Taking Authority Over Autism

As gas prices rise and paychecks remain steady, there is no shame in asking for help. Second Harvest Heartland not only provides food to thousands of Minnesotans every day but also provides a purpose for its volunteers. If you're looking for a place to donate your time, talent and resources, they have opportunities for you to serve others in need.  Second Harvest Heartland | Local Minnesota, Wisco...

A new Lutheran Social Service community hub brings together housing, early childhood education and comprehensive support services for children, youth and young families in Saint Paul. LSS celebrates the grand opening of the Center for Changing Lives - University | Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

If you have an adult child with a disability and you're looking for your tribe, Family Voices of Minnesota has a support group for that. Parents of Adult Children Group - Family Voices of Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Human Services held listening sessions to hear from Minnesotans about their EIDBI services. What did people have to say? How did the state agency response? Sheletta finds out on the latest episode of her autism podcast. 

On a ride around St. Paul with her kids, Sheletta noticed many amazing murals on buildings. When she went looking for the artist, she found something even better: The Creative Enterprise Zone, which features some artists who are on the spectrum.  Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival

 Do you have a child who is newly diagnosed with autism and you're not sure where to start looking for resources and services? Look no further than Caravel Autism Health so your child can have a better outcome and a happier life. Comprehensive Autism Therapy | Caravel Autism Health

The start of school is not only a busy time for most parents, but it's especially worrying for moms and dads who have kids on the spectrum who wander. Changes in schedules and transitions can make them more prone to eloping. How can we keep them safe? Sheletta may have found the answer from an angel. Assistive Technology for Autism & Special Needs - Order Now!

When it began to thunder, Sheletta looked out of the kitchen window and noticed that her neighbor's kids were still playing in their backyard pool, she made them go in the house; then, she called her friends at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to join her on a podcast to figure out if kids should go indoors when thunder roars. Weather safety | Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Sheletta grew up in the safe village of Kelly Village, subsidized housing in Houston's 5th Ward, where she was nurtured and given the necessary discipline to succeed. As times get hard for many Black women and job prospects are few and far between, she encourages people to check in with Daveta Thomas from Housing Alliance HTX. Daveta is a pre-admission and occupancy manager and can help you find a...

Sheletta chats with her friend Paul McGuire-Grimes, Minnesota movie critic, about the autistic storylines and actors represented at this year's Emmy awards. Which ones have a shot at winning that coveted statuette? Paul offers his predictions. Paul's Trip to the Movies

Got a home deconstruction project and need more money to complete it? There's a grant for that. Sheletta tells you where you can find that money for that on the latest episode of her podcast. https://recyclingandenergy.org/deconstruction/  

Is your autistic adult child looking for work and can't find a job? Hennepin County wants to help. They've got a transition age youth and employment program that just might be a perfect fit. Seniors and people with disabilities | Hennepin County Disability Hub MN - Your Options: Work

Sheletta becomes fast friends with Megan Dolan, the autism mom, actress, and the brainchild behind "Not The Right Mom," a one-woman show that she wrote and produced. Megan travels the world performing for thousands of people using humor and storytelling to educate them about the concerns and celebrations of having a child on the spectrum. As if she wasn't busy enough, Sheletta challenges her to ad...

Tired of being cooped up in the house with your kids, but you just counted your coins and don't have enough money to take them somewhere fun? The City of St. Paul is hosting a free concert series at its parks all summer long. Bring a blanket, your babies, and a bag of snacks, and get out and enjoy the sweet sounds of some of the top bands in the Twin Cities. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/park...

With a housing boom happening in Cottage Grove, there's a big gap between the number of families moving to the area and the number of licensed child care providers. If you've been laid off, have a love for children, and live in Washington County, this may be the perfect pivot for your next career move. https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/749/Become-a-Child-Care-Provider

It's the moment parents across St. Paul have all been waiting for: the renovations are done, and Hamline Library is opening again. Sheletta chats with library staff about all the cool new upgrades and even offers to do some special programming with her children's books in April for Autism Awareness Month. https://sppl.org/locations/ha/

Sheletta was so excited to learn that Fraser is opening a satellite location in Mankato. The 90-year-old, award-winning autism center is now accepting new clients aged 2 to 6. Get registered:  ABA@FRASER.ORG  or CALL 612-767-7222

Jim Swift, a retired engineer, uses GoFundMe to raise enough money to build adaptive devices for autistic children in need.   https://www.hometownsource.com/stillwater_gazette/community/retired-lake-elmo-electrical-engineer-uses-skills-to-create-devices-for-children-with-disabilities/article_0bb75bb7-d800-4d5b-abce-353d628e0b38.html    

James Clark, Inspector General of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, talks about how his office is fighting fraud and working to protect taxpayer funded services.

Pacer has a unique program that brings puppets to the classroom to teach students about inclusion and acceptance. https://www.pacer.org/events/puppets/    

If you've received healthcare in Ramsey County, the place you normally get care for you and your family could have moved. They've got a new location, and Sheletta's going to tell you where, along with the new services they're offering on the latest episode of her podcast.

Help is available for families who lost a Medicare provider after Minnesota’s revalidation process. Sheletta chats with her friends from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to offer resources available to help families access the services they need.  https://mn.gov/dhs/find-care/  

Sheletta chats with her friends from Ramsey County about how important it is to test for lead in soil, in your homes, and in your children. https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/residents/health-medical/healthy-homes/lead-home https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/home/testlead.html https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead#resources-and-more-information

Sheletta chats with her friends at the Mall of America about their new artful arches that celebrate their inclusive spirit as well as their new partnership with Fraser to make the mall more accessible to all shoppers.

Benjamin E. Mays, a St. Paul public elementary school, will become Afrocentric in the fall, adopting a new progressive teaching model.