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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. Guiding SPIN is our Advisory Committee:
Ruth Akiona, Maggie Baxter, Mike Fahey, Amy Hogan, Laura Kealaiki,
Steve Laracuente, Thalia Lehano, Donna McLanahan, Scott O'Brien,
Christina Pilkington, Millie Rogers, Gurbachan Singh, Richele
Thornburg & Lori Tokuhama.
SPIN
919 Ala Moana Blvd.,
# 101
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
PHONE
586-8126
Enterprise 5270
FAX
586-8129
E-MAIL
accesshi@aloha.net
WEB
www.spinhawaii.org
HAWAII FAMILIES AS ALLIES STATEWIDE
FAMILY CONFERENCE
If you are the parent or caregiver
of a child with mental health needs and emotional or behavioral
challenges, you won't want to miss HFAA's Statewide Family Conference.
It's set for Saturday, June 16th from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at
the Ilikai Waikiki Hotel.
Barbara Huff, the Executive Director of the Federation of Families
for Mental Health, will be a featured speaker, as will Mervlyn
Kitashima, who is the Leeward District PCNC Coordinator. There
will also be youth panel and lots of opportunities for networking
with other families. There will even be a poolside reception
right after the conference.
HFAA is providing airfare and registration scholarships, but
you must call SOON to be sure of a reservation. You can reach
HFAA at 487-8785 (Neighbor Island families can call collect).
The deadline for registrations is May 25th.
KEEPING
IN TOUCH
SPIN is slowly fazing out our
Enterprise number for the Neighbor Islands. The best way to reach
us now is to find the number for your island, dial it, and then
dial ext. 6-8126. It's a free call.
Kauai - 274-3141
Hawai'i - 974-4000
Maui - 984-2400
Molokai - 1-800-464-4644
Lanai - 1-800-464-4644
WORLD
WIDE WEB
If you are connected to the
World Wide Web, be sure to check out the new DOE website for
special education. You'll find information on ISPED, a directory,
links and reports. Go to www.SPED.k12.hi.us.
SPIN'S
2001 AWARD WINNERS
SHINING STARS IN THE
SPIN GALAXY
Leolinda Parlin
PARENT OF THE YEAR
Leo is one of those human dynamos whose long list of public service
is absolutely amazing when you consider that her child with special
needs is so young. With the loving support of her family, she
has volunteered hundreds of hours to support a variety of important
efforts, such as Autism awareness, children's health care, early
intervention and assistive technology. Whatever project Leo chooses
to tackle, she does it enthusiastically, energetically, and efficiently-all
with a smile on her face and in her heart.
Steve Crocker
FAMILY CHOICE AWARD
Steve has the rare gift of being able to approach families in
crisis and make them immediately comfortable. He can instigate
a water balloon fight with a teenager who is literally fighting
for his life, and make him forget his cancer for the afternoon.
Steve works as the Family Services Coordinator at HUGS, providing
support, compassion and aloha to keep families with seriously
ill children together. Steve puts families first. Always.
Nancy Latham
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Nancy began her journey with Hawaii's Department of Education
almost 25 years ago, as a counselor at Mauka Lani Elementary
and is now the District Educational Specialist for Special Services
in Central District. She is a tireless worker who devotes her
life to her work and the many children whose lives she touches,
even without their realizing it. She brings to situations a sense
of fairness and an insatiable desire to create workable partnerships
with parents, schools and community members.
Bob Johnson
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Bob has proven himself to be an exceptional and caring professional
as a Case Manager for the Maui Developmental Disabilities Division
of the Department of Health. He has risen above the regular,
expected duties of his position and demonstrated his genuine
concern for the welfare and quality of life of his clients. Due
to Bob's concerted efforts, a number of folks with developmental
disabilities are now receiving an adequate amount of supports
and quality services to enrich their lives and fulfill their
dreams.
THE
MOVE TO SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
As of July 1, 2001, the Department
of Education (DOE) will assume the financial and administrative
responsibilities for the delivery of related mental health services
for eligible special education students. These services are part
of the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) delivery system
planned. At the present time students receive mental health services
through providers who are contracted by the Department of Health's
(DOH) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. Many of these
services are provided in separate clinical settings, by providers
not associated with the student's education. They may not have
an impact on improving behavior and learning at school. Once
the transition is completed,the majority of eligible students
will receive many or all of their services on the school campus.
The delivery of SBMH services is based on the view that the entire
school community has a role in supporting the well-being of students.
SBMH uses an educational model. Support services are provided
by a combination of DOE employees and contracted providers. The
focus of services is on supporing the student's educational program
at the same time they address his or her mental health needs.
Services fall into three broad areas: 1) intervention based behavioral
and psychological assessment; 2) focused therapeutic interventions;
and 3) comprehensive treatment services.
Already in place on campus are the Student Services Coordinators
at each school who assist in identifying and facilitating support
services.
SOME
OF THE BENEFITS OF SBMH SERVICES
- Support for the student is
readily available when it is needed.
- Activities to address mental
health needs are more relevant to the student's schoolwork, and
aimed toward developing skills in the student.
- There is no stigma from being
sent off campus for mental health services.
- Therapeutic interventions
may be used to help the student learn appropriate classroom behavior.
- Parents and teachers develop
knowledge and skills to better support students.
- Teachers and parents have
access to a diverse group of knowledgeable professionals with
the time to "talk story" about ways to support student
learning.
- Students are likely to have
greater academic success and feel more satisfied with school,
as are their parents.
- Rather than starting from
scratch, therapists are already familiar with the student's background
and history, spending less time completing paperwork.
TIMELINES
May 2001
DOE holds Job Fairs;
Request for Proposals (RFPs) sent to contractors*
May 22, 2001
Completed proposals must be received by DOE
June 20, 2001
Notification of contract awards
July 1, 2001
Contracts with private providers begin
*at the time of this printing,
the RFPs for autism and day treatment services had not yet been
sent out
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
1. Will students lose the services
they now receive?
Students will not lose any services they require to make adequate
progress towards academic success, although some services may
be provided differently.
2. Will these changes affect
teacher workloads?
The workload will not increase and the changes will improve working
conditions. On the plus side, there will be an increase in the
quality and quantity of on-site services available to teachers
and students. There will be no increase in the number of students
or duties assigned to teachers. The presence of a SBMH team member
on the campus at each school will make it possible for each teacher
to receive-on a more timely basis-ongoing and direct information
and assistance in meeting the needs of their students.
3. Will mental health providers
lose opportunities to contract with DOE?
Private mental health practitioners are necessary partners in
providing support services to students. The DOH has already notified
mental health providers which out-patient services will now be
the responsibility of the DOE, and DOE has requested proposals
from providers for these services.
4. What students benefit from
school-based mental health services?
All students will benefit. Felix students benefit through getting
their related mental health services through SBMH, while non-Felix
students (including regular education students) have ready access
to the additional expertise and resources on campus. For example,
a regular education student may experience the death of a parent.
In that case, they could receive support through a school psychologist.
5. Does SBMH mean that there
will be a physical clinic on campus?
Not necessarily. The SBMH team will vary according to the school's
needs.
KEY
TERMS
SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES
Students receive services from professionals such as guidance
counselors, social workers, school nurses and psychologists while
in school. Additional support staff include Student Services
Coordinators and student/family support people.
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
These services are provided in an office, clinic, hospital or
other therapeutic setting that is not in the school and may involve
psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and
counselors.
FELIX CLASS STUDENTS
Felix Class students are
"children and adolescents with disabilities residing in
Hawai'i, from birth to 20 years of age who are eligible for and
in need of education and mental health services." The Felix
Consent Decree requires that DOE and DOH establish a new system
of care that satisfies federal law (IDEA and Section 504 of the
Rehab Act).
**The information on SBMH was
adapted from the Superintendent's
Dispatch to Hawai'i's Public Schools dated March 2001.
HOW
I WENT TO MY SENIOR PROM
By Naihehau Kalama
(Ghost written by mom, Haahe'o Mansfield)
It's June 2000, and I'm sitting
on the field
with my class about to graduate from Roosevelt High School. It
is the greatest ceremony and my family and friends are cheering
me on from the bleachers. I can hear them from across the field
as I sit with my classmates, excited beyond breathing with the
student awareness that after this night we will no longer be
together in the same way every again.
As I sit here in that greatest of moments, I'm remembering the
year that was about to end. I know I will miss my friends, my
teachers and my school. I will miss knowing what I'm going to
do everyday. I'm a little fearful of having to learn a completely
new routine after having done the same thing for over 12 years.
My thoughts then drift to one of my proudest moments...I began
to relive the night of the Senior Prom.
You have to remember, I'm not the greatest looking guy. I'm not
the smartest either. I can be pretty funny and sociable when
I want. On the whole, although a lot of kids on campus knew who
I was, there weren't a lot of girls vying for my attention. Given
all of that, needless to say I needed help getting a date for
the Senior Prom.
That's where my mom comes into the picture. She was so determined
I go to the prom, she was about to take an ad out in the newspaper
for a beauty queen (that way she'd have her own gown already)
with an offer to pay all the expenses for the evening.
Here's the part where my calabash aunties in Koolauloa come.
As it happens, my mom was visiting them and as usual they asked
how I was doing. She told them of her hair brain scheme to run
an ad for a young woman with a "high babe factor" and
from one of them came a softly whispered, "My daughter has
a high babe factor". Having never met her, my pushy mom
insisted on seeing evidence of just how high the "babe factor"
was. Aunty Karlotta proudly held up the picture of her daughter.
There and then the deal was made. Of course they both agreed
that if the young girl was not in agreement with their plan,
they would not insist.
A number of weeks passed and I still had not heard back whether
my mystery date had accepted. You see, the two moms had agreed
to have a meeting with the two of us to see if we thought we
could survive and evening together. Well, they kept playing phone
tag and as for me, I busied myself with my hobbies trying not
to get my hopes up.
Then it happened, the night I was to meet Brandie and she was
to meet me. I shaved, brushed my teeth, straightened out my room
(she was coming over to dinner to meet me and my family, the
whole lot of them, uncle, tutu, mom, etc.) I will always remember
when she walked into my house. I was excited and terrified at
the same time. I kept thinking, "Such a beautiful and poised
young woman wouldn't be seen dead with the likes of me!"
In spite of the voices in my head, I did my best to hod my own
that evening. Brandie was so perfect, so smart, so beautiful,
and she had to like me, she had to say, "Yes, I'd be happy
to be your date for the prom". As it turned out, I had nothing
to worry about. Brandie had made up her mind long before she
arrived.
My Senior Prom was super special because Brandie made it that
way. She danced with me every dance. We were the envy of many
couples. I know this because some girls actually cut in and asked
to dance with me. She stayed by my side throughout the evening
and I could tell she was proud to be with me and not embarrassed
at all. You see I was born with Down Syndrome and my chances
of landing a date as sincere and genuine, as well as beautiful
and smart, as Brandie were minimal to say the least.
Because Brandie was so confident in her own self, because she
believed in beauty in every form, her being with me normalized
me and turned me into one of the "dudes". I became
just like all the other guys at the prom. I became a highly desired
dude with a beautiful date.
Although I take some of the credit for the success of that evening,
I have to go give 95% of the credit to my date, Brandie Carvalho.
She just began her senior year at Kahuku High Shool and I bet
many of her classmates don't know what a heroine she is.
In her ordinary way she will always be an extraordinary heroine
to me. She will always be the one person who removed whatever
sets me apart from other kids and turned me into one of the "dudes",
even if it was just for one magic evening.
When you think about it, although my life will take a very different
course from everybody else's once this evening is over, I will
still have many things to look forward to and be grateful for.
Thank you to Brandie Carvalho and her family. Thank you Roosevelt
and Kahuku High Schools for promoting values that include kids
like me.
I've lived long enough to know that the quality of my life and
of Brandie's life will not happen just because we're good people.
It takes our commitment and that of others. It takes at least
one brave person to live as though people like me belong and
are indeed a valuable part of the life blood of our community.
And once that happens, others will begin to take that brave step
as well.
I plan to be ready for all those brave people to welcome me and
I them. That's an exciting future to look forward to. You have
to excuse me now. They're calling my name and I need to go up
to receive my diploma.
CCC
SPECIALIST
The CCCO is recruiting for
a Community Children's Council Specialist to provide consultation,
training and technical assistance to parents, community members
and professionals as part of the revised Felix Consent Decree.
Applicants must have a Bachelors Degree and at least 3 years
experience in planning, project coordination and community development.
Related work may be substituted for year(s) of college.
Interested persons must also have a valid driver's license and
some computer skills. This job is expected to involve some evening
and weekend work and inter-island travel. To apply: send your
letter of application and resume to:
CCCO, 1177 Ala kea St.,
B-100, Honolulu, HI 96813
or fax to: (808)586-5366.
FINDING SUPPORT ON KAUAI
Kauai parents of children and
teens with special needs looking for support and information
can find it at the Kauai CCC Parent Support Group which meets
monthly on the 1st Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Lihue
Library. Byron Watanabe keeps the group going and can be reached
for more information at 241-2228/pager.
FINDING
A MATCH
Parents of a young child with
cerebral atrophy would like to connect with other families in
Hawaii who have a child with this diagnosis. The parents'
e-mail address is: angelkai@aloha.net. If you would like to respond,
but don't have e-mail, call us at SPIN, and we'll get you in
touch with each other.
SPEECH-TO-SPEECH
RELAY
Speech-to-speech (STS) Relay
enables a person with a speech disorder who can't normally communicate
by telephone, to use a telephone and his or her own voice, voice
synthesizer, voice enhancer or electro larynx. Telephone relay
operators who have received special training to understand non-standard
speech repeat the words spoken by a person with a speech disability.
This enables them to carry on telephone conversations with people
who would otherwise be unable to understand what was said.
Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (STRC) will be
hosting presentations by the STS creator, Robert Segalman, Ph.D.,
during the month of June. For more information. please call Kim
at 532-7110.
MARK
YOUR CALENDAR
Pediatric Brain Injury
Family Support Group presentations, call 523-2451 or e-mail to wendy@ian
mattoch.com
5/28 DOE & Children with a Brain Injury
6/25 Neurological Testing
"Brown Bag Lunch" Series
Maui Mental Health Association, call 808-242-6461
6/5 ADHD
7/10 Violence Prevention for Youth
8/7 Teen Suicide
Special Education Workshops sponsored by AWARE, HFAA, AmeriCorps,
& Waianae CCC, call 696-2371 or 536-9684, ext. 21
6/4 Impact of Emotional/Behavioral Disorders on Families
7/9 Effective Communication: Sending, Receiving, Listening
8/13 ADHD in Children
9/10 Oppositional Defiant & Conduct Disorder in Children
6/7,8 HSOD/Deaf Community
- Kamehameha Day Parade Float decorating & flower donations,
call for info 926-4763
6/16 HFAA Statewide Family
Conference, Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, call 487-8785 (airfare
scholarships are available)
7/5,12,& 19 Assistive
Technology Overview Course, Kapiolani Community College,
$150, call 734-9211
8/11 Sign Language Festival,
KCC, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., FREE, sign language workshops, food,
deaf history museum,
entertainment . Call 926-4763 for more info.
