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"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." — Arthur C. Clarke
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Events

Social Skills Group
This class will help nurture and develop your child's abilities to interact better with friends, teachers, and siblings, in your home, school and community. This class is for children with cognitive or behavioral delays and/or emotional issues that could benefit from a social skills class.
Dates Coming Soon!
Classes will be held Tuesdays: 6:00pm - 7:00pm (ages 6 - 11) and Tuesdays: 7:15pm - 8:15pm (ages 12 - 17)
Cost: $40 (to cover snack and supply costs) due by February 21st.
Location: Bucks County LIFE at 882 Jacksonville Road, Suite 203, Ivyland, PA 18974
Registration: Please email hodonnell@accessservices.org or call 1-888-442-1590 to request an application. Applications will be available beginning February 1st.
You will be called two weeks prior to class start date to confirm your availability. Class size is limited.

Healthy Eating for Children with Attention or Behavioral Issues
January and February
Location: BCIU at 705 N. Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
Reserve your seat today! Please email hodonnell@accessservices.org for more information.

Transition Age Youth Information Session
February 28th, 2012
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: BCIU at 705 N. Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
Reserve your seat today! Please email hodonnell@accessservices.org.

8th Annual Bucks County Youth & Family Resiliency Conference, "Resiliency in Motion"
March 21st, 2012
9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Spring Mill Manor at 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland, PA 18974
Please email smcolonna@co.bucks.pa.us for registration form. Reserve early as space is limited.

Setting Healthy Boundaries With Children and Preventing Burnout
April 11th, 2012
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Bucks County LIFE at 882 Jacksonville Road, Suite 203, Ivyland, PA 18974
Reserve your seat today! Please email hodonnell@accessservices.org.

Crisis Planning for Families
May 15th, 2012
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Bucks County LIFE at 882 Jacksonville Road, Suite 203, Ivyland, PA 18974
Reserve your seat today! Please email hodonnell@accessservices.org.

SUMMER CAMPS 2012

Challenge Camp, Tri-Hampton YMCA, Holland & Fairless Hills, PA (Age 5 - 15)
This camp is devoted specifically to helping children diagnosed with behavioral, emotional &/or mild learning difficulties.
www.lowerbucksymca.org
215-579-6200 (Holland) or
215-949-3400 (Fairless Hills).

Camp Carousel, Ivyland, PA
This camp offers one-on-one programing for children who require individualized attention.
215-355-6498

Camp Friendship, Doylestown, PA
This camp specializes in building social skills, self-esteem, self-confidence, and assertiveness.
www.psychologyandcounseling.com
215-348-3300

Camp Kid Around, Bensalem, PA
This camp is for children with Autism/PDD ages 4 - 9.
215-245-8848

Expressions at George School (Camp Concepts), Newtown, PA (Age 4 - 18)
This camp is designed to meet the needs of children who have different types of social skill deficits such as High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and PDD-NOS.
campconcepts@comcast.net
267-261-4098

Central Bucks YMCA Summer Camp, Doylestown,PA
This camp provides activities designed to enrich each child's physical, mental and spiritual growth through planned, organized, creative activities.
www.cbfymca.org
215-348-8131

Bensalem Township Camp, Bensalem, PA
A variety of camps are offered here including special needs, music, dance, little tyke and teen specialty camps.
www.bensalemtwp.org (Look for parksandrec.html)
215-633-3616

Camp Courage, Penn Foundation, Sellersville, PA
A special needs camp for children 7 - 14 with mental health or developmental disorders.
215-453-5178

Camp Something Special, Newtown, PA
This is a camp that serves children with special needs.
mhughes@crsd.org
215-280-6663

Camp Discovery, Warminster, PA
This camp provides a one-to-one ratio for at risk youth.
215-752-4289

Upper Bucks YMCA, Quakertown, PA
This camp provides activities designed to enrich each child's physical, mental and spiritual growth through planned, organized, creative activities.
www.ubymca.org
215-536-9622

Resources

DOWNLOADS:

The Right to Special Educationin Pennsylvania Guide for Parents, 2009

Goldbook: MR in PA, 2010-07

Nav Guide Update, 2008

Bucks County LIFE Summer 2011 Newsletter

Resources for LIFE

HOTLINE:

Children’s Crisis and Support Program: 1-877-HELP-709 or 1-877-435-7709

Special Kids Network: : 1-800-986-4550
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/special_kids_network/14205

Parent to Parent: 1-877-727-2706
http://www.parenttoparent.org/

Transitional Age Youth: http://www.magellanofaz.com/mypage-en/get-involved/youth-involvement.aspx
Teen Center: http://www.fsabc.org/mission/teen/

EDUCATION:
IU-http://www3.bucksiu.org/bucksiu/site/default.asp
Education Law Center-http://www.elc-pa.org/
Patton http://www.pattan.net/
Vocational Rehabilitation: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/vocational_rehabilitation/10356

GENERAL:
Medical Assistance: https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/CMHOM.aspx
Pink Pages: http://www3.bucksiu.org/homeless
Social Security Administration: http://www.ssa.gov
Human Services: http://www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/humanservices/mentalhealth/index.aspx
Adoptive and Foster Family Support: http://www.taplink.org/
Special Olympics: http://www.bcsn1.org/index.html
LD online: http://www.ncld.org/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm
NAMI- http://www.namibucks.org/
National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Autism: http://www.asaphilly.org/

SUPPORT GROUPS:

Autism-PDD, Asperger’s Group: Parent support meets 1st Monday of each month at St. Isidore’s Parish Center, Quakertown, PA. Contact Linda 215-538-3824 or email apachild@yahoo.com.

Autism Support Network: Meets the 1st Monday of each month 7-9pm, from October to April. Meetings are held at the Life Path building, Room 205 on the first level. Life Path is located behind Grand View Hospital on Life Mark Drive in Sellersville. A Sib Shop is available for children (ages 6-12) who have a sibling with Autism. For more information, contact Pam Haines or Holly Clifford at 215-453-9070 or visit their website at http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/.

Autism Spectrum Support Group Meeting: http://www.sharingcaringbuckscounty.org/

B.I.L.Y. Group (“Because I Love You”): Parent support group for parents with troubled children of any age. Join us, you are no longer alone. No fee. Meetings 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:45pm at Woodside Presbyterian Church, 1667 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA. Contact Lynda at 215-813-4880 or jlbuffet@aol.com or www.becauseiloveyou.org. For additional location information in PA, please call (888) 443-4481.

B.I.L.Y. Group (“Because I Love You”): Parent Support Group of Doylestown Borough. Meets Wednesday Evenings 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm. In addition to the website you may contact Marie Mueller at mlbgrm1@juno.com or 215-766-0888 for further information.

Brain Injury Support Group: Support for parents of brain injured kids. 595 West State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-345-2634.

Bucks County Down Syndrome Interest Group: For more information and meeting times, call 215-766-0890 or BCDSIG.org c/o 33 Meginnes Road Kintnersville, PA 18930 Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month September through May at Children’s Village at Doylestown Hospital.

Double Trouble: For persons with mental health and substance abuse issues. Come join us and take Twelve Steps towards your healing and recovery. Tuesdays 2:00pm to 3:00pm, at the Penndel Mental Health Center, 1517 Durham Road, Penndel, PA 19047. For more information call Reach Out Foundation 215-428-0404. You can also access additional support at rofbucks.net

Faith-Families All Together in their Hopes Adoption Support Group: Group works to meet the challenges of raising children of biracial, transcultural and special needs adoption. Families meet monthly. For more information call 215-949-3893 or email faithfamilies@verizon.net. Helen Smith, Bucks County Human Relations Council.

Families and Friends of Special Needs Children Support Group: Providing parents of disabled children with information and resources that would be helpful to them. Provides a safe, supportive setting for parents of children with special needs to discuss topics of concern and to network with each other. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00pm – 9:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Morrisville. For more information or to register for this group contact Bethany S. LeBedz, BSW at 215-295-6482 or blebedz@hotmail.com.

Family Friends: This program matches volunteers (age 50+) with school age children who have special needs such as autism, developmental delays and multiple disabilities. Volunteers visit their assigned child once a month at school and visit the family at home weekly. For more information contact Dawn Hoopes at 1-800-770-4822 ext. 1729 or dhoopes@bucksiu.org.

Family Life Education: Educational programs, support groups, discussion groups and workshops planned to assist participants in developing life skills necessary to strengthen family life, enhance interpersonal relationships and reduce everyday stress. Contact Family Services Association for more information at 215-757-6916.

Family Support Group: Support for parents with challenging kids. First United Church of Christ, 4th and Park Avenue, Quakertown, PA 18951. Contacts: Susie Pina, Kathy Stairs and Kathy McDermot.

Foster Parent Association: Training and support for foster families. Contact Renee Atkins at 215-348-6900.

Heads on Straight Brain Injury Support Group: Support for parents of children with brain injuries. Contact Anne Sears, 8 Westover Court, Yardley, PA 19067, 215-208-0851.

HIV/AIDS Program: Includes prevention education, case management, support groups, dental care, complimentary therapies, mental health & psychiatric care, transportation, food & nutritional services, volunteer support, housing assistance & emergency financial assistance. For more information contact Family Service Association at 215-757-6916 (Langhorne) or 215-345-0550 (Doylestown).

H.O.M.E.S. 4-H: Contact Cynthia Lang at 215-295-4582 or CKLang@aol.com. Meet at the Langhorne Presbyterian Church on Belleview Avenue. Fee $15 per child per year.

Hopes and Dreams Foundation: A Bucks County, nonprofit organization for children with disabilities and their families with a goal to create programs for children in the areas of art, music and drama. Contact Tina Gagliana at 215-264-2859 or www.hopesanddreamsfoundation.org.

Kids Together, Inc.: all volunteer and non-profit, provides information on inclusive communities. Includes an inclusive education listserv, email newsletter and website information. P.O. Box 45, Quakertown, PA 18951, staff@kidstogether.org or www.kidstogether.org.

Kins 4 Kids support Group: Support for caregivers of kids. Contact Maynard Hathaway at 352 Doone Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030 or 215-547-5849.

Latino Leadership Alliance of Bucks County: Two office locations with case managers/counselors who are bi-lingual for information on their support groups, adult education programs, drug & alcohol, life skills education, ESL classes, Spanish classes for adults, computer classes for youths and adults, health/employment fairs, after school program, summer day camp. Located at 227-229 Mill St, Bristol, PA and 215-788-4452, Contact person Jose E. Rivera. Located at Bucks Landing Apartments, Apt. L4-1, Warminster, PA and 215-444-0175, contact person Adler Sanchez

NAMI-CAN: Support group for families who have a child or adolescent with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar, ADHD, ODD, OCD, anxiety disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, autism or schizophrenia. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month at 7pm at the Warminster Recreation Center, 1010 Little Lane, Warminster. Contact person Debbie Moritz at 215-682-9724.

NAMI Family to Family Education Program: Free, 12 week comprehensive course for families of a person diagnosed with a serious mental illness. In this program, family members provide emotional support and practical help to one another through a structured, problem solving environment. For more detailed information, contact NAMI Bucks Helpline at 1-866-399-NAMI (6264).

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association: Chapters and support groups. We’ve Been There, We Can Help. Location: Reach Out Foundation, 229 Plaza Blvd. Morrisville, PA, call 215-428-0404 or email ROFBucks@aol.com, contact person Kathy Sharp. Hours of operation Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 10am - 5pm.

Parents Supporting Parents: Support for parents with children with behavioral issues. Michelle Lockhoff, located at 219 Pennwood, Richlandtown, PA 18955 or call 215-538-8280.

Parents Anonymous: A weekly group which provides parents with support in making positive changes in their parenting. Groups are held at various sites throughout the County. For more info, contact Family Service Association at 215-757-6916.

Parenting Center at St. Mary Hospital: Trained and certified parenting educators help evaluate families’ individual needs and goals of parenting. They also offer parenting workshops, Play ‘N Share groups and Puppets for Children. They also hold Night Out with author seminars featuring acclaimed parent authors.

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania: “Linking families and friends of children and adults with special needs”. Matches parents, foster parents and adoptive parents of children and adults with special needs on a one-to-one basis according to need, whatever that need may be! Help parents or family members locate a support group in Pennsylvania that meets their needs. Phone 1-800-986-4550.

Parenting Support Group through Parent Anonymous Inc.: Meets every Tuesday 6 - 7:30pm at Robert M. Kelly Family Center, 408 Mill Street, Bristol, PA 19007. Dinner is served at every meeting followed by a support group and educational component. Childcare is available for children under 8 years of age. For more information contact Dorothy Thomas at 215-781-6602.

Parents Without Partners: The place to be for single parent families! Call our 24-hour information hotline at 215-752-1250 for the orientation schedule, dance schedule, general membership meeting date, time and place as well as newsletter changes and an opportunity for you to leave us a message.

Pennsylvania Home Schooling Support Groups: Bucks County Homeschoolers, contact Pat Porter at 215-428-3865 or PPorter321@aol.com. Bucks area homeschoolers contact Rev. Jerry Schmoyer at 215-348-8086 jschmoyer@ptd.net Weekly classes and newsletter, website: homeschool.mainstreetbaptist.org.

Pennsylvania Step Families: Meetings take place in Allentown. Contacts Joseph Maher or Deb Romberger. Call 610-791-3581 or 610-437-3612 for meeting time and location.

Pennsylvania OCD Support Group: meeting location is in Allentown. Contact Marilyn at 610-821-8929 or email Mgbw@enter.net.

PRO-ACT, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization–Achieving Community Together: Family education program for drug and alcohol issues. Contact Babette Benham, PRO-ACT, 252 W. Swamp Road, Unit 12, Doylestown 215-345-6644 or 1-800-221-6333.

RDI Support Group: Bucks County/Philadelphia RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) support group meets monthly during the school year in various Bucks County locations. RDI is a treatment program for children on the Autism Spectrum, that is parent-based and places emphasis on “Relationship Intelligence”. Meetings are currently being held at 111 Pheasant Run Carriage House #2 (Red Barn in back) Newtown, PA 18940. For more information contact Amy Accardo, M.S. Ed. At 215-579-1523 or email aaccardo@buckscountylearningconnections.com

S.A.F.E. – Supportive Alliance for Family Empowerment: Men helping men stop violence. A program developed by John Anthony Bochonowicz to empower families to stop the cycle of abuse and violence by working individually with spouses and in groups. For more info, contact The Peace Center at 215-750-7220.

Selective Mutism: Meetings at McCaffery’s Food Market, 2nd floor, 635 Heacock Road, Yardley, PA 19067. Contact Ann Fishman at 215-891-8210.

Sharing and Caring of Bucks County Support Group: Focuses on providing information and support for children of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Meets the 2nd Thursday each month from 7 - 9pm (Sept.-May, but not Dec.) in the Community Education building located at the rear of St. Vincent de Paul Church parking lot, in Richboro. Online listserv (family members) is available at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SharingCaringBucksCounty/
The website is www.sharingcaringbuckscounty.org or email at info@sharingcaringbuckscounty.org. Networking among parents of adolescents age 17+ and young adults can contact Holly or Ambry, if interested in being part of an active network regarding current and future adult issues. Holly Druckman can be reached at 215-321-3202 (between 10am – 6pm please). Ambry Ward can be reached at ambryw@gmail.com

S&C Sib Shop: A support group for siblings of children with any special needs. Siblings must be seven years of age or older. Group meets in Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, March and April. Contact Cathy@sharingcaringbuckscounty.org for more information.

SIMCHA – Special Individuals Meeting Challenges with Heartwarming Activities
Support for parents/kids with special needs. Rabbi Yair Robinson or Debby Chaiken. Located at Shir Ami, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 19047 and 215-968-3400.

Special Kids Network: Organization that helps parents find resources for their special needs child and provides technical assistance to help groups develop, expand and maintain programs and support systems that serve children with special needs. Please call 1-800-986-4550.

Support Group for Parents of Special Needs Children: Held in Upper Bucks, group promotes advocacy, education, discussion, strategy, sharing, encouragement and a sense of growth and emotional healing for parents, families and caregivers. Contact Kathleen Larson at 215-853-2941 or 215-630-7472.

Survivors of Suicide, Inc.: Meet 4th Tuesday of each month at Frankford Hospital BucksCounty Campus. Contact person Patricia Lufkin at 215-545-2242; 2705 Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown. Contact Craig and Anne Landis at 215-536-5143; St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Warrington. Contact Nancy Heacock at 215-545-2242.

Teen Center at Oxford Valley Mall: Provides support groups, educational workshops, counseling, discussion groups, crisis intervention, and information and referral service to teenagers ages 14 - 19. Professional counselors on staff. Please call 215-757-7823 or call Family Services Association at 215-757-6916 for more information.

The ARC of Bucks County (Central and Upper Bucks County): Advocates, 27 Woodside Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914 and 215-997-9796.

The Parenting Resource Center of St. Mary Medical Center: 2nd level of outpatient care facility, Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei can be reached at 215-710-5976.

The Parenting Resource Centers of Bensalem School District: The Bensalem Schools AND The Family Resource Center are located at 2546 Knights Road, Bensalem, PA 19020. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei, can be reached at 215-245-8563.

The Parenting Resource Centers of Neshaminy School District: Albert Schweitzer Elementary and Joseph Ferderbar Elementary Schools. Program Coordinator, Kelly Pagliei can be reached at 215-710-5976.

The Quakertown Community Parenting Center: Educational workshops, discussion groups, lending library and play n’ share groups. Located at, 10th and Juniper Streets, Quakertown, call 215-538-4797.

The Upper Bucks Parenting Center: Located at, 1009 Juniper Street, Quakertown, PA 18951. Program Co-Directors Connie Roddy and Marlene Ruby can be contacted at 215-538-4797 or email upperbucksparents@yahoo.com

Tough Love International: : A self-help weekly support group for parents or caregivers of children with problems ages 8 to 50. Parents work together to regain control in their community and help their children take responsibility for their action. Weekend workshops, six week sessions and an alternate suspension school program are also available. There is a $5 weekly family fee and a one-time $30 for an orientation packet. For more information call 215-752-3778 or toll free 1-800-333-1069, email service@toughlove.org or visit www.toughlove.org.

Tourette Syndrome Support Group: Parent support group meeting, 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm. Location St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA 19047. Classroom #4, easiest to access via the parking garage. Contact Debbie Massa at 215-741-1044 or Mary Brennan at 215-860-1325.

Transition Map: is an online hub of information and resources for transitioning youth ages 14 - 21, with developmental disabilities who are graduating from special education and entering adult life in the community. Transition consultant, Jennifer Graham at 215-641-1200 or visit www.transitionmap.org.

Turner Syndrome: Penn-Philadelphia Turners Syndrome in the U.S. PA Chapter Contact Eileen Wolfe (Co-President), Langhorne, PA at 215-962-2773, email wolfepac5@comcast.net or visit www.turnersyndrome.org.

Ventures in Peace, (VIP Program): 12 week anger management and conflict resolution program for teens ages 11 - 17 and their parents. Sessions are held at the Middletown Barn. There is a fee involved. For more information, contact the Peace Center at 215-750-7220.

Women for Sobriety, Inc. (WFS): WFS is a national organization with local units that address the specific needs of women with alcohol and drug addictions. The program can be used in combination with other alcohol treatment programs or as an alternative to other mutual-help groups. For more info about WFS and local support groups call 215-536-8026 or visit their website womanforsobriety.org.

Newsletters

View our Fall 2011 issue (Vol. 1 Issue 3)