Join Hand to Hold at a monthly Lunch & Learn program – Informal presentations and discussions on a variety of topics relevant to the care of your preemie, special needs child, family and yourself. Bring a brown bag lunch or have lunch out with us. We invite different speakers to discuss a range of topics, answer your questions and give you ideas you can use to advocate for your child, yourself and your family. Thanks go to Marty Barnes for helping coordinate this series of events on behalf of families. Have a topic or a speaker to recommend? Send your ideas to Marty Barnes.
UPCOMING TALKS
Feeding and Nutrition for the NICU Grad – Part I
Hand to Hold will be hosting our next Lunch and Learn on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 12-1 pm at Austin’s First Steps High Risk Follow-Up Clinic. We will feature information on “Feeding and Nutrition for the NICU Grad” where we’ll be sharing what you need to know about nutrition and feeding to help your preemie grow and thrive. Our experts will discuss the pros and cons of both breast milk and formula, how and why to fortify breast milk, and tips for mothers to help mothers’ increase their milk production.
You’ll hear from breastfeeding and nutrition experts:
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Kay Needles Gregorio, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a NICU nurse at St. David’s Medical Center, and
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Lesley Ivey, LD, RD, a registered dietician from Austin’s First Steps
Please share a flier with anyone you feel may be interested in attending. These programs are free and open to the public. Our March Lunch & Learn program will continue with preemie nutrition with Part 2 where we’ll delve into feeding issues, feeding clinics and tube feeding.
Location
This month’s Lunch & Learn will be held at Austin’s First Steps Clinic located at 3000 North IH 35 Suite 770 Austin, TX 78705 in the Medical Office Building. We recommend parking in Garage 2 off of 30th street at I-35.
Please RSVP
For more information email host, Marty Barnes at Marty [at] handtohold [dot] org or Family Support Navigator Erika Goyer at Erika [at] handtohold [dot] org. Call us at 512.550.3181 or visit our website at www.handtohold.org. Please download a flyer for February’s Lunch and Learn.
PAST TALKS & RESOURCES
New Year-New You: The Importance of Self-Care – January 30, 2012
On Monday, January 30th we had a panel of speakers talk about ways for moms to stay healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially)
- Rhonda McMahon – a preemie mom and facilitator of Personal Renewal for Special Needs Moms.
- Jenn Larson, mom and co-founder of Austin’s Bump Club and Beyond, which provides local programs for moms and moms-to-be
- Kathryn Whitaker, a mother of 5 and NICU vet who will share survival tips for while you’re in the NICU or at home with a medically-fragile child
Resources from January’s session “New Year, New You”:
Medicaid Buy-In for Children – December 9, 2011
On Friday, December 9th Kaye Beneke with Texas Health and Human Services introduced us all to a fairly new program- Medicaid Buy-In for Children (MBIC). MBIC is a way for families to get their children with special needs Medicaid services.
Resources from MBIC:
- MBIC Application
- MBIC Flyer
- MBIC Presentation
- MBIC Webinar (created for ECI Professionals)
(All of the files above can also be found on the MBIC page- English & Spanish available)
All About Special Needs Trusts – November 10, 2011
On Thursday, November 10th Ronald G. Greening of Greening Associates answered our questions about Special Needs Trusts. This legal and financial tool helps parents to secure a better financial future for their child and protects your families benefits and legal rights. Contact The Greening Law Firm, P.C. for a complimentary consultation.
Resources from Greening Law Firm:
- Medicaid Planning
- Special Needs Trusts
- Guardianships and Alternatives to Guardianship
- Retirement Accounts
What Medicaid Waivers Are Right for You? – October 25, 2012
On Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 – Ginny Grote from the Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) and Elizabeth Tucker from EveryChild helped unravel the mysteries of Medicaid programs. They answered questions such as the following: What is a Medicaid Waiver? What is an interest list? What is Rider 28? How long is the wait? And how do you choose the correct program?
Resources from the Medicaid Waiver presentation:
- Medicaid Buy-In (English) (Spanish)
- Which Waiver Does What?
- MDCP – What Does it Mean to be Medically Fragile? (criteria)
- Personal Care Services Brochure
- YES Waiver – Youth Empowerment Services for Mental Health (Travis and Bexar counties)
- DADS Long Term Services and Supports
Early Childhood Education Programs: ECI and the Transition to PPCD – September 7, 2011
On Wednesday, September 7th Marty Barnes and a panel of experts discussed Early Childhood Education Programs: ECI and the Transition to PPCD. Those who attended got personalized information on how to navigate the system whilew moving from one program to the next! If you are looking for help for your child (birth to three) watch this video by Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) to learn more about what they offer visit Texas ECI: Family to Family
MED 101: Your Guide to Medical Specialists – July 13, 2011
Parents and professionals sat down for lunch at Rolly Pollies (Shops at the Galleria, 12700 Shops Pkwy, Suite 450, Bee Cave, TX 78738) on July 13, 2011 to hear Stephanie Key, R.N., M.S.N., C.P.N.P. from Austin Diagnostic Clinic Pediatrics present “MED 101: Your Guide to Medical Specialists.” Stephanie presented useful information about what different specialists do and how to build a team that will best fit your child’s needs. Our great thanks go out again to John Mann and his staff at Rolly Pollies for hosting us and for creating a place where every child has fun and is included! Download this helpful guide to Medical Terms, Specialties, and Procedures.
Summer’s Here: Fun and Inclusive Activities for Your Family June 8, 2011
Parents and providers came out on June 8, 2011 from 12:00 p.m to 1 p.m. at The Live Oak Center for Communication Disorders (3724 Jefferson St., Suite 316; Austin, Texas) for the initial discussion on “Summer’s Here: Fun and Inclusive Activities for Your Family.” Participants shared ideas for summer programs, camps, special events, discounts/deals and other local fun spots. Part of the presentation included local activities for special needs children. Download a flier to share with a friend. See a link to a comprehensive list of summer activities and ideas that were shared. Thanks to Marty Barnes for compiling this list.
