Ability 1st Utah

st1Abilitya voice of Utahour ownJAN FEB 2015hope you all had awonderful holidayseason and that 2015will be filled with new hopeand happiness for you andyour family.Over the past year Ability 1stUtah served 797 consumers,311 of those consumers werenew to our program.Our youth summer programwas a big success, and it wasfull to capacity.Our Adult program has alsogrown. We are truly gratefulto all of you who have participated in the classes and activities as you worked toward accomplishing your goals for thisyear. Thank you for your participation!Our Community Integrationprogram provided consumerswith the opportunity to participate in many community activities. Participants attended 33community activities this lastyear.We also assisted 13 individuals with disabilities to moveout from a nursing facility and33 individuals received services that prevented themfrom moving into a nursingfacility.I would like to take this opportunity to also thank my wonderful staff for all of their hardwork and efforts.THANK YOU!!!AImportant datesdvocacy is the act of wellplanned and intended series of actions to influencechange. In this issue:Youth Korner P.2Ability 1 st News P.3Calendar P.4Calendar P.5Juab & Sanpete P.6En español P.7Your Story P.8 Sandra M. CurcioExecutive Director, Ability 1st UtahAdvocacy as a term involves'speaking up on behalf of others.'Advocacy, in the context of social accountability, refers to efforts of an individual or groupto effectively communicate,convey, negotiate or assert theinterests, desires, needs andrights of oneself or others or acollective.Advocacy is a tool for real participation by citizens in decision-making by government andother powerful bodies.BE AN ADVOCATE!!!Thursday, January 15, 201510:00 AM-2:30 PMUtah State Capitol AdvocacyTraining Day. Learn to ask thelegislators the right questions.Light lunch providedThursday, February 5, 20154:00-5:45 PMThe Legislative Coalition forPeople with Disabilities (LCPD)Reception with Legislators,Capitol Rotunda.Light dinner providedRSVP-Transportation available,but limited! Call soon toreserve a seat.

Ability 1st Utah Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities For Youth Program OnlyJanuary 2015Bbbbrrrrr.It’s cold in Utah County, but weplan to spark up the youthTuesdaysWednesdaysThursdays6Nebo: Goals forthe New Year12-1:00 PM7Goals for the NewYear 4-5:30 PM8Goals for the NewYear 12-2:00 PM2-3:00 PM YLC131415Nebo: Job Preparation12-1:00 PMHygiene Kits11-1:00 PMJob Prep4-5:30 PM21IL SkillsProvo Police Dept.4-5:30 PMNo ClassLegislative Advocacy Training inSLC22EarthquakePreparation12-2:00 PM2829AccessingAdvocacy4-5:30 PMAccessingAdvocacy12-2:00 PMprogram and get them on fire forthe future.One of the biggest changes we are makingis our Wednesday class for these 2 months.The class will now be from 4:00pm to5:30pm. So if any of you are still in schoolor even post high schools, now have abetter chance to come to classes.Transportation will not be provided for theclass, but the great news is UTA is helping20Nebo: Earthquake Preparation12-1:00 PM27Nebo: Jeopardy12-1:00 PMmany of our staff members become Ambassadors. As Ambassadors we have the abilityto teach you one on one how to use the UTAFebruary 2015bus system to get to our facility, and backTuesdayshome, or other needs.ThursdaysWednesdays345Nebo: Job Preparation12-1:00 PMHealthy Relationships 4-5:30 PMNo ClassReception withLegislators SLC1112words on it. If you found them call me and10Nebo: Wii DanceExercise/HealthFood12-1:00 PMWii Dance Exercise/Health Food4-5:30 PMWii Dance Exercise/Health Food12-2:00 PMtell me where they are along with the171819Nebo: IL skills12-1:00 PMCooking Class4-5:30 PMIL Skills12-2:00 PM2-3:00 PM YLC2425Nebo: AccessingAdvocacy12-1:00 PMAccessing Advocacy 4-5:30 PM26Aquarium FieldTrip TransportationLimited1-3:00 PMThanks to each of you who have been calling for transportation every week. It hashelped so much, so keep it up.To our youth readers out there, I’m doing achallenge. I will be hiding in this newslettera “Cupid’s” Arrow and Heart with “Secret”“Secret” words. The first five (5) Youth tocall will win a surprise. You must call, notyour parents or guardians, but that doesn’tmean they can’t help you. Parents, if yourchild has a hard time reading, there is agreat program I can refer you to, that specializes in helping youth and adults in reading and writing skills. Just ask. :)Quince Van OrdenYouth Program DeveloperOUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSEDMONDAY, JANUARY 19, Martin L. King DayMONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, President’s Day

Ability 1st Utah Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities NewsA story of frustration anddetermination.In February 2004, I was in a great job and working on an Associate Degree from UVU when I was diagnosed withAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as LouGehrig's disease. Life changed almost overnight.I applied for Social Security Disability and I was denied.I then went through the pain-staking task of the governmentbureaucracy of trying to get my benefits after working a continuous 30 years. I had to finally cash in our savings, 401 KPlan, stocks and bonds just to keep afloat financially. The government would not give us foodstamps or any other assistance, regrettably we were over their max limit by 5.00!After three years of letter writing, meetings, and hearings I was approved for disability benefits.Once approved by Social Security I was told I could not supplement my income without jeopardizing my long-term benefits; I stopped pursuing employment elsewhere. Therefore, we wereonly living on a fixed low income. Not even enough to pay our basic needs.In 2012, Social Security Disability Program introduced a new program called, 'Ticket to Work'where I could supplement my income without losing my current benefits. In October 2013I was able to apply for the 'Ticket to Work' program. I was assigned to a program coordinator,which is Janine Culver at Ability 1st Utah.Ability 1st Utah is an Employment Network, contracted by Social Security to assist people whoare on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) getback to work to become financially independent.Continue-Back Page (Page 8)A FREE six-week workshop were you will learnhow to live with your chronic conditionsFor people with long-term pain & health concernsto help them learn how to: Manage symptoms Set weekly goals Use medication as directed Problem-solve effectively Relax and handle difficultemotions Work with your healthcare teamNEW CLASSES STARTING IN MARCH 2015ONLY REGISTERED PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ATTENDRegister soon - Limited space!!! Call Cristina: 801.850.5566

Ability 1st Utah Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities CalendarJanuary 2015MonTueWed31 DECThu1CLOSEDFri2 CLOSEDCLOSED ATNOON567Grocery Shopping19CLOSED15161314Life Skills Class:Life Skills Class:Cooking: CrockpotPersonal Care12-2:00 PM12—2:00 PMSalt Lake CapitolAdvocacy Training10:00-2:30 PMRSVP (For rides)20212223Life Skills Class:Life Skills Class:2930THE TIME ISALWAYS RIGHT Computer ClassTO DO WHAT 12-2:00 PMIS RIGHTLesson 1 of 6Computer Basic269People First11:00 AM1:00 PM12-2:00 PM128Financial Advisor12-2:00 PM2728Group Activity:Bean Museum12-2:30 PMLife Skills Class:Goal Setting 122:00 PMPLEASE ALWAYS CALL TO CONFIRM IF ATTENDING ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES ON THISCALENDAR. SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES MAY TAKE PLACE IN ANOTHER LOCATION!Solving sticky situations.We are so glad that we have such a great amount of consumers participating inour classes & activities. That participation gives us energy and it make us wantto plan better and bigger endeavors.As more of you attend the classes & activities, we are in need to set some guidelines and safety rules so everyone can enjoy them. We would like for you to readthem over and then let us know if they are acceptable.Guidelines will be established at the beginning of a class, and we will explain the purpose theyserve. We will remind you of these guidelines periodically, particularly if problems occur.

Ability 1st Utah Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities CalendarFebruary 2015MonTue32Wed45People First11:00 AM1:00 PM923CLOSEDFri6LEGISLATIVERECEPTION AT THECAPITOL4:00 PM-5:45 PMRSVP EARLY11Life Skills Class:Grocery ShoppingComputer Class12-2:00 PM12-2:00 PMLesson 2 of 6Internet Rules121317WII ActivityExercise andDance12-2:00 PM24Life Skills Class:Diabetics Cooking12-2:00 PM192026271016Thu18Life Skills Class:Appropriate SocialSkills 12-2:00 PM25Group ActivityService Project12:30-2:00 PMTRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE WHEN WE HAVE CLASSES AT OUR CENTER. WE WILL ALSOPROVIDE ROUTE DEVIATION BASED UPON THE NEEDS WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA.Guidelines suggestions for classes:ooooooooooArrive on time. We will start on timeTurn your cell phone off. (if need, set it on “vibrate”)Do not leave class early without checking with the instructors in advance.Ask questions if you are confused.Try not to distract or annoy your classmates.Do not monopolize discussionDo not interrupt one anotherSpeak from your own experience, without generalizing.If you are offended by anything said during discussion, acknowledge it immediately.Consider anything that is said in class strictly confidential.For a two hour class, there will be one 15 minute break on the hour.Thank you for being considerate of everyone around you; following the guidelines will ensurethat everyone is heard, and that we work together toward a greater learning experience.

Ability 1st Utah Promoting Independence for People with Disabilities For Juab & Sanpete onlyJanuary 2015TuesdayJUAB & SANPETE COUNTIESATTENTIONOUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSEDTfering transportation has been verywell received. It is costly to provide1 CLOSED2 CLOSED678914151622232930Shopping1:30 PM13Food Bank11:00 AM2021Shopping1:30 PMthis service but we know that it isimportant to those who have no oth-2728Movie3:00 PMFood Bank11:00 AMIn our efforts to make our funds goas far as possible to as many con-February 2015sumers as possible, please be advised that there will be no transportation provided on Mondays or Fri-TuesdayWednesday34unless they have been previouslyShopping1:30 PMFood Bank11:00 AMscheduled on the calendar.10Food Bank trips will now be on Wednesdays rather than Fridays at the requestMovie3:00 PMof Food Bank staff. If you are a fewdays beginning January 1st, 2015,days short of your 30 day mark whengoing to the Food Bank to pick up com-Friday31 DECCLOSEDAT NOONWatercolorClass #3er options.Thursday30 DECMONDAY, JANUARY 19, Martin L. King DayMONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, President’s DayThe response to Ability 1st Utah 1:30 PMFood Bank11:00 AM24252627modities, the staff has agreed to overlook up to five days prior to your nextappointment. Two trips are offeredeach month so please pick the best onefor you.WatercolorClass #4