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Stone Soup Group

Supporting Alaskan Families who care for children with special needs.

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Tory Shanklin

Caregiver Depression – Real, Raw, and “Normal”

August 2, 2017 By Tory Shanklin 2 Comments

Depression is frequently a topic we tip-toe around, especially as caregivers. With all the issues we deal with on a daily basis, our problems are insignificant, right? WRONG! Parent and special needs advocate Maria Pepperworth speaks openly about depression as a caregiver today. Life as a special-needs parent can be exhausting and lonely.  Special-needs parents have Learn More

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: caregiver, caregiver depression, caregiving, depression, peer support, self-care, special needs

Single mom raising two teenagers who experience autism

July 17, 2017 By Tory Shanklin 1 Comment

I always get questioned about what it’s like being a single mom raising two teenagers who experience autism. (technically the 18-year-old is considered an adult now). My answer is always pretty much: exhausting, educational, and interesting. Autism is so different in both of them that it really is a new adventure for each. Ty is my Learn More

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: autism, parenting, school, teenagers

$1,800 a Day…

July 12, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

Stone Soup Group Board Member, Matt Findley, explains how his son reached the lifetime cap imposed by his employer-based healthcare plan in less than two years. Hear one way Alaskans like his son who are living with a disability would be impacted by potential changes to healthcare. Thank you Matt for sharing your story!

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: #BeInformed, advocacy, Alaska, BeAVoice, healthcare, hemophilia, insurance

Comments, Suggestions & Feedback on the Amendment to the State Plan

July 10, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education would like your comments, suggestions, and feedback on the 2017 Amendment to the 2017-2021 State Plan. Every year the council has an opportunity to revise and update the 5-year state plan. While the goals are the same, this year some of the objectives have been revised Learn More

Filed Under: Current Opportunities Tagged With: advocacy, be a voice, Special Education

Letter to our Senators

June 28, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

Between the CBO report and political tensions in DC, there is a lot of information to sort through regarding the Senate’s health care bill known as “The Better Care Reconciliation Act”. One thing is certain, these changes will affect Alaskans, and these changes will affect families caring for children with special needs. The Governor’s Council on Learn More

Filed Under: Current Opportunities Tagged With: #BeInformed, #HealthcareReform, advocacy, BeAVoice

“…we are GROOT” a Guardianship Story

May 17, 2017 By Tory Shanklin 1 Comment

My son Tyler turned 18 this month. With that came a whole new world called guardianship. What a weird feeling it was. Being in a courtroom. Sitting across the room from my son, who was sitting at a table with an attorney he just met. Answering questions and waiting for a judge to grant me Learn More

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: advocacy, Alaska, autism, Developmental Disabilities, family stories, Guardianship

BUDGET ALERT: Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health & FASD

May 17, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

The conference committee for the budget had their first meeting this week. It was an organizational meeting and no action was taken, but we expect legislators will begin acting soon. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to send an email, letter, or phone call to the legislators about the budget items (listed Learn More

Filed Under: Current Opportunities Tagged With: advocacy, Alaska, be a voice, Developmental Disabilities, FASD, financial resources, mental health, policy

Comment on Draft of Every Student Succeeds Act

May 5, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

Opportunity to Comment on Draft of ESSA State Plan is Extended to May 28 The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking public comment on the first draft of the state plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new federal education law. ESSA provides states with greater flexibility than the Learn More

Filed Under: Current Opportunities Tagged With: advocacy, Alaska, education, policy, Special Education

We are an autism family…

March 30, 2017 By Tory Shanklin 4 Comments

By Maria Pepperworth – Alaskan parent, advocate, rocker! Whenever people ask me about autism I like to use the word experience. My kids “experience” autism. In reality,  our whole family “experiences” autism. It impacts the whole family. Autism is different in every person. It’s unpredictable, it’s difficult, it’s amazing, it’s a puzzle. If you would’ve Learn More

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: Alaska, autism, family, grandparents, special needs

Special Education law and advocacy training coming to Alaska

March 21, 2017 By Tory Shanklin Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Victoria Shanklin Communications and Outreach Manager victorias@stonesoupgroup.org Main: 907-561-3701 Direct: 907-792-3404 Special Education law and advocacy training coming to Alaska With the anticipated closure of Mount Iliamna Elementary and anticipated changes to our education system, there is no better time to bring the Wrightslaw Training to our state. Wrightslaw is a Learn More

Filed Under: News Tagged With: advocacy, Alaska, IEP, Special Education, wrightslaw

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