ALAMANCE COUNTY NEWS & COMING EVENTS:
(Please visit our Events Calendar for many more events available to families throughout our service area.)
Support Parents Needed!
Looking for a way to play a special role in the lives of Alamance county families who have children with special needs? Consider becoming an FSNCC Support Parent. The Family Support Network is bringing its Support Parent Training to Burlington in Spring 2012, and we are looking for caring people who would like to extend a helping hand to parents whose children have been newly diagnosed with a disability, or who are new to Alamance county. Sometimes the very best support comes from others who have walked in your shoes. Please click here to read more about the role of Support Parents. To find out how you can get involved and be a lifeline for a local family, please contact Melisa Madden at 513-0063, Ext. 122 or melisa@fsncc.org.
New Location for Alamance County Parent Support Group. If you have a child with special needs, you’ve probably discovered that the best support often comes from others who have “been there.” Please join us for a FREE parent support group just for Alamance county families. This is an informal group designed to give families a chance to share their stories, exchange advice, and make new friends. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lifespan, located at 919 Stokes Street, Burlington (note new location). Light refreshments will be served. Upcoming Meetings: February 16th, March 15th, and April 19th. For meeting times and further information, please contact Melisa Madden at 513-0063, Ext. 122 or melisa@fsncc.org. Click here for a flyer.
NEW Daytime Moms’ Support Group
Sit back...relax…enjoy refreshments...connect with friends old and new...and share the strength of other Moms who have children with special needs. FSNCC’s Alamance Daytime Moms’ Group welcomes you to our monthly gathering. Our next meeting takes place Tuesday, February 14th, 10:00 a.m., at Panera Bread, 422 Huffman Mill Road in Burlington. Children are welcome. For more information and future meeting dates, contact Melisa Madden by email at melisa@fsncc.org or phone (336) 513-0063 ext. 122. Click here for a flyer.
Incredible Years Sessions Forming in Alamance
The Incredible Years program offers classes for parents of children ages three years to twelve years of age who have challenging behaviors. This 14-week program utilizes The Incredible Years curriculum and is dedicated to supporting and strengthening families through play, praise and rewards; limit setting; communication; handling misbehaviors and preventive approaches. This class is offered free of charge. Dinner and child care are included. This class will be offered in both English and Spanish. Please call Kim Morabito at 336.513.0063 at ext 118 for details.
Incredible Years Bi-Monthly Support Group Meeting. These meetings are for parents who have completed the Incredible Years coursework. Upcoming meetings will be held on February 7th and 21st from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Support groups offer a wonderful opportunity to be together with others in a caring and understanding environment. Feel free to come out, ask questions, and get straight answers from people who have been there. Share a few creative and caring problem solving techniques and caregiving ideas, and discover that you are not alone in the way you feel. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by 2/6/12 and 2/20/12 so that we can plan accordingly for attendees. NEW Location: LifeSpan Enrichment Center, 919 Stokes Street, Burlington. For more information and future meeting dates, contact Melisa Madden by email at Melisa@fsncc.org or phone (336) 513-0063 ext. 122.
ABSS ECPAC & SEPTA Meetings
Alamance-Burlington School System's ECPAC and SEPTA meetings. SEPTA is the brainchild of the ABSS Exceptional Child Parent Advisory Council (ECPAC). You can find the ECPAC information on the Alamance Burlington School System's website under the Exceptional Children link. You may also find the link to the ECPAC page on the SEPTA website at www.absssepta.org/. These groups hold regular meetings offering valuable information and support to Alamance county parents. February 23rd: SEPTA, 6-7 p.m / ECPAC, 7-8 p.m. Meeting topics TBA. Meetings are held at 1712 Vaughn Road in Burlington. To learn more, visit www.absssepta.org/ or e-mail abss.septa@gmail.com.
Website Answers Questions About Disability Benefits
The Social Security and Disability Resource Center (SSDRC.com) is an informational website that provides answers to questions about how to apply for disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made by applicants. The site’s author is a former disability examiner for the social security administration. Visit the site at www.ssdrc.com/.
Autism Society of NC, Alamance County Chapter
The Alamance County Chapter of the Autism Society of NC meets on the second Thursday of each month at Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 2638 Grand Oaks Blvd., Burlington. 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Childcare is available. You must RSVP for this service, with the number of children attending, one week in advance of the meeting. The ASNC is unable to offer this service without prior request. For more information, visit www.alamanceasnc.org, call 336-222-7026, or e-mail: alamanceasnc@bellsouth.net.
Fun & Recreation for Special Populations
The Burlington Recreation & Parks Department offers several programs for persons with developmental disabilities. Their goal is to try to incorporate and mainstream individuals in our programs in order to prepare them socially for their future in the work force and other leisure activities. All facilities and existing programs are open to all of those with special needs.
Special Populations Dance
Tuesdays
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
All Ages (Recommended for ages 16 and older)
Admission: Free
Thataways Youth Center
Dances are designed to offer a dance night for persons with developmental disabilities in Alamance County. Come out and enjoy music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, including all time dance favorites, from the Cha-Cha Slide to the Mississippi Mudslide. This is a great time to meet new people, as well as to get an awesome work out! Please call (336) 222-5134 for more information.
Bingo Night for Special Populations
Wednesdays
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
All Ages
Admission: Free
Thataways Youth Center
We will be offering Bingo to any age person with developmental disabilities. We’ll also have billiards, foosball and video arcade games, as well as four televisions for watching pleasure. Concessions are also available, so come out for a fun time and get to know others. Please call (336) 222-5134 for more information.
Structured Activities for Challenged Children (S.A.C.C.)
This program is developed for youth 5 - 21 years of age with developmental disabilities, that have a desire to participate in an athletic environment or various other activities structured to their abilities. The value of this program is based on the socialization and therapeutic benefits of participating in sports, various activities, and the strengthening of their self-esteem. For more information call our Administrative Office at (336) 222-5030.
Special Olympics Spring Games
Alamance / Burlington Special Olympics Spring Games are accepting applications for the 2012 Spring Games. All games will take place on the campus of Elon University at Rhodes Stadium. Elon is the original site of the first Special Olympics in Alamance County. Join in the festivities this year with over 250 athletes from Alamance County. This event is co-sponsored by the Alamance County and Burlington Recreation & Parks Departments. For more information or to volunteer call (336) 222-5030.
Camp Greenleaves
Dates: TBA (5 weeks during the summer months)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Lake Cammack Park & Marina
Camp Greenleaves is a summer day camp for youth with developmental disabilities/delays of Alamance County. Campers are divided into five groups with four counselors per group and will rotate to different areas of camp daily. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, sports and games, character building and nature studies, and free time. They also have several field trips planned through the summer. Sponsored by Burlington Recreation & Parks, with assistance from other governmental agencies and individual and civic group donations. For more information, please contact Tim Johnson at 222-5030.
Recreation for Citizens with Visual Impairment
The Alamance County Recreation and Parks Department offers a program for residents of Alamance County with visual impairments. Through this program we provide monthly leisure and recreational activities to enhance the quality of life for residents of Alamance County. Participants are welcome to involve family members and peers in these activities. Coordinated events for young adults through seniors include trips, luncheons, games, sports and more!
Upcoming Programs
October- Titanic Exhibit at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro
November- Elon Basketball Game
December- Christmas Party at Golden Corral
For more information please call (336) 229-2230 or 263-8330.
Life Span Offers Dual Subsidy Program.
The Alamance Partnership for Children is currently sponsoring a limited number of subsidized slots at Lifespan Circle School In Burlington. Life Span Circle School is a five-star rated Developmental Day Program that offers full-time, full-year inclusive care to children birth to age 5. Eligibility requirements for these slots are as follows:
* Child must be between the ages of six weeks and two years. A child will remain qualified for a slot up until his or her third birthday.
* Child must have an identified special need with an Individualized Family Service Plan in place.
* Child must be eligible to receive Child Care subsidy through the Department of Social Services.
* Subsidy payments are in the amount of $600 per month. The remaining tuition balance is to be paid by the parent(s) in the amount of $75 per month for infant care; $50 per month for toddlers.
If you have questions or would like to enroll a child, please call Adrienne Rice at the Alamance Department of Social Services at 336-570-6547 or Stephanie Tichy at Lifespan Circle School at 336-513-4250.
RESOURCES:
* Please see the Guilford County Resources page for many organizations serving a broad catchment area, including Alamance County.
Alamance Partnership for Children: A wealth of services for families, including parent education, access to health and developmental screenings, child care assistance, and much more.
Arc of Alamance County: Advocacy organization for persons with developmental disabilities.
Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) of Gibsonville: Local office for the state Infant-Toddler program, providing early intervention and service coordination for children from birth-3.
Gibsonville CDSA
111 Piedmont Avenue
Gibsonville, NC 27249
Phone: (336)449-4055
Fax: (336)449-7368
Alamance County Schools Exceptional Children's Department: Click here to e-mail the Executive Director of Exceptional Children's Services.
Alamance Developmental Center (ADC): Provides individualized developmental/educational and related therapy services, as well as quality childcare services in an inclusive setting, to children and youth birth to eighteen years who are residents of Alamance and Caswell counties. ADC’s population is composed of children who are birth to 3 years with, or at risk for, developmental delays/disabilities, and children birth to 5 years who are typically developing. Children and youth ages 3-18 with special education needs may be placed at ADC by the public schools with consent of their parents.
Greensboro TEACCH Center: Serving Greensboro and surrounding areas. Diagnostic and therapeutic services for persons with autism spectrum disorder. Also offers training and education for parents, teachers, and other service providers.
Autism Society of North Carolina, Alamance County Chapter: Information and support for people with autism and their families. Regular meetings and events. To learn more, call (336)222-7026, or click here to send e-mail.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Alamance County chapter: Information, advocacy, and support groups for people with mental illness and those who care for them.
|
