KIDSTEPS Newsletter Vol. 1

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

There are certain things in everyone’s life that push our buttons.  We all have our “list” of those actions that get our blood flowing.  I have on to add:  the word “kiddo”.  For some reason this new term has spread like wild fire throughout KIDSTEPS as an acceptable replacement for a child’s name.  I can’t understand why we would not treat children with respect and professionalism by using their first names.  Not only has this term crept into conversations but it is also used over the phone by staff with others outside of KIDSTEPS.  I have also seen it written in children’s case files.  Frankly, I can’t imagine anyone wanting their own child, close family friend, or relative being described orally or in writing by a professional as “that kiddo” or “the kiddo.”   I encourage each of you to reflect and ask yourself if you are using this term and why and then determine what you need to do to stop using it.  There is no place for this term at KIDSTEPS.

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From the E.I Supervisor, Julie

We all know that “self-care” is important.  Here is an article that looks at ways we can do that, excerpted from the American Psychological Association website.  It starts with “Taking Steps to Manage Stress.”

Taking Steps to Manage Stress
Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them. Record your thoughts, feelings and information about the environment, including the people and circumstances involved, the physical setting and how you reacted. Did you raise your voice? Get a snack from the vending machine? Go for a walk? Taking notes can help you find patterns among your stressors and your reactions to them.

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Questions & Answers

Q: How do I know if I am providing “services at no cost” correctly?

R:   “Services at no cost” is only available to those who have a family cost fee.  It is designed to provide an option of mandates (eligibility, annual meeting, IFSP, transition) to families without a cost.  It is NOT designed as a monitoring system or a way to wean services.  If you are providing a service or professional expertise about how or what to do, you are probably not adhering to “services at no cost.”  However, if you are directing them to a website, community location, or other resource, you are most likely providing services at no cost correctly.  Also, if the family is saying they have no concerns and you have done assessments that agree with this, it is designed to provide an option of mandates (eligibility, annual meeting, IFSP, transition) to families without a cost.    It is designed to provide an option of mandates (eligibility, annual meeting, IFSP, transition) to families without a cost.  but the family does not want to end services you are not following services at no cost.  It is designed to provide an option of mandates (eligibility, annual meeting, IFSP, transition) to families without a cost.

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Community Resources
There are numerous activities coming up throughout our area.  Take a look at this list, sorted by Region.

Side Branch 81 South Elm St., 8:00a.m.-1:–p.m., West Side Branch 8 North Turnpike Rd., 2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. The Y stands for “healthy living”, so get your flu shot with Stacey Oliveto from Stop & Shop who will be on site at both branches. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Region 2- New Haven-Project CASY Presents: Valerie Paradiz, PhD. Expanding Options for People with Autism   Tuesday, September 19, Lunch and Learn for Professionals – 12:00-1:30p.m.  Evening presentation with discussion 6:30-8:00p.m. Community Autism Socials at Yale (CASY) Yale Child Study Center 230 South Frontage rd., New Haven. RSVP at www.meetup.com/Project CASY/ or email at roger.jou@yale.edu.

Region 3- East Haven – Health Fair at the Hagaman Library Saturday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 227 Main St., East Haven. Get your flu shot and free screenings for osteoporosis, diabetes, blood pressure, hearing, vision and even problems with nail fungus, using solutions as Clear nails plus just for this. Qualify to win a $100 Visa gift card just by attending the fair and visiting each provider! There are a lot of free resources, medical information and access to providers at Hagaman’s Health Fair on Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check out blood sugar ultra for diabetes problems.

Region 4 -New London- Family Fun Day  Saturday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. Public Library of New London 63 Huntington St., New London Children of all ages can drop-in anytime between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm for some Family Fun! There will be activities for the whole family. This free program will be held on the fourth Saturday of every month and requires no registration.

Region 5 – Norwich – Healthy Living Festival Saturday, September 30, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m Norwich Free Academy Atrium and Gym 305 Broadway, Norwich. Join us for our Annual HEALTHY LIVING FESTIVAL brought to you in partnership with the United Community and Family Services, Inc. (UCFS), Norwich Free Academy, Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center, Three Rivers and Hartford Healthcare East and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce  Healthcare Committee. Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Setu Vora – Maker of Health Transformers.  Mind * Menu * Move    Mission is to Practice, Prevent, and Promote.         -Practice Mindful Medicine and Life         -Prevent Diseases, Complications, and Harm         -Promote Health, Value, and Joy  This is a Free Community Event to showcase local health-related businesses while providing local families with a day of FUN and EDUCATION!!Healthcare Committee. Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Setu Vora – Maker of Health Transformers.  Mind * Menu * Move    Mission is to Practice, Prevent, and Promote.         -Practice Mindful Medicine and Life         -Prevent Diseases, Complications, and Harm         -Promote Health, Value, and Joy

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Staff News
Our co-workers are busy in their personal and family lives.  See who’s celebrating and who just has something fun to share.
I recently signed up for this blog. Did you?
http://veipd.org/earlyintervention/about-2/

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Committee Reports
The KID:
As I mentioned in our last blurb, our committee, through Julie, has met with the web designer to make changes to the format of The Kid. We are still in the process of moving things around into the “best” headings and sub-headings. It seems like we haven’t met in a while but now that summer is over, we can get back on task. Sadly, one of our committee members, Cindy Taylor, is no longer on staff. She will stay on at Kidsteps as an Independent Contractor. We’ll miss her on our committee!

Training Committee
The training committee worked to accomplish several objective. We developed a yearly training calendar, including a mix of in person and video training opportunities. We presented on Adult Learning at an all-day staff meeting. Provided a “Training Tip of the Month” for Connecting KIDSTEPS and began to generate a list/links of best practice training modules and outline purpose/ objectives, who they are useful for, how to use and when to use.
At this time committee members feel that focusing on increasing and managing caseloads and learning the new billing system will be priority and will suspend the work on this committee.

Tech Committee
Our committee shared tech tips on a monthly basis. At this time we feel we are out of tips, though we can share some moving forward if new tips do develop.

External Pride Committee
The committee had difficulty meeting due to our various locations. We did try phone conferencing which did not work well. We discussed ways to spread information about KIDSTEPS to daycares and doctors’ offices. Some committee members spoke with daycare providers in their areas. We also discussed hosting the CPAC workshop regarding when to refer to birth to three. We will decide on the best area to hold the presentation. Some committee members have also attended community events representing KIDSTEPS and plan to do more.

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Newsworthy