Floortime – where fun and learning interact!

Invite family and friends to the 2012 Floortime Family Fun Day festival on Sunday April 15th from 1pm to 5pm at Griffith Park, Los Angeles’ Shane’s Inspiration Universally Accessible Playground, 4800 Crystal Springs Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Listen or dance to the sounds of classic pop band “Arrest My Sister”and enjoy multisensory, stimulating, non-competitive games; a moonbounce house; therapy dogs; roving characters; and parent info booths.  Learn about the DIR/Floortime approach available now to children with parents who know to ask for Evidenced Based Interventions!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the First Annual DIR/Floortime Coalition of California Conference DIR/FLOORTIME: A STATE-OF-THE-ART APPROACH FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.  The conference was attended by over 200 parents and professionals followed by an Evening Gala and Auction that resulted in positive fundraising strides and much enjoyment.  Now more than ever, however,  donations are needed to continue and ensure forward movement with advocacy, outreach, ongoing education and parent support. 

You can continue to offer support and interest by joining us for the OCT. 2012 Conference and Evening Gala to follow.  Please stay tuned for more specific program information.  In the meantime, hit the Donate Now tab to offer any support that is within your means.    

Fun for Kids, Answers for Parents: Funding and legislation for developmental treatment for autism

On Sunday April 10th, the Coalition hosted its first annual Family Fun day at Griffith Park in Los Angeles with more than 400 persons in attendance. The event was a huge success that will be offered on an annual basis in April during Autism Awareness month — the “awareness” focusing on Parent Choice and on broadening the public’s understanding of Evidence Based Practices in Autism Intervention. Joining in the festivities were parents, children, their family members and friends, professionals from the community, and influential speakers including Ron Ostrow, actor and parent; Erik Linthorst, filmaker and parent; Jim Lantry, national advocate; and Pam Eisenberg from Austism Speaks. All presenters were clear in supporting the profound effects a DIR/Floortime approach has had for their own children. Most inspiring was the outpouring of support and concerted and collaborative efforts that culminated in visible evidence of the forward strides and ongoing momentum of the COC. Next year’s goal will be to offer similar events statewide and to help parents recognize their options and rights.

Please also visit our Honor Role to share in our warm thanks of those corporations who supported us either with donations, goods, and/or time.

Our individual subcommittees have begun to meet.  3 formal subcommittees are up and running:

1) Education and Outreach Chairperson: Jeanne White

Agenda Items:  Planning of the First Annual California Floortime Coalition Fall Conference.  Tentatively scheduled for Saturday Oct. 15th in the greater Los Angeles area.  Also discussing the Coalition’s official name and a North Los Angeles County planning meeting to enhance parent awareness of developmental models.

2) Research Chairperson: Connie Lillas; Focus of meetings has been on identifying major developmental research occurring nationally and internationally; closely following DIR/Floortime randomized, controlled studies underway; working to develop community-based research projects and program evaluation; and to bridge research and advocacy efforts.  Read below about research being proposed for the Imperial Valley in San Diego using the Play Project.

Imperial NFAR DIR FT COC Publicity Paragraph (112410 feder edit)

3) Fundraising Chairperson:  Jonine Biesman;  Items to be discussed include increasing monthly donations, membership, parent involvement, special events, website marketing, brainstorming, and researching effective fundraising techniques.

Please use the following call in number for Education and Research conference calls: (218) 844-0850 Access Code: 1075156#span>

The case against Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center for denying DIR services has reached a proposed settlement. Among a series of important key provisions of the agreement, ELARC is unable to terminate or deny funding for DIR treatment programs, fail to make them available, or to classify DIR as experimental… READ MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT BY CLICKING ON RESOURCES.

Also read about the decision in San Diego to mandate the funding of another developmental intervention – Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)

The Rally in Sacramento on June 9th was a huge success! There was a balanced mix of parents and professionals from across the state with close to 30 meetings scheduled with State Senators, Assemblymen, and their legislative aides. Significant progress was made and key relationships established to help strengthen our position regarding parent choice, responsible funding for autism treatment, and recognition of DIR/Floortime as a viable and evidence-based treatment option.

Now, our work must remain targeted, persistent, collaborative, and steadfast as we build our foundation of a California organization. We need IMMEDIATE VOLUNTEERS for our committees and ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS to ensure that we continue to be guided effectively in Sacramento.

Additionally, it will be beneficial to meet with local legislators at our district offices to remain voices in their ears. If you are interested in setting up a meeting with your local representative, please contact us and we can help facilitate this. Our repeated and consistent message is important coming from as many parents and professionals as possible.

A special thank you to all our children who charmed our legislators!!!!!

READ THE COMPELLING SPEECH GIVEN BY RON OSTROW, PARENT AND RALLY PARTICIPANT

Ron Ostrow June 9th statement