Updates from Providers Regarding Their Programs and Services

National Deaf Academy (NDA) is a 132 bed residential treatment center serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral problems as well as Autistic children with communication disorders and co-morbid diagnoses. NDA serves an extremely diverse, and at times, neurologically complicated population in a safe, therapeutic, home-like environment that promotes an understanding of deafness and is free from communication barriers. The treatment programs are customized for each resident based on their specific needs, and include treatment for: impulsivity and antisocial behaviors; attention-deficit disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder; anxiety disorders; mood disorders; psychotic disorders; developmental delays; communication disorders; drug and alcohol abuse; pervasive developmental disorders/autism (deaf and hearing). In addition to the psychiatric treatment program, a non-profit Florida chartered school is located on the grounds. The Charter School at NDA provides uniquely tailored K-12 education to individuals ages 6-22. The year-round instructional program is based on a diagnostic prescriptive model where the state certified teachers and trained mental health technicians provide a 1:3 staff to student ratio to insure that each student’s IEP goals and objectives are achieved. NDA became a Nevada Medicaid provider in recent months and now can accept Nevada residents into our facility. We are attempting to get the word out to families and service providers in Nevada who may have family members or clients in need of our specialized care. If anyone has questions about our services, they should contact: Shane Libby, MSWCommunity Relations Representative Western Region, National Deaf Academy, 19650 U.S. Hwy. 441, Mt. Dora, Florida 32757. 352-735-9500 main office number, 352-735-9556 VP, 352-735-4939 fax, 352-602-8209 business cell direct. www.nda.com. oromero@aim.com or slibby@nda.com
Source: National Deaf Academy

The Reno Gazette Journal recently reported that the Children in Transition (group) identified a 72% increase of homeless children and teens enrolled in Washoe County schools from January, 2007 to March 31, 2008, when the number climbed to 1,834. The Washoe County School District identifies over 1,300 children yearly as being Children in Transition. These are children living in motels, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, doubled up with family, friends and acquaintances, awaiting foster care placement, or unaccompanied youth on the streets. Back-Pack kids is a program that provides easy-to-prepare nutritious food for elementary students in the Children in Transition program to take home on weekends. Good nutrition over the weekends help children return to school on Monday morning feeling good and ready to learn. Backpacks are distributed at schools where there are high numbers of Children in Transition. Over 340 backpacks are distributed or filled weekly to more than 13 schools. AmeriCorps VISTA has teamed together with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and other community agencies. We are currently seeking new and gently used backpacks and three ring binder dividers. Your donation of backpacks and dividers can be delivered through July 31 to the following locations: Laufen Tile - 972 East Greg Street in Sparks, Nevada. (775) 349-4388; Travel @ Caughlin - 4782 Caughlin Parkway in Reno, Nevada. (775) 746-3597; Reno Sparks Kiwanis Bike Program - 2605 Comstock in Reno, Nevada. (775) 746-9310; AAA - 4731 Galleria Parkway, Suite 105 in Sparks, Nevada. (775) 331-2212 (all Reno and Sparks locations are participating); Ferguson - 1095 Rock Boulevard in Sparks, Nevada. (775) 688-5000; and WAL Mart- 5065 Pyramid Lake Road in Spanish Springs/ Sparks, Nevada. (775) 425-9300. All monetary donation inquiries should be directed to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada at (775) 331-3663.
Source: Food Bank of Northern Nevada

VSA arts of Nevada at the Lake Mansion, a non-profit organization, is conducting 24, 3 and 4 day Summer Art Camps (visual art, theater, creative movement/music) this summer at the Lake Mansion (250 Court Street at Arlington) Alf Sorensen Community Center (1400 Baring Blvd) and at Larry D. Johnson Community Center (1200 12th Street in Sparks). The 4-day morning (9-noon) or afternoon (1-4pm) camps are $65 each camps and the 3 day camps are $50 for 6-10 year olds and all supplies are included – they are very reasonable. VSA arts also has several additional workshops at the Lake Mansion including “Art Adventures” for kids 7-12 years old, “Mommy/Daddy/Grandparent and Me” for an adult and a 3-5 year old, “Kids Acting” for 8-12 year olds and Clay for 8-14 year olds. We have scholarships based on need and room. Call 826-6100 or www.vsanevada.org for more information.
Source: VSA arts of Nevada at the Lake Mansion

The new website address is www.helpautismnevada.com. There is a live chat room every night from 8pm to 9 pm and forums for families to post questions. There is also a guest book where messages can be left and networking is possible. If you have any questions, to email: vsoto@helpautismnevada.com
Source: HELP Autism In Nevada Inc.

CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada has established a new program designed to help low-income seniors who suffer from macular degeneration with the cost of ocular devices. Interested parties can call Catherine at 829-2273, ext. 115.
Source: C*A*R*E* Chest of Sierra Nevada

Recent cuts to the Health Department's Family Planning program does not mean the end of Teen Health Mall. Although the number of staff will be reduced, the health department is working to increase the number of clients that the remaining staff is able to see. The goal is that there will be minimal impact to teens seeking services. Teens can come to the Teen Health Mall to receive sexual health services (pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted disease testing/treatment, and birth control) as well as non-sexually related services such as wellness exams and minor acute care (sore throat, ear/skin infections, etc). Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 328-2470. The clinic is open between 8 am and 5 pm Monday - Friday).
If you have any questions regarding the Teen Health Mall clinic please contact Stacy Hardie at 328-2444 or shardie@washoecounty.us.
Source: American Lung Association of Nevada

The CARE Loan Fund Program offers low-interest loans to disabled Nevadans and their families for the purchase of Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology is any equipment that can make life easier for a person with a disability. The purpose of this statewide program is to provide accessible funding to disabled people to allow them to create or maintain independence. The maximum loan for the program is $20,000. For more information call Robert Walker at CARE Chest at 829-2273, ext. 106.
Source: C*A*R*E* Chest of Sierra Nevada

CSA is please to announce the following free services: assistance with job placement; help with resume writing; on-line GED prep; one-on-one case management if desired; use of computer lab for resume writing, filling out on-line applications, etc.; free computer classes – in them learn programs many businesses use today such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access; and how to use the internet. All services are free to income qualified individuals. For more information, please contact Susie at 786-6023 Ext. 209 or at snugent@csareno.org
Source: CSA

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte is offering low cost breast exams as part of an annual exam and free mammograms to area low income women. The program, titled the Healthy Breast Fund, was developed through a grant from the ‘Susan G. Komen For the Cure of Northern Nevada’. Anyone wishing to use the Fund can make an appointment with our health centers by calling 688-5555.
Source: Planned Parenthood Mar Monte

The purpose of this program is to provide a positive adult role models, a mentor, to a child who has a parent in prison. The mentor is a personal friend that they can have simple fun with, act like a kid again and look up to. Eligible children, ages 4-15, are identified through incarcerated parents/family members, school personnel, primary caregivers and community agencies. The Big Brother Big Sister’s Enrollment Specialists look at the total needs of the family system and a case plan and goals are established. Match Support Specialists then provide ongoing support for the mentoring relationship to achieve long-term sustainability. If you know of a child who would benefit from this program or for more information, contact Robin Andrews, “Reaching for the Stars” Outreach Coordinator, 495 Apple St., Ste. 104, Reno, NV 89502. (775) 352-3202 ext. 130, randrews@bbbsnn.org or fax: (775) 322-8898
Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters

Washoe County has identified space at 85 Edison Way that will provide a warm safe place for the individuals who need shelter from the cold nights. There will be two separate units, one for single men and one for single women. The County’s overflow shelter can accommodate up to 30 women and up to 50 men at one time. Individuals in need of shelter should go to the Record Street site. Men should go to the Men’s Drop-In Shelter at 315 Record Street and women should go to the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission building at 355 Record Street. Individuals in need of shelter will receive an evening meal and an opportunity to shower at those existing sites. The men and women who cannot be accommodated at the existing shelters for the night will then be transported from the Record Street sites to the 85 Edison Way building. There they will be provided with a warm bed and restroom facilities. In the morning, they will be transported back to the Record Street sites for a light breakfast. The United Way of the Sierra and Northern Nevada has implemented their motel voucher program for families who are in need of shelter during the winter months. Families in need of shelter can request assistance from Catholic Community Services, or Family Promise, in order to access this program.
Source: Washoe County

HAWC Community Health Center, located at 1055 South Wells Avenue will continue offering expanded the hours for medical and dental care. The expanded medical hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m, Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Expanded dental hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For an appointment, call: 329 6300. Walk-ins always welcome.
The HAWC Dental South Clinic, located at 6490 S. McCarran Ave., also offers expanded hours:
Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (closed for lunch, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.). For an appointment, call 825 6702. Walk-ins always welcome.
Source: HAWC

The Washoe County Law Library continues to host the weekly ‘Lawyer in the Library’ program. The program is a joint effort of the Volunteer Lawyers of Washoe County, in collaboration with the Washoe County Law Library to help those who are attempting to work through legal issues themselves. The ‘Lawyer in the Library’ program takes place every Wednesday, 5pm. to 7pm. at the Washoe County Law Library, located on the first floor of the Washoe County Courthouse on Virginia and Court Streets. Through this program, a volunteer lawyer will provide limited and general guidance on such topics as domestic relations, estate planning, immigration, bankruptcy and labor law. While formal legal advice will not be given and no attorney-client relationships will be established between the volunteers and the participants, the aim of the ‘Lawyer in the Library’ program is to ease the anxiety often experienced by lay people involved in a legal process by providing them with the basic background and tools necessary to deal with the process.
For more information, contact Law Library Director, Sandy Marz at 328 3250.
Source: Mike Wolterbeek, Washoe County Public Information Officer