Upcoming Events
Scroll down for information on all FHF events and programs!
Families Helping Families SWLA's 5th Annual
Golf Tournament
Monday, October 18, 2010
Gray Plantation Golf Course
Registration OPEN Now
Sponsors still needed!
"Click Here for Tournament Brochure"
Title Sponsor - R&R Construction
Seven Nights with NO Dishes Raffle
FHF SWLA Fundraiser
Congratulations to the Seven Nights with NO Dishes winners!!
Beverly Machulski - 1st Prize
Bob Fontenot -2nd Prize
Charles Berry - 3rd Prize
Jodi Manuel - 4th Prize
The Board and Staff of FHF SWLA would like to thank everyone who purchased tickets to support our programs and the donating restaurants!!
Partners in Policymaking - 6 Training sessions that could change your life!
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES!
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council is looking for motivated, interested individuals who have developmental disabilities or parents of young children with developmental disabilities, to become candidates in the next Partners in Policymaking® training.
The Council is especially interested in individuals who have the enthusiasm and potential to become effective advocates in the future. For more detailed information on Partners in Policymaking, go to the link below. http://www.laddc.org/main/?page_id=36 If you are interested in becoming a candidate for the next Partners in Policymaking training, submit a copy of the application found at the following link no later than September 30, 2010. Partners in Policymaking Brochure Partners in Policymaking Application: Partners in Policymaking is a national leadership training program for people with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. It provides the most current knowledge about disability issues and develops the competencies necessary for effective advocacy to influence public policy at all levels of government. The deadline to apply for the 2011 class is The dates for the next Partners in Policymaking class are: January 14 - 15, 2011 February 18 - 19, 2011 March 25 - 26, 2011 April 15 - 16, 2011 May 13 - 14, 2011 June 17 - 18, 2011 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robbie Gray at 1-800-450-8108 or via email at robbie.gray@la.gov.
Trainings & Workshops: What's Ahead - Coming up Soon!
Louisiana Parent Training & Information Center
In collaboration with Families Helping Families of SWLA
Host…….
“How to Write a State Complaint”
Presented by:
Sharon Dufrene
Sr. Partner with Partners in Education
A free training for parents of children and youth with disabilities and their
professional service providers!
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Families Helping Families of SWLA
2927 Hodges St., Lake Charles, LA
To register, call 1-800-766-7736
Low registration could result in cancellation.
Please remember to register!
Don’t get overwhelmed; Get empowered!
Have you tried unsuccessfully to work with your child’s school to provide appropriate educational services to your child receiving special education? Has the school ignored your requests and you are not sure what to do next? This training is for parents that feel the next step to resolve their differences with the schools is writing a formal complaint. This will be a hands-on training where participants will learn:
¨ How to create a paper trail
¨ How to identify issues
¨ How to determine the appropriate avenue to resolve the issue
¨ How to write a state complaint in an understandable format
¨ How to identify the facts of your complaint
¨ How to present the facts of your complaint
¨ What can I expect once I file a complaint
A free lunch and snacks will be provided to all participants.
Families Helping Families of SWLA
PRESENTS
Parent Weekend Conference
“BUILDING THE DREAM"
Friday & Saturday
November 5 & 6, 2010
Isle of Capri Casino
Lake Charles, LA
NOTE: This conference will present topics relevant to parents or family members who have a student with a disability ages 3-22. Conference participants should live in Region 4 or Region 5 of Louisiana.
Registration opening soon!
Keynote Speaker:
JANICE FIALKA
“The Dance of
Partnership: Why Do My Feet Hurt?”
Janice Fialka, MSW. ACSW is a national trainer, presenter, and advocate on issues related to disability, as well as the parent of a young man with a cognitive disability. Her work centers around her families belief in having “high expectations, living with the “audacity of hope”, and building strong communities where no one is excluded and the gifts of every person are nurtured and honored.”
Also featuring
Lynette Doga Fontenot -
Come and meet
Louisiana State Department of Education Staff -
NOTE: This conference will present topics relevant to parents or family members who have a student with a disability ages 3-22. Conference participants should live in Region 4 or Region 5 of Louisiana.
Region 4 includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia,
Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermillion parishes and
Region 5 includes Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes.
Hotel rooms and travel arrangements will be provided for parents and/or family members based on distance from the conference site.
Please call Carol Welch at Families Helping Families of SWLA for more information (337)436-2570 or 1-800-894-6558 or email us at cbwelch@fhfswla.org.
Informational Alert -
A petition about Community Based Services! The link to the petition is: www.ipetitions.com/petition/pflac
Please share this! People First of Louisiana would like to have as many signatures as possible. If someone does not have internet access you can document their name and the date they informed you they wanted to sign the petition. Forward it via email to shennessey@peoplefirstla.org.
If you have any questions please contact me at (225) 383-1033.
Thanks, Sharon Hennessey.
People First is an organization for People with Disabilities,
run by People with Disabilities.
The Lake Area People First Chapter meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM
in the Community Room
at 502 Louie Street in Lake Charles!
Next People First Meeting: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
502 Louie Street – In the Community Room
Lake Charles, LA
For More Information Contact Wallace or Nicole at
(337) 436-2570 or 1-800-894-6558.
Come Join us and meet other individuals with disabilities,
make new friends, and learn about your rights.
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Families Helping Families of SWLA is looking for volunteer facilitators in SWLA area for the Next Chapter Book Club!
Fun • Lifelong Learning • Friends
If you live in the 
and you can donate one hour and 30 minutes a week,
and you like being with people with disabilities,
and you can volunteer for at least for one book,
and you are interested or may be interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator: contact Wallace
or Mylinda at Families Helping Families SWLA
(337) 436-2570 or 1-800-894-6558
