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
WHAT IS INDEPENDENT HEARTS?
– A program that teaches and evaluates skills for living on your own or with a roommate;
– Short-term stays at the house supported by the daytime Life Skills Educators and overnight staff;
– Trained Life Skills Educators evaluate your readiness for living independently or with a roommate, and identify areas of needed support to move forward
Attend the Independent Hearts Open House to:
– Meet the team of Life Skills Educators
– Tour the Independent Hearts program house
– Learn about our unique Program Curriculum!
– Sign up for the next Independent Hearts sessions
Friday June 1st: 5pm – 7pm
268 Suffolk St W.
Presentation(s): 5:30pm and 6:15pm
*extra parking at GCVI highschool
Register to attend.
A-Team Waterloo Region is a place where individuals with Aspergers can discuss topics in a safe and welcoming environment.
The next meeting will be a private meeting on Thursday, May 17, on the 3rd floor at KW Habilitation (99 Ottawa St. S, Kitchener).
Optional pre-meeting social begins at 7:00pm. Formal discussion to follow at 7:30pm.
The topic of the meeting will be The Diagnosis Process.
Please RSVP to ateam.waterlooregion@gmail.com.
The following Firefly Summer Programs still have spaces available:
Robotics – It’s never too early to discover STEM. FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed to introduce science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts to kids ages 6 to 10.
Date: August 7-10, 2018
Time: 8:30-4:30
Where: 51 Breithaupt Street, Kitchener
Cost: $ 425.00
Jr. Robotics – Campers will build their Lego models with working motors, sensors and pulleys. They will program their models exploring a variety theme based activities. Children will also enjoy outdoor play, group games, and swimming.
Dates: July 16-20 & August 20-24
Time: 9:00 – 1:00pm
Where: KidsAbility Waterloo
Cost $230.00
Music Therapy Summer Camps – Each sessions is customized to each clients strength’s, challenges and treatment goals.
30 minute sessions $50.00
60 minute sessions $80.00
Subsidies may be available. Music Therapy groups are covered by SSAH.
To learn more about these programs or to register please visit https://fireflytherapy.ca/.
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region‘s 6th Annual Count Me In March – A Disability Pride Event.
Enjoy family-friendly activities, inspirational speakers, entertainment, snacks and refreshments, and a community march down King St.
June 14, 2018 from 5:00-8:00pm at Kitchener City Hall.
To RSVP, please join the event page at: https://bit.ly/2KhqJUp
If you have any questions about the Count Me In March, please contact Becky Klokoff at bklokoff@eafwr.on.ca or 519-741-0190 ext. 268 or Kerry Cressman at kcressman@eafwr.on.ca or 519-741-0190 ext. 291.
Families are invited to enjoy Playfit Kids Club in Cambridge! This will be a private facility party with full use including play structure, pizza, snacks & drinks.
This event is open to children with ASD, their siblings and caregivers.
Spaces are limited. Registration is required.
Sunday, June 24, 2018.
From The Blog
Autism Ontario’s Provincially Speaking Survey – 2018 Edition
In 2017, Autism Ontario launched the first annual Provincially Speaking Survey!
Autism Ontario listened to what you had to say and communicated that to service providers, government representatives, professionals and community groups. A brief snapshot of the results can be seen here.
Now, based on your feedback, Autism Ontario has fine-tuned the questions to gather information from both caregivers and adults about the state of autism services in Ontario in 2018.
Complete the survey so you can enter for a chance to win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards!
The information you provide will help Autism Ontario give informed feedback to stakeholders across Ontario. They will also incorporate your valuable perspective into their future programs and advocacy work.
The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You may also save your answers as you go along, and return to the survey at any time to complete it. The survey will be open until June 5th, 2018.
CADDAC News
CADDAC is a national, not-for-profit, organization providing leadership and support in awareness, education and advocacy for ADHD organizations and individuals across Canada.Read CADDAC news here.
Join the Parent Involvement Committee
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) invites parents/guardians of students currently enrolled in one of the WRDSB schools OR community members who do not have children currently enrolled in a WRDSB school to apply for positions on the WRDSB Parent Involvement Committee.
The mandate for the WRDSB Parent Involvement Committee is to:
– Provide information and advice on parent engagement to the WRDSB;
– Communicate with and support school councils of the Board through the Waterloo Region Assembly of Public School Councils (WRAPSC);
– Undertake activities to help parents support their child’s learning at home and at school.
The committee meets at least six times per year to advise the WRDSB on policies and issues of concern to parents and to make suggestions to schools, School Councils and the Board regarding parent engagement that supports student achievement.
The committee is established according to Ministry legislation and members must be prepared to attend each meeting and participate in a minimum of one PIC subcommittee. Current subcommittees include: Immigrant Engagement; Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools; Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant Event; Membership; and Governance. Members may also be asked to review materials for PIC or the Board and provide feedback.
PIC meetings are generally held on Tuesdays, at the Education Centre from 6:30-9:00p.m. Scheduled meetings are: September 25, 2018; November 6, 2018; December 4, 2018; January 29, 2019; March 5, 2019 and May 21, 2019. There will be other meetings scheduled as per subcommittee requirements. These meeting dates may change.
The committee is comprised of 14 parents, the Director of Education, one Trustee, one elementary and one secondary administrator, one teacher and one to three community representatives. PIC parent members have an option to apply for a 1 year or 2 year term.
All applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018.
Learn more about this opportunity here.