Category Archives: Workshops

Building a Meaningful Life

  April 26, 2016 , ,

Tuesday, May 17th, 6-8pm
The Arc of Whatcom County
2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham

HappyFamilyConnecting with community resources is often a trial and error adventure. Some activities may happen naturally, and others require work and perseverance. Families who have a son or daughter with a developmental disability are in the unique role of wearing multiple hats as a doctor, therapist, professional, bookkeeper, taxi driver, or any other skill needed to navigate this complex life. Join us as we make connections with parents and caregivers to build our knowledge and resources and discover tools and tricks for navigating life and increasing opportunities for involvement in the community.

Please RSVP by May 12th: (360) 715-0170, ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Limited supervised care for family members is available on a first-come, first-served basis with RSVP by May 12th.

DDA Applications Workshop

  March 29, 2016 ,

Tuesday, April 26th, 6-8pm
The Arc of Whatcom County
2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham

Do you have a child with developmental delays or disabilities, but aren’t sure what services are out there to help your child? Have you heard about DDA services, but are not sure what they are or how to apply? Have you wanted to apply for DDA services, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the workshop for you! Leslie Kivett, Eligibility Case Resource Manager for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) will join us to tell us about DDA services. She will discuss the eligibility requirements for these services and the steps for filling out the application. Then we will have time to work on completing your child’s application and answer specific questions you have. Now is the time that new clients are being added to DDA services, so don’t delay! Join us for this important workshop and check one big thing off your to-do list!
Please RSVP by April 21st: (360) 715-0170, ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Limited supervised care for family members is available on a first-come, first-served basis with RSVP by April 21st.

March 15, 2016 – Parent Providers & ProviderOne

  March 8, 2016

Tuesday, March 15th, 6-8pm
The Arc of Whatcom County
2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham

ProviderOne_logo-boxIndividual ProviderOne is an online, electronic system for managing your Personal Care hours. You will no longer get a monthly invoice or call in your hours. Individual Providers begin using Individual ProviderOne (IPOne) March 1, 2016. IPOne will replace the Social Service Payment System (SSPS) you currently use to claim for your individual provider hours. Please join us as we walk through the new system with verbal and visuals of the three methods to get paid.
Please RSVP by March 10th: (360) 715-0170, ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Limited supervised care for family members is available on a first-come, first-served basis with RSVP by March 10th.

Care Notebook Workshop – Nov. 17, 2015

  November 3, 2015

Tuesday, November 17th, 6:00-8:00pm
The Arc of Whatcom County
2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham

It’s always a good idea to keep your child’s school and provider records in one place and in some kind of order. But sometimes those piles of paper get ahead of us.
Join us for an evening workshop to Get Organized! We will have Care Organizer files provided by Seattle Children’s Hospital, along with sharing ideas on how to stay one step ahead of the paper parade.
Just bring your paper records, and we will get organized together!
Please RSVP: 360-715-0170, ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Supervised care for family members is available if you RSVP by November 10th.

School and Family Networking Night – October 12, 2015

  October 12, 2015

Special Education Directors from around Whatcom County are invited to participate in a question and answer session followed by breakout sessions for parents to participate in discussion on a variety of topics, which will include:

  • Getting Started in Special Education
  • Understanding Your Child’s IEP
  • Transition to Adulthood
  • Latino Family Supports
  • Self Care

Refreshments provided. Onsite childcare will be available to those who RSVP by October 8th. For families needing special accommodations, please respond by September 28th. For questions or to RSVP, please contact the Parent to Parent office at (360) 255-2056 or info@p2pwhatcom.org.

This event is co-sponsored by Parent to Parent of Whatcom County, The Arc of Whatcom County, Whatcom Infants and Children’s Council, and Whatcom Taking Action/SEAS.

Click below for the event flyer:

School Family Networking Night

Help! Puberty! – May 19, 2015

  May 19, 2015 , ,

Talking with our children about the birds and the bees.

Tuesday, May 19, 6-8pm

The Arc’s Dan Godwin Community Center

2602 McLeod Rd, Bellingham

At this workshop, participants will learn positive, practical and realistic ways to help your and your child:

  • Prepare for and understand puberty.
  • Deal with mood swings, hygiene and periods.
  • Build awareness of privacy and safety.
  • Talk about relationships, touch and boundaries.

Please RSVP: 360-715-0170, ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org.

puberty

Advance Care Planning – April 21, 2015

  April 15, 2015 , ,

Advance Care Planning: For family members, caregivers and community members

Tuesday, April 21, 6-8pm

The Arc’s Dan Godwin Community Center

2602 McLeod Rd, Bellingham

If you don’t want to talk about dying, you’re not alone. Decisions about end of life care are deeply personal and can be difficult. These decisions may be complicated by concerns involving disabilities. Putting your wishes in writing is an empowering act and ensures that your choices and decisions will be honored. You’re invited to join us to start the conversation and face these issues together.

At this workshop participants will learn:
  • Why Advance Care Planning is important for you and/or your family member with developmental disabilities
  • How to choose someone to be your Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (your Health Care Agent)
  • How to talk to your loved ones and doctors about preferences for end-of-life care
  • How to complete and file your Advance Directive paperwork

This workshop is presented by staff and trained volunteers through Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA) End-of-Life Choices.

Please RSVP:

(360) 715-0170 x 303, or monicab@arcwhatcom.org

Supervised care for family members is available if you RSVP by April 16th.

WAHA logo

Special Needs Trusts – February 17, 2015

  February 3, 2015 ,

Special Needs Trusts & The New ABLE Act

Tuesday, February 17, 6-8pm

The Arc’s Dan Godwin Community Center

2602 McLeod Rd, Bellingham

special needs trusts
 

Presented by Barry Meyers from the Elder Law Offices of Barry M. Meyers

A Special Needs Trust can allow individuals to enhance their quality of life through trust assets while retaining government benefits. There are several different Special Needs Trusts which can be created depending on the origin of the assets that may be used to fund the trust. Please join us for this informative workshop to learn more.

Please RSVP: 360-715-0170, ext. 303, or email monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Supervised care for family members is available if you RSVP by February 12th.

Safety & Wandering – January 20, 2015

  January 7, 2015 ,
6-8pm at The Arc’s Dan Godwin Community Center

wandering childDoes your family member often wander or run off? Are you concerned for his or her safety? Do you want to know what options are out there to keep him or her safe? We will have parents and professionals available to provide safety tips and discuss their experiences with various options.

Please RSVP: 360-715-0170 ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Supervised care for family members is available if you RSVP by January 15th.

Future Planning – November 18, 2014

  November 3, 2014
6-8pm at The Arc’s Dan Godwin Community Center

formsForms, forms, and more forms! What do you need to fill out (and when) to ensure your child’s financial future?

We will present timelines and easy-to-use tips to make future planning as painless as possible.

Topics include:

  • Guardianship reports to the court
  • Social Security Representative Payee (view handout) 
  • Medicaid Personal Care
  • Special Needs Trusts

Please RSVP: 360-715-0170 ext. 303, monicab@arcwhatcom.org. Supervised care for family members is available if you RSVP by November 13th.