April 2023 Issue 2 Living, Learning, and Working Independently

Image Description: The Center for Exceptional Families logo with 3 hearts: 1 green, 1 orange, and 1 blue heart. The hearts are interconnected and hanging off the letter E in the word Exceptional.

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Here is a video from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that explains student support services. Many college have student support services! Websites to a few colleges' services are listed below. Ask your college if they have student support services and how to sign up!

Student Support Services in College/Trade Schools are services that can help low income students, students with disabilities, etc. stay in college! These include things like tutoring, counseling, help with applications, and more! Click Here to learn more!

TCFEF Events

Stay up to date with our events by checking out our calendar:

Click Here

Monthly Events

April 8th: 9:30 Sensory Friendly Viewing of Super Mario Brothers at the Malco Towne Theater in Jonesboro. Click Here

April 22nd- 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Adults on the Autism Spectrum Meeting at Downtown Little Rock Library. 1st Floor. Fribourgh Room. Virtual Option: Click Here

April 24th-28th: Inclusive Film Camp in North Little Rock held by Arkansas Transition Services. Click Here

April 29th: Getting Down for Down Syndrome Luau in Sherwood held by ADSA. Click Here

June 26th-28th: College Bound Arkansas camp for high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates held in Conway by Arkansas Transition Services. Click Here

July 9th-30th: Beyond Your Limits Summer Camp for Blind or visually impaired transition aged youth held by World Services for the Blind Arkansas. Click Here

Every Tuesday 6-6:30 CST: Teens who Spell to Communicate are invited to a virtual social meet up. Click Here

Various Dates: Young Adult Social Group (ages 15-25) Community Connections Little Rock, Conway, Russellville. Click Here

Various Dates: Club Connect for young adults with Down Syndrome. Held every 6-8 weeks. Click Here

Announcement!

The Independent Futures That Work (IFTW) project is preparing to launch a Learning Management System (LMS) providing various topics on transitioning to independent living, learning, and working. As part of the the project, they would like to include short videos of individuals from each Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) participating in the project. To be considered as a nominee for the videos, we ask that the student be in the process of transitioning from high school to independent living, learning, or working. 

Click Here to download the nomination form. Submit it to: 

transition@alabamaparentcenter.com 



Thanks for your consideration and participation in this effort. Please share this information and nomination form with others in your network. Let’s represent Arkansas!

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To expand the goal of reaching teens and young adults, TCFEF has partnered with The Independent Futures That Work Project. IFTW is a multi-state program with a mission to work together with families, schools, and other organizations to help teens and adults with disabilities plan their futures! Click the link below to learn more and connect with IFTW on their website and social media sites!

Arkansas Special Olympics!

The Special Olympics provides sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children, teens, and adults with disabilities.

CLICK HERE

Film Camp and College Bound Arkansas!

There are still openings for the Film Camp (April 24th-28th) and College Bound Arkansas (June 26th-28th) Program! Follow the link below look for the Registration tab on the right side!

CLICK HERE

April is Month of the Military Child!

Bloom is a website created by military teens to empower other military teens and provide resources and support.

CLICK HERE

World Services for the Blind Little Rock

The mission of World Services for the Blind is to empower people who are blind and visually impaired to achieve sustainable independence. WSB offers a wide array of program that allows students to receive services and training tailored specifically to their needs.

Click Here

Each newsletter, we will highlight organizations that are part of the Arkansas advisory committee for Independent Futures That Work. These organizations offer different services to teen and adults with disabilites and their families to help with the transtion to adulthood.

Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) Services help people with disabilities prepare for, find, keep, or return to a job or learn skills that will help them lead productive lives that are as independent as possible. Click Here for a fact sheet from Indepednent Futures That Work about Vocational Rehabilitation Services and links to different states' VR Services. Click Here for Arkansas' VR Services

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To see more state and national resources for living, learning, and working independently, click below. The button will take you to the Resources for Teens and Young Adults tab on The Center for Exceptional Familes' website!