Upcoming Events & More

Date Event Comments

April 26, 2008 AUTISM CONFERENCE April is NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH. Please join us for our First Annual Autism Awareness Conference at Centre Plaze next to the Doubletree Hotel, 1000 "L" Street, in Modesto, Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. To pay by PayPal, please call Shirley Nutt at (209) 321-6510. Enter the self-pay parking lot from L Street (a one-way street), $1.00 per hour. Directions: (From Merced)Take CA-99 N, Exit CENTRAL MODESTO, Proceed straight then turn RIGHT on "K" Street, Turn Left on 11th Street, then turn Left on "L" Street,Turn Left into the self-pay parking lot within 50 yards. Directions: (From Tracy/Stockton)Take CA-99 S, Exit MAZE BLVD./CA-132/ CA-108, proceed straight, Turn Left on "K" Street, Turn Left on 11th Street, then turn Left on "L" Street, Turn Left into the self-pay parking lot within 50 yards.

April 10 and 24, 2008 Support Meetings 9:30 A.M. at Heartland Church Youth Recreational Center on East Main Street in Ripon directly across the street from Ripon Elementary School. We need volunteers for subcommittes for fundraising events. Fundraising is critical to the continued operation of SNAFU. Your help is greatly appreciated.

April 19, 2008 Rummage Sale Our event was a success for the 2nd year in a row. THANK YOU to everyone who supported us by volunteering to help with the rummage sale! And thank you to everyone who came on Saturday!

2008 NO MEDI-CAL Consent! TO ALL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: When attending your IEP meeting, you may be asked at the end of your IEP meeting, to check a Medi-Cal box. School administrators, who are NOT Medi-Cal authorized representatives, will provide little to No explanation about the risks to you or your child when checking this Medi-Cal box "YES". They will simply imply that "it's not a big deal" and urge you to check it "YES". We strongly urge you to check "NO" until such time that you can ask your school administrator to invite a Medi-Cal expert to attend your IEP meeting, present you with written official documentation and factual information that your child's document contains Medi-Cal waiver check boxes. Authority: Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1414, 1415 do not indicate Medi-Cal as a component of an IEP document. Contact your SNAFU Advocate, Guardian Angels Advocate (www.guardianangelsadvocacy.com) or a special education lawyer for more assistance.

2008 NO DRDP Consent! TO ALL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: Guardian Angels Advocacy (www.guardianangelsadvocacy.com) urges all parents and caregivers to state "NO CONSENT" to the pre-school assessment of your child, if he or she is Age 3 - 5 and is a child with Special Needs. Regular non-disabled pre-schoolers are NOT required under law to be assessed prior to entering Kindergarten. The State is requiring, via a state-mandate, the Pre-school testing of your Special Needs Pre-school son or daughter. Guardian Angels Advocacy agency objects to, and rejects the "DRDP/DRDP-Access" testing. As parents and caregivers, you have the right to refuse the "DRDP" or the "DRDP-Access". Check your IEP document for these check boxes. You have the right to cross the box out, and initial it upon your statement "NO CONSENT TO DRDP/ACCESS". Call Mary Ann for more information at 209.277.7667.
2008 Click here for details! 18 Tips for Getting Special Education Services for your child. Print it out and keep it for future reference.

2008 Sample Letters You'll find many useful letters here. Take some time to check out this great site. These letters can help strenghten your advocacy. We recommend that you contact us for further assistance in determining if a particular letter is applicable to your situation. When giving your school district any type of letter or written correspondence, always remember to create two copies. One signed copy for them, and one for your records. Send any written correspondence using U.S. Certified Mail. Or, you may choose to hand-deliver your letters. Be sure school or district personnel stamp your two letters "Received". Submit the stamped original and keep the second stamped copy for your files. For more assistance, pls. contact your S.N.A.F.U. advocate.

2008 Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy Information Website. The Mayo Clinic.

2008 From a Parent! Down Syndrome Website. Click to enter.

2008 Vaccines A User-Friendly Vaccine Schedule

2008 Take the TEST Do your own child's DSM-IV for Autistic Disorder 299.0, and Title 5 California Code of Federal Regulations for "autistic-like behaviors". Complete this form and decide if your child "Meets Criteria" or "Does Not Meet Criteria" in each of the categories. Then write a formal letter to your child's Pediatrician and request for them to do a DSM-IV diagnostic testing on your child if you suspect that your child may have Autism. Call your SNAFU Advocate or Guardian Angels Advocate for more help. Terrie 209.573.0662 or Mary Ann 209.277.7667

2008 MUST READ! The National Research Council's (NRC) publication "Educating Children With Autism" is a must-read for all of you parents and caregivers who are advocating for one-to-one ABA services. The NRC conducted research on the top autism schools across the United States and this book is the result of their findings. "Educating Children With Autism" (2001)provides comprehensive information covering a wide range of issues from diagnosis and assessment to public policy. Many school disticts attempt to create Special Day Classes allegedly offering ABA methodologies but do not meet the NRC standards. Unfortunately, lack of CCTC certified teachers, lack of autism intervention experts, lack of trained staff, lack of data collection, lack of knowledge and training in principles of behavior analysis, lack of knowledge and training in principles of reinforcement, etc. result in children making little to no educational gains. Ask if your SDC teacher holds the 'Early Childhood Specialist Credential, Birth to Pre-K' to teach autistic children Birth to Age 5.

2008 Insurance Help Insurance Help for Autism. This is a long process but worth fighting for.

2008 California Education Code Learn about California Education Law.

2007-2008 Autism Treatment Options Current controversy: How parents obtain access to services for their child through the IEP process, and why California law AB88 is not enforced on Insurance companies to pay for certain treatment therapies. Autism is a medical condition and therefore, under AB88, autism treatment should be covered by California insurance companies. This is not happening for many children. In fact, physicians routinely refer parents to regional center rather than provid them with informational handouts relevant to the treatment options for their child.

2007 Shaping Behavior By Dr. Vincent J. Carbone & Gina Zecchin, BCABA

Sept 22, 2007 IEP Workshop 9/22/2007 At the Ripon Memorial Library in Ripon, CA. For directions, call Stacy Peters at 815-4137.

June 19, 2007 UNITED WAY GRANT SNAFU was awarded a $1,000 grant from Ripon United Way during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Thank you United Way!

April 2007 Rummage Sale The SNAFU Rummage Sale, on April 7 and 21 at Heartland Community Church was a success! Thank you to everyone who helped, and everyone who supported us.

April 2007 April 2007-Autism Awareness The month of April is National Autism Awareness. Each week the Ripon Record presented the stories of five students diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorder. Thank you to Ripon Record for raising community awareness through each of these articles!

April 2, 2007 MJC AWARD SNAFU was "officially recognized by a student, faculty, or staff member as being a business in our community who has made a difference in issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities" by Modesto Junior College. An award ceremony was held on Monday April 2, 2007 at 3pm in the Student Fireside Lounge located on the East Campus. During the ceremony, SNAFU, along with other groups and individuals, received a framed certificate, and a Random Act of Kindness Coin

March 2007 LADIES NIGHT OUT To Be Announced.

December 2, 2006 CHRISTMAS PARTY Ripon Record Newspaper Article

October 15, 2005 Main Street Days in Ripon Thank you to all those who stopped by and said hello! We hope you share our brochure and its information with others. We provide support and services to families of special needs children.

September 24, 2005 Wine and Cheese Fundraiser THANK YOU KEN and CHERYL BUNCH FOR OPENING YOUR HOUSE TO SNAFU FOR A FUN WINE & CHEESE FUNDRAISING EVENT on Saturday, September 24, 2005! The Ripon Record has written a terrific article highlighting our event in the November 2nd, 2005 issue! To request a copy, contact Ripon Record at 209-599-2194.

August 26, 2005 Ripon Night RIPON NIGHT A SUCCESS! Friday, August 26, 2005. The Modesto Nuts game went very well. Our own Shirley Nutt threw out the first pitch with Ripon Quarterback Club president, John Franscella. Both delivered their pitches to home plate with ease. SNAFU handed out balloons and brochures to many fans. The kids had a great time both watching the game and participating in the many activities throughout the stadium! All in all, the fundraiser went very well and a good time was had by all. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

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Date	Event	Comments
April 26, 2008	AUTISM CONFERENCE	April is NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH. Please join us for our First Annual Autism Awareness Conference at Centre Plaze next to the Doubletree Hotel, 1000 "L" Street, in Modesto, Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. To pay by PayPal, please call Shirley Nutt at (209) 321-6510. Enter the self-pay parking lot from L Street (a one-way street), $1.00 per hour. Directions: (From Merced)Take CA-99 N, Exit CENTRAL MODESTO, Proceed straight then turn RIGHT on "K" Street, Turn Left on 11th Street, then turn Left on "L" Street,Turn Left into the self-pay parking lot within 50 yards. Directions: (From Tracy/Stockton)Take CA-99 S, Exit MAZE BLVD./CA-132/ CA-108, proceed straight, Turn Left on "K" Street, Turn Left on 11th Street, then turn Left on "L" Street, Turn Left into the self-pay parking lot within 50 yards.
April 10 and 24, 2008	Support Meetings	9:30 A.M. at Heartland Church Youth Recreational Center on East Main Street in Ripon directly across the street from Ripon Elementary School. We need volunteers for subcommittes for fundraising events. Fundraising is critical to the continued operation of SNAFU. Your help is greatly appreciated.
April 19, 2008	Rummage Sale	Our event was a success for the 2nd year in a row. THANK YOU to everyone who supported us by volunteering to help with the rummage sale! And thank you to everyone who came on Saturday!
2008	NO MEDI-CAL Consent!	TO ALL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: When attending your IEP meeting, you may be asked at the end of your IEP meeting, to check a Medi-Cal box. School administrators, who are NOT Medi-Cal authorized representatives, will provide little to No explanation about the risks to you or your child when checking this Medi-Cal box "YES". They will simply imply that "it's not a big deal" and urge you to check it "YES". We strongly urge you to check "NO" until such time that you can ask your school administrator to invite a Medi-Cal expert to attend your IEP meeting, present you with written official documentation and factual information that your child's document contains Medi-Cal waiver check boxes. Authority: Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1414, 1415 do not indicate Medi-Cal as a component of an IEP document. Contact your SNAFU Advocate, Guardian Angels Advocate (www.guardianangelsadvocacy.com) or a special education lawyer for more assistance.
2008	NO DRDP Consent!	TO ALL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS: Guardian Angels Advocacy (www.guardianangelsadvocacy.com) urges all parents and caregivers to state "NO CONSENT" to the pre-school assessment of your child, if he or she is Age 3 - 5 and is a child with Special Needs. Regular non-disabled pre-schoolers are NOT required under law to be assessed prior to entering Kindergarten. The State is requiring, via a state-mandate, the Pre-school testing of your Special Needs Pre-school son or daughter. Guardian Angels Advocacy agency objects to, and rejects the "DRDP/DRDP-Access" testing. As parents and caregivers, you have the right to refuse the "DRDP" or the "DRDP-Access". Check your IEP document for these check boxes. You have the right to cross the box out, and initial it upon your statement "NO CONSENT TO DRDP/ACCESS". Call Mary Ann for more information at 209.277.7667.
2008	Click here for details!	18 Tips for Getting Special Education Services for your child. Print it out and keep it for future reference.
2008	Sample Letters	You'll find many useful letters here. Take some time to check out this great site. These letters can help strenghten your advocacy. We recommend that you contact us for further assistance in determining if a particular letter is applicable to your situation. When giving your school district any type of letter or written correspondence, always remember to create two copies. One signed copy for them, and one for your records. Send any written correspondence using U.S. Certified Mail. Or, you may choose to hand-deliver your letters. Be sure school or district personnel stamp your two letters "Received". Submit the stamped original and keep the second stamped copy for your files. For more assistance, pls. contact your S.N.A.F.U. advocate.
2008	Cerebral Palsy	Cerebral Palsy Information Website. The Mayo Clinic.
2008	From a Parent!	Down Syndrome Website. Click to enter.
2008	Vaccines	A User-Friendly Vaccine Schedule
2008	Take the TEST	Do your own child's DSM-IV for Autistic Disorder 299.0, and Title 5 California Code of Federal Regulations for "autistic-like behaviors". Complete this form and decide if your child "Meets Criteria" or "Does Not Meet Criteria" in each of the categories. Then write a formal letter to your child's Pediatrician and request for them to do a DSM-IV diagnostic testing on your child if you suspect that your child may have Autism. Call your SNAFU Advocate or Guardian Angels Advocate for more help. Terrie 209.573.0662 or Mary Ann 209.277.7667
2008	MUST READ!	The National Research Council's (NRC) publication "Educating Children With Autism" is a must-read for all of you parents and caregivers who are advocating for one-to-one ABA services. The NRC conducted research on the top autism schools across the United States and this book is the result of their findings. "Educating Children With Autism" (2001)provides comprehensive information covering a wide range of issues from diagnosis and assessment to public policy. Many school disticts attempt to create Special Day Classes allegedly offering ABA methodologies but do not meet the NRC standards. Unfortunately, lack of CCTC certified teachers, lack of autism intervention experts, lack of trained staff, lack of data collection, lack of knowledge and training in principles of behavior analysis, lack of knowledge and training in principles of reinforcement, etc. result in children making little to no educational gains. Ask if your SDC teacher holds the 'Early Childhood Specialist Credential, Birth to Pre-K' to teach autistic children Birth to Age 5.
2008	Insurance Help	Insurance Help for Autism. This is a long process but worth fighting for.
2008	California Education Code	Learn about California Education Law.
2007-2008	Autism Treatment Options	Current controversy: How parents obtain access to services for their child through the IEP process, and why California law AB88 is not enforced on Insurance companies to pay for certain treatment therapies. Autism is a medical condition and therefore, under AB88, autism treatment should be covered by California insurance companies. This is not happening for many children. In fact, physicians routinely refer parents to regional center rather than provid them with informational handouts relevant to the treatment options for their child.
2007	Shaping Behavior	By Dr. Vincent J. Carbone & Gina Zecchin, BCABA
Sept 22, 2007	IEP Workshop 9/22/2007	At the Ripon Memorial Library in Ripon, CA. For directions, call Stacy Peters at 815-4137.
June 19, 2007	UNITED WAY GRANT	SNAFU was awarded a $1,000 grant from Ripon United Way during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Thank you United Way!
April 2007	Rummage Sale	The SNAFU Rummage Sale, on April 7 and 21 at Heartland Community Church was a success! Thank you to everyone who helped, and everyone who supported us.
April 2007	April 2007-Autism Awareness	The month of April is National Autism Awareness. Each week the Ripon Record presented the stories of five students diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorder. Thank you to Ripon Record for raising community awareness through each of these articles!
April 2, 2007	MJC AWARD	SNAFU was "officially recognized by a student, faculty, or staff member as being a business in our community who has made a difference in issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities" by Modesto Junior College. An award ceremony was held on Monday April 2, 2007 at 3pm in the Student Fireside Lounge located on the East Campus. During the ceremony, SNAFU, along with other groups and individuals, received a framed certificate, and a Random Act of Kindness Coin
March 2007	LADIES NIGHT OUT	To Be Announced.
December 2, 2006	CHRISTMAS PARTY	Ripon Record Newspaper Article
October 15, 2005	Main Street Days in Ripon	Thank you to all those who stopped by and said hello! We hope you share our brochure and its information with others. We provide support and services to families of special needs children.
September 24, 2005	Wine and Cheese Fundraiser	THANK YOU KEN and CHERYL BUNCH FOR OPENING YOUR HOUSE TO SNAFU FOR A FUN WINE & CHEESE FUNDRAISING EVENT on Saturday, September 24, 2005! The Ripon Record has written a terrific article highlighting our event in the November 2nd, 2005 issue! To request a copy, contact Ripon Record at 209-599-2194.
August 26, 2005	Ripon Night	RIPON NIGHT A SUCCESS! Friday, August 26, 2005. The Modesto Nuts game went very well. Our own Shirley Nutt threw out the first pitch with Ripon Quarterback Club president, John Franscella. Both delivered their pitches to home plate with ease. SNAFU handed out balloons and brochures to many fans. The kids had a great time both watching the game and participating in the many activities throughout the stadium! All in all, the fundraiser went very well and a good time was had by all. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!