Join Roseann Polishan, Lead Advocate at The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania, as she explores the vital role of The Arc and their contributions to the Family Advocacy and Resource Portal.

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and other organizations, this portal—available on the Vision for Equality website—provides essential tools for individuals with disabilities and their families to:

• Engage in current advocacy efforts
• Access vital information
• Advocate for systemic change

Together, these unified efforts aim to transform systems, empowering individuals with disabilities and their families by prioritizing their needs over those of providers.

Visit the ARC of North Eastern Pennsylvania- http://www.thearcnepa.org/
Visit the Portal Here- https://www.visionforequality.org/family-advocacy-resource-portal/

Join Tracy and Rebecca for a conversation about Lifesharing. Tracy is a Lifesharing Participant and Rebecca is a Lifesharing Coordinator with Cares

Lifesharing means living with and sharing life experiences with supportive persons who form a caring household. Lifesharing is recognized as both a close personal relationship and a place to live. Lifesharers offer individuals the opportunity to be part of a family and to participate in community life. 

Wendy Davis, Director of Marketing and Outreach for Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), joins us to discuss the life-changing funding PATF helps Pennsylvanians receive.

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology devices and services they want. PATF is a state and federally-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is the Commonwealth’s designated Alternative Financing Program (AFP) under the federal Assistive Technology Act. 

https://patf.us/who-we-are/publications/funding-your-assistive-technology/

Wellness can mean something different to everyone. What's important, is finding what works for you! PA Family Network advisors, June Morris, Chris Gaus, and Ernie Roundtree, join us to discuss what activities and habits they do for wellness. 

Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving.

Terri Spry joins us to discuss her role as a Caregiver and her experience using a Supports Broker. 

A Supports Broker is paid to perform a variety of duties to support a person in self-directing services and supports. They can offer assistance with employer-related functions, enhancing natural supports, and service and supports continuity and maintenance. The role of the Supports Broker is uniquely defined by the individual utilizing the brokering service.

Join us for an honest conversation about the impacts of Medical Trauma. As caregivers and individuals, it's a challenge many of us will inevitably encounter.

Chou Hallegra and Diana Smaglik, both Program Managers at Vision for Equality, offer invaluable insights shaped by their personal experiences. With professional experience and family members with intellectual disabilities, they have confronted significant challenges associated with medical trauma firsthand.

PA Family Network Advisor Sara Nye joins us to chat about the assistive technology (AT) she uses every day. Just like all of us, Sara relies on technology to stay connected with friends, excel at work, and keep herself safe.

An emergency can happen at any time, and being prepared is important. This is even more true for those who use devices that may need charged, or have medications that need to be taken daily.

Join PA Family Network Advisor, Rachel Frometa, as we discuss the importance of preparing for emergencies and how to get started.

For More Information:  https://www.ready.pa.gov/BePrepared/PlanSpecialNeeds/Pages/Pennsylvanians-With-Disabilites.aspx

Assistive Technology(AT) is ever-evolving- but how did it get it's start? Join Pierce Meire and Paul Smaglick as they chat about the history of AT. 

Pierce studied technology in school and is a PA Family Network Advisor. Paul is the dad of a man who receives services through the ODP System and uses assistive technology daily. He is also an IT professional and incredibly well-versed in all things technology. 

More Information: https://www.accessibility.com/blog/examining-the-past-present-and-future-of-assistive-technology

Join us to hear Ernest Roundtree, a PA Family Network Advisor and certified reflexologist, discuss his journey to independent living and the daily choices that help him live a life he loves. Ernie is also actively involved in his community and the Special Olympics. 

PA Family Network Advisors, Joan Nery and Gabe Smaglik, join us to chat about Lifesharing and the potential benefits! 

Lifesharing supports individuals with intellectual disabilities to live with qualified adults who provide support in their home. It means living with and sharing life experiences with supportive persons who form a caring household.

Going to the Emergency Room can be scary for anyone. For those with an intellectual disability/autism, it can be even more daunting. 

Rachel Chitswara,  a physician's assistant in Wilkes-Barre, joins us to discuss the importance of being prepared for a medical visit. 

Chele and Melissa join us to share their unique perspectives and experience with Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma. We discuss the importance of seeking help, sharing in safe spaces, and breaking the stigma. 

Chele Abraham-Montgomery and Melissa Suarez are both family support specialists with Vision for Equality. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental heath, you are not alone. 

https://www.parenttoparent.org/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Homepage | NAMI

For Philadelphia residents: www.healthymindsphilly.org

Lt. David Godfrey joins us to discuss the innovative program, Project Lifesaver.

Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C)(3) community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering.

It's internationally used and proven as an effective method of bringing loved ones home.

https://projectlifesaver.org/about-us/where-we-are/

Gabe Smaglik and Ursula Lesic join us to discuss the role that self-advocacy has played in their lives. Self-advocacy raises awareness. It makes others aware of the challenges you’re facing. Speaking up for yourself and communicating needs identifies gaps, blocks, and issues earlier, allowing your support system to help you find a solution

Join us to hear how both PA Family Network, Family Advisors have learned to advocate for themselves and empowered others to do so, too! 

My ODP is a great hub of information for anyone with a disability in Pennsylvania. Join Carey, a PA Family Network Advisor, as she discusses the importance of using and exploring My ODP. 

MyODP.org provides a single place for people to access the Office of Developmental Programs' virtual trainings, resources and communications, as well as to register to attend face-to-face events.

Resources:
https://www.myodp.org/

When asked who decides what activities he does every day, Billy quickly and clearly answers "I do". A life of choice is important to living a good life, and a cornerstone of the self-directed model. Join us as Billy and Lynn dive into 'A Day in the life of Participant Directed Services". 

Billy is a 37 year-old man who self-directs his services. Lynn has a Masters in Teaching and has been a Support Service Professional with Billy for 15 years.  Participant Direction, also referred to as Self Direction, allows individuals to have more control over where, when and how some of their services and supports are delivered.

Mary Elks and Sara Nye join us to discuss the importance of Roommate Interviews and finding the right match for you. Sara and Mary are both  Family Advisors with the PA Family Network and Self Advocates.

Check out this resource to get ideas on questions to ask during a Roommate Interview.
https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/critical-questions-ask-potential-roommate/

Cheryl Parker joins us to discuss the effects of Trauma, prevention, and seeking help.

Cheryl is the Western Region Director of Person Driven Clinical Solutions. With a Masters of Education, she uses her 29 years of experience and education in Human Services to the benefit of those who use Autism/ID/DD services.

Jeremy Yale and Lauren House (ODP) join us for a two-part podcast to discuss the benefits of Assistive Technology and accessing it through the waiver system 

Jeremy is the Director of the Bureau of Policy and Quality Management on behalf of ODP and Lauren House is the Director of the Bureau of Community Services on behalf of ODP. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is one of seven program offices operating under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). Their mission is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives.

Resources:
https://home.myodp.org/resources/supportive-technology/

https://www.resna.org/Certified-Professionals-Directory

Jeremy Yale and Lauren House (ODP) join us for a two-part podcast to discuss the benefits of Assistive Technology and accessing it through the waiver system 

Jeremy is the Director of the Bureau of Policy and Quality Management on behalf of ODP and Lauren House is the Director of the Bureau of Community Services on behalf of ODP. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is one of seven program offices operating under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). Their mission is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives.

Wellness isn't one 'set' action or method- it's all-encompassing. Chou Hallegra joins us to discuss Wellness as a Way of Life. 

Chou oversees the Philadelphia Family Support Projects at Vision for Equality. She is a mental health specialist and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainer and consultant passionate about promoting wellbeing and belonging for all, one individual and one organization at a time.

Nicole and Linda Sue, two PA Family Network advisors with decades of experience in the ID/A field, discuss their experience as Common Law Employers through the Vendor Fiscal model of Participant Direction.

The Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Financial Management Services (FMS) model is a self-directed service delivery approach.  The model is intended to give participants maximum choice and control over how their services are delivered. With increased control comes increased responsibility of the part of the CLE. 

Darcy and Sue, two PA Family Network advisors with decades of experience in the ID/A field, discuss their experience as managing employers through Agency With Choice.

Agency With Choice is a service delivery option in which individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Autism and/or their family members are able to self-direct their services – which leads to greater choice and control over where, when and how those support services are delivered. This model of services encourages individuals and their advocates to be directly involved in the planning, scheduling, hiring, and management of support workers. As individuals are empowered to recruit and manage their own staff, Agency With Choice offers administrative and employer-related support.

Jennifer Harniman-Crangle, LSW joins us to discuss the challenges that families with medically complex loved ones face trying to receive the care and services they need. Jennifer is a Family Navigator with Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care (PCHC), working on behalf of  ODP.