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Show Wednesday, July 20, 2005 D1 Expressions Basin Life Community Calendsr ssisting with the lives of many Committed to promoting the rights, dignity and quality qual-ity of life for all persons with disabilities. By Carissa Magee Express Writer Active Re-Entry. The name explains a bit of what the program does, but what does Active Re-Entry really do and who does it help? As their promotion says, "Active Re-Entry is a community communi-ty based program which assists individuals with disabilities achieve or maintain self sufficient suf-ficient and productive lives in their own communities. The program is committed to promoting pro-moting the rights, dignity and quality of life for all persons with disabilities." Throughout the program, and depending on certain needs, individuals are taught different skills in order to prepare pre-pare them for life on their own. The services are available to individuals of every age, ability abil-ity and disability, and provide the opportunity for everyone to receive the assistance they need for a better life. A typical experience with the Active Re-Entry program pro-gram includes Intake and Independent Living Planning as one of the many services offered. This consists of meeting meet-ing with staff or peer counselors coun-selors and family members to discuss available programs, services, opportunities and resource tools available. Peer Counseling is also available, matching the consumer with another person who has a similar simi-lar disability for purposes of sharing experiences, knowledge, knowl-edge, or skills. Active Re-Entry offers Service Coordination to help support, integrate and coordinate services a consumer consum-er is receiving from a variety of agencies. Independent Living Skills and Classes brings individuals together who seek to increase their knowledge, skills and abilities in order to live more independently. This includes cooking and money budgeting classes among many others. "Basically the Active Re-Entry programs covers most everything every-thing insurance companies and other organizations don't," says Denise McMullen of Active Re-Entry. Re-Entry. "We not only provide educational classes but we also have the ability to access funding for assistive technology technol-ogy items such as ceiling lifts, wheelchairs, bathroom supplies sup-plies and many other items for individuals who qualify." Along with the providing of services to individuals with disabilities, Active Re-Entry is very dedicated to educating educat-ing the community about individuals indi-viduals with disabilities. "It is so important for everyone in the community to have an understanding of those with disabilities," says Raquel Hollingworth, Independent Living Coordinator for Active Re-Entry. "Everyone has the ability to learn, it just takes a little more time for some." Active Re-Entry focuses their community outreach programs on promoting a positive posi-tive attitude about persons with disabilities and creating a less fearful approach through understanding. Students with learning disabilities dis-abilities may have difficulty with a number of different things including listening, thinking, speaking, reading, and problem solving. Learning disabilities can affect the student's stu-dent's ability to understand, retain and express spoken or written information. Growing up is already a difficult task for all children, but it can be even for complicated for children with disabilities. Transition planning through Active Re-Entry, Individualized Education Programs (IEP) with educators, parents and the student, and other available avail-able and helpful resources can identify the challenges these students will face as they grow into adulthood and will help in preparing them to meet the demands of the adult world successfully. The most effective route is to start as early as possible pos-sible with the types of education educa-tion they need, which may also provide them with the opportunity opportu-nity to interact with other students stu-dents on the mainstream level. Coming at the end of this month, July 30, the Uintah Basin Regional Advocacy Council and Active Re-Entry Independent Living Center will be hosting a free Special Education Conference and Legal Clinic sponsored by the Utah Parent Center, Allies with Families, Northeastern Counseling Center and the Disability Law Center. The conference will offer a chance for those interested to participate partici-pate in a free legal clinic by the Disability Law Center by appointment through Active Re-Entry. There will be discussions dis-cussions on the Utah Parent Center, Parents as Partners in the IEP along with rights and responsibilities. A presentation presenta-tion on Allies with Families, a Family Voice in Educating Children with Mental Illness, LRBI, FUBA, BIP will also be discussed. There will be a refreshment break in between for those interested, with the conference resuming in discussion once again from the Utah Parent Center covering communication, communica-tion, conferencing and problem resolution. The Disability Law Center will then discuss an overview of their available services. ser-vices. Information booths will be provided by local service providers from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Food, prizes and school supplies sup-plies will be offered and exciting excit-ing door prizes will be given. The conference will , be held at the Utah State University UBBC in Vernal Saturday, July 30 from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For those interested in meeting meet-ing with the Disability Law Center (DLC) the following are a few facts surrounding the organization: The DLC is a statewide Utah agency that provides pro-vides self advocacy assistance, legal services, disability rights education and public policy advocacy. As the private, nonprofit non-profit entity designed by the governor to administer the federal fed-eral protection and advocacy system, the DLC has broad statutory powers to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities. dis-abilities. Along with many others oth-ers across the country, the DLC envisions a just society where all people are treated with equity, dignity and respect. Their mission is to enforce and strengthen laws that protect the opportunities, choices and legal rights of people with disabilities. dis-abilities. Disability Law Center services ser-vices include short term medical medi-cal assistance, information and referral; Investigation and monitoring of abuse and neglect in the community, residential resi-dential facilities and government govern-ment institutions; Mediation and negotiation; Legal representation; repre-sentation; Training and self-advocacy self-advocacy education on disability disabil-ity rights; Technical assistance to attorneys, government agencies, agen-cies, service providers and other organizations; and Public policy advocacy. Helping people with disabilities disabili-ties gain the skills they need to become self advocates, elimi- T-jf ? J Individuals involved in Active Re-Entry participate in fun social activities classes, arts and crafts, plays, concerts, cooking classes and river trips. Enrichment activities help students nating abuse and neglect of people with disabilities, ensuring ensur-ing that programs and facilities facili-ties are accessible to people with disabilities, helping individuals indi-viduals with disabilities have access to transportation, protecting pro-tecting against discriminatory housing practices and helping people with disabilities receive assistive technology devices and services are just a few of the Disability Law Center's goals. The DLC provides free services to people with disabilities disabili-ties throughout Utah. Another of the presenters at the conference will be Utah Parent Center (UPC). The mission mis-sion of the UPC is to help parents par-ents help their children with disabilities to live inclusive, productive lives as members of the community. The UPC is an award-winning, non-profit organization founded in 1984 by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents facing similar challenges challeng-es throughout Utah. The UPC provides accurate information, empathetic peer support, valuable valu-able training, and effective advocacy based on the concept of parents helping parents. Also involved in the conference con-ference will be Allies with Families. Their program offers practical support and resources resourc-es for parents with children who have serious emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. The program was created to support all families in the state of Utah. Everyone is welcome to attend the free, educational and enlightening Special Education Conference and Legal Clinic. Other activities in the month of July include an Active Re-Entry and the Division of Services for People with Disabilities sponsored celebration celebra-tion for the 15th Anniversary for the American's with Disabilities Act Join them in celebrating this significant milestone in history with a barbecue, bar-becue, games, prizes, an obstacle obsta-cle course and fun for all ages. The celebration will be held at the old park in Roosevelt next S.i- l-Jr .v -JS-.T Wj .- -A 1 t 1 rtt. s m (6 gain the knowledge needed to excel . , v.3 X "t - J). 'j '? V K f pit 7 Active Re-Entry provides a number of services to individuals with disabilities disabili-ties including the access of Assistive Technologies such as special computer com-puter systems like this one. Active Re-Entry offers a chance for individuals with disabilities to interact with one another as well as with others in the community. to the indoor pool Tuesday, well as the July 30 Special July 26 at 6 p.m. Education Conference with RSVP for the July 26 Raquel Hollingworth at Active Anniversary Celebration as Re-Entry 789-4021. M " fei ft within the community such as exercise later in life. A I ' i T 4 '..I r July 20 Looking for a cat or kitten? Contact the Uintah Animal Shelter for cats and kittens of all ages, colors and sizes waiting for someone to adopt them. Adopt a cat or kitten throughout the month of July for $17 including microchip identification. July 22 Super pet adoption at the old Dinosaur Gardens Friday, July 22 from 12 noon until 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information contact the Uintah Animal Shelter at 789-PAWS. Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8-10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides pro-vides the music. July 24 Pioneer Day July 25 The Uintah Basin Boy Scout breakfast will be held at the Colton Pavilion from 69:30 a.m. Tickets are $2 per plate and can be purchased the day of the breakfast at the park. Utah Power and Light will be sponsoring this year's breakfast break-fast with all proceeds going to the Boy Scouts. Celebrations continue throughout the day at the Vernal City Park in honor of Pioneer day. Fireworks display dis-play at dusk. The Classic Can Chasers Association jackpot schedule sched-ule for July 25 will be at the Duchesne Rodeo Grounds. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. with the run starting at 7 p.m. Divisions offered are Barrels, Pole Bending and Goat Tying. For more information contact Whitney Robb at 454-3334; Kimmie Wall at 722-3746; Billie Farnsworth at 722-2882, Marie Etheredge at 722-7161. July 28 Alive After Five at Cobble Rock Park. Entertainment and booths. July 29 Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8-10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band pro vides the music. July 30 Uintah Basin Regional Advocacy Council and Active Re-Entry Independent Living Center will be hosting a Special Education Conference and Legal Clinic Saturday, July 30 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Utah State University in Vernal. August 1 Swimming lessons at the Vernal Indoor Pool third session ses-sion begins August 1 through August 12. Cost is $30 per per son. For further information contact the Vernal Indoor Pool 170 South 600 West or call 789-5775. Grace Baptist Church, 3816 S. 2500 E., will be holding hold-ing Vacation Bible School Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Refreshments, games and Bible stories. Transportation is available. Contact Pastor Ben Bardon at 781-2912. August 3 Entry deadline for the annual UBIC Art Show is Wednesday, August 3 from 36 p.m. at the church on Skyline Drive by Constitution Park in Roosevelt. The show opens Thursday, August from 17 p.m.; Friday, August 5 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 6 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All entries must be picked up between 23 p.m. August 5 All Burton-related fami lies and friends reunion at the Uintah Group Picnic area August 5, 6, and 7. For full details call or email ReNae Burton Lawson at 505-835-8977; 505-418-8341; kentuckyl735msn.com. To place Items ofl public interest in the Community Calendar call 789-3511, email them to editorvernal.com or fax them to 789-8690. |