Noted Speakers: Leolinda Parlin
Polly Arango | Fernando Cruz | Frank De Lima | Frank DeRuyter | Katharina Heyer | Cinda and Linea Johnson | David Johnson | Robert Mcruer | Leolinda Parlin | Tanya and Michelle Ponich | Joseph Ray | Suzanne Robinson | Loretta Ross | Dr. Neil Scott | Howard C. Shane | Charlotte Smith | Bethany Stevens | Damon Terzaghi | Amy Wilson
Tuesday May 5th, 2009: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM in Room 303B, on topic of Transition to Adulthood
“Bridging the Transitions of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs to Adult Life”
What does it take to make a successful transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities? Some guiding principles: a list of things to do, and some marathon skills. As our mentor Josie Woll has always taught us, life is a journey, not an event. Transitioning to adulthood does not happen overnight. Successful transition requires time, patience, and a sense of humor. Join us as we share the guiding principles developed by the Hawai‘i state team. Practical guidance will be provided on transition as well as a methodology in guiding families through transition by “talking story.” Also provided will be the things you have to do, the things you have to decide, and the things that need to be taught to navigate the complexities and the triumphs of transition.
Biography: Leolinda Parlin
Leolinda Parlin has the unique perspective as a parent of children with special health care needs as well as care giver for a frail elderly parent, and a sibling to a child with a developmental disability. As the State Coordinator for Family Voices of Hawai‘i, she has been able to coalesce an integrated partnership between stakeholders concerned about children’s health. As the Project Director for the Hilopa‘a Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC), she has insured that where possible, the voices of families of children with special health care needs are heard. Leolinda is also Adjunct Faculty for the John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and Co-Director of Seminar for the Hawai‘i Maternal Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program. She serves on the Steering Committee of the National Children’s Study and is a recipient of the SPIN Parent of the Year and the Easter Seals Hawai‘i Dwayne Brenneman Humanitarian of the Year Award, and with her husband received the Aloha STAC Volunteer of the Year Award.
