March 2004                                                                                                             

 

 

H.O.P.E.

Helping Other Parents Excel

 

 

A Newsletter of the Virtua Early Intervention Program

Summer Workshop for Children with Visual Impairments

 

June 22nd through June 24th

Overbrook School for the Blind

6333 Malvern Ave.

Philadelphia, PA  19151

 

The T.E.A.M.S. (Together Exploring All My Senses) program created this summer workshop for parents and their children who have visual impairments and are between the ages of birth and three years.  The workshop teaches parents how to work with their children during the first years so that they develop to the fullest of their potential.  Several of the workshop presenters are families who have children with a visual impairment.  Each set of parents and their child are welcome to live at Overbrook for the week of the Summer workshop.  If a family is unable to attend the entire workshop, special arrangements are possible.  The summer workshop utilizes training techniques that include:

 

• Daily parent training seminars

• Daily hands-on parent-child activity sessions with staff participation

• Individual parent conferences with staff specialists

• Informal parent meetings

 

Also, individual assessments are available in occupation therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and functional vision.

 

There is no cost to the family to attend the TEAMS Summer workshop.

 

For additional information, call Cassandra Giardina at 215-877-0313 or e-mail her at cassandra@obs.org.  Also, check out the website at www.obs.org/workshops/summer/htm.

 

 

 

Preemie Support Group Informational Meeting

Wednesday, March 24th

7-9pm

Virtua Memorial Hospital Conference Center

175 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

Call Jeanne Hawkins at 609-304-7147

 

 

 

Save the Date….

 

“Welcome to Early Intervention”

Open House

April 22, 2004

11:00am to 2:00pm

Southern New Jersey Regional Early Intervention Collaborative

339 South Rte 73, Suite 6

Berlin, NJ  08009

 

 

• Learn about resources available to your family.

• Meet other families with children in Early intervention

• Get answers to your Questions about Early Intervention.

 

Please call or e-mail to Rachel Ledden-Albadine at 856-768-6747 or rachell@mycomcast.com by April 15th

Refreshments will be served.

 

April is Autism Awareness Month

 

Educate, Enlighten, and Embrace as an AUTISM AWARENESS AMBASSADOR!

Here are a few fun and productive ideas…

 

· Post flyers or distribute brochures in public places

· Visit your local library and encourage them to create a display of autism books and information

· Contact the media in your area –newspapers, radio, and television – to let them know that April is Autism Awareness Month

 · Arrange to make a presentation or send information to educators, community groups, or local legislators

· Initiate conversations about autism with people that you meet (even brief conversations can have lasting impact!)

 

COSAC can provide you with materials, ideas, and support…everything you need to educate your community!  We will send you a welcome kit with starter materials.  To become an Ambassador, please e-mail the following information to Courtney.knox@njcosac.org or fax it to 609-883-5509: Name, Address, and E-mail, phone number, and fax number. 

Community Activities and Support Groups

 

1) Toddler Time

Mondays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

9:30am to 11:30am

Barry Brown Health Education Center

106 Carnie Blvd.

Voorhees, NJ  08043

 

Group for parents and toddlers (ages 15 to 36 months) to gather together for fun and education every Monday.  Includes circle time, arts and crafts, and info sessions on topics related to children this age.  A snack is provided for the children.  $5.  New attendees can register at the door.  Call 1-888-Virtua-3.

 

 

2) Baby and Me Morning

Fridays, March 19, 26 and April 2nd  

9am to 12pm

Virtua Memorial Hospital

175 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

OR

 

Fridays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2nd

9am to 12pm

Barry D. Brown Health Education Center

106 Carnie Blvd.

Voorhees, NJ  08043

 

For parents and babies (newborn to 15months).  The group usually meets on Fridays and provides an opportunity to make friends, socialize, and gain support in your new role.  Pediatricians and health professionals are on hand to share medical and parenting information.  Please bring infant seat, blanket and/or stroller, toys, and formula or food as needed.  $4.  Call 1-888-Virtua-3

3) Support Group for Parents of Special Kids

Thursday, March 25th    

7pm

Fellowship Baptist Church

Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Rd.

Mt. Laurel, NJ  08054

 

Are you shepherding a precious child whose medical, developmental, and/or emotional needs are sometimes overwhelming?  Do you feel alone in your struggle and wish you could share with someone? Do you need encouragement in your journey?  Come join our snowflake ministry. We want to love, encourage, and meet you where you are.  Just as each snowflake is unique and beautiful, so has God created each of us.  Please call Pam Overton at 609-702-8060 for more information.

 

4) A.S.K. (Advocates for Special Kids)

Thursday, March 11th 

7pm to 8:30pm

Hartford School Library

Mt. Laurel, NJ  08054

 

Monthly support group for parents of special needs children.  Goals of the group include support, training, advocacy, education, and acceptance. This month, Marlea Gruver from ARC will speak about assertiveness training.  Babysitting is available, call Alycia Crotty at 856-608-9134 for more information.

 

5) Down syndrome Support/Playgroup

Friday, March 26th 

10am to 11:30am

The ARC of Burlington County

1011 Deacon Rd.

Hainesport, NJ 

 

Come out with your little one for fun, support, and to share ideas.  Siblings are welcome.  For questions or more information, call Jeanne Hawkins at 609-304-7147.

6) UNITE Grief Support Group

Monday, March 1st and 15th 

7pm to 9:30pm

Barry Brown Health Education Center

106 Carnie Blvd.

Voorhees, NJ  08043

OR

Tuesday, March 9th 

7pm to 9:30pm

Virtua Memorial Hospital

175 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

Grief support following the loss of a baby, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and infant death.  Provides the opportunity for emotional support through parent to parent sharing on issues relating to grieving.  Trained facilitators guide the group, but the meetings are not group therapy sessions.  Free.  Please call 1-888-Virtua-3 to register for your first meeting.

 

7) Visions For Tomorrow Support Group

Wednesdays, February 4th and 18th

7pm to 9pm     

Family Support Organization  

774 Eayrestown Rd.

Lumberton, NJ      

 

“Visions for Tomorrow” is an educational group for caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with brain disorders as well as those who exhibit behavior that strongly suggests such a diagnosis.  The Visions curriculum balances educational materials and skills training with self-care, emotional support, and empowerment.  ADD/ADHD, PDD/Autism, Tourette’s disorder, and Bipolar are a few diagnoses addressed in the curriculum.  There is no charge for the support group.  All material has been designed and written by experienced caregivers, family members, and professionals.  Call Kathy Bitzer at 609-265-8838 for more information, attendance, and babysitting.

8) Brighter Beginnings Playgroup

Wednesday, March 10th              

6pm to 8pm

Family Support Organization

774 Eayrestown Rd.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

Have fun with your 2˝ to 5 year old in a safe environment that will allow them to build relationship skills and make new friends.  To register, call Cassaundra Gorden at 609-265-8838.

 

9) Support Group for parents of children with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Call for March date

7pm to 9pm

Memorial Hospital Conference Center

175 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

Meet with other parents who are raising a child with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder such as PDD-NOS, autism, or Asperger’s.  The group will be facilitated by Jeanne Hawkins, social worker and Corrie Skuya, behavior specialist.  Support, information, and refreshments will be provided. To register call Corrie at 609-304-7118 or e-mail Jeanne at jehawkins@virtua.org

 

 

 

10)  Gymnastics Playgroup

Every Friday

11:15am to 12:15pm

Envisions Gymnastics

Lina Lane and Rte. 206

Eastampton, NJ  08060

 

Enjoy a playgroup with your child.  No need to sign up in advance. $9 per child.  Call 609-261-1140 for more information.

 

11) I Can Problem Solve Support Group

Monday, March 8th   

6pm to 8pm

Family Support Organization

774 Eayrestown Rd.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

What do you do when your child nags, demands, or cries?  Probably a variety of things, none of which are foolproof for a simple reason: you are doing the thinking for your child.  All of us like to think for ourselves.  And so do children, if they have the skills to do it.  Unlike other methods of rearing, the ICPS approach teaches children as young as 4 not what to think or do, but how to think or do – the

results are outstanding!  This program will change your family dynamics forever and help your child develop in ways you never thought possible. Call Cassaundra Gordon at 609-265-8838 for more information, attendance, and babysitting.

 

 

12) Lean on Me

Wednesday, March 17th

10am to 11:30am

Family Support Organization of Burlington County

774 Eayrestown Rd.

Lumberton, NJ 

 

A new daytime informal support group for parents/caregivers to have the opportunity to share their experiences, discover new resources, meet others with similar situations and develop new personal relationships.  Call 609-265-8838 for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13)  NAMI FACE – Visions for Tomorrow:  Support group for parents of children with brain disorders

Wednesdays, March 3rd and 17th

7pm to 9pm

Family Support Organization

774 Eayrestown Rd.

Lumberton, NJ

 

“Visions for tomorrow” is an educational group for caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with brain disorders as well as those you exhibit behavior that strongly suggests such a diagnosis.  ADD/ADHD, PDD/Autism, Tourette’s Disorder, OCD, and anxiety are a few diagnosis addressed in the curriculum.  There is no charge for the group.  All material has been designed and written by experienced caregivers, family members, and professionals.  Call Kathy Bitzer at 609-265-8838 for more information, attendance, and babysitting.

 

14)  Fathers’ Group

Saturday, March 13th  

10am to noon

Virtua Memorial Hospital

175 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ 08060

 

A free, professionally facilitated support group for fathers of children (of all ages) who have a developmentally delay or disability.  A great opportunity for dads to informally meet to confidentially discuss issues affecting themselves and their families.  Light refreshments.  Led by Dr. Bob Naseef and Stan Jones, MSW.  Usually meets the first Saturday of the month from September through June.  Call Stan Jones at 609-261-7049 for more information.

 

 

 

Workshops and Seminars

 

1) Car Seat Safety Fittings

 

Saturday, March 20th  

9am to 12pm

Barry Brown Health Education Center

106 Carnie Blvd.

Voorhees, NJ  08043

And

Saturday, March 6th  

9am to 12pm

Virtua Ambulatory Surgery Center

160 Madison Ave.

Mt. Holly, NJ  08060

 

Certified child passenger safety seat technician will check your car seat and teach you to install it properly yourself.  Come with the child and the seat already installed (read car and car seat manuals for instruction.  $10, pay in advance. To make an appointment, call 1-888-virtua-3.

 

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