Program Offerings from EFAZ

Kids and Teens Programs

Camp Candlelight (Ages 8-17) - Camp Candlelight is one of the most cherished programs offered by the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona and one we believe can be a life-changing experience for a child with epilepsy.  Camp Candlelight is one week of summer fun, featuring activities such as rock climbing, ziplining, S’mores around the campfire, horseback riding, arts and crafts and nature hikes.  More important than the activities, Camp Candlelight is an opportunity to bond with other children who experience the seizure disorder.  Campers range in age from 8 to 15 and the counselor-in-training provides mentoring and leadership development for teens 16 and 17 with epilepsy.  Visit the Camp Candlelight page for more information.

Dotty the Dalmatian Has Epilepsy (Pre-K through 2^nd Graders) - This picture book is about a Dalmatian puppy, Dotty, who volunteers in the fire house.  Dotty experiences a seizure and wants to know if she can continue working with her fire fighting comrades.  Her mother and the fire fighters ease her concerns and not only does Dotty have the opportunity to ride on the fire truck during an emergency, she receives an honor from the Fire Captain himself.

Kids on the Block (3^rd – 5^th Grade) - This puppet show reaches children through a program that entertains the facts about epilepsy.  Epilepsy is a condition that is all too often misunderstood.  The Kids on the Block program on epilepsy features puppet character “Brian McDaniel”, a 12-year-old who has epilepsy.  The true merit of the program lies in the educational format of the performances.  Scripts with lively dialogue and situations involving Brian and his friends, other puppet characters, enable Brian to talk about epilepsy, explaining the condition.  During the course of each show the audience is invited to ask questions directly to the puppet characters.  When children ask Brian “What is it like having epilepsy?” or “What should I do when you have a seizure”, Brian can replace myths and misconceptions with facts and sensitivity.

Take Charge of the Storm (Ages 11-18) - Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Storm is an epilepsy awareness program targeting teens and pre-teens. Students who complete this program will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of epilepsy as a medical condition, identify and learn about different types of seizures and know what to do and what not to do when someone is having a seizure.

Arizona Youth Leadership Council - Arizona Youth Council provides a venue for youth mentorship. Youth Council members serve as ambassadors or public spokespersons for the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona’s mission. Membership in the council includes youth who may or may not have epilepsy.  Members of the Youth Council serve as local program and youth outreach materials advisors. 

Kids Speak Up - As part of the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona’s advocacy program, kids with epilepsy from all over the U.S. and their family members attend the Kids Speak Up Program and the Epilepsy Foundation’s Public Policy in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of the dual programs is to bring together people with epilepsy to learn about new approaches to treatments for epilepsy, understand the social impact of epilepsy on the family system, as well as to recognize the power that each one of them has in making a change in epilepsy awareness and understanding. The culmination of the three day weekend are Capitol Hill visits by the kids with epilepsy, their families and affiliate members to bring the messages learned to their respective Senators and Representatives.

Programs in the Schools

School programs are available for school nurses, teachers, administration and students of all ages.  Programs are grade level appropriate and are free for schools throughout the state.  Presentation topics range from seizure identification and response to tolerance and understanding. 

Managing Students with Seizures - Managing Students with Seizures is a continuing education program for school nurses.  The 3 ½ hour train-the-trainer program features a neuro-nurse explaining aspects of epilepsy, seizure types, diagnosis, treatment, and first aid for the student having a seizure and a school nurse presenter who will train attendees on methods for re-teaching the curriculum to school administrators, teachers and students.

 Click Here for Materials for School Nurses and Administrators

School H.O.P.E. trainings are provided for facility and administration by H.O.P.E. mentors focusing on student’s educational rights, first aid in the classroom and lessons for the class.

Amber Sweeney Memorial Scholarship - The Amber Sweeney Memorial Scholarship assists an individual with epilepsy to continue her/his education. The scholarship is in memory of Amber Sweeney (pictured), a Prescott resident who died as a result of a seizure. College students currently under the care of a physician for their epilepsy are eligible.  Students must be a resident of Arizona and attending an accredited Arizona college. The application deadline is June 30.

Support for Families and Individuals With Epilepsy 

Information and Referral Operators offer a broad range of information about epilepsy and assistance in reaching needed services.

Topics include:

·         General Medical Information

·         Treatment Options

·         Epilepsy in the Classroom

·         Transportation Information

·         Legal Issues

·         Epilepsy in Children, Teens, Women, and the Elderly

·         Health Insurance and Financial Issues

·         Community Resources

Empowerment Meetings – Volunteer led Empowerment Meetings are located throughout Arizona and provide support and networking opportunities for people with epilepsy and their families. 

H.O.P.E. Mentor - Trainings are provided for individuals and families newly diagnosed with epilepsy in their homes, retirement communities, civic organizations or places of employment.  H.O.P.E.  Mentors provide information on lifestyle changes, safety, communication and changes in family dynamics. 

Telephone Mentors – Over-the-phone or email mentor system for those individuals seeking personalized guidance from someone who has been in a similar situation. 

Caregiver or First Responder Training

EMS Personnel, Fire Fighter, and Law Enforcement Continuing Education – The key to a more appropriate response to the nearly three million Americans who have epilepsy by law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel is training.  Training in how to recognize seizures, in the correct response to seizures in the community, and in the unique needs of people with epilepsy in custody is provided through this continuing education curriculum.  The program is provided in-classroom and in an online module.  

Seniors and Seizures Caregiver Training – The increasing incidence of first time seizures in this age group is staggering.  EFAZ developed an education module focusing on seniors, their families and caregivers and offered through Assisted Living Facilities, Intergenerational Facilities, Senior Day Care Centers, and Senior Centers throughout the Valley. 

Conferences and Workshops

Employment Accommodations Workshop – Historically finding and sustaining employment for those individuals with epilepsy has been a challenge.  Even during times of economic growth, 20 to 30 percent of people with epilepsy, who are physically able to work, are unemployed.  Many of those who are employed have been forced to accept positions far below their ability and educational achievement.  For many people, having epilepsy has been less of a problem than overcoming negative attitudes about their intellectual and physical abilities.  Changes in the law, especially provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, offer new hope in this area, but employers and co-workers much be educated on the new laws and to overcome stereo-types.  This is a one-hour in-service offered to business of all sizes employing those with epilepsy or whose clientele experience the seizure disorder. 

Epilepsy Update: Living Well with Epilepsy – This dual-track event features the most up-to-date epilepsy information from local and national epilepsy experts.  The community conference portion of the event explores topics of interest including medical treatment, healthy lifestyles, social issues, new developments in treating epilepsy, and what the future may hold.  It is an excellent information source for people with epilepsy, family, friends, caregivers and case workers.  There is also a professional education experience for the medical professionals.  Continuing Medical Education Units are given for this portion of the Update.

Spring Conference – Every Spring a seminar is presented in a different area of the state to bring the latest information on epilepsy to people who have epilepsy, their families and allied health professionals.  A comprehensive overview of diagnosing, treating, and living with epilepsy is delivered.  

Veterans Program – Operation Outreach

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates that Improvised Explosive Devices account for two-thirds of combat injuries during the Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) wars.  Operation Outreach is an awareness campaign educating combat veterans on the correlation between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) developing epilepsy.  According to studies, up to 34% of TBI patients are at risk of developing epilepsy; that number can be higher among populations experiencing penetrating head wounds (Annegers & Coan 2000).  The risk of developing epilepsy increases with the severity of the TBI. 

Special Events and Fundraisers

Epilepsy Walk – Epilepsy Walks are held annually in Phoenix and in Tucson.  These fundraising walks not only raise money to support the programs and services of the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, but also increases epilepsy awareness throughout the general population and are a wonderful way to spend the day with family and friends.

Mardi Gras – Our annual Mardi Gras Gala is a delightfully upbeat social dinner, mirroring the activities and celebrations of the Mardi Gras Festival in New Orleans and is one of the most anticipated charity events of the year.  A King’s Parade, Cajun music, fire-performers, fortune tellers, jugglers, magicians, casino games and rollicking musical entertainment make this a truly authentic Mardi Gras experience.  The highlight of the Gala is the crowning of the “Mardi Gras King”.  This is certainly not the typical sit-down dinner affair.

Salute to the Armed Forces Golf Tournament – Experience 18 holes of world-class Arizona golf, while honoring the brave military men and women who have fought for our freedom.  Our charity golf tournament, Salute to Armed Forces, is played annually in a four-person shamble format.  After the tournament, players and their guests join us in the Clubhouse for an awards ceremony, dinner, and silent auction featuring coveted once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences.  The Salute to Armed Forces Golf Tournament supports Operation Outreach.

Flame Fundraiser – The flame of hope is an important reminder to persevere for those individuals with epilepsy and those who want to perpetuate the mission of the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona.  Flame of Hope icons can be sold as a wrap-around for another event, during Epilepsy Awareness Month (November), or all year long in retail locations statewide.