AUTISM PARENTS ASSOCIATION
30th April Guardian Angel School, Hamrun 14:00 – 15:00
Agenda 14:00
Registration
14:10
History and Mission of APA Administrative Update Public Relations Report Financial Report Online Update
14:35
Election of new committee members
14:45
Discussion and Q&A’s Suggestions for 2016-2017
15:00
Conclusion by the President
History Twenty years ago: Autism was not much heard of in Malta, and parents
passed through many hardships to help their children. At this time a couple of parents formed the National Parents Society of Persons with a Disability and an Autism Focus Group was created.
2005: Support meetings were organised and the group started creating
awareness, meeting with governing bodies and other NGOs in order to start including Autism as a priority on their agenda.
2008: The Autism Parents Association (APA) was set up. Today: APA has a strong committee working hard to put Autism on the
forefront on the agenda of Policymakers, and parents have their mind at rest that the team is working wholeheartedly to close any gaps in services.
Mission of APA To unite and represent all persons joining as Members. To promote and safeguard the interests of the Members and their children. To represent the Members in general on boards, councils, or other associations. To promote, foster and encourage at national level the formulation and implementation of legislative measures and policies designed to aid and facilitate the inclusion of the children in society. To promote awareness through media. To carry out, participate in, and/or promote research on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Grow of footprint both locally and Internationally.
Committee Setup – Current Mr Omar Farrugia President
Admin Roles
Support Roles
Helpers (other)
Mrs Sandra Borg
Mrs Carmen Abela
Mrs Joanne Sciberras
Projects Co-ordinator
PSA (Young Children)
Gozo Co-ordinator
Mrs Valerie Brincat
Mrs Svetlana Sammut
Mrs Maruska Dimech
Public Relations Officer
Events Co-ordinator
Helper
Mr Brian Ferrante
Mrs Vira Bonavia
Mrs Pauline Ciappara
Treasurer
PSA (Teenagers)
Helper
Mrs Jane Bruno
Ms Petra Xuereb Peel
Secretary
PSA (Adolescents)
Our Members To date the Association proudly holds 203 members. APA communicates with the parent members through: The Newsletter The Website Facebook Pages
www.autismparentsassociation.com Autism Parents Association and Autism Parents Association Support Group Email autismparentsassociation@gmail.com The Telephone Parent support aides for the period 2016-2017 will be advised after the Annual General Meeting and when the new Committee is formed.
APA Member Enrolments 250
200
150
100
50
0 Members Total
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
40
Meetings Overview
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Official Meetings
Support Meetings
General Meetings
TV & Radio Discussions
Forums & Talks
Events
Social Support Calls
History cont.
Autism Awareness Month April 2015 APA Educational Talk Autism Awareness Fun day Autism Walk
All activities were very well attended and flyers were given out to the general public on Autism Awareness. The activities were covered by media coverage.
Autism Awareness Month April 2015
Public Relations Report 2015 -2016 During this past year the Autism Parents Association seeked to cultivate public awareness, support and involvement in their activities.
Public Relations Report PR = Public Relations, or the relationships you have with your public. It is about how you relate to them and what they think about you. Its about sending positive messages to the parents and awareness to the society. PR is also about boosting and maintaining the associations profile or maximizing its impact. Every day, we ourselves do PR with people around us by word of mouth. Spreading the word about Autism to a friend, relative or neighbor. But we cannot always talk to everyone we'd like. So we ask the media to help out and use the social network Facebook (the Autism Parents Association Support Group, APA Master Facebook page and website). Social networks are an interactive way of communicating, and sharing content and useful resources with each other. Days of one way communication are gone. It is done by people for people. By parents for parents and other carers, the audience is no longer passive but active! Getting the opportunity to building stronger support and at the same time increasing your visibility.
Public Relations Report cont. During this past year the Autism Parents Association seeked to cultivate public awareness, support and involvement in their activities. Through several means of media and organised activities in the community, the Autism Parents Association was able to raise awareness and distribute the knowledge about the Autism condition. During this past year the following APA appearances were affected to raise awareness for Autism: Parent Participating
Date
Description
Entity
10/03/2015
TV Discussion - Eli & I
NET TV
Valerie
13/03/2015
TV Discussion - Niskata
NET TV
Valerie
30/03/2015
TV Discussion - Malta Llejla
NET TV
Valerie
01/04/2015
LIUB
Marigold Foundation w/ APA
07/04/2015
TV Discussion - Dak li Jghodd
One Productions
Valerie
One Productions
Valerie
11/04/2015
TV Discussion - Program Dizabilta
16/04/2015
School Awareness Talk - Bbugia Primary Year 5 students
Birzebbugia Primary School
Valerie
24/04/2015
Meeting with Dr. Miriam Dalli MEP
Dr. Dalli's office - Zebbug
Valerie and Omar
07/05/2015
Bjorn, a youth with Autism telling his experience
Talk for Living Diversity group of students at Sta. Lucia Secondary School
Bjorn and Petra
Comments
w/ Marthese Mugliette of Downs Sydrome Association
Public Relations Report cont. Autism Awareness Talk, A Parent's Perspective
Talk for Living Diversity group of students at Sta. Lucia Secondary School
Valerie
16/05/2015
Appearance with Malta Service Dog Foundation
Baystreet
Valerie
28/05/2015
Meeting with P. Sec of Hons Dr. Michael Farrugia re: Medical Board
Ministry of Family & Social Solidarity
Valerie & Omar
08/05/2015
28/05/2015
29/05/2015 03/06/2015
15/06/2015 16/06/2015
22/06/2015 25/06/2015 9, 10, 11/07/2015
02/08/2015 11/08/2015 19/08/2015 25/08/2015
Mente Presentation with MEDE Education Department Meeting with Archbishop Charles Scicluna Kurja Meeting with FSWS re: Training Course for Support workers FSWS Head Office - Sta. Venera
Gvern Li Jisma Meeting with Director of Student Services Seminar on Disability Issues NGO Consultation @ Seabank Hotel Visit with the president of Malta Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Let Me Learn Conference Continued discussions with Minister Dr. Michael Farrugia re: Medical Board of Disability Allowance Meeting with Director of Student Services Parents Discussion Meeting Meeting with B' Bugia Local Council
Omar & Valerie Omar, Giselle, Carmen Omar & Valerie
Hilltop Home
Valerie
Student Service Dept- Hamrun Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing
Omar & Valerie
San Anton Palace
Committee of APA
Victoria Palace
Valerie
Ministry of Family & Social Solidarity
Omar & Valerie
Student Service Dept- Hamrun The Kitchen Garden B' Bugia Local Council
Omar & Valerie Committee of APA Omar & Valerie
Valerie, Sandra & Carmen
Minister Hons Dr. Michael Farrugia & Hons. Dr. Justyn Caruana
Public Relations Report cont. 02/09/2015
Continued discussions with Minister Dr. Michael Farrugia re: Medical Board of Disability Allowance
Ministry of Family & Social Solidarity
Omar & Valerie
16/09/2015
TV Discussion - Aroma Mattina
One Productions
Valerie
01/10/2015
Synergy Pilot Project on Challenging Behaviour
Inspire Learning Hub
Valerie & Maruska
05/10/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
09/10/2015
Back To School - Coping Strategies
Iklin Parish Church Hall
Committee of APA
14/10/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
21/10/2015
Siegha Zmien
One Productions
Omar & Valerie
22/10/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
22/10/2015
TV Discussion - Newsfeed
NET TV
Valerie
w/ Claudia Kirby Balzan & Inspire's Adrian Huber
22/10/2015
Telephone Interview - TVAM
TVM
Valerie
w/KNPD's Oliver Scicluna
28/10/2015
Article 19 UNCRPD Conference
Dolmen
Valerie
05/11/2015
Meeting with CareMalta
CareMalta office – Mosta
Sandra & Valerie
09/11/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
16/11/2015
TV Discussion - Xift
NET TV
Valerie
w/ Dr. Rita Micallef
25/11/2015
TV Discussion - 12 to 3
TVM
Valerie
w/ Dr. Rita Micallef & Doreen Mercieca
Two recordings were done for two separate programs
In collaboration with Hand in Hand Malta and Mrs. Connie Magro
Aired on 21/10/2015
Public Relations Report cont. 02/12/2015
TV Discussion - Arena
One Productions
Valerie
w/Oliver Scicluna (KNPD) & Anna Calleja (SO)
03/12/2015
Press Conference Re:- Autism State Plan
Ministry of Family & Social Solidarity
Valerie
w/Hons. Dr. Justyn Caruana
3, 4, 5/12/2015
VO Conference
Victoria Palace Hotel
Omar, Brian, Valerie
10/12/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
17/12/2015
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
19/12/2015
Cinema Day
Gallerija Fgura
Omar & Giselle
04/01/2016
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
04/01/2016
Radio Discussion - Campus FM
Campus FM 103.7
Valerie
13/01/2016
Disability Forum
San Anton Palace
Presidents' Foundation for Sandra, Omar & Valerie Social Wellbeing
20/01/2016
Awareness talk for Homestart Volunteers
Valerie
20/01/2016
Opening Ceremony of Learning Hub
Agenzija Appogg Learning Hub Ghajnsielem GOZO
22/01/2016
Awareness talk for Fortini Resource Centre
Fortini Resource Centre Birgu
Valerie
26/01/2016
Inspire meeting with CEO of Inspire
Inspire - Bulebel
Valerie & Omar
12/02/2016
Awareness talk for Homestart Volunteers
Agenzija Appogg
Valerie
12/02/2016
Meeting w/St. Jeanne Antide Foundation
St. Jeanne Antide
Sandra, Omar & Valerie
15/02/2016
TV Discussion - Lifestyle & Co.
TVM2
Valerie
20/02/2016
Youth Parents Meeting
MCVS Centre
Sandra, Omar & Valerie
27/02/2016
Autism Workshop - Girl Guide Leaders
San Antonio Hotel Bugibba
Valerie
10/03/2016
Autism Awareness Talk Mother & Baby Group
Swatar
Valerie
w/parent of ADHD child and Oliver Scicluna (KNPD)
Joanne & Valerie
2nd session
Financial Report
Financial Report 2015 Autism Parents Association - Income and Expenditure For the year ending 31 December 2015 Income Memberships & Fund Raising Donations Total income
1,982.50 2,436.49 € 4,418.99
Expenses Autism Europe 825.00 Conferences 608.41 Post 46.59 Gifts 40.00 Activities BBQ 1,147.00 Autism month 2015 633.51 Christmas 2014 461.40 Christmas 2015 957.00 Total expenses € 4,718.91 Surplus/(deficit) for the year
€ (299.92)
Opening Surplus as at 1 Jan 2015
€ 3,500.45
Closing Surplus 31 Dec 2015
€ 3,200.53
Online Update
Online Update - Website - Facebook Pages - Twitter
www.autismparentsassociation.com
3276 (Likes) Followers
683 Members
It’s Time To cast Your Vote
Election of Committee Members The following are the members who have been nominated to form the committee for the period 2015-2016. Mr Omar Farrugia Mrs Valerie Brincat Mrs Carmen Abela Mrs Joanne Sciberras Mrs Pauline Ciappara Mrs Tanya Bezzina Mrs Emma McEwen. Consulting - Mrs. Giselle Pisani.
Mrs Sandra Borg Mr Brian Ferrante Mrs Svetlana Sammut Mrs Marica Saliba Mrs Jane Bruno Mrs Maruska Dimech
Election of Committee Members Positions within the Association;
President
PSA (Kids 3-12)
PRO
PSA (Teenagers / Youths)
Projects
PSA (Adolescents / Young Adults)
Sec/Admin
PSA (Gozo)
Treasurer
Newsletter Co-ordinator
Events
New Committee Setup – (Proposed) Mr Omar Farrugia President
Finances
Operations
Public Relations
Admin
Mr Brian Ferrante Treasurer / EU Funds
Projects Mrs Sandra Borg Projects Manager Mrs Maruska Dimech Assistant Project Co-ordinator
Mrs Valerie Brincat PRO / PSA GEN
Mrs Emma McEwen Secretary / Admin
Marketing Mrs Tanya Bezzina Marketing Co-ordinator Publications
Conference & Events Mrs Svetlana Sammut Mrs Carmen Abela Parent Support Agents Mrs Sandra Borg Mrs Marica Saliba
Mrs Maruska Dimech Newsletter Co-ordinator
Gozo Support
Youth Groups
Mrs Joanne Sciberras
Mrs Sandra Borg Mrs Valerie Brincat Mrs Marica Saliba Mrs Pauline Ciappara
Gozo Co-ordinator
Research & Analysis Mrs Giselle Pisani Health & Medicine
Minutes Book keeping AGM E-Marketing
Mrs Jane Bruno Helper
Your Feedback Counts Suggestions for 2016 to 2017
Thanks for joining us !!! !! Inspire POTS KNPD
Hand In Hand Aqra Mieghi ADHD Malta Malta Autism Centre
Speech & Language Department CDAU Agenzija Support Help Me Learn Opening Doors Centru Tbexbix
Malta Service Dogs Foundation Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Company
Conclusion
On behalf of all the APA Committee !!!