E-News

Join the Movement! October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Sponsored by PACER

Students, parents, and schools across the country can find many ways to show their support for bullying prevention during PACER’s sixth annual National Bullying Prevention Month in October! On Oct. 12, students and schools can raise awareness of bullying prevention by wearing orange and celebrating Unity Day. Then, on Oct. 26, anyone can dance, sing, and make a statement against bullying by joining PACER’s Unity Dance Day. You can also show your support during the month by becoming a national partner or champion against bullying. For more information on PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month and how you can be involved, visit PACER.org/bullying.

Register Now for PACER’s Second Annual Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying on Oct. 1

Take a walk or run around a beautiful lake to support an important cause during PACER’s second annual Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying on Saturday, Oct. 1. The four-mile run or 1.5-mile walk or roll will take place at 10 a.m. at Mt. Normandale Lake in Bloomington, Minn., as part of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month of October. The entry fee is $20 per person, and each participant will receive a complimentary T-shirt. Participants can also gather pledges from family, friends, co-workers, or local businesses. All proceeds from the event will go toward PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which educates communities nationwide to prevent bullying through creative and interactive resources. Register now!

Department of Education Announces Final Part C Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has finalized regulations that will improve services and outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Earlier this month, the Department released final regulations for the early intervention program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The final Part C regulations incorporate provisions in the 2004 amendments to Part C of IDEA. They also provide states with flexibility in some areas, while ensuring accountability to improve results and providing services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. More

Families Needed for Survey Assessing Flu Prevention and Treatment for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Use your knowledge, opinions, and experiences to help improve the health and well-being of all children with special health care needs. You can do so by taking a survey conducted by Family Voices, Inc. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more from families about their experiences with the flu and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Help CDC in its work by taking the survey in English or Spanish.

Save $1 on Secret Deodorant and Support PACER!

During its “Mean Stinks” campaign, Secret Deodorant is partnering with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center by donating a portion of proceeds from select Secret Clinical Strength purchases to its prevention efforts. Just fill in the online form at PACER.org/MeanStinks, and Secret will send you a coupon for $1 off any Secret Clinical Strength product. For every coupon redeemed, Secret will donate $1 to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. For more information, visit Facebook.com/MeanStinks.

Volunteer Training for PACER Puppet Shows is Oct. 13

If you want to volunteer with a fun, entertaining project that helps spread important messages to young children, look no further than PACER’s puppet programs. PACER’s Kids Against Bullying and COUNT ME IN® puppet programs feature endearing, child-size puppets that address bullying prevention and disability awareness in a thoughtful, entertaining way. Volunteers attend a training to learn puppet and presentation skills; work with a fun team; present programs at Twin Cities elementary schools about twice a month; and help young children learn how to prevent bullying and include everyone. Volunteers must have a car, time during the school day, and a desire to help children. The next training is Thursday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at PACER. To learn more or register for the training, call 952-838-9000 or e-mail puppets@PACER.org.

First Lady Names Pediatrician Judith S. Palfrey to Lead Let’s Move! Program

First Lady Michelle Obama has chosen Judith S. Palfrey, M.D., to lead her Let’s Move! childhood obesity initiative. Let’s Move! is a program dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Palfrey started in her new position on Sept. 6. For decades, she has provided clinical care to thousands of children and families and conducted groundbreaking pediatric research. She was also president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. PACER congratulates Palfrey on her new position! More

CRUNCH Fitness Partners with PACER for a Healthy Cause

Get fit and benefit a great cause! During PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month in October, CRUNCH Fitness is partnering with PACER by donating $1 for every person who “checks in” on Facebook to any of its locations, up to $25,000. CRUNCH members’ Facebook friends will know that they’ve checked in and supported PACER. If you’re not a CRUNCH member, you can still support PACER by checking into CRUNCH on Facebook, and you’ll even receive a free guest pass! CRUNCH has 31 locations across the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C. If you know someone in those cities, invite them to check out CRUNCH, check in on Facebook, and benefit PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center!

Support PACER Center with a Special Children’s Book and CD

During PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month in October, support PACER by purchasing any Spookley product or the new children’s CD “All About Bullies Big and Small.” “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” a popular children’s book and movie, features a square pumpkin named Spookley who just doesn’t fit in. Ultimately, Spookley and the other pumpkins learn not to judge and to accept other’s differences.

The children’s CD “All About Bullies Big and Small,” from the recording company Cool Beans Music, features many award-winning artists’ songs and stories and is designed to teach children the “Golden Rule”: treat others the way you would like to be treated. Sales from the CD and all Spookley products will benefit PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

Give a Car, Help a Child through PACER Program

Help children with disabilities and earn a tax deduction by donating your used car or other motor vehicle to PACER’s Give a Car, Help a Child program. Your donation will raise money that supports PACER programs and services for children with disabilities. Donors can drive their car to PACER or arrange for the vehicle to be picked up from their home. You can also donate online by filling out the form and scheduling a time for your vehicle to be picked up. Make sure to select PACER Center as the organization to receive your donation. A receipt will be provided at the time of pick-up. More

Great Opportunities

United Way and CFC Can Support PACER
PACER Center is eligible for donations made through United Way campaigns and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the workplace charity campaign for federal civilian, military, and postal employees. PACER is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

United Way
The United Way accommodates employees wanting to support PACER. United Way pledge cards have a Donor Choice location in which to write PACER’s name and address (PACER Center, Inc., 8161 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55437).

CFC
Look for PACER in your local campaign booklet under the Children’s Charities of America (CCA) heading or alphabetically. You can also see a video about a PACER program by visiting cfcvideospeakersbureau.org and entering PACER as the keyword. To designate your gift to PACER, use code 12272. This code is unique to PACER and will be needed under any heading where you see PACER’s name listed.

For information on how to support PACER through the United Way, CFC, or other workplace charity campaigns, call PACER’s development office at (952)838-9000 or visit PACER.org

Connect with PACER on Facebook and Twitter
Want to stay up-to-date with all the latest PACER news and happenings? Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PACERCenter. Be the first to hear about PACER news, information, and events, no matter where you are!

Programs and Resources

PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More