Education Secretary Vows to End the 2 Percent Rule for Students with Disabilities

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan vowed to abolish the "2 percent proxy rule" because it doesn't give an accurate picture of the academic needs of America's students with disabilities. Since 2005, the Education Department has used its regulatory authority to permit states and local school districts to shield certain test scores of students with disabilities when determining adequate yearly progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Scores for up to 2 percent of all students can be reported using alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards. States without appropriate alternate assessments have been allowed to use a proxy-counting as proficient the scores of that 2 percent of students, regardless of how they actually performed.

That proxy has hidden the kind of information that educators need in order to target the appropriate resources to help students with disabilities achieve their academic potential.

FEMA and National Disability Rights Network Sign Agreement to Strengthen Emergency Management Collaboration

Budget News:  Last week, the Senate approved a package of budget bills. The bills do not achieve agreement between the Senate and House or the Governor. Cuts proposed in the Senate version of the budget are well beyond the recommendations in the Governor's proposed budget, with an additional $235 million in cuts to K-12 education; $65 million in cuts to Universities; nearly $50 million in cuts to DES primarily for child care subsidy, and $20 million in cuts to DHS. The cuts are clearly targeted at reducing services for children.

The Senate plan includes significant reduction of eligibility in AHCCCS, and also includes a monthly premium, in addition to copayments, for participants in AHCCCS, ALTCS and Kidscare. The budget reduces the lifetime limit for TANF benefits to 18 from 36 months, and eliminates the state subsidy for child care.

AHCCCS Reform:  Follow the link for details of the Governor's recently released Medicaid reform plan:  

• Eliminates new enrollment of childless adults, a reduction of about 1000,000 over a 12 month period
• Reduces provider rates by 5%
• Proposes copayments, institutes a "no-show" fee for missed appointments and eliminates non-emergency transportation
• Eliminates state reimbursement for emergency care for non-qualified aliens
• Watch List Item: The Governor's proposed Medicaid Reform Plan also proposes reducing respite services for caregivers of persons with developmental disabilities

The Governor's plan does not include the special healthcare assessment being proposed by the hospitals and health plans.

SB 1190 (DDD; ICFMRS) passed the House Health and Human Services Committee last week, along with an amendment that allows DDD to increase the amount of benefits a client may retain from 12% to 30% for a six month period upon the demonstration of need. The amendment will be removed if it is determined to have a fiscal note (adverse budgetary impact).  

HB 2213 (changes references to mental retardation to references to an intellectual disability) will be heard in Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee.

Senate Bills 1591 and 1593 - exclude treatment of autism

The Arizona Senate recently passed legislation which would remove protections for autism treatment in health insurance coverage (Steven's Law). Senate Bills 1591 and 1593 are moving toward consideration  in the Arizona House of Representatives. This legislation would allow corporations to purchase health insurance over state lines and avoid requirements adopted in Arizona to protect consumers. If approved, corporations would be able to purchase health insurance in other states that permit exclusions of autism treatment coverage. To contact your legislator go to www.azleg.gov and see link to "Find my Legislator". Enter your address to find your legislative district and Congressional district.

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) issued for public comment the 2011 Application for Federal Funds under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and proposed policy revisions. Policy areas issued for comment include early intervention services, financial matters/family cost participation, and procedural safeguards.  

The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP) will accept input on the application and proposed policies, March 11, 2011 through May 10, 2011. Written comments may be submitted to DES/AzEIP at 3839 North Third Street, Suite 304, Phoenix, AZ 85012, or AzEIPPublicComments@azdes.gov by 1:00 p.m. on May 10, 2011. Written and verbal comments will be accepted at the following public comment hearings:

• April 11, 2011    1:00 - 3:00 PM 
   DES/AzEIP 3839 North Third Street, Suite 301, Phoenix, AZ 85012
• April 15, 2011    1:00 - 3:00 PM
  Easter Seals Blake Foundation Commerce Park Loop (CPL), The Santa Cruz and Pantano Rooms, 330 North Commerce Park Loop, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85745
• April 22, 2011    1:00 - 3:00 PM 
   Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind NCRC, 1000 E. Butler Ave, Suite 115, Flagstaff, AZ 86004  *Limited parking available

Day of Action Rally

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m
State Capitol (Rose Garden - North Side of House of Representatives), 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Sponsored by Arizona's Disability Advocacy Network in conjunction with Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition
Share your voice regarding the Arizona Legislature's plan for state budget. Agenda will include legislators, consumers, and community leaders.
Suggested activities:

• Request a meeting with your legislators (assistance available upon request, locate your State Legislators at http://www.votesmart.org.) 
• Register at a kiosk (assistance available) so you can provide your feedback and/or testimony regarding a particular bill.

Please RSVP: Contact David Carey at 602-443-0723 or by e-mail (davidc@abil.org) or register via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154644194595298.

World Down Syndrome Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. You can help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities. This date (3/21) represents the 3 copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down syndrome. More information visit http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

Free interactive webinar on the Importance & Benefit of Participating in Autism Research

 Wednesday, April 6, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT

Presented by Family Voices of California, the webinar will present the state of autism research, two high profile, national studies, SEED and EARLI, and the importance of families participating in autism research.  Parents will learn how researchers are seeking to discover the genetic and environmental risk factors for ASD and how they can contribute to science by participating in one of these studies. Register online or for more information, call:  1-866-279-0733 or email: autism.research@kp.org or go to: www.autismresearch.kaiser.org  

Test Your Health Reform Knowledge and Follow Implementation with New Interactive Features

The Kaiser Family Foundation has created an Interactive Quiz on Health Reform that allows users to test their knowledge about what's in- and what's not in- the health reform law.

Quiz takers can compare their results to the general public, which was asked the same series of 10 questions in one of the Foundation's recent Monthly Health Tracking Polls. The quiz also includes links to more information about specific provisions of the law.

The Foundation has also enhanced its Health Reform Implementation Timeline to highlight those provisions of the law that are already in effect or are in the process of being implemented. The enhanced timeline also includes a new feature that links to relevant government regulations and guidance available in the Foundation's Official Document Finder and summaries of reports and studies in the Source's Scan feed.

The Foundation's Health Reform Source, an online gateway providing easy access to new and comprehensive resources on the health reform law, has a variety of other tools and features focused on explaining the law. Navigate through two new Health Reform Infographics on the "individual mandate" and how people get coverage under reform. Watch an animated video featuring the YouToons explaining how the law works.

Poison Centers

No matter where you are in the U.S., calling the toll-free Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) will connect you to your local poison center. Poison experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions about medicines, food, plants, insect bites, chemicals, and any kind of poisoning. Calls are always free and confidential and services are provided in 161 languages.

51 percent of poisonings involve children under the age of 6.

Visit the HRSA Poison Help site to find more poison prevention tips.

Respite Night

When: First Friday nights of the month 6-9 pm (Upcoming respite nights: March 4th, April 1st, May 6th)

Where: Highlands Church, 9050 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale

For children ages 2 and older.

Cost: $10.00 for the first child, $5.00 for each additional child, up to $20.00 per family. Scholarships are available. 

Reservations are required. First come, first served - reservations accepted starting 4 weeks ahead of time and close one week before. The number of children accepted varies with the number of volunteers available. A pizza dinner is served,  For more information call Missy Farrington at 602-820-3345 or email: mfarrington@highlandschurch.org

Free Horseback Riding

For children with special needs and their siblings.

Where: 148th and East Rio Verde Drive (aka Dynamite), Scottsdale

When: twice a month on Sunday afternoons.

Reservations are required.

All are welcome, no faith-based activities.

For more information call Missy Farrington at 602-820-3345 or email: mfarrington@highlandschurch.org

This week at Raising Special Kids:

03/22/11 - Getting and Keeping the First Job - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Assist families with identifying the importance of employment for youth with disabilities and special needs.

03/23/11 - High School Transition - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Learn how the transition plan in a student's IEP in high school can prepare for higher education, employment, and the life in the community.  Resources discussed. 

03/24/11 - Understanding 504 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Learn about the rules and regulations of a 504 Plan and how it differs from the IEP(IDEA). 

Northern Arizona Workshops:

03/22/11 - Journey to Adulthood - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Information about physcial, emotional, and social changes that adolescence, and puberty bring to every child. 

03/23/11 - Advanced IEP - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

An in-depth view of the IEP and strategies to help maximize the potential of each student. 

25th Annual Special Day for Special Kids

Saturday, March 26, 2011. 10 am - 2 pm

Includes train rides, carnival activities, carousel rides, games, activity booths, clowns, face painting, petting zoo, plus lots of food and ice cream...all for FREE!

Location: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale (southwest corner of Indian Bend and Scottsdale roads)

Questions? Contact Dan McAuliffe 480-624-2338 or Raising Special Kids (En Español) 480-242-4366

Collaborative Therapies Conference - Free

Raising Special Kids Outreach Events (host an information table)

Special Day for Special Kids on Saturday March 26
Choose a time slot between 10 am and 2pm.
This event is a real blast for volunteers, staff and everyone who attends. The event goes for 4 hours, but there's no need to commit for the full time period--choose a time slot that's convenient for you. You can enjoy meeting families with their kids while hosting our information table, and then spend some time exploring the festivities and munching on a free lunch!  

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 
jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

Tell us how health care issues affect families of children with special needs. If you haven't yet taken our survey please use this link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/HealthSurveyforAZFamilies 

Your help in increasing awareness and understanding of the challenges families face is appreciated.