We hope everyone is having a great week and enjoying their summer. 

L.E.A.R.N. STARS GOLF TEAM:  On June 10, Christopher Lacy and Eric Davis participated in the Nashville Classic Golf Tournament. This is an annual fund raiser for the State Special Olympics.  They were teamed with local golf pros and played a 9 hole alternate stroke style of play.  Eric and his partner shot a 57 and Christopher and his partner shot a 53.  Next on the golf teams agenda is the West Tennessee Regional being held at the Forrest Hills Golf Course in Drummonds Tennessee.  Amanda Amsler and Eric Davis will be playing in Skills Level I competition and Christopher Lacy and Tricia Lacy will be competing in partner 9 hole play level II.

POWER LIFTING and EXERCISE SESSIONS:  Our Power Lifting Team is going to continue practicing two days a week(TBA), this is optional.  We would also like to open this up for anyone who is interested in using the facility to get in shape, lose weight or for a light workout.  The gym is equipped with two indoor racquetball courts (bring your own rackets and balls), weight machine, treadmill, stationary bikes and other equipment.  Dave Salmonson will be working with our power lifters.  We are open for anyone to volunteer to lead workout sessions. Contact Dave Davis at dave.davis@learntn.org if you are interested.

MOM'S FUZZY SLIPPERS NIGHT:  We are planning a special "Ladies Night Only" just for the moms and grandmoms of children with special needs on Saturday, June 26th from 7-11pm at the home of Barb Porschakin.  Our desire is to share, have some laughs and fun and connect on a deeper level.  The only prerequisite for attending is that you must be the mother or grandmother of a child with special needs.
Bring your favorite drink (leaded or unleaded) and a finger food to share.  No fashion statements tonight ladies!! Dress in comfy sweats or jammies and most importantly...wear your fuzzy slippers!!
***NOTE:  To get an idea of how many we can expect and so we can provide you with directions to Barb's home, please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org if you are planning to attend.  Hope to see you there! 

JULY 4TH TAILGATING AND FIREWORKS PARTY:  Bring your lawn chairs, games and a cooler with drinks and snacks and let's have a tailgating party!  We will meet on July 4th at 6:30pm at the far end of the MTSU parking lot on Rutherford Blvd (across from Greek Row.)  We'll hang out, play games and watch the fireworks together.  We hope you'll join us for this fun time!

L.E.A.R.N. STARS FLAG FOOTBALL:  This year our flag football season will kick off in July.  We would like to invite all athletes who would like to participate in this year€™s flag football program and their parents/guardians/caregivers to our Flag Football Orientation Meeting.  The meeting will be on Saturday, July 10^th in the gym at First Baptist Church (FBC) from 10:00am €“ 12:00pm.  At this meeting we will demonstrate the sport, discuss some of the basic rules and regulations, what equipment we will be using, uniforms, our practice and game schedule for the season, and answer any questions you may have. 

Last year, on our field at Sports Com, our STARS teams participated in weekly training practices in preparation for scrimmage games they played with other area Special Olympics teams.  Our STARS team also joined other teams throughout the state and played three games at the Special Olympics State Flag Football Tournament.  We had a great year and we are looking forward to the start of our new season.  

At this meeting we will have registration forms available for you to complete and we will also give athletes a chance to practice some in-door drills.  Also any one who is interested in volunteering as a coach or assistant coach, please plan to attend the meeting.  We will have a form for you to complete and give you a Flag Football Rules handout.  We hope to see you there!  If you have any questions, please contact Tricia at tricia.lacy@learntn.org

CRAFT CLASSES:  We will be having three craft classes on Thursday, July 15, 22 and 29 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in our classroom at FBC.  Carla, Tricia and Sonya will each lead the participants in creating a different craft project each night.  The class is open to children and adults with special needs ages 10 and up.  We are asking for a $5 donation to help cover the cost of materials for the three classes.  This can be paid the first night of class.  Because of space, we must limit the class size to 10 participants.  If your child would like to participate, please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org to sign up. 

PUPPETING CLASS:  We will be having a puppeting class on five consecutive Thursdays from August 5th through September 2nd from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in our classroom at FBC.

Sharon Hay, First Baptist Church€™s Minister to Children and Preschoolers and the director of the Puppets of Praise puppet team, along with the Puppets of Praise puppeteers will be leading a puppet class for LEARN!  We will learn the basic skills of puppetry, make our own puppet, and learn a couple of puppet skits and songs to perform on September 2^nd.  Some of the skills we will learn include arm exercises and puppet Ærobics, synchronizing the puppet€™s mouth with the words, giving our puppet a personality and a voice and using gestures with the puppet.  These skills can help us in our everyday lives by strengthening our arms; give us practice in working together and taking another€™s perspective; and giving us a chance to be creative and have fun!  We will limit our class size to 10 participants ages 10 and up.  If you would like to sign up for this exciting new class, please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org

BEST BUDDIES COMES TO MURFREESBORO:  Exciting News: MTSU will begin a Best Buddies Chapter in the fall of 2010 and will form a partnership with L.E.A.R.N.!

The Best Buddies College program provides one-to-one friendships and social opportunities between college students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The Buddy pairs will maintain weekly contact via phone, email, letter, etc., and make two in-person visits per month (going out to eat, seeing a movie, shopping, playing video games, attending sporting events, etc.)  There will also be social opportunities to have fun as a group such as picnics, dances and parties.

Best Buddies Mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies was born when founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver recognized that people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities lacked opportunities to socialize with their non-disabled peers.  Believing that friendship is key to building the self-esteem and essential to a happy and productive life, Anthony incorporated Best Buddies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1989.  Today, Best Buddies offers six programs: Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, e-Buddies_® and Best Buddies Jobs. For more information, you may visit www.bestbuddiestennessee.org

If you are interested in your child (aged 18 or over) beginning a friendship with a Best Buddy, or you would like more information, email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org

Thank you,

Sonya Craig, Dave Davis, Tricia Lacy

We hope this finds everyone doing well in light of the devastation that many in Middle Tennessee found themselves in during the last few weeks.  Even amid all the devastation, we are proud to be Tennesseans and see neighbor helping neighbor in their time of need.  If your family suffered any loss or damage and you need assistance, please be sure to let someone in our group know so that we may lend a hand where we are able.

Please read carefully, lots of important info below.

We are wishing everyone a great start to their summer!

LEARN MAY ACTIVITY:  Because of Summer Special Olympics, high school graduations and open houses going on this month, we will not have a May activity.  Congratulations to all our LEARN graduates: Casey Martin and Keith Ivey from Blackman High School, Christopher Lacy from Daniel 1 Academy, and Tyler Goyman from Riverdale High School!  Also graduating this year is LEARN Volunteer, Dylan Craig from Gateway Christian Schools.

BOWL FOR THE GOLD:  For the second year our LEARN group participated in the Special Olympic fundraiser, Bowl For The Gold.  Our group raised $345 and had a great time.  Cheree Finchum and Vinnie Agosta won a special gift for getting "gold pin" strikes.  Thanks to all the bowlers for your participation!   

LEARN SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAM:  Our summer sports program had athletes participating in bocce ball, golf, powerlifting, and track and field.  We also had many unified partners participating in bocce ball and in golf.  We want to congratulate all the athletes who came out for the practices.  Many athletes were trying a sport for the first time and we want to thank the coaches for helping them and all the athletes and unified partners learn the basic fundamentals of each sport.  We are very proud of all of you.  Athletes and Unified Partners who participated this year were:  Vinnie Agosta, Vincent Agosta, Amanda Amsler, Kari Atkinson, Phil Brown, Terrell Brown, Andrew Carr, Lonny Carr, Chase Currier, Eric Davis, Cheree Finchum, Elise Harren, Kimberly Harren, Daniel Harrison, Joseph Harrison, Arthur Howard, Patti Jacobs, Christopher Lacy, Tricia Lacy, Josh Lathrop, Steven Magner, Casey Martin, Cody Martin, Jacob Martin, Janice Martin, Alex Maye, Matt McDonald, Linda Miller, Cory Nelms, Susannah O€™Brien, Evan Osborne, Barry Parks, Seth Parks, Aaron Phillips, Ben Porschakin, and MichÆl Porschakin.  Coaches:  Dave Davis €“ Golf, Lisa Martin €“ Track and Field, Barb Porschakin €“ Bocce ball, Dave Salmonson €“ Powerlifting, and Diane Salmonson €“ Bocce ball.

This year we have several athletes that will be participating in the Special Olympics State Summer Games.  Opening Ceremonies is this Friday evening, May 21^st with competition beginning on Saturday morning, May 22^nd.  We want to wish all the athletes good luck and hope they have a great and fun time at the games.  Athletes who will be competing this year are:  Bocce ball €“ Traditional:  Phil Brown, Cheree Finchum, Arthur Howard, and Steven Magner.  Bocce ball €“ Unified:  Vinnie and Vincent Agosta and Ben and MichÆl Porschakin, Powerlifting:  Alex Maye,  Track and Field:  Terrell Brown, Daniel Harrison, Joseph Harrison, and Casey  Martin.

On Monday, May 10^th, several LEARN golfers participated in the Special Olympics Middle TN Golf Regional in Columbia.  Golfers that participated in the Skills event were:  Amanda Amsler, Eric Davis, Linda Miller, Ivy Smith, and Jennifer Smith.  We want to congratulate Linda Miller and Jennifer Smith for passing the skills level.  Christopher and Tricia Lacy participated in 9-hole Alternate Shot Partner play.  Despite the rain that fell during most of the event everyone had a good time and is looking forward to the next event.

Summer Sports Program - End-of-Season Celebration:  Athletes, Unified Partners and Coaches will be honored at our end-of the season celebration on Saturday, May 29^th at Barfield Park - Pavilion 6.  We will have more information for the families regarding this event in the next few days.

LEARN ANNUAL CAMPING WEEKEND:  Our 3^rd Annual Camping weekend is scheduled for Friday, June 4^th €“ Sunday, June 6^th.  We will be camping at Seven Points Campground located on Percy Priest Lake, close to the Hermitage.  As of today€™s date, all campsites have been reserved.  If you were not able to reserve a campsite, you can still come out on Saturday, June 5^th and join the campers for games, activities, and relaxation.  Visitors need to check in at the main gate and let them know you are visiting one of the campers.  You will be charged a $3.00 fee per vehicle and need to leave the campground by 10:00pm.  Bring your picnic basket and come join the fun!

INDEPENDENT DAY CLASS:  LEARN will be hosting an "Independent Day" class on Thursday, June 10th and Thursday, June 17th from 6:30-8:00pm and Friday, June 25th from 10am-2pm.  Jo VerMulm will be leading this class and helping our children to be a little more independent and learn to ride Murfreesboro's Public Transportation, the Rover!

The first class will consist of learning what you need when you leave home, understanding personal safety issues as well as how and who to ask for help.  The students will plan where they want to go on an outing and how they will get there.

The second class we will be joined by Mrs. Nellie Patton, Assistant Transportation Director here in Murfreesboro.  She will be coming with a Rover bus so our kids can have hands on lessons on how to ride.

The final class will be on a Friday morning because our students will be going on an excursion!  Jo and Sonya will supervise on the bus and parents will meet their kids at their chosen location to have lunch.

This class will be different from our other classes in two ways: first, it involves a "field trip" that the students themselves will plan.  Second it involves personal cost.  Each student will be responsible for covering the cost of their bus fare ($1 each way), lunch and any shopping they may do while out on their independent day.  We will have applications available for families to fill out that will allow their children with disabilities to ride Rover for half price on future trips.

We are limiting this class to 8 participants ages 13 and over.  If you would like to sign up for this class or you have questions, email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org as soon as possible.

GARDENING CLASS:  Our gardening class is underway and our veggies and herbs have been planted!  It's not too late to join us as we will be working on the garden all summer.  We will be weeding, harvesting and then selling the yummy organic vegetables and herbs.  For more information email Dave at dave.davis@learntn.org

BEST BUDDIES COMES TO MURFREESBORO:  Exciting News: MTSU will begin a Best Buddies Chapter in the fall of 2010 and will form a partnership with L.E.A.R.N.!

The Best Buddies College program provides one-to-one friendships and social opportunities between college students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The Buddy pairs will maintain weekly contact via phone, email, letter, etc., and make two in-person visits per month (going out to eat, seeing a movie, shopping, playing video games, attending sporting events, etc.)  There will also be social opportunities to have fun as a group such as picnics, dances and parties.

Best Buddies Mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies was born when founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver recognized that people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities lacked opportunities to socialize with their non-disabled peers.  Believing that friendship is key to building the self-esteem and essential to a happy and productive life, Anthony incorporated Best Buddies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1989.  Today, Best Buddies offers six programs: Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, e-Buddies_® and Best Buddies Jobs.

For more information, you may visit www.bestbuddiestennessee.org

If you are interested in your child (age 18 or over) beginning a friendship with a Best Buddy, or you would like more information, email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org 

SAVE THE DATE:  Moms, mark your calendars and save the date!  We are having a Fuzzy Slippers Mom's Night on Saturday, June 26th from 7-11pm at the home of Barb Porschakin.  We are planning a special evening of getting to know each other, sharing, lots of laughs and just plain fun.  The only prerequisite for attending is that you must be the mother or grandmother of a child with special needs.  More info to come! 

Thank you,

Sonya Craig, Dave Davis, Tricia Lacy

We hope everyone is having a great week. 

All the athletes who participated in our 2010 Basketball program will be honored at our March Madness celebration this Saturday, March 20^th.  We will also pay tribute to the coaches and volunteers.  The athletes who participated in our program were:

Vinnie Agosta, Amanda Amsler, Quintin Ashford, Clint Blalock, Lance Bogard, Terrell Brown, Andrew Carr, Lonny Carr, Zack Craig, Eric Davis, Austin Duck, Edward Ehrenberg, Dusty Finch, Cheree Finchum, Tyler Goyman, Jamyson Hale, Elise Harren, Daniel Harrison, Joseph Harrison, Bradley Hickerson, Arthur Howard, Tanner King, Christopher Lacy, Steven Magner, Ryan Marshall, Casey Martin, Richard Mason, Alex Maye, Matthew McDonald, Rudy Moreno, Cory Nelms, Ben Porschakin, Marvin Robinson, MichÆl Scales, and Shyquwan Wimberly.   Coaches:  Kurt Craig, Dave Davis, Ben Duck, Steve Marshall, Carla Maye, Dave Salmonson, and Diane Salmonson.  Assistant Coaches:  Dylan Craig, Josh Lathrop, Adam Latondress, Chelsey Latondress, and Taylor Unklesbay.

Once again we have had a tremendously successful basketball season.  A huge thanks gŒs to all of our volunteers and coaches who made it possible for our kids.  You are the reason we continue to succeed. 

L.E.A.R.N. FAMILY PICTORIAL DIRECTORY:  We are creating a LEARN family pictorial directory to help our families get to know each other better.  To receive a copy, your family must participate in the directory.  If you are interested in participating, email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org and she will email you a list of questions you can fill out and email back.  You only have to answer the questions you would like to and everyone agrees that this directory will only be used for personal contact, and not for soliciting of any kind.  You also have the option of having a snapshot taken of your family or submitting a photo by email to include in the directory.  We are setting a March 27th deadline to get all information submitted.

CERAMICS CLASS:  We will have a ceramics class on Thursday, April 1st from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at FBC. Elaine Finchum (Cheree's grandmother) will be hosting and teaching this class.  She will have Easter items available to paint.  This class will be offered for children and adults with special needs ages 8 and up and will be free of charge.  We must limit the class to 10 participants and one parent/guardian for each participant.  If you wish to sign your child up for this class, please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org  ASAP.

L.E.A.R.N. SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAM:  We will be having our Summer Sports Parent Meeting on Saturday, April 3rd from 10:00am-12:00noon at the FBC gym.  All athletes, parents or guardians who are interested in learning more about our summer sports program, don't miss this informational meeting and opportunity to sign up.  We will discuss Bocce ball, Golf, Track and Field sports and Weightlifting. If you have any questions, email Tricia at tricia.lacy@learntn.org   

GARDENING CLASS:  Our summer gardening class will begin Thursday, April 22nd (Earth Day) from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at our classroom at First Baptist Church.  Linda Miller and Dave Davis will be leading this class.  We will decide which vegetables, fruits and herbs we will grow, and talk about growing times and conditions.  We will briefly discuss the business side of this class and how we will sell what we grow.  Weather permitting we will meet again on Saturday, April 24th or May 1st at Dave Davis' home and plant our first vegetables. Then every so often, as determined by need and weather, we will meet to weed, plant more items and eventually harvest and sell.

There is no limit on class participants for this class.  Anyone 8 years old and up may participate.  However, as always, we do require that a parent or guardian be present with the class participant.  If your child is interested in participating, please email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org to sign up.

FABULOUS 50's SOCK HOP:  Mark your calendars for April 17th!  L.E.A.R.N. will be having an old fashioned Fabulous 50's Sock Hop for all high school students and adults with special needs and their parents.  Think poodle skirts, leather jackets, vinyl records, Fats Domino and Blueberry Hill...and you are well on your way.  Everyone is welcome to dress in 50's attire as we dance the night away to the oldies.  The dance will be held from 7-10pm at the First Baptist Church gym.  We ask that this special event be limited to teens and adults only, no children.  The cost will be $3 per person and no charge for parents or guardians.

For those ladies who would like an inexpensive poodle skirt for 9.99, here is a link:  http://www.shindigz.com/party/Fifties-Poodle-Skirt.cfm

L.E.A.R.N. ANNUAL CAMPING WEEKEND:  LEARN families are invited to attend our 3^rd Annual Camping weekend scheduled for Friday, June 4^th - Sunday June 6^th at Seven Points Campground located on beautiful J. Percy Priest Lake, seven miles east of Nashville and close to the Hermitage.  As of today€™s date, there is only one site, campsite 3, still available for this weekend.  If you are not able to reserve a campsite, you can still come out on Saturday, June 5^th , and join the campers for games, activities, and relaxation.  Visitors need to check in at the main gate and let them know you are visiting one of the campers.  You will be charged a $3.00 fee per vehicle and must leave the campground by 10:00pm.  Bring your picnic basket and come join in the fun!

PARENT STRESS INTERVENTION PROJECT:  Parents of children with disabilities who feel stressed can get support from the Parent Stress Intervention Project.  This new research study being conducted at Vanderbilt University will investigate two different approaches to lowering stress in parents of children with disabilities.  The Parent Stress Intervention Project will work with 400 parents, dads included, in 2 years who will be randomly assigned to either Adapted Mindfulness Practice or to a Positive Parent Support Model for 6 weekly sessions and 3 booster sessions.  Some groups will meet on the Vanderbilt campus or at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, or at other community locations.  Parents of children with disabilities, including adult children, who would like more information or are interested in participating in the study, may contact Roxanne Carreon at (615) 875-5080, Roxanne.Carreon@vanderbilt.edu  

***We were told (per Jo Ver Mulm) that if they get 30 families from Rutherford County to sign up, they would have a group here so we wouldn't have to drive to One hundred Oaks. This program would cost $800 if a family was to try to access it individually, and it is being offered to us for free.

TENNESSEE DISABILITY MEGACONFERENCE:  The Eighth Annual Tennessee Disability MegaConference will be held on Thursday and Friday - June 3-4, 2010.

Some of the highlights include:

- World-Class Speakers

- Interactive Workshops

- Educational Sessions

- Exhibits of Disability Products and Services

- Awards Banquet and Dance

For more information visit http://www.tndisabilitymegaconference.org/

Thank you,

Sonya Craig, Dave Davis, Tricia Lacy

www.learntn.org

We hope this newsletter finds everyone well and looking forward to warmer days.  There is quite a bit of information in this newsletter, please read carefully.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT:  We will be having a family game night this Saturday, February 20th from 7:00-9:30 in the FBC gym.  Bring your favorite board or card game, a snack and 2 liter or gallon drink to share...and of course the family.  It's a great opportunity to get to know knew faces and connect with old ones!  We hope to see everyone there for a fun time!  

FAMILY BOWLING SUNDAYS  **Notice of time change**:  Our family bowling Sundays are going strong.  We have had a big group turn out and we are having a great time...even those who are just watching the bowling action! It's definitely not too late to join us.  Come out and join the fun on Sundays from 5:30-7:30pm at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles at 450 Butler Drive in Murfreesboro.  We are sorry for the time change.  The bowling alley required it as they are helping Smyrna Bowling Center with their leagues and tournaments until their repairs are complete.  The cost is $5 per bowler for as many games as you can bowl in 2 hours and that cost includes shŒs. Family bowling Sundays will continue every Sunday through March 28th. 

L.E.A.R.N. BASKETBALL:  Our basketball program is going phenomenally well.  We have 35 athletes this year!  It's great to see old friends and make many new ones this year!  If you haven't seen our teams play, come out and watch.

For our basketball families, our March Madness Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 5-8pm at the First Baptist Church gym.  We will have food and lots of fun.  Each basketball player will receive an award.  We will be having pulled pork sandwiches (thank you Barb) and are asking each family to bring a side dish and/or dessert.  We ask that you please sign up here  http://www.learntn.org/Fling09/Summer09list.asp so we can be sure we have enough food and paper goods.

L.E.A.R.N. FAMILY PICTORIAL DIRECTORY:  We are in the beginning stages of creating a LEARN family pictorial directory to help our families get to know each other better.  To receive a copy, your family must participate in the directory.  If you are interested in participating, email Sonya at sonya.craig@learntn.org and she will email you a list of questions you can fill out and email back.  You only have to answer the questions you would like to and everyone agrees that this directory will only be used for personal contact, and not for soliciting of any kind.  You  also have the option of having a snapshot taken of your family or submitting a photo by email to include in the directory.  We are setting a March 27th deadline to get all information submitted. 

L.E.A.R.N. SUMMER GAMES PROGRAM:  We will be having our Summer Games Parent Meeting on Saturday, April 3rd from 10-12 at the FBC gym.  All athletes, parents or guardians who are interested in learning more about our summer sports program, don't miss this meeting and opportunity to sign up.  We will discuss Bocce ball, Golf, Track and Field sports and Weightlifting.  

SAVE THE DATE:  Mark your calendars for April 17th!  L.E.A.R.N. will be having an old fashioned 50's Sock Hop for all high school students and adults with special needs and their parents. Think poodle skirts, leather jackets, vinyl records, Fats Domino and Blueberry Hill...and you are well on your way.  Everyone is welcome to dress in 50's attire as we dance the night away to the oldies.  The dance will be held from 7-10pm and we ask that this special event be limited to teens and adults only, no children.  The cost will be $3 per person and no charge for parents/guardians.

 L.E.A.R.N. ANNUAL CAMPING WEEKEND:  LEARN families are invited to attend our 3^rd Annual Camping weekend scheduled for Friday, June 4^th - Sunday June 6^th at Seven Points Campground located on beautiful J. Percy Priest Lake, seven miles east of Nashville and close to the Hermitage.  LEARN has asked families to reserve sites 52 – 60, and as of today there are still three sites left, site 54, 59, and 60.  There are also other sites available, which are shown in blue on the Seven Points Camping website, that you may also reserve in the event the three above sites get taken.  To make your reservation, please visit the Activities page on our website and click on the Annual Camping Trip link.  You will also find additional information about the camping weekend on that page.  Come join us for some family fun as we enjoy the great outdoors and each other’s company. 

PARENT STRESS INTERVENTION PROJECT:  Parents of children with disabilities who feel stressed can get support from the Parent Stress Intervention Project.  This new research study being conducted at Vanderbilt University will investigate two different approaches to lowering stress in parents of children with disabilities.  The Parent Stress Intervention Project will work with 400 parents, dads included, in 2 years who will be randomly assigned to either Adapted Mindfulness Practice or to a Positive Parent Support Model for 6 weekly sessions and 3 booster sessions.  Some groups will meet on the Vanderbilt campus or at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, or at other community locations.  Parents of children with disabilities, including adult children, who would like more information or are interested in participating in the study may contact Roxanne Carreon at (615) 875-5080, Roxanne.Carreon@vanderbilt.edu  

PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE:  Partners in Policymaking is a free leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities, and family members of persons with disabilities.  It is funded by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and has been training Tennesseans since 1993.

What do Partners learn?  Over the course of seven, once-a-month weekend sessions (from 12 pm on Friday through 3 pm on Saturday), Partners will attend workshops conducted by national and local experts, on:

The History of the Disability Experience

People First Language

Best Practices in Inclusive Education

Building Inclusive Communities

Self-Determination, Self-Direction and Person-Centered Practices

Living in the Community

The State and Federal Legislative Processes

Customized Employment

Conducting Effective Meetings

Assistive Technology

Working with the Media

and much more.

Partners will also tour the Capitol, meet with a TN Legislator, and participate in a Mock Testimony designed to enhance their public policy advocacy skills.  In February, all of the Partners grads since 1993 are invited to attend an annual reunion conference, with keynote speakers, general sessions, breakout sessions on a variety of topics and a Friday night dance.

Weekend sessions take place September through November, and January through April, each year.

Where dŒs Partners take place?  Partners sessions take place at a hotel in Middle Tennessee. All participants are required to spend the night, and attend all seven sessions.  There is no cost for hotel rooms, meals during the program times or the trainings.  Mileage to and from each session will be reimbursed approximately two weeks after each session.

What is the deadline to apply for the 2010-11 Partners season?  All applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2010.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

How do I apply or get more information?  Please contact program director Ned Andrew Solomon at 615.532.6556, or by e-mail at ned.solomon@tn.gov for an application or if you have any question about the program including eligibility.

Thank you,

Sonya Craig, Dave Davis, Tricia Lacy

www.learntn.org

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We want to thank all the families that participated in L.E.A.R.N. activities, events and sport programs in 2009.  We also want to thank all the volunteers that gave L.E.A.R.N. their time and support during the past year.  Your help coaching athletes, teaching classes, helping out with fundraisers and other activities was greatly appreciated.  We also want to extend our thanks to First Baptist Church, Sports Com, MTSU, and Special Olympics for all their support.  We look forward to seeing our current members and volunteers at various activities throughout the year and invite new members and volunteers to join us, too!

L.E.A.R.N. BASKETBALL SEASON TO BEGIN:  Our first meeting for the L.E.A.R.N. 2010 Basketball season will be this Saturday, January 9th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the First Baptist Church Gym. There will be a parent informational meeting and informal practice.  We ask all parents/guardians who have a child(ren) with special needs interested in joining the basketball program to please attend this meeting.  This meeting is a great way for us to present the program and for you to ask any questions that you may have.  Our practices and schedule will follow the same format that we used last year, with plenty of home practices and several opportunities for games with other counties who are also training their athletes to compete in the Special Olympics Regional and State Basketball Tournaments.  We will have registration forms available for you to complete and will also collect the $15.00 donation fee at that time.  Also, if you would be interested in being a coach or volunteering to help, please join us.  For more information contact Tricia at tricia.lacy@learntn.org 

L.E.A.R.N. FAMILY MEETING:  We will be having our first family meeting of the new year on Thursday evening, January 14^th from 6:30pm €“ 8:00pm in the gym at First Baptist Church.  This meeting is for anyone who wishes to help coordinate and assist with various L.E.A.R.N. events and activities that will be taking place during this year.  At our October Parent meeting, we handed out a survey asking for volunteers who would like to serve on one of three committees.  We were pleased at the response we received from those parents in attendance.  We would like to once again extend an invitation to those who were not able to attend that meeting to please come to this meeting and sign-up for one of the following committees. 

*Events Committee:  scheduling and organizing events such as dances, movie nights, Fall Fling, etc.

*Fundraising Committee:  exploring fundraising options and scheduling fundraisers

*Classes Committee:  scheduling and organizing life skill classes, securing teachers and supplies as well as scheduling and securing speakers for parent classes

At the meeting we will provide more information about the various committees and then each committee will be able to spend time focusing on ideas and schedule for their specific committee.  To make it easier for you to attend we will have a few volunteers who will set-up and watch a video with your children.  We will also provide popcorn and drinks.  Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

BOWLING TO BEGIN:  The much requested L.E.A.R.N. family bowling afternoons will resume on Sunday, February 7th from 2:00pm-4:00pm.  We will meet every Sunday at this time for 8 weeks. The entire family is invited to come out for a great time!  The location and cost is being negotiated and we will have that information in the next newsletter.

MEMORIAL DONATION:  We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their show of love in giving after the passing of Dave's dear wife, Kathy. Because of everyone's generosity we had enough funds left after purchasing a large floral arrangement to purchase books and donate them to the Linebaugh Library in memory of Kathy Davis.  Here is a letter we received from Linebaugh Library:

Dear Families of L.E.A.R.N.:

Thank you for your contribution to the Linebaugh Public Memorial Library memorial program. A tribute or memorial gift is a simple, thoughtful way to show your respect for a family member or friend. Your gift becomes a vital part of our collection and can be shared and enjoyed by others in the community.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Linebaugh Public Library System, let me express our sincere appreciation for your donation. Your gift will enable the Library to expand the collection for years to come.

Sincerely,

Jerianne Thompson

Collection Development Coordinator

Here are the new books given, by your generosity, in loving memory of Kathy Davis:

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations by Judy Winter

A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Special Needs: Stories That Celebrate the Differences in our Extraordinary Kids edited by Colleen Sell

Road Map To Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome by Jennifer Graf Groneberg

Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book: What You Can Do Now to Advocate for Your Exceptional Child's Education by Rich Weinfeld and Michelle Davis

Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives by Kathryn Lynard Soper

FAMILY PLANNING WORKSHOP AT VANDERBILT:  The Future Is Now:  A Futures Planning Workshop for Families

This 5-session workshop is designed for families who have a family member with a disability. It will assist families in drafting a Letter of Intent, which clarifies expectations for the future and identifies potential supports.  Families will work with their adult relative with a disability to plan for the future.

The Workshop will include discussions on:

€¢           Purpose and benefits of Future Planning

€¢           Building relationships and identifying supports

€¢           Understanding housing options

€¢           Work, leisure, and retirement

€¢           Legal, financial, and guardianship information

€¢           Self-advocacy and community involvement

The cost of the 5-session workshop is $75 per family.  It is on Monday nights, January 25, February  1, 8, 15, & 22, 6:00-8:30p.m., Location:  Room 241, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/MRL Building.  A limit of 12 families may participate.  To register please contact:   Carol Rabideau, LCSW (615) 936-5122  carol.rabideau@vanderbilt.edu

Thank you,

Sonya Craig, Dave Davis, Tricia Lacy

www.learntn.org