NLACRC TRAINING & EVENTS


NEW! - NLACRC's 25th Jynny Retzinger Legislative Breakfast
Friday, April 9th, 8 a.m. at Sam's Cafe, New Horizons in North Hills. Every year we invite the legislators who represent our catchment area to join us at the annual NLACRC Legislative Breakfast to learn about the issues that are of importance to the people that we serve. Consumers, family members, and service providers are welcome to attend. This year's theme is "Employment: It's All About Work." Limited seating available. $10 per person and pre-registration is required.
>> View the flyer for more niformation

Travel & Community Safety
Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at NLACRC's Antelope Valley Office, 43210 Gingham Ave., Lancaster. Free seminar for adults with intellectual disabilities, their families and support staff. Learn about how to travel safely, being prepared and having an emergency plan, protecting yourself when you're out, and being safe and more secure in the community. Please reserve a seat by 3/3/10 by calling Kathryn at (818) 756-6225 or by email at kathrynl@nlacrc.org.
>> View the flyer for more information

Improve Your Reading Activity Class
Free class for adults with intellectual disabilities. This six-session class meets Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. beginning March 25th or Fridays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. beginning March 26th. Support staff may attend to assist a consumer. This class is for you if you can read a little but want to improve, reading is hard so you don't read much, you have trouble understanding what you read. Please register early as seats are limited. Please register by 3/11/10 by calling Kathryn at (818) 756-6225 or by email at kathrynl@nlacrc.org. For additional classes, please see "Adult Activity Classes" listed below.
>> View the flyer for more information

Relationships, Boundaries, and Sexuality Class
Free class for adults with intellectual disabilities. Support staff or family members may register but priority is given to adult consumers. This class meets for 8 Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning March 2nd at NLACRC, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. View the flyer for more information. Please register by 2/26/10 by calling Kathryn at (818) 756-6225 or by email at kathrynl@nlacrc.org.
>> View the flyer for more information

Relationships, Boundaries & Sexuality Class for Teens
Free training for teens (13-17 years old) with intellectual disabilities. A parent or guardian must attend with thte teen. Four-session class begins June 8th and meets from 6 to 7:55 p.m. at NLACRC, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Conf. Room 210. View the flyer for more information about the class. Please register by 6/1/10 by calling Kathryn at (818) 756-6225 or by email at kathrynl@nlacrc.org.
>> View the flyer for more information

UPDATED! - Emergency Supplies Backpack Training
Free training for adults with developmental disabilities who are living on their own. Adult consumers who live on their own will receive a backpack filled with emergency supplies when they attend this training. Read the flyer for further information and training dates.

>> View the March 2010 trainings (PDF)

>> View the April 2010 trainings (PDF)


Adult Program Seminars & Just 4 Us Group Schedule
Sponsored by North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC)
Free for adults with developmental disabilities. Held at NLACRC, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Seminar topics include "Healthy Eating, Exercise and Good Personal Care" on 1/23/10, "Medical and Dental Care - Resources in the Community" on 2/20/19, "Build Relationships, Friendships and Support" on 3/23/10, "Community Choices - Group Homes and Independent Living, Work and Day Programs" on 4/24/10, "Stop Abuse" on 6/19/10, "Social Activities on a Budget" on 7/31/10. Just 4 Us meetings are held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. after the seminars.
>> View the flyer for the 1/23/10 - 3/27/10 seminar descriptions

>> View the flyer for the 4/24/10 - 7/31/10 seminar descriptions

>> View the Just 4 Us Meeting Schedule


Adult Activity Classes
Free classes for adults with developmental disabilities held at NLACRC, 15400 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Group activity class with tutor and peer assistant. Class size is limited - register early. Classes offered include "Money Budgeting and Math Activity Class" beginning January 21 or January 22, "Manager Anger & Stress Activity Class" beginning 2/18 or 2/19, "Improve Your Reading Activity Class" beginning 3/25 or 3/26, and "Deal with Loss & Death - Grieving Activity Class" beginning 5/6.
>> View the flyer for more information


Self-Advocacy Group Meetings
A social support group run by and for adults with developmental disabilities. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month from 10:45 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Michael's, 16643 Vanowen St., Van Nuys.
>> View the flyer for more information

The list below is for informational purposes and is not meant to serve as an endorsement by NLACRC.

Sundays for Sibs
Four workshops for children who have a sibling with special needs. Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. at various locations. Jan 24th is comedy improv and costumes, March 14th is learn to cook, April 18th is outdoor treasure hunt and May 23rd is art and fun. $10 per workshop or $30 for the series. Visit their web site www.hamercaz.org for more information.
>> View the flyer

LADOT Posts Preliminary Recommendations for Fare and Service Changes, Public Hearings Scheduled
The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation has documents available on their Web site with information regarding preliminary recommendations for fare and service changes. Public hearings have also been scheduled throughout Los Angeles for Feb. 16th through March 3rd.
>> Go to the LADOT Web site

CVS Pharmacy Free Health Fairs
CVS is offering free health screenings and consultations at several locations through April 2010 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Here are a few upcoming dates: 2/20 & 2/21 at 10945 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 487-0119, 2/27 & 2/28 at 15232 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, (818) 374-3480, 3/6 & 3/7 at 19424 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, (661) 251-5444.

E-Waste Fundraiser for the Child Development Institute
Sat.., March 13th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7260 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. The Child Development Intitute Parents Association and State Farm Agent Gwyn Petrick are sponsoring an electronic waste collection event to raise proceeds for the Child Development Institute in Woodland Hills.
>> View the flyer

Does My Preschooler Have Special Needs?
Sun., March 14th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Touro College, 1317 N. Crescent Heights, West Hollywood. Presented by Koi HaNearim. A conference for parents, teachers and professionals, addressing the needs of children ages 0-5. Presentations include speech & language development, advocating for your child, developmental vision, working with the school district, keeping hope alive, intergrating a behavioral plan and aide into the classroom, hearing in the developing child, getting a child ready for kindergarten and the 3 As of the developing child: ADHD, Autism and Asperger's. Pre-registration: $10, $5 students, $20 at the door. For more information call (310) 861-1456.

Biomedical Seminar
Sun., March 14th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. at Child Development Institute, 6800 Owensmouth, Suite 180, Woodland Hills. Have you ever wondered if the food your child eats affects his behavior? Does your child deal with chronic constipation or diarrhea? Is is possible that autism, ADHD, allergies and asthma all have something on common?
>> View the flyer

Married . . . with (Special Needs) Children: Help! No One Told Us How Hard This Would Be
Wed., March 17th, 7 to 9 p.m. at Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Organized by HaMercaz. Even the strongest marriages are challenged by the intense demand of raising children with special needs. Come discuss specific strategies for enhancing unity and connection. Cost is $10 per person and $15 for two family members. To RSVP, please email HaMercaz@jfsla.org or call (866) 287-8030, ext. 136.

Social Skills for Adolescents
and Adults
Thurs., March 18th, 7 to 9 p.m. at Jay Nolan, 15501 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Suite 100, Mission Hills. Presented by Emily Iland. Cost $15. For more information or to register please call Camille at (818) 361-6400 or by email at cwatkins@jaynolan.org.

Dealing with Regional Center Issues in Difficult Times
Wed., March 24th, 7 to 9 p.m. at United Cerebral Palsy, 6430 Independence Ave., Woodland Hills. Presented by John Steinreich, Operations Manager at Wellspring Behavior Agency. Please RSVP. See flyer for more information.
>> View the flyer

NEW! - The 2010 Antelope Valley Autism Walk and Awareness Fair
Sat., April 3rd, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jethawks Stadium, 45116 Valley Central Way, Lancaster. Free day of fun and games for the whole family. This is a free, no pledge walk for all ages and abilities. Activities and entertainment throughout the day.
>> View the flyer

4th Annual Legislative Breakfast and Tools for Transformation Parent and Professional Conference: Serving and Empowering
Fri. and Sat., April 16 and 17, 2010 at the Junior Blind of America, 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd., Los Angeles, 90043. This breakfast and conference organized by Special Needs Network, Inc. offers parents and professionals workshops, seminars and presentationson advocacy, medical advances, intervention strategies, and best practices in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with autism and related disorders. The Legislative Breakfast will be held at the California Science Center from 9 to 11 a.m. on April 16th. Registration begins Feb. 1st.
>> Go to the Special Needs Network web site

Plan and Prepare: Transition to Adulthood Conference
April 30th & May 1st at Los Angeles Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen. . Sponsored by the Autism Society of Los Angeles. Learn about envisioning and planning for the future, creating and implementing effective transition plans, work and educational options after high school, independent living options and safety skills, legal issues, self-determination and self-advocacy, how to access supports and navigate the service system. Early registration is $150 before 3/31/10 and $195 after that date. For more information, please contact the Autism Soceity of Los Angeles at asalamail@aol.com or (562) 804-5556.

Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR)for the Proposed Malibu Parks Public Access Enhancement Plan
The Draft EIR includes a comprehensive set of policies and implementation measures, and identifies specific actions and park improvements, intended to enhance public access and recreation opportunities for specific park properties and recreation areas within the City of Malibu and Los Angeles. To view the draft please visit the web site link listed below.
>> Go to the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority web site

Research Study - Free Intervention for children with autism
The child must be 24 to 60 months of age and family must qualify for Medicaid Services.
>> View the flyer (English)

>> View the flyer (Spanish)

USC UCEDD is looking for consumers and siblings of consumers to serve on their Consumer Community Advisory Board (CCAB)
The USC UCEDD develops and supports quality services and systems for individuals with, or at risk for, behavioral, developmental and or special health care needs and their families through training, research, clinical/community service, and information dissemination.
>> View the flyer for consumers

>> View the flyer for siblings

Family Focus Resource & Empowerment Center Trainings
California State University Northridge's (CSUN) Family Focus Resource & Empowerment Center offers trainings throughout the year at their San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and Antelope Valley locations. Trainings such as IEP clinics, student record notebooks, parent rights under special education law, the IEP process and parents' rights and more are offered.
>> Go to the CSUN FFREC Web site

The K.E.N. Project
The KEN Project holds meetings once a month on a variety of topics related to children with special needs.
>> View the flyer with upcoming meeting dates

MedicAlert Foundation and Autism Society Launch New Program to Safeguard Individuals and Families Living with Autism
MedicAlert has teamed up with the Autism Society through a new program "Medic Alert + Safe and Sound." The program helps to educate first responders on how to help people with autism quickly and effectively.
>> Go to the Autism Society Web site to learn more about this program

Sensory Friendly Films
The AMC Theatres and Autism Society of America have collaborated on a "Sensory Friendly Films" monthly program to provide a more accepting and comfortable movie experience to people with autism and other disabilities and their families. The movie auditoriums will have their lights up, sound turned down, allow special diet snacks inside not show previews or ads before the movie and not enforce the "silence is golden" policy so that the audience can walk, talk, dance or sing during the movie. The participating AMC theatre in our area is the AMC Promenade 16 at 21801 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills. Ticket price is $4 - $6. For more information, visit www.autism-society.org.

Educational Advocacy Workshops
The Disability Rights Legal Center offers free education advocacy workshops the first Saturday of each month.
>> view the English flyer

>> view the Spanish flyer

Seasoned Seniors
A unique, therapeutic recreation based adult day program specifically designed for individuals with a mild/moderate developmental disability, 50 years old or older and who are ambulatory.
>> view the flyer

Sport fishing license applications available for NLACRC consumers
The Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game has provided us with applications for free five-year sport fishing licenses that are available to NLACRC consumers. Licenses are required for individuals 16+ years of age. We have a limited supply available. It takes approximately 4 weeks to process the application. For an application, please call (818) 756-6451.

Valley Therapeutic Recreation Center offers recreation programs for children with disabilities
Sessions are held at Valley Therapeutic Center in North Hollywood on Saturdays.
Circles is a program for children ages 5-12, and STARs is an all inclusive recreation program for children.

>> View the Circles flyer

>> View the STARs flyer (English)

>> View the STARs flyer (Spanish)