Featured Speaker: Linda Higgins, Educational and IHSS Advocate,
Hope Consulting and Advocacy, Founded March 2014,
Linda Higgins got into advocacy as a result of having had their daughter, Megan Hope, who had Down syndrome and autism. Thanks to her, they have fostered several children with special needs and adopted three of them. They lost Megan Hope on December 27, 2013 to a pulmonary embolism. Their advocacy is now her legacy. Linda has taken many classes and attended numerous workshops to learn advocacy, including having completed the Parent Advocacy and Mentoring (PAM) training through Special Needs Network and Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) training through Council of Parents, Advocate, and Attorneys (COPAA).
Linda’s kids have had many different diagnoses, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder partial, emotional disturbance, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, sensory processing disorder (SPD), central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), and dyslexia. All of them have needed significant advocacy to get their academic needs met, and two have required IHSS services. Megan had Down syndrome, autism, asthma, a heart condition, feeding tube, SPD, was not potty trained, and more, yet she was denied the first three times they applied for IHSS. They didn’t understand the program, and was told they should apply, but that was before Facebook and all the easy methods of learning via the internet. Linda has learned that if the parents don’t know what IHSS provides and why they deserve the services, they will be given nothing. She has worked to get more services and has learned what needs be done to improve hours. And now, she uses that knowledge to help parents.
We hope that you’ll plan to attend this important support group meeting. Please RSVP by September 9th to Nicole Aptekar at naptekar@gmail.com
Meeting location: Temple Beth Israel, 3033 N. Towne Ave., Pomona
Monday, August 15 – 7:00 pm
3033 N. Towne Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767
Every child deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to contribute to our society.
Please join Advocacy For Autism, and Woodsmall Law Group for a complimentary workshop on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 7:00 in the evening to 8:30 at TBI. Mark Woodsmall, founder of Woodsmall Law Group, is the parent of a child with special needs and is an active member in the special needs community. He will be presenting on IEP Essentials, Tips and Strategies for the IEP Process.
This particular seminar is designed to educate and inform parents of children with special needs of the IEP process. It will answer questions such as: ‘Where does the Regional Center stop and the District start?’ ‘What is the difference between what the Regional Center provides and the School District provides?’, as well as tips on assembling and organizing your documents such as assessments, observations, and evaluations; requesting an independent assessment and the role of an independent educational evaluation. It will also address what team members should be present at the meeting, and explanation of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), etc.
We hope that you’ll plan to attend this complimentary workshop on Monday, August 15th from 7-8:30 p.m. at TBI. Please RSVP to Nicole Aptekar at naptekar@gmail.com or 909-851-0326 by August 13th.
When you care for a child with autism you know how challenging a typical day can be for your family. It can be even more so, if you’re planning an activity outside of your regular routine, such as going to an amusement park, a family vacation, or even to the movies. You often have to plan ahead and anticipate things that may happen and how to deal with them when they do. At times it can seem overwhelming. We’d like to offer some encouragement to families through our autism support group meetings and support network, Advocacy for Autism. We will share information, tips, resources, successes, challenges and support.
Monday, July 18th, we will have an informative presentation from People’s Care Autism Services on ABA and social skills.
Monday, August 15th, we will focus on preparing for your child’s IEP with a presentation from a Special Needs Attorney who can offer guidance and insight.
We hope that you’ll plan to attend an upcoming support group meeting and meet some new friends. Please RSVP at least one day prior to Nicole Aptekar at naptekar@gmail.com.
Monday, July 18 – 7:00-8:30pm
Monday, August 15 – 7:00-8:30pm
3033 N. Towne Avenue, Pomona
