BEINEINU NEWS & NOTES
May 22, 2014
USA
East Ramapo Residents—If you live in the East Ramapo school district, you are aware of the difficulties caused for the community by the imbalance in the state’s school funding formula. A petition is circulating asking the Governor and NY state legislature to correct this inequitable and untenable formula to help all of the children in our community. To sign the petition, see http://www.change.org/petitions/ny-state-legislature-governor-change-formula-for-the-east-ramapo-central-school-district?recruiter=96666680&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
NJ Advocacy Alert—School Funding--There is currently proposed legislation in the NJ State Assembly and Senate that would make it possible for children with special needs to be placed and funded in a private school, including a Jewish day school. Currently, the State will only fund the educational needs for special needs children in a public school, even if this means sending them to another district. Under the proposed legislation, the parent will have the opportunity to access resources for their child in a Jewish day school setting (if the school is accredited for this). This will help many families who have struggled with keeping their children in a Jewish day school and getting support for their needs. Please write, call or email your local representatives and demonstrate your support as constituents towards this goal. You can also sign your name to letters online at: http://advocacy.ou.org/action-alerts/#/13.
Employment Opportunity—Camp Romemu’s bunk Samech Bais is a camp-within-a-camp for high functioning boys with special needs. They are looking for warm, dedicated, and caring counselors who are coming out of eleventh grade or older who would like to enjoy a wonderful summer together with these special boys. There are two sessions: June 30-July 28, July 28-August 25. For more information contact Rabbi Rafi Pearl at 718 541-5672.
ISRAEL
Grandparent Support Group—ALUT has begun a new support group for grandparents of children with Autism. They will meet every other Sunday in Jerusalem. Contact Alut at : 03-670-9094
Click here for phone numbers of the various ALUT centers for families all over the country
Diving Course—ETGARIM is sponsoring a diving course suitable for adolescents and young adults age 12 and up. The diving course led by the best instructors in the field and accompanied by the course's wonderful and talented volunteers.
For more information contact them at 03-561-3585 or ALUT at 03-670-9094.
Tikshoret Class---A group of parents is interested in forming a tikshoret class in the Carmel Coast region for children ages 10-12. For more information contact Tamar 050-997-0200 or Dafna 052-461-5156.
Nofshon—Here is a partial list of organizations providing government subsidized Nofshon respite services:
Nofshon Camp Alei Siach (religious)
WHO: Children with all disorders including autism, cognitive developmental disorder and rehab (the site is not accessible for children with physical disabilities, other than folding baby strollers) .
AGES: Boys up to age 9; girls of all ages.
WHEN: Aug 7-13 – volunteer per child
WHERE: Beer Yaakov Campus
Call Shlomit (morning hours) 02-5477908
YAFIA Nofshon in the North
All year long
WHO: Children with cognitive developmental disorders – all levels
All ages
Call 04-6551014, 050-2188498 (Louis)
Summer Nofshonim (existing activities reinforced and adapted for the summer)
REGAIM KSUMIM Motel
At Yam HaMelach (the Dead Sea), all year long
WHO: Children and adults with cystic fibrosis and psoriasis
ALL AGES
The Nofshon is available for the children and their families
Call 03-6780303
Beit Tamar Jerusalem
Nofshon all year long
WHO: Children with physical disabilities and intellectual functioning AGES: 8-21
Sleep only; no activities. An accompanying adult a must for every child.
Call 02-6448601
Nofshon SAVION Jerusalem (by Siach Sod Jerusalem) (frum)
WHO: Children with autism, cognitive developmental disorders and rehab
AGES: 5+
Call 02-6405024
SHTILIM Nofshon Jerusalem
WHO: Children with autism and PDD
AGES: 3+
Kosher meals; volunteer for every child
Call Chani – 052-7166343
Project HAKALA – Ezer Mitzion
WHO: Children with cognitive developmental disorders, autism and rehab
AGES: 3-21
Nofshon takes place at the host family
The host family can be a family that the child's parents recommend, such as neighbors, friends, a teacher/assistant from the school staff, etc.
The host family must be approved by Ezer Mitzion's social worker and the Ministry of Social Affairs' inspection.
Ezer Mitzion has a database of families all over the country which can be used in cases in which the child's parents do not have a recommended host family for their child.
Call 03-6144456 or 03-6144457 or 03-6144433
Or email
Nofshon AGAM
Once a month, on Fri-Sat, at the AGAM school in Raanana
WHO: Children with cognitive developmental disorders (moderate-severe)
AGES: 7-21
Call 09-7481063
Haifa's Children's GAN (Weekend Nofshon)
WHO: Children with special needs who are recognized by the Services for the Retarded Person (Sherut LaAdam HaMefager) and the National Division for Autistics (Yechida Artzit LeOtistim) All ages
Takes place on weekends
AGES: 4+
Call 04-8377139
Beit David Nofshon
WHO: The Nofshon is in Mevaseret Tzion and is for women and girls with cognitive developmental disorders.
Operates all year long, including vacation days and holidays.
Women joining the Nofshon join the activities which include vocational programs, fun and recreation.
For information: Chaya Levy, director of the place, or Debby: 02-5341127
Or fax 02-5795846
Or email: