Pikes Peak Interagency Transition Team Meeting (PPITT) September 20, 2012

Tom Martinez called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Presenters for todays meeting were: Charlotte Tye, Hill Springs Learning Center and Shawn Gliniewicz, Legal Shield. Sign-in and facilitator/note taker sign-up sheets were passed around. Tom read the mission statement for the PPITT. Everyone introduced themselves by name and agency. Announcements: Cindy Powell reported that Marsha Unruhs husband passed away. There will be a remembrance held at Hillside Gardens, 106 S. Institute, on Tuesday evening, 9/25. Dress is casual. Cathy at TRE (intake) has further information. A card was sent around for those present to sign. Carol Lampe reported that Randi Van Ness is doing well after her surgery for breast cancer 2 weeks ago. A card was also sent around for members to express their care and concern to Randi. Presentations: 1. Charlotte Tye, gave a presentation about the Hill Springs Learning Center. The center opened in 2004 and serves children K-8 who have differing learning styles. They offer an intensive day academic skill acquisition for reading, writing and math. Students spend the remaining portion of the school day in their regular school programs. Self-advocacy and compensatory strategies are a big part of the program. Currently 20 students are enrolled with a capacity for 20 more. The student teacher ratio is 4:1. They are accredited for, and will eventually add, a grades 9-12 component. A 5 week summer program is offered as well as an after school program and private tutoring. Hill Springs is a CDE service provider. They are dedicated to sharing their methodology through community outreach programs and professional development opportunities. They are currently working with teachers in several local school districts. Hill Springs is a private pay/tuition based center. Scholarship opportunities are available. Contact info: charlietye@hillsprings.org or call 719-576-3840. 2. Shawn Gliniewicz, parent of an adult with disabilities gave an impromptu accolade for Legal Shield. They are an all encompassing law firm that covers a multitude of legal services. Shawn says he has unlimited access to their services from help with school issues to preparing a Will. He did not have brochures or other information but will bring information at a later date. Agency Updates/Handouts: Agencies present gave quick updates about their programs and upcoming events.

Heather Lyons, Assistive Technology Partners, gave a heads-up date for the Colorado Springs AT Awareness Week Open House on Oct 19, 2:30 6:30, 4825 Lorna Place. 719/380-6229 for info.

Heather also promoted the Adaptive House Exhibition happening on October 5&6 at Freedom Financial Services Expo Center. It is free to the public. Vendor booths are available from the IC. Deb Surat, Club of Arts Hours are M-F 9:30 4:30. Classes in life skills, computer and others with a focus on Art. Annette Stahuljak and Dow Turner Community Smart- They work with clients on job seeking, placement and job coaching. Carol Lampe - Brain Development Center and the Brain Injury Trust Fund- Now working with Peak Vista. Currently serving 120 active clients and are in need of a space in the southern part of the city to expand services and meet current needs. Legos social skills class for children and youth continues and a new Adult Lego class is starting. Flyers were handed out. Joe Vaccaro - Community Intersections- serve the DD population with programs that include residential, community, employment and transportation. They have crews doing recycling, electronic reclamation and janitorial. JOE IS RETIRING AS OF OCTOBER 15!! He plans to remain active in transportation issues (and probably others) CONGRATULATIONS, JOE!! Jamie Swalley Joy of Dyslexia- is based in Manitou Springs, assessment and pre-screening for Dyslexia. Penny Frank Aspen Point opening a Welcome Center as a starting point as there are so many facets to Aspen Point. One new program is a peer advocacy for military families. Greg Doan- Special Kids Special Families- Life skills classes have started. Zachs place (ages 5 21) is very busy. They provide after school transportation to the center for working parents. Josh Blue is coming to Stargazers on October 3 as a fundraiser for SKSF. Megan Hess Independence Center-many classes underway-budgeting and Beyond, living on your own, cooking.. A workshop on the new Medicaid Buy-in programs was held recently. Be sure and come to the Adapted Home exhibition on October 5 & 6! Flyers were handed out. Karen Cowan Community Outreach serve the DD population also with Host Homes, employment assessments, job seeking and follow along job coaching Andrea Reeves Sign Language Network 18 years in the community. They provide certified onsite interpreters and do some occasional remote translating (video phone). Sign language classes available.

Yvonne Bacher Independence Center she is the benefits specialist. They also have specialists in employment, reading, deaf/hard of hearing and vision. An outreach specialist helps serve communities outside the area. Cindy Powell Meeting the Challenge one of 10 regional centers that help individuals and businesses understand what the ADA laws and regulations require. They are not the ADA police! Questions frequently revolve around reasonable accommodations, service animals, and the requirements for providing interpreter, particularly in the medical arenas. They offer several opportunities for sign language classes. The 14 hour class includes a deaf culture component and a 4 hour workshop is available for groups of 20 or more that teaches basic hand-shapes and some simple communication signs. Cindy passed around the new edition of Guidelines for Reporting and Writing about People with Disabilities and the posters Your Words - Our Image. Brief discussion on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities. Delaina Massie/Christina Dyer-Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD)- Please be aware that there are assistive technology stations at both the East and the Downtown libraries. Persons who are visually impaired have access to a computer with the JAWS program. Sara Berge Cerebral Palsy Association of Colorado Springs- reported on a successful 26 for the Kids ADT Marathon event. She suggested that everyone start looking for their ugliest Christmas sweaters and mark December 1st on the calendar for the 2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Run, a 5K run and 1K accessible walk to be held in Monument Valley Park. Fashion Police may be present and handing out citations! Information on their website at www.cpappr.org Grant Langdon - Discover Goodwill they do an interest inventory prior to assisting with job seeking to ensure a client finds a job he/she actually enjoy doing. Job coaching and follow along. Tom Martinez reported that there will be an AKTION group started locally for persons with disabilities. AKTION is an off-shoot of KIWANIS and provides opportunity for service leadership. Wilfred Romero-The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region- Halloween Dance will be held on October 19 at the City Auditorium. There is a 500 person limit and tickets must be purchased in advance at the ARC (12 N. Meade) between Sept 12 and Oct 17. $5 for ARC members, $7 for non-members. There will be pizza, pop and costume prizes. No ticket.No entrance. It is an all ages party. Wilfred also reminded all agencies to encourage their clients to get informed and to VOTE. Work is going on to ensure that all polling places are accessible. Agencies were also reminded about the Legislative Town Hall meeting on October 18 at 5:30 at the Antlers Hotel downtown. Please plan to attend.

Interagency Fair:

Those in attendance at the August meeting previously discussed and voted to host the fair on Thursday, April 18th (April 25th rain date) from 5-8 PM. No food will be provided. Wilfred Romero from The ARC reported that the Freedom Financial Center is not available for the dates chosen but if we are flexible they could look at other dates. Members pretty much stated that the 3rd week in April is the expected date of the Fair altho we might possibly go one week earlier. A price for renting the center was not specifically quoted since our date was not available but it was expected to be in the thousands of dollars. Other venues may be explored as well. Balance of funds for PPITT was reported by Wilfred Romero as: Balance on Hand/January 17, 2012 Revenue from booths at Fair Expenses for Fair (food) Balance on Hand/August 31, 2012 $2470.04 $1440.00 $ 998.60 $2911.41

Next Meeting: Next PPITT meeting will be held on Thursday, October 18th, from 1-2:30PM at the Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Gardens located at 2855 Mesa Road. At the top of the Fillmore Hill, go past Coronado HS and turn right (north) onto Mesa Rd. Go past the first locked gate to the second place where you can turn in. Bobbie Webber will be the facilitator and Julie OBrien will be the note taker.

Respectfully submitted, Sara Berge