distress and need support call:
  • National Parent Helpline 1-855-4 A PARENT or 1-855-427-2736
  • Info Children /Parent Helpline 1-778-782-3548
  • National Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255
when...Oh, the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful and since we've no place to go let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...
2638 State Avenue NE
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 357-5596