Disparity Prevention Program
HYPU’s Disparity Prevention Program aims to be the bridge between children with developmental disabilities and their loved ones to connect with Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) for early assessment and early intervention. This program involves community collaboration, outreach, empowerment, education and serves as the collective voice of families with developmental disabilities.
The Disparity Prevention Program uses the Merced Hlub Hmong Center’s unique Story Cloth Method, which engages community members and public institutions in systems to change through storytelling. The Hmong people did not have a writing system until the Romanized famous Alphabet in the 1950s; the Hmong people are incredible storytellers and are very skillful in creative arts. The History of Hmong life and culture was preserved through folklores/tales, story cloths, and oral history. After the Secret War, the Hmong fled to live in refugee camps in Thailand. They used their sewing abilities to embroider what is known as story cloths. These story cloths highlight the lives of the Hmong, the history, and things that the Hmong people valued. Using the story cloth method will help ensure that families can tell their stories using the traditional techniques to empower them to communicate in the most authentic way possible to build the relationships needed for systems to change. This process consists of participants drawing their ideas and stories through art and finding meaning within. This method helps make the invisible visible, and a tangible product will be produced to display, give away, and educate.
The Disparity Prevention Program uses the Merced Hlub Hmong Center’s unique Story Cloth Method, which engages community members and public institutions in systems to change through storytelling. The Hmong people did not have a writing system until the Romanized famous Alphabet in the 1950s; the Hmong people are incredible storytellers and are very skillful in creative arts. The History of Hmong life and culture was preserved through folklores/tales, story cloths, and oral history. After the Secret War, the Hmong fled to live in refugee camps in Thailand. They used their sewing abilities to embroider what is known as story cloths. These story cloths highlight the lives of the Hmong, the history, and things that the Hmong people valued. Using the story cloth method will help ensure that families can tell their stories using the traditional techniques to empower them to communicate in the most authentic way possible to build the relationships needed for systems to change. This process consists of participants drawing their ideas and stories through art and finding meaning within. This method helps make the invisible visible, and a tangible product will be produced to display, give away, and educate.
Mr. and Mrs. Nhia Thao Cha made this "story cloth" in 1991 inspired while at the Chiang Kham Refugee Camp. It narrates the escape of the Hmong refugees from Southeast Asia to the United States. This can be seen in the Denver Museum Of Nature & Science.
Story Cloth Circles
The Hmong Story Cloth Circle is a program under the Disparity Prevention Program that aims to directly improve and empower the lives of children who have developmental disabilities and their families with unified community support along with ALTA California Regional Center and community partners. Families meet for a total of 8 sessions to participate in a fun and engaging curriculum that includes educational and resource workshops, story sharing and art expression projects, team building activities, self-identity development, and a parent support group.
We encourage all families who have a child with a developmental disability or are interested in receiving direct support, to become part of our Story Cloth Circles. For additional questions, please contact Shee Vang, Disparity Prevention Program Coordinator at shee.vang@hypu.org or disparityprevention@hypu.org.
Art & Expression
Art is a way for children and families to creatively express their stories in an inspirational and empowering way. It allows the individuals to be in control of their artwork and story. This includes a variety of arts and craft activities such as coloring, painting, drawing, making collages, and taking family portraits to make a finishing piece of a story cloth.
Education/Resources
Each quarterly session, we provide opportunities for families to learn more about services that Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) serves, for early interventions. In addition, our sessions provide peer support and education regarding children’s developmental milestones, American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate, mindfulness activities for stress relievers, and connecting families to other resources.
Games and Social Activities
Icebreakers and group activities encourage families and individuals to promote social engagement and integration. We incorporate icebreakers for individuals to get to know one another and feel more comfortable. Individuals share stories and vulnerabilities to empower and encourage others to bond and create a safe place for one another.
Field Trips
Each quarterly session, we will schedule a facility tour to ACRC to ensure families are knowledgeable of agency location and gain confidence to go to the agency independently.
Art is a way for children and families to creatively express their stories in an inspirational and empowering way. It allows the individuals to be in control of their artwork and story. This includes a variety of arts and craft activities such as coloring, painting, drawing, making collages, and taking family portraits to make a finishing piece of a story cloth.
Education/Resources
Each quarterly session, we provide opportunities for families to learn more about services that Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) serves, for early interventions. In addition, our sessions provide peer support and education regarding children’s developmental milestones, American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate, mindfulness activities for stress relievers, and connecting families to other resources.
Games and Social Activities
Icebreakers and group activities encourage families and individuals to promote social engagement and integration. We incorporate icebreakers for individuals to get to know one another and feel more comfortable. Individuals share stories and vulnerabilities to empower and encourage others to bond and create a safe place for one another.
Field Trips
Each quarterly session, we will schedule a facility tour to ACRC to ensure families are knowledgeable of agency location and gain confidence to go to the agency independently.
Our Activities
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Dear My Child . . .
The purpose of this video is to encourage loved ones to express their feelings, and empower individuals with disabilities and the Hmong community about developmental disabilities.
Resources
Alta California Regional Center
Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) is a private, non-profit corporation working under contract with the State of California, Department of Developmental Services, to provide services to persons, age three and above, with a developmental disability pursuant to the Lanterman Act.
ACRC also provides services to infants and toddlers, between birth and 36 months, who have a need for early intervention services and who meet the eligibility criteria for the California Early Start program.
https://www.altaregional.org/
Hmong Parents Facebook Group Page
This is a place for Hmong parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays and learning disabilities to connect for support, information, resources, advocacy assistance, IEP/504 plan advice, and special needs parenting tips and more. Also, it is a place to INSPIRE and CELEBRATE our Hmong children and share all the challenges and successes so that it may serve as a beacon of light for others going through similar paths.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/adayinourlives
Department of Developmental Services
Under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, DDS is responsible for overseeing the coordination and delivery of services and supports to more than 330,000 Californians with developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy and related conditions. The state’s service system is designed to meet the needs and choices of individuals at each stage of their lives, and, to the extent possible, serve them in their home communities, providing choices that are reflective of lifestyle, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
https://www.dds.ca.gov/
CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Merced Hlub Hmong Center
PPC Mission: To ensure the survival, well-being, and prosperity of the Hmong people and their rich cultural heritage through education, research, advocacy, and entrepreneurialism.
https://wp1.hlubhmongcenter.org/wp1/
Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) is a private, non-profit corporation working under contract with the State of California, Department of Developmental Services, to provide services to persons, age three and above, with a developmental disability pursuant to the Lanterman Act.
ACRC also provides services to infants and toddlers, between birth and 36 months, who have a need for early intervention services and who meet the eligibility criteria for the California Early Start program.
https://www.altaregional.org/
Hmong Parents Facebook Group Page
This is a place for Hmong parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays and learning disabilities to connect for support, information, resources, advocacy assistance, IEP/504 plan advice, and special needs parenting tips and more. Also, it is a place to INSPIRE and CELEBRATE our Hmong children and share all the challenges and successes so that it may serve as a beacon of light for others going through similar paths.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/adayinourlives
Department of Developmental Services
Under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, DDS is responsible for overseeing the coordination and delivery of services and supports to more than 330,000 Californians with developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy and related conditions. The state’s service system is designed to meet the needs and choices of individuals at each stage of their lives, and, to the extent possible, serve them in their home communities, providing choices that are reflective of lifestyle, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
https://www.dds.ca.gov/
CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones
From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Merced Hlub Hmong Center
PPC Mission: To ensure the survival, well-being, and prosperity of the Hmong people and their rich cultural heritage through education, research, advocacy, and entrepreneurialism.
https://wp1.hlubhmongcenter.org/wp1/