What is CAP MR/DD?

Surf's Up!

Have you ever had dreams of riding a huge wave on your surf board? Ever wished to be riding that big wave on your surf board as a competitor in the Special Olympics? Your opportunity to do this may come sooner rather than later!

Special Olympics Florida has teamed with Cocoa Beach, Florida’s iconic surf shop Ron Jon to give eight Special Olympic swimmers their chance to ride the waves….and who knows what this could lead to? Eight lucky Special Olympics athletes, ages 18-43, took to their foam-core surf boards and rode the waves. According to the Ron Jon Surf School owner and former pro surfer, Craig Carroll, 80% of the surfers were riding within the first 20 minutes! Look to see this event as an official Special Olympics sport in the future!

To find your local Special Olympics program visit http://www.specialolympics.org/program_locator.aspx and click on your state to access their website.

A Little Help From My Friends Music Festival

The Karen Chandler Trust and the Team Daniel Foundation

present

A Little Help From My Friends Music Festival

Featuring

Britishmania

Beatles Tribute

Attractions for the day include:

Local Bands & Musicians- Including Chris Hurst

Carolina Idol Karaoke Competition

Car Show

Kids Zone

Pig Pickin'

Fireworks Extravaganza!!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

1-9 PM

at J.P. Riddle Stadium in Fayetteville

Home of the Swampdogs!

Tickets are $15

Children 12 and under are free

Call 910-487-8755 for tickets!

All proceeds benefit cancer patients and

people with developmental disabilities.

Click here for more information!

The Arc of North Carolina Annual Conference- Will You Be There?

Can you hear us now?

That will be the question on everyone’s mind for The Arc of North Carolina’s Annual Conference. This year’s conference will take place August 20-21 at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside in Wilmington, NC.

The Arc believes that all people with developmental disabilities belong in our communities as full participants. Join advocates and people with disabilities from across the state to take a closer look at strategies that will help The Arc’s message to be heard, loud and clear, by the community. The keynote speakers for this year’s event include Keith Jones, Jocelyn Harmon, Denise Ryan and Michael Watson. The Arc warns to, “Expect surprises as we explore how technology will rock our world” at this year’s annual conference. Prizes and the traditional river boat ride on the Henrietta complete with music and dining are added bonuses for attending The Arc’s Annual Conference!

The Wilmington Hilton Riverside has reserved a specific amount of rooms for this event for attendees and exhibitors at the rate of $118 for the night. Reservations for these rooms need to be made by July 18, 2010.

Click here to learn additional information about this year’s conference, register and book your hotel room for 2 days of education, advocacy and fun! While at the conference, be sure to pick up the Summer 2010 Special Edition of EMPOWERED!

EMPOWERED- Special Edition!

Have you heard about managed care waivers? If you haven’t, then the latest issue of EMPOWERED is for you! The Summer 2010 issue is filled with information you NEED to know about managed care waivers and how it may impact people with developmental disabilities in North Carolina. The new issue looks at how managed care waivers are already affecting families in North Carolina with interviews from families receiving services on a managed care waiver program. This issue also contains articles from Disability Rights NC and The Arc of North Carolina. Pick up the latest issue of EMPOWERED and learn the facts about managed care waivers. After reading this special edition you can take all of the great information from this issue and pass it on to other people you may know with developmental disabilities.

Order your subscription today by visiting the Team Daniel Foundation website and filling out an order form or calling us at 910-489-9994. EMPOWERED is a quarterly publication that is filled with information and resources that will help provide the best quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Already reading EMPOWERED? The Team Daniel Foundation wants to hear your feedback! Give us just a few minutes of your time and take our EMPOWERED survey by clicking the link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V9CHHDX

Don’t miss out on this special edition of EMPOWERED!

Do You Have a Bright Idea?

People always say, “Two heads are better than one!” and the North Carolina Consumer Advocacy, Networking, and Support Organization truly believes this and are seeking the minds of people with mental illness, a substance abuse problem or developmental disability for their upcoming Bright Ideas Forum.

The Bright Ideas Forum will take place in Concord, North Carolina June 17th and 18th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This forum is geared towards consumers themselves, not towards family members and other support providers. The purpose of this forum is to assemble a strong consumer voice here in the state of North Carolina, especially during this time of transition and change.

Mr. Rogers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be sharing his years of experience with attendees along with a web-based seminar on systems advocacy for consumers. The forum will also focus on the following:

• Mutual support and idea exchange.


• Information about consumer-developed and staffed services.


• Strategies for making consumer input absolutely necessary within discussions about services.


• Ideas for improving outreach and engagement among people with mental illness, substance abuse issues or developmental disabilities state-wide so a strong collective consumer voice can be developed.

If you are interested in attending the Bright Ideas Forum click here to fill out the registration form. The registration deadline is June 10, 2010. The forum will provide hotel accommodations for 80 people who register for the forum. Priority will be given to those who live farthest from Concord.

Be sure to attend if you have a BRIGHT IDEA!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is Coming to Asheville!

Do you know a deserving family in the Asheville area that is in need of a home makeover? Well you’re in luck because ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is coming to the Asheville area and is currently searching for a deserving family in the Asheville area that is in need of a new place to call home.

So how does a family qualify for a home makeover?

It’s simple- A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover?

The Producers at Extreme Makeover are looking for deserving families and deserving people . In their words, “people who have amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others. Whether it’s a mom, a soldier, a teacher, or a fireman, we think a deserving family, are families who inspire those around them. In addition, the producers are looking for families whose houses need major alterations or repair- homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life.”

To enter a deserving family in Asheville for an Extreme Makeover, send an email to CastingNorthCarolina@gmail.com, and give a brief description of the family. Be sure to include:

· The names and ages of each member of the family
· A contact number, the challenges the family faces
· Photos of the family
· Why they are deserving of a home makeover.

For more information on how to apply you can visit their website at:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply

Maybe someone you nominate will be the lucky recipient of an Extreme Makeover!

Real People, Real Jobs

What better way to learn how you can be successful in your search for employment than by looking at what others have done to become successful.

The Real People, Real Jobs website was created for this very reason! The Real People, Real Jobs staff created the website to, “increase awareness of the full range of employment opportunities and support options available and to provide individuals and their support networks with examples that will enable them to think creatively about employment.” The site contains EXCELLENT employment success stories from people with developmental disabilities. Each story follows the person’s success from start to finish and explains what strategies they used along the way. These stories are meant to be read by people with disabilities, their families and employment support professionals. The website also includes a great glossary of work-related terms that spells out each step of the employment process.

Success stories are broken down by the following categories to help you achieve your specific goals:

· Career Planning
· On the Job Supports
· Job Matching
· Job Negotiation
· Funding Strategies
· Job Creating
· Networking
· Interagency Collaboration
· Career Advancement
· Self-Employment

You can use this website as a tool to be successful in your own employment endeavors!

You can also contribute your success story to the website. If you are person with developmental disabilities, or know of a person with developmental disabilities, who has successfully found a job working in the community and you would like to share your story, contact Jennifer Bose by phone at (617) 287-4353 or by email at Jennifer.bose@umb.edu

Visit the website at http://realworkstories.org/home.

Who Would You Nominate

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to be an advocate for people with developmental disabilities?

The North Carolina Council of Developmental Disabilities is seeking nominations for its 2010 Hefner Award. The Hefner Award is presented annually to an outstanding North Carolinian who exemplified leadership and achievement in promoting a great quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Hefner Award is in honor of Jack B. Hefner, who served on the NCCDD for 22 years and is the highest honor given by NCCDD to those who have sought to better the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Holly Riddle, the Council’s Executive Director, had this to say about Jack Hefner and the purpose of the award, “The commitment of ‘Big Jack’ to do whatever it took to enhance the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities inspired a generation of passionate advocates to strive for full inclusion. This award is dedicated to keeping his legacy alive and honoring the families and self-advocates who've followed in his footsteps.”

If you know someone who strives everyday to better the lives of people with developmental disabilities now is the time to honor them! Their wonderful work should not go unrecognized.
Nomination forms and more information can be obtained by going to the Council Web site at http://www.nccdd.org/ or by contacting Melissa Swartz at the Council office at 919-420-7901.

Completed forms need to be faxed to 919-420-7917, e-mailed or postmarked and mailed to the NCCDD office at 3801 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 250,Raleigh, NC 27607, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1.

Let's Celebrate!

Team Daniel is on The List (under North Carolina), now it’s time for you to take action and get businesses and organizations in your community to adopt the Proclamation of Recommitment!

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects people with disabilities from discrimination, was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President H.W. Bush. Now Disability Rights North Carolina is asking businesses, organizations and local governments to adopt a Proclamation of Recommitment to the mission of the ADA.

To adopt the Proclamation of Recommitment visit http://cts.vresp.com/c/?DisabilityRightsNort/468a32e202/7163976289/843d353720 and fill out the form. Disability Rights North Carolina’s goal is to get 500 signatures by July 26, 2010. Pass the link along to businesses and organizations in your area! It’s simple and easy, and the adoption of the Proclamation is part of an even BIGGER effort.

The National ADA Symposium is heading up a nationwide effort to get 2,010 organizations, businesses and governments to adopt the Proclamation of Recommitment as an affirmation of the mission of the ADA. All organizations, businesses and governments that adopt the Proclamation of Recommitment will be posted on their website, http://www.2010anniversary.org/. The National ADA Symposium will hold its annual conference on June 20-23 in Denver, Colorado.

Those who have signed the Proclamation so far include the state of Colorado, City of San Francisco, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network.

Don’t you want your local businesses, organizations and government to show their support for the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Information regarding the American’s with Disabilities Act can be found at www.ada.gov.

Morgan's Wonderland

Families that have loved ones with disabilities will love this! A new 25 acre theme park just opened on April 10, 2010, and it’s no ordinary theme park. Morgan’s Wonderland, located in San Antonio, Texas, is the world’s first ultra accessible family fun park that was designed with people with disabilities in mind. The theme park features an inclusive environment and all the attractions are accessible. Some of the attractions and amenities at the park include:

· Specially designed air-conditioned/heated and oversized ADA-accessible restrooms
· 3 playscapes
· Train rides with wheelchair-accessible cars
· Ultra-accessible carousel
· Amphitheater
· Catch-and-release fishing
· Water cannons & remote-controlled boats
· Gymnasium (basketball, volleyball & tennis)
· Walk and Roll Path around lake
· Water Works - water play area
· Off-Road Adventure ride
· Music Garden
· Swings (several types including wheelchair swings)
· Sand Circle™
· Sensory Village™
· Garden Sanctuary with Memorial Wall
· 2 first aid stations & infant feeding room
· Braille signage, 3-D park model & service-animal rest area


Morgan’s Wonderland also has several features to ensure your family’s safety and comfort. There is a secure exit and entry. The park also provides Radio Frequency Identification wristbands and monitors and video surveillance so you know where family members are at all times. Almost every attraction in the park is shaded and there are accessible water fountains. There are also water misters at most of the facilities.

To visit the park you must make a reservation. Admission to Morgan’s Wonderland is free for people with disabilities. Caregivers are charged an admission fee of $5 and all other guests must pay an admission fee of $15. There is no admission cost for children under the age of 3.

To make a reservation, donate or to learn more about Morgan’s Wonderland you can visit their website at http://www.morganswonderland.com/index.html.

Community Check Up!

Come out to the Fort Sill National Bank on Saturday, May 1, 2010 for their Community Check Up Block Party! This fun-filled event will feature child identification kits, a bicycle rodeo, various children’s activities, a financial check up, an oil check and various health check ups. Information from the Team Daniel Foundation will also be there! This would be a great opportunity to bring the whole family out and enjoy these free services while they are available.

Children will enjoy the bouncy ball house, face painting and the Fayetteville Fire Department will be there with Sparky the Fire Dog!

There will be refreshments, door prizes and much more!

Come out and get your free check-ups!

Donations are also being accepted for the Autism Society.

This event will take place at the Fort Sill National Bank at 6243 Yadkin Road in Fayetteville. For more information click here!

Looking for Employment Opportunities?

The economy may be slow, but employment opportunities for people with disabilities are out there!


Thanks to President Obama’s initiative to increase the employment of people with disabilities in the Federal Workforce, USA Jobs will be holding a nationwide hiring event for people with disabilities on April 26, 2010. To participate, email your resume to hiringevent@opm.gov. If you meet employers’ hiring criteria you will be contacted for an interview. Over 30 Federal agencies will be participating in this hiring event.


Visit http://www.usajobs.gov/individualswithdisabilities.asp for more information about this hiring event and to learn additional information about opportunities for people with disabilities in the Federal Workforce.


Let Your Voice Be Heard!


You can also join the Human Services Research Institute and The Riot! in a National Conversation on Employment. This three part teleconference will collect feedback on the issues and opinions that self-advocates often have about the job opportunities that are available to them such as:

• Are they happy with the jobs they have?
• What about people who don't have jobs or are unhappy with the job they have?
• What do job experts say?
• What can be done to help more self-advocates find work?
• What about volunteering in their community or developing a special skill like being an artist or actor?
• What can self-advocates do on their own or together to change things?

Each teleconference will include a 60 minute panel discussion, followed by a 30 minute question and answer session. These teleconferences will be taking place on the following days at 3 PM Eastern Time.

· Monday, May 3, 2010
· Monday, June 7, 2010
· Monday, July 12, 2010

To register for this event visit:
http://www.hsri.org/docs/Employment_Registration_Combo.PDF

After registering, information for participating in the teleconference will be emailed to you.

To learn more information about this teleconference series and The Riot! visit: http://www.theriotrocks.org/.





Good luck in your job search!

The Spring 2010 Issue of EMPOWERED is Here!

A new season is about to begin and the weather isn’t the only thing that is changing! The new and improved Spring 2010 issue of EMPOWERED is finally here! This issue continues to have your favorites such as the Finance section, answers to Frequently Asked Questions and personal stories from families. The new issue also includes new sections that include topics on Autism and resources for military families. Along with new content comes a whole new design for EMPOWERED. The new design is fun and colorful, just like spring time!

Send your EMPOWERED subscription request online by visiting the Team Daniel Foundation website.

If you are already reading EMPOWERED, the Team Daniel Foundation would love to hear your feedback. Give us just a few minutes of your time and take our EMPOWERED survey by clicking the link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V9CHHDX

Now it is time to get started on our Summer 2010 issue of EMPOWERED!

Are You Going to the Forum?

Currently, the only local management entity (LME) in the state of North Carolina that operates under the “managed care” waiver is Piedmont Behavioral Health (Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties), but that soon could be changing. The state of North Carolina is pushing for all LMEs in the state to switch to the same type of “managed care” waiver program which could mean drastic changes for all of those with disabilities and their caregivers. The following are noted by The Arc of North Carolina as significant changes that could occur:

• Flexibility of LME to determine rates and service definitions
• Ability to ration service dollars to most critical services
• Ability to limit provider network and other managed care benefits
• Reduction in provider choice
• Some protections associated with the Medicaid program could be reduced
• The local nature of the service system could be lost
• It is anticipated that the larger expansion of this model (statewide) will be accomplished by combining LMEs, not necessarily geographically connected

The Arc of North Carolina has announced that they will be holding a series of public forums to discuss “managed care” waivers and the impact they could have on all of us. These forums will address questions such as “What are managed care waivers?” and “How do they work?” so that all who will be affected will have a better understanding of the intention of “managed care” waivers. The following are the list of dates that these forums will take place on along with the location.

• March 3- Forsyth County- The Enrichment Center
• March 4- Union County- The Arc of Union County
• March 13- Wake County - The Arc of Wake County
• March 16- Haywood County- The Arc of Haywood County
• March 18- Guilford County-The Arcs of High Point
• March 22- Durham County- The Arc of Durham County
• March 30- Rowan County-The Arc of Rowan County
• April 15- Mecklenburg County-The Arc of Mecklenburg County
• April 29- Craven County-The Arc of Craven County

For more information on these forums and “managed care” waivers visit The Arc of North Carolina’s website at www.arcnc.org.

Disability Listening Tour

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy has announced that they are holding a series of “Listening Sessions” in a Disability Listening Tour in several different states throughout the country. These “Listening Sessions” are an opportunity for individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, employers, and service providers to speak their minds and let the Federal government know how they feel about disability employment. They are actively seeking these people to give their input to Federal officials about what works to increase employment among the disabled and give their ideas for more effective way to employ those with disabilities.

The U.S Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is working with the following agencies and department to produce the most effective results from these “Listening Sessions.”

· U.S. Social Security Administration
· U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
· U.S. Department of Education
· DOL Employment Training Administration
· DOL Veterans’ Employment and Training Services
· DOL Women’s Bureau
· U.S. Office of Personnel Management
· Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

The session that is open to residents of North Carolina will take place on February 24, 2010, in Atlanta, GA. Registration is required ahead of time.

Other sessions will also take place in the following cities:

· January 21, 2010- Dallas, TX (Completed)
· January 27, 2010- Philadelphia, PA (Completed)
· February 11, 2010- Chicago, IL
· February 16, 2010- San Francisco, CA
· March 3, 2010- Boston, MA

To register for any of these sessions or to find out more information about the Disability Listening Tour visit file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jgreen/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/2GZ60J9N/www.dol.gov/odep/disabilitylisteningtour.htm.

MICROENTERPRISE: Enabling Fulfillment. One Person at a Time

The folks at The Power of a Dream have presented people with disabilities and those affiliated with them an excellent opportunity to build a career on their own terms. Micro-Enterprise is a business with less than five workers, start-up capital under $35,000, and structured legally as a sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. With such a high unemployment rate among those with disabilities, starting a micro-enterprise is an excellent way to build a career while doing something that you are interested in and passionate about.
The Power of a Dream has set up the following dates for seminars at the O'Daniel Center, 801 Gilbert Street in Durham at 10 AM- 11:30 AM. These seminars are on the exploration, creation, and realization of Micro-Enterprise.

January 9th
February 6th
March 6th
April 3rd
May 8th
June 5th(no meeting in July)
August 7th
September 4th
October 2nd
November 6th
December 4th

They are also trying to secure a location in Raleigh to do these seminars. For more information about The Power of a Dream and Micro-Enterprise visit http://www.thepowerofthedream.org .

WE’RE FACEBOOKING!

Not only does Team Daniel have a blog, we also have a Facebook page! Look to the Facebook page for more information about events that Team Daniel is taking part in. We would also love to be your friend on Facebook! Visit the Team Daniel Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1818198399