Playworks
http://www.temeculavalleynews.com/story.asp?story_ID=2920
Lake Elsinore school’s Autism Program under investigation
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Temecula--Trustee blames problems on autism
I rarely use this blog as my soapbox, but check out this commentary re. a Temecula Valley USD board member's recent comments on children with autism. According to this commentary (and I hear there are some fascinating audio clips), Ken Ray stated that "the unwanted stepchildren" are the reason the board must "steal" from band programs, teacher raises, etc. How can a board member possibly be supported for villifying a group of children? 1 in 166 of OUR children whose lives can be changed with intensive intervention.
This commentary is from the North County Times.
By: Brian Hulihan - Commentary
The Temecula Valley school board is facing increased pressure and scrutiny for financial problems and program cuts. Board member Ken Ray has identified autism, a developmental disability, as a "huge hunk" of the problem, and as an answer to the question of where the money is going.
At a board meeting on May 3 of this year, Ray made a public comment about the money spent on autistic children, calling for a separate state agency to take responsibility for them, and calling the children themselves "the unwanted stepchildren under the public schools."
At a public meeting on Sept. 20 he did it again, telling the audience that the board is "stealing" from their kids to pay for autism, and that the results are cuts to band programs, physical education programs and raises for teachers.
He added that students with autism deserve services, but not from the public schools. He urged the audience to "get on Sacramento" so that the state assumes responsibility for all autistic students.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District has an annual budget of $150 million, and their financial problems are on the order of millions of dollars. In coming years their revenues will stagnate, their new schools will age and their mounting debt will, along with other factors, turn millions into tens of millions.
They are currently dealing with a grand jury investigation, harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits, and a growing morale crisis among their employees. The administration and board continue to deny that the situation is bad or that they have any problems at all. The position they take makes it impossible for them to improve, and they blame Congress, the state of California, special education, the grand jury, whatever they can find that is not themselves.
Ken Ray told the audience on May 3 that they "are not the bad guys here." In other words, they're the good guys, but that doesn't mean much. Perhaps he can tell us where the responsible guys are. The stand-up guys.
Perhaps Ken Ray sees the writing on the wall and is concerned as to what will be the legacy of the current board. However, publicly blaming a minority of children and setting the community against them into the bargain is an irresponsible act for an elected official. His naive suggestion that we just change California law shows he does not understand how discrimination has been outlawed over decades.
His actions shed light on the problems associated with autism, but they also raise the big question of whether he and the rest of the board have the judgment needed to realistically deal with their growing responsibilities. By singling out a small group of disabled children as the cause of widespread and systemic problems, he gives himself the appearance of a man who is in over his head.
Brian Hulihan lives in Temecula.
This commentary is from the North County Times.
By: Brian Hulihan - Commentary
The Temecula Valley school board is facing increased pressure and scrutiny for financial problems and program cuts. Board member Ken Ray has identified autism, a developmental disability, as a "huge hunk" of the problem, and as an answer to the question of where the money is going.
At a board meeting on May 3 of this year, Ray made a public comment about the money spent on autistic children, calling for a separate state agency to take responsibility for them, and calling the children themselves "the unwanted stepchildren under the public schools."
At a public meeting on Sept. 20 he did it again, telling the audience that the board is "stealing" from their kids to pay for autism, and that the results are cuts to band programs, physical education programs and raises for teachers.
He added that students with autism deserve services, but not from the public schools. He urged the audience to "get on Sacramento" so that the state assumes responsibility for all autistic students.
The Temecula Valley Unified School District has an annual budget of $150 million, and their financial problems are on the order of millions of dollars. In coming years their revenues will stagnate, their new schools will age and their mounting debt will, along with other factors, turn millions into tens of millions.
They are currently dealing with a grand jury investigation, harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits, and a growing morale crisis among their employees. The administration and board continue to deny that the situation is bad or that they have any problems at all. The position they take makes it impossible for them to improve, and they blame Congress, the state of California, special education, the grand jury, whatever they can find that is not themselves.
Ken Ray told the audience on May 3 that they "are not the bad guys here." In other words, they're the good guys, but that doesn't mean much. Perhaps he can tell us where the responsible guys are. The stand-up guys.
Perhaps Ken Ray sees the writing on the wall and is concerned as to what will be the legacy of the current board. However, publicly blaming a minority of children and setting the community against them into the bargain is an irresponsible act for an elected official. His naive suggestion that we just change California law shows he does not understand how discrimination has been outlawed over decades.
His actions shed light on the problems associated with autism, but they also raise the big question of whether he and the rest of the board have the judgment needed to realistically deal with their growing responsibilities. By singling out a small group of disabled children as the cause of widespread and systemic problems, he gives himself the appearance of a man who is in over his head.
Brian Hulihan lives in Temecula.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
LUAU
Hi. We’re going to have a LUAU and would love for you to come. The party is for Playworks kids and their siblings who are younger than about 6-8 years old. Older siblings are welcome to come and HELP us if they arrange a job with Playworks staff prior to the party. The party is geared toward younger kids and we don’t want anyone to mow down the little ones in the kiddy pools or bounce house. The kids should wear swim suits and bring a towel and change of clothes. Hawaiian print is encouraged. A parent (or other adult caregiver) must remain present at all times to supervise their child(ren). Please prep the kids that they won’t be playing inside the clinic that day. The party will be in our parking lot.
There will be no therapy appointments later than 1:00 that day.
WHAT: LUAU
WHEN: WED. 8/24/05 3:00-5:00
WHERE: PLAYWORKS parking lot
PARKING: Please don’t park in our lot or the drycleaner’s lot next door. Try State Street.
RSVP: Please email reanna@playworks.cc by August 17th.
There will be no therapy appointments later than 1:00 that day.
WHAT: LUAU
WHEN: WED. 8/24/05 3:00-5:00
WHERE: PLAYWORKS parking lot
PARKING: Please don’t park in our lot or the drycleaner’s lot next door. Try State Street.
RSVP: Please email reanna@playworks.cc by August 17th.
Article - Doing Battle With Your Insurance Company
http://www.additudemag.com/additude.asp?DEPT_NO=504&ARTICLE_NO=31&ARCV=1
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
DIR segment on KVCR program Wed. April 13th
Playworks
Dr. Greenspan will be featured on a segment of the show, followed by Kelli taking questions re. the DIR model from 9-9:30. The program schedule is as follows:
KVCR
Vision for the Future!
TUESDAY, APRIL 12 AT 9:00AM KVCR-FM 91.1 WILL HOST A RADIO CALL-IN SHOW TAKING LISTENERS' CALLS.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 KVCR-TV (CH 24) WILL PRESENT AN EVENING OF PROGRAMMING ON THE SUBJECT OF AUTISM.
7:30 IT’S YOUR CALL [LIVE/PHONE-IN]; “Autism: Update”; First of two live call-ins tonight. Erin O’Toole moderates this program taking calls from the public in the field of autism.
8:00 AUTISM – OH, THE POSSIBILITIES; The third documentary produced by KVCR-TV on this disorder which is having increased influence in our health and educational systems and our families. The show is split into four segments: Early Signs and Signals, Possible Intervention, Possible Causes and Possible Futures. Educators, physicians, health care experts, and parents are all included in this update.
9:00 AUTISM – ON CALL [LIVE/PHONE-IN] As a live follow up to the 8 pm documentary, this live call-in is hosted by Lillian Vasquez. Others on the show take calls reacting to the documentary.
9:30 CHILDREN AND AUTISM: TIME IS BRAIN; A sensitive and engaging portrait of two families faced with the daunting challenge of raising an autistic child.
Dr. Greenspan will be featured on a segment of the show, followed by Kelli taking questions re. the DIR model from 9-9:30. The program schedule is as follows:
KVCR
Vision for the Future!
TUESDAY, APRIL 12 AT 9:00AM KVCR-FM 91.1 WILL HOST A RADIO CALL-IN SHOW TAKING LISTENERS' CALLS.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 KVCR-TV (CH 24) WILL PRESENT AN EVENING OF PROGRAMMING ON THE SUBJECT OF AUTISM.
7:30 IT’S YOUR CALL [LIVE/PHONE-IN]; “Autism: Update”; First of two live call-ins tonight. Erin O’Toole moderates this program taking calls from the public in the field of autism.
8:00 AUTISM – OH, THE POSSIBILITIES; The third documentary produced by KVCR-TV on this disorder which is having increased influence in our health and educational systems and our families. The show is split into four segments: Early Signs and Signals, Possible Intervention, Possible Causes and Possible Futures. Educators, physicians, health care experts, and parents are all included in this update.
9:00 AUTISM – ON CALL [LIVE/PHONE-IN] As a live follow up to the 8 pm documentary, this live call-in is hosted by Lillian Vasquez. Others on the show take calls reacting to the documentary.
9:30 CHILDREN AND AUTISM: TIME IS BRAIN; A sensitive and engaging portrait of two families faced with the daunting challenge of raising an autistic child.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
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