Clallam Mosaic and Clallam County Parent to Parent are continuing their free virtual series “Bridges to Communication.”
The first of three upcoming 30-minute sessions, “Tea with Cops: Conversations with officers from Sequim and Port Angles,” is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, July 29, on Zoom.
Patrol Sgt. Carolee Edwards from the Sequim Police Dept. will be available to answer questions and share information about the Sequim police force.
During these virtual conversations, officers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (along with their families and caregivers) will be able to ask questions, share safety tips and have a safe space to learn more about each other, program organizers say.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities can have challenges in responding to people in uniform whether it’s their response to sirens and flashing lights, to over-stimulation, and/or a need for communication support during an emergency, representatives from Clallam Mosaic said.
The programs were organized to facilitate conversations to help increase understanding about responses from both individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and the police, to ensure that future interactions during an emergency will be successful and safe for all involved, organizers said.
Find the Zoom links and more at clallammosaic.org.
For more information, contact Catherine McKinney, program and communication director for Clallam Mosaic, at 360-681-8642 or info@ClallamMosaic.org.
Upcoming virtual “Tea with Cops” include a Thursday, Aug. 12 session with officer Tom Kuch of the Port Angeles Police Department, and a Thursday, Aug. 26 event with detective Kindryn Leiter of the Sequim Police Department.
Clallam Mosaic, a local nonprofit, “strives to empower individuals with special needs.” The sole source for year-round non-vocational day programs in Clallam County, Mosaic provides lifelong learning opportunities, recreational experiences, supports for creative endeavors, social interactions and advocacy education. Visit clallammosaic.org.
Clallam County Parent to Parent offers support and advocacy to families caring for individuals with special needs. Visit clallammosaic.org/p2p.
