=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
24 November 2003

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>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
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*Calendar of Events
*Announcements: New Women's Reading/Support Group begins January
*Feature Article: Senate Receives IDEA Bill and Report
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

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>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
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Marin - 11/24/2003, Mon. 12:30am-2:30pm
Parent Resource Group -- Call First...
30 Catalpa Ave., Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly
Seerley: 415-383-6048
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Contra Costa - 12/3/2003, Wed. 7-9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting: Goal Setting Challenges, Part I --
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
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San Francisco - 12/4/2003, Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Developing Minds--Behavioral Complications -- This video explores
behavioral problems that may stem from a child's poor performance in
school. Practical strategies that teachers and parents can use to
help children manage inappropriate behaviors such as acting out,
anger and aggression, as well as social skills difficulties that can
interfere with academic and social success are presented. - No
reservations needed. Free.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco - Contact: SFPL Resource
Collection for LDs: 415-557-4540
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Santa Clara - 12/4/2003, Thu. 7:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute - "Change Your Life by Changing Your
Mind" -- Gwenn Henkel, CMH, MH, Ph.D.(c), will tell her own
compelling story of how hypnosis gave her life back to her, what
hypnosis is and isn't, and will show how it can help make positive
and permanent changes in people's lives.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit www.kpinst.org
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Marin - 12/9/2003, Tues. 7-9pm
Impulsivity Around Money - Connie DePropis, ADD coach 510-465-6505
And Our Holiday Party !! -- Learn how to stop spending impulsively
and avoid holiday debt. Connie is an ADD coach with special interest
in helping ADDers change habits including spending habits and ways to
live well while getting out of debt. And it is our annual holiday
party!! Come and enjoy holiday treats and great company!!! Bring
something to share, if you wish.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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Santa Clara - 12/9/2003, Tues. 7:15 - 9 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- A new CHADD group in Palo Alto to
provide support and community-resource information for partners of
folks with ADHD.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Gina Pera: 888-759-9758
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Sacramento - 12/9/2003, Tues. 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The Ingredients of Learning and Academic Output with Dr. Mel Levine
-- Dr. Levine is a nationally known education expert, pediatrician
and author of the best selling books, "One Mind at a Time" and "The
Myth of Laziness." He will discuss: Non-labeling approach to
differences in learning, Key areas of brain development, Interaction
of brain functions to produce optimal learning, Ways teacher and
parents can observe child's developmental functioning, Insights to
approaches enabling all children to find their ways of succeeding.
DoubleTree Hotel, Sacramento - Contact: bdriscol@...,
760-736-6335, or visit www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/peak-3/levine.pdf
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Alameda - 12/10/2003, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
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Contra Costa - 12/10/2003, Wed. 7-9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
Kaiser Mental Health, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
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Contra Costa - 12/10/2003, Wed. 7-9 pm
Antioch Parent's Support Group - Topic TBA -- For parents and
caregivers of children with AD/HD offering the opportunity to share
stresses, strategies and successes.
Sutter Delta Medical Center, Antioch - Contact: Colleen Ruddock: 925-757-2372
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Marin - 12/16/2003, Tues. 7-9pm
Got Clutter? A drop-in peer-support group for organizing. -- SueZee
Poinsett; Professional coach and organizer, Member of Na. Assoc.
Professional Organizers. 415-492-8822.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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Online - 12/17/2003, Wed. 4-6:00 PM PST
Fostering Resilience in Children -- Guest Expert: Robert Brooks, Ph.D.
CHADD Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Message Line: 888-759-9758
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>> ANNOUNCEMENTS <<
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New Women's Reading/Support Group begins in January

A new CHADD women's reading and support group will begin on Monday,
January 5, 2004 and meet every other Monday evening through April 5th.

Members of the group travel to San Francisco from throughout the Bay
Area to exchange ADD war stories and share their wisdom with one
another. Personal and professional backgrounds are equally
varied--from intelligent and creative women who have not been able to
realize their potential, to women who are successful in their
profession but whose daily lives are nonetheless impaired by their
ADD.

Using Sari Solden's first book, Women with Attention Deficit
Disorder, and excerpts from other reading material as a basis for
discussion and self-exploration, our objective is to find the clarity
and self-acceptance to work with our ADD symptoms and move forward
with our personal goals. The format itself is structured to provide a
model for each group to continue as a peer support group once the 8
weeks are completed.

Please contact Kali Grosberg if you wish to be put on the waiting
list for the January group. Women who inquire after mid-November will
be contacted in early December about possible openings.

You can also email Kali for information about other support that may
be available to women.

Kali.g@...

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>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
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from "News from CHADD" Volume 3, Number 59, November 7, 2003

SENATE FINALLY RECEIVES IDEA BILL AND REPORT
Each Senator Must Hear from Citizens: Action is Needed NOW!

On November 3, 2003, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
(HELP) Committee sent its report (S.Rpt. 108-185) and the amended text
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
reauthorization bill (S. 1248) to the full Senate. The Senate will not
be able to recess today as originally planned, and will be in session
for at least two more weeks.

It is therefore critical that all CHADD members and supporters contact
their Senators, as well as Senate leaders Bill Frist (R-TN) and Tom
Daschle (D-SD) and HELP Committee leaders Sens. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and
Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Urge them to bring the Senate's bipartisan version
of the IDEA reauthorization bill to the Senate floor this month for
debate and a vote.

The entire bill and report can be viewed online by searching for the
bill (S. 1248) at http://thomas.loc.gov or going to the Senate HELP
Committee's homepage, http://health.senate.gov.

If you view the bill, please note that the first 370 pages contain the
original version; pages 371-778 contain the final revised wording.

Below is a letter from the co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with
Disabilities' (CCD) Education Task Force, including CHADD director of
public policy Stephen Spector, J.D., which was sent last Friday, asking
for action on IDEA. Use it to create your own message and then call,
write, fax, or e-mail the Senators to urge them to bring this bipartisan
bill to a vote at once. You can use CHADD's Legislative Action Center to
contact the Senators. Please let CHADD know if you receive replies to
your requests.

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(Current Date), 2003

Dear Senator Frist and Senator Daschle:

We write to urge you to bring S. 1248, a bill to reauthorize the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to the Senate floor for
consideration and final passage before Congress adjourns this year. The
Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is
comprised of over 40 national organizations representing parents and
families of children with disabilities, special education and related
services personnel, disability organizations and service providing
organizations.

While we understand that the Senate floor schedule is crowded, we urge
you to make room for this important bipartisan bill that provides for a
free appropriate public education for over 6 million students with
disabilities. The Senate HELP Committee has worked diligently for months
with input from all stakeholders to craft this bipartisan compromise
legislation that was endorsed by the Committee unanimously in a 21-0
vote on June 25th. Please ensure that this bipartisan effort continues
by finding floor time for the bill as soon as possible.

Thank you for your leadership on behalf of America's children with
disabilities.

Sincerely,

(Your Name Here)

CC: Senator Gregg, Chairman, HELP Committee
Senator Kennedy, Ranking Member, HELP Committee


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>> PLEASE TELL US <<
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We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and CHADD of Northern
California more beneficial to you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences with us and other
members. Please feel free to write to us about anything that you
would like to see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at Lew@.... Simply
replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

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About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support *

Contact:
--

Lew Mills, PhD, MFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758