Save The Date! - Bucks LIFE Program.

Spring, 2014
Save The Date!
April 10, 2014
“Positive Support Strategies for Parents of Children with Special Needs”
Understand how to manage your child’s behavioral challenges effectively.
N
T!
F
E
RE
E
EV
This workshop will take place at our office:
Summer Planning for your Special Needs Child..1
Redefining the Bucks County LIFE Program……2
Family Support Specialist Role…………………2
800 Jacksonville Road, Suite 203, Ivyland, PA 18974
6:00PM to 8:00PM
To register for this FREE event, please contact
Denise Hooper at DSHooper@accessservices.org
or call 1.888.442.1590
Peer Support Services.………………...……….2
Camps & Summer Fun for Free………………...3
Parent mentorship & support
Helpful resources for you and your child
Referral to other services as needed
Training & information
Specialized case management
Save The Date……………………………...…..4
Summer Planning
For Your Special Needs Child
By Denise Hooper
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 100
Fort Washington, PA 19034-3234
1.800.739.2150 (toll free)
215.540.2165 (fax)
BucksLife@accessservices.org
www.accessservices.org
www.LifeInBucks.org
With any program or camp that you look at, it is
important to make the staff aware of any special needs
your child has and/or accommodations your child may
require, and ask how they can provide this same
support.
Warmer weather and summer will be on their way
soon. When planning or choosing a summer program
Check out your township parks and recreation
for your child, there are several things to consider.
Think of their age, their interests, and their personality. department, many offer summer programs.
Some also provide free events, such as music night,
Think about your child’s needs during the school year, movie night, free lunch for children and teens under the
and what type of program or activities would continue age of 18.
to support these needs over the summer.
Libraries usually offer free programs, such as story
If your child has any special interests, such as music or time, puppet shows, or other arts and crafts activities
for younger children.
animals, look at programs that would support and
encourage your child.
As it gets closer to the end of the school year, you may
If your child is working on any academic or social skills see some of these events advertised in the newspaper
or online. You can always contact your local parks and
during the school year, consider looking at programs
that will continue to provide this same support over the recreation department and your local library.
summer.
If you need any assistance or information regarding
Remember, some programs are paid for by your school summer programs, please contact the Bucks County
district, if your child has qualified for Extended School LIFE Program at 1.888.442.1590.
Year services, some offer scholarships or work with a
sliding scale fee, and some accept subsidized daycare,
if your child has been eligible for this during the
school year.
Spring, 2014
Redefining the Bucks County LIFE Program
The Bucks County LIFE Program offers to families, social
skills groups, parent workshops and trainings, family fun
events, and resource information. The Bucks County LIFE
Program team includes two Family Support Specialists, an
Administrative Case Manager, and two Certified Peer
Support Specialists.
Family Support Specialist Role
There are currently two Family Support Specialists at the
LIFE Program, Denise Hooper and Amy Kunkle. We
ARE NOT Advocates. The definition of an advocate is
“a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular
Cause or Policy, will speak or Argue in favor or support of this
cause or policy, and who will Argue for the cause of Another
Person.
Peer Support Services
Access Services offers Peer Support Services through the
Bucks County LIFE and TIP Programs. Transition Aged
Youth can have access to a Certified Peer Support Specialist
(CPSS) in both programs. Within the Bucks County LIFE
Program, the CPSS can work with youth between the ages
of 14-18, or with an IEP. For those in the TIP Program, the
CPSS works with Transition Aged Youth between the ages
of 16-26.
Peer Support is a specialized service offered through
Access Services. It focuses on resiliency and instilling
hope for other people. This service can enrich the youth’s
natural support system, and educate them through their
recovery. The CPSS can work directly with youth in the
community in a non-stigmatizing matter. Unlike traditional
Case Management, the CPSS will give youth an opportunity
Family Support Specialists do not Argue, or publicly support a to use their voice in what they need support in, and also
particular Cause or Policy, we support FAMILIES. We will
work on goals for their future.
help support a family by providing them with the information
and knowledge they need in order to be an advocate for their
The CPSS is also certified in Person-Centered Planning.
child. We work with families who have a child with special
This is a tool to help with the engagement process during
needs, from birth through age 21 or graduation from high
meetings. This also helps the youth explore more about
school. There is no fee for our program and no insurance is
their strengths, interests, and through motivational
needed.
interviewing.
We are parents of special needs children, have been through
the child serving systems with our own children, and we help
Although the CPSS is not an advocate, they can help direct
families navigate the child serving systems in the county.
youth in a way to enrich their lives in the community and
social wellbeing. CPSS also participates in community
We can provide assistance in completing an application for
meetings such as MYLIFE, planning, and IEP meetings.
medical assistance. We can provide resource information
The CPSS will discuss crisis resolution, rehabilitation,
about mental health, behavioral health and Intellectual
social/cultural factors, engagement, and mutual trust with
Disability supports and services, and help connect families
youth. This will give youth a chance to have a voice in what
to provider agencies.
supports they need. Certified Peer Support Specialists are
We support families going through the special education
peers who have experience being within the mental health
process by attending meetings, reviewing and discussing
system. This can help with the engagement process to
reports, IEP’s and evaluations, and we will provide
relate to youth in a positive manner.
information on options and special education law.
If, as a parent, you are struggling in connecting to services,
have questions or are in need of support regarding school
issues, or need assistance navigating any other child serving
agency, such as juvenile justice, children and youth, as two
examples, please call us at 1.888.442.1590. Follow the
prompts to leave a message and someone will be in touch with
you within a few days.
All referrals are taken by the Administrative Case Manager
or Assistant Director of programs. Each case will be
assigned to the appropriate CPSS. For more information
about Peer Support Services, please check out the website
at www.lifeinbucks.org.
CAMPS
Camp Amica
1 Declaration Drive, Bensalem, PA 19020
Disabilities Served: Asperger Syndrome,
Autism, Pervasive Development Disorder
Camp Nock-a-Mixon, Camp Oasis
249 Traugers Crossing Road,
Kintnersville, PA 18930
(610)847-5963
For ages 8-16 with Crohn's Disease,
Ulcerative Colitis, other inflammatory
bowel diseases.
Disabilities Served: Physical disability
Heaven's Gate Farm, LLC
5590 Bradshaw Road, Pipersville, PA 18947
(215)766-0133
Therapeutic riding camp serving individuals
with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and
ADHD. Disabilities Served: Asperger
Syndrome, Autism, Learning Disability/
ADHD, Pervasive Development Disorder
Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center
P.O. Box 394, Perkasie, PA 18944
(215)822-2515
Therapeutic equestrian riding
Disabilities Served: All
Life Path/Ridge Crest
2 Life Mark Dr. Sellersville, PA 18960
(215)257-0471
24-hour nursing care & camp for
medically fragile children with
developmental disabilities.
Disabilities Served: Developmental
disability
Lions Camp Kirby for the Deaf &
Hard of Hearing
1735 Narrows Hill Road,
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
(215)249-3710
Overnight camp for deaf or hard of
hearing children ages 8-18. Accepts
siblings. Offers Bilingual Services
Disabilities Served: Deaf/hard of
hearing.
Expressions Day Camp
(A Camp Concepts Camp)
Email: campconcepts@comcast.net
1690 George School, Newtown, PA 18940
(267)261-4098
A day camp specifically designed for boys
and girls with High Functioning Autism,
Asperger’s Syndrome, Nonverbal
Learning Disabilities and PDD-NOS and
similar social challenges, ages 4-18. Includes
Expressions GPS- navigational life skills for
older teens: vocational, educational and
social preparation for independent living.
Easter Seals Camp
Easter Seals Eastern PA offers a variety of
camping, respite, and recreation
programs. These programs give children,
teens, and young adults with and without
special needs a fun-filled atmosphere for
socialization in a safe and supportive
environment. Our programs allow
participants to make new friends while
providing much needed respite for
families.
Variety Club Camp
2950 Potshop Road
P.O. Box 609 Worchester, PA 19490
(610)584-4366
Variety’s Day Camp program offers eight
one-week sessions for individuals between
the ages of 5 and 21 with
developmental disabilities.
SUMMER FUN FOR FREE
Churchville Nature Center
501 Churchville Lane,
Churchville, PA 18966
(215)357-4005 Fax:(215)396-1153
Ringing Rocks Park
Ringing Rocks, Upper Black Eddy,
PA 18972
(215)757-0571 Fax:(215)785-3228
Silver Lake Park
Coastal Plain Forest,
1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007
(215)785-1177 Fax:(215)785-3228
The Village Library of Wrightstown
727 Penns Park Road,
Wrightstown, PA 18940
(215)598-3322
Central Park
Kids Castle
425 Wells Road, Doylestown 18901
(215)348-9915
Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Road
Washington’s Crossing, PA 18977
(215)493-4076
Offers picturesque setting with 13
historic buildings.
Bucks County Free Libraries
http://www.buckslib.org/
The Home Depot
Offers free workshops, contact
your local Home Depot
for more information.
Kids Bowl Free
Select bowling centers around the county
offer 2 FREE games of bowling per day all
summer long! Registration is required. http://
www.kidsbowlfree.com/
Free summer meals for kids
To ensure that people in Bucks County lowincome households have access to resources
for food security and basic nutritional needs.
http://www.foodinbucks.org/
SummerFeedingList.php
Contacts: Lyn Martinsen, Co-Chair
Email: lmartinsen@fhcs.org and
Deborah Kirkner, Co-Chair,
Email: dkirkner@bcoc.org
(215)345-8175, Ext. 211