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Oklahoma Family Network focuses on supporting families of children and youth with special needs via emotional support, resource navigation, and ensuring quality healthcare for all children and families through strong and effective family/professional partnerships.
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Wednesday Dec 07, 2022
Oklahoma Family Network had the incredible opportunity to visit with Cheryl Step MS, LPC, NCC, and NCSC to discuss creating resilience through trauma in our personal and professional roles; and even how each of us can have an impact on those around us.
Cheryl has extensive knowledge regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). She displays expertise when presenting and training agencies' staff about developmental trauma and its effects on the brains and behaviors of children and family systems. She has experience presenting to large groups and training multiple lessons that build a foundation for trauma-informed care. She also has proficiency in consulting with agency leadership and coaching staff to use researched strategies and interventions to increase resilience. Cheryl brings real world experience and stories to her training from her 17 years of experience working in public schools as a counselor. She is certified in Traumatic Stress Studies by The Trauma Center and Trauma Research Center, is certified in ARC (Attachment, Regulation, Competency) Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents, and has completed training with Laura Porter and Dr. Rob Anda of ACE Interface to become a NEAR (Neurobiology, Epigenetics, ACEs, Resilience) Science trainer in Oklahoma. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor and School Counselor. She holds a master's degree in Counselor Education from Syracuse University. (creatingresilience.org)
Creating Resilience, LLC (creatingresilience.org) exists to train groups of individuals to respond and support people with trauma histories and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Creating Resilience uses trauma-informed strategies to build safe environments, calm and focused behaviors, and increase competency and executive functions. Research shows that the power of one strong adult relationship is the key ingredient in overcoming adversity. Creating Resilience will foster strong relationships.
#ACEs #CreatingResilience #Trauma #TraumaInformed #Resilience #AdverseChildhoodExperiences
Cheryl Step, MS, LPC, NCC, NCSC
Trainer/Consultant
Creating Resilience, LLC
creatingresilience.org
405-612-9432
cstep.cr@gmail.com
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Per 501(c)3 rules, it is important to note that Oklahoma Family Network cannot and does not endorse any one candidate for any reason. The purpose of this podcast is to bring awareness, conversation, education, and support to families who have children with special health care needs or disabilities. Ellyn's personal journey takes her to candidacy-level advocacy, and you will hear about some of that today.
Thank you for joining us today on the Oklahoma Family Network's podcast to learn more from families who have children with special health care needs and disabilities and hear ideas on how you can get more involved with advocacy efforts in your area.
Understanding and explaining to parents what ABLE accounts are, is only one of Ellyn's great talents!!
In today's podcast, Ellyn educates everyone on what OK STABLE accounts are and how to use them. She also addresses the need for continued advocacy work in Oklahoma to keep ABLE accounts a top priority for families with children with disabilities as they plan for their child's financial future.
Ellyn also shares, how her experience and graduating from Catholic school provided desire and drive to help her children receive the same educational opportunities.
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Per 501(c)3 rules, it is important to note that Oklahoma Family Network cannot and does not endorse any one candidate for any reason. The purpose of this podcast is to bring awareness, conversation, education, and support to families who have children with special health care needs or disabilities. Ellyn's personal journey takes her to candidacy level advocacy, and you will hear about some of that today.
Thank you for joining us today on the Oklahoma Family Network's podcast to learn more from families who have children with special health care needs and disabilities and hear ideas on how you can get more involved with advocacy efforts in your area.
Part two of our conversation with Ellyn has highlights and conversations focused on big advocacy work she's done in the community and with schools. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as her experience receiving her education from a Catholic school and having that desire for her children as well.
25th ADA Celebration Walk Highlights:
https://www.oklahoman.com/picture-gallery/news/local/oklahoma-city/2015/07/26/25th-year-of-the-ada/8769003007/
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Per 501(c)3 rules, it is important to note that Oklahoma Family Network cannot and does not endorse any one candidate for any reason. The purpose of this podcast is to bring awareness, conversation, education, and support to families who have children with special health care needs or disabilities. Ellyn's personal journey takes her to candidacy level advocacy, and you will hear about some of that today.
Thank you for joining us today on the Oklahoma Family Network's podcast to learn more from families who have children with special health care needs and disabilities and hear ideas on how you can get more involved with advocacy efforts in your area.
Oklahoma Family Network is incredibly happy to share the first episode of a three-part conversation with Ellyn Hefner. After the birth of her son, William, and learning how to be the best mom and advocate for William, Ellyn, shifted careers to become a family support partner for the Oklahoma Family Network.
She became more involved at the policy level after graduating from Partners in Policymaking and she served on the Interagency Coordinating Council for Sooner Start as a member and Chair.
She has spent the last 18 years as a caregiver and professional dedicated to helping Oklahoma parents find hope and resources for their children with IDD and in today's podcast with Ellyn, you will hear about foundational experiences which have opened the door, which has led her to where she is now.
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
We continue our conversation with Michelle Weaver about her journey after delivering her son Drew at 26 weeks and spending 99 days in the NICU. Today we discuss how she got through the holidays and their time at home, which brought its own challenges.
You will love hearing about Drew's two big sisters and feel encouraged by Michelle's story!!
Thank you, Weaver family, for sharing pieces of your story with us and pictures from Drew's First Christmas!!!
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Today you have the incredible privilege of meeting a beautiful mom who celebrates so much in the month of November. Her experiences within this last year have her embracing Prematurity Awareness Month, and that combined with Native American Maternal Health Month and Adoption Awareness Month, she has big items to celebrate throughout all of November.
I know you will absolutely fall in love with the Weaver family as she shares about their premature delivery last year with their son Drew.
You will also hear her mention a preemie baby book which she purchased soon after his birth, where she documented many things. You can find that book here: My Preemie Baby Book - Etsy
Thursday Sep 01, 2022
Thursday Sep 01, 2022
We are so excited to welcome Samantha Beckstrom to the podcast today. You will hear her journey through an extremely preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and NICU Journey.
Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your journey with two NICU babies and helping others find strength as they experience NICU.
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Stargardt Disease is a rare genetic eye disease that happens when fatty material builds up on the macula, the small part of the retina - which is needed for sharp, central vision. Vision loss usually starts in childhood, but some people don't start to lose their vision until they are adults (Stargardt Disease | National Eye Institute (nih.gov)
Today you will hear one family's journey into discovering their son, Gabriel, has Stargardt Disease. Gabriel's Mom, Melissa Weathers, does a beautiful job walking us through a two-year timeline, trying to figure out what was happening with Gabriel's vision.
Melissa also highlights some of the amazing people and resources they've been introduced to through the past several years, as well as shares her experience transitioning Gabriel to public school and establishing an IEP with his new school.
Resources Mentioned:
Two Blind Brothers (https://twoblindbrothers.com/)
New View Oklahoma (https://nvoklahoma.org/)
OWL (Oklahomans Without Limits) Camp: (https://nvoklahoma.org/community-programs/owl-camps)
Foundation Fighting Blindness (https://www.fightingblindness.org/chapters)
Oklahoma Parents Center (https://www.okdrs.gov/guide/oklahoma-parents-center)
Bookshare (https://www.bookshare.org/cms/)
Dean McGee Eye Institute Pediatric Ophthalmology (https://dmei.org/services-specialties/pediatric-ophthalmology-strabismus/)
Dr. Michael Siatkowski (https://dmei.org/providers/r-michael-siatkowski/)
#Stargardt #ChildrensEyeHealth #OWLCamp #TwoBlindBrothers #NewViewOklahoma #FoundationFightingBlindness #OPC #OklahomaParentsCenter #ChildhoodMacularDegeneration #CCTVMagnifier #IEP #VisualImpairment
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Happy Father's Day to the very special dads out there!! This podcast is for YOU!!
This podcast is certainly for everyone, but especially our DADS!!! Today we have as our guest, Jeremy Warren, Executive Director, of Dads on Special Assignment or DOSA.
Jeremy hosts a variety of activities, groups, and gatherings designed to help remind dads they are not alone in their journey of parenting a child with special health care needs or disabilities. Dads On Special Assignment (DOSA) started with Jeremy and a few dads in his church as a ministry and has expanded into the community to help support the amazing dads who have been given a special assignment.
We are thankful for Jeremy and what he does to support dads and we are sure you will want to hear his words and heart today! You will hear his passion, purpose and a little about, Landon, his inspiration.
Dads On Special Assignment: https://dosausa.org/
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
On October 3, 2019, Ryan and Lindsay Jones delivered their precious daughters Reese and Ryleigh at just 26 weeks gestation.
While Reese was rushed to the NICU, weighing just 1 lb, 14 oz; her sister, Ryleigh was held and loved on for the next few hours by her parents, who said hello and goodbye to their sweet girl within those short three hours of her life.
Today you hear the beautiful words of Lindsay!! You hear her story and desire to bring awareness, conversation, and support to others who may be walking through this very difficult journey of twinless-twin-loss.
We are so thankful for Ryan, Lindsay and their girls!!
#Twins #ReeseAndRyleigh #26Weeks #MicroPreemie #PPROM #PretermPROM #PrematureRuptureOfMembranes #InfantLoss #TwinlessTwin #Support