This newsletter was sent October 10, 2017. If you’d like to receive our next bi-weekly digest full of a curated collection of resources, workshops, policy highlights, and action items that affect children and youth with special health care needs, please sign up here.

Save the date: Family Voices of California’s 16th annual Health Summit & Legislative Day will be held Feb. 26 – Feb. 27, 2018 in Sacramento. More information and registration here.

Communicating With Your Kids: Sexuality And Developmental Disabilities Webinar

Family Voices of California will host a Nov. 1st webinar aimed at helping parents of children with disabilities discuss sexuality. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to practice direct communication skills. Our presenter, Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed, has 25 years of expertise in offering disability and sexuality courses to both parents and professionals. For more information registration, click here.

RESOURCES

New Quiz For Youth, Young Adults: Are You Ready To Transition To Adult Health Care?

In partnership with their National Young Adult Transition Advisory Group, Got Transition has created a transition quiz to assess the readiness levels of youth and young adults who are preparing to move to adult care. The quiz asks about important issues surrounding the transition years and provides guidance on topics such as what legal changes happen at 18 years old and how to sign up for health insurance. To take the quiz, click here.

Other helpful transition resources:

Got Transition’s new systematic review: “Outcome Evidence For Structured Pediatric To Adult Health Care Transition Interventions“

The Department Of Health And Human Service’s August report to Congress: “Young Adults And Transitioning Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder” (related Disability Scoop article here)

Exceptional Parent’s article on transitioning to adult neurological care

The American Academy Of Pediatrics and Got Transition’s new ECHO project to help professionals learn how to better transition youth to adult care

The Department Of Education’s updated “Transition Guide To Postsecondary Education And Employment For Students And Youth With Disabilities“

American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Guide For People With Disabilities

This comprehensive guide was designed to help people with physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities prepare for natural disasters and their consequences. The handbook contains printable checklists, disaster care plans, disaster kit essentials, and how to complete a personal assessment. To check it out, click here.

Also see:

Seattle Children’s emergency preparedness website section for children with special needs

Tip sheets on coping, stress, and trauma following natural disasters

WEBINARS

October 16: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care In Pediatric And Adult Primary Care Settings

Hosted by: Center For Health Care Strategies

More information and registration here.

October 18: Zika Virus And Your Eyes

Hosted by: Prevent Blindness

More information and registration here.

Also see: Zika Care Connect, a new website that connects pregnant women, parents, and caregivers of infants/families affected by Zika to specialized care.