Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch



The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch has been created to showcase successful women in the Fayetteville, NC area. Successful women-owned businesses are rapidly becoming a major contributor to our country's economic strength. Successful women run the command centers of almost every business in America. Successful women create and maintain homes, requiring multitasking at the Highest level. As the country looks to the future with an economic recovery, women will play a major role in that Future. Now is the time for area women to come together to share ideas, to enjoy new friendships, and possibly create new business relationships.


Each Luncheon at the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch, there is a "Heroes Table". Seated at this table will be a woman who provides constant care for a person with a developmental disability. This will be an opportunity for the hero to meet and mingle with other women, to enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting, and to be recognized for the very special work she does everyday!


Team Daniel recognizes a local Non-Profit with a check from the proceeds from the luncheon to show our continued support to their work in the community. Also, at the Luncheon, there is a speaker who will leave you Inspired, Invigorated and Motivated! Did we forget to mention there is a shopping hour - You don't want to miss the shopping Hour!!


Please visit the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch website, view the videos from past luncheons and join us in our continued support to those in need around us!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Chipping for Charity - Golf Tournament







On Friday, September 16, Team Daniel Foundation teamed up with the Karen Chandler Trust for the First Annual "Chipping for Charity" Golf Tournament! Hosted at the beautiful Gates Four Country Club, the proceeds from the "Chipping for Charity" tournament will help support individuals with developmental disabilities as well as individuals in the Fayetteville community who are facing financial struggles as they battle cancer.


It was a beautiful day on the links! A special thank you to all of our sponsors and golfers for making our first golf tournament such a success!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Friendships and Intimate Relationships

Friendships and Intimate Relationships

In NC, 47.2% of people responding to an NCI 2008 survey reported they are lonely at least some of the time, 24% said they have no one to talk to. (The North Carolina Relationships Initiative)

Annually we complete a Personal Outcome Measures interview with each family. The purpose of this interview is to learn more about the participant and also what support we as an organization can provide to person to make that outcome a reality.

Adults
The current Personal Outcome Measures data indicates that Team Daniel adult participants have low outcomes in regard to intimate relationships and friendships. Intimate relationships take on a different meaning for adults than it does for children and youth. Intimacy and emotions do not discriminate among people; everyone has the desire to be loved and to love, to be intimate, and to have a close friend. Intimacy for adults also involves sexual relationships and desires.

In review of the data, it was found that no goals are written in the PCP for intimacy, there is no time scheduled for it, and agencies don't advocate for intimacy as they do for other areas such as freedom to choose a provider, case manager, and staff. In regards to friendships, in the typical setting, most people do not consider a person they pay for services or co-workers as friends. Generally co-workers are acquaintances people figure out how to deal with for 40 hours a week. Paid staff is people who are compensated for a service and time spent with a person. While there are always exceptions to the rule, sometimes it is implied all people with I/DD who attend Day Supports workshops should automatically consider other participants to be their friends. This should not be the case.

Youth
Life in the community, friendships, and social roles are low outcomes for Team Daniel children and youth. In review of the data many participants have community goals but these may not be the true goal of the participant or aren't full utilized so that the participant can benefit. For example, Billy may have a goal in his plan that says he will go into the community 2x per week. This goal could be accomplished as staff and Billy go to the same park each week in the middle of the same park each week in the middle of the day when no other people are there. Many times the goals in the plan are so basic that they become systematic routines that offer no real enjoyment for the person.

What can be done?
Intimate Relationships: Don't subscribe to the school of thought that the adult yo support is an "external child," as innocent and asexual. Adults with disabilities do have desires and are not asexual beings. It's not your role to protect them by withholding information. Don't ignore their signs of sexual interest or arousal. These are opportunities to educate and discuss the boundaries of sexual relationships:


  • DON'T stereotype those individuals with disabilities who express their sexual interest as sexually deviant, threatening, or uncontrollable

  • DO educate the person about sexual health and relationships

  • DO provide the person with time for privacy

  • DO provide an environment that the person can make connections, truly meet people, and explore their community

  • DON'T just go into the community, be part of it (I.E. Social Clubs, Bars, Choir Member)

Friendships


One of the first steps of friendship is developing an understanding of who you are. In the case of children, education about speaking up for themselves, appropriate social behaviors, how to keep them safe, and what to do when they have a problem are critical. Once there is an understanding of self-awareness and appropriate behavior the youth will be able to make decisions about friends. Change the goals and make them more specific to the child or youth's desire. Billy will meet with a friend of choice 1x a month. Billy will seek opportunity to volunteer within his church 1x per week. Goals that show more choice rather than designated places may assist in helping individuals feel more a part of the community, have a social role, and interact with friends.


Education for families and support staff about how to support healthy sexuality and relationship development are also critical. Human Services Research Institute is offering FREE Widening the Circle teleconference/webinar discussions about supporting people with disabilities in health relationships. Each event will feature a 45-minute panel discussion followed by an interactive 45-minute question and answer (Q&A) session, during which panelists will answer your questions.


Tuesday, September 13th from 6:00 to 7:30pm


Self-advocates discuss issues they experience regarding relationships and what they are doing individually and together address them. Panelists include representatives from three self-advocacy groups in Asheville, Raleigh, and Monroe who have been working with Monica Foster as part of the North Carolina Relationships Project. Monica Foster and Katherine McLaughlin, Widening the Circle workshop instructors, will co-facilitate this call.


Tuesday, September 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm


Parents, self-advocates, and an expert on guardianship discuss the natural struggle between people with concerns for health and safety and individuals wanting to control their own lives. Panelists included parents, a self-advocate, and a North Carolina expert on guardianship.


Tuesday, October 13th from 3:30 to 5:00pm


Staff from a provider agency in Charlotte, a family receiving services, and other discuss the challenges and successes of supporting people with disabilities (and being supported) to develop a range of relationships with people other than family and staff.


These events are FREE! Contact us at 1-866-528-6323 and we can assist you with registration or go to http://www.hsri.org/files/NCRI/NCRI_Registration_Form_2011.pdf to register.


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Arc advises you to CALL/EMAIL or VISIT your legislators TODAY!
Ask them to assure DD values are included in any plan.
-Protections against dramatic decreases in services must be included
-DD advocates/providers/consumers and families must be part of the development and review of any new plan.
Have you contacted your legislator? Click here to locate your legislator
www.ncleg.net/GIS/RandR07Representation.html

Friday, April 1, 2011

Don't Forget! Looking for Camps for the Summer?

Partnership for Children of Cumberland County will be at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville on Saturday, April 2nd 10am-2pm. Learn about summer activities for the entire family in Fayetteville and beyond!

ASCC Meetings

The ASCC holds parent education meetings once per month on the second Monday of each month. The ASCC also holds monthly parent support groups. Call the ASCC office for more information. Heidi M. Choice Director of Programs and Outreach Autism Society of Cumberland County 351 Wagoner Drive, Suite 410 Fayetteville, NC 28303 Tel: (910) 826-3004 email: hchoice_ascc@ccpfc.org

Fayetteville: The Autism Society of Cumberland County Presents: Autism and Dating

By Elizabeth Byars, M.Ed.

April 11th, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m.

Free to the public

Contact Number: 910-826-3004/3005

Location: Dorothy Spainhour School

223 Hull Road

Fayetteville, NC

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Join Us Tonight!!!

The list for our Fayetteville Snack n Chat tonight is growing, growing, growing! We will have a representative from the Cumberland County Autism Society, a business rep from the Center for Economic Empowerment & Development and reps from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, just to name a few.
We'll be discussing developmental disability topics at the Cliffdale Library (6882 Cliffdale Rd) from 6pm-8pm.
If you can't make this meeting, we will be in Raleigh next month on April 14th. Raleigh meeting details will be coming soon.

Have a great Thursday!

Monday, March 14, 2011

More Ducks Sold


Duck sales update-117 sold! We're still hitting the pavement hard selling rubber duckies for the Fayetteville Duck Derby. On Friday, we were at the Skibo Rd TLC car wash from 10am to 11am. Miss us at the carwash? Order your ducks today here.

Friday, March 11, 2011

A Way to Save on Prescription Drugs

Together Rx Access is a prescription drug savings program. Several pharmaceutical companies have come together to provide a discount on prescriptions for families who need it the most. It's free to get and free to use. Cardholders save between 25-40% on over 300 brand-name prescription products. To become eligible, the following statements must be true:

*Together Rx Access does not require you to provide documentation such as income verification, because they understand that people face enough hurdles as it is.

To learn more about Together Rx Access visit www.togetherrxaccess.com or call 800-444-4106.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Epilepsy Support Group Meets Tonight

Do you or a member of your family have Epilepsy/seizure disorder? Want to network with other Families? Are you looking for resources and support? Do you want to connect with others who understand?
Join the Support Group tonight at 6p at the Coffee Scene at 3818 Morganton Rd in Fayetteville (next to Carrabbas)
For more information call 910-907-3405 or 910-396-8682

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Arc of NC's Position on DD System Design

The Arc suggests that to respond to the unique needs of people with disabilities, it's best for DD to be managed separately from MH and SA. One of their recommendations is to add an additional CAP-DD Waiver for people with developmental disabilities who have significant behavioral and/or medical needs. What do you think? Visit www.arcnc.org/action_alert to read the entire position.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Employed or Volunteer?




EMPOWERED is a great resource that includes the most up-to-date news and information on developmental disability topics. We are currently looking for stories for our EMPLOYMENT section. Are you employed or do you volunteer in the community and have an interesting story to share? Tell us about it. Email jlewis@teamdaniel.info

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Gaston County Chapter of the Autism Society

Denise Mercado, President of the Team Daniel Foundation, will be speaking to the Gaston Chapter of the Autism Society. Come out and join us!

Where: North Belmont Elementary, 210 School Street, Belmont, NC 28012

When: March 17th

Time: 6:00p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

http://www.teamdanielfoundation.org/

Presentation in Belmont, NC


Denise Mercado, President of the Team Daniel Foundation, will be speaking to the Gaston County Chapter of the Autism Society. Come out and join us!

Where: North Belmont Elementary, 210 School Street, Belmont, NC 28012

When: March 17th from 6pm-7:30pm

Friday, February 18, 2011

Fayetteville Duck Derby


On your mark. Get set. Go. The Duckies are off...or at least they will be on May 7th at Campbellton Landing. 5,000-15,000 ducks will race down the Cape Fear River and one lucky duck will win a 2011 Toyota Camry. Adopt your duck today at http://www.fayettevilleduckderby.com/. Proceeds to benefit the Fayetteville Urban Ministry as well as other local non-profits, including Team Daniel Foundation!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Do You Know About ECAC?

How much do you now about the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center? The NC organization offers parent training and other information to equip families with the resources they need for their child's education experience. Tell us about your experience with ECAC and read more on this topic in the Spring issue of EMPOWERED.

Friday, January 28, 2011

FREE Concert

Need Something for the Whole Family to do Tonight that's FREE? The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is hosting a FREE Exceptional Children & Adults Concert today @ 7pm @ the Crown Auditorium. The Concert will also include an Instrument Petting Zoo. The First 125 families will receive a FREE FSO CD & while you're there, don't Leave without picking up your FREE Copy of the Winter issue of EMPOWERED. We will see you there!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Elizabeth City One-Day Session

Local Residents with Developmental Disabilities Invited to a One-Day Session.

Team Daniel Foundation, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization, is the leading information resource on issues related to developmental disabilities. The Foundation will be coming to the Elizabeth City Area January 27th, 2011.

Families of loved ones with developmental disabilities in the Elizabeth City area are invited to attend Team Daniel Foundation's Snack-n-Chat session on Thursday, January 27th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Pasquotank-Camden Library.

Team Daniel Foundation invites all families who have loved ones with developmental disabilities to attend the Snack-n-Chat so they can learn about funding and assistance that may be available to them, and how to get these funds.

Pasquotank-Camden Library
100 East Colonial Avenue
Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Team Daniel Foundation provides services and grants to North Carlina Families waiting for a slot on North Carolina's Medicaid waiver program, called the Community Alternative Program for Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (CAP MR/DD). The Foundation has four areas of service that include: Respite Services; Grants; a quarterly publication - Empowered; and a book authored by Denise Mercado - They Created Us.

Children and guest are welcome.

John and Denise Mercado are the loving parents who established the Team Daniel Foundation in 2007 in Fayetteville, NC. John and Denise spent over 20 years fighting to provide the highest quality of life possible for their son, Danny, who lived his life with developmental disabilities.

For more information, visit www.teamdanielfoundation.org or call 1-800-991-6421