March is National Disability Awareness Month
This is the 36th Year the United States has recognized and celebrated March as National Disability Awareness Month!
On February 26, 1987 President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. But in March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about the supports and rights of the people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole!
All individuals, agencies, and organizations supportive of people with disabilities are encouraged to observe the month of March with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the contributions and the potential of Americans with disabilities. See below how you can support, advocate, and celebrate this month.
Volunteer with ICC
We are looking for participants to join the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).
The ICC advises and assists the Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP) and its partner agencies to administer, promote, coordinate, and improve early intervention for families and professionals. We are seeking parents with children under the age of 3 years old to be a voice and help with the membership. We also like to hear families' stories and the impact of early intervention.
IDEA, Part C Grant Application for Federal Funds Is Open for Public Comment
The Arizona Department of Economic Security/Arizona Early Intervention Program (ADES/AzEIP) has posted the FFY 2023 Part C Annual Grant Application for Federal Funds and is available for your review. Copies of the Part C Grant Application for Federal Funds are available upon request from the AzEIP office.
Pursuant to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ADES/AzEIP, as the Lead Agency for IDEA, Part C in Arizona, is required to publish its Grant Application for Federal Funds (including any policies, procedures, and other information required in, and that will be submitted as part of, the application) in a manner that will ensure circulation throughout the State for at least 60 days, with an opportunity for public comment on the application for at least 30 days during that 60 day publication period.
Read the FFY 2023 IDEA, Part C Grant Application for Federal Funds
The application will be available for review and comment on February 17, 2023, through April 17, 2023. Comments must be received by April 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. You may submit comments by mail, email, fax or virtually during a public hearing. Please note that the application may be updated prior to submission to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) based on OSEP's guidance and receipt of more recent information.
Submit your comments to:
Arizona Early Intervention Program, 1789 W. Jefferson St., Mail Drop 2HP1, Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 532-9960 (option 3) Fax: (602) 200-9820 Email: azeip@azdes.gov
UsE Your Voice To Advocate For Families
Visit https://raisingspecialkids.org/2023/02/14/using-your-voice-to-advocate-for-families/ for information on:
- Understanding the legislative process
- How to get involved.
Positive Parenting Tips
- Talk to your baby/ toddler throughout the day about what you are doing. They will find your voice calming.
- Answer when your baby/toddler makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. This will help them learn to use language.
- Read to your baby / toddler. This will help them develop and understand language and sounds.
- Sing to your baby/toddler and play music. This will help your child develop a love for music and will help their brain development.
- Praise your baby / toddler and give them lots of loving attention.
- Spend time cuddling and holding your baby / toddler. This will help them feel cared for and secure.
- Play with your baby/toddler when they are alert and relaxed. Watch your child closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that they can take a break from playing.
- Distract your baby/toddler with toys and move to safe areas when they start moving and touching things that they shouldn’t touch.
- Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Parenting can be hard work! It is easier to enjoy being a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself. Reach out to others who can support you along your parenting journey.
Learn more about developmental milestones at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-in-action.html.
Visit our website for more parenting resources https://des.az.gov/services/developmental-disabilities/early-intervention/families. We invite you to share your comments, concerns, and successes with us at the AzEIP office using the links at our website. Thank you!!! Have a great month ahead celebrating ALL ABILITIES.
Events
For more information - https://raisingspecialkids.org/event/2023-special-day-for-special-kids/
"Difficult Conversations: Understanding Who We Are in Relationships"
- Presented by Dr. Harleen Hutchinson, IMH-E®
- Monday, March 13th, 2023 • 9:00am - Noon (MST)
- Virtual via Zoom
During difficult conversations and/or situations, we often make an attribution about another person's intentions based on the impact of their actions on us, and the traumatic reminders that we often experience. These traumatic reminders lead to feelings of being hurt, slighted and angry. These experiences often evoke reminders of the past, the stories we hold and carry that are often not held in mind but often show up in the different parts of ourselves. This training will provide participants with an increased level of awareness into the various parts of ourselves and the importance of recognizing when the different parts of ourselves are showing up in relationship to prevent relational rupture during difficult conversations relating to diversity, equity, race, inclusion and belonging. This training will also provide the opportunity to use compassion, wondering, and curiosity to engage in difficult conversations using a reflective stance so that direct service providers are better able to hold the experiences of the families they serve when having uncomfortable conversation during supervision, and during interactions with diverse families. This training will address competencies required for ITMHCA Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health.
The cost is $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Register Now!
"Equity in Early Childhood System of Care"
- Presented by Dr. Harleen Hutchinson, IMH-E®
- Monday, March 20th, 2023 • 9:00am - Noon (MST)
- Virtual via Zoom
Young children birth to five are often exposed to racial trauma at an early age due to negative experiences encountered by their caregivers. Unfortunately, these early experiences to racial trauma can have a profound impact on a child's overall development. Young children who are exposed to trauma remember, and often respond to, these events negatively through cognitive disturbances, attachment challenges, relationship difficulties and behavioral challenges. When these experiences are buffered by positive relationships and nurturing caregivers, young children can bounce back. This training will provide participants with effective strategies to support young children in developing a sense of self based on the intersection between power and privilege while giving meaning to their experiences and stories they carry. This training will address competencies required for ITMHCA Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health.
The cost is $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Register Now!
resources
Bright By Text - a free texting service for parents & caregivers of children birth- age 8. It provides information on developmental milestones depending on the age of the child. This service can also promote and push out free, local community events throughout the state of Arizona.