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Caregiver Support Group 11/14/20

TAG 839's Caregiver Support Group is back --

This Saturday!

November 14, 2020

4:00 pm PST

RSVP for a Zoom link: animationisfamily@gmail.com

This diverse group meets monthly to show support and share resources on a variety of caregiving topics. New members are always welcome.

This week, we'll be talking about Advanced Directives - you're never too young to plan ahead!

Zoom call hosted by FAM Committee chair, Kristin Donner

and facilitated by MPTF social worker, Hannah Goldstein, MSW.

You're Invited: Caregivers Support Group 10/10

Parents, Caregivers & Family Members:

Join us for a Zoom Meet-Up!

Saturday, October 10th at 4:00pm PDT 

social worker Q&A / resource sharing / supportive community

RSVP for a Zoom link: animationisfamily@gmail.com

TODAY: CAREGIVERS' SUPPORT GROUP

You're invited:

Our first-ever Caregivers' Support Group virtual meet-up is today, Saturday, September 12th at 4:00pm PST. Guild members, families, and friends are welcome. We'll be discussing childcare solutions, including ideas for employer-sponsored childcare, as well as discussing ways to cope with elder care and partner care during COVID and beyond.

RSVP for a Zoom link: animationisfamily@gmail.com

Parents' Zoom Hangout

You're invited:

😜😓😆😁😭😳😊😷💬💬💬

ANIMATION GUILD

PARENTS' ZOOM HANGOUT

August 31, 2020

8:00 - 9:00 pm

RSVP: animationisfamily@gmail.com

Special Events from TAG & WIA

In honor of Mother's Day, we are pleased to present virtual events in celebration of our hard-working moms and in support of all parents. 

The Animation Guild and Women In Animation are joining forces to support working parents with two excellent events:

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 6:00 - 7:00 pm:

Parents Panel: Parents in Animation in a Virtual World - A discussion on the impacts, challenges and opportunities that remote working during COVID-19 presents. Sponsored by Women In Animation, this special parents panel is open to members of TAG and WIA.
WIA members should RSVP directly to WIA.
TAG members RSVP here: 
rsvp@tag839.org (You will receive a Zoom webinar link & password via e-mail.)

THIS Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 7:30 - 8:30 pm:

Parent Coaching: Virtual Coaching for Animation Parents from WRK/360 - Join a free group coaching call designed specifically for animation parents. Topics include: family dynamics, making work 'work', and making time for you while working from home with kids. Sponsored by The Animation Guild, this special coaching session is open to parents in TAG and WIA.
Register here:

https://wrk360.ck.page/58fde80679

Happy Mother's Day & Happy May!

#tag #wia

FEBRUARY 29th @ The Family Room

This week, we're highlighting
The Family Room!

"The Family Room is dedicated to helping families thrive before, during, and after pregnancy, and in the early years of parenthood. We brought together the best birth, postpartum, and infant and child experts to help you."

Learn more at their open house:

THE FAMILY ROOM * TOLUCA LAKE

FEBRUARY 29th * 9am-1pm

Panel discussions on: 
Picking a preschool, safety first, and baby wearing support;
Donuts with doulas mixer;
Free music classes, and fun kids activities!

Click here for more info!

#familysupport #community #TAGfamily

Autism Support RESOURCES & CONTACTS

RESOURCE LIST
Thanks to our Lunch & Learn panelists and contributors for sharing these helpful resources for IATSE members, families, and colleagues. 

Resource List Contents:
- Panelist contact info.
- MPIHP Behavioral Health links 
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) parent resources
- Regional Center info.
- Special Education law and parent advocacy info.
- Recommended reading list 
- Legal and Federal mandates and assistance for hiring people with disabilities 
- Private rooms at Guild studios list
- Animation schools with autism support 
- Websites and apps 
- Parks for children of all abilities 
- Travel assistance info.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

#autismsupport #lunch&learn 
#tag

Panel Co-Moderator: Kristin Donner

Join us for lunch!

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 

at The Animation Guild

Panel Discussion / Q&A / Resources

Introducing panel co-moderator:

Kristin Donner
Designer and Chair, TAG Family And Membership Support Committee 

Kristin Donner believes in the power of a supportive community. She is the co-founder and chair of The Animation Guild's Family And Membership Support Committee. In 2018, she successfully advocated for the Guild's first parental leave policy, and in 2019 she initiated two resolutions to explore more inclusive health care, which were unanimously supported by the delegates at IATSE's District 2 Convention.

Kristin's portfolio includes visual development for 2D animation projects at Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Warner Bros, and Cartoon Network, as well as illustrations for the Seyitömer Archaeological Excavation. Kristin holds a BFA in Entertainment Art/Animation, and an MFA in Illustration. In her free time, Kristin enjoys playing with her nephews and relaxing in the California sun with her pet desert tortoises.

animationisfamily@gmail.com

www.animationisfamily.blogspot.com

Meet Kristin and all our panelists on the 23rd!

RSVP@tag839.org

Featured Panelist: Dr. Carrie Dilley

Join us for lunch!

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 

at The Animation Guild

Panel Discussion / Q&A / Resources

Introducing Featured Panelist: 

Dr. Carrie N. Dilley
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

 Dr. Carrie Dilley is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who is co-owner with her husband, Dr. Joe Dilley, of Synergy Psychological Inc., a private psychology practice in Sierra Madre, California. She has specialized for the past 18 years working with infants, children, adolescents, and adults with neurodevelopmental delays including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing/Regulation Disorders, Learning Differences, Attention Deficits, and Behavioral Challenges.  

Dr. Dilley completed her masters and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary’s Graduate School of Psychology. She obtained her specialty training at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, at The Help Group’s non-profit specialized school for children with autism and related disorders, and working as the program director for a local DIR® Floortime Program. 

The Synergy team provides comprehensive psychological services including individual, family, and group therapy, psychological and neuropsychological assessments, school consultations, and IEP support for parents of children with special needs services. Dr. Dilley was the founder and Chair for the initial five years of the Child and Adolescent Development Special Interest Group for the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association (SGVPA).

DrCarrie@SynergyPsych.com

(626) 539-2001 x 2

www.SynergyPsych.com

Meet Dr. Dilley and all our panelists on the 23rd!

RSVP@tag839.org

Panel Co-Moderator: Megan Kreiner

Join us for lunch!

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 

at The Animation Guild

Panel Discussion / Q&A / Resources

Introducing panel co-moderator:

Megan Kreiner

Animator and Author

Megan Kreiner has worked in the feature animation industry since 2005 and has worn a variety of hats from production assistant and resource manager to layout artist and animator. She has worked at DreamWorks animation for the past 11 years and enjoys writing and publishing crochet and knitted toy patterns in her spare time. Her son received his autism diagnosis at age four and has been thriving with the help of various one-on-one therapies and interventions over the past five years.

Meet Megan and all our panelists on the 23rd!

RSVP@tag839.org

Featured Panelist: Sandra Equihua

Join us for lunch!

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 

at The Animation Guild

Panel Discussion / Q&A / Resources

 Introducing featured panelist:

Sandra Equihua
Designer and aspiring ukulele player

Sandra Equihua was born in Tijuana, Mexico. She studied Graphic Design and its various ramifications, which led to her working in Animation. 

Currently, Sandra is working freelance as a Character Designer at Netflix on Maya and the Three, a project spearheaded by her husband, Jorge Gutierrez. She is also mom to one feisty and funny ten year old boy, Luka, who she adores and champions in all that he does.

Meet Sandra and all our panelists on the 23rd!

RSVP@tag839.org
 

Featured Panelist: Marjan Kermani, Esq.

Join us for lunch!

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 

at The Animation Guild

Panel Discussion / Q&A / Resources

Introducing featured panelist:

Marjan Kermani, Esq.

Assistant Director & Supervising Attorney, Lanterman Special Education Legal Clinic

Marjan Kermani’s passion for Special Education Law began while she was in high school tutoring children with various disabilities. With a desire to pursue a career in this field, Mrs. Kermani earned her law degree from Whittier College of Law in 2011 and began her commitment to public service when she joined the Lanterman Special Education Legal Clinic in 2012. Over the years, Marjan has worked with families as they seek to develop and maintain appropriate educational supports and services from the school district. Marjan understands the importance of an appropriate educational program, and assists families in developing Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and Section 504 Plans that meet each individual child’s unique needs. As Assistant Director/Supervising Attorney, she works with law students as they provide direct advocacy support to families in order to resolve issues through the IEP process.

In 2016, Mrs. Kermani launched a pilot program to assist young adults in the adulthood transition process. This program seeks to develop appropriate transition plans that will help bridge the gap between high school and beyond. In the last three years, this program has been successful in securing transition services through the school district to maximize the young adult’s social and economic independence in the community. Since its launch, numerous young adults with disabilities have successfully enrolled in post-secondary education or have gained meaningful employment. 

3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 252-8384

Meet Marjan and all our panelists on the 23rd!

RSVP@tag839.org

Autism Support: Playgrounds for All Abilities

This week we highlight

the city of Carson

for breaking ground on 

a new playground for children of all abilities,

including those on the autism spectrum!

For more info on local autism support
for Guild members and families

mark your calendar for the upcoming

Lunch & Learn: Autism Support

at The Animation Guild

October 23, 2019 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.

All Guild members and families welcome!

RSVP@tag839.org

New Zealand Wins the Day!

Where are families welcome? Everywhere, demonstrates New Zealand's speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard.

Written by Kristin Donner

The world is swooning over a photo of speaker Trevor Mallard feeding a colleague's baby while conducting a session of parliament this week. 

When colleague, Tamati Coffey returned from paternity leave, his son received the VIP treatment. Speaker Mallard's photo with baby sends a strong message to New Zealand and the world - families are welcome here. His gesture depicts an inclusive workplace where parents can feel supported and celebrated.

The Animation Guild's Family And Membership Committee continues to foster discussions about how our industry can incorporate this same spirit of inclusivity. We host workshops on the topics of health and wellness, family leave, member rights, and best practices, as well as family-friendly community-building events. If you have an idea for an event or a topic that needs attention, please reach out to us!

Together, we have the power to create a more robust animation industry and a more inclusive world.

#animationisfamily #familyleave #paternity

When a baby is born, so is a mother. #matrescence

This week, we're highlighting motherhood

-- or rather --

the topsy-turvy transition into motherhood

called MATRESCENCE.

Remember your awkward teenage years? Yeah, matrescence is kind of like that.

New moms sometimes expect that motherhood will be beautiful and easy and natural. And some moments are. But too often moms are not prepared for the difficult physical and emotional transition that follows childbirth. Moms aren't to blame -- our culture, our media, our doctors and even our government regularly fail to acknowledge the whole story. 

When a baby is born, so is a mother, says reproductive psychiatrist Alexandra Sacks, but the natural (and sometimes unsteady) process of transition to motherhood is often silenced by shame or misdiagnosed as postpartum depression. In this TED talk, Sacks reveals the emotional tug-of-war of becoming a new mother -- and shares a term that could help describe it: matrescence.

If we're going to change the way our culture understands this transition to motherhood, women need to be talking to each other, says Sacks. So mothers, talk about your matrescence with other mothers, with your friends and if you have one, with your partner so that they can understand their own transition and better support you. 

For confidential support 24/7, Guild members (and anyone in your household) can call (888) 661-9141 or log on to www.liveandworkwell.com with access code: mpiphp. 

<3

#postpartumdepression #motherhood #animationisfamily

EQUALITY starts with Leadership

This week we're highlighting a CULTURAL SHIFT

in family leave.

Our featured hero is:

- DWYANE WADE -

basketball star and NEW DAD!

This week belongs to Dwyane Wade, his wife Gabrielle Union, and his coach Erik Spoelstra, who are exemplifying a cultural shift toward supporting families.

When Dwyane Wade introduced his newborn daughter and announced he would take time away from basketball to be a father, I braced myself for the backlash, writes author Shannon Ryan in the Chicago Tribune.

Instead, he and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, were greeted with congratulations from teammates, celebrities and fans. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade could take all the time he needed.

With my daughter coming a couple weeks early, she’s a little tiny right now, so we’re making sure health-wise that she’s OK, says Wade. And for me...this time right now, this bonding moment with my daughter is the most important thing in my life at this time.

As it should be.

#animationisfamily #supportpaidleave #paternityleave #culturalshift #dadsrock

It's Veteran's Day: We Support You

Today, the Family Leave Subcommittee honors the VETERANS

in our communities, in our families, and

in our industry.

Animation has a symbiotic relationship with the national defense narrative; from Walt Disney and Warner Bros' now-famous World War II training films to today's Google Doodle honoring our veterans and their stories. 

For more than a century, animation artists have helped shape our world, while providing society an illustrated mirror through which to view ourselves. Striking visuals have captured the national mood, communicated our fears, carried our hopes, and - in their best iterations - they've inspired a brighter future. 

We recognize that veterans count among our numbers - from Guild members to family members. We remember those we've lost and honor those who continue to serve. Whether on the front line or on the production line, daily life can become overwhelming. If you or a loved one are struggling now, MPIPHP offers free counseling and support through OPTUM. 

To talk with someone 24/7:

Call (888) 661-9141 or log on to

www.liveandworkwell.com

with access code: mpiphp.

We support you.

#veteransday #support #animationisfamily #tag #mpiphp #optum

YOU'RE INVITED: Pay Equity Summit September 29th

It's 2018, and our historically female crafts still aren't compensated equally to their male equivalents. What?!

Why this matters to families: 

According to the Center for American Progress, 

42% of mothers are sole or primary breadwinners;

22.4% of mothers are co-breadwinners.

Why this matters to everyone:
Women are significant contributors to our entertainment industry and vital voices in creating diverse and successful content. Women and mothers are our bosses, colleagues, employees, friends, family, and community members.

However...public perceptions aren't keeping up

with our changing workforce:

According to the Pew Research Center, Americans still place a higher value on men's contributions in the workplace.

Let's discuss how to affect positive change at

Pay Equity Summit 2018

At the Summit, you'll enjoy a light breakfast, lunch, a mixer, and insightful discussion from an amazing panel of speakers including:

A special message of support from Lily Ledbetter, read by DGA member Rachel Feldman
Tema L. Staig – Executive Director Women In Media
Leslie Simon – Business Representative Local 871
Melissa Goodman – Director of Advocacy ACLU
Marisa Shipley – Reel Equity Chair, Art Department Coord, Local 871
Lalida Sujjavasin – Production Coordinator, Local 871
Chilly Nathan – Set Decorator Steering Committee, Local 44
Elisa Phillips – Color Stylist Committee, Local 839
Betty Madden – Costume Designer, Local 892
Yolanda Cochran – PGA, National Board of Directors, Production Executive at Disney ABC Television Group

When: 
Sat. September 29th
9:30AM – 3:30PM
Where: 
The Animation Guild
1105 North Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505

Sponsored by Women in Media, IATSE Local 871 (Script Supervisors/Continuity, Coordinators, Accountants, & Allied Production Specialists Guild), IATSE Local 839 (The Animation Guild), Costume Designers Guild, and Reel Equity.

#animationisfamily #payequity #genderequity