BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Square Peg Society - ECPv6.18.3.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Square Peg Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Square Peg Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20140309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20141102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20150308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20151101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20160313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20161106T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20170312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20171105T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160722 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160723 DTSTAMP:20211018T235123Z CREATED:20160729T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T235123Z UID:1151-1469145600-1469231999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting: July 22\, 2016 Charitable Status\, Fundraising & Advocacy DESCRIPTION:The following Mission Statement was adopted: \nWho We Are: \n\nA non-profit volunteer group supporting atypical & Autism Spectrum post-high school adults and their families.\nOur goal is independence for our supported adults; therefore\, our focus is on the following issues as key to achieving this goal:\n\nEmployment\, Post-Secondary Education\, Housing\, Finances\, and Life & Social Skills. \nWhat We Offer: \n\nInformation dissemination pertaining to the above issues.\nEmotional support for our individuals & families. \nAlliances with funded service agencies\, who may partner with us to host meetings or provide workshops on issues of common interest.\nAdvocacy to push for Government policy change. \n\nMembership approved the appointed Board for one term only \n            President:                               Joette Heuft \n            Vice-President:                      Louvain Chalmers \n            Secretary:                               Sue McIntyre \n            Treasurer:                               Mahmoud Rezaee \n            Board Member 1:                  Catherine Alcee \n            Board Member 2:                  Fred Michael \nElection of Board Member 3 \n            Board Member 3:                  Sam Guenther nominated and elected . \nSubsequently\, all Board Members are to be elected\, in keeping with terms specified below: \nWe became a BC Non-profit Society May 30th 2016. Therefore\, we designated May 30th as our year end\, with elections and an Annual General Meeting to be held In June or July. Board Members terms are to be 2 years\, with the election of Vice-President\, Treasurer\, and Board Member 2 to be held in June/July of 2017. The election of President\, Secretary\, and Board Members 1 & 3 to be held in June/July of 2018. \n  \nBusiness of Meeting was to review Charitable Status\, Fundraising & Advocacy \nVideo:  http://sectorsource.ca/resource/video/what-charitable-status \nHaving Charitable status: \nPros: \n\nWould enable us to issue tax receipts to donors\nMay legitimize us as an organization\, thereby attracting donors who would not otherwise consider supporting us (seen as vetted by CRA).\nSome funders (government agencies\, foundations) are prohibited from donating/sponsoring organizations that do not have charitable status.\nIncome tax exemption.\n\nCons: \n\nMore admin: regular minutes\, an AGM\, Board\, accounting of time and money spent on various activities.\nMore bookkeeping\, showing income & expenditures\, accounts sent to Minister. Form T3010 Registered Charity Information Return needs to be submitted; Registered Charities Official Receipts need to be issued for your donors to claim a Charitable Tax Credit.\nAll monies paid into separate accounts\, and all accounts need to be open to inspection.\nNeither fundraising nor advocacy are considered to be activities primary to the purposes of a Charity. Both are restricted to 10-20% of the Charity’s activity. All activities of all members would need to be documented to track time & resources dedicated to each of these activities.\n\nhttp://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/vdgllry/chrts-gvng/fndrsng-eng.html \nCRA’s Rules for Advocacy for Charities \n\nCharities can engage in political activities so long as they advance\, but do not supersede its charitable purpose. As part of their general activities\, charities can engage in public awareness campaigns\, can communicate with an elected or public official\, and can share the entire text of a communication with an elected or public official\, as long as there is no specific call to action within it.\nPolitical activities can comprise 10-20% of the Charity’s activities\, so long as the activities are non-partisan\, connected to\, and subordinate to the charities purposes.\nAs part of their political activities a Charity can explicitly communicate a Call to Action to an elected or public official\, urging them to retain\, oppose\, or change a law or policy or decision of any level of Govt\, including a foreign country.\nAs part of their political activities a Charity can explicitly indicate in its materials\, that the intention of its activity is to incite\, to organize or to put pressure on any level of Govt\, including a foreign country in order that law or policy or decision be retained\, opposed\, or changed. \n\nProhibited Political Activities for Charitable Organizations \n\nCan promote a gov’t policy\, but can’t directly or indirectly support a political party or candidate\nCan provide information to its supporters or to the public on how officials voted\, but can’t single out how any one official or party voted on any single issue.\n\nOperating as a Non-profit: \nPros: \n\nPolitical activities are less regulated.\nFundraising events are less regulated\, in that they are not limited to a certain percentage of the overall activities\, and they do not require specific receipting procedures.\nLess record-keeping of activities for the purposes of conformity to primary purposes of the organization.\n\nCons: \n\nCannot issue tax receipts to donors.\nCannot claim tax exemption.\nCannot appeal to donors who require Charitable status.\nIf we appeal to other agencies\, who have funding and Charitable status to assist us with funding our programs or activities\, our agenda must align or over-lap theirs. (ie\, we will not get funding from inclusive service providers for programs specific to people with Asperger’s).\n\nHow/why this matters to us: \nI asked that we weigh the above against how we view our role as advocates\, and how much and for what purposes we require funding. \nAdvocacy: We can form an Advocacy committee within SPS. We can select interested members of SPS to work on this issue with other interested groups\, with us identifying issues relevant to us\, and with our delegates reporting back to us (Catherine\, Nicole\, Bruce?). \nFundraising: I do not want to fundraise for programs that exist\, that with good networking and alliances we can participate in. I am willing to fundraise for programs relevant to our supported individuals\, which do not currently exist. I cannot see our fundraising needs being greater than $8000.00/per year. This amount would give us enough each year to run 2 programs\, and pay honorariums and/or expenses to some speakers and/or volunteers/hosts for programs or activities (ie\, volunteer chefs for cooking club).  For the upcoming Relationships & Dating workshop\, the entire budget of $4000.00 is secured. (Sponsors are Spectrum Society\, PosAbilities\, Simon Fraser Society\, Community Living Society\, Family Support Institute\, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion\, & Community Living BC). A modified PEERS workshop likely would have to be funded ourselves\, as it was designed specifically for High-functioning Aspergers. \nAfter some discussion the Members present voted in favour of Option 2: \n\nApply for Charitable Status.\nOperate as a Non-Profit Society; Fred Michael to proceed with fundraising for Modified PEERS program to start March 2016.\nAdditional information required. Table this vote until the September 22 meeting\, with report from Fred Michael at that time.\n\nVote on above two options at that time. \nMember Participation:  \nHow We Need Your Help: \n\nChat about us to everyone you know – hand out our card. (about to be revised)\nEncourage your kids to become involved: social gathering\, cooking club\, relationship & sexuality workshop\, PEERS workshop\, or Website postings – New webpage is soon to be added to our Website. This will provide space for our members to submit thoughts\, reviews\, and creative work. Member needed to post these submissions.\nAdvocacy Team\nAssist Fred with specific funding requests. We need funds for PEERS\, and for honorariums for our Cooking Club chefs.\nA Square Peg parent to be a follow up on Ready\, Willing & Able’s progress with our individuals.\n\nHow you are Helping: (Thanks!) \n\nCatherine is going to update Resources on Website. Meeting with Derik (BACI) August 24th.\nSue is going to do the food shopping and be the volunteer parent for the Cooking Club; I will do the booking.\nLaya\, Nima & Mahmoud will continue to host the social gatherings.\n\nFred will proceed with fundraising. I will help with appeals to service agencies. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-july-22-2016-charitable-status-fundraising-advocacy CATEGORIES:SPS Business END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160616 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160617 DTSTAMP:20211019T044342Z CREATED:20160620T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044342Z UID:1150-1466035200-1466121599@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting\, June 16\, 2016: Workplace Safety & Employment Standards DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Matthew Bowcott from WorkSafe BC spoke about his workplace accident and his lessons learned the hard way –  \nThe Matthew Bowcott Story (YouTube) and through a Quiz we explored the Employment Standards Act. For more information about the Act: \nhttps://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/igm/igm-toc.htm \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/social-gathering-saturday-june-25-2016 CATEGORIES:Employment END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160519T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160519T000000 DTSTAMP:20211019T044401Z CREATED:20160525T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044401Z UID:1149-1463616000-1463616000@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:May 19\, 2016 Meeting: Finances 101 DESCRIPTION:Our speakers\, from VanCity\, Monina Selga and Edi Soehardi\, of VanCity\, spoke to our group about monthly management of our finances and about how to improve our financial well-being  over the long term.This meeting was intended primarily for our young people\, and covered the basics of spending within our income\, making wise choices with our money\, credit card management\, and record keeping methods. The more our youth learn now about managing their financial affairs\, the more capable they will be to do so when they are fully on their own! \nFinancial Planning Budgeting Tips \nPoints to Remember: \n\nPay yourself first\nKeep receipts and check them against your bank statement\nUse funds for their intended purpose\nPay off your credit card balance monthly (interest rates can range from 19.5-30%)\nBeware of scammers & fraud\nBe cautious of buy now\, pay later promotions\n\n Review your budget after the first month: \n\nMake sure that all income and expenses are listed\nDetermine whether you have a Surplus or Deficit\n\nSurplus – extra money that can be saved or invested \nDeficit – money that needs to be made up by cutting expenses \n\nContinue tracking income & expenses to ensure a Balanced Budget\n\nThree Month Budget Review: \n\nLook for trends\n\nSurplus continues – put extra money toward long term goals\, ie\, savings\, retirement\, education\, vacation \nDeficit continues – look for other sources of income\, overtime\, second job – or reduce expenses \n\nExamine your results against your long term goals\n\nAre you progressing toward your goals? \nHow are your needs being met – the things you must have? \nDon’t Give Up: \n\nImproving your financial situation does not happen overnight\nContinue listing your detailed income & expenses\nReview your bills and statements regularly\nAdjust your budget to reflect changes in income and changes in goals\nThis is your plan; you can always update it\, but keep focused on your long term goals & dreams\n\n Tips to Successful Budgeting: \n\nKnow why you are budgeting\nHave a specific long term goal in mind\nKeep a written budget\nKnow how much you actually make\nMake sure your budget data is complete and accurate\nUse bank accounts with budgeting tools\nEnlist the support of at least one person you trust\nSet a few short term goals\, in addition to your long term goals\n\n Resources: \n\nCanadian Bankers Association – http//www.cba.ca/en/consumer-information\nMoneysense magazine and website\nFinancial Consumer Agency of Canada budget calculator – http//itools-ioutils fcac-acfc.gc.ca/BC-CB/NetInc-RevNet-eng aspx\nYour financial association.\n\n  \nMonthly Budget Template \n\n\n\n\nJanuary\nFebruary\nMarch\nApril\nMay\nJune\nJuly\nAugust\nSeptember\nOctober\nNovember\nDecember\nTotal\n\n\nIncome\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nOther income\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExpenses\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSavings\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nRent\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nUtilities\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nInternet\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nFood\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nCar/Transit\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nClothes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nCell phone\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nEntertainment\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nEating out\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nMiscellaneous\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTotal\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSurplus\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDeficit\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeginning Balance\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnding Balance\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSocial Well being points URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/may-19-2016-meeting-finances-101 CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160418 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160419 DTSTAMP:20211018T233056Z CREATED:20160302T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233056Z UID:1144-1460937600-1461023999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:February 18\, 2016\, Meeting: The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Initiative DESCRIPTION:The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Initiative (RWA)\, in BC\, is being hosted by the Pacific Autism Family Centre and Inclusion BC.  Jenna Christianson-Barker\, is the Director of Adult Programs at Pacific Autism Family Centre; her role within RWA is to oversee the positions of Anjela Godber\, the Autism Outreach Manager\, and Stacey Freeman\, the Regional Autism Manager.  Stacey will be procuring employers and educating them about working with people on the Spectrum\, and Anjela will be interviewing individuals seeking employment and connecting them with the employers through Employment Placement Agencies. The RWA program is being offered in 20 communities across Canada.  In the Metro Vancouver region\, these communities are Vancouver\, the North Shore\, Richmond\, Delta\, Surrey\, Maple Ridge & Langley. \nThis RWA  initiative is a federally funded\, 3 year pilot program formed specifically to address the under-representation in the workplace of people with developmental disabilities.  To participate in this program: \n\nan individual need not be formally diagnosed\, or be a CLBC recipient\, but must self-identify as having permanent impairments that restrict his or her ability to perform daily activities. This could mean a self-diagnosis of ASD\, and/or having recurrent challenges with anxiety or depression.\nRWA participants must be 18 or older\, and be legally entitled to work in Canada.\nindividuals who are working part-time\, but who wish to be working full time\, or who would like to obtain a second part-time job\, are eligible.\n\nFor those just entering the workforce\, Worktopia’s Employment Works program\, a 12 week employment preparation program will be offered through RWA\, beginning in April. \nFrom our perspective at Square Peg Society: \n\nWe hope that this program can help our capable\, young adults to find & keep employment.\nWe want our youth to be well-matched with their prospective employers\, and to be assisted with integration in their jobs.\nWe fully understand that an employee doesn’t start his or her career at management level. However\, we hope that RWA will lead to jobs that our youth can grow in that will provide them a viable living.\nWe want skills/training/education deficits to be identified and the path to obtaining these skills outlined.\nWe want to be part of the dialogue and want to help to make this important employment opportunity succeed for our youth\, for the employers\, and for the program.\n\nJenna commented that\, as RWA is a federal program\, it has a broader reach than existing employment programs\, and therefore can approach larger employers with branches/offices throughout the country. This National and Provincial address distinguishes this program from the approach used by many existing inclusive Employment Agencies. As much as possible RWA attempts to approach employers at the senior level\, to make them aware of the advantages of hiring people on the Spectrum\, and to encourage  them to participate in this employment initiative. The intention is to create awareness of an underutilized workforce\, and hopefully\, to generate a pool of jobs\, rather than a single job at a time. Existing service agencies working on employment for people with disabilities tend to have difficulties finding a sufficient number and range of jobs to meet the demand. \nParticipants in the RWA program will be matched to jobs found through RWA\, but will be placed in those jobs through existing employment placement agencies. This means that\, while Anjela will be interviewing RWA prospective employees\, and Stacey will be seeking out prospective employers\, and matching the two\, the job placement will occur through a placement agency\, such as WorkBC\, Jobs West or PosAbilities. Job coaching\, if needed\, will be provided\, through the employment agency\, with funding from RWA. We were told that the requirement for the job placement to be made through an employment agency is so that there is a record of an individual’s placements. I am unconvinced that this is  the primary motivation for this requirement\, and worry that the rapport and the understanding of an individual’s abilities might be lost in the handing off of the individual to the Employment Placement Agency. Anjela assured us that this will not be the case; that it is her intention to continue to follow up with her interviewees to ensure that they are well-placed and succeeding in their jobs. Apparently\, RWA participants can select the Placement Agency\, if they have worked with a particular agency previously\, or if they feel a given agency has more experience working with ASD individuals. It was also pointed out that the Employment Placement Agency is a vehicle for facilitating the job\, and that an individual is not required to register for any other of the placement agency’s services. \nTwo common drawbacks of many of the jobs presented to ASD individuals through many existing Employment Placement agencies are:1) the prevalence of unskilled entry level jobs\, and\, of the jobs directed to ASD individuals 2)the predominance of technology sector jobs. One of our members encouraged that RWA look beyond these two sectors in seeking employers for the program. \nIt was noted during the meeting that\, within RWA\, disclosure of a disability was a non-issue\, as all participating employers will be prepared to be working with people with a developmental disabilities. For some of our audience\, this is clearly a benefit\, as they feel that their ASD “label” has value\, as it helps “others” to quickly gain a broad understanding of some the typical characteristics common to people on the Spectrum\, making it unnecessary for the individual with ASD to explain how & why they are “different”. For others\, their life experiences with disclosure have resulted in their “differences” being seen as “lesser”\, a hurtful experience for anyone. It is the individual’s right to confine knowledge of his or her diagnosis to their direct employer only\, and that the choice of disclosing to others should be entirely up to them. Stacey\, and RWA are unapologetically approaching employers with the attitude that their prospective employees have strengths and abilities which make them desirable employees\, capable of positively contributing in their jobs. Period. \nSeveral points about succeeding in a workplace were made. For example\, the importance of small adjustments to the workplace environment (noise\, lights\, distractions)\, might be able to be made for certain employees. A clear description of tasks\, and/or the prioritization of tasks presented in written or graphic form\, rather than orally\, is often helpful to ASD individuals. Identifying the hierarchy of command\, or better still\, ensuring that the ASD individual is answerable only to one “boss” is also key. Assigning a mentor in the workplace\, to make explicit\, (rather than\, implicit)\, expectations might also be helpful. \nFor many ASD individuals\, their autistic characteristics are only part of their challenge. Many\, through misunderstanding by others\, struggles in comprehending what is expected of them\, and social exclusion\, suffer from anxiety\, low self-esteem\, and depression\, and require mental health supports\, for which there is no financial aid\, past age 19. As well\, there are gaps in their general life and social skills. In an ideal world\, this supplemental care would flow from employment services\, as employment is the key to a sustainable\, adult existence. Some of our members feel that this vision should be the model to hold on to (see “How to find Work that Works for People with Asperger Syndrome”\, by Gail Hawkins\, director of a specialized Employment Agency in Ontario)\, while others feel that we\, in BC\, are so far from realizing this model\, that\, in order to support our individuals now we must provide these mental health and social supports outside of\, and ancillary to\, employment programs such as RWA. \nThe newly revised RWA has the important goals of connecting ASD individuals with the jobs they need to become independent adults\, and of giving them the skills they need to succeed in their jobs and in developing in their careers. Jenna\, Anjela\, & Stacey are knowledgeable about this population\, and are genuine in their commitment to realize these goals. With good communication between them and the Employment Placement agencies and their job coaches\, we hope to make inroads toward achieving more and better employment for our young adults. As this pilot program is in its infancy\, there will\, no doubt be changes made along the way. We wish them every success! URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-february-18-2016 CATEGORIES:Employment END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160417 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160418 DTSTAMP:20211018T234553Z CREATED:20160506T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T234553Z UID:1146-1460851200-1460937599@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Sun Run\, April 17\, 2016 DESCRIPTION:  \nCongrats to Nima\, who ran in a blistering time of 43:12! A respectable finish for all – Fred\, 51:27; Mahmoud\, 53:20; Sam\, 1:05 18; Joette\, 1:06; Aaron\, 1:06 55; Laya\, 1:18 21; Sue\, 1:22 26; Alex\, 1:25 42; Janet\, 1:45 47; Janet W\, 1:47 31. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sun-run-april-17-2016 CATEGORIES:Fun END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160416 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160417 DTSTAMP:20211018T233659Z CREATED:20160506T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233659Z UID:1147-1460764800-1460851199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting: April 21\, 2016 Community Living BC Funding Eligibility Criteria DESCRIPTION:Our speaker was Douglas Lee\, a clinical behavioral psychologist\, the Clinical Director at Behavioural Solutions Inc.\, who as part of his practice\, also conducts eligibility assessments for Community Living BC (CLBC). \nDr. Lee played a crucial role in developing the eligibility criteria for Community Living BC (CLBC) programs; he was on committees which established the current eligibility requirements that now apply to Developmental Disability\, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)\, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)\, which includes Asperger’s.  Since the inception of the current PSI criteria by CLBC in 2010\, Dr. Lee has been assessing applicants for eligibility for Community Living BC (CLBC) funding and services. He has performed more than 300 of these eligibility assessments. \nSquare Peg Society requested the following: \n\nA clear definition of the eligibility criteria for CLBC funding and the documentation required to receive that funding.\n\n\nHow “level of Adaptive Functioning”\, is defined\, as PSI funding hinges on this term\, and who in our community of high functioning adults is likely to be included or excluded by this definition.\n\n\nIs there any intent to review and/or revise the current CLBC eligibility criteria? If so\, what changes are most likely to be considered?\n\n\nThe number of adults diagnosed with Aspergers\, particularly females\, is increasing. These individuals struggle to find and keep jobs\, and social relationships. Without these key aspects of life in place\, individuals cannot function as typical adults\, yet CLBC funding criteria does not recognize this gap\, or consequently\, the impact of the lack of funds and services for this group. How is CLBC and our provincial government proposing to assist these high functioning individuals in achieving their full potential?\n\nTo receive CLBC funding an individual must meet the criteria for a Developmental Disability\, which includes a variety of conditions\, and an IQ of less than 70. The other route to CLBC funding is through the Personal Supports Initiative (PSI) program.  For this funding\, a diagnosis of either Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and “significant limitations in adaptive functioning are required. These conditions must have occurred prior to birth\, during birth\, or in early childhood. For PSI\, in addition to a diagnosis of PDD or FASD\, the individual must have an IQ of greater than 70\, but a Level of Adaptive Functioning of 55 or less. Individuals with an IQ of greater than 70 will frequently have a level of Adaptive Functioning that is greater than 55 (more than 3 standard deviations below the mean of “normally functioning “ individuals)\, and this criteria will almost always eliminate individuals with Asperger’s. Dr. Lee told us that\, when the current PSI criteria was developed\, it was intended to include individuals with an IQ of greater than 70\, and a Level of Adaptive Functioning less than 70. However\, in the midst of the economic climate of 2008\, the Level of Adaptive Functioning was required to be lower than 55 to reduce the numbers of individuals who would be eligible for funding. This was entirely an economic decision\, not a decision having anything to do with need for services. This criteria disproportionately discriminates against high functioning ASD individuals\, who are experiencing difficulty in performing effectively in life and work due a lack of natural ability in interpersonal social skills and communication. Douglas Lee does not believe that the exclusion of ASD or FASD individuals is inherent in PSI structure\, but rather that the bar has been set too low to ensure services for those in need. He does not believe that there is any appetite to change these terms; that change can only come through advocacy from the community. \nTo become advocates for change to this criteria and subsequently\, CLBC funding\, we would need to form a committee and assign tasks: \n\nTo gather the facts\nTo form alliances with other groups\, particularly Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)\, and service agencies whose clients are also affected by these\nTo gain the ear of media\, CBC’s “Go Public”\, for example.\nTo find a few key supporters in the Provincial Government. (Anyone know of a MLA who has a family who is affected by this issue?) Also\, to determine how to frame our “ask”\, in order to get a positive response.\n\nThe Facts: \nWe need to uncover the original PSI criteria.  Next we would attempt to determine the number of individuals in BC who received Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) funding prior to PSI funding\, and who continued to do so after the institution of PSI\, until they aged out at 19\, say\,  between 2008-2013. We would then compare that number with the number of individuals receiving PSI funding between 2010 -2015. These figures would represent those individuals who were receiving funding until the age of 19\, but who were deemed ineligible for PSI funding as adults. The difference between these two numbers would reveal the number of people dropped from funding after the adoption of PSI funding. These people were not suddenly “cured” – simply\, the criteria was too restrictive to ensure their continued coverage. \nAlliances: \nAs FASD individuals are also “left out in the cold”\, an alliance with this group might increase our visibility. Some of the service agencies are frustrated with the limited provincial funding\, and with repeatedly being contacted by people who they are unable to help; they might be willing to partner with us in this advocacy campaign. However\, Douglas Lee told us that CLBC employees are expressly told that they are not allowed to lobby government. \nThe Ask: \nThe obvious demand would be to raise the Level of Adaptive Functioning bar – to the original less than 70\, rather than less than 55\, in order to capture more high functioning ASD individuals. Perhaps also we should be asking for assessments other than “level of adaptive functioning” to be included in the assessments. Including assessments that evaluate executive functioning would better represent ASD individuals with lower social and verbal communication skills\, and the impact that these deficiencies have on their lives. Asking for inclusion in services already in existence through other agencies\, and tailoring some of these to our needs – for example\, mental health services – might be attainable. Regular workshops on strategies for coping with anxiety and depression\, and on life and social skills would go a long way toward helping our members succeed in work and life. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-april-21-2016-community-living-bc-funding-eligibility-criteria CATEGORIES:Advocacy,Life & Social Skills END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160316 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160317 DTSTAMP:20211018T233501Z CREATED:20160327T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233501Z UID:1145-1458086400-1458172799@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:March 17\, 2016 Meeting: Legal & Financial Planning DESCRIPTION:Halldor K Bjarnason – Access Law Group Barrister and Solicitor Specializing in Disability Trust Planning\, halldor@accesslaw.ca  604.697.0231 \nTina Cheung – Vancity Wealth Planner\nSonesh Chikhlia – Vancity Wealth Planner \n  \nRegistered Disability Savings Plan \nTina Cheung spoke briefly on the federal Registered Disability Savings Plans. RDSPs can be established for your individual with a disability at several Canadian banks\, including VanCity. To be eligible the supported individual: \n\nmust be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit\nmust have a valid Social Insurance Number\nmust be a Canadian resident when the RDSP is opened\nmust be under age 60\n\nAn RDSP augments the contributions made by the person setting up the plan for a person with a disability with government grants. These Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSG) may be as much as $3500 per year with a lifetime limit of $70\,000\, based on the Beneficiary’s family income. For Beneficiaries over the age of 19\, the Beneficiary’s family income is considered to be the individual’s income together with that of their spouse\, if there is one. Total contributions of up to $200\,000 are allowed and can be made until the Beneficiary turns 59. As well\, the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) is available to low income beneficiaries\, in amounts up to $1000/year\, with a maximum lifetime limit of $20\,000\, up to the time when the Beneficiary turns 49. The amount paid is based on family income alone (not dependent on contributions). New Beneficiaries\, including an adult who has been diagnosed later in life (assuming that they can provide a doctor’s certificate of their existing condition) can back-date their Plan to 2008 when RDSPs became available. Payment of the RDSP must begin at age 60; however\, withdrawal of contributions are permitted by the Beneficiary at any time\, but will result in the loss of a portion of the grant & bond amounts paid into the RDSP over the previous 10 years. The portion to be repaid is 3 to 1 – that is $3.00 of accumulated grant/bond money for every $1.00 of contribution withdrawn. \nThe topic of eligibility for Community Living BC (CLBC) or Person With Disability (PWD) support was raised but deferred. Douglas Lee\, a psychologist who determines eligibility for CLBC funds and services will speak at our April meeting. However\, Tina mentioned that Vancity works with Equal Futures\, who can assist with obtaining a Disability Tax Credit Certificate for a potential RDSP beneficiary. See Additional Resources below. \n  \nEstate Planning and Disability Trusts \nHalldor Bjarnason has extensive experience in the area of disability inheritance law and has set up many trusts for families with members with disabilities. \nHalldor began his presentation by emphasizing the importance of having a Will. It gives you control over your estate\, in that it permits you to appoint an Executor to manage your affairs\, to appoint a guardian for any minor children\, to distribute your estate in the amounts and to whom you wish\, and to establish Trusts to protect vulnerable Beneficiaries. Without a Will that appoints a guardian for minor children\, custody is given to the Ministry of Children & Families\, and custody of their estate is given to the Public Trustee. \nHalldor provided us with the following definition of a Trust: A relationship where one person (the Settlor) gives assets to a second person (the Trustee) to hold and use for the benefit of a third person (the Beneficiary). A trust within our Will for a family member with a disability makes our wishes clear in a way that is less likely to be legally contested. A discretionary trust is not regarded as an asset\, and therefore\, will not result in a reduction of our Beneficiary’s disability assistance payments\, whereas an inheritance would.  As well\, it allows us to specify a person or persons who will be responsible for ensuring that the inheritance is allocated in the best interests of our family member. For example\, Trust funds can be used to provide the Beneficiary with medical aids\, caregiving or home support costs\, education or training costs\, maintenance or renovations to the Beneficiary’s principal residence\, and rent costs above the allowance for housing in the disability allowance\, without resulting in claw backs of the Beneficiary’s disability assistance benefits. The role of the Trustee(s) is to determine the Beneficiary’s needs\, to responsibly invest the Trust’s assets\, to keep records and to pay taxes. As such\, more than one Trustee\, each with different skill sets\, (3 is good) may be preferred. Aside from selecting the type of Trust\, the number and choice of trustees (including professional trustees)\, what the trust can be spent on\, and how its assets are to be invested\, we also need to consider if there are conflicts of interest for the Trustees (are they personally affected by the disbursement of funds to the Beneficiary?)\, to ensure an ultimate beneficiary (the person to whom the remainder of the trust is paid after the death of the beneficiary)\, and a continuity of Trustees. Halldor noted that Trust agreements are a specialized area of law\, which requires a lawyer who is has experience preparing disability trusts\, and who is able to answer the question\, “How does my family member’s disability status affect my estate planning?” \nAfter the meeting\, we wondered how applicable this is to our Square Peg families\, many of whom do not receive disability funding\, and whose supported person is often capable\, in large measure\, of managing their own affairs. Halldor’s view is that the estate planning should be customized to our circumstances\, and those of our supported individual. For families with a fully mentally competent Beneficiary\, it may be a case of weighing\, or balancing between different options.  For example\, if an estate is small\, a Trust can be set up where the Beneficiary can be their own Trustee – but the Trust is deemed “non-discretionary” and must be $200\,000 or less\, for individuals who are recipients of disability benefits. Over this amount\, it would be considered an asset\, and render the individual ineligible for BC Disability assistance.  Another option is to roll the person’s share of our estate into an RDSP\, also with a $200\,000 contribution limit. However\, if the Beneficiary is younger (under 50)\, a large contribution made at once would mean that the individual would lose access to the grants and bonds. On the other hand\, this approach would not incur the taxes that an inheritance would\, if is rolled over from the parent’s/grandparent’s RRSP/RIF.  To overcome the shortcomings of a large single contribution to an RDSP\, Halldor recommends using a Trust to make annual contributions to the RDSP – which provides the leverage necessary to maximize access to grants/bonds.   For larger estates\, Halldor often recommends both a discretionary trust with an independent trustee (unlimited) and a non-discretionary trust with the beneficiary as trustee ($200K limit) – with the caveat that one needs to  ensure  that the two are not intermingled. \n  \nAs you can see\, care needs to be taken to ensure that the interests of our supported individual are served after our death\, and this is a specialized area of law\, which requires input from an advisor with experience with disability estate planning. \n  \nAdditional Financial Resources  \nIn acknowledgement that CLBC funding is independent of claiming a Disability Tax Credit\, and therefore\, applying for an RDSP: \nThe Equal Futures RDSP program is provided by Ability Tax & Trust Advisors\, supported by VanCity. “It is a social purpose program that provides an easy \, efficient and free service to eligible individuals to learn about\, qualify for\, and open an Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). As a prerequisite to opening an RDSP\, Equal Futures will assist in determining and applying for a Disability Tax Credit. \nwww.equalfutures.ca   1-855 773-7377  info@equalfutures.ca \n For tax assistance: \nThe Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a collaboration between community organizations and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Community organizations host tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. \nwww.cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer/ \n The Disability Alliance of BC’s new Tax Aid program\, see below for details and video: \nwww.disabilityalliancebc.org/ourwork_new.htm \n For those with a more complex tax situation: \nDavid Chiu\, BBA\, CGA\, CFP\, is an accountant and financial planner who specialist in assisting familities with a member with a disability with their taxes and financial planning. \ndavid@davidchiucga.com           604.731-0611 \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/march-17-2016-meeting-legal-estate-planning CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160109 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160110 DTSTAMP:20211018T233257Z CREATED:20160109T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233257Z UID:1142-1452297600-1452383999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:January 9\, 2016 Housing Workshop: Howard Staples\, Facilitator DESCRIPTION:Inclusive Housing Workshop\, hosted jointly by VPTG & BACI \nHoward Staples\, Facilitator \n  \nOn January 9\, 2016 we (Joette\, Louvain\, Laya and Mahmoud) joined a workshop entitled “Building Intentional Housing Communities” organized by the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI) and Vancouver Parents Transition Group (VPTG). Most of the parents participating in this roundtable have an adult relative (20-45 years) with special needs. These parents feel that supported co-housing would offer their youth independence & dignity\, while\, at the same time providing them with the emotional and life supports that they require. \n  \nRichard Faucher\, co-executive director of BACI\, described some of BACI’s housing projects. BACI is a well-established non- profit organization working for people with disabilities in Metro Vancouver. It is funded through grants from Community Living BC (CLBC)\, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)\, the Fraser Health Authority\, etc.)\, and funds raised from sources such as Gaming. BACI’s annual budget is about 25 million and the organization owns both land and rental buildings in Burnaby. BACI is committed to the development of inclusive housing\, and therefore\, is interested in connecting with like-minded groups in Metro Vancouver. BACI is able to provide property\, and/or  purchase some units in new or renovated buildings  for renting to persons with disabilities. They can also provide\, through their contacts with developers\, banks\, lawyers\, project managers\, and architects\, the expertise required to plan and execute a supported housing project. \n  \nHoward Staples\, co-founder of Windsong Co-Housing\, who also works as community housing consultant\, acted as a facilitator. Howard has lived with his wife and their children at Windsong over 20 years \,along with about 100 other people.  He showed pictures of their co-op and it looked like a tight\, lovely community. \n  \nA Co-housing community may or may not include persons with disabilities. The values\, type of ownership\, and ethnic & demographic mix will vary according to the individuals involved in the proposed community\, and should be defined carefully & clearly at the outset. Generally a co-housing community embraces the idea of living in community\, and will include more shared\, communal space than is typical in a standard townhouse or condominium project. Howard discussed the form and types of ownership of some existing co-housing communities.  He also provided an overview of the typical development process\, beginning with values\, vision\, and risks and financing\, site search and feasibility\, the decision making process\, and legal and governance structures.  These points were outlined in his handout\, entitled\, “The Basics of Getting Your Community Built”. Contact Howard for more information: (howard@windsong.bc.ca). \n  \nThe attendees then identified the features that they believe their intended housing community should  have. Some of these features are as follows: \n\nTo be in Vancouver (metro area)\,\nTo have a mixed population\, of owned & rental units\, with about 20% of the units allotted to persons with special needs.\nTo have some quad units\, with each bedroom having a bathroom\, and with a single\, shared kitchen.\nTo have some units with private kitchens.\nTo share resources.\nTo provide some opportunities for employment or home-based businesses on site.\n\n  \nFour families elected to become core members and agreed to attend mandatory monthly meetings to further develop their plan.  The next meeting is to be February 22. Core members will soon be expected to place a deposit to secure their position to buy into the project when a site is found. Other attendees became non-core members\, and can attend meetings\, and become core members on future projects\, and will pay a nominal membership fee. \n  \nTo summarize\, I found the meeting very informative. BACI has contacts and access to resources\, (capital and property). Howard Staples is interested in becoming the consultant for the project\, though his rates were not specified. There is a motivated team of parents\, but I expect the journey\, even after the property is found\, to be at least a few years long. The cost of this inclusive co-housing project will be likely be the same as market prices\, but co-op living will provide all members with a great opportunity to be part of a caring\, socially connected community. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/january-9-2016-housing-workshop-howard-staples-facilitator CATEGORIES:Housing END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160107 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160108 DTSTAMP:20211018T234358Z CREATED:20160107T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T234358Z UID:1140-1452124800-1452211199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:January 7\, 2016 Meeting: Planning 2016 DESCRIPTION:This was a meeting to plan\, for each of us to express our interests\, focus\, and roles for our group moving forward into 2016. \nWe noted that we need to augment our membership; this is important for the following reasons:\n• To meet the need for support for this generally unsupported group of transitioning youth.\n• To effectively advocate for government & other institutional policy changes that would support our youth.\n• To achieve the “critical mass” needed to justify requesting speakers for our meetings.\n• To build rich & diverse social networks for our youth.\nSpeak of our group to your friends and associates\,  distritbute SPS cards\, and refer contacts to our website: www.squarepegsociety.ca. \nFred presented the requirements for becoming a registered non-profit society. This designation is desirable to be able to solicit funding for such things as website hosting\, business cards\, honorariums for speakers\, and activity fees for our youth. The requirements stipulate that we have a Board\, consisting of at least 5 members\, including a Chair\, Treasurer\, and Secretary\, and an address. We will have a 7 member board\, with the positions of Chair\, Secretary & two board members coming available for elected candidates in January 2017\, and the positions of Vice-Chair\, Treasurer\, and one board member coming available for election in January 2018. \nAdditional Work\nWe identified several topics that we would like to delve into further – through Committees\, additional speakers\, and perhaps workshops. They are: \nHousing:\n• To learn more about\, and to look for opportunities for independent\, inclusive housing for our adult children. In keeping with this\, Louvain\, Laya\, Mahmoud\, & Joette attended on Saturday\, January 9\, a Housing seminar hosted jointly by Vancouver Transition Parents and BACI\, with Howard Sample as facilitator.\n• This is an area that Sue also has knowledge & experience of\, through a project that her church is currently engaged with. Sue will share more about this project later this year. \nAdvocacy:\n• Catherine will head this Committee\, working with Nicole – to examine how we might achieve some policy changes that would result in some support for our kids\, and for others coming behind them. These might be changes to the Community Living BC (CLBC) eligibility criteria\, changes in the ways Registered Disability Savings Plans can be used\, changes in the secondary/post-secondary school systems that would better enable our kids to succeed in programs\, access to job coaching\, mental health services.\n• Perhaps we could also join forces with other groups\, for example PLAN\, to identify\, and to develop an action plan to move forward on these issues.\n• Douglas Lee\, a psychologist who assesses individuals for eligibility for CLBC funding will speak at our meeting\, April 21. We hope to be well-prepared to be able to challenge him on the changes needed to better serve our young adults. \nSocial & Life Skills:\n• This is also a topic for a Committee\, but should also include some workshops for our kids. I (Joette) will work on this\, but would like help… Ideas on the table in this category are Toastmasters groups\, PEERS for Young Adults\, Cooking Club\, General Home maintenance Workshop\, Sexuality & Dating\, and Finances\, Credit\, and Budgeting.\n• We have tentatively proposed a meeting on Sexuality & Dating for February 18th\, and a meeting on Finances for May 19th.\n• We are hoping that once the Pacific Autism Family Centre is operational\, programs\, such as a Cooking Club\, PEERS\, etc\, could be run more affordably\, if the Centre could provide the facility and administrative support. \nEducation/Employment:\n• This is a topic that Louvain and Joette will be pursuing further. The Ready\, Willing\, & Able program in BC is now hosted jointly by the Pacific Autism Family Centre (PAFC) and by InclusionBC. The objective of this program is to address the chronic under-representation in the workplace of people with developmental disabilities. It was realized that the program that existed prior to this joint endeavour was not capturing enough of the high-functioning autistic and Asperger’s population. Two positions have been recently created\, a Regional Autism Coordinator\, and an Autism Outreach Coordinator; these roles will be managed by Jenna Christianson-Barker\, at PAFC. The Regional Autism Coordinator is to procure & educate prospective employers\, and the Autism Outreach Coordinator is to connect individuals to the right positions and Employment Placement organizations\, of which PosAbilities is one involved in this project.\n• Our task is to ensure that the jobs procured are not only dead-end entry level jobs. While we recognize that skills are learned from the ground up\, we want the interests\, abilities\, and intelligence of our youth\, not only their employment history\, to be considered in their job placements\, and for them to be seen as candidates for advancement. This might mean identifying additional education or training that they might require. We would like to see the role of the new Autism Outreach Coordinator to include good “matchmaking” of employer and employee\, and discussion about how to best integrate the employee in his or her position\, and about any additional training or course work that might be needed to better fulfill the employment requirements over the long term. On-the-job follow up will most likely be required to ensure a smooth functioning relationship that will mature into long term stable employment. \nMental Health:\n• Anxiety & depression are often secondary diagnoses which affect our youth\, particularly as young adults. The supports and stability that high school provided them\, despite the stress of high school for our youth\, has evaporated\, and they often lack friends\, and confidence about their abilities\, leaving them lonely and unsure of what to do next. They are very aware of their situation\, and feel as though they are being left behind in life.\n• We will look for an opportunity to have mental health service providers speak to our group about what might be available “in the system” for our youth. We would also consider a workshop using cognitive behavioural therapy\, and mindfulness or meditation therapy for coping with depression.\n• Mindfulness based stress reduction lecture/seminar. 1.5 hours\, free\, Saturday\, January 16th\, 10:30AM-noon\, at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Library\, 3045 Highland Blvd. 604.771.0579. See link: http://www.drkasimalmashat.com/\nSocial Activities:\n• We hope to become the best supporters for each other\, parents & youth. I believe that in doing so we will be stronger and more effective (and have more fun\, and last longer) than any support agency. This is best done by finding ways to connect over activities – not everyone will like or want to participate in every activity\, and that is fine.\n• Laya will head this Committee; she may want some help and suggestions.\n• Fred has registered our group for the Sun Run\, for both runners & walkers. To join go to the Sun Run website\, look for “Join an existing group”\, and sign up. $49.00\, if you sign up before February 4th. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/january-7-2016-meeting-planning-2016 CATEGORIES:SPS Business END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160102T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160102T000000 DTSTAMP:20211018T234257Z CREATED:20160102T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T234257Z UID:1143-1451692800-1451692800@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:January 2\, 2016 Curling DESCRIPTION: URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/january-2-2016-curling CATEGORIES:Fun ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Image-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20151126 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20151127 DTSTAMP:20211019T044511Z CREATED:20151126T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044511Z UID:1141-1448496000-1448582399@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:November 26\, 2015 Meeting: InclusionWorks Family Collectives DESCRIPTION:InclusionWorks! Family Collectives \nPresented by Catriona Johnson \nCatriona is the lead for the family-governed InclusionWorks! Saanich\, is a resource parent for the Family Support Institute\, and is the co-facilitator of Second Wave\, a group of families & professionals exploring promising practices for supporting young adults.  She also worked with the US Senate Committee on Disability & Health legislation. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University\, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Disability Policy and Practice at the University of Victoria. She also works as a private consultant and as a part-time instructor in the Community Support and Education Assistant program at Camosun College. \nInclusionWorks!Family Collective\, Saanich\,  is a model of collective family governance for families with youth with disabilities  to pool their resources for the 5 year period following high school completion. The goal is to ensure quality individualized programming for their transitioning youth\, as determined by their youth and their families. Inclusion of the young adults in the community is encouraged through the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses\, and educational\, non-profit and government institutions. This model has been undertaken in four other locations in BC. \n  \nValues \nCatriona described their Family Collective as having been defined by the following values: \n\nSelf-advocates and their families are best positioned to make choices regarding their future\, and with the appropriate opportunities\, training and support\, can make a meaningful contribution.\nCanadian society is enriched by inclusion.\nThe presumption of legal capacity should be upheld through supported decision-making.\nEveryone is entitled to have friends.\nWe adhere to the principle of the “dignity of risk.”\n\nProgramming Principles \nThe above values are supported by the following Programming Principles: \n\nActivities should be in community\, challenging and age appropriate.\nActivities should make provision for each participant’s strengths and capabilities.\nEach participant will have an individualized schedule. Some activities may be with other participants (eg\, for experiential learning and peer support).\nEmployment\, independence and life-long learning are key goals.\nActivities should embed learning opportunities for life-skills and employment.\nParticipants’ physical and mental well-being is essential.\n\nGovernance Model \nTheir Family Collective is maintained by a governance model that assumes that their youth and families: \n\nForm the majority for decision-making on all matters.\nSelect their own workers.\nMake resource allocation decisions.\nPlan for the future.\nVolunteer as able. (This is an important aspect of their model\, providing both actual support and a sense of collective purpose).\n\nConnections & Partnerships \nThe Family Collective felt that their goals would be best served if their youth were participating in activities with in their community\, rather than by having a facility of their own. So\, they sought partnerships with existing programs in their community. Below are some of the activities that their youth are engaged in: \n\nWorking\nSmall Business Development\nVolunteering\nJob training\nBehind-the-Scenes Business Tours\nHealth & nutrition education\nMoney management\nTheir own newsletters\nWeb-site development\nMusic\, Dance & Yoga\nExercising at the gym\nKayaking/canoeing\nSelf-advocacy training\nRelationships workshops\n\nFinancing Their Family Collective \nFamilies pool their individualized funding from Community Living BC and each family also contributes a monthly fee. In addition\, their relationship with South Island Distance Education School during the first two years of their Collective provided significant in-kind programming support. A more recent partnership with WorkBC\, supported by a project grant from the Vancouver Foundation\, provides support for their participants’ employment goals. In addition\, InclusionWorks! groups receive much in-kind and reduced-cost support from their partners. \nWhat Square Peg Society can conclude \nOur transitioning youth have many of the same needs as do the supported members of InclusionWorks! Family Collectives. Our youth want to participate in decisions that affect their lives\, they have the right to learn through doing (through taking measured risks)\, and they are entitled to have friends. For our youth and families\, education\, independence & life-long learning are key goals. Activities for them also\, should be in community\, they should be challenging and age-appropriate\, and should include life-skills and employment training opportunities. However\, we differ in that many of our members do not receive disability funding; funding would have to be provided through our parents’ resources & efforts. But our youth do not require full time support. As with InclusionWorks! Family Collectives\, our resources would go further together\, than separately\, and would also help in building community between members.  What this would look like\, how many supported individuals would be optimum\, and how each individual’ needs can be served within a collective\, would vary according to the individuals the Collective is intended to support and by clear articulation of the goals of the participating families. \n  \nFor more information: www.inclusionworks.ca  Arlene Zuckernick at arlenez@shaw.ca or Catriona Johnson at cationa123@gmail.com URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/november-26-2015-meeting-inclusionworks-family-collectives CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20151029 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20151030 DTSTAMP:20211025T002552Z CREATED:20151029T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T002552Z UID:1137-1446076800-1446163199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:October 29\, 2015 Meeting: Social Circles DESCRIPTION:Building a “Good Life” through Social Relationship Circles \nIn building the notes for this meeting\, I drew heavily on the excellent work done by PLAN: Safe and Secure\, Seven Steps on the Path to a Good Life for People with Disabilities\, Al Etmanski with Jack Collins and Vickie Cammack\, and Friends & Inclusion\, Five Approaches to Building Relationships\, Peggy Hutchison & John Lord with Karen Lord. Many thanks to them for their clear thinking and caring hearts!   -Joette \n(Throughout I will use the letters SP to refer to the Supported Person – the person for whom the circle is being built) \nFundamental Elements of A Good Life \nApplicable to Everyone \n\nIncludes Health\, Education/work\, Housing\, Financial Well-being\, Leisure & Recreation\, Personal Care. (See Worksheet 2 in the PLAN Safe & Secure book; this can be found online)\n\nThis does not imply that any one of us has something “wrong” in their life\, but rather\, that through intentional planning & action\, we can make choices which will lead to a richer\, more textured life. \n  \nWhat is A Good Life for our particular Supported Person? -Clarifying “A Good Life” \nThis will help in building an effective support circle now\, and will serve as directives to our support network after we are gone. \n\nList 10 words to describe a typical day/week for SP – best scenario\n10 words to describe a typical day/week for SP – worst scenario\nYour message for your SP\, after you are gone\nWhat you want your survivors to help your SP with after you are gone\nList 3 priorities that you would want helpers of your SP to know.\n\n  \n A Case for Relationships \nFriendship is a necessity for all of us\, as important and essential to life as food and drink. Caring relationships and friends provide texture and vitality and make all living worthwhile. \n\nPeople with supportive social ties are less likely to become ill\nSocial contact helps us to heal more quickly\nSocial supports affect the sense of control we have over our well-being and improve our ability to stick with healthy behaviour patterns.\n\nIf not surrounded by people who have a genuine interest in their well-being\, our SPs may be at risk of abuse\, neglect and exploitation. \nGood friends support us through good times and bad\, when we are on our best behavior\, and when we are not. We don’t change ourselves to be with friends. Our gifts and our frailties are accepted as part of who we are. Our friends are not expected to fix us. They are just there. \n When we are truly loved and valued\, we gain a sense of belonging. When we feel like we belong\, we change for the better. Our confidence improves as does our self-esteem\, our sense of well-being\, and our quality of life. Life takes on new meaning. \n Friends\, by sharing time with us\, are saying that we are worth the gift of time. \n  \nRelationship Circles Diagram\n \nCircles of Intimacy are one’s closest relationships – the anchors of one’s life. \nCircles of Friendship are the people you draw strength from\, and who you share your dreams with. \nCircles of Participation are the people with whom your share an interest or activity – the people at work\, or in a club\, etc. \nCircles of Exchange are your paid relationships – dentist\, hair stylist\, server in a restaurant\, etc. \nTypically\, our SPs have the same number of relationships in Circle 1 as any other citizen\, have more people in Circle 4\, and have a lot fewer relationships in Circles 2 & 3. \n  \nReciprocity \nThere is no idea more ancient than a circle of friends. And there is nothing more predictable than the discovery by such a circle that the one in need is somehow helping the others. \nJohn Ralston Saul \nFriendships\, ranging from acquaintances to intimate relationships\, are formed by choice. They are freely given\, based on mutual interests. Friendships are not one-sided. They are reciprocal\, a two-way exchange. They are not paid visitors. They are not volunteers. They are not one-to-one workers. \nA PLAN study of a few years ago found that SPs make a real difference in the lives of their friends & supporters\, and that the relationships between SPs and supporters were mutually beneficial. In the context of relationships\, our family members are contributors. \n  \nSuccess in Friendship Building \nParticular learned skills are required in initiating and developing our acquaintances and friendships\, and these skills improve with practice. For most people\, these skills develop through trial and error\, throughout childhood. They learn how to initiate contact with peers\, how to keep the relationship going\, and how to resolve conflict through negotiation\, sharing\, and compromise. \n Fifty percent of the friendship building attempts of preschoolers end in rejection. Apparently\, practice makes perfect. \nSome people\, especially people on the autism spectrum\, do not experience or do not have success with this trial & error process. Others\, through relocation\, accident or injury\, may need to relearn how to make friends. To make matters even more difficult\, they may have tried to make friends\, were rebuffed\, and then became discouraged from trying again. They may lack or have lost confidence. They may believe that no one would want to be their friend. \n  \nIntentional Support Circles \nFriendships only rarely develop by chance. A friend of mine says that you never know how life is going to unfold\, but\, by your actions\, you can manipulate the odds to be in your favour\, to line up with your goals. \nA Circle of Belonging or an Intentional Personal Support Network is a team that comes together by choice\, for the safety\, health\, and well-being of the SP. All members are in touch with each other\, and their involvement is coordinated. \nBeyond services\, the best guarantee of a safe & secure future for a person is the number of caring and committed friends\, family members\, acquaintances\, and supporters actively involved in their life. \nLike a spider’s web\, the strength of these caring relationships is not only in their connection to the SP\, but in their inter-connectedness\, in their connection to each other. \nA Support Circle should deal with all of the ‘functional’ aspects of an individual’s life\, already mentioned – health\, housing\, financial well-being\, and personal care. \nA Support Circle will: \n\nMonitor programs & services\nAdvocate agencies on behalf of our SP\nServe as executors\, trustees\, or advisors\nRespond to a crisis\nSolve unexpected problems\nCarry out the wishes of parents.\n\nFor us\, in this discussion\, I will focus on the social\, intellectual/creative\, and spiritual aspects of life that a support circle can facilitate. \n  \nThe Process of Building a Support Circle \nExploration \nTake lots of time to focus on the interests\, passions\, and possibilities for connections for the SP. Make a long list of possible Circle members. \nDevelopment \nFollow up on all ideas and leads. Extend invitations to prospective members\, and introduce members to each other\, usually over sharing a meal. Develop practical implementation strategies. \nMaintenance \nMeet regularly – at least 3 times per year for the first few years. Introduce new activities to respond to new interests\, and replace circle members as required. It is important that all members feel supported\, and that the support of the SP is a shared privilege and responsibility. \nContributions of Members \nCircle members contribute by: \n\nCreating opportunities for our SPs to express their gifts\nAssisting our SPs in developing their talents\nBy their presence\, letting our SPs know that they are valued.\n\nSupported Persons contribute by: \n\nDoing – Working\, teaching\, volunteering.\nBeing – as with all of us\, by offering their time\, attentiveness\, caring\, inspiration\, pleasure\, loyalty & friendship.\n\nWorksheet 5 – Contribution worksheet.  \n  \nBuilding a Good Life now through Intentional Circles \nSocial Networks Diagram \nLook at Education/Work: \n\nCurrent education and/or work. What did/do they like about it? What don’t/didn’t they like about it?\nDreams about education/work that they would like to explore…\n\nLook at People: \n\n Friends or family from the past that the SP liked connecting with. Significant people in life of SP.\nWhose company do they enjoy the most\, who is most supportive of them?\nFriends\, family or neighbours where relationships could be enhanced.\n\nLook at Activities: \n\nList past social\, recreational\, cultural\, artistic\, and athletic activities. List current…\nIdentify preferred interests & activities from this list. F\nIdentify future possibilities\, perhaps not tried before.\nHow does your SP spend his/her free time? What gives your SP peace\, joy\, Comfort? Favorite possessions?\n\nLook at Inner Life: \n\n What are the SP beliefs & values? Valued customs & traditions? Spirituality? Religion? Links to churches?\n\n  \nCautionary notes \n  Be patient! \n\nIt usually takes about two years to become a smoothly functioning team.\nFocus on what the SP can do\, their gifts and talents\, rather than what they can’t do\, or what is hard for them to do.\nConnections between members are as important as the relationship of individual members to the SP.\nLook for members who are creative\, pragmatic\, and who pay attention to detail.\nLook for members who are good event planners\, and who have good connections in the community.\n\nBe open! \n\nDare to invite people to be part of our support circle. We worry that others may feel obliged or that they will say yes because they feel sorry for us or for our supported individual. This worry speaks to past hurts and makes us forget the gifts our SP has to offer. Often our SPs have brought richness and meaning to others in ways we are unaware of. Often people have wanted to offer help but did not know how.\nMake space or change schedules to permit others to engage with our SP.\nLet go. Allow our patterns & routines to be changed by making room for others to take over some tasks & activities that we\, as parents\, have been doing.\n\nBelieve! – we may have been hurt by the absence of invitations to birthday parties and sleepovers\, and ache for our SP who wants to be included. Our fears block our ability to be open to others\, and to trust in their integrity. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/october-29-meeting-social-circles CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150730 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150731 DTSTAMP:20211025T002849Z CREATED:20150730T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T002849Z UID:1138-1438214400-1438300799@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:July 30\, 2015 Meeting: Landmark Forum DESCRIPTION:Collette Millar\, Western Canada Registration Manager for the Landmark Forum\, presented “ A Special Introduction to the Landmark Forum” to The Square Peg Society young adult members and their families. \nIt was a fun-filled evening that provided an opportunity to make a difference in each and everyone’s life. \nThe Introduction to the Landmark Forum was a 3 hour working session.  During the first half of the evening\, Square Peg Society members were offered the opportunity to create a possibility in an area of life that was not working for them\, or not working as well as they would like it to.  The last half of the evening was about what happens at each 3 day and 1 evening Landmark Forum\, and the opportunity to register and reserve a seat at the Landmark Forum\, which is held monthly. \nLandmark offers the following (copyright – Landmark Worldwide\, 2012-2014): \n“Live an extraordinary life \nOpen doors that yield benefits both practical and profound in the quality of your relationships\, your personal productivity\, and in the difference you’re out to make. \nRedefine what’s possible \nGain the power to be effective in the areas that matter most to you\, and a freedom to be at ease in any circumstance. \nCreate a future of your own design \nBring about positive and permanent shifts in the quality of your life.  Experience breakthroughs – not as random\, inexplicable accidents\, but as deliberate\, achievable results.” \nColette Millar led the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum” and brought her adult daughter\, Deb\, with her to the meeting.  Deb has a cognitive disability\, and is high-functioning.  As well\, Deb is a graduate of the Landmark Forum and other Landmark courses.  What the Landmark Forum did for Deb\, was to remove the filters of how she saw herself\, and of how she thought other people saw her.  Before the Landmark Forum\, Deb was extremely shy\, and communicated very little.  Today\, Deb is a highly communicative\, and is becoming a more independent young woman.  Deb now assists at Landmark in the office\, and with the set-up of the rooms for the many programs that Landmark offers to its guests.  Deb is a valued member of the Landmark community and a delight to be around. As for Colette\, she feels that taking the Landmark Forum took away her filters of her daughter as being unable to be anything but dependent upon her and her family forever.  Through the Landmark Forum\, Colette was able to let go of her filters and fears\, to allow Deb to become the wonderful\, active\, outgoing person that she is today. \nJanet Alcee\, an Adult Family Member of the Square Peg Society and high functioning autistic\, is registered to take the Landmark Forum at the end of October 2015.  Janet is excited about taking this program.  It is said that once you register for this program\, the program begins for you.  This has already been seen in Janet.  Janet is exercising and watching what she eats.  She is actively looking for work\, with the assistance of PosAbilities Employment Services.  Janet has also joined Toastmasters through PosAbilities\, and is an active member\, attending bi-weekly meetings.  Today Janet is not afraid to speak up\, is clear on her rights\, and is actively living her life. \nThe effect of the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum” on Catherine Alcee – mother to Janet\, was to make Catherine realize that she has filters when it comes to Janet.  Catherine realized that if her goal is to help Janet to become a totally independent young woman – which Janet wants\, then Catherine must stop over-protecting Janet and allow her the freedom to live her life\, to make her own choices\, and to learn from both her mistakes and her successes. This realization\, and letting go was scary for Catherine.  However\, since the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum”\, led by Colette\, Catherine has been stepping back and not jumping in to help Janet as she had done in the past.  Also\, Catherine is allowing Janet to make her own decisions\, especially in her job search. \nThe event was a success\, and an introduction to new tools that may help some or all of Square Peg Society members and their adult high-functioning family members. \nFor more information: www.landmarkworldwide.ca URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/july-30-2015-meeting-landmark-forum CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150528 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150529 DTSTAMP:20211019T044619Z CREATED:20150528T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044619Z UID:1139-1432771200-1432857599@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:May 28\, 2015 Meeting: PLAN DESCRIPTION:PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) \nTim Ames\, Executive Director of PLAN & PLAN Institute \nTed Kuntz\, Chairman of PLAN \nFinancial and physical security\, employment\, social inclusion\, housing\, and mental and physical health are of concern to all of us. For some of us\, especially those with a disability\, these goals are difficult to achieve without support networks. PLAN provides information\, consultation\, and professional facilitation in building networks to support these individuals and their families. \nPLAN was created twenty years ago by parents who wished to develop a formal agreement which would define the roles and responsibilities of family and friends supporting an individual with a disability. The intention was that the “plan” would remain in place for the individual’s lifetime. Together\, the facilitator\, the supported individual\, and his or her family\, friends\, and support workers work to answer such questions as\, “Who will take an interest in our family member\, particularly after we are gone? Who will love them? Whom will they love? Who will protect and keep them safe? Who will appreciate and nurture their gifts?” \nThe team strives to construct “a good life” for the person\, which includes having a home\, financial security\, and relationships\, especially friends. They believe that it takes as few as 6-8 people in one’s life to be “in relationship”\, and that safety follows from relationships. As well\, PLAN’s criteria includes choice for the supported individual\, in decisions that affect their life; for example in how or who is to care for them. This may involve implementing a Representation Agreement. Finally\, a “good life” would include opportunities for the individual to contribute to their own care\, to their families\, and to the world at large\, in ways that they are able. \nPLAN proposes that implementing the above be done in three phases – Exploration\, Growth\, and Maintenance. \nThe Exploration phase is for the individual\, family and facilitator to explore the person’s interests\, passions\, and possibilities for meeting others. Through the use of relationship circles and social mapping\, a set of objectives is developed\, a time line of activities established\, and a list of potential network members compiled. \nThe Growth phase is for all leads and possibilities to be followed up\, contracts made\, and invitations extended to potential network members. The objectives from the Exploration phase are developed into practical strategies to be implemented. \nThe Maintenance phase is the “fine tuning” that occurs after relationships have been formed and networks have been established\, and settle in for the long term. It is important that this system be dynamic and flexible to respond to change – changes in the interests or abilities of the supported individual and changes in the support network. \nWhat is the relevance of PLAN to Square Peg Society? \nWho does not want a “good life” for their supported individual? And our young adults are very able to participate in the building of their personal networks. It was important to the founders of PLAN that their model be customized to each support network – so that each PLAN would be independent of other agencies and unique to the supported individual and his team. This takes time and resources. Consequently\, for each support network with PLAN\, there is an initial cost\, and monthly fees. \nAny of our member families could certainly elect to employ PLAN. Perhaps there are also issues where we could collaborate with PLAN – to advocate for government policy changes\, for example\, – in eligibility for the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)\, and use of the funding\, in eligibility for other funding\, and in an expanded definition of disability. PLAN was instrumental in the development\, by government and financial institutions\, of the RDSP. PLAN also indicated to us that they would be willing to consult with us on establishing support networks. \nFor more information about PLAN\, contact: http://institute.plan.ca \n  \n  \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/may-28-2015-meeting-plan CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150415 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150416 DTSTAMP:20211025T003542Z CREATED:20150430T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T003542Z UID:1135-1429056000-1429142399@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:April 30\, 2015 Meeting: PosAbilities & PEERS DESCRIPTION:Employment is key to independence and purposefulness for every adult. Yet our young people often falter in job hunting\, or\, if employed\, in the execution of their tasks due to a lack of “soft skills”. For example\, they may not priorize tasks as an employer might wish\, communicate what they don’t understand\, or generally understand how to “fit in”. Consequently\, they may be let go from their jobs\, or sidelined\, or passed over for promotions. \nIn pairing a PEERS presentation with a PosAbilities presentation\, SPS was hoping to find a way that the life skills training offered by PEERS could compliment the job placements offered by PosAbilities. \nPosAbilities provides a broad range of services to persons with developmental disabilities\, employment counselling being one of them. Other areas of service are community inclusion\, home living support\, and behavior consultation. Foye Hatton\, from the Employment arm of PosAbilities presented on their work assisting clients in finding & keeping work. We learned that PosAbilities has a growing roster of companies receptive to employing persons with disabilities; seeking employment at businesses where disclosure of a disability is not an issue\, is obviously\, preferable. The employer will then be more likely to modify either the tasks or the work environment to accommodate the employee and will likely also welcome the job coaching assistance offered by PosAbilities. In the end\, though\, the decision to disclose lies with the individual being served. However\, repairing the relationship with the employer after a problem has occurred\, is more difficult without disclosure at the onset. PosAbilities takes a personal interest in their clients and works to find “a good fit” in their placements. Many of the jobs\, though\, are entry level\, rather than career jobs. This is typical of jobs for young people without much post-secondary education; more work is needed in developing a long-term employment picture for their clients. We also learned that PosAbilities had a “jobs club” to facilitate social interaction & mutual support between their job seekers. This club did not really get off the ground\, though it may be revived at some point in the future. PosAbilities has also initiated a chartered Toastmasters group for their clients to better prepare them to present their ideas and to exchange ideas with others. \nPEERS (Program for the Education & Enrichment of Relational Skills) was developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel in 200. PEERS is a manualized\, social skills training intervention. It has a strong evidence base for use with teens & young adults with autism spectrum disorders\, and is also appropriate for people with ADHD\, anxiety & depression. PEERS for Young Adults is a 16 week program for 18-30 year-olds\, who are interested in learning ways to help them make & keep friends\, and to develop romantic relationships. Some of the topics covered are appropriate conversation skills\, how to find common interests and exchange information\, how to use humor\, how to enter & exit conversations\, how to handle rejection\, teasing\, and bullying\, how to be a good host\, how to choose appropriate friends\, how to be a good sport\, how to handle arguments & disagreements\, and dating & etiquette skills. Our two PEERS presenters\, Laurie Campbell and Natalie Haggarty\, are registered PEERS providers\, and both use PEERS principles in their jobs as Special Education teachers in the Lower Mainland. For PEERS to be effective\, the participants have to be motivated to engage in the practice and discussion of concepts raised each session\, and 8-10 participants would be required to run a program for young adults. As no programs are being run on a regular basis\, it would appear that finding the quota of motivated young adults has not been easy. Another drawback is the cost – $1500.00 for each participant; for parents with young mostly unemployed adults\, who might also need additional post-secondary education/training and possibly other support services\, many of whom do not receive disability funding – this may seem like a prohibitive amount. Another concern is follow up – is there any support or reinforcement for the participants after the 16 week program is completed? Finally\, I think that some parents found the PEERS program structure too rigid\, and not responsive to individual differences\, and maybe too focused on making the participants “fit in”\, rather than creating an atmosphere of acceptance. \nIn the end\, while each presentation was interesting\, and the premise that the lack of life & social skills may make or break a job for our young adults is valid\, there seemed to be no will to collaborate by pairing the life skills training of PEERS with the job counselling & job placement work done by PosAbilities. I learned later that the PEERS is offered by the Behavioural Intervention arm of PosAbilities\, though it doesn’t seem to be offered regularly\, or thought of as supporting clients in their relationships at work. \n  \nPosAbilities: www.posabilities.ca             604.291.1902   307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver \nPEERS:   Laurie Campbell\, lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca                Natalie Hagarty\, nhararty@gmail.com URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/april-30-2015-meeting-posabilities-peers LOCATION:PosAbilities\, 307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver\, British Columbia\, Canada CATEGORIES:Employment,Life & Social Skills ORGANIZER;CN="Laurie Campbell":MAILTO:lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150326 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150327 DTSTAMP:20211018T232716Z CREATED:20150326T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T232716Z UID:1136-1427328000-1427414399@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:March 26\, 2015 Meeting: Pacific Autism Family Centre DESCRIPTION:Sergio Cocchia\, President & Board Chair of the Pacific Autism Family Centre \nMr. Cocchia is an unstoppable force on behalf of his own Autistic son and other families affected by Autism. He is one of the visionaries behind The Pacific Autism Family Centre\, scheduled to open in September 2016\, and a fundraiser on its behalf. Twenty million dollars has been contributed by the Government of British Columbia\, in recognition that this neurobiological disorder occurs at rates that exceed juvenile diabetes\, pediatric aids\, schizophrenia\, cancer and cystic fibrosis combined. \nFamilies want and need a comprehensive approach. The Pacific Autism Family Centre will be a Centre of Excellence based in Richmond\, with 8 regional centres throughout B.C.\, and will be viewed as a global hub.   The Centre is intended to provide a welcoming and well-equipped facility from which service providers and community groups will run programs to serve individuals with autism. It is to include the following: \n\nTreatment Centre – best practice pre-school and after school programs\,\n\nassessment\, intervention\, support. \n\nKnowledge Centre – library\, videoconferencing\, networking\, counselling\,\n\ncurrent\, accurate\, evidenced based information \n\nLeadership space   – collaborative office space for specialists\n\nencouragement of dialogue between experts and innovation \n\nLifespan Centre   – Youth and adults\, vocational\, social and educational.\n\n  \nObjectives include sharing information\, influencing policy makers\, and ensuring accountability. Advisory committees will provide oversight. \n  \nRelevance to Square Peg Society \nA centralized\, customized\, and comprehensive approach which incorporates cutting age research and technology is long overdue. Hopefully\, it will eliminate or dissipate some of the problems now facing our young adults and improve outcomes for younger people. \nThe Centre is open to suggestions for programs to include. Square Peg Society has proposed a monthly cooking club\, to offer life skills/employment training and social exchange. It would run Monday evenings in the commissary kitchen at the Centre. SPS would provide the chefs and food\, and the Centre would provide the kitchen and dining space. \nIt appears that most of the activities will take place in the physical location of Richmond. It is not clear how services will be duplicated in the regional branches. \nFor more information: http://pacificautismfamily.com/ URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/march-26-2015-meeting-pacific-autism-family-centre CATEGORIES:Advocacy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/51300099780_dc5d225e1e_b.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR