Supporting People with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Since 1975

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Spanish Version

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19, 2013
(5 days total)

Attendance Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
(includes 1-hr lunch break)

Instructor: Aaryce Hayes

To register, click on the link and follow the procedure.

https://www.mandtsystem.com/schedule/register/?US13059

Ann Marie Swanson, a board member of Jay Nolan Community Services, a lawyer and parent of a school-age child with developmental disability has hands-on working knowledge about School Districts and Regional Centers. She has learned to be an excellent negotiator and partner with School Districts and Regional Centers to develop win-win situations for everyone.

What Can Ann Marie Swanson Do For You:

When you have a meeting scheduled with the School District (IEP or other meeting) or Regional Center (IPP or other meeting) and you would like the knowledge and support of someone to be at your side, Ann Marie wants to share her expertise with you to make sure that your child gets what he/she needs and deserves in school or under the Lanterman Act. She can share strategies, ideas and creative problem solving solutions that may be useful for your son or daughter.

For help, assistance, or guidance, contact Ann Marie Swanson through email at aswanson@jaynolan.org.

Note: This is a FREE service of Jay Nolan Community Services. You need not be receiving services through Jay Nolan Community Services to get the help you need.

Jay Nolan Community Services is pleased to announce we have been awarded a grant from the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with Easter Seals of Southern California. The grant will fund a project to support new, more effective methods of assisting high school students with disabilities and young adults to find meaningful employment. The project will benefit 60 individuals age 17-30 from Los Angeles and San Diego in the first year.

The project is designed to demonstrate that the principles and practices of customized employment offer a better approach to employment development. We will provide training and consultation for young adults and their families to understand how to develop real employment opportunities. We will also work with school systems, regional centers, and the Department of Rehabilitation, as well as community partners, to find ways to work together to use customized employment to increase employment outcomes for young people with disabilities transitioning out of high school into adult life.

For more information in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, email iszaktilla@jaynolan.org.

For more information in San Diego area, email info@work4me.us.

Jay Nolan Camp
July 28-August 2, 2013

Early enrollment began September 1, 2012. Reserve your Camper's spot today with a $200 deposit. Payment plans are available for the balance of Camp Fees. For more information, please contact Melisa Smith, Camp Director at (818) 361-6400 x151 or msmith@jaynolan.org.

Ralph's Rewards

Just one more reminder'. It's almost time!!

PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW TERM BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2012.

There is no pre-registration! This means that the first day you can register for the new term is September 1, 2012 or after.

1. All members who are currently enrolled in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program will remain active until August 31, 2012.
2. Participants will be required to register or re-register for the new term at www.ralphs.com or by using the scanbar letter at the register starting September 1, 2012.
3. If you received a scanbar letter last year, it is still good and can be used this year.
4. Even if you registered as recently as June, July or August 2012, you will be required to register again, on or after September 1, 2012.
5. This notice does not apply to participants of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co Community Rewards program.

By: Neerod Haddad

Gary has received support through Jay Nolan Community Services for over twenty years. He is part of the group of people who transitioned from the group home model to Supportive Living in the early 1990's. Most recently Gary relocated to a spacious condo in Canyon Country to be closer to his parents whom he spends a lot of time with.

Gary is a private and independent person who enjoys long-term relationships with people who respect him. He is an avid coin collector and finds pleasure in spending time at hardware stores. Gary also does his share to help the environment by managing the recycling at the Jay Nolan Community Services Mission Hills office.

A few years ago Gary's circle of support introduced him to horseback riding. Not known for being much of an outdoorsman, it seemed to be an unlikely match. His mother shares, 'We bought Gary a Wonder Horse when he was a young boy and he would rock as though to make the horse gallop. However, Gary was terrified of real horses and wouldn't even look at a horse when we would take car rides through the countryside.' With this mixed history, Gary's support staff brought him to the stables prepared to exit quickly! Strangely enough, Gary seemed at ease and interested in riding. This marked the beginning of Gary's equestrian journey.

In June of 2010 Gary fell from a horse and we were skeptical about him wanting to return, but Gary was ready to ride again the following week! After this incident the circle of support felt that nothing would stop Gary from riding! Sadly, something did. The location where he rode was shut down. As we are all too aware, it is becoming harder and harder to manage small non-profit organizations. Luckily, Gary found Ride with Pride and Gary has been able to continue horseback riding. His circle members agree that he has become more confident, expressive, and positive about life.

By: June Tam

I met Amy in 2010 and became her Community Support Supervisor shortly after. Over the past year and a half I have spent a lot of time learning and growing with Amy. We first bonded over our shared passion for singing in the car! We would turn up the radio and sing along even though we would be off key most of the time. Over the past year we have shared a lot of time together and one thing is for certain, we both love to laugh!

In December of 2011, I assisted Amy in identifying a volunteer position at the West Valley Animal Shelter. There she takes care of the rabbits and cats with support from her daily staff member, Karla Rosales. Amy has a gentle touch when interacting with the rabbits and has learned a lot about animals. When asked if she would like to have a rabbit of her own in her home, she replies, 'NO', without hesitation and explains, 'It's a lot of work cleaning up their cages!'

From time to time I would join Amy on her walks to the shelter. This is her way of getting in a little morning exercise. As I am now ending my career at Jay Nolan Community Services and relocating out of state, I know how much I will miss these walks and all the time I have shared with Amy, her loving mom, and her circle of support. Good Luck, Amy!

Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation Foundation and Jay Nolan Community Services have partnered to help people with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities who are interested in opening up their own businesses to pursue that dream.

The Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors Foundation has provided funds for JNCS to create a revolving loan fund, provide some small seed grants, and to help pursue micro enterprise development.

Our mutual goal is to help people with autism to become self-sufficient and to increase their net assets. If you are interested in knowing more about this program please contact Jeffrey Strully, Executive Director at (818) 361-6400 extension 127.

JNCS has received a grant from the California Communications Access Foundation (CCAF). CCAF is a non-profit corporation that specializes in improving access to telecommunications services for people with disabilities and other traditionally under served populations.

The grant we received is designed to provide assistance to people we serve to communicate more effectively. We are received funds from CCAF to achieve the following outcomes:

• Create an assessment process for determining communication strengths and needs for individuals.
• Create a "Communications Enhancement Plan" for at least 20 individuals who will be served under this grant using the assessment process we develop.
• Utilize the resources of the grant to purchase equipment, software, materials, and other resources to implement the Communication Enhancement Plan for the individuals served by the grant.
• Identify low or no cost alternatives for internet service and other communication resources
• Provide training and support for JNCS' Self-Advocacy Group and others to learn how to access and use more effective communication resources and strategies.
• Provide a training for other organizations on effective communication strategies.

For more information, please contact Jessica Morrow, Director of Supported Living at (818) 361-6400 x130

The McCormick Foundation and the Los Angeles Times Family Fund has approved a grant for Jay Nolan Camp. This grant is meant to assist financially disadvantaged families send their kids to Camp.

For Campership Applications, please contact Melissa Smith, Camp Director at (818) 361-6400 x151.

Jay Nolan Camp is the recipient of the Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp funds.

Qualified Campers may be eligible to these funds if they:

1. have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder,
2. are financially disadvantaged, and
3. through camp participation has the opportunity for individual growth and development.

For Campership Applications, please contact Melissa Smith, Camp Director at (818) 361-6400 x151.

By: Neerod Haddad, Community Support Supervisor

Sherrie lives in her own home with assistance from Jay Nolan Community Services Supported Living program. She has taken several classes at the local college to master difficult skills like reupholstering, sculpting, and sewing. She has sold several of her items at conferences and events.

Recently Sherrie's friend from Nicaragua came to visit her. The friend told Sherrie that the poverty is so bad that on Christmas day the children from her town only had old and torn clothes. They went to a local church where gifts were being donated, but many of the children were turned away because there weren't enough gifts for everyone.

This story touched Sherrie, who is a very compassionate person. Though she also struggles financially, she thought it would be a wonderful undertaking to sew clothing for the less fortunate children in Nicaragua. Sherrie and her support staff members started working on dresses, shorts, and tee-shirts that were suitable for the warm climate of Nicaragua and they will be sent to Granada, Nicaragua this year!