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The HELP GROUP’s 11th annual TEDDY BEAR BALL Honors The CW Network’s
Dawn Ostroff and Shelley & Dr. Frank Litvack |
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Award Winning Documentarian and Frontier Filmworks'
Producer Visit The Help Group
Award winning, and Oscar nominated film director, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson from Iceland’s Frontier Filmworks and executive producer Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir, visited The Help Group’s Sherman Oaks campus in June to interview Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, for the upcoming documentary, Lifting the Veils of Autism. This documentary takes an in-depth look at autism as an international epidemic and follows families from around the world as they first learn of their child’s diagnosis and begin to seek help. Lifting the Veils features leading experts in the areas of research, education, treatment, public policy and advocacy. It examines the social and economic impact of this growing public health issue, the cutting edge advances within the scientific community and the remarkable contributions of its adults who have learned to cope with the disorder. Through explorative dialogue with parents and prominent figures in the field, Lifting the Veils seeks to define autism, its causes and available treatments and provide a comprehensive overview of this multi-faceted disorder.
As President and CEO of The Help Group and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism,Dr. Firestone shared her insight into the changing landscape of autism and discussed The Help Group’s autism efforts through its day schools, public awareness initiatives, and professional and parent education programs. She outlined the legislative framework of California’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and the State’s commitment to identify gaps in services for individuals with autism and develop recommendations to close these gaps.
Lifting the Veils of Autism is the creation of executive producer, Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir, the mother of a child with autism. Her vision was to “map the world of autism” by visiting schools, hospitals, universities, and institutions and filming individuals, their families and organizations around the globe. To date, Ericsdóttir’s production through Frontier Filmworks has documented autism in Denmark, the United States, Britain, Iceland and Sweden, and if further funding allows, this documentary project will extend its reach to Cuba, Tanzania and India and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007. |
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| Dr. Barbara Firestone and Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir |
Jón Karl Helgason, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir
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UCLA SEMEL INSTITUTE Hosts Reception to Launch
THE HELP GROUP - UCLA AUTISM RESEARCH ALLIANCE
On Monday, September 10, 2007, the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior held a special reception to mark the launch of The Help Group – UCLA Autism Research Alliance. This spirited occasion was hosted by Dr. Peter C. Whybrow, director of the Semel Institute, and Dr. James McCracken, director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at UCLA. The Alliance is an innovative partnership dedicated to enhancing and expanding clinical research, education, and treatment into ASD education and treatment and to contributing to the development, greater understanding and use of best practice models by educators and clinicians.
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Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. James McCracken, Dr. Philip Levin, Director, The Help Group – UCLA Neuropsychology Program,
Dr. Liz Laugeson, Dr. Paul Satz |
Dr. Peter Whybrow and The Help Group Board of Directors: Judd Swarzman, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow, Gary H. Carmona, Susan Berk, Joy Monkarsh, Susan Berk, Dr. David Firestone |
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| Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow |
Dr. Dan Geschwind, Associate Professor of Neurology, UCLA, Dr. Robert Bilder, Tom Kom, Senior VP, The Help Group Susan Berman, COO, The Help Group |
Dr. Lou Vismara, Policy Consultant for CA Senator Don Perata, Dr. Barbara Firestone, Dr. Peter Whybrow |
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The HELP GROUP's 30th annual SPRING LUNCHEON, TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
honored AMY BRENNEMAN & BRAD SILBERLING
and PAM CLARK & NANCY ROSENFELT
Spring Luncheon celebrates three decades of commitment to children with Autism,
Learning Disabilities and other special needs
Captivating musical performances by more than 60 children with special needs along with celebrity guests created an unforgettable experience at The Teddy Bear Picnic, The Help Group’s 30th Annual Spring Luncheon, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 12. The Help Group saluted Amy Brennenman and husband, acclaimed writer, director and producer, Brad Silberling with the "Help Humanitarian Award" for their commitment to many philanthropic causes. At this gathering, The Help Group presented its ‘Professional Excellence Award’ to two outstanding professionals, Pamela Clark, Director of The Help Group's Autism Schools, and Nancy Rosenfelt, Director of Summit View Schools for children with learning differences.
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| Early Intervention Benefits Autistic Children |
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| Making a Difference Together |
 The Help group celebrates six years of collaboration with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® in reaching out to parents, families and the community with the importance of autism early identification and intervention. The Help Group’s There is Hope, There is Help 2007 autism awareness campaign, will be featured in the Coffee Bean’s more than 200 retail stores throughout California and in other western states during National Autism Awareness month in April.
This campaign is designed to acquaint families with the early signs of autism that may be evident within the first two years of life. Early Identification is of paramount importance since research has shown that many children with an autism spectrum disorder can make substantial progress in all areas of development when intensive intervention is started before five years of age.
The Help Group is very grateful to its Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf colleagues Sunny Sassoon, CEO and Melvin Elias, COO and Sr. Vice President of Operations, who also serve on The Help Group’s Circle of Friends Board. Special thanks to Tami Clark, Senior Director of Marketing and Strategic Alliances and the entire staff for their ongoing support of The Help Group’s autism outreach programs. To find a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf location near you, please visit www.coffeebean.com
Learn the early signs of autism
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The Help Group President & CEO Dr. Barbara Firestone Appointed
Vice Chair of Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism |
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 Dr. Barbara Firestone, President and CEO of The Help Group, has been appointed the Vice Chair of the 16-member Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism recently established by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.
The commission of health experts, business leaders, affected family members and academics is mandated to study issues including the early identification and intervention of autism spectrum disorders. It will identify gaps in educational and therapeutic programs, services and funding and provide recommendations to close the identified gaps The commission is to submit its reports, findings and recommendations to the governor and Legislature by no later than September 30, 2007. 
“Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S.,” Speaker Núñez said in a news release announcing Dr. Firestone’s appointment. “We need to understand the policy implications of this growth and how the state should best prepare. The members of this commission are all leaders in the area of autism and will assist us in focusing on practical policy solutions and creating the service infrastructure to meet the needs of people with autism and their families.”
Dr. Firestone's appointment follows a press conference at the State Capitol on April 13, 2005 that was jointly held by The Help Group, Perata and Núñez to outline the urgent need to optimize autism education and intervention for all California children with ASD. They also called for the development of this Commission in response to the growing epidemic of autism, which affects one in 166 children in the United States.
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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AUTISM
CONVENES ITS SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IN SACRAMENTO |
The California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism held its second public hearing at the State Capitol on March 1, 2007. At this important meeting the Commission heard insightful reports from its three Task Forces: Early Identification and Intervention (children 0-5); Education and Professional Development (school age children); and Transitional Services and Supports (individuals 22 years of age and older). These task forces were formed to advise the Commission about gaps in programs, services and funding in their respective areas and to make recommendations to close these gaps
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| Autism Prevalence now 1 in 150, According to New CDC Study |
On February 8, 2007, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that ASD prevalence estimates have risen to one in every 150 children, up from the one in 166 figure reported in January 2004. To read the CDC press release please visit: www.cdc.gov
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The Help Group Hosts Task Force on Early Identification and Intervention for
California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission On Autism |
Sherman Oaks, CA (November 14th, 2006) The Help Group hosted the first of three task force meetings on Early Identification and Intervention for the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism at The Help Group's Sherman Oaks Campus. The meeting was led by Blue Ribbon, Vice Chair and Task Force Chair Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO, The Help Group, and Dr. Lou Vismara, Policy Consultant to the Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata. This task force was convened to determine the most pressing issues related to early identification and intervention for children with autism and their families; and to consider public policy solutions to address these issues. Blue Ribbon Commissioner, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis serves as Task Force Vice Chair.
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Pat Grayson-DeJong, Dr. Pilar Bernal, Dr. Barbara Firestone,
Dr. Lou Vismara, Jody Martin, Dr. Ron Huff |
Dr. Lou Vismara, Dr. Barbara Firestone |
Gloria Wong, Michael Zito, Molly O'Brien, Nancy Strohl,
Tammy Forrest, Teddi Cole |
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| FIRST 5 LA Awards Major Partnership For Families Grant To The Help Group |
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The Help Group and San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Centers, Inc. (SFVCMHC) were recently awarded a major grant from First 5 LA as part of its Partnership for Families Initiative. This program is designed to provide a wide range of services to high risk pregnant women and families with children age five and younger. The Help Group's program known as Project SAFE (Support and Advocacy for Family Empowerment), is committed to building partnerships within the San Fernando Valley to help strengthen families and enhance the community¹s capacity to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children.
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THE HELP GROUP - UCLA SEMEL INSTITUTE ON ASPERGER’S DISORDER TRAINS
EDUCATORS, CLINICIANS AND PARENTS |
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The Help Group in collaboration with the Semel Institute on Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA offered the first ever four-day intensive professional training workshop on effective educational intervention for children with Asperger’s Disorder. Dozens of educators and parents from across the country and abroad attended the workshop on Thursday, July 20th through Sunday, July 23rd at The Help Group’s Sherman Oaks Campus & the Semel Institute at UCLA to hear experts present the latest information on the best practices in educating children and adolescents with Asperger’s Disorder
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One of our visions in the outpatient department is to provide prevention services to
the community, because every child deserves a great future… |
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The Help Group’s Director of Outpatient Services, Terri Morgan, and her team of experts, including Dr. Buffy Schroller and Nora Alvarez held a successful in-service today to discuss early identification of children with development delays. One hundred WIC staff attended the in-service. The San Fernando Valley WIC center serves over 67,000 clients a year and helps low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 with nutritious foods and health care referrals. Buffy and Nora provided them with pertinent tools and resources. Buffy discussed compassion fatigue stages of grief and the benefit of appropriate referrals. Nora offered resource handouts and discussed access to community services including our new Project Safe targeting children 0-5. The audience had many questions and appeared very engaged in the in-service. |
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