Published by Resources for Independence Central Valley

The Independent

2nd Quarter 2014

Published by Resources for Independence Central Valley

Vol 38 issue 2

The Independent published quarterly volume 38 issue 2 printed and published by Resources For Independence Central Valley 3008 North Fresno street, Fresno, Ca 93703 tel 559 221 2330 www.ricv.org, editor : Casandra Eastwood

Inspiration Park Community Awareness Event

For the past 11 years the City of Fresno and Resources for Independence Central Valley (RICV) have been working to bring a Universally Accessible Park to District 1. All the hard work is starting to pay off, the city has identified all the required funds and has gotten the park approved by City Council.

On Thursday May 8th, the City of Fresno and RICV held a Community Awareness Event to bring attention back to the building of the park since it will now be a guaranteed reality. The events speakers were Mayor Ashley Swearingen, Council member Blong Xiong, RICV Executive Director Robert Hand, Central Unified School District Superintendent Mike Berg, community advocate Danielle Ortiz, Sector Superintendent of State of CA Department of Parks and Rec Kent Gresham and Council member Clint Olivier.

The event had a great turnout of over 150 people. While many of those present have been long time supporters, there was a great many people from the nearby neighborhood as well. Through the sale of bricks and tiles and donations, RICV managed to raise over $450 during the short 30 minute event.

Inspiration Park Fundraiser

Please join us for our Inspiration Park Fundraising Golf Tournament coming up on October 24th.

Not only will you help raise funds for the park, you will get a chance to golf with the legends listed below.

Jim Maloney, Cincinnati Reds
Bill Landis, Kansas City

Brad Mills, Houston Astros
Bill Koski, Pittsburgh Pirates
Dwain Anderson,St. Louis Cardinals

Darryl Patterson, Oakland (A’s) Athletics

Darryl Rogers, Detroit Lions Coach

Rudy May, New York Yankees

Ed Zosky, Toronto Blue Jays
Dennis Burt,Minnesota Twins
Ed McCullough, NHRA National Champion
Mike Noakes, BHS National Champions Coach

Job Ready Workshop

Thanks to the Southern California Edison grant funds BRIDGES was able to provide two 2-day workshops for students in community based instruction programs located in Porterville and Visalia. 45 students were able to participate in total.

The workshop covered topics such as:

·Job Portfolio

·Appearance

·Job Search

·Effective Communication

·Interviews and interview clothing

·Shopping and budgeting

·Keeping the job (Performance Evaluations)

·Coping Skills

Our 6th BRIDGES to the Community Summer Program will be starting onJune 23rdand ending onJuly 14th. This provides acombination ofhands-on workshops and in-the-community learning to youth with disabilities 16-25 years.There is still time to sign up!

This 4 week long program will have a specific focus each week: General Life, social, vocational skills.Students will also be able to apply what they have learned to the real world, byexploring different aspects of working through volunteer opportunities and accessing the community using public transportation.

Voice: 559-221-2330

TTY: 559-221-2342

Notice Under the Americans With Disabilities Act

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the City of Fresno will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment: The City of Fresno does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication: The City of Fresno will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the City's programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The City of Fresno will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in the City's offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Fresno, should contact the office of Shannon Mulhall Simonelli, ADA Coordinator during normal business hours at 559-621-8716 or , preferably five working days but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the City of Fresno to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

More information about the ADA can be found at the US Department of Justice website, www.ada.gov, or by calling their helpline at 800-514-0301 (voice), 800-514-0383 (TTY). Applicants or employees of the City of Fresno who would like to request a reasonable accommodation or have other disability-related concerns may contact Steven Mukai, Senior HR/Risk Analyst, at 559-621-6913 or . Concerns or complaints that a program, service, or activity of the City of Fresno not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Shannon Mulhall Simonelli, ADA Coordinator at 559-621-8716 or .

The City of Fresno will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Disability Capitol Action Day

Disability Capitol Action Day is an annual event in which Disability Advocates from all over the state come together in Sacramento to advocate on important issues that persons with disabilities and their allies are facing. This year RICV was able to transport 45 consumers, volunteers, and staff from Fresno, Madera, Visalia, and Merced to represent the Central Valley in Sacramento. During the event advocates were able to participate in the annual march along the capitol building on “L” Street. Advocates also met with 10 local legislator’s offices to further advocate on behalf of the disability community. Some of our groups were fortunate enough to meet with Senators Andy Vidak and Jean Fuller. Overall our advocates had a great time representing the Central Valley and look forward to next year!

Disability Advocacy Team at DCAD

The Disability Advocacy Teams (DAT) from Fresno, Merced and Visalia came together with RICV to make their voices heard in Sacramento. The DAT was strongly represented and met with legislators from all three districts. They spoke to legislators to praise the service they currently receive, from organizations such as RICV, and advocate on areas of importance to them. The DAT members asked that they not cut their IHSS any further and asked if a bill reaches their desk that ask for further cuts that they, “Please reject further cuts.” They shared personal experiences that they felt would give further cuts the face of a voter and would help sway the legislator to prevent cuts in the future. The DAT had a wonderful time thanks to the staff at RICV; as usual they organized a wonderful event. Thanks also to Trader Joe’s for waters and snacks, and to McDonalds on Clovis/Herndon for the free breakfast sandwiches, all of this made the trip so much more enjoyable.

Merced Transportation

RICV Independent Living Specialist Lynn Downum-Hanzal, an alumni of the Community Leadership Academy, has been involved in several committees and boards in the community of Merced. Since October 2012 Lynn has been a Board Member of the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC). At the last meeting Lynn was elected Vice Chair. In actively attending and participating she has been able to help make positive changes in the community related to the transportation system. In coordinating with Merced Transportation Co.’s Service Contractor, Delores Flores, they have established more accessible stops for the people to board/de-board the “fixed route” buses safely from difficult terrains, such as grassy/dirt areas. There are four new designated stops that are now wheelchair accessible. Lynn also brought to their attention the topic of travel training for those transit riders with disabilities whom are unfamiliar with the bus. She hopes that Merced RICV can partner with the transportation system to provide this beneficial service to individuals with disabilities. Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) will put together a program to certify travel trainers. A suggestion was made that other organizations may partner with MCAG to help with the travel training certification process. Lynn will continue to participate in committees, boards and councils to make positive changes for individual with disabilities in the community of Merced.

Board of Directors

President

Selina Escobar

(Sr. Public Programs Administrator, HealthNet)

Vice president

Gayle Black

(Vice President, CA Bank & Trust)

Secretary

Susan Thompson

(Graduate, CSUF)

Treasurer

Frances Reyes Acosta (Consultant)

Members

Russell Ryan

(Attorney, Motschiedler, Michaelides, Wishon, Brewer & Ryan LLP)

Anthony Gracian

(Graduate, FPU)

Art Olvera

(CEO, Life Goes On-Home Improvement)

Jennifer Wynveen

(Graduate, CSUF)

Shail Lopez-Ortiz

(Director, Wayfinders, Fresno State)

Oscar Hinojosa

(Graduate, UOP)

Williams, Marvin

(AT Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities CSUF)

Rachelle Golden

(Attorney, Overstreet & Associates)

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

WIPA and benefits counseling is available if you want to return to work, receive SSI or SSDI and are between the ages of 14-65. For more information please contact Beth Loera or Traci Wood at559-221-2330or by email at or

Services Provided

Information & Referral

Provide information regarding Federal and State benefits.

Problem Solving

Assist in solving Federal, State and Work Incentive issues.

Benefits Analysis & Advisement

Assess impact of employment on benefits.

Benefits Support Planning

Assist in development of a plan for becoming financially independent.

Benefits Management

Design, implement, monitor and evaluate outcome of support plan

Consumer Corner

Practical faith self-healing begins with our compassionate compulsive telling ourselves: “I’m safe, sane, sensitive and balanced in heart, mind, soul, spirit and will strong always.” First realize what only we can do that’s needed to accomplish complete wellness. Accepting humbly the responsibility for our own welfare. Insisting on improvements always. Taking time to thoroughly think through all actions we are involved with. Harmoniously heeding all halting signals of our being (bodies). Do all this as soon as possible and probable. Rest up—get help always.

- Amyefaith Servansergeant

Events Column

Fresno Advocacy Team

3rd Friday

[1pm-3pm]

Agustina Lopez [

Peer Support Group

1st & 3rd Wednesday

[2:00 pm-3:30 pm]

Barney Morris [

All above events held at

RICV Conference Room

2940 N. Fresno St.

Fresno, CA 93703

Merced Advocacy Team

United Way, 658 West Main St. Merced, CA.

2nd Friday [2pm-4pm]

Visalia Advocacy Team

RICV, 220 Santa Fe Avenue, Visalia, CA.

2nd Tuesday [2pm-4pm]

Visalia Peer Support Group

3rd Wednesday

[3:00pm -4:00pm]

Nalor See

[

220 N Santa Fe St.

Visalia, CA 93292

Conference Room

Central Valley Coalition for Human Services

Quarterly Meetings

Joseph Cody

[

News in Brief

·The federal government is offering up millions of dollars for states to develop initiatives designed to increase employment of people with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor said...that state workforce agencies can apply for a share of $15 million in grants to develop “flexible and innovative strategies” to help this population bolster their prospects on the job market. “People with disabilities have enormous contributions to make to our economy, and they are still disproportionately represented among the unemployed,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. “These grants will help ensure that these workers have better access to training programs that lead to good jobs and economic self-sufficiency.”

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/05/28/feds-pledge-employment/19400/

·With evidence that computer software may be able to spot signs of autism in young children just as well as trained experts, researchers are looking to make the technology widely available via an app. Current behavioral tests require a clinician to observe an infant’s response when a toy is shaken or a ball rolls toward them... Now researchers at Duke University have developed software to track an infant’s response to such stimuli by analyzing eye gaze, walking patterns and motor skills. ...the software can track a child’s reaction time down to tenths of a second, they said. In a small trial of 12 children ages 5 to 18 months, researchers found the software was just as good at flagging behavioral signs of autism as experienced clinicians...The team of autism and computer experts behind the study now say they are looking to test an app based on the software. Optimally, they’re hoping that schools and parents could use the technology to screen children for autism and determine if a more extensive clinical evaluation is warranted…

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/05/27/app-screen-autism/19395/

Building Inspiration Park Brick By Brick

A heartfelt THANKS to our Donors featured.

Choose a brick or tile for your name or message at the Inspiration Park!

To reserve a brick or tile, log on to www.ricv.org, call (559)221-2330, or email

Major Donors:

PG&E—$25,000

Ellen Bush—$5,000

Family Options—$1,400

Brick Donors:

Robert & Jean Hand

Jason Wasson

Lesley Woolcock

Patrick Mulhall

Mitch & Anita Bagdasarian

Fresno Disability Advocacy Team

Cheryl Simonelli

Robin Malby

Art Olvera

Selina Escobar

Agustina Lopez

Tile Donors:

David Parker

Russell Ryan

Art Lopez & Tai Chi for Health