Monday Memo:

News for the Week February 14-19, 2011

 

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 February 14, 2011 

Welcome to our new weekly memo

featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in in the know.
 

 

Maternal and Child Health Services

 The U.S. House of Representatives released a revised Continuing Resolution - now officially titled H.R. 1 - containing proposed cuts to the FY 2011 budget they intend to vote on next week.  The revised bill reduced the proposed cut from $210 million (32% of total funding) down to $50 million for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant.  This is one key source of federal funding for Arizona programs which supports services for children with special health care needs.
 

 

House leaders intend to bring the bill to the floor the week of February 14 and allow amendments.  Some of these amendments could seek further reductions to MCH programs, impose across the board cuts, and possibly target Title V for elimination.

 

 

 

Outlook for Education Programs

From the Council for Exceptional Children in the January 2011 CEC Today:

 
"If the first few weeks of the 112th Congress are any indication, expect depleted federal education budgets, an increased focus on rewriting No Child Left Behind, and many new members of Congress contributing to education policy.


In the House of Representatives, the first order of 2011 business was to limit education funding levels to those set in 2008, a first attempt at cutting $100 billion from the federal budget. While funding for specific programs -- such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act -- have yet to be decided, the new House leadership has set a tone of reducing spending for non-defense, discretionary items, which includes funding for all education programs."


Current Federal Budget Issues and Proposed Cuts:
On January 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution directing the budget committee to reduce all domestic discretionary funding to 2008 levels or less (H.R. 38) for the remainder of the current fiscal year. This would effectively be a 20% cut with unknown distribution.
Domestic discretionary funding is approximately 15% of the total federal budget, which leaves 85% of the federal budget untouched. Therefore, this resolution is only a first step at solving the overall budget crisis.


It is critical at this time to share your views with Members of Congress. The National Coalition of Parent Centers believes that the first step at solving the budget crisis should not hurt children with disabilities." 
 

Read more 

 

  

 

Networking in Washington 

 

Raising Special Kids Assistant Executive Director Vickie French is attending the 2011 Family Voices Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs National Conference being held this week in Washington DC.

 

The theme of the conference is "Working Together to Improve Maternal and Child Health" and will feature current critical topics such as health care reform, family-centered care, quality and health information technology. With Sheila Sjolander, Chief, Bureau of Women's and Children's Health, and Jeannette Shea, Assistant Director for Public Health Prevention both from the Arizona Department of Health Services, Vickie will be visiting Congressman Jeff Flake's office to share her family story. Vickie will also attend the Congressional Reception at Capitol Hill.

 

 

 

This Week: Free Trainings and Workshops

 

 

Bully Free Environments - Tuesday, Feb. 15, 4pm - 6 pm

Parent Professional Collaboration - Wednesday, Feb. 16, 9:30am - 11:30am

Getting and Keeping the First Job  - Thursday, Feb. 17, 10am - 12 noon

 

Location: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St., #204, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Reservations are required. Our location is a fragrance-free environment. Call  602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007 or register online at www.raisingspecialkids.org

 

En Espaņol: 

Conceptos Basicos del IEP - Viernes, 2/18/11, 10:00 - 11:30 am

Por favor llamar al 602-242-4366 o 800-237-3007 para confirmar su asistencia a los talleres. Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St., #204, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Somos una oficina libre de fragancias.

 

 

IEP Basics - Tuesday, February 15, 6pm - 8:30pm, Location: Gilbert Unified School District Office - Bldg F

 

Can You Hear Me Now? - Phoenix Allergy Network, Wednesday, Feb 16, 7pm - 8:30pm, Location: Banner Desert Samaritan Medical Center - Ironwood Room

 

Turning 18: What's Next?/Guardianship - Thursday, Feb 17, 6pm - 8pm, Location: Touchstone Behavioral Health 15648 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85053

 

 

Events and Activities

  

Action Day at the Capitol

February 23, 2011, 9am - 2pm
1700 W. Washington St., 2nd Floor Conference Center, Phoenix, AZ 85007
 

Join the Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition for Action Day at the Capitol & Legislative Training

  •  Hear from Arizona Legislators how they plan to deal with the budget shortfall.
  •  Learn what disability issues AZDAC will be tracking this legislative session.
  • Join us to be introduced on the floor of the House and the Senate.
  • Observe the Legislature in action
  • Learn how you can testify on bills from anywhere you have internet capabilities through the Legislative electronic system.
  • While at the Capitol register to use the "Request to Speak" system

Box lunch provided. Space is limited so register for the training and requested accommodations, by registering online at http://2011dayatcapitol.eventbrite.com:  Registration deadline is TODAY
 

 

 

"Live Without Limits,"

An event by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: informational meeting about the Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Center,

 

When: Friday, February 25th, 2011,  9:30-12 noon

Location: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 East Washington St., Phoenix, AZ

in the Nina Mason Conference Center Conference Rooms 1 & 2.

RSVP to pmehta@ChristopherReeve.org 

 

 

 

 

Parent Leadership Opportunities

 

Parent Leaders are needed to help with the training of professionals in health, education and social services by panel presentation and "Telling Your Story" at a training, conference or university classroom.

 

Contact Janna at 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007  or email jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

 

  • February 17th - Paradise Valley Community College - 12:00 noon - 1:30
  • February 17th - Glendale Community College - 11:30am - 1:00pm
  • March 2nd - Sureno Elementary School - 9:30 am - 11:30 am
  • March 7th - Broadmor Elementary School - 12:30 pm - 2:15 pm

 

  

Scholarship Available for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled 


A $500 scholarship opportunity for students to assist in upcoming college or higher learning endeavors is being offered by Hamilton Relay.

The scholarship deadline is March 1, 2011and will be awarded on or before April 29, 2010.


Download the 2011 Hamilton Relay Scholarship Guidelines and Application  

 

 

 

 

  

Quote of the Week

  

"I wish every parent of a child with moderate to severe disabilities could take this (Guardianship) workshop."    

 

 - Becca Hornstein, Executive Director, Council For Jews With Special Needs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support.