[Dione Costanzo]

Dear Parents,

Below is a link to a survey on ABA in BC Schools. Please complete this survey if you have a child in the school system who is involved in a home-based ABA program. If you have two or more children involved in ABA, you may fill out the survey for each child who is in school. Please do the survey only once per child, so that our results are accurate.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P37RTQM

The survey will allow us to see which districts have responded to the Hewko decision in 2004 (see the SCHOOL section in http://www.abasupportnetwork.com for more information). For this reason, we would like to use the survey results to determine what work still needs to be done to ensure that our children have access to quality ABA in school. This is your opportunity to send a message to your school district. It is possible that some districts are doing really well and others are not.

If you have any questions, please e-mail them to dione@abasupportnetwork.com.

The survey will only take a few minutes of your time, but might give you the tools to help your child, or help other children in BC.

Dione Costanzo
ABA Support Network

[Dione Costanzo]

Hi everyone,

Here is a message that is circulating via email from a Coquitlam parent who is looking for support at a School Board meeting on Feb. 23:

Friends, Family, Special Interest Groups and Supporters: Please forward this email to anyone else you think may benefit from reading it or be affected by it.

Dear parents, my name is Jana and I am the mother of an 8 year old son with Down Syndrome. I am writing this email with the hope you will take a few minutes to read it over, and join me in my effort to effect change in how School District #43 and the Union assign SEA’s(special education assistants) to our children. I have discovered over the past 4 years the process can be very disruptive and have a negative impact on our children, as well as the other children and teacher in that classroom.

Last year my son, Reid, had a total of 9 SEA’s in a 4 month period. This situation led me to wonder what kind of system or structure was in place that could lead to this happening. After speaking with Reid’s teachers, many SEA’s, a variety of administrators and other parents of children with special needs, I felt I needed to pursue the matter further to get the answers I was looking for.

I have spent the past few months trying to figure out and understand the process of placing an SEA with a child and have come to the conclusion there are some definite problems with the current system. After speaking with the Superintendant and Assistant Superintendant of SD 43, the Director of Student Services, two School Board Trustees, the President of the Coquitlam Teachers Association, the President of CUPE(the union that services the SEA’S), the Editor of the Tri-City News and speaking at the District Advisory Group last month, I now feel I must speak publicly at a School Board Meeting.

THIS IS WHERE I COULD USE YOUR SUPPORT. As the editor of the newspaper said “strength in numbers”. I know if I go to the Board meeting alone they will listen politely and maybe ask a few questions. BUT, if I show up at the meeting with 50 supporters standing behind me, they will be forced to pay attention. The CUPE contract is being re-negotiated this spring and my hope is that both sides(the School Board and the Union) listen to my 3 main concerns and have some real discussion around it, instead of just accepting the contract as it is currently exists.

I have asked to speak at the Tuesday February 23rd School Board Meeting(7:30pm) but won’t have confirmation until the week prior. If any of you are able to come to this meeting with me and just stand there in support I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. I only have five minutes to express my concerns, so your presence there would send a strong message.

I have attached the document I sent to the Board earlier this month outlining my three main concerns and some possible suggestions/solutions(at the request of the Board). I know you all have busy lives and to be honest taking up this cause requires a lot of time and energy I don’t necessarily have. If I don’t speak publicly now and advocate for my son and every other family in the tri-cities that has a child with special needs, I believe they may not receive the best possible support and education they deserve.

Please email me if you think you might be able to attend this meeting so I can start a list of supporters and send another email prior to the Board meeting to confirm the date and location. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Jana Demelo

jjdemelo@telus.net

[Dione Costanzo]

Hi everyone,

Here is a message that is circulating via email from a Coquitlam parent who is looking for support at a School Board meeting on Feb. 23:

Friends, Family, Special Interest Groups and Supporters: Please forward this email to anyone else you think may benefit from reading it or be affected by it.

Dear parents, my name is Jana and I am the mother of an 8 year old son with Down Syndrome. I am writing this email with the hope you will take a few minutes to read it over, and join me in my effort to effect change in how School District #43 and the Union assign SEA’s(special education assistants) to our children. I have discovered over the past 4 years the process can be very disruptive and have a negative impact on our children, as well as the other children and teacher in that classroom.

Last year my son, Reid, had a total of 9 SEA’s in a 4 month period. This situation led me to wonder what kind of system or structure was in place that could lead to this happening. After speaking with Reid’s teachers, many SEA’s, a variety of administrators and other parents of children with special needs, I felt I needed to pursue the matter further to get the answers I was looking for.

I have spent the past few months trying to figure out and understand the process of placing an SEA with a child and have come to the conclusion there are some definite problems with the current system. After speaking with the Superintendant and Assistant Superintendant of SD 43, the Director of Student Services, two School Board Trustees, the President of the Coquitlam Teachers Association, the President of CUPE(the union that services the SEA’S), the Editor of the Tri-City News and speaking at the District Advisory Group last month, I now feel I must speak publicly at a School Board Meeting.

THIS IS WHERE I COULD USE YOUR SUPPORT. As the editor of the newspaper said “strength in numbers”. I know if I go to the Board meeting alone they will listen politely and maybe ask a few questions. BUT, if I show up at the meeting with 50 supporters standing behind me, they will be forced to pay attention. The CUPE contract is being re-negotiated this spring and my hope is that both sides(the School Board and the Union) listen to my 3 main concerns and have some real discussion around it, instead of just accepting the contract as it is currently exists.

I have asked to speak at the Tuesday February 23rd School Board Meeting(7:30pm) but won’t have confirmation until the week prior. If any of you are able to come to this meeting with me and just stand there in support I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. I only have five minutes to express my concerns, so your presence there would send a strong message.

I have attached the document I sent to the Board earlier this month outlining my three main concerns and some possible suggestions/solutions(at the request of the Board). I know you all have busy lives and to be honest taking up this cause requires a lot of time and energy I don’t necessarily have. If I don’t speak publicly now and advocate for my son and every other family in the tri-cities that has a child with special needs, I believe they may not receive the best possible support and education they deserve.

Please email me if you think you might be able to attend this meeting so I can start a list of supporters and send another email prior to the Board meeting to confirm the date and location. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Jana Demelo

jjdemelo@telus.net

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network
Presents

“Social Emotional Learning Within A School Setting
Realistic Approaches to a Realistic Issue”

Special Guests:
Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, M.ED., Executive Director
Michele Shjilvock, M.ED., Director of Clinical Services
HARMONY HOUSE CARES

Bohdanna and Michele will utilize a powerpoint presentation to show strategies that have successfully been implemented in classroom environments when coupled with a positive working relationship with teachers and SEAS. Many of these strategies are also currently implemented within Harmony Houses’ after school social programs.

Topics will include:

• What is the true definition of an inclusive classroom
• ABC’s of autism and social skills
• What is social emotional learning and what does mean to a child with autism and their peers
• Strategies that are ‘doable’ in the classroom
• Buy in from teachers.

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #3
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Join now!! http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

We are a membership based, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.

This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated.

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network
Presents

“Social Emotional Learning Within A School Setting
Realistic Approaches to a Realistic Issue”

Special Guests:
Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, M.ED., Executive Director
Michele Shjilvock, M.ED., Director of Clinical Services
HARMONY HOUSE CARES

Bohdanna and Michele will utilize a powerpoint presentation to show strategies that have successfully been implemented in classroom environments when coupled with a positive working relationship with teachers and SEAS. Many of these strategies are also currently implemented within Harmony Houses’ after school social programs.

Topics will include:

• What is the true definition of an inclusive classroom
• ABC’s of autism and social skills
• What is social emotional learning and what does mean to a child with autism and their peers
• Strategies that are ‘doable’ in the classroom
• Buy in from teachers.

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #3
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Join now!! http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

We are a membership based, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.

This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated.

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network
Presents

“Social Emotional Learning Within A School Setting
Realistic Approaches to a Realistic Issue”

Special Guests:
Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, M.ED., Executive Director
Michele Shjilvock, M.ED., Director of Clinical Services
HARMONY HOUSE CARES

Bohdanna and Michele will utilize a powerpoint presentation to show strategies that have successfully been implemented in classroom environments when coupled with a positive working relationship with teachers and SEAS. Many of these strategies are also currently implemented within Harmony Houses’ after school social programs.

Topics will include:

• What is the true definition of an inclusive classroom
• ABC’s of autism and social skills
• What is social emotional learning and what does mean to a child with autism and their peers
• Strategies that are ‘doable’ in the classroom
• Buy in from teachers.

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #3
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Join now!! http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

We are a membership based, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.

This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated.

[Dione Costanzo]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know of any French speaking ABA families in the lower mainland? I know someone who is moving from Quebec to Vancouver who will be looking for work.

Email me at dionec@shaw.ca

Thanks
Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know of any French speaking ABA families in the lower mainland? I know someone who is moving from Quebec to Vancouver who will be looking for work.

Email me at dionec@shaw.ca

Thanks
Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network
Presents

New Parent Meeting-“How to Run a Home Based ABA Program”

Special Guest – Louise Witt, Parent, S.W.
Director, FEAT of BC and the Autism Society of BC

This meeting will be run as a roundtable chaired by special guest Louise Witt. Louise has been running a home based ABA program for her son since May 2006. Both new and experienced parents will be in attendance to discuss setting up and running a home based ABA program. Topics will include:

• First steps after a diagnosis. Securing your funding contract and organizing administration for a home based program.
• Setting up your ABA team. Advertising and recruiting.
• Planning for the future.
• Challenges and rewards.
• Advocacy.

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #3
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Join now!! http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

We are a membership based, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.

This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made online through our secure website
Or send checks to:
ABA Support Network
1176 Keil Crescent
White Rock, BC, V4B 4W1

Thank you for your support!

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network
Presents

New Parent Meeting-“How to Run a Home Based ABA Program”

Special Guest – Louise Witt, Parent, S.W.
Director, FEAT of BC and the Autism Society of BC

This meeting will be run as a roundtable chaired by special guest Louise Witt. Louise has been running a home based ABA program for her son since May 2006. Both new and experienced parents will be in attendance to discuss setting up and running a home based ABA program. Topics will include:

• First steps after a diagnosis. Securing your funding contract and organizing administration for a home based program.
• Setting up your ABA team. Advertising and recruiting.
• Planning for the future.
• Challenges and rewards.
• Advocacy.

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #3
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Join now!! http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

We are a membership based, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.

This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made online through our secure website
Or send checks to:
ABA Support Network
1176 Keil Crescent
White Rock, BC, V4B 4W1

Thank you for your support!

[Author]

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