Orientation Webinar September 21, 2009

My Child Without Limits A joint venture between UCP National and UCP/NYC to create a national resource for families of young children ages 0-5 with developmental disabilities to find the best information, access to treatment, and support they need as they build a bright future for their child.

Background June 2007 several Affiliate Executives and UCP National held a brain storming session about future projects and initiatives They determined three areas where UCP affiliates are leaders in the disability field: Early Childhood/Family Support Meaningful Employment/Engaged in the Community Accessible Housing/Accessible Living Selected Early Childhood and Family Support for first project under this new collaborative.

June 2007 several Affiliate Executives and UCP National held a brain storming session about future projects and initiatives

They determined three areas where UCP affiliates are leaders in the disability field:

Early Childhood/Family Support

Meaningful Employment/Engaged in the Community

Accessible Housing/Accessible Living

Selected Early Childhood and Family Support for first project under this new collaborative.

Background The Rationale for a Web Based Project: The Internet remains a frequent first source of information The challenge of caring for a child with a disability makes caregivers feel isolated. In order for UCP to enhance its status as the key resource of choice, a strong Internet presence is critical There is currently no single recognized and authoritative “Internet Destination of Choice”. The ANSWER : My Child Without Limits

The Rationale for a Web Based Project:

The Internet remains a frequent first source of information

The challenge of caring for a child with a disability makes caregivers feel isolated.

In order for UCP to enhance its status as the key resource of choice, a strong Internet presence is critical

There is currently no single recognized and authoritative “Internet Destination of Choice”.

The ANSWER : My Child Without Limits

Goals & Functions of Site To be the “Google” of sites for information on developmental disabilities for families of children ages 0 – 5; Provide a Nationwide directory and referral database First choice of physicians and health care professionals when referring parents to a disability resource site; Portal for partnerships and joint projects with local treatment and care centers; Visitors can sign up for e-newsletters; Outreach mechanism for potential professional staff; Designed easy for people with disabilities to use and is as 508-compatible as possible; Additional fundraising vehicle (e.g. General donations & sponsorship opportunities; and Provide an on-line mechanism for families to connect.

To be the “Google” of sites for information on developmental disabilities for families of children ages 0 – 5;

Provide a Nationwide directory and referral database

First choice of physicians and health care professionals when referring parents to a disability resource site;

Portal for partnerships and joint projects with local treatment and care centers;

Visitors can sign up for e-newsletters;

Outreach mechanism for potential professional staff;

Designed easy for people with disabilities to use and is as 508-compatible as possible;

Additional fundraising vehicle (e.g. General donations & sponsorship opportunities; and

Provide an on-line mechanism for families to connect.

Partners

UCP Affiliate Sponsors UCP of New York City UCP of North Bay Easter Seals UCP North Carolina UCP of Eastern Connecticut UCP of Greater New Orleans UCP Land of Lincoln UCP of MetroBoston The Spastic Center (Australia) UCP of Northeastern Maine UCP of Greater Birmingham UCP of Central Arizona

UCP of New York City

UCP of North Bay

Easter Seals UCP North Carolina

UCP of Eastern Connecticut

UCP of Greater New Orleans

UCP Land of Lincoln

UCP of MetroBoston

The Spastic Center (Australia)

UCP of Northeastern Maine

UCP of Greater Birmingham

UCP of Central Arizona

Site Content Main Sections: Understand Helps to answer the question: what is autism spectrum disorder? cerebral palsy? Down syndrome? and other developmental disabilities Plan Guidance on where to go for early intervention services, treatments and therapies, assistive technologies, and working with experts Act Explores issues surrounding disability awareness, advocacy, and lifespan planning Community Connect with other parents and caregivers

Main Sections:

Understand

Helps to answer the question: what is autism spectrum disorder? cerebral palsy? Down syndrome? and other developmental disabilities

Plan

Guidance on where to go for early intervention services, treatments and therapies, assistive technologies, and working with experts

Act

Explores issues surrounding disability awareness, advocacy, and lifespan planning

Community

Connect with other parents and caregivers

Site Content Developed by Expert Committees: Medical Committee: provide original content and directional assistance with content for the Understand and some sub-sections of the Plan areas. Provide suggestions for topics as well as approve content provided from other locations if needed. Parent Committee: provide content as well as directional assistance on topics they want to hear about. Provide guidance to ensure the content is parent friendly and informative.

Developed by Expert Committees:

Medical Committee: provide original content and directional assistance with content for the Understand and some sub-sections of the Plan areas. Provide suggestions for topics as well as approve content provided from other locations if needed.

Parent Committee: provide content as well as directional assistance on topics they want to hear about. Provide guidance to ensure the content is parent friendly and informative.

Site Content Additional content from: UCP Affiliates Exceptional Parent CDC

Additional content from:

UCP Affiliates

Exceptional Parent

CDC

Site Navigation Main tabs across the top Understand Plan Act Community Left hand sub sections drill down for more information on main topics “Find Support” box on the right

Main tabs across the top

Understand

Plan

Act

Community

Left hand sub sections drill down for more information on main topics

“Find Support” box on the right

Resource Locator Helps users find local organizations UCP Affiliates Early Intervention Services Government Services Non-profit Organizations Searchable by zip code Please send us suggestions for local resources!!!

Helps users find local organizations

UCP Affiliates

Early Intervention Services

Government Services

Non-profit Organizations

Searchable by zip code

Please send us suggestions for local resources!!!

MCWL Social Networking Resources Inspire Community http://www.inspire.com/groups/my-child-without-limits/ Facebook Fan Page www.facebook.com/mychildwithoutlimits Twitter www.twitter.com/mychild

Inspire Community

http://www.inspire.com/groups/my-child-without-limits/

Facebook Fan Page

www.facebook.com/mychildwithoutlimits

Twitter

www.twitter.com/mychild

Promote MCWL in Your Community Toolkit Press releases Fact sheets Brochures Media talking points Audio/video PSA Outreach ideas Toolkit is online in Affnet http://www.ucp.org/document.cfm/9583 Badges Website Email signature

Toolkit

Press releases

Fact sheets

Brochures

Media talking points

Audio/video PSA

Outreach ideas

Toolkit is online in Affnet http://www.ucp.org/document.cfm/9583

Badges

Website

Email signature