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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SPIN is co-sponsored by the
Disability & Communication Access Board and the Special Education
Section of the Department of Education. Services include a phone
line for information referral and support, a quarterly newsletter,
an annual conference and community workshops. SPIN is guided
by an Advisory Committee made up of parents, teachers and people
with disabilities.
SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd.,
# 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
PHONE
586-8126
Neighbor Islands dial the following exchange then 6-8126: Kauai
-274-3141; Hawai'i-974-4000; Maui-984-2400; Molokai & Lanai
- 1-800-468-4644
FAX
586-8129
E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net
WEB
www.spinhawaii.org
EBS
& DEPRESSION
Evidence based services or
interventions (EBS) are those that have been scientifically proven
to have a positive effect in the treatment of a particular disorder.
In 1999 the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division began
looking into evidence based interventions to improve the quality
of mental health services in Hawaii. It formed a task force which
put out a report in 2000 summarizing research findings around
six mental health categories-anxiety disorders, Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, autism, depression, conduct and oppositional
disorders and substance use disorders.
The original task force has now become the Evidence Based Services
Committee and members include parents, educators, university
professors and mental health providers. Their latest report*,
"Summary of Effective Interventions for Youth with Behavioral
and Emotional Needs", updates research findings on the original
diagnoses, adds bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and includes
new sections on school based programs and services interventions,
like case management or family therapy.
(*Available on-line at www.state.hi.us/doh/camhd).
Both the 2000 and 2002 reports review research findings based
on their efficacy and effectiveness. Efficacy refers to how well
the intervention works in strictly controlled studies. Effectiveness
refers to how well it works in the "real world," and
includes considerations like cost, frequency and duration of
therapy and drop-out rates.
Only research trials that randomly assign participants to be
part of the experimental group or the control group are reviewed
by the EBS Committee. The rating categories include Best Support,
Good Support, Moderate Support, Minimal Support and Known Risks.In
this issue we would like to highlight the 2002 report findings
on one disorder- depression. In future issues we will examine
other topics presented in the report. We believe that the more
good information families have about what works and what doesn't,
the better decisions they can make about their child's care.
What is Depression?
Depression in children and
teens include a group of symptoms which have been around for
at least two weeks. About 5% of all children and teens suffer
from depression at any given point in time. Children under stress,
who experience loss, or who have attention problems, learning
disabilities, conduct or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk
for depression. Depression also tends to run in families
Signs of Depression
**irritability
**crying or signs of sadness
**a major change in eating or sleeping patterns
**a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
**a loss of energy or fatigue feelings of guilt and low self-esteem
**frequent complaints of illnesses such as headaches or stomachaches
**trouble concentrating
**feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
**thoughts of suicide or self destructive behavior
PAC
RIM AND LD CONFERENCE
PAC RIM 2003
Got your calendar ready? O.K., now write this down in red ink.
February 9th and 10th are the dates for the 19th Annual Pac Rim
Conference on Disabilities at the Sheraton Waikiki. This year's
agenda is overflowing with great presenters and workshop topics,
poster sessions and an art exhibit by artists with disabilities.
Keynote Speakers include internationally known speakers like
Norman Kunc (valued by SPIN for his clear vision on inclusion)
and Dave Hingsburger. One of our favorite moms-Joyce Metzger-will
also present a keynote highlighting life with her son Glen. Over
a hundred workshops are included under strands on Arts, Culture,
and Disability; Early Childhood; Health for People with Disabilities;
Learning and Living; Positive Behavioral Supports; and Postsecondary
Education, Transition, and Employment.
The kama'aina rate for early registration (by December 31st)
is $155 for both days or $125 for one day. Thanks to the generosity
of the Center on Disability Studies and the Department of Education,
parent scholarships are available. SPIN is handling these scholarship
registrations, and we urge you to call AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We
can also point readers to a limited number of scholarships for
consumers.
LD CONFERENCE
Next on the calendar is the
2003 Pacific Basin Learning Disabilities Conference,
Feb. 14 & 15 at the Sheraton. Keynote speakers include Dr.
Edward Kame'enui and Dr. Arthur Anastopoulos. There is even a
conference for teens on Saturday. See page 8 for contact information
on both conferences.
GEOGRAPHIC
EXCEPTIONS
New INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR
IMPLEMENTING GEOGRAPHIC
EXCEPTIONS are being put into place for parents who want to apply
for a Geographic Exception (G.E.) for the 2003-2004 School Year.
Geographic Exceptions allow a student to attend a school other
than the school in their home geographic area.
This school year a new federal law, the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act, requires the Stateto offer G.E. s. to students who
are attending schools who have been identified as schools inneed
of improvement, corrective action or restructuring. 82 of Hawaii's
schools have been identified as needing improvement or corrective
action. While all students at these schools were offered the
chance this Fall to transfer to a school which is not one of
the 82 identified schools, less than two dozen made the move.
Many more families requested after school supplemental educational
services (tutoring) as an alternative.
Next year (2003-04) NCLB students will have priority for G.E.s
again, along with students who want to attend a particular Program
of Study (for example, Learning Centers and Hawaiian Immersion).
Application forms will be available in early January and must
be turned in by March 1st to be considered.
If there are more requests for G.E.s than available spaces at
a particular school, then NCLB students grades 1-12 who are eligible
for the free or reduced lunch program (no or low-cost school
lunches) and who have the lowest ranking (making poor grades
in math and reading or English) will be considered first. The
priority for upcoming kindergartners will be their ability to
qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.
Mid March is the time frame when most parents will find out if
their child has been granted a G.E. Parents must register their
child at their "new" school within 10 working days
from the postmarked date of the notification. If the child is
NOT registered within 10 working days, the G.E. space will be
given to the next child.
Remember that if a student has an IEP or 504 Plan, the student's
home school will communicate with the "new" school
to see if the student's IEP needs can be delivered there before
a G.E. is granted. Students who are receiving curb-to-curb transportation
services as a related service in the IEP will no longer receive
transportation as
a related service because NCLB students will qualify for regular
transportation services (general bus) or mileage reimbursement
instead. Parent organizations have put together a list of Things
to Consider to assist you in
determining whether a Geographic Exception is appropriate for
your child. You can call or
e-mail us for a copy or view it on-line at www.spinhawaii.org/nclb.html
or the Department of Education's website, http://doe.k12.hi.us
(click the NCLB link).
Timeline
January - Pick up application
forms from your school office
February
March 1 - Deadline for applications
March 17 - Parents notified
of G.E. status
April 4 - Chance selection
for schools with more requests than space
April 16 - Notice of selection
results
SPIN News, December 2002
SPIN
AWARDS
Every year, SPIN singles out
some key parents and professionals whose efforts make a positive
difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities
and their families in Hawaii. These outstanding individuals will
be honored at our SPIN Conference on April 12, 2003.
We are asking for your help in identifying candidates for SPIN's
major awards:
*Parent of the Year
*Professional of the Year
*Family Choice Award
To request a nomination form, please call SPIN at 586-8126 or
e-mail accesshi@aloha.net. We want to hear about your "heros
and heroines" by March 3, 2003.
Maui
Disability Alliance Holds 7th Annual Legislative Forum
The Cameron Center Auditorium
was the setting for the 7th Annual Maui Disability Alliance Forum
on October 18, 2002. The event was
co-sponsored by the Maui Developmental Disabilities Committee
and the Mental Health Association. Other sponsors were: Hawaii
Families as Allies, Maui Bridges Learning and Living Center,
Children's Community Council of Maui, Mental Health Kokua, Self
Advocacy Accessible Transportation Group, Maui County Commission
on Persons With Disabilities, Maui Community College, Haleakala
Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Maui.
Approximately one hundred ten people attended the potluck and
panel discussion, including Senators, Representatives, City Council
members and candidates. Panel topics included:
® Long Term Care,
® Prescription drugs,
® Education,
® Employment,
® Parking, and
® Transportation.
The candidates expressed appreciation that so many groups were
represented in the Forum. They gained information about real
people and real issues. Candidates, legislators, consumers and
families had a chance for informal discussion during the potluck
and program. The forum will be aired on Akaku.
Special
Education - EVALUATION
Before your child receives
special education
services, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
requires that he or she have an evaluation. An evaluation includes
information from parents, any special medical concerns, interviews
with parents and school staff, and may include specific tests
or assessments. The results of an evaluation will be used to
determine if your child needs special education and related services
help in school. You must give your consent in writing before
the first evaluation can take place. The evaluation:
® must be done by trained and knowledgeable persons
® must be in all areas related to the suspected disability
® is more than just one test or assessment procedure
® must be in your child's native language unless clearly
not possible to do so
® must not discriminate against your child
Some questions parents can
ask the school staff about evaluations are:
1. Why do you want to evaluate
my child?
2. What do you think you may find from the evaluation?
3. What kinds of tests will you give?
4. In what areas will my child be tested?
5. Will the tests you use discriminate against
my child based on: Race? Culture? Disability? Use of language?
6. How do you know that the tests do or do not discriminate?
7. What will happen if my child is NOT evaluated?
8. By what date will you give me a written copy of the evaluation
results? May I have a copy of each of my child's test reports?
9. What steps should I take if I do not agree with the evaluation
results?
If your child has behavior
problems at school, these questions may be helpful:
1. Does my child need a "functional
behavioral assessment?" Why or why not? (a functional behavioral
assessment looks at why a child is having behavior problems in
school)
2. What are you doing to help my child learn new behavior skills?
If you disagree with the school
district's evaluation results, you have a right to:
® have someone outside
the school system evaluate your child {this is called an Independent
Educational Evaluation {IEE}
® help select the person or persons who will do the testing
® have the testing done at no cost to you or your family*
*The school district must either
have your child evaluated at no cost to you, or show, at a hearing,
that its evaluation is appropriate.
Adapted by the Learning Disabilities
Association of Hawaii from the fact sheet developed by Families
and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE). Other fact sheets
can be found on-line at www.fape.org.
ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTERS OF HAWAII
The Assistive Technology Resource
Centers of Hawaii (ATRC) is a statewide non-profit organization
linking individuals with assistive technology (AT) and empowering
them through education, training, and advocacy. ATRC has information
on a variety of devices for education, communication, mobility,
hearing,and vision. Assistive technology device also range from
"low tech", like a magnifier, to very augmentative
communication software.
Through outreach activities, ATRC provides information and training
on devices,services, and funding resources for parents, educators,
state agencies, and professionals who serve those with special
needs. ATRC aims to increase AT awareness and promote self-advocacy
among children with disabilities, so they can participate actively
in every aspect of community and school life.
ATRC also offers a free Open Lab that gives the entire community
an opportunity to access the internet, send e-mail, and use various
computer equipment. Lab hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.(Mondays)
and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.(Wednesdays & Fridays) and are held
at 414 Kuwili Street, Suite 104, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. For
more information call 532-7110.
DD
Info Hawaii
The Developmental Disabilities
Council has initiated a specialized information service for people
with developmental disabilities, their families and friends.
This service provides expert information and advice about how
to access services that seem to be hard to find and difficult
to get to really work.
If you need this kind of help, please call 261-0202 (Oahu) or
toll-free 1-877-261-0202 (Neighbor Islands). If your call cannot
be personally answered immediately, please leave your name, a
telephone number and good times to get back to you. You may also
request help via e-mail at
ddinfohawaii@yahoo.com
MARK
YOUR CALENDAR
12/18 EFMP presents "Special
Needs, Special Season, Special Worship"
Call 655-2303
1/4 Sibling Support Meetings
(ages 6-12)
(Includes lunch, group games, more), Call Nicole at 536-1015
2/21 PAC-Rim Conference
& 22 Collaboration & Change
2/13 CEC/DDD (Kauai)
& 14 Call 956-9810 or cds@hawaii.edu
2/14,15 2003 Pacific Basin
Learning Disabilities Conference
Call 538-7007 (HIDA) or 536-9684 (LDAH) or e-mail: info@hibida.org
2003 Family Leadership Conferences
co-sponsored by Hawaii Families As Allies & Easter Seals
1/11 & 12 Maui
2/8 & 9 Kauai
3/8 & 9 Honolulu
Free. Morning refreshments & lunch provided. Call Nicole
Deligans at 536-1015 or Yvonne Abang at 487-8785 or toll free
at 1-866-361-8825 for location and registration information.
4/12 2003 SPIN Conference,
UH Campus Center
Keynote: Dr. Richard Radtke
View the most current Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD) training listing
for '02-'03. www.state.hi.us/doh/felix/dev.html
