NEWS FROM PATHFINDER
By Melissa Fortson & Carole Moore-Slater


HISPANIC OUTREACH PROGRAM UPDATE: 
CONOSCA SUS DERECHOS WORKSHOP
On March 27, 2008, Tennessee Disability Pathfinder partnered with the Disability Law and Advocacy Center (DLAC) and Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) to provide training to Hispanic families who have children with disabilities. Both agencies presented information about the rights of people with disabilities and their families, and described situations in which they can help. STEP gave a short version of their “Know Your Rights” training on special education laws and effectively working with the school team. Pathfinder provided childcare and invited community members, as well as participants pf Pathfinder’s support group for Spanish-speaking families of children with disabilities. A group of 30 individuals attended this workshop, which was held at Nashville’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Following the workshop, Pathfinder mailed evaluation forms and support group information to attendees.  

The Hispanic Outreach Program provides statewide information and assistance for children and adults with disabilities, as well as community training and technical assistance. A support group for Spanish-speaking parents of children with disabilities meets monthly and a bilingual resource database provides information about disability, mental health and social services for the Hispanic community (www.caminoseguro.org). For more information contact Claudia Avila-Lopez, Hispanic outreach coordinator, at claudia.avila@vanderbilt.edu or 800-640-4636 (ext. 11).

TELL US ABOUT IT!
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder is collecting information on parent and volunteer led activities across the State. While programs listed in Pathfinder’s online database and print directory must meet formal inclusion criteria, we know that there are activities that don’t meet these criteria, but are just as valuable. We are gathering this information for a new section of our Web site, www.familypathfinder.org.

Is there a child care or respite care cooperative in your community? Have you joined with other families to create a sports program or support group?

Any information you can provide is appreciated. The following are most helpful:

Name of group/description of activity
Activity location
Contact person
Phone number
Web site (if available)

Submit information to Ashley F. Coulter at ashley.coulter@vanderbilt.edu or 800-640-4636 (ext. 15).

FAREWELL TO MELISSA FORTSON
Disability Pathfinder bids farewell to Melissa Fortson as she heads to the University of Alabama to pursue a Master of Library and Information Services (MLIS ) degree.  Melissa started with Pathfinder in 2005 and has been a valuable member of our team in identifying community services and relevant information for individuals with disabilities and their families. We will definitely miss her but wish her the best of luck in her studies and in the future! 


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
English & Español 
(615) 322–8529 
(800) 640–4636

TTY/TDD users: 
please dial 711 for 
free relay service

www.familypathfinder.org 
tnpathfinder@vanderbilt.edu 

Melissa Fortson is information & referral specialist/program coordinator with Tennessee Disability Pathfinder.


Carole Moore-Slater, MS, is director of Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. 


Tennessee Disability Pathfinder has phone, Web and print resources in English and Spanish to connect the Tennessee disability community with service providers. Referral services, free of cost, are provided to persons with disabilities, family members, service providers and advocates. Pathfinder is a joint project of the TENNESSEE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES and the VANDERBILT KENNEDY CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.