Parent Mentor
Parents who have a child with special needs often feel helpless and alone. Talking with someone who can give them specific guidance can bring a sense of security to parents who wonder what to do when their child does not fit the pattern for the usual growth and development.
Programs
Programs at Waterloo Region Family Network include a variety of workshops and seminars, ongoing support groups and personal guidance to ensure families are aware of and appropriately connected to all available community resources. Our programs also include social and skill development groups.
Resources
Our resources page includes information and links on many topics: Advocacy, Support, Respite, Education, Financial Assistance, Camps, Employment needs, Health, Transportation and much more.
Vulnerable Persons Registry: In the event of an emergency, The Registry provides police access to helpful information such as: emergency contacts, detailed description, ways to communicate.
Community News on ConnectABILITY.ca has expanded to include news and events in Waterloo Region.
Autism in High School is a new web-based guide to help students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families as they navigate the transitions and common challenges of high school.
Upcoming Events
Physical and emotional sexual development is a complicated process for any adolescent. Those with FASD experience enhanced and significant difficulties when navigating relationships. The information provided in this talk will discuss:
– Typical child and youth sexual development
– How to encourage positive relationships
– Issues that may arise for children and youth with an FASD
– Practical strategies for prevention of concerns and how to address issues that arise
Date: October 17, 2017
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: Lutherwood, 285 Benjamin Rd. Waterloo
Space is limited
Please RSVP to Karen Huber at khuber@lutherwood.ca
Join The Family Centre as they launch the next phase of the Resilience Project: Bounce Forward. Listen to a 6 x 6 youth speaker series telling their Stories of Resilience and learn how you can help the communities you work with to build resilience and bounce forward.
The evening will also include time for networking over a light supper, and will wrap up with time for questions for our speakers.
Date: September 20. 2017
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Location: The Family Centre – 65 Hanson Ave. Kitchener
Register here.
UNICEF Canada is looking for youth to give their perspective on how to measure well-being in Canada as part of the development of their Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being.
Here are some further details:
The workshop will take place Thursday, October 19th from 4:00 to 7:00pm
Looking for 20 young people between the ages of 11-18
Address: 305 King St. W, Suite 1002, Kitchener
A $20 honoraria and food will be provided
There is an Eventbrite link to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-well-being-workshop-tickets-37255974623
Please connect with Alli Truesdell, Youth Participation Lead with UNICEF Canada if you have any questions.
Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) run the following monthly support groups:
ADHD
The third Wednesday of each month (except for July, August and December)
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Front Door, 1770 King St. E., Kitchener Upper level
Family/Caregiver Support Group
Fourth Tuesday of each Month (except for July, August, and December).
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Lutherwood, 285 Benjamin Road, Waterloo
Please visit the website for more information http://www.pcmh.ca/Waterloo_SupportGroups
Community Living dances are sponsored by KW Association for Community Living and City of Kitchener. All dances take place at the Downtown Community Centre, 35 Weber St. W. Kitchener, from 7-9:45pm. If you come on your own, you are responsible for your own needs and safety.
September 15 – Feed the Hungry – Bring items for the Food Bank
October 20 – Costume Party Time
November 17 – It’s Tie Time – Wear a tie
December 8 – Holiday Wishes – Wear your special, sparkly clothes
Cost:
Participants – $5
Staff/Parent – $1
Pop – 25 cents per cup
Pizza – $1
Questions? Call Lillian – 519-741-9422 or Susan 519-654-7023
From The Blog
Cancellations Re: Family & Youth Consultation Sessions for Special Needs Strategy, Integrated Rehabilitation Services and September Communique
Attention Families and Youth,
Please note that the following Special Needs Strategy Information & Consultation Sessions have been cancelled and put on hold:
September 25 from 1 – 3 pm at The Family Centre and 7 – 9 pm at The Family Centre
October 2 from 7 – 9 pm at The Studio (Youth Session)
October 11 from 7 – 9 pm at the KidsAbility Cambridge Hub
In the September issue of Family Pulse, we advertised consultation sessions for families and youth related to Integrated Rehabilitation Services for the Special Needs Strategy as it had been the expectation and intent of the Waterloo Region Steering Committee to begin these consultation sessions this fall.
At this time, these plans have been put on hold to give the province the necessary time to provide further direction and policy development as requested by steering committees.
We are providing an updated communique for you. This communique provides background context as well as an update regarding Integrated Rehabilitation Services and the implementation process moving forward. Please click here to learn more.
The Waterloo Region Integrated Rehabilitation Steering Committee remains committed to working with the ministries, community partners and to you – children, youth and families – to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
DSRC Connection
The Fall Issue of DSRC Connection has been published! To read the newsletter please click here.
Participants Needed!
If you would like to participate or would like more information please contact Erinn Barry: buic9830@mylaurier.ca OR Dr. Nicky Newton: nnewton@wlu.ca.