“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.

~ Alan Lakein, author

“Awareness precedes change.

~ Robin Sharma

 

Every month of the year different health observances take place around the country to raise awareness about a health condition or disability. Knowing what’s on the calendar gives Parent Centers time to plan ahead, prepare resources to highlight that disability or condition, and take part locally.

This Buzz gives you a taste of what awareness campaigns are going on this month (March) and in April. We’re pleased to close with 2 transition-to-adulthood resources from Parent Centers.

Our best to you,
The CPIR Team

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March Awareness of TBI and Concussion

Take Part in the Campaign
The Brain Injury Association is a great resource to turn to for info about traumatic brain injury and about this year’s #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign. Follow the link above to find out how you can get involved and what tools and materials are available.

Center for Brain Injury Research and Training (CBIRT)
CBIRT offers many useful resources tailored for parents and caregivers and other specific audiences (e.g., administrators). Check out the Academic Accommodations Matrix, for example, and CBIRT’s Family Advocacy Skills Training, which is a step-by-step handbook for family advocates.

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April Spotlights

To help you plan ahead and join in with April’s health observances, here are two awareness campaigns to explore.

National Autism Awareness Month
Led by the Autism Society, which offers in-depth info on the autism spectrum.

National Minority Health Month
(Also available in Spanish: Saber es salud)
Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) to highlight the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and reducing health disparities. Want to learn more about providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS)?

What about events and campaigns for the rest of the year?
Visit the 2023 Health Observances Calendar!

Transitioning to Adulthood

Teen student working on a computer with teacher helpCandid Conversations: Handing Over the Reins
This full-feature film addresses many questions and concerns parents and self-advocates have about supporting youth with disabilities as they transition to adulthood, including understanding the importance of self-advocacy skills. The entire film is 1 hour and 17 minutes, but it’s divided into three smaller parts for your viewing ease. Parts are: (1) Hopes and Dreams (@ 25 minutes); (2) Independence & Advocacy (@ 33 minutes); and (3) A Few Words of Advice (@ 21 minutes). From the NY Region 1 PTI Collaborative, with partners.

Transition Planning for Teens and Tweens
A special project of Parents Helping Parents in CA, this transition package will be useful to PTIs and CPRCs in other states, too. Includes multiple parts, such as self-advocacy, education and training, work preparation, and adult life for people with disabilities.

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Publication of this eNewsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R180005 between OSEP and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.