Parents Guide of Las Vegas

By Icia Reid-Sandulak

FAS can be a lifelong neurobehavioral birth defect caused by women consuming alcohol during pregnancy. This behavior is a negative consequence of alcohol consumption sometimes leading to developmental birth defects. Some children may only display partial effects of the syndrome, which would be considered (FAE) Alcohol Fetal Effects. Some children may also display some of the problems as full-blown FAS. All FAS/FAE determination must be diagnosed by a geneticist, a doctor who is trained in genetically-linked diseases.

Typically, physical characteristics of FAS/FAE may include the following: appear to be shorter in stature, have a small head, and are below percentile compared to national norms. They may present with dysmorphic facial features. Other distinct characteristics may involve a smooth area between the nose and mouth, a flatting between the mid-face, thin upper lip, short eye openings, and a shorter upturned nose.

Behaviors

There are many behavioral characteristics associated with FAS/FAE such as, clumsiness, toileting issues, poor memory, hygiene issues, irritability, destructiveness, failure in school, severe defiance, hyperactivity at times, loud with no concept of volume, low IQ, poor eye contact at times, lack of social skills showing lack of awareness in reading body language, and difficulty understanding and obeying laws. At times, FAS/FAE individuals thrive in potentially dangerous situations, display inappropriate behavior, have difficulty following directions, victimize and are cruel to animals, display manipulative behavior, and lie and steal. At times, FAS/FAE individuals find it difficult to pass on messages and fail to understand cause and effect. There is no cure for FAS/FAE, as this is a lifelong disorder. Don’t give up just yet, as there are skills that can be taught, but constant reminders will be needed to maintain the skills taught. If you are someone who is struggling with a child who has FAS/FAE or is suspected of having FAS/FAE, seek professional help.

Icia Reid-Sandulak is the Director of Apple Grove Foster Care Agency and is a Social Worker. Apple Grove specializes in therapeutic foster care and welcomes applications from future foster parents. She can be reached at 702-992-0576 .

Saving for higher education can be a challenge. According to College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2011, the average one-year cost of in-state tuition and fees alone in 2011 was $8,244 — and that number has increased 6.1% over the past decade. That’s why the sooner you can begin to save for college, the better.

An easy way to start saving is with the SSgA Upromise 529 Plan. It offers tax advantages, flexibility, and professional investment management. You can use your savings at any eligible 2- or 4-year college, vocational school, or technical institute.

To help you get a jumpstart on saving for higher education, the State of Nevada and the SSgA Upromise 529 Plan have joined forces to create the Silver State Matching Grant Program.*

The goal of the Program is to help qualifying families afford higher education. Families who qualify, and who contribute to an SSgA Upromise 529 Plan account, can get matching funds — either $1 for every $1 contributed or $1 for every $2 contributed (depending on household adjusted gross income) — up to $300 per year for five years.

You can apply for the Silver State ­Matching Grant Program if:

• You and your beneficiary are Nevada residents
• You are an SSgA Upromise 529 account holder
• Your beneficiary is age 13 or younger
• Your adjusted gross income is $61,950 or less

Applications are accepted from March 1 through June 30, so don’t wait if you think you might qualify.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to build up your college savings! For more information on the Silver State Matching Grant Program, administered by State Treasurer Kate Marshall, including application and guidelines, visit nevadas529.com.

For more information about the SSgA Upromise 529 Plan call 1-800-587-7305 or visit www.ssga.upromise529.com to obtain a Plan Description and Participation Agreement. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Plan Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Upromise Investments, Inc., Distributor.

*Matching grants are subject to availability of funds, and there is no guarantee of the continued operation of the Silver State Matching Grant Program.

If you are not a Nevada taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program.

It takes a team effort to care for the approximately 15 million Americans, including 6 million children, in the U.S. with food allergies. During Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) May 13-19, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) acknowledges individuals who do so much to protect those with food allergies. One of the first to take the lead is the Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval. Governor Sandoval has formally recognized FAAW this year by issuing a proclamation.

Food allergy is an often misunderstood, potentially life-threatening medical condition for which there is no cure. Spencer Peterson was just 12 months old when they found out he had food allergies to dairy, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame, avocado, peanut, and tree nuts. “After Spencer’s Food Allergy diagnosis, we became hyper-vigilant about knowing what was in the foods we fed him. We nicknamed Spencer our “Bubble Boy” because his skin would also react to food allergens in his environment and he’d get hives and blisters from touching surfaces that had trace amounts of food allergens. We try to control Spencer’s environment as much as possible to reduce the chance of anaphylaxis. We carry epinephrine with us at all times and wipe down all surfaces.” says Alexandra Peterson.

Spencer is the 2012 FAAN Walk for Food Allergy in Las Vegas, Nevada Honorary Youth Chair.

This free to register family charity event will be on Saturday, October 6 at The District at Green Valley Ranch. “It is very important for our community to host a FAAN Walk Event”, says Dana Gordin the volunteer FAAN walk director of Nevada. “Because of the incredible success of the 2011 Las Vegas FAAN Walk, FAAN has awarded our community with some amazing grants.

FAAN staff is coming to Las Vegas to present training sessions at no financial expectation for Nevada. The event is called Educate Las Vegas, which will advance food allergy awareness for all CCSD schools, some local restaurants, and ER medical facilities.

In recognition of May as National Water Safety Month, the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Water Safety Day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 at Black Mountain Aquatic Complex, 599 Greenway Rd. The free event focuses on educating parents, guardians and day care providers about the importance of child safety in and around the water. Those attending the event are also invited to enjoy open swim immediately following.

The event is free for all ages, but registration is recommended as space is limited. Register online at cityofhenderson.com/parks (activity 136000-00) or in person at any City of Henderson recreation center or indoor pool.

The event provides features information on how to safeguard a home, prevent accidents and injuries, and properly respond to emergencies. Demonstrations will basic water rescue, CPR/first aid, and water safety techniques. Aquatics staff will also discuss the City of Henderson’s Learn-to-Swim program and aquatic courses available for children and adults.

“We want to stress the importance of being proactive,” said Angela Summers, Aquatics supervisor, City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s better to take the appropriate safety measures today than to go through the heartbreak of a tragedy tomorrow.”

A limited number of certificates valid for free swimming lessons for children up through age 4 will be available to registered participants. Some restrictions may apply. For additional information, call 702-267-2980 .

By Emily Smith

Summer is just around the corner and for many kids that means it’s time for summer camp! Many of us share fond childhood memories of summer camp – making new friends, sleeping in bunk beds, day hikes, campfires, and don’t forget the s’mores. But camp is so much more beneficial for our kids then we may have imagined. Here are four benefits disguised behind the fun of camp:

1 The Road to Independence
Camp is a safe place for kids to learn responsibility as they are empowered to take care of themselves. Camp counselors provide structure and guidance, but kids at camp are responsible for getting themselves up and ready for the day, making their beds, keeping track of their personal belongings, and finding their way to and from the dining hall.

2 The Great Outdoors Prevails to Electronic “Time Suckers”
Camp is a perfect way to get kids outside and active! With so many inside distractions, it can be hard to pull kids away from their cell phones and Wii’s long enough to see the sun. At camp, kids trade their button pushing and joystick maneuvering for rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes course challenges and more!

3 There’s a Leader in Every Kid
The camp setting is a small community unlike any other. The unfamiliar setting, new people, and shortened time together help kids make friends and bond. As kids make choices and direct projects, their natural leadership instincts progress. They learn to get along with others and become self-reliant without parents there to save the day.

4 I Can Do Anything! Camp, the ultimate self‑esteem boost.
For many kids, camp is their first time away from mom, dad, and their extended family. This can be a huge boost to their self-esteem. Summer camp is a place where children can express themselves, discover their own abilities and mature through experiences that challenge them to discover resilience and good decision-making.

See if your child is ready for a sleep away adventure with this camp readiness assessment. Just know if they are not ready for life at camp, don’t push them. It’s better to wait a year then spoil the experience for years to come.

Emily Smith is the CMO for Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. Membership in Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada is open to all girls 5-17 years-old. For more information on Girl Scouts, Camp Foxtail call (702) 385-3677 or visit girlscoutsnv.org .