Hi everyone, attached here is the latest edition of CONNECTIONS, the WA State Fathers Network newsletter.

The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment is inviting students with disabilities to apply to Washington State’s 16^th Annual Youth Leadership Forum.  Please note that students do not have to be receiving services to apply and that there is no cost to students or parents.  Completed applications must be submitted by email or US Mail and postmarked no later than June 1, 2016.  This year, 35-50 students with disabilities will be selected to attend.  The Forum will be held at Western Washington University in Bellingham July 25-30 and is designed for students ages 16-21.  For more information please see the attachment.

The annual Father’s Day weekend campout is coming up.   Information can be found in the attached flyer.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a link to our new video.   This update was made to correct a typo and change one word.  And, a shorter version has also been created.  Links to both are found below:

Long Version: https://youtu.be/hcQzmWU2_cM

Short Version: https://youtu.be/7KoFqSIh_kE

Here are two opportunities to contribute to research:

Graduate Student seeks input to his research on the support needs of fathers who have children with autism. Specifically fathers of children with moderate to severe autism between the ages of 5 and 12 who are jointly parenting the child with a female partner. More information and the survey can be found here. 

Undergraduate student seeks input on his study. The study examines the factors that contribute to parental stress of raising a child living with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the ability to cope with this life changing event.  The implied consent document and description of the study are attached.  A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

JUNE 17,18,19 in Anacortes:  More Info Coming Soon!

Welcome to Spring everyone.  I want to let you know about a few upcoming Network events and activities:
 

• On Sunday, May 15^th, professional photographer Carol Hook and her partners will be taking photos, at no cost, of dads and their children with special needs.  See the flyer for the details.  Please note: Space is limited and a reservation is needed.
• Facebook group – A closed Facebook group has been created for dads whose children are currently or have in the past received services at Kindering Center.  This will be a place where these dads can share information, resources and discuss issues of common interest.  Dads can join the group by  searching Facebook for Kindering Dads and clicking on the Join Group button.
• The Arc of King County will be conducting a Helping Parent training just for dads.   Some of you were part of the focus group that had input to the design of this training.  Whether you were in the focus group or not, I encourage you to consider taking part in the training.  It’s a great way for dads to help other dads. More information can be found in the attached flyer. 
• The Bellevue/Bothell chapter will meet next on April 9^th  in Bellevue at Kindering Center from 9:30 to noon. You can contact me with any questions at louis.mendoza@kindering.org
• Our Snohomish County chapter’s April meeting is on April 28^th from  7:00-9:00 pm.  Contact  fathersnetwork@snoarc.org, for more information.

The above information and more was sent to our email list.  So, if you’re seeing this on the Facebook page and you’re not on the email list but would like to be, go to fathersnetwork.org, scroll down a bit and on the right hand column you’ll see where to be added to the mailing list.

Welcome to Spring everyone.  I want to let you know about a few upcoming Network events and activities:
 

• On Sunday, May 15^th, professional photographer Carol Hook and her partners will be taking photos, at no cost, of dads and their children with special needs.  See the flyer for the details.  Please note: Space is limited and a reservation is needed.
• Facebook group – A closed Facebook group has been created for dads whose children are currently or have in the past received services at Kindering Center.  This will be a place where these dads can share information, resources and discuss issues of common interest.  Dads can join the group by  searching Facebook for Kindering Dads and clicking on the Join Group button.
• The Arc of King County will be conducting a Helping Parent training just for dads.   Some of you were part of the focus group that had input to the design of this training.  Whether you were in the focus group or not, I encourage you to consider taking part in the training.  It’s a great way for dads to help other dads. More information can be found in the attached flyer. 
• The Bellevue/Bothell chapter will meet next on April 9^th  in Bellevue at Kindering Center from 9:30 to noon. You can contact me with any questions at louis.mendoza@kindering.org
• Our Snohomish County chapter’s April meeting is on April 28^th from  7:00-9:00 pm.  Contact  fathersnetwork@snoarc.org, for more information.

The above information and more was sent to our email list.  So, if you’re seeing this on the Facebook page and you’re not on the email list but would like to be, go to fathersnetwork.org, scroll down a bit and on the right hand column you’ll see where to be added to the mailing list.

Here is a very cool PSA produced by Informing Families, a project of the WA State DD Council, in partnership with the WA State Developmental Disabilities Administration.  They’ve also started a social media campaign that you can learn about in get involved in by clicking here.

A quick note to mention that the Bellevue/Bothell Chapter will meet on March 12^th from 9:30-noon at the Bellevue Kindering office, 16120 NE 8^th St.  I look forward to seeing you there.