e-NEWS October 13, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

October is Down syndrome Awareness and Disability Awareness Month. You can help raise awareness about Down syndrome and other disabilities, and raise funds for local programs benefiting people with disabilities. Support national efforts which focus on influencing policy, practice and legislation to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Join EFRC and DSA in their efforts to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by registering to walk in the San Diego Buddy Walk on Saturday, October 18th. Join a team, make a donation, or pledge support.

Proceeds benefit Exceptional Family Resource Center, San Diego Park & Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services, and the Down Syndrome Association of San Diego.

> > > LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO GO < < <

Online registration will be available until 12:00noon on Thursday, October 16th

PRE-REGISTER ONLINE FOR YOUR CONVIENENCE

On-site registration will be available

on the day of the event beginning at 9:00am

San Diego Buddy Walk

October 18, 2008

9:00am – 12:30pm

Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park

Please take a moment to see how you can take Steps to Make a Difference. Visit http://buddywalk.kintera.org/dsasd for more information. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call 619-594.7389.

* * * Please remember that even if you are unable to come to the Buddy Walk, you can still register as a Virtual Walker. Or you can simply make a charitable donation to help support the Buddy Walk program and the Down Syndrome Association of San Diego.

------

UPCOMING EVENTS:

For event details go to http://www.efrconline.org/calendar/maincal.cfm

By clicking on an Event link you may view the event details.

Local:

10/14/08 Educación Especial

10/15/08 Virtual Online Job Fair

10/16/08 Access to Independence Open House

10/17/08 Consider the Possibilities: How IFSPs Strengthen Families and Practice in Natural Environments - Kearny Mesa

10/18/08 San Diego Buddy Walk – Balboa Park

10/20/08 Fair Hearing Process – San Diego & Imperial

10/22/08 Students with Disabilities webinar

10/23/08 Changing the Brain

10/23/08 Defeat Autism Now conference

10/25/08 Imperial Valley Buddy Walk / Caminata de Amigos

10/28/08 Meeting of the Minds conference

10/30/08 Improving Learning and Behavior

------

UPCOMING EFRC SUPPORT GROUPS:

A listing of all 2008-2009 EFRC sponsored & co-sponsored Support Groups can be found at http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/EFRC%20Support%20Groups081.doc

(click on underlined Title for details)

10/13/08 Grupo de Apoyo Autismo

10/14/08 Down Syndrome Support – San Marcos

10/15/08 Autism Support

10/15/08 Grupo de Apoyo – Imperial

10/16/08 Down Syndrome Support – Old Town

10/16/08 Down Syndrome Support Imperial – El Centro

10/17/08 Grupo de Apoyo 0-5

10/23/08 Síndrome de Down Apoyo

10/24/08 Grupo de Apoyo 5+

11/12/08 Parent Support

A detailed listing of all local Disability-Related Support Groups can be found at http://www.efrconline.org/efrc.cfm?pid=Support_Groups

------

Community Advisory Committee Meetings:

Information by Local Area

San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) CAC meeting held from 7:00 - 9:00pm atthe West Campus Auditorium at Lindbergh-Schweitzer Elementary School,4133 Mt. Albertine Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111. Visit http://www.sandi.net/board/COMMITTEES/CACSE/

East County CAC meetings held usually on the first Monday of the month from 6:00-8:30pm at 924 East Main Street in El Cajon, 92021. Call 619-590-3920.

North Coastal CAC (NCCSE) meetings are held at the North County Regional Education Center, located at 255 Pico Ave. San Marcos, CA 92069. 615-630pm informal networking. 630-830pm formal meeting. Visit http://www.nccse.org/cacmeet.htm. Driving directions.

North Inland CAC meetings are held at 6:00pm at different locations. Contact Chris at 760-788-4671 or .

Poway CAC meetings usually meet from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the PUSD Administration Center, Conference Room B-1 at 13626 Twin Peaks Road, Poway CA 92064. Visit

http://www.powayusd.com/teaching/spec_ed/community_advisory_committee.shtml

South County CAC meets at different locations each month from 6:15-8:00pm. Contact Wilma Johnson at 619-498-8171 or .

Imperial County CAC meetings - Contact SELPA at (760) 312-6419.

------

OPPORTUNITIES:

EMERGING LEADERS SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities offers paid summer internships at many of America's leading corporations. These companies are members of the National Business & Disability Council and are proactive in recruiting qualified people with disabilities. To be considered for an internship, a student must be an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student with a disability, who has completed at least 60 credits, and is maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. More information can be found on the web site at www.emerging-leaders.com.DEADLINE: December 31, 2008.

NEA AND YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA: YOUTH LEADERS FOR LITERACY
The Youth Leaders for Literacy Program, an initiative of the National Education Association and Youth Service America, helps young people direct their enthusiasm and creativity into reading-related service projects. The projects will begin next March 2, on Read Across America Day, and will end April 24-26, on Global Youth Service Day. Maximum award: $500. Eligibility: people 21 years old or younger; individuals or groups. For more information go to http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/index.html
DEADLINE: October 30, 2008.
YOUTH 2 YOUTH GRANTS
Do you have a great idea or an existing project that helps youth in your community? Do Something has teamed up with Hoop-a-Paluza to offer ten $500 grants and twenty $250 grants to fund youth-led and designed projects that target and benefit other youths. For more information go to http://www.dosomething.org/programs/youth-2-youth-eligibility-guidelines. DEADLINE: October 30, 2008
THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS
Created by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, this grant honors young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. For more information go to http://www.prudential.com/spirit
DEADLINE: October 31, 2008
2009 NESTLÉ VERY BEST IN YOUTH PROGRAM
The Nestlé USA Very Best in Youth Program honors young people ages 13 to 18 who have excelled in school and who are making their community and the world a better place. Maximum Award: $1000. Eligibility: youth ages 13 and 18 years of age who demonstrate good citizenship, a strong academic record, and can show how they have made a special contribution to their school, church or the community. Entrants must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to submit the nomination. For more information go to http://www.nestle-verybestinyouth.com/.
DEADLINE: November 20, 2008.
"MAKE IT MATTER" GRANTS FROM READER'S DIGEST FOUNDATION
To identify people whose stories of giving back inspire others, the foundation will donate funds to a nonprofit organization associated with a particular story or cause. Anyone can submit a story about an effective or inspiring group, which will be published on the website; the nonprofits selected will receive funds up to $100,000. For more information go to http://www.rd.com/make-your-mark-make-a-difference/make-it-matter/article54800.html
DEADLINE: January 1, 2009
EXPLORAVISION AWARDS
K-12 students select and research a current technology and explore what it could be like 20 years from now. Members of the four first-place teams will each receive $10,000 US Savings Bond and a trip to Washington, DC to be honored. For more information go to http://exploravision.org/entry-process/?utm_source=epe&utm_medium=email&utm_term=how-to-enter-page&utm_content=first-drop&utm_ca
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL: January 28, 2009

PLUM GRANTS
Did you recently create a sustainable community action project, program or organization? Do you need $500 to further the growth and success of your program? If you answered, "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Plum Youth Grant. Plum grants are given out weekly. For more information go to http://www.dosomething.org/programs/plum-grant-guidelines
DEADLINE: None

------

ADVOCACY:

The ADA Amendment Act of 2008

On September 25, 2008, the ADA Amendment Act (ADAAA) was signed into law and will become effective on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA was supported by more than 220 national organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, theAmerican Society of Employers, disability organizations, veterans' groups, church organizations, and the National Association of Manufacturers. The bill passed the House on a vote of 402 to 17, and unanimously passed the Senate. The ADAAA is not some revolutionary new law. It simply attempts to bring the law back to what Congress intended it to be when it passed the ADA in 1990.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/images/20080925-1_p092508jb-0238-515h.html

------

COMMUNITY SAFETY:

Register your cell phone today atwww.ReadySanDiego.org. Find out about a disaster in your neighborhood, no matter where you are.

It takes only two minutes to make sure you will receive emergency updates and evacuation information. Please pass this notice along to friends and loved ones in San Diego County to make sure they are signed up as well.

------

RECREATION:

EFRC’s listing of local inclusion-based programs can be found at http://www.efrconline.org/efrc.cfm?pid=Recreation

10/25/08 Monster Mash 7:00 - 9:00pm
Dancefor individuals with developmental disabilitiesat the Norman Park Center, 270 'F' Street in Chula Vista- offered by the City of Chula Vista Recreation Department Therapeutics Section. For more information, please call 619-409-5800.

10/26/08 Ghosts & Goblins Dance 7:00-10:00pm

Dance at the War Memorial Building in Balboa Park, sponsored by

San Diego Park and Recreation Department Therapeutic Recreation Services. RSVP by Oct. 21 by calling 619-525-8247. Check out all the upcoming fun activities in their Fall Calendar at http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/pdf/trscalendar.pdf.

San Diego Zoo Kids Free Days October 1-31, 2008.

A non-profit, charity organization of Road Runner Sports, called Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA), is going to be giving away its 346th handcycle at the end of this month at its retail store in San Diego, California. AHA is an in-house charity that helps children with disabilities experience and enjoy sports. View flyer or visit www.athleteshelpingathletes.org

Leisure Express Trip and Travel offers a full range of quality vacations for persons (18 and older) with developmental disabilities. A professional staff plans and organizes all vacations, which are staffed at a 1:3 ratio so our travelers can feel confident their needs will be met while away from home. If additional assistance is needed, we can provide more personalized support for an additional fee. The cost of each vacation includes airfare and/or transportation from San Diego, hotel/lodging accommodations, tour packages admission to events selected by the travelers and all meals. Call (619)685-1175 or email. 2009 calendar can be found at

http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/Leisure%20Express%20Travel%202009.doc

For a list of Halloween events in San Diego and safety tips, visit http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/Halloween%20Events%20in%20San%20Diego.doc

11/01/08 Walk for Autism Speaks in Balboa Park.

------

If you enjoyed this eNEWS, please consider forwarding it to

friends and family to spread the word of upcoming workshops

and events, links to new sites and up-to-date information

about the special needs community. FORWARD TO A FRIEND

This e-NEWS has been brought to you by

Exceptional Family Resource Center.

If you have comments or would like to unsubscribe,

please contact us at

Visit http://www.efrconline.org or call 1-800-281-8252

October 13, 2008

Exceptional Family Resource Center does not promote or recommend any therapy,treatment, institution, etc. and does not espouse any particular political, educational or religious views.Inclusion of information or resources does not necessarily imply promotion or recommendation by EFRC. Content is provided for informational purposes only.