Update on the Legislative Process

My experiences on Capitol Hill have been amazing!  The Legislators are listening and Baby Watch Early Intervention is number 4 on the priority list from the Social Services Appropriations Committee for most of the funds we have requested.  The SSA Committee will present their priorities to the Executive Appropriations Committee this week and they will make the decisions about who gets  funding and how much.  That amount may also be affected by the fiscal cliff, of course!  The Executive Appropriations Committee will not have an opportunity for public comment during their deliberations that we are aware of yet.  However, parents sending emails or making phone calls will have a big impact on their decisions.  They need to know how important the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program is to the families in their constituencies.  Please continue to contact the legislators on the Executive Appropriations Committee.

Melvin Brown	Hoytsville	435 647-6521	melbrown@le.utah.gov	Chair
Lyle Hillyard	Logan	435 753-0043	lhillyard@le.utah.gov	Co-Chair
Brad Wilson	Kaysville	801 425-1028	bradwilson@le.utah.gov
Jerry Stevenson	Layton	801 678-3147	jwstevenson@le.utah.gov
Becky Lockhart	Provo	801 361-5457	blockhart@le.utah.gov
Brad Dee	Wash. Terr.	801 479-5495	bdee@le.utah.gov
Greg Hughes	Draper	801 541-6127	greghughes@le.utah.gov
Don Ipson	St. George	435 673-8216	dipson@le.utah.gov
Jen Seelig	SLC	801 519-2544	jseelig@le.utah.gov
Tim Cosgrove	Murray	801 685-0673	tcosgrove@le.utah.gov
Rebecca Chavez-Houck	SLC	801 891-9292	rchouck@le.utah.gov
Joel Briscoe	SLC	801 583-2281	jbriscoe@le.utah.gov
Wayne Niederhauser	Sandy	801 558-4766	wniederhauser@le.utah.gov
Ralph Okerlund	Monroe	435 527-3370	rokerlund@le.utah.gov
Stuart Adams	Layton	801 593-1776	jsadams@le.utah.gov
Peter Knudson	Brigham City	435 730-4569	pknudson@le.utah.gov
Gene Davis	SLC	801 263-7129	gdavis.le.utah.gov
Karen Mayne	W. Valley	801 968-7756	kmayne@le.utah.gov
Pat Jones	SLC	801 322-5722	patjones@djasurvey.com
Luz Robles	SLC	801 953-0905	lrobeles@le.utah.gov

Thank you for your diligence in getting us as far as we are now.  We definitely wouldn't be so successful without the help of the parents in our programs.  I have been so  impressed with those who have been sharing their stories.  Many times the legislators have been moved to tears while listening to the parents. 

On another note, please "Like" Davis Early Intervention on Facebook for the latest news and information.  I am trying to keep everyone up to date through social media!

Resources for Parents

There are lots of resources out there on the internet.  Some resources provide information about development and some offer ideas about activities for children.  You could spend all day just checking out resources with Google!  However, we would prefer you spend all day with your children enjoying some of the suggested activities on the websites, so we want to help you out by letting you know some of our favorite resources.

zerotothree.org is a website that provides information and ideas.   There are suggestions regarding language literacy, parent-child activities and thinking skills activities.

dotolearn.com offers free PECS pictures (Picture Exchange Communication System).

busytoddlerbag.com provides ideas for making games and activities for kids.

productiveparenting.org is a resource for parenting issues.

utaheasytolove.blogspot.com is a great resource to support families with children with disabilities.

udsf.org is the Utah Downs Syndrome Foundation and provides information about Downs Syndrome and communitiy activities for families with children/adults with Downs Syndrome.

family.go.com is the Disney's Family Fun website.  Activities, recipes, suggestions and solutions to questions are provided.

starfall.com is a website for your children.  It focuses on letter recognition and activities that are literary in nature.  A great resource for children who are starting to recognize shapes.

Please share any other resources you have found that give you ideas of activities or information for your families.

Baby Watch Early Intervention Application

The Baby Watch Early Intervention Program is required to apply for funds annually.  The application process also is an opportunity for the public to view the policies and procedures that govern the state early intervention program.  If you are interested in learning more about how things should be done and why we do what we do, you can go to utahbabywatch.org and click on the "What's New" link on the left side.  There are a few public hearings scheduled regarding the application.  You can also request a copy of the application if you are interested, or just view and comment on the policies that are included on the page. 

As parents of children with different abilities, you are a great advocate for your child.  One way to be a positive influence in the services provided for your child is to be educated about what is available and to share your ideas with others.  This is a great opportunity to do just that.  Please let your voices be heard.  Share your concerns and your ideas so they will make a difference for everyone! 

Also,  I have been meeting with Representatives and members of the State Senate to educate them about the Early Intervention Program.  They are very receptive and interested in the services we provide.  They also are eager to hear from their constituents about what is important to you.  Please take the opportunity to email your Representative and Senator.  Let them know that you are a member of their constituency and the benefits of having Early Intervention available to your family.  You can find contact information for your legislators by going to this website http://www.le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp and entering your address.  Then just click on the name and you will be taken to their contact information.

On another note,  I found a couple of other activities for the month of February!

Free day at Hogle Zoo is Wednesday, February 27th. 

Free day at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is Saturday, February 16th.

Have a great Valentine's Day!

February Events

It's time to let you know about the community events happening in February.  Hopefully you will be able to get out and enjoy some of them with your family.  And hopefully the weather will cooperate a little better this month so we can just get out!

Several communities are offering tax assistance for qualifying residents.  Check your city's website to see who to contact or how to take advantage of this offer.

Woods Cross City Wide Book Club will be held on February 21st (Thursday) at 7:00 pm at the Municiple Building.

Kaysville City will host a Daddy Daughter Dance on February 8th (Friday) at 7:30 pm at the Rec. Center.

Layton is sponsoring a Family Valentine's Dance on February 8th (Friday) from 7:00 - 9:30 pm at the Central Davis Junior High Gym.

Syracuse has several activites at Antelope Park.  On February 8th (Friday) they are having an Astronomy Activity at 7:00 pm.  On February 9th (Saturday) and on February 17th (Sunday) they will host a Bird Walk at 10:00 am on both days.  And on February 23rd (Saturday) the activity is Wildlife Mysteries from 11:00 to 12:00 am.  Park entrance fees apply for each activity and they will be held at the Visitors Center.

Story Time at Three Little Monkeys is on Wednesdays at 10:30 and 11:30 am weekly.

Library Story Times are as follows:

Tuesdays at 10:30 am Story Time at the Kaysville and Syracuse Branches
Tuesdays at 11:00 am Story Time at the Layton Branch
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Story Time at the Farmington Library
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm will be an evening story time at the Bountiful Branch

Wednesdays at 10:30 am Story Time in Bountiful, Centerville, Clearfield, Kaysville, and Syracuse Branches
Wednesdays at 11:00 am Story Time at the Layton Library
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm Story Time at the Bountiful, Clearfield, Layton and Syracuse Branches

Thursdays at 10:30 am Story Time at the Farmington, Bountiful and Clearfield Branches
Thursdays at 11:00 am Story Time at the Layton Branch

Fridays at 10:30 am Story Time at the Bountiful Branch
Fridays at 11:30 am Story Time at the Kaysville Branch

Other Library activities for the month of February:

February 9th (Saturday) at 10:00 am a Book Sale will be held at the Clearfield Branch.  This will last until 5:00 pm.

February is also National Heart Month.  To celebrate this you can do something with your family to make your heart healthier like turning up the tunes and dancing or bundling up and going for a walk. 

Here are some additional observances this month:

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month

AMD/Low Vision Awareness MonthAmerican Heart Month
Avocado and Banana Month Link
Bake for Family Fun Month
Beans (Dried and Fresh) Month LinkDog Training Education Month Link
Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month Link
February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
From Africa to Virginia Month
Grapefruit Month Link
International Boost Self-Esteem Month
International Expect Success Month
International Hoof-care Month
Jobs in Golf Month Link
Library Lovers Month
Marfan Syndrome Awareness MonthNational African American History Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Black History Month
National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
National Cherry MonthNational Children's Dental Health Month
National Hot Breakfast Month Link
National Laugh-Friendly Month Link
National Mend A Broken Heart Month
National Parent Leadership Month
National Pet Dental Health Month
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Therapeutic Recreation Month Link
National Time Management Month
National Weddings Month
Pet Dental Health Month Link
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month
Relationship Wellness Month
Responsible Pet Owner's Month  Link
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
 Sweet Potato Month

Wise Health Care Consumer Month
Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month
Youth Leadership Month

There is lots to celebrate this month!  Enjoy!