Community Homes, Inc. is excited to announce that plans are well underway for its 6th Annual Fall Classic Charity Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2011.  The event, to be held at Fieldstone Golf Club in Auburn Hills, is gaining momentum as sponsors and attendees continue to sign on for this popular event.  Golfers and patrons are invited to play one of the top 3 courses in Southeast Michigan as well as enjoy a dinner and silent auction.  In addition to participating as a golfer, there are sponsorship opportunities starting at just $250.  All proceeds from the Fall Classic go directly toward our programs and support our mission to advance the independence of adults with developmental disabilities.

 For more information or to register, visit www.communityhomes.golfreg.com.

Community Homes, Inc. is a non-profit corporation which has provided homes and services to adults with developmental disabilities since 1983.  To learn more, visit their website www.communityhomes.org.

“Not Acceptable” is a powerful and compelling 30 second television PSA which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now recognized as offensive slurs. It culminates in actress and self-advocate Lauren Potter from “Glee” stating that it is not acceptable to use the word ‘retard’ and she and “Glee” co-star Jane Lynch make a call to action to stop using the word and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The 2011 Annual Meeting and Election of the Board of Directors will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wing Lake Developmental Center, 6490 Wing Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301.

Slate of Candidates

Congratulations to our 2011 Dove Award recipients!

JANET and PAUL MacCORMACK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Michael Vincent, Director of Training, Macomb Oakland Regional Center, Inc.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Leslie Hunt, Instructional Aide, Kingsley Montgomery School, Waterford School District

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Lena Griffin, Home of Your Own Supervisor, Ridgeside Program for JARC

PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Elizabeth Kelly, Director of Marketing and Executive Producer, A Wider World— PBS TV Show

ARC EXCELLENCE AWARD
David Reed, Michigan Performing Arts Talent Show Photographer

EXCEPTIONAL ADVOCACY AWARD
Kimberly Hoga, Senior Employment Coordinator, New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

PUBLIC IMPACT AWARD
Micah Fialka-Feldman

GOLDEN DOVE AWARD
Janet Stack-Miller, Director of Special Education, Holly Area School District

MEDIA AWARD
Sandra Ali, Reporter, WDIV/TV Channel 4

SHELDON DUNN INSPIRATION AWARD
Jeff Guthrie

INCLUSION LEADERSHIP AWARD
Anthony Naiman, Daily Support Professional

AL CARTER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Arlene Lee, Office Supervisor, Macomb Oakland Regional Center, Inc.

COMMUNITY LIVING AWARD
Crumb Road Personal Residence— Walled Lake, Michigan Innovative Lifestyles, Inc.

YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER AWARD
PJ DeCuir

ROBERT THOMAS SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Rebecca Borst, Supports Coordinator, Macomb Oakland Regional Center, Inc.

SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD – VOCATIONAL
Dorian Kirejczyk, Job Coach, JVS

SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD – RESIDENTIAL
Sophia Thornton, Home Manager, Childs Lake Group Home, Community Homes, Inc.

SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD – SCHOOL
Christine Wall, Special Education Classroom Assistant, Donelson Hills Elementary School, Waterford School District

FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY SUPPORT AWARD
Lois Trimm, Teacher to the Outreach Ministry Program, Five Points Community Church

LEONARD CERCONE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD – SECONDARY
Pat Knebler, ASD Teacher, Van Hoosen Middle School, Rochester School District

LEONARD CERCONE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD – POST SECONDARY
Lisa Gestro, Teacher, Visions Unlimited

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Holiday Market, Royal Oak, MI

PROVIDER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Angels’ Place, Southfield, MI

Thursday, March 24, 2011
1:30 p.m.— 4:00 p.m.
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
55 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

Please save the Afternoon of March 24th to come to Lansing to join in and help us celebrate this accomplishment, FINALLY! Amidst uncertainty and challenges, we must take the time and the effort to recognize and memorialize this momentous achievement, and to thank those who made it possible and helped lead the way.

Click here to view the flyer.

The Personal Enrichment Program (P.E.P.) Center is hosting a 1 Year Anniversary Benefit Open House to introduce them to the community and also serve to help support the many programs they offer to children and adults with special needs.

Sunday, March 13, 2011
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
at the P.EP. Center, 29721 Six Mile, Livonia, MI 48152

A pasta dinner will be served and many prizes will be raffled off throught the day.

For more information, please visit the P.E.P. Center website at www.thepepcenter.com or call 734-855-4451.

Join in an opportunity for students and families to hear from and connect with agencies and community partners important in transition planning. Learn valuable resources for moving into adult life. There are four opportunities to attend.

• March 2, 6-8 p.m. at the Southfield Public Library
• March 10, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Clarkston Community Education Center
• March 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Walled Lake Community Education Center
• March 29, 6-8 p.m. at the Avondale High School Auditorium

Register through Oakland Schools at www.oakland.k12.mi.us. You will need to select “professional development” and then choose the date you would like to attend. Please contact Katherine Trammell with any questions at katherine.trammell@oakland.k12.mi.us.

Click here to view the 2011 Oakland Schools Transition Flyer.

The 2011 Dove Award Nomination Form is now available on The Arc of Oakland County’s website at http://thearcoakland.org/events-fundraising/dove-awards/. The deadline for all nominations is Friday, February 11, 2011.

Awards are presented in 13 categories together with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Over twelve hundred nomination forms are sent out to professionals, families, members and friends of The Arc of Oakland County. Each and every nomination that is sent back to The Arc is reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of individuals working in the fields of mental health and special education, together with a parent representative and a volunteer. Be assured that every nomination form is read, reviewed and discussed by the Selection Committee and then voted on. The selection process is lengthy and thorough.

Nominations may be forwarded by mail, fax (248-816-1906) or e-mail amurowany@thearcoakland.org to the office. Any support material should be mailed or dropped off at the office. If you have any questions regarding the nomination form or process, or if you need assistance, please call The Arc at 248-816-1900.

Don’t give up your opportunity to honor someone worthy of recognition!

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) is seeking your input on how to best use the shrinking pot of General Fund dollars to support persons in our community.  They are asking that you please take a moment to provide your input through their online survery. The results will be used to help set future OCCMHA goals and priorities.

To have your voice heard and to take the survery, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F9JLQPW.

The Rochester Parent Advisory Committee is sponsorsing a free seminar on Nutrition for children with special needs.

The training will focus on making connections between food and your mood and Gluten-free diets and will be presented by Registered Dietitians.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Rochester Community Schools Administration Building
Harrison Room
501 W. University, Rochester 48307

Click here to view the flyer for more details.

You are invited to attend a FREE Parent Learning Opportunity.

Session 1: All things high school
Are you interested in learning more about high school? This learning opportunity will explore the scope of high school and considerations for a student with an IEP. The components related to high school will include:

• Graduation requirements
• Michigan Merit Curriculum
• Personal Curriculum
• Career Focused Education

Learn the differences between accomodations, modifications, diploma, certificate of completion, and how they impact education paths.

Session 2: How to make IEP team meetings work!
When planning for children with special needs, it is important that the IEP team meetings go well. When they do, children are more likely to be successful. This workshop is designed to help the IEP team prevent conflict early-on and effectively manage it when it arises. Team members can use these skills to help evaluate their own interactions as well as offer ideas for improving teamfunctioning. The workshop will cover:

•  Understanding conflict in teams
• Conflict indicators
• Preventative strategies to manage conflict
• Meeting planning tips 
• Facilitation tips and behaviors
• Setting a meeting agenda
• Post-meeting considerations

Select the session, date and location that’s right for you! Both sessions will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Sessions are simultaneous. Choose only one session per date.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast, 5055 Delemere Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Oakland Schools, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford, MI 48328

Thursday, February 17, 2011
Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest, 8211 Big Lake Rd., Clarkston, MI 48346

Here’s how you register:

ONLINE: www.oakland.k12.mi.us, click on Register Online – locate class
EMAIL: emregistration@oakland.k12.mi.us
FAX: 248.209.2021
MAIL: Oakland Schools, Event Management, 2111 Pontiac Lk. Rd., Waterford, MI 48328-2736

Questions regarding workshop content?
Please contact Jacque Jimenez-Price at 248.209.2074 or email  jacque.jimenez@oakland.k12.mi.us

News/Talk 760 WJR recently started a new feature entitled “Breaking The Cycle”. Hosted by WJR President and General Manager Mike Fezzey, this feature is designed to share and celebrate success stories of individuals and businesses in our region.

“We need to break the cycle of being our own worst enemy and thinking less of ourselves,” says Fezzey. “We need people to move to our communities with excitement and encouragement. It is our job to be their guide and show them how great the Great Lakes area truly is.”

Their current story is promoting The Arc of Oakland County and our services for individuals with diabilities in the area.

Click here to listen or visit Breaking The Cycle on the WJR website at http://www.wjr.com/goout.asp?u=http://www.wjr.com/sectional.asp?id=35521.

After We’re Gone is a series of four trainings geared towards aging parents who have adult sons or daughters with developmental disabilities still living at home.  The trainings will provide the users with the information and tools they need to both plan for their own futures as well as assist their adult sons and daughters to plan for their lives. 

The trainings are free. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are appreciated. Call The Arc of Oakland County at 248-816-1900 with any questions. After We’re Gone/Planning Our Futures is supported by a grant (#2010055) from the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council Grant to The Arc Michigan.

Session #1
Thursday, January 20, 2011
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
@ MORC, INC.
1270 Doris Road, Room #400
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

“Worries and Hopes/Person-Centered Planning”
Presenter: Elizabeth Janks from the Developmental Disabilities Institute

The goals of this module are to meet parents and their adult sons and daughters where they are at in terms of planning for the future.  What are their worries? What are their hopes? How have other families addressed those worries and hopes? What are the possibilities for individuals to live in the community away from their parents with the appropriate supports? The second part of this module will provide information on the person-centered planning process and independent facilitation.

Session #2
Thursday, February 17, 2011
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
@ MORC, INC.
1270 Doris Road, Room #400
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

“Where Can We Find Support?”
Presenter: Deb Ziegler from the Michigan Department of Community Health 
Presenter: Representatives from the Area Agency on Aging Area 1B

The goal of this module is to provide an overview of the supports and services available for people with developmental disabilities from the community mental health system and complementary supports available from the Home Help program. An overview of services to individuals who are aging will also be provided.

Session #3
Thursday, March 10, 2011
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
@ MORC, INC.
1270 Doris Road, Room #400
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

“What is Self-Determination?”
Presenters: Pat Carver or Angela Martin, and representatives from the Michigan Partners for Freedo

The goal of this module is to describe the philosophy of self-determination and how it can positively impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities. The session will also provide an overview of how arrangements that support self-determination work in terms of controlling resources from the community mental health system or the MI-Choice Waiver.

Session #4
Thursday, April 21 2011
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
@ MORC, INC.
1270 Doris Road, Room #400
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

“Social Security Benefits and Estate Planning”
Presenter: Marty Alward, Michigan Department of Community Health
Presenter: Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq., Executive Director, The Arc of Oakland County

The goals of this two-part module are to provide an overview of Social Security benefits [including: retirement, disability (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)], work incentives that individuals can use to work and maintain their cash benefits and how these benefits relate to Medicare and Medicaid. Further, there will be an overview of estate planning options for individuals with disabilities who need the government for their financial support or to pay for community-based supports and their families including options that make guardianship unnecessary.