Inside MPAC

Past Activities

MONTHLY MEETINGS

NEWSLETTER

Parent Voices, a newsletter containing information and reviews of events, topic-specific articles, and tips from parents and professionals was published on a quarterly basis in both English and Spanish.  Back issues are available for viewing and downloading:

• Summer_2009.pdf
• Spring_2009.pdf
• Winter_2008.pdf
• Fall_2008.pdf

En espanol—

• Verano_2009_en_Espanol.pdf
• Primavera_2009_en_Espanol.pdf
• Winter_2008_Spanish.pdf
• Fall_2008_Spanish.pdf

ANNUAL and SPECIAL EVENTS

A variety of special events were offered, including seminars and workshops, guest speaker events, disability resource fair, and more—all featuring information of interest to families with a young child experiencing delay or disability.

Person Centered Planning/Person Centered Thinking

Creating a Roadmap for Your Child’s Future—Think Big For Your Child’s Future

Parents often think they have plenty of time to think about their child’s future, but if your child experiences disability, you need to realize that the decisions you make now will have a direct impact on your child’s life.  If you envision your child living and working in the community, you need to start working toward that goal today.

Family Fun & Resource Night 

MPAC hosted a welcome back to school event with fun for the whole family at a local park in Portland.  The Family Fun & Resource Night featured community resources for families, focusing on children experiencing delay, disability, mental health, or chronic health concerns.  Families enjoyed a free dinner and the opportunity to connect with other families.  There were crafts for the kids to do, goodie bags, a magician clown, and clowns creating balloon animals.

Thank you to all our community resource exhibitors, including:

• Albertina Kerr Centers
• Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County (CCR & R-MC)
• Commission on Children, Families, and Community
• Doernbecher Children’s Safety Center
• Family and Community Together
• Inclusive Child Care Program
• Multnomah County Developmental Disabilities Services
• Multnomah County Library
• Multnomah County Mental Helath and Addiction Services
• Multnomah Early Childhood Program
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
• Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities
• OrFIRST and Providence Swindells Center
• Oregon Parent Training and Information Center (OrPTI)
• Siletz Tribal Head Start
• Standup Parenting, Inc
• The Arc of Multnomah-Clackamas
• ThinkFirst Oregon
• United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon and SW Washington

MINI GRANTS PROJECTS

Family members often have innovative ideas for activities or events.  MPAC encouraged this innovation through mini grant funding to support the implementation of their idea that would benefit families who have young children with disabilities.  Previous mini grants funded:

• The development of book listings and the donation of books to the Edwards and Thompson sites, relevant to families of children with disabilities.
• The development of a support group in the Gresham area for families of children experiencing autism.
• Support of local conferences.
• Support of “hands-on” workshops.

LIBRARY and COMPUTER RESOURCES

Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP) maintains parent libraries at both Edwards School (1715 SE 32nd Place) and Thompson School (14030 NE Sacramento) in Portland.  Books on a broad range of topics are available for loan to any current MECP family.

In addition, both libraries have computers with Boardmaker™ software installed.  There is no charge to create and print communication boards.

Family And Community Together (FACT) is a family leadership coalition working to facilitate positive change in policies, systems and attitudes affecting Oregonians with disabilities or chronic health concerns and their families. More about FACT ...