Autism Speaks, Woodsmall Law Group and Premier Healthcare Services invite you to a complimentary family friendly afternoon of ice skating. The entire rink has been reserved for the event on Saturday, March 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center located at 310 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. The event is limited by the number of people the facility can accomodate, and Autism Speaks will accept reservations as they are received. RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 323.549.0500, x. 765.
Join in the Special Games at Loyola Marymount University on March 21, March 28 and April 4, 2009. The Special Games are a non-competitive and cost-free program for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. To participate, you must submit an application by March 13, 2009. For more information, visit www.lmu.edu/specialgames or contact Bessie at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310.951.9692.
Join HaMercaz for Sundays for Sibs, which feature special activities just for young boys and girls ages 8 to 13 who have a sibling with special needs. On Sunday, March 15, the theme will be “Treasure Box Art” and make a memorable keepsake treasure box to put special items in and meet old and new friends. The event will be on Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jewish Federation, Goldsmith Center, 6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. The cost is $10 per child. Program discounts are always available. Contact HaMercaz for more information at 866.287.8030 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The Autism Society of America Los Angeles and AMC Entertainment are offering a sensory friendly theater experience for the autism community with a screening of “Race to Witch Mountain” on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 10 a.m.
This partnership offers families affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, their sound turned down, and families will be ale to bring in GFCF snacks. Additionally, audience members may get up and walk around, talk, sing, etc., in other words, the “Silence is Golden” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience members is questioned.
For more information about participating theaters, visit www.autism-society.org and click on the sensory friendly films graphic.
Join the Los Angeles Chapter of Autism Speaks and the American Cinematheque for the West Coast premiere of “Autistic-Like: Graham’s Story ~ An Intimate Portrait of One Dad’s Determined Search to Help His Son”. The screening will be held on April 2, 2009 at the Areo Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue at 14th Street in Santa Monica. The event starts at 7 p.m. Reservations are required, space is limited. RSVP by March 12 at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information, visit www.autisticlike.com or call 310.321.7827.
The film is a documentary featuring Graham, who is a student at SmartStart School and is a touching story about a child with special needs and his family’s journey in finding their way through the maze of treatment options and diagnoses. Two hundred tickets were donated to the school and are free to the first 200 people to RSVP with the school’s front office at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310.452.5437, x. 201. Tickets are otherwise $8 each.
Parents of kids with a severe learning disability may be eligible for valuable tax benefits. If you have a child with a severe learning disability (LD), you may qualify for valuable tax benefits. If your child has AD/HD or other physical, mental or emotional impairments, you may also qualify for tax benefits. Because tax laws are complex and many tax preparers often do not have occasion to use these unique tax benefits, families are at risk of losing refunds worth thousands of dollars. It’s likely that 15 percent to 30 percent of families with a child with a disability have one or more unclaimed tax benefits. Read the GreatSchools article at www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/1187.
The Superior Court of California for the County of Alameda has authorized this notice of proposed settlement of class action lawsuit and hearing date for final court approval in Capitol People First v. Department of Developmental Services. This notice sets forth the basic terms of the proposed settlement agreement in the case and advises class members of their procedural rights relating to the settlement. This notice is for all persons with a developmental disability who reside in California and now live in, or have lived during the last year in, a government or privately operated facility with 16 or more other people. Please read this notice carefully. It may affect your legal rights. If you wish to object to the settlement agreement or appear at the April 24, 2009, court hearing regarding final approval of the settlement agreement, you must follow the directions in this notice. In addition to reading a PDF of the notice, you can also access the notice on the DDS Web site at www.dds.ca.gov/CapitolPeopleFirst/.
Language accompanying the new budget calls for the Department of Developmental Services to gather input from stakeholders as to how cost-saving changes could be made to the developmental services system while maintaining the entitlement and ensuring program services and integrity.
Attend an open meeting for Southern California stakeholders in Los Angeles on Monday, March 2, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan State Office Building Auditorium located at 300 South Spring Street in Los Angeles. We encourage you to attend this meeting and bring your ideas about how regional centers can save money while still meeting the needs of our clients and families. You can also participate in this meeting via conference call at 800.230.1074.
To learn more about proposed cost containment strategies read the report “Controlling Regional Center Costs” on the DDS Web site at www.dds.ca.gov/publications/docs/controllingrccosts2007.pdf.
Over the next 16 months, through June 2010, the state of California projects a $42 billion deficit unless it dramatically reduces expenditures or significantly raises revenues. After much delay, the State finally has a budget that will cover the period through June 2010. There is still uncertainty as to how successfully it will address the current economic problems since certain of its provisions can only be implemented if approved by the voters in a special election in May.
Provisions of the budget agreement include:
How Does the New Budget Affect Regional Centers?
The following are provisions of the budget that will affect regional centers for the remainder of this fiscal year through June 2009:
Changes affecting funding for 2009-10 include:
Finding Fair and Lasting Solutions
While the budget reductions to regional centers are in reaction to the dire economic situation in the State, the system is also being strained by the fact that regional center costs for purchasing services for clients and families have been increasing far faster than would be projected based on inflation and the increase in our client population – a pattern of increases that is not sustainable.
To respond to this unprecedented situation, basic structural changes will be required to allow regional centers to continue providing services with significantly reduced funding.
In 2003, Lanterman’s board of directors published a paper analyzing some of the major structural issues and putting forth recommendations for major changes in how regional centers do business. Reaffirmed in 2008, the paper “Sustaining the Entitlement for the Developmental Services System: A Regional Center Perspective” was distributed to legislators and members of the Schwarzenegger Administration. You can find a copy of this paper and an accompanying letter from our board president on the Lanterman Web site at the following link: www.lanterman.org/index.php/bulletin_board. Please go to the Web site, read this paper, and consider what changes you think could be made.
Our system cannot simply say “no more cuts.” The directive to cut $100 million is already here. We can, however, provide guidance to the Department of Developmental Services and the Legislature as to how these savings can be achieved while lessening the impact to our clients and families, and preserving the entitlement.
What You Can Do to Help
Join Lanterman’s electronic mailing list. You can sign up directly through our Web site at www.lanterman.org by clicking on “Subscribe” in the top right corner of the page. Because of our financial constraints, we are increasingly using e-mail to communicate with members of our community.
In Closing
As a community, we have made it through very difficult times in the past, but the current times are different. To deal with these unprecedented challenges, we need for everyone – the government, regional centers, clients, families, and service providers – to work as partners to address these issues. We are asking you to do your part. Together we can help ensure that the promise of the Lanterman Act continues to benefit children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Come to Staples Center and take part in this great night as the Clippers battle the New Jersey Nets while they join together with Autism Speaks and Athletes Against Autism to raise awareness and funds, with a portion of every ticket purchased going toward helping families affected by autism. The first 90 kids to sign up will have the special opportunity to high-five the Clipper players as they are taking the court. Discounted tickets range from $20 to $65. The game is on Sunday, March 15. Tip off is at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to order by credit card please contact Muk Pannu at 213.763.2671. The Clippers were kind enough to donate a luxury suite for 20 guests. If you have friends or corporate clients you’d like to entertain in style for an evening, please call 323.549.0500, x.727. It’s a great way to enjoy a private night and support Autism Speaks.
The Baseball Wives Charitable Foundation is holding a series of events that include a Home Run Derby, Cocktail Reception, Fashion Show and Awards Dinner honoring several players who give to the community and inspire others. It’s a great chance to show your baseball spirit, meet some players and support families. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit Athletes Against Autism and Autism Speaks. The event is on Friday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gibbs Estate, 8701 Westland Dr., Scottsdale, AZ. To purchase tickets go to www.thebwcf.com/events. Enter the letters “AS” after typing your last name when purchasing via PayPal so that Autism Speaks is properly credited. For more information, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call toll free 866.331.9001.
The Walk Now for Autism kick-offs are your chance to get fundraising tips, meet other team captains and learn how you can walk to make a difference in the fight against autism. Holly Robinson Peete, actress and mother of a child with autism will be at the Walk Now for Autism Sunday, February 22 kick-off. Bryan Dattilo, James Reynolds, Renee Jones and Terrell Ransom, Jr. from “Days of our Lives” will be at the Sunday, March 1 kick-off.
February 22: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Embassy Suites LAX South, 1440 E. Imperial Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245
March 1: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Embassy Suites Glendale, 800 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91203
For more information or to RSVP, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 323.549.0500, x. 765. To register for the walk, visit www.walknowforautism.org/losangeles.
The Young-Nak Special Program provides a program that will enhance socialization opportunities and increase self-esteem in students with developmental disabilities in a positive and enriching environment so they develop the skills needed to be mainstreamed into regular programs in the community. The program classes include music therapy, dance, computer, arts and crafts, taekwondo, sing along and other activities. The program is offered free of charge and is held in Grace Hall at the Young-Nak Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. The new session starts on Saturday, February 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nearly six years ago, in January of 2003, the Board of Directors of Lanterman Regional Center adopted a position paper entitled, “Toward a Sustainable Entitlement for the Developmental Services System: A Regional Center Perspective.”
The PUSD SELPA Community Advisory Committee invites parents, teachers and the community to a Lap Blanket Sewing Party to benefit PUSD students with special needs on Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene located at 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena. Weighted lap blankets provide pressure to joints and muscles helping a student’s body to regulate itself, which creates a state of alertness in the student’s body physically preparing the student to access education. For questions and to RSVP, contact Blanca Siebels at 626.794.4554, 626.536.4105 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Bring your sewing machine or sewing hands. If you can’t come, consider donating rice, beans, needles, thread and/or heavy fabric.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7 p.m., 89.3 KPCC-FM’s AirTalk travels to the California Endowment to address the challenge parents face in accessing treatments, therapies and educational services for children with autism. AirTalk host Larry Mantle will talk with a panel of experts including Lanterman Regional Center Executive Director Diane Anand, Disability Rights California Attorney Katie Hornberger, and Los Angeles Unified School District autism specialist Cara Gelfand. The program will be broadcast on 89.3 KPCC-FM on Thursday, February 12, 2009 on AirTalk which begins at 10 a.m. The special taping takes place at the headquarters of the California Endowment at 1000 N. Alameda St. in downtown, Los Angeles. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. RSVP at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Designed for moms of babies with Down syndrome ages 2 years and under, the networking lunch will be held at the Skirball Center (www.skirball.org) to give new moms the opportunity to meet each other and be able to share their mutual experiences in a safe place. The event is on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost for each mom is $5. Additional guests are $20. Infants and toddlers are free and welcome to join. Contact DSALA to make reservations at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 818.242.7871.
Join Lanterman at our annual Community Resource Fair on Friday, March 20, 2009 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pacific Community Center.
The fair will feature:
Co-sponsored by the City of Glendale Parks Recreation and Community Services Department, the fair will be held at the Pacific Community Center located at 510 South Pacific Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204.
For more information, contact your service coordinator, or call 213.252.6016. No RSVP required.
The Autism Society of America Los Angeles and AMC Entertainment are offering a sensory friendly theater experience for the autism community with a screening of “Hotel for Dogs” on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 10 a.m.
This partnership offers families affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, their sound turned down, and families will be ale to bring in GFCF snacks. Additionally, audience members may get up and walk around, talk, sing, etc., in other words, the “Silence is Golden” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience members is questioned.
For more information about participating theaters, visit www.autism-society.org and click on the sensory friendly films graphic.
Neurofibromatosis Inc. California invites you to join them at their fifth annual NF Steps Walk/Run ~ Moving Forward with Hope on Saturday, March 21, 2009.
NF is a genetic disorder of the nervous system that affects approximately 1 in 3,000 people, and causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time. NF can cause cancer, hearing loss, learning disabilities, epilepsy, bone deformities, vision impairment and chronic pain. And there is no cure yet.
Learn more about the Walk/Run at www.nfcalifornia.org, or by contacting .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 707.469.0467.
Autism Speaks is partnering with Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town, to bring special performances across the country tailored to children with autism and their families. HIT Entertainment and AEG/ThemeSTAR will donate one dollar to Autism Speaks from each ticket sold for these special performances and will also offer a discount on tickets to Autism Speaks families. Select performances will also have a quiet room. Check out the performance schedule
There are several Los Angeles performances, however the Los Angeles performance with the quiet room will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 5 p.m. at the Nokia Theater. Ticket price for all seats except P1 is $15 (discount code: autism). Purchase tickets now from Ticketmaster
StoryCorps, a national initiative to document everyday history and the unique stories of Americans, will arrive Monday, January 26, 2009 in Los Angeles to collect the stories of Southern California residents as part of its cross-country tour. StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress.
The StoryCorps MobileBooth—an Airstream trailer outfitted with a recording studio—will be parked at East Los Angeles Library, part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, located at 4837 East Third Street, for four weeks and will be open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday each week.
StoryCorps plans to collect approximately 120 interviews during its stay in Los Angeles. A limited initial number of reservations will open to the public Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. (PST). Public reservation instructions will be announced on-air and at www.kpcc.org the week of January 12, 2009.
For more information go to: www.scpr.org/about/press_releases/2008/12/200812_storycorps.html.
Join HaMercaz on President’s Day for their Annual Family Play Day at the Zimmer Children’s Museum. The museum will be open exclusively for HaMercaz during this special event, designed just for families raising children with special needs, ages 3 to 11.
Date: Monday, February 16, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $8 per adult (includes lunch for the entire family)
Location: Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles
RSVP is a must. (No admittance at the museum.)
To RSVP and for more information, call 866.287.8030, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or visit www.hamercaz.org.
Opening in theaters on Friday, January 9, “Yonkers Joe” is about Yonkers Joe (Chazz Palminteri), a small-time con man and dice hustler in search of the perfect scam. He and his girlfriend Janice (Christine Lahti) cruise the local casinos in search of new ways to outwit the security cameras, but in the meantime, Joe’s scams provide a steady source of income. Their comfortable lifestyle is disrupted when Yonkers Joe receives a call from the institution where his son, Joe Jr. (Tom Guiry), lives. Mentally challenged since birth, 21-year-old Joe has recently been displaying hostile and aggressive behavior toward his fellow students. As a result, he is being expelled from the institution and forced to move in with his father until new arrangements can be made. Learn more about the film at http://ca.youtube.com/YONKERSJOE.
“How’s Your News?,” known to many in the Lanterman community through the Perspectives Film Festivals, will now be a series airing on MTV. The premiere episode will be on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. “How’s Your News?” is a documentary news series which features reporters with various disabilities that began at a summer camp over 10 years ago. Check out www.howsyournews.com for more information and check your local television listings as well.
Lanterman Regional Center has several projects in the works and we’re looking for recent pictures of Lanterman clients:
If you have any photos that you’d like to share for possible use in these projects, including several publications and for online media, please e-mail them to Vinita Anand at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Also, the higher the photo resolution and the larger the file size (i.e. 1 MB, 2 MB) the better, but lower resolution and file size photos can be used for digital/online media.
Photo Consent
Following is the text from the Center’s photo consent release, and by sending the photos in via e-mail, you hereby give consent for the use of your or your family members’ likenesses in photographs/video recordings to Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center. The photographs/video recordings will be used for any/or all purposes related to publicity, promotion and education. And you hereby agree to hold harmless Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and the photographer/video recording personnel for any liability that may arise from the use of these photographs/video recordings.
Additional Information
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Vinita Anand at 213.252.4996 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Please feel free to forward this message to other families who you think might be interested in submitting photos. We also welcome service providers to submit photos of their clients, however, we’d need to have a hard copy photo consent form filled out.
For the remainder of 2008, Lanterman Regional Center will be closed on the following days:
If you need emergency assistance during the days that we’re closed, dial 213.383.1300, and follow the instructions to access the emergency on-call system. Emergency calls will be returned by the on-call manager within one hour.
We wish all of you a very happy holiday season and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
The Winter Retreat for Adults with Epilepsy is a social and recreational weekend for adults with epilepsy that helps combat isolation by linking participants to each other and to loved ones. This event is a partnership between Keith’s House Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. The event will be held in Malibu~Calabasas from Friday to Sunday, January 9 to 11, 2009. Call 310.670.2870 or visit www.epilepsyfoundationgla.org for more information.
AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society of America have teamed up to begin testing a pilot program to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. “Sensory Friendly Films” premiered across the country last August, and are continuing with a special showing of the new film “Bolt” for December. For these movies, the lights are up a little, the sound is down, there is no “silence is golden” rule, and people can bring in special dietary snacks.
“Bolt”
Saturday, December 6
10 a.m.
AMC Del Amo 18, 3525 Carson St., Torrance, Calif. 90503*
AMC Ontario Mills 30, 4549 Mills Cir., Ontario, Calif. 91764*
AMC Promenade 16, 21801 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367*
AMC Block 30, 20 City Blvd. W., Ste. 1, Orange, Calif. 92868*
AMC Covina 30, 1414 N. Azusa Ave., Covina, Calif. 91722*
For a complete list of theatres, please visit www.autism-society.org.
Call any participating theater for more information or upcoming special showings.
Californians with disabilities who are voting on Tuesday, November 4 have an ally in assuring full and equal access to the process. With funding from the Help America Vote Act, Disability Rights California, (formerly Protection and Advocacy, Inc.), is operating a toll-free hotline for voters with disabilities who have difficulty accessing polling places, casting ballots or have questions about voting.
The purpose of the hotline is to fix problems on Election Day that are causing barriers affecting a person’s ability to vote. Examples are: limited access for voters living in nursing homes and other residential facilities; polling places with inaccessible parking or steep curb ramps; narrow doorways and aisles; voting equipment placed on inaccessible tables or stages; poor disability trainings for poll workers; and, poll sites said to be “accessible” when they are not.
The hotline is equipped to receive voice and TTY calls. The toll-free number for voice calls is 800.776.5746. The toll-free number for TTY calls is 800.719.5798. Individuals who speak languages other than English should state their language and an interpreter will be connected to the call. Callers who wish to use the California Relay Service, Speech to Speech Service or Video Relay can dial 711.
The staff will also be working in collaboration with the Election Protection Coalition as special advisors to their Election Protection hotline to ensure that individuals with disabilities can get answers to their questions.
Inside the Fall 2008 edition of “Viewpoint” you can learn more about Gymnast Roberto Grande taking state champion four years in a row at Special Olympics, read stories about Lanterman clients living independently in the Los Angeles area and check out other stories related to housing and living independently. You can also read about two organizations supporting families with autism in the local area - Foothill Autism Alliance and Autism Speaks, as well as about Lovebirds Cafe and Bakery employing four Lanterman clients, how to stay healthy during the flu season, the successful completion of the dental pilot project at Glendridge Center, and ECF’s Downtown Art Center and Gallery. And there are lots of other interesting stories, including Lanterman’s participation in the “Tropic Thunder” protest, staff service awards and the Meet the People Behind the Titles feature on Regional Manager Maria Bosch.
“It’s Just Us” is a 10-minute history of the Disability Rights Movement. This film short was written, narrated and produced by a high school student with a disability (muscular dystrophy), during his internship with the Disability Media Initiative. Sometimes referred to as ‘The Silent Civil Rights Movement’, the epic struggle for civil and human rights by people with disabilities is a powerful chapter in American history that emerged from the protest era of the 1960s. Much of the video focuses on three leaders of the Disability Rights Movement - Ed Roberts, Wade Blank, and Justin Dart. View the video
Lanterman is participating in the Great Southern California Shake Out from Wednesday to Sunday, November 12 to 16, 2008. The Shake Out is a week of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, organized to inspire Southern Californians to get ready for big earthquakes and to prevent natural disasters from becoming catastrophes. The main event will be held on Thursday, November 13, and is the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history, when millions of Southern Californians will “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” Learn more about the Shake Out at www.shakeout.org. Check out Lanterman’s Shake Out blog for specific information about how Lanterman is participating in the Great Shake Out. View Shake Out Blog
The Young Nak Church of Los Angeles will be hosting their second annual Sharing Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 2008. Saturday’s events are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday’s events are from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be held at Broadway and Avenue 18 and will feature a ferris wheel, zipper ride, spinning tub, giant slide, round-up ride and dunk your favorite person. All proceeds will benefit public and non-profit organizations in Lincoln Heights.
The Children’s Ranch Foundation presents a Pumpkin Festival for families of children with special needs. The event will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature pumpkin decorating, bunny and chicken petting, horse encounters (children ages 5-12), ranch chores, face painting and ranch snacks. The event is free, but space is limited and a reservation is required by October 25. The event will be held at 4007 Verdant Street in Los Angeles. For more information call 213.447.6456, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit www.thechildrensranch.com.
The Governor has finally signed the 2008-09 California state budget nearly three months after the beginning of the fiscal year. By all accounts, the budget relies more on borrowing against future earnings, optimistic financial projections, and accounting maneuvers than any budget in our history. The dire budget situation is further exacerbated by the continuing economic turmoil in California in particular and the country in general. Some forecasters expect that we will continue in these economic doldrums for another two years before we see any bright spots. By all indications, the adoption of a budget for 2009-10, due to take effect nine months from now, will be even more problematic than what we have just experienced.
The adopted budget for 2008-09 contains the following:
DIRECT SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
PURCHASE OF SERVICES
Prior year unallocated reductions in both Purchase of Services and Operations continue.
Given the continuing stressors to the system and lack of significant increases other than those related to serving new clients:
Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and our service providers are key partners with Lanterman Regional Center. This partnership is only successful when all parties involved have an opportunity to provide feedback on the future direction and long-term goals of the Center. One avenue utilized by Lanterman to ensure that all persons interested in participating have an opportunity to provide feedback and comments is at our annual community meetings. This year’s meetings will focus on four key areas:
• Budget overview for fiscal year 2008-09
• Accomplishments from the past year’s performance plan
• Changes to the performance plan for 2009
• Continuation of our alternative service coordination model
Meetings will be held specifically for service providers, adult clients, and our Korean, Armenian and Spanish-speaking communities, in addition to the community meeting held at the board of directors meeting. We look forward to your attendance at these important sessions. If you have any more questions, contact the Koch-Young Resource Center at 213.383.1300, x. 5600, toll-free at 800.546.3676, or kyrc@lanterman.org.
If you are unable to attend one of the community meetings, you still have a chance to give your input. You may access the 2009 performance plan online or you can pick up a copy at the KYRC. Download the performance plan >>
After reviewing the plan, written comments may be submitted to Diane Anand, executive director at:
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, 3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90010
or by e-mail at kyrc@lanterman.org.
Community Meeting Schedule - September 2008
Session for Spanish-Speaking Families
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 – 9:30 a.m.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
7th Floor, Berendo Room
Session for Service Providers
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 – 10 a.m.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
7th Floor, KYRC Conference Room
Session for Adult Clients
Monday, September 8, 2008 – 4:30 p.m.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
7th Floor, Berendo Room
Session for Armenian-Speaking Families
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 – 7 p.m.
Armenian Relief Society
517 West Glenoaks Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91202
Session for Korean-Speaking Families
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 – 10 a.m.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
7th Floor, Berendo Room
General Session at Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 – 6 p.m.
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
7th Floor, Berendo Room
Join Autism Speaks for the sixth annual star-studded Acts of Love: Miracle Workers event on Monday, November 10, 2008 at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. An ensemble cast will perform an array of readings and quotes all in celebration of Miracle Workers. E-mail epetievich@autismspeaks.org or call 323.297.4757 for more information.
Following are some tips to prevent heat-related illness:
Read more: Division of Occupational Safety & Health (bilingual resources), Center for Disease Control and Prevention Tips for Preventing Heat-related Illness
Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion
Heat stroke - which occurs when the body can’t control its temperature - may result in disability or death if emergency treatment is not given. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses a large amount of water and salt contained in sweat.
Warning signs of heat stroke vary, but may include:
Warning signs of heat exhaustion vary, but may include:
What to Do
If you see any of these signs for heat stroke or heat exhaustion, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency and should do the following:
If a victim’s muscles twitch uncontrollably as a result of heat stroke, keep the victim from injuring him/herself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his/her side.
The spring 2008 edition of “Viewpoint” is now available for viewing online. Inside you can read about Kurt Freidenberger achieving Eagle Scout, get an update on Inclusion Films Practical Filmmaking Workshop, and learn how to minimize your risk from MRSA. You can also read about Lanterman’s efforts to address the budget challenges, including hosting a Legislative Forum, participating in Grassroots Day and releasing the paper “Toward a Sustainable Entitlement for the Developmental Services System: A Regional Center Perspective.” And there are lots of other interesting stories, including one about a special trip to Disneyland, another that shares the value of getting to know your neighbors, as well as a story about Author and Creator of JeffsLife.net Jeff Stimpson and what it’s like for Lanterman client Edwin Jennings to work at Starbucks. The printed newsletter will be mailed toward the end of the week of April 14.
AB 203, passed last August as one of several budget-related bills and signed by the Governor on August 24, 2007, required the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to submit a report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and the Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees listing out options “to better control” regional center costs of “operating and providing state-supported services.” This 102-page report, called “Controlling Regional Center Costs,” provides both prior and impending cost-containment options for regional centers. It was released to the Legislature on April 7, 2008 and is available for viewing on the DDS Web site at www.dds.ca.gov and on the California Disability Community Action Network Web site at www.cdcan.us.
Five years ago, in January of 2003, the board of directors of Lanterman Regional Center adopted a position paper entitled, “Toward a Sustainable Entitlement for the Developmental Services System: A Regional Center Perspective.” We developed this paper in response to the financial crisis facing the state of California at that time - a budget shortfall significantly greater than any other in the State’s history. Our great concern was that the escalating rate of service growth and the cost of those services in the regional center system would not be sustainable in the long term, given the limitations of public resources. We were also concerned that the entitlement to services could be threatened. We decided, therefore, to take a proactive stance and offer our perspective on the challenges and recommend potential solutions.
The Federal Government is proposing serious cuts to the Medicaid program that may have an effect on regional center clients and services. You are encouraged to read this alert and speak with your congressional representative – tell them how these proposed cuts will affect you or your family member.
Read the alert and take action
Save the Date: Lanterman to Host Affordable Housing Legislative Forum on Thursday, September 11, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Ballroom in Los Angeles. The forum will feature a universal design workshop, discussion and policy overview.
Cornerstone Theater Company presents “Someday,” a play written by Julie Marie Myatt that explores how laws shape and disrupt communities, specifically focusing on disability, reproductive rights, illegal immigration, criminal justice and environmental protection. Someday follows the story of Ruth, a women with cerebral palsy, fighting to adopt an abandoned baby, as well as a middle class couple struggling to conceive. The play will run from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 22 at the Bootleg Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Visit www.cornerstonetheater.org for reservations, directions and more information.
HaMercaz presents a “Get Out of the City and Come to the Farm” day at Danny’s Farm in Altadena on Sunday, June 22, 2008 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles will be hosting their Epilepsy Teen Retreat from Sunday to Saturday, June 22 to 28, 2008 at Arrowhead Ranch Campground in Lake Arrowhead. It’s the eighth annual retreat and it will offer many activities and adventures, including swimming, games, skits, crafts and parties. For more information and to request an application packet e-mail pleyva@epilepsy-socalif.org or call Patty at 800.564.0445.
The In His Image Special Needs Ministry of the First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena, also known as PazNaz, will be hosting several events during the summer and fall. All events, unless otherwise noted, will be held at the church located at 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard in Pasadena. Additional information, including registration forms, is available at www.paznaz.org or by contacting Rubina Haroutonian at rubina@paznaz.org or 626.351.2478. Here are the events:
The City of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department’s Adaptive Recreation program is hosting a four-week summer day camp for children with disabilties ages 8 to 12 from August 4 to 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Center. Pre-registrartion is required for this program. The camp will feature arts and crafts, music, swimming, dance, sports, learning games and field trips. A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Adaptive Recreation Specialist Jackie Scott at 626.744.7257 or jackiescott@cityofpasadena.net for more information.
The University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Autism Research and Treatment (UCLA CART) recently received a second round of funding from the federal government to study infant development in younger siblings of children with autism, and to look at the early development of children who are later diagnosed with autism to get a clearer picture of the precursors of autism and what signs can be seen that indicate a greater level of risk than merely the genetic link. The study will enroll approximately 100 additional infants from now through the end of 2009. The initial developmental assessment will take place at 6 months of age. For additional information visit www.autism.ucla.edu/research/programs/infants.php or call 310.825.3478.
People with disabilities, as well retirees and low-wage workers, who are usually exempt from filing a federal tax return may file a 1040A tax form this year in order to receive an economic stimulus payment. These taxpayers will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 qualifying income. According to the IRS Web site: To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, at least $3,000 of incomce and file a 2007 federal tax return. It’s not taxable, and it won’t reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income and certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs or Railroad Retiremen. For more information, an online calculator and tax forms go to www.irs.gov. You need to file as soon as possible, but not later than October 15, 2008.
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California law and regulation requires that regional centers display on their Web sites information about the dollar value of services they purchase for clients. These data (called "purchase of service" or "POS" data) must be reported separately by clients' ethnic/racial group, langauge and diagnosis.
¿Cuáles son sus necesidades de servicio actuales? ¡Responda la encuesta y avísenos!
Lanterman is seeking your feedback and assistance in completing a short survey so we can better understand the current service needs. This survey is for our community to complete, including clients, family members, service providers or community partners. Thank you in advance for your time!
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Lanterman busca sus comentarios y ayuda para completar una breve encuesta para que podamos comprender mejor las necesidades actuales del servicio. Esta encuesta es para que la complete nuestra comunidad, incluidos los clientes, los miembros de la familia, los proveedores de servicios o los socios comunitarios. ¡Gracias de antemano por su tiempo!
Regional centers must post information regarding how providers are doing with ensuring individuals served are part of their communities (Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b)). This information is to be updated at least every six months until DDS has determined that statewide compliance has been met.
El Internet está inundado de información y recursos sobre el Coronavirus (COVID-19) desde el nivel federal hasta el estatal y local. Comenzamos esta página para compartir algunos de los recursos e información que encontramos más útiles y accesibles, además de compartir información específica para Lanterman sobre cualquier efecto que esto tenga en nuestras operaciones, nuestros proveedores de servicios y la comunidad en general.
The Internet is awash in info and resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the federal to the state and local levels. We're starting this page to share some of the resources and info we found most helpful and accessible, plus to share information specific to Lanterman about any effects this is having on our operations, our service providers and community as a whole.
