November 2009 WATCH News
 
The Wake Area 
Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with Special Needs
  
Please Complete the TelAbility/WATCH Survey
 
 
nathan finishDue to the generous support and funding from the John Rex Endowment, the WATCH Project has been able to offer the majority of its services and resources at no cost to participants. 
 
Over 400 people participate in both the WATCH listserv and newsletter.  Several families and providers have utilized videoclinic services, enhancing communication and care coordination for the child.  The average WATCH professional development session host about 30 participants and has educated over 1,500 Early Intervention and Special Needs professionals over the past 4 years. Offering sessions via videoconference has saved early intervention and special needs providers $48,730 in travel costs alone since December of 2006. 
 
Over the past year, we have had conversations with WATCH Members and Site Directors about ways to sustain our program past our John Rex Endowment funding which will come to an end on June 30, 2010.  Two ideas that were suggested included charging a small fee to attend videoconferences or requiring an individual WATCH Membership fee as a way to generate revenue for the program. 
 
In order to help make decisions that will both sustain the WATCH Project and continue to meet the needs of our community we are asking you to please complete a very short survey of only 5 questions.  Simply click the survey link below to complete the survey.  Thanks!

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2lz8oyhg13vjcji/start
Upcoming WATCH Professional Development Sessions
International Updates on Cerebral Palsy Research and Care Provision:  What's New from Down Under.
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Wednesday, December 2nd from 12:30-1:30
 Dr. Alexander will lead this one hour presentation, during which he will provide an overview of the research and symposiums presented at the 3rd International Conference on Cerebral Palsy held in Sydney, Australia. 
 
To register for this session, email Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu.
 
 
Better Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
Friday, December 11th from 12:30-2:30   
This session, led by Linda King-Thomas, OTR/L and Director of Developmental Therapy Associates, will provide an overview of Sensory Processing Disorder along with applicable therapy strategies and interventions.  The agenda for the session will include:
 
Introduction with descriptions and characteristics of sensory processing disorder (SPD)
Sensory diet strategies
Research findings
Case presentation
Questions and Answers
 
If you would like to attend or be a host site location for this session, please contact Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu.  If you are planning to attend, please send your specific questions to Juliellen by Monday, November 30th so that they can be addressed during the session.
 
Autism Case Study Discussion
Friday, January 15th, 2010 from 12:30-2:30
This session, facilitated by Mary Lou Gelblum and Mary Henson, will highlight the challenges and successes of early intervention strategies when working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.  Mary Lou and Mary will be using case studies to highlight their experiences.  This session is meant to be a conversation with all participants exchanging ideas and experiences. 
 
To register, contact Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu.
 
2nd Annual Run, Walk & Roll Updates
 
nathan finishThe 2nd Annual Run, Walk & Roll is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st 2010 from 9:00 am -noon at Crowder District Park  in Apex, NC.  The Run, Walk and Roll is a 5k run and one mile walk or roll to benefit children with special needs, their families, and the providers who care for them.  A resource fair, co-sponsored by the Wake County LICC, will be held in conjunction with the event.
 
Ways you can help...
 
Serve on the Sponsorship and Donors Committee.  This committee recruits businesses to serve as event sponsors and also secure donations such as food, prizes, and necessary supplies.  This committee will meet again in mid- January. Contact Nicole Pratapas at nicole_pratapas@med.unc.edu if you'd like to serve on this committee.
 
Serve on the Marketing and Communications Committee.  This committee is responsible for publicizing this event.  It includes helping make contacts with local media outlets, facilitating presentations to interested businesses, and posting flyers and distributing brochures within the community.  This committee will meet next on Friday, January 22nd from noon-1:30 at Carolina Cafe off Harrison Ave. in Cary.  Email Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu to join this committee.
 
Serve on the Resource Fair Committee.  This committee recruit agencies and vendors for the Resource Fair and coordinates the details of this event. We will be meeting next on January 12th, 2010 from 8:45-9:45 in Room 302 at Project Enlightenment.  Email Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu if you'd like to help.
 
Serve on the Logistic Committee.  This committee coordinates all the registration and race day details and recruits volunteers to serve on the day of the event.  This committee will meet in early January.  Place and time TBA.  Email Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu if you'd like to help.
 
Be an event Sponsor!  Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships are availabe.  Contact Nicole at nicole_pratapas@med.unc.edu.
 
Have a table at the Resource Fair! Tables for For Profit businesses cost $100.00. Tables for Non-profit agencies cost $25.00.  Applications for Resource Fair tables will be available online in January.
Nathan in the news
 
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Many of you met Nathan Baker at last year's Run, Walk & Roll.  The senior, cross county runner has cerebral palsy and a hearing loss.  He was the leader of last year's biggest Run, Walk & Roll team, proudly named  "Nathan's Navy".  Nathan's inspirational story has made the local news!  Click the links below to find out more about our RW&R hero!
 
 
Interested in getting The Pediatric Feeding Newsletter?
 
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Krisi Brackett, MS, SLP, CCC, and feeding specialist is back in town!  Krisi is the editor of The Pediatric Feeding Newsletter.  Her new contact information is below: 
 
 
 
Cell phone: 919-357-4575
New email: (the previous earthlink email is going away)
krisibrackett@gmail.com

Work:
UNC Hospitals
919-966-8047
kbracket@unch.unc.edu

Feeding Newsletter inquiries:
 
The newsletter is filled with lots of great feeding tips and research.  Contact her for more information.

Book Review or Book Club?
 
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We are looking for a WATCH Member (or several) to review the book Eating for Autism.  We are interested in what WATCH professionals have to say about it.  If you would like to read and review the book contact Juliellen at jsimpvos@med.unc.edu.  We will purchase the book for you.  Perhaps we could hold a videoconference book club conversation follow up in the new year??  Just food for thought... :)
 
Local Job Opportunities
 
Community Partnerships, Inc.
 
CPI is recruiting an Inclusion Consultant for the Healthy Out of School Time (HOST) Project - 30 hours per week.  Applicants should hold a degree in recreational therapy, special education or a related field, along with experience working in inclusive settings.  Send resumes to jobscpi@compart.org
 
Holiday Events
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa nathan finish
Saturday, December 5th, 1:00-4:00 pm
Join other children with special needs and their families at Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. 
The event will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 7000 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh. Children can have their picture taken with Santa and receive a gift, make crafts, play games and have treats. 
 
The event is free.  No reservations are required.  This event is sponsored by Family Support Network of Wake County and the Goodwill Community Foundation.  For more information call 919.662.4600 ext. 257.
 
 
Marbles Family Fun Night
Tuesday, December 15th 5:30 -8:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum, The Arc of Wake County and other local organizations dedicated to the support of and service to the special needs community have teamed up to bring you an evening of play and learning entirely for children with special needs and their families.
 
This after-hours event allows children 10 and under to experience Marbles in a calmer, less crowded environment. Museum exhibits offer opportunities to enhance language development and social skills through purposeful play. This free event is limited to children with special needs and their families.


 
Year End Giving to TelAbility
 
 
 
Recognize a child you serve or a professional you admire by making a donation to TelAbility/WATCH on their behalf. 
Send your gift, along with a few words about the child or professional to :
 
  
TelAbility
1101 Weaver Dairy Road, Suite 202
Chapel Hill , NC  27514
 
We will feature honorees in the next WATCH Newsletter.  Donations can be made anonymously and are tax deductible.  Make checks payable to The UNC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and indicate the gift is for TelAbility on the memo line.  Thank you!
 
 
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We wish you all the happiest of holidays!  May it be filled with rest, joy, and good cheer!   
 
Juliellen and Josh