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Monday Memo:
News for the Week April 25 - May 1, 2011
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Welcome to our weekly memo
featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in the know. |
| National News | |
Last year, the House of Representatives passed the Keeping All Students Safe Act by a bipartisan vote of 262-153. This legislation was the first national effort to address harmful restraint and seclusion. The Senate never voted on it, and the House has reintroduced the exact same bill, H.R. 1381, seeking to pass it again this year. Read more information and FAQs from CPI.
Health Information Technology - Medical Home
Patients' electronic health records (EHRs) should be portable and secure, and they should also be conducive to sharing information within the setting of a medical home. According to a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement, "Health Information Technology (HIT) and the Medical Home," published in the May 2011 issue of Pediatrics (published online April 25), HIT is the tool that can help support these important pediatric information functions within the medical home-the place where each patient's medical care is coordinated. Read more.
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| Arizona News | |
The 50th Legislature, first regular session, adjourned on April 20, after working all night. Lawmakers adjourned in 100 days - the shortest session in more than a decade. A total of 1350 bills were introduced this session, with 386 having passed. 211 bills have been signed and 7 have been vetoed by the Governor. The Governor has until May 2 to act on the remaining bills. In general, laws enacted during this regular session will become effective on July 20. Final versions of bills and related materials are available at the Arizona State Legislature Web Page: www.azleg.gov.
Recent Activity on bills:
- HB 2415: Signed by the Governor (Expands the requirements for school district policies on harassment, intimidation and bullying to cover electronic communications)
- SB 1190: Passed the House and transmitted to the Governor. (Requires the Department of Economic Security to hold meetings with parents and guardians of developmentally disabled individuals living in certain institutional settings to present placement options).
- SB 1232: Signed by the Governor (Continues the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council for ten years, and adds duties and members to the Council Committee)
- SB 1593: Passed the Senate and transmitted to the Governor. (Removes Arizona Insurance Mandates and permits corporations to avoid requirements put in place by the state of Arizona. The McLain Amendment proposes that all Arizona health mandates be repealed for all health insurance policies, even those written in Arizona.)
Special Session?
Rumors have been that there may be a special session in the fall to deal with the Governor's package on state personnel reform. And, there may be a special session on Medicaid and AHCCCS issues.
Deadlines to apply for the new Arizona Empowerment Accounts - For the 2011 fall semester, the deadline for parents to sign an agreement with the department is August 1, 2011. For the 2012 spring semester, the deadline is December 1, 2011. The department has up to thirty days to process agreements and notify the treasurer of the total number of qualified students who have properly filled out the agreements for empowerment accounts. |
| Community Activities & Events | |
April is Autism Awareness month!
- Free kit to help families of children with autism that wander off
- Hair stylists trained to work with kids with autism - In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Snip-its of Chandler and Gilbert staff underwent special training to work with children who have autism and special needs. Children with autism or sensory issues are scheduled afterhours on the last Tuesday of each month starting April 26. Chandler: 480-963-0800, or Gilbert: 480-963-8111.
Save the date: 2011 Art of Recovery Expo
This event is for adolescents, young adults and families. The Expo is to raise awareness about recovery from all types of addictions, and provide prevention techniques, education, and treatment solutions for the health and wellness of the community.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Phoenix Convention Center
Featuring Keynote Speaker, Grammy Award Winner, PAUL WILLIAMS
This event is free and open to the public. Workshops throughout the day!
Kick-off for Mental Health Awareness Month
April 27, 2011, 10:00 am -12:00 Noon
Governor's Executive Tower in Phoenix, 2nd Floor Conference Room
1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix
Featuring a panel of behavioral health experts covering various topics about mental health.
Cost: Free (space is limited to the first 90 guests)
Panel Speakers:
Dr. Laura Nelson, Deputy Director, ADHS Division of Behavioral Health
Bill Kennard, CEO, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) of Arizona
Vicki L. Johnson, Executive Director, Mentally Ill Kids In Distress (MIKID)
Suzanne Legander, CEO, Stand Together And Recover Centers, Inc. (S.T.A.R.)
Shawri Leyba, Student and Youth Council Lead, MIKID
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| Featured Resources | |
- Illustrated fact sheets on veggies for download. Increase nutrition awareness: post a new one on your fridge each week and review the nutrition facts with kids. From Arizona Nutrition Network (more available on their site for kids and parents).
- Thrive To Five is a project of Communities In Schools of Tempe and Kyrene and is funded by First Things First to provide family support services to parents and/or caregivers of children aged birth to five years. Check out their variety of services including free dental for ages 0-5.
- Commentary on topic "What are Essential Benefits?" -- crucial for families of children with special health care needs to participate in this conversation as health reform policy is developed at federal level.
- Kaiser Family Foundation Flowchart illustrating how people will be able to get health care coverage starting in 2014.
- West Valley-Sun City Country Club is offering a free golf program for children with autism. Contact Ms. Pulz at academy@pennypulzgolf.com A child who applies will need to, in 200 words or less, tell why he or she should be enrolled in the Penny Pulz Golf Academy.
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| This Week: Free Training and Workshops | |
Please note the following event is FULL:
Collaborative Therapies Conference
May 7th, 2011
Names are being accepted for a waiting list in case of cancellations.
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April 28, 2011
Guardianship - Turning 18 what's next?
Raising Special Kids, 5025 E. Washington, #204, Phoenix, AZ 85034
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Guardianship: Making the decision; understanding the process. Learn what guardianship involves before your teen turns 18. You will learn alternatives to guardianship.
May 02, 2011
Getting & Keeping the First Job - Family Partners
9051 W. Kelton Lane, Ste. #7, Peoria, AZ 85382
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Assist families with identifying the importance of employment for youth with disabilities and special needs.
En Español
Este evento está lleno. Se aceptan nombres para la lista de espera en caso de cancelaciones. Foro de terapias colaborativas, 05/07/2011
Abril 25, 2011
El Comportamiento Positivo
Raising Special Kids, 5025 E. Washington, #204, Phoenix, AZ 85034
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
El vinculo entre las familias y las intervenciones y el apoyo conductal positivo es muy importante
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| Parent Leadership Opportunity | |
May 6th & 7th for conference at Phoenix Children's Hospital
Parent Leader assistance needed:
- Setup - 2 or 3 hours on Friday evening (May 6th) or
- Hosting/general assistance during conference on Saturday, May 7th 8:30 am - 2:00 pm (bilingual/Spanish speaking would be extra helpful!)
Please contact Carrie Swearengin for details carries@raisingspecialkids.org 602-242-4366 Ext. 219 |
| Quote of the Week | |
"I'm writing to let you know how grateful I am for the services Raising Special Kids provided. I was advised on what the school must do, what the school did not have to do, and how to communicate my concerns without being confrontational. Knowing the IEP Partner would be at the meeting gave me reassurance that this IEP meeting would be different. And it was. We were able to achieve everything we wanted in the IEP and more. I finally felt I had someone on my side." |
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Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support. |
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