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My Next Steps: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Autism

A first-time diagnosis of autism in a child can be an overwhelming and stressful time for parents and families. My Next Steps: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Autism serves as a roadmap for parents dealing with this challenging period and seeks to provide answers to the many questions that arise during the journey from autism diagnosis to treatment. The DVD is produced by the University of Washington Autism Center and funded by Washington State legislature. Through interviews with experts and treatment providers, My Next Steps familiarizes parents with topics that are crucial in providing the best support for their child.

A first-time diagnosis of autism in a child can be an overwhelming and stressful time for parents and families. My Next Steps: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Autism serves as a roadmap for parents dealing with this challenging period and seeks to provide answers to the many questions that arise during the journey from autism diagnosis to treatment. The DVD is produced by the University of Washington Autism Center and funded by Washington State legislature. Through interviews with experts and treatment providers, My Next Steps familiarizes parents with topics that are crucial in providing the best support for their child.

Davis, a 30-year quadriplegic, Missoula resident and a powerful voice for people with disabilities, died in her home on June 28 from cancer at the age of 58. She was a calming, caring voice for those struggling with their disability and a strong, confident voice when it came to testifying before the Legislature for funds to pay for home-care services.

The U.S. Department of Education released today Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies, a new report summarizing current approaches in the 46 states with anti-bullying laws and the 41 states that have created anti-bullying policies as models for schools. The report shows the prevalence of state efforts to combat bullying over the last several years. From 1999 to 2010, more than 120 bills were enacted by state legislatures from across the country to either introduce or amend statutes that address bullying and related behaviors in schools. Twenty-one new bills were enacted in 2010 and eight additional bills were signed into law through April 30, 2011. Out of the 46 states with anti-bullying laws in place, 36 have provisions that prohibit cyber bullying and 13 have statutes that grant schools the authority to address off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment. "Every state should have effective bullying prevention efforts in place to protect children inside and outside of school," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "This report reveals that while most states have enacted legislation around this important issue, a great deal of work remains to ensure adults are doing everything possible to keep our kids safe."

Families concerned about health care costs now have one less thing to worry about: As of Jan. 1, children 18 and younger get their vaccinations without having to pay the cost of the vaccine.

Maine's Universal Childhood Immunization Program (www.mevaccine.org) was initiated by the past Legislature and pools funds from the Maine Immunization Program and from private insurers to buy vaccines, which are then supplied to doctors' offices for free.

What:Kevin Honeycutt takes a fun look at the exciting things that happen when educators step outside their boxes and try new tools. He reinforces the importance of relationships while encouraging teacher to become learners again through positive examples of student success.Julie Cajune, Executive Director of the Center for American Indian Policy and Applied Research Center at Salish Kootenai College, recently completed a three-year project developing tribal history materials funded by the Montana State Legislature. Julie will share her findings in her Wednesday keynote presentation: “History Matters” and in her session “Montana Tribal Histories and Governments”.When:June 5-8, 2012Where:MSU BillingsBillings, MTRegistration: Early Bird registration: $150.00 (through 5/14/12Late Bird registration: $170.00 (after 5/14/12) Register for college credit and CEUs by calling MSUB at 896-5890.Contact:Montana Center on DisabilitiesPhone: 657-2312 Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/summerinstitute/

Gary Mihelish, the former president of the Montana chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has spent a couple of decades advocating for people with mental illness, fighting against the stigma, ignorance and isolation that often comes with those diseases.In late June at the alliance’s annual conference in San Antonio, he received one of its top honors, the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his work before the Montana Legislature and, along with his wife, Sandra, in implementing the group’s family-to-family program for more than a decade. He also was elected to NAMI’s national board.

Legislators and candidates vying for different House and Senate positions in the Montana Legislature joined together to learn about different challenges faced by the disabled community Tuesday night.The forum on disabilities at City College in Billings helped to shed light on issues that many families with disabled children or family members face.The event, put on by the ARC of Montana, Disability Rights Montana and Parents Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) hosted 14 candidates campaigning for House and Senate seats, a few of whom are running for re-election.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) When: November 24, 2010 7:30am-9:00am MT Where: Bozeman, MT What: You are invited to join with legislators, community groups, and others interested in the health & well-being of our children to discuss a children’s legislative agenda for the 2011 Montana Legislature. RSVP by Monday, November 22Toni at 582-3144 or toni.lucker@gallatin.mt.gov

The NJ legislature has passed the nation's strongest anti-bullying bill of rights for students. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights protects all students bullied for any reason.  The legislation maintains the language of New Jersey's existing anti-bullying law, enacted in 2002, which enumerates protection of students based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and has clear language protecting students bullied for any other reason.  The law will continue to apply to students bullied for any reason.

What: The fourth Friday of September was designated by the 1997 Legislature as American Indian Heritage Day, in recognition of Montana’s constitutional commitment to preserve the cultural integrity of American Indians. The definition of a quality education in Montana includes specific language for the integration of Indian Education for All throughout the curriculum. MCA 20-9-309. Activities that celebrate American Indian Heritage Day can create sustained interest in learning about the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians, setting the tone and creating connections for a year of integrating Indian Education for All. Spark interest with these activities… Display information about Montana tribes – tribal specific posters, maps, and books. Learn the names of all Montana reservations, tribes that live on them and languages spoken there. Research how names of the tribes are spoken in their own languages. Explore nearby Montana Indian cultural and historical sites and community museums. Invite cultural resource experts from Montana’s tribal nations to visit. Display OPI Indian Education for All curriculum materials. Through the study of Montana Indian cultures and peoples, all students become more self-aware of their own cultures and develop a reference point to support greater understanding of others. Explore the OPI Indian Education website for links to DVDs, websites, publications and lessons for most content areas and grade levels: http://opi.mt.gov/Programs/IndianEd/Index.html When: Friday, September 23, 2011

Local candidates for the state Legislature gathered at a forum Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing disabled Montanans. Held at Eagle Mount in Bozeman, the forum drew 16 candidates from both major parties who asked and answered questions about the issues facing disabled people and their families. Most told stories of disabilities in their own families.

The proposal would expand on a set of pilot youth crisis diversion programs around the state. In the last year, four programs -- serving Helena, Missoula, Yellowstone County and Eastern Montana, have been having some "good results," said Jani McCall of the Yellowstone Youth Crisis Network, who works with the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

The panel unanimously endorsed the draft legislation, setting it up for discussion in the 2015 Legislature.