VCFS Houston, Texas

07/16/2025

Encouraging research for 22Q's. May have found a way to limit psychiatric and behavioral issues as well as support the immune system. For the technical jargon, ....

Castellani et al. show that intranasal administration of oxytocin during the neonatal period alleviates behavioural and immune alterations in a mouse model

05/28/2025

This is some very hopefully research for those of us with loved ones dealing with cognitive deficits due to 22q deletion.

Researchers have identified a promising strategy to improve memory and brain cell function in models of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

02/13/2025

I just finished my ARD for my son in Conroe ISD. Love Conroe ISD. They told me about the TEA Grant PDSES (previously the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES)) . Maybe you have already heard about it, but just in case, the window opened Feb. 3 and will close March 31. This grant is just for parents with students with special needs. Yes, it can be used for computers (so happy). It can also be used for, "educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services." Hope this helpful.

The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program, previously, the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guard...

01/22/2022

“Race and Genetics: Perspectives on Precision Medicine” by Evening with Genetics by Baylor
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, 7-8:15 p.m. CST

This webinar will discuss the complexity of identity and the importance to health and disease. Specific examples of factors affecting diseases in genetically and culturally diverse populations will be discussed, along with the foundations needed to deliver equitable precision medicine to communities of color.

Speakers:
Vence L. Bonham, Jr., JD
Acting Deputy Director, Office of the Director
Associate Investigator, Social and Behavioral Research Branch
National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health

Fatimah Jackson, PhD
Professor, Department of Biology
Director of Cobb Research Laboratory
Howard University

Registration is free and required: https://bit.ly/3f6ejQJ or call 713-798-3148.

Co-sponsored by the BCM Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.“Race and Genetics: Perspectives on Precision Medicine”

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Race and Genetics: Precision Medicine. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

01/22/2022

“Genetic and Support Resources for Families” by Evening with Genetics by Baylor
Saturday, February 5, 10:00-11:00 a.m. CST

This webinar will focus on trusted online genetic resources as well as community, state, and national resources for families impacted by a genetic condition.

Speakers:
Amanda Gerard, MS, CGC
Certified genetic counselor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine

Susan Fernbach, RN, BSN
Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine

Laura Buckner, MEd, LPC, Mom
Program Manager, Texas Center for Disability Studies, University of Texas

To register for this free event. visit: https://bit.ly/3r1ktqM or call Vickie McLemore at 713-798-3148.

This webinar is sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital in collaboration with the UT Texas Center for Disability Studies and possible thanks to funding by the Newborn Screening Division of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Trusted online genetic resources and community,state ,national resources for families impacted by a genetic condition to be discussed.

07/24/2021

That time of year again.... if you are in need of mobility assistance or assistive technology, then this is the trade show for you. This year they will also have service animal companies. They also have interesting wheel chair dancers and a rock wall for all abilities

Test drive the latest tech, dance, play sports, meet service animals, attend workshops and more! Abilities Expo Houston is nirvana for the disability community!

06/05/2020

Weirdness, my post about summer activities would not post with 2 links and a picture so here is a separate post about our fire pit. Super easy, decide how big you want it, buy blocks from your local hardware or gardening store, stack to desired height (make sure to leave space between blocks to assure good air flow. fire needs oxygen), and then use liquid nail to secure blocks (limit falls when kids inevitably decide to walk on the blocks), build a fire and have fun. Don't forget your safety first tools like a bucket of sand and a water hose. And never leave a fire unattended; those darn ashes never listen when you tell them to stay

06/05/2020

Weirdness, my post about summer activities would not post with 2 links and a picture so here is a separate post about wood projects. There are several articles about easy projects for kids like birdhouses, boxes and such. This article has a good list and links to instructions.

Here are 26 of the best woodworking projects for kids - simple DIY projects for parents and kids to do together, most can be done in a day!

06/05/2020

Weirdness, my post about summer activities would not post with 2 links and a picture so here is a separate post about science projects with Steve Spangler. His website offers kits you can buy or you can look for one experiment. There are also kitchen science how to’s that you can do with stuff around the house.

Educational science toys, STEM kits, teacher workshop materials, classroom sets, easy science fair projects, slime & amazing experiments by Steve Spangler.

06/05/2020

Summer. I usually smile with great relief that summer is here but not this year; this year of COVID-19. My two favorite summer camps for special needs are closed this summer: Camp Blessing (independent) and Camp Champions (Arc of Greater Houston). And my child is special needs so the regular trips to swimming pools and parks with lots of children and people just fills me with fear of germs. But my precious child, who is now a teenager, does not understand why the movie theater is closed and the museums are closed and our usual trips to camp and fish are not going to happen.

So what are we going to do? First thing we have done is build a fire pit in the backyard. We have had a couple of fires now with marshmallows and FIRE and lots of laughs. Next, we will probably take the money we are saving on camps and book a cabin with private access to water. Not sure yet about that one since we will have some new medical bills this summer too. We will be doing some home schooling since school ended badly for us. We will also be looking into projects like Steve Spangler's Activity kits and/or a wood working project (school and fun).

What will you do this summer?

07/25/2019

Respite Care. It is my personal opinion that the Arc of Greater Houston offers a number of useful services for our children and adult children who deal with intellectual disabilities. If you need respite care, for children 10+ there are Saturday Fun Days, for adult children 21+ there are overnight weekend. A blessing of fun for your baby and a blessing of peace and rest for you.

This out-of-home respite program provides recreational and educational activities that are community-based and age appropriate. Participants must be 10 years or older. Saturday Fun Day groups meet 1-2 Saturdays a month for 5-6 hours, and there is generally a 1:2-3 staff to participant ratio.  Click...

07/02/2019

22q presents in many different ways. Some manage intellectual disabilities (ID) on top of everything else. For those friends with ID the Arc of Greater Houston offers resources and enrichment opportunities. One of those enrichment opportunities is summer camp for individuals ages 10 and up (yes, your adult child with ID can go to camp). This year's camp is coming up quick and volunteers age 16 and up are needed. Volunteers can earn 150 volunteer hours while having fun and bonding with campers. Do you know a teen in National Honor Society or Boy Scouts or any number of organizations that need service hours? For more information visit the website....

Services for intellectual and developmental disabilities including social and respite programs, disability training, special education advocacy, info & referral