Health and Human Services Launches Pilot Project with WebMD
In order to make consumer health information more widely available Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a 9-month project with WebMD to make HHS consumer health information more widely and more rapidly available to the public on a new HHS "channel" on WebMD. The partnership will accelerate the ability of HHS to disseminate lifesaving information to the public in the event of a major public health emergency. The HHS channel is available on the WebMD site at http://hhs.webmd.com
A New Vision
Don
Lavin, Vice President of Rise has written a book entitled A
New Vision that has a poignant message regarding the roles
and involvements of people who have disabilities in their communities.
Those who have disabilities, their family and friends, educators,
social service professionals, philanthropists - people from all
walks of life - can see hope and strength in the message from the
book. For more information or to order books or CDs contact Beth
DePoint at 763-783-2822 or via email at bdepoint@rise.org
Minnesota State Fair
It is that time of the year again, we are getting children back to school and the summer is coming to a close. What that means is it is time for the Minnesota State Fair. 2004 Fair dates are: August 26 through Labor Day, September 6. For accessibility information contact 651-288-4448, TTY 651-642-2372 or on their web site at www.mnstatefair.org.
NAMI Minnesota - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Family-to-Family Support Group
Using support group principals and guidelines, people who attend support groups develop better coping skills, reject the stigma of mental illness and find strength in sharing experiences. Support groups are currently available in Hennepin, Dakota, and Carver Counties. The support groups are open to any family member.
Family-to-Family Education Classes
Classes are taught by trained family members who contribute ideas and knowledge from their own experience and who truly understand the issues of the families attending class. Participants gain a greater understanding of mental illness, cope better, worry less, and feel empowered to advocate for better treatment and services for their relative. Registration is free. The next class will begin September 14, 2004. This twelve week class requires pre-registration, to register contact Kay at 612-821-0412 or Sheila at 952-945-9810.
Kidshops Program and Visions for Tomorrow
The Kidshops Program is designed to help children and youth better understand the implications of their sibling's or other family member's brain disorder as well as to help them learn how to handle commonly-experienced situations. The concurrent program, Visions for Tomorrow, is an educational program for parents who have children with a biological brain disorder who may or may not have a diagnosis. These classes and activities are free but pre-registration is requested.
For more information on the above programs, contact NAMI MN at 651-645-2948 or 1-888-473-0237 or by e-mail at swhite@nami.org.
Arc Hennepin-Carver's Sibshops are Back in Session this Fall
These sessions give youngsters a chance to meet other siblings and find out they don=t have to face the challenges of being a sibling to a brother or sister with mental retardation or related developmental disabilities alone. The fall sessions will begin in August and run through December at two locations. Sibshop I is for children ages 5-8 and Sibshop II is for children ages 9-12. All session run 10:00 to Noon
| Fall Schedule |
Location #1 |
Location #2 |
| Being a Sib |
August 14 |
August 21 |
| Dealing with Teasing |
September 11 |
September 18 |
| A Community Outing |
October 23 |
October 23 |
| Conflicts with our Sibs |
November 13 |
November 20 |
| Including Our Sibs |
December 11 |
December 18 |
Location
# 1: Arc Hennepin-Carver, St. Louis Park, MN
Location # 2: St. Hubert's Catholic Church, Chanhassen, MN
Access Press Board
Want a challenging and exciting opportunity as a board member, then become a member of the Access Press board. The board meets the third Tuesday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Griggs Midway Building at 1821 University Avenue W in St. Paul. The mission of Access Press is to disseminate news, features and editorial opinion of interest and benefit to the Minnesota disability community. For more information contact Tim Benjamin at 651-644-2133.
New Web Site Connects Local Residents to Emergency Update
From Amber Alerts to Weather Warnings, a new web site promises instant updates to computer users hoping to catch the latest public safety information. Emergency Management and Homeland Security of Ramsey County designed the interactive web site providing basic safety information to local business, schools, and residents. A password-protected area will allow First Responders to exchange best practices when responding to local emergencies. While the web site is locally produced, there are links to the state and national warning alert systems including the Amber Alert Network and Metro Skywarn. Educational materials on emergency preparedness for families, business, and schools are also available by clicking on links to the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the American Red Cross. Access the web site at:
http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/em or call the public information office at 651-266-2537.
Desktop Publisher
Are you looking for a "behind the scenes" opportunity that will have a positive impact on others? Do you enjoy research, writing and the creative expression involved in developing the graphic layout of newsletters, brochures, or other printed materials? If so, contact Ramsey County Community Human Services-Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us.
Brain
Injury Basics - Schedule Correction
The
Summer 2004 newsletter posting for August's Brain Injury Basics
class was listed incorrectly. The class will be held on Tuesday,
August 17, not August 19. We apologize for any inconvenience. Brain
Injury Basics is the Association's cornerstone class. The instructors
of this program define brain injury, discuss common side effects
of brain injury, suggest ways for persons with brain injury to
compensate for their injuries, and give tips about how to relate
to a person who has sustained a brain injury. This introductory
class is useful for both people living with brain injury and the
people who serve them - from health care workers to clergy to
school teachers. Classes are held bimonthly on the third Tuesday
at the Association's office in Minneapolis. The remaining class
dates for 2004 are: August 17, October 19 and December 21. All
classes run from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.The class is free to persons
with brain injury and their family members. The registration fee
for professionals is $15. To register for a class and for directions
to the Association's Minneapolis office, call Mark at 612-378-2742
or 800-669-6442.
People First Central Offers New Fall Schedule
Come For The Learning, Stay For The Fun!
Adults
with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities
who want to hone their community living skills are invited to People
First Central, where they can work toward greater independence
and success as self-advocates - and have fun doing it!
All meetings
are held at the downtown Minneapolis YWCA, 1130 Nicollet Mall,
on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
There is
no fee, and registration is not required. Dates and topics are:
- September
16 - Housing Options
- October
21 - Voting Primer
- November
18 - Transportation
- December
16 - Holiday Party and Holidazzle Parade, 6:30 B 8:00 p.m., Room
240
People First Central is
an organization that empowers people with disabilities to speak for
themselves, work toward self-sufficiency and become more fully included
in community life. Monthly meetings generally feature a speaker and
a discussion.
For more information and
volunteer opportunities, call Arc at (952) 920-0855 or visit www.archennepincarver.org.
Kerry Campaign Reaches Out to People with Disabilities
A
group of dedicated Minnesotans has been meeting on a regular basis
to discuss inclusion, accessibility at the polls, and mobilizing
the disability community to vote. Each time Senator Kerry has visited
Minnesota, the co-chairs of Minnesota Disability Community for
Kerry/Edwards have had the opportunity to assess the venues for
accessibility and they have educated campaign staff and volunteers
on how to better accommodate people with disabilities at these
campaign events.
The
co-chairs are Deborah Whitman and Bob Freeman. Whitman is the mother
of a child with disabilities and Freeman has been a member of the
disability community for the past several years. "Our two objectives
are to ensure Kerry/Edwards events are accessible and to get out
the disability vote" says Whitman.
In
an effort to include all people in our community, the Steering
Committee for Minnesota Disability Community for Kerry/Edwards
is holding an informational meeting on Thursday, August 19, 2004
from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Communications
Workers of America Local 7200, 3521 East Lake Street, Minneapolis.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Deb Whitman at 952-220-2548
e-mail: dwhitman@mn.rr.com or
Mark Siegel at 612-305-0972 e-mail:
msiegel1@mn.rr.com by August 15,
2004. Also inform them if special accommodations are needed.
