ACCE Happenings
Weekly inspirational quote
"Do good and care not to whom." Italian Proverb
Join our mailing list to get notifications and updates to the weekly ACCE Happenings Newsletter.
Due to the holidays our next update will be December 3, 2021.
New Happenings
- Using smart speakers to handle scheduling, communication, reminders, and more!
- How to operate devices
- A live demonstration of devices like smart locks, cameras, doorbell, and more
- How to design, purchase, configure and install devices
- Ways to receive funding and loans to purchase these devices
- Open discussion among parents/caregivers
- Opportunities for children to engage and socialize with each other
- Share tips to ease worries regarding the season
In partnership with Parenting Autism United.
Misericordia University Art Classes
S.A.F.E
Sponsored program
Art Class
with Jeannine
Beginning October 14, 2021
Thursday nights from 7PM-8PM
Projects will include seasonal crafts
At the Autism Center at
Misericordia University
Respite Care Parent's Day Out-Camp Orchard Hill
Last One for the year--Dec 4th 9-4PM
Ages 8 and up with lunch and snack provided
COVID -19 protocols in place
Professional staff and RN
Registration and health form required.
Register Early Space is limited!
Community Holiday Networking Event
- community event for the kids
- giving families information, resources, services, products and within the community and surrounding areas.
- Meet, Network, and Share Resources with other families
- Understand key policy issues discussed at the SICC meeting
- Consider ways to participate in the SICC meeting
- Learn about the purpose of the SICC
Questions? For more info contact:
Lisa Snyder at lsnyder@includemepa.org
Reimbursement for childcar is available
Language or ADA accommodations must be requested two weeks in advance
- Join us virtually. Learn how progress is measured and provide your feedback as we set targets and develop the State Performance Plan.
| Date/Time | Discussion Topic |
| Dec 9th 10-11:30 am ET | Engaging families in Early Intervention |
| Dec 9th 6-7:30 pm ET | Enrolling children in Early Intervention as Early as Possible |
| Dec 15th 12:30-2 pm ET | Settings where preschoolers in Early Intervention receive services |
| December 15th 6-7:30 pm ET | Engaging Families in Early Intervention |
*Childcare reimbursement offerred (per guidelines) for families of children receiving EI services.
Need more information contact Sarah Holland saholland@pa.gov
- build knowledge and leadership skills related to inclusive special education and health care, offered at no cost to families by the PEAL Center and our partners!
- Participation is by application only, which must be completed and submitted by December 3rd, 2021. Complete the online application at: Apply Now!.
- Space is limited, please apply early! If you have been selected for this FLI, we will let you know by December 10th.
- Una capacitación en profundidad de varias sesiones para que las familias desarrollen conocimientos y habilidades de liderazgo relacionadas con la educación especial inclusiva y la atención médica.
Virtual Parent Cafes
PA Family Network November Events
Waiver Basics (101) Part 1 Workshop:
• Address the importance of having a vision of your loved one’s needs to live a good life
• Basic information of how to register, apply and access waiver services
Follow the links below for the flyers and registration information:
November 22, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
November 29, 2021 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Waiver Basics (101) Part 2 Workshop:
• Individual Services Plan (ISP) Basics
• Overview of waiver services
Follow the links below for the flyers and registration information:
November 22, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
November 29, 2021 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join PA Family Network Advisors as we plan and problem solve for your loved one with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to have successful relationships by:• identifying possible ways to apply LifeCourse Framework and Tools in useful, flexible, and simple ways;
• discussing strategies on how to define a friend and establish appropriate boundaries in relationships;
• introducing consent and sharing steps to help mitigate their risk of being taken advantage of;
• suggesting information to adapt our loved one’s level of understanding and ideas for application in real life.
L.E.A.D. the Way to Healthy Relationships:
Follow the links below for the flyers and registration information:
November 30, 2021 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
A Vision for Equality and Pennsylvania Health Law Project Presentation by David Gates: Intellectual Disabilities/Autism Waiver or Community Health Choices Which Will Meet Your Needs?
Follow the links below for the flyers and registration information:
Long Term Planning Workshop:
Join the PA Family Network in this workshop to plan and problem solve if/when we cannot support our loved one with intellectual disabilities and/or autism:
• Connect and network with other families.
• Get information and strategies on handling Long Term Planning*.
• Discuss and receive guidance on how to identify and share what is most important to our loved ones to live a meaningful and good life.
*We cannot offer legal or financial advice
November 23, 2021 6:00 pm -8:00 pm
Sibling Good Life Group:
This group of adult siblings will have the opportunity guide the group's direction,
network with other siblings, talk about your lived experience, hear from experts on
topics relevant to sibling life, have open and informative discussions, and plan for a
future that holds true potential for you and your family.
November 22, 2021 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Includi-CON SAVE the Date June 21-23 Virtual Gathering
Resource Corner
Sessions available from the 20th Annual disABILITY Conference
The University of Scranton is excited to be able to offer families and professionals who did not have the opportunity to attend the disABILITY conference the chance to watch sessions. Check out our playlist on Youtube!
Check out a couple of the featured presentations from the conference.
Gently Shaking the World: 3 Dads Making a Difference
This workshop will highlight the importance of cultural awareness when working with Black families with disabled children. Beginning with a detailed analysis and explanation of culture broadly, the presenter will lead the conversation toward helping attendees understand their cultural development and biases. Attendees will learn why cultural sensitivity is important in identifying, assessing, and providing services to autistic children and their families. The workshop will continue with the theoretical understanding of Black culture in relation to family beliefs, values, religion, and economic status and its implications for treatment. The presenter will also discuss the methods used to support parents, caregivers, and program leaders in the understanding of culture and shift their practice to be more culturally responsible. The aim of this presentation will illustrate the current state of the field in the area of cultural competence when servicing diverse communities as well as opening the door to having more providers incorporate the discussion of culture into treatment.
Ongoing ACCE Happenings
ACCE Executive Hub
The University of Scranton has amazing programs. Want to learn more about them, check out our video!
Learn to Dance Step by Step with The University of Scranton!
Virtually on Mondays!
The Step by Step Dance Program is for students ages 5 and up who are interested in learning and exploring hip-hop style of dance. Classes are designed for beginner students to learn a curriculum of basic hip-hop dance steps and creative movement routines accompanied with upbeat music in a high energy, fun, and inclusive atmosphere. Students will enhance their coordination, social skills, balance, memory, and general well-being.
Dance classes for fall 2021 are held on Mondays at the University of Scranton. Classes begin Monday, September 13th and continue for 12 weeks. The last day of class is Monday, November 29th. The fall 2021 dance recital is TBD in early December. Students enrolled in this program will attend dance class for 30 minutes each week. Each class begins and ends with a stretching routine and consists of a combination of hip-hop routines. Students will be assigned a specific time for class based on their age.
The following class times and age groups include:
- 4:00pm – 4:30pm: ages 5 – 8
- 4:30pm – 5:00pm: ages 9 - 12
- 5:00pm – 5:30pm: ages 13 - 15
- 5:30pm – 6:00pm: ages 16 – up
*Please note, depending on the total number of students enrolled, age groups per class times may be reassigned
Caregiver Support Group
Six week series offered two times in the fall semester.
Through the use of the “Caring for You, Caring for Me” curriculum from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, these sessions are designed to create a place for caregivers to:
- learn new coping skills
- learn about available resources locally, regionally, and nationally
- work cooperatively with others to build productive relationships
- learn additional self-care strategies
- identify ways to prevent and solve problems
Tuesdays 6-7 on Zoom. Information will be shared after completion of an informed consent.
- October 26th
- November 2nd
- November 9th
- November 16th
- November 23rd
- November 30th
We have still have room!
Fitness Classes-The University of Scranton
Back by popular request
Fitness classes for individuals with ASD aged 12 and older. Under faculty supervision, participants will have the opportunity to engage with University of Scranton students to exercise, socialize and make new friends.
Wednesdays from 6-7 and Thursdays from 5-6 Virtual
Parent/Caregiver Support Group
Come Join Us!
What is it?
A group where parents and caregivers can meet to share ideas, interests, and meet new people.
When do you meet?
We meet on Zoom every Thursday from 6:30-7:30PM Eastern time except holidays.
- personal growth
- social development
- self-advocacy skills
Free, grant-funded groups available virtually and in-person group (Hazleton)
10 to adult with autism and/or related soical or communication impairments
Call 570-861-8311 or email autismhub@e-csc.org
Watch a Video about our TTRPG Program
Check out the brochure!
University of Scranton Applied Behavior Analysis, MS
- Select the image to see it full size and access links.
- We are in the beginning stages of the process. This is NOT a binding contract simply an interest form.
- Paws for a Cause is a 501c3 under the SAFE organization. There are strict guidelines that we must follow. If interested please email the safeoffice@autismsafe.org
- SAFE Members only
- Filling out the form does not guarantee the placement of a therapy, service or companion dog
Adult Testing Available at CSC!
Have you had problems with:
- social interactions?
- employment?
- organizing daily activities?
- sensory sensitivities?
- obsessive interests?
The Hazleton Autism Family Support Hub now offers neurodevelopmental/Psychological testing for adults evaluating for
- autism
- ADHD
- other neurodiversities.
Accepting a variety of insurances with appointments offered at our Hazleton Office:
20 North Laurel Street, Suite 2E, Hazleton, PA 18201
Call 570-861-8311 or e-mail autismhub@e-csc.org for more information.
- What is Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation in the classroom
- Incorporating Play-Based Communication and Social Skills
- Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports
- Visual Learning Supports and Other Strategies to Support learning
- Authentic Assessment and Data Collection
- Collaboration with Caregivers and Community Resources
- Optional Director Training and Technical Assistance Sessions
Integrated Studies is a full-time, college-based, 2-year program specifically designed for students between the ages of 18-26 and gives prospective students access to a full-time inclusive and supported program of study.
Greater Carbondale YMCA
Autism Swim Nights and Outings
- 82 N. Street Carbondale, PA 18407
- Call 570-282-2210 for details!
SAFE Piano Lessons
Piano Lessons! Lessons are available in the Wilkes-Barre Area
Members Only!
Call (570)822-7259
Ongoing Community Happenings
These are ongoing events in the community provided for informational purposes
- November 8, 2021 – December 20, 2021
- January 24, 2022 – March 7, 2022
- March 28, 2022 – May 9, 2022
This PaTTAN-developed self-paced online course provides instruction on writing an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Through the use of videos, audio PowerPoints and PaTTAN publications, participants will complete modules on
- common terminology
- leading IEP team meetings
- sections I-VIII of the IEP
Target Audience:
- Special Education
- Teachers
- Administrators
- General Education
- Teachers
- Parents
After registering, you will receive directions regarding how to access The Essential of IEP Writing a few days before the course is scheduled to begin.
Participants must complete all twelve modules and complete the quiz in order to receive Act 48 Professional Education hours.
- There is no cost for this course.
- For questions about registration, contact: Karen Weaver, PaTTAN Pittsburgh, 412-826-6842, kweaver@pattanpgh.net
- For questions regarding content, contact: Cecil Crouch, PaTTAN Pittsburgh, 412-826-6866, ccrouch@pattanpgh.net
We are making and giving 100 switch-adapted toys to 100 children with disabilities in Pennsylvania
TechOWL, Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Act program, is once again partnering with TemPO, the Temple University prosthetics and orthotics club, to adapt toys for the holidays!
100 children will each receive one battery-operated toy with a 3D-printed switch to activate it.
Information about How Request a Toy, Volunteer, or Donate