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As the mother of a child with autism and other special needs. Like you, I understand the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for our kids, especially when it comes to learning new skills like cooking. We want them to be independent, but that fear is real! Especially in the kitchen—at least for me. Recently, I discovered a fantastic tool that I believe could be invaluable for other families: the Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket . I remember when my son was 8, and we started teaching him how to make eggs on a hot plate— this one , to be exact! He was eager to learn, but we wanted to ensure he was safe. My husband, his DSP, and I decided that starting with a hot plate was best. It allowed him to learn a valuable skill while giving me (notice I didn't say my husband, because he'd let that kid do anything without a second thought 🤣🤣) peace of mind, knowing he was cooking safely. Fast forward to now: that 8-year-old is a 13-year-old—an easily distracted 13-year-old—who wants to cook more than just eggs! He has graduated from the hot plate to the stove, learning to make mac and cheese, bacon, rice, chicken, and more. The Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket has eased my mind, allowing him to explore cooking. It’s designed to smother flames and provide a quick response in case of a fire, making it an essential addition to any kitchen—especially for budding chefs. Having the blanket nearby gives us both peace of mind and allows him to focus on learning without anxiety about potential kitchen hazards. I highly recommend considering the fire blanket as part of your kitchen safety plan. It’s a small investment that can have a significant impact, providing both protection and peace of mind as our children navigate the world of cooking. Plus, it may even be covered under your OTPS Health and Safety or Health & Independence budget lines! If you’re looking for ways to enhance kitchen safety and empower your child, this fire blanket might be the perfect addition. Let’s not hold our kids back out of fear; instead, let’s equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the kitchen safely! Heck, I feel safer knowing it's there when I'm cooking 🤣 If you already have the fire safety blanket or decide to get one, please come back and share your experience. I’m sure others would love to hear about it! Thank you for reading! I hope you found this information helpful. Please feel free to share it with others who can use it.  Happy cooking! -Chantel

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same boat I once found myself in, trying to figure out how to keep your child’s teeth clean when they absolutely hate brushing and hate going to the dentist for their cleanings. My son has autism, and I remember when getting him to brush his teeth was a daily battle (still a battle though 😒). But guess what? My dentist told me about something that really helps—xylitol. It’s been a game-changer for us, so I wanted to share how you can use it too. So, What’s Xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute found in fruits and veggies. Unlike regular sugar, it doesn’t cause tooth decay. In fact, it helps reduce plaque and prevent cavities. Sounds like magic, right? Here’s how it can help: Reduces Plaque: Xylitol stops the bad bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities. Neutralizes Acids: It helps keep the pH level in the mouth neutral, so the enamel stays strong. Boosts Saliva: More saliva means fewer food particles and bacteria hanging around. Totally Safe and Natural: No need to worry about artificial stuff—xylitol is all-natural. How to Sneak Xylitol into Your Kid’s Routine Here are some ways to get xylitol working for your child’s teeth, even if they run from a toothbrush: Xylitol Chewing Gum: If your kid is old enough and okay with chewing gum, this is a great option. It’s fun and effective for cleaning teeth between brushings. This is the one we used the most 😊. Xylitol Mints or Candies: My son loves these too! He thinks he's getting one over on me and getting candy, but little does he know it’s helping his teeth. Just keep an eye on how many they’re eating. These ones are great to put in your purse or their backpack! Xylitol Sprays and Wipes: For younger kids or those with sensory issues, xylitol sprays and wipes are lifesavers. You can gently wipe their teeth and gums, hopefully without a fuss. Tips from One Parent to Another Start Slowly: Introduce xylitol products a little at a time. See how your child reacts and go from there. Check with the Dentist: Always a good idea to talk to your child’s dentist before starting something new. They can give you the best advice. Be Consistent: Regular use is key. To get the most benefit, try to make xylitol a part of your daily routine. I give my son a couple a day and tell him to eat them after he has lunch at school. Make it Fun: Turn dental care into a fun activity. Use colorful and tasty xylitol products to make it more appealing. Final Thoughts Keeping our kids’ teeth healthy can be tricky, especially when brushing is a challenge. But xylitol has made a big difference for us, and I hope it can help you, too. It really is a simple, natural way to protect their teeth from cavities and decay without the daily struggle of brushing. This is the brand I use with my kiddos, and they love it. Give it a try, and hopefully, it keeps your kiddo's smile healthy! Happy brushing!

It's never too early to start thinking about your child’s future. And you can use OPWDD's self-direction program to make that future a reality! Planning ahead can help you determine what you want for your child and what is realistic for your self-direction budget. Use these tips to get started on creating the budget of your dreams. Check your child’s LOC. At the start of your OPWDD journey, a Level of Care Eligibility Determination Form (a.k.a LCED or LOC) was created for your child. These are updated annually, review the form, learn what the questions and answers mean. This can and will help you determine what kind of services and supports your child may need. It also gives you a chance to potentially make any necessary changes before pursuing self-direction. The first step is making sure all forms are an accurate reflection of your child’s needs. Make sure the DDP-2 is correct. First let me say, it's important to have realistic expectations when pursuing self-direction. At the start of your OPWDD journey, a DDP-2 profile was done with you for your child. Learn what your answers mean and what their score is. If the profile does not seem to reflect your child, or you weren’t a part of completing it, consider asking your care manager to redo the DDP-2. Think about your child as they are today, not how you want them to be, not how you think they are but, where they really are… be honest. Now is not the time to make your child seem better than they are. DDP-2 scores are created for your childs adaptive, behavior and health areas and these are what determines your childs budgets PRA amount! Identify your wants versus your child’s needs. What you want in a budget can be quite different than what your child needs. Before pursuing a self-direction budget, create a must-have list of services and supports your child can't go without. For example, if you have a large family, you may need a specific number of hours of respite so you can spend time with your other kids. While a want may be that you may really want a cell phone, a tablet for your child, or a membership to an elite private club; although nice to have, your child can also live without these things. Choose your ideal broker. There are many factors that you should consider when choosing a broker. Along with considering whether you prefer a male or female and whether they are hands-on or hands-off, consider how experienced a broker is. Also, consider the FI agencies they are associated with. For example, if a broker is only associated with one FI and their fringe rate is 35%, you’re stuck using that FI. It can be more expensive to use one FI versus another. Make your self-direction process as smooth as possible by planning ahead. Following these tips can lead to a happier self-direction experience!

Free Programs & Resources Access-A-Ride MetroCard MetroCard financial support for individuals with disabilities. Assurance Wireless A federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. SafeLink Wireless A Lifeline-supported service, a government benefit program provided by TracFone Wireless. ABLEnow Account ABLEnow accounts help individuals with disabilities save money to pay for qualified expenses without being taxed on the earnings – and in most cases, without losing eligibility for certain means-tested benefit programs. NYS myBenefits Prescreen for programs such as HEAP, SNAP, tax credits, and assistance programs Parent to Parent NYS Resources and support for parents of children with special needs (not just OPWDD-eligible individuals). It offers a parent mentorship program. Highly recommend getting on their e-blasts for updates/events/resources. A new initiative –Text4Caregivers – free self-care/management support through text messaging. Sharing is Caring 💖💓 Do you have something that works for your child that you would like to share? Parents just like you are looking for items to help their child be the best they can be too! I have something to share! Report a broken link

I'm looking for... Individual & Family Resources Useful Websites Museums Art Classes Social Skills Classes/Programs Farming / Planting Programs Horseback Riding Staff Ballet Classes Community Centers Cooking Classes Feeding Therapy Sensory Gyms Karate Classes Music Classes/Programs College Resources Swimming Classes Camp Computer Classes/Programs Travel Programs Transtion Programs Recreational Programs Sports Classes/Programs Feeding Therapy Art Classes & Programs Sensory Gym Sensory integration gyms and programs. Social Skills Classes & Programs Whether you are trying to improve your child's social skills or their interpersonal and communication skills, check out these options. Karate Classes Expose your kiddo to discipline, following directions, socialization communication and more with karate classes. Check these out. Music Programs & Classes Who doesn't love music? If your kiddo does then check these programs out! Staffing Tools & Sites Take the hard work out of finding staff with these staffing tools. Camps From day camps to overnight camps. Check this list out! Computer Programs & Classes Is your kiddo a techie? Loves being on the computer or that Ipad or tablet? Check out these computer classes that will teach thow how to create their own stuff! Free Programs & Services Hey who doesn't like free? Check out these programs, classes and resources that may be helpful! Great Products These are some products that work for other families and may work for you as well. Horseback Riding Programs Does your child love horses? Check out these programs for both horseback riding and hippotherapy. Swimming Classes & Lessons Do you think water safety is extremeley important? Or maybe your kiddo just loves water! Either way, check out these swimming programs. Sports Programs & Classes Check this out for a variety of regular and adaptive sports programs that may fit your child's need. Ballet Classes Hey?! Who doesn't secretly want to be a ballerina? If your kiddo does, check out these programs! Useful Websites Travel Programs Special Needs travel programs Cooking Classes Special Needs cooking class Recreational Programs Programs that offer a variety of classes such as social, art, sports etc. Community Centers Museums Does you child love art, or Legos, or history? Get a museum membership! College Resources Does your child have the potential to attend College or University. Here are some resources that hopefully can help! Transition Programs A live in program where young adults can live and learn their independence, and then go home. Gardening & Farming Programs Sharing is Caring 💖💓 Do you have something that works for your child that you would like to share? Parents just like you are looking for items to help their child be the best they can be too! I have something to share! Report a broken link

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Describe your program here. Why should people join? Use short catchy text to tell people how they can benefit from participating. A great description makes people more likely to join your program.

Describe your program here. Why should people join? Use short catchy text to tell people how they can benefit from participating. A great description makes people more likely to join your program.