PEI Association for Community Living job posting for RWA Labour Market Facilitator

Job Posting: Labour Market Facilitator

The PEI Association for Community Living (PEI ACL) is seeking a Labour Market Facilitator for its Ready, Willing and Able project.

Full time contractual position until January 2018 with a possibility of extension.

The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) are very proud to be partners in the delivery of the Ready Willing and Able (RWA) initiative. RWA project funded by the Government of Canada, is designed to increase the workforce participation of people with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

RWA will accomplish this by reaching out to, and engaging, employers and increasing their understanding of the value and economic benefits to hiring people with intellectual disabilities and ASD. RWA will help employers realize that these working aged adults represent a significantly untapped labour source that could very much assist in addressing their staffing needs. RWA will connect these employers who are ready, willing and able to hire to local employment agencies who are supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and ASD who are equally ‘ready willing and able’ to work.

The Labour Market Facilitator position will work to promote social change and increase the employment level of people with developmental disabilities. This position will develop relationships with and collaborate with employers, community employment agencies, autism organizations, local ACLs, government and community agencies to create meaningful and equal opportunity for employment for people with developmental disabilities.

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For more information, visit our website at http://peiacl.org/job-posting-labour-market-facilitator-re…/ Deadline is May 3rd, 2016 to apply.

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Dave Hingsburger training session- Saturday, May 7th, 2016 Charlottetown, PE

PEI ACL is a proud partner in being able to offer a Dave Hingsburger workshop on Saturday, May 7th, 2016. Dave Hingsburger, M.Ed., is a well-known author and lecturer and a sexuality counselor for people with developmental disabilities. He has provided direct care to people with intellectual disabilities throughout his career. From working in a group home to providing individual counseling or group training, he continues to have personal contact with people who have disabilities. Dave also provides consultation and training for parents, agencies, schools, and churches regarding support for people who have intellectual disabilities.

We invite you to join us, and be sure to let other friends, families, individuals, co-workers, support persons know about this great opportunity. 
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A coalition of community groups including Holland College Human Services Program, The Stars for Life Foundation for Autism, PEI Association for Community Living and the Autism Society of PEI will host world renowned guest presenter and advocate for people with disabilities, Dave Hingsburger in a two topic- one day workshop. 

Saturday May 7th 2016 800am-430pm

Murchison Centre, 17 St Pius X Avenue

Charlottetown, PE C1A 7L9

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Morning Session : Sexuality and People with Intellectual Disabilities

When disability and sexuality intersect, attitudes often collide. This workshop will look at the various “realizations” that people need to have when working with those who have an intellectual disability who wish to express their sexual/relationship needs. It will also cover the myths and mythologies of sexuality and disabilities.

Afternoon Session: Making Tomorrow:

This session is aimed at providing direct care givers skills to keep motivated, keep positive, and how to stay alive in the human services field.

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Full day registration is $100 or $60 for a half-day session. Each session will have snacks provided for a 15 min break in the morning and afternoon. Lunch is on your own from 12pm-1pm. For more information contact tracy@starsforlife.com or call 902-894-9286 for registration forms and workshop details.

Celebrating Earth Day April 22 & every day!

Earth Day

Earth Day, which was established on April 22nd each year. It is a day to think about our planet and what we can do to keep it special; to think about saving water and energy, reducing pollution, recycling, protecting our animals, trees and plants, and generally getting kids interested in protecting their environment. 

 "Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children".

Kenyan proverb

Here are some quick ideas for celebrating Earth Day with your children:

• Plant a tree
• Go for a bike ride or a long walk (leave the car behind) just get outside and enjoy Mother Nature. Talk about the earth and what is around your enviroment. Explore!
• Hold a nature "scavenger hunt" (send the kids out into the garden or park in teams to collect - or spot - various items on a list you provide)
• Talk about saving water when brushing teeth and saving energy by turning off the lights when you leave a room
• Bake your favourite cookie or biscuit recipe and let the kids decorate with icing to look like the planet earth
• Gather family and friends together and combine a picnic or other excursion with a litter clean-up
• Set up a recycling centre in your home. Talk about the importance of re-cycling and re-using.
• Look through your shelves and find some books to give away via your local charity shop or library
• Get some fresh air!- according to the EPA, air pollutants in the home can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor air pollutants. Throw open your windows and let the fresh spring air in! While you're at it, encourage your kids to listen for nature sounds and write down what they hear.
• Local produce doesn't need to be shipped long distance, and therefore helps to promote energy conservation by reducing the use of fossil fuels and packaging. It also helps to support the environment by offering a habitat to local wildlife and preserving open space. Be sure to check out what is grown in season and where you can purchase it locally, get your kids involved in creating meals that they know where the ingredients came from.
• Read a book together! 

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Love this song about the 3 "R's" & importance of taking care of our planet! Be sure to check it out and some of the other videos after this one, about Earth day! Get dancing, moving and learning!

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Some cute ideas in this video as well! Nicely done Sunny! 

Sunny is back and this time her hacks are going green. From a bug themed tic tac toe game and a DIY planter to an adorable hummingbird feeder, Sunny is ready to celebrate a hacky Earth Day! Get all the environmentally friendly tricks right here..

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Here's a memory card game, you can print off and play with your kids. 

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Here's a link to a Earth day crafts & printable worksheets to check out. Lots of fun ideas and activities to do. 

http://www.dltk-kids.com/Crafts/earth/index.html
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Check out this great link as well: 

You want to help fight climate change on Earth Day? Help Earth Day Canada grow the global forest! Join Earth Day Canada’s #Rooting4Trees campaign and together we’ll commit to planting 25,000 legacy trees for Earth Day’s 25th Anniversary in 2016.

https://earthday.ca/

7 Kid-Friendly Yoga Poses To Avoid Morning Meltdowns!! Let's try it!

It's Spring, and with this change in the season,  the energy level in most houses probably needs some adjusting, to get us through the next couple of months. I know Yoga doesn't appeal to everyone, but even if you have a look at this article and pick a couple of these to do, every morning, its a great way to start the day, get you and your kids grounded. Takes a few minutes, connects you with each other, and a moment to catch your breath before the day has you running in different directions. Try it out and let me know if some work better than others. Find a quiet spot in the house and gather your troops and try a pose or two. It can quickly become a routine, and you may find yourself, doing a few moments of yoga during the day to gather yourself again. Or even going outside, on a sunny morning, tilting your face to the sun and deep breaths, are a great place to start. 

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Getting kids up and ready in the morning is like playing the world’s biggest game of whac-a-mole. Once you’ve solved one thing, another issue pops up. No one wants to get out of bed and it goes downhill from there. It’s enough to turn the first part of the day into the worst part of the day.

So here is where a natural mood shift from yoga can help. Breathing and stretching through a simple and quick yoga routine can increase blood flow, improve circulation, and bring oxygen to the whole body. Giving yourself and your family even three minutes to twist, bend, and breathe can go a long way to a morning that flows.

Here are seven poses that will help you to avoid the early drama and bring a positive beginning to your day:

1. Sun Breath

Inhale and reach your arms out to the sides, lift up to the sky and exhale and relax your arms back down.

2. Tummy Twist

Twist your whole body from side to side and swing your arms back and forth.

3. Volcano

Lift up on tiptoes and reach your fingers high.

4. Ski Jumper

Bend your knees and bring your chest down toward your thighs. Sweep your arms back.

5. Lightning Bolt

Bend your knees and glide your hands high.

6. Mountain

Stand tall and press down through your feet and stretch your spine long. Roll your shoulders back and press your palms together.

7. Awake

Sit with your legs crossed. Your spine grows taller, your shoulders roll back, and rest your hands on your knees.

Thanks to:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24100/7-kid-friendly-yoga-poses-to-avoid-morning-meltdowns.html

Another installment of Monday's musings-Autism, Sensory issues and real life!

As many of us are aware, our loved ones with Autism or Aspergers syndrome often have  issues with sensory overload. It has an impact on different parts of their bodies, at different times, days, and senses. The filtering mechanism in their brains often works in a different way in assimilating the senses such as touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight. They may be extremely sensitive to some senses and find seemingly routine events fascinating - the patterns of light on a wall, or the rustling leaves in the wind. The person with autism may also be unresponsive to sensations that their parents find unpleasant, such as extreme heat, cold or pain. We must be more aware of how their senses are absorbing, processing and dealing with many of the body's systems and ways to desensitize and put coping mechanisms in place to help regulate the body. Sensory Integration involves various systems in our bodies:

• The vestibular system responds to movement and gravity

• The proprioceptive system receives feedback from joints and muscles and joints

• Our five senses - sight, hearing, touch, eyesight and smell.

 Some people with autism will be so severely affected by their sensory preferences that it interferes with their normal, everyday functioning. Sensory issues are usually defined as either hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli.
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I have become aware of a great new blog, that Emily C. has created to talk about sensory issues and give some tips & suggestions on how to be 'sensory smart' 

http://emily-cairns.wix.com/besensorysmart

Please be sure to check out her blog. Emily has done a great job in discussing sensory issues, and ideas that may help your son or daughter at school, home and the importance of connecting with other families who are walking the same journey. Of course, I really want to highlight her great video interview with her brother Joey. Joey shares with us some real life perspective on living with sensory issues. Thank you Emily & Joey, for sharing your story, and the information it provides us all. Be sure to click on the link to Emily's blog to watch the video, it's a great resource. Well done.

Mondays Musings-reflections from a young lady

Circus Fish (Inspired by Dr. Seuss) 

Written by: Breanna B.

The Circus Fish lived in a tank.

They saved in a bank.

They lived in the blue.

And loved to swim too. 

All day long they swam laps.

Had lots of fun with a few flaps.

They never stayed mad for very long.

Because their friendships were very strong.

We should be like Circus Fish.

And get along with those who live in our dish.heart emoticon

~graciously shared with permission of the author 

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I am thrilled this morning to be able to share a wonderful introspective from a great young lady I know, and whose Mom is a dear friend. We are all connecting with each other, making new friends along the way, sharing what we know, what resources we have to help navigate this journey. Breanna has captured in her wonderful poem, the essence of inclusion and 'getting along with those in our dish'. Well done  Breanna! We should all be like Circus Fish! Sounds good to me. 

I am looking forward to your next installment.