Congress May Weaken Special Education

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) still waits to be reauthorized by congress.

The Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) has urged the Department of Education to uphold critical elements of the law which reinforce educational opportunity, particularly for students with disabilities including:

1)        maintaining disaggregation of data,

2)        subgroup accountability for students with disabilities, and

3)        upholding highly qualified teacher provisions.

These provisions have enabled parents, teachers, and school leaders - to access data on how the educational system serves children with disabilities. Although academic achievement is still far below the desired level, the availability of this data has increased expectations for the academic performance of students with disabilities. 

Read CEC's full letter to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reduced hours for Social Security Offices

Social Security offices nationwide will close a half-hour earlier beginning August 15 due to budget cuts. Read more

AHCCCS announces decision on respite hours

Last week AHCCCS released its decision on the reduction of the maximum allowed number of respite hours per year. The initial proposal was to reduce from 720 hours to 360. Families and providers were relieved to discover the ceiling will be set at 600 hours.

The announcement noted AHCCCS received written comments from over 500 individuals, and nearly 250 individuals attended one of the two community forums. Thanks to the efforts of many parents who turned out to advocate for individuals with disabilities, a devastating cut to services has been blunted.

Weigh In on Redistricting

The Arizona Redistricting Commission is drawing the political maps for establishing the boundaries of the state's legislative districts. The Commission is holding public meetings around the state. District boundaries drawn in a fair manner help ensure that elections result in equal representation. Here is a link to the full list of upcoming public hearings.

Keep Applying for AHCCCS

Here's a recommendation from Children's Action Alliance:

"Although AHCCCS stopped approving new enrollment for childless adults, they are still obligated to accept and process all applications for medical assistance. It's important that everyone who needs health coverage continue to apply for two reasons. First, there is a pending lawsuit that may stop the freeze. People who apply now could be covered in the future.  Second, there are some people with specific criteria that will be covered through other AHCCCS categories and they shouldn't go without medical assistance.
Visit www.dontgetdroppedaz.com to learn more about helping current enrollees maintain their benefits. 

A new page has been posted to the AHCCCS website with information about the benefit changes for 2011:  http://www.azahcccs.gov/reporting/legislation/sessions/2010/BenefitChanges.aspx

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new Fragile X Syndrome research-based website! On the home page, there is a box dedicated to data & statistics which is "syndicated". That means you can put it on your website, and whenever it is updated it with new data, it will automatically be updated on your site too.

Information about Empowerment Scholarship Accounts from Arizona's Department of Education: https://www.azed.gov/ESS/ESAs/

Updated Health Care Resources Manual

See Children's Action Alliance for the latest edition of information about AHCCCS, KidsCare and health care options plus more resources. Download the manual or order by contacting: caa@azchildren.org or 602-266-0707.

Nonprofit Horse Camp serves children with disabilities

After 10 years at Arizona State University as a research program, Hunkapi is now an independent non-profit that continues to serve individuals ages 3 through adult, with behavioral, emotional and developmental needs. Services include riding programs, equine therapy and parties.

Hunkapi Programs, Inc

Mailing Address: 10401 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd #2382 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Lesson & Office Location: Camelot Farms 12051 North 96th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Office: 480.393.0870/Fax: 480.626.4134 Email: info@hunkapi.org

http://www.hunkapi.org/

Tips for Parents on Your Child's Transition to Kindergarten

Going to kindergarten is a major milestone in you and your child's life. If you're planning to send your young child with a disability to kindergarten in the fall, try these tips over the summer:

• Have your child visit the classroom and meet the teacher before the school year begins
• Arrange play times with other students who will be in your child's classroom
• Take pictures of the school and classroom and use the pictures to talk with your child about starting kindergarten
• Read books with your child about kindergarten, such as: "David Goes to School" by David Shannon or "Off to School, Baby Duck!" by Amy Hest

For more tips and a look at how one mother prepared for her child's transition to kindergarten, read PACER's summer Early Childhood Connection newsletter, available here.

The Miracle League of AZ, a baseball league for children and teens with mental and physical disabilities, has announced that the Fall League will start with the official Grand Opening Day of September 10, 2011. The season will start the following week with an 8-week game schedule. Please check the website http://www.mlaz.org/ for registration information or email deanna.zuppan@mlaz.org.

Sensory Friendly Films are available in some locations offering safe and accepting environments for kids who are challenged by the traditional movie theater environments. Visit the Autism Society's page: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/

Stigma Reduction: SAMHSA webinar Thursday, July 28th at noon

There is an invitation to join the ARIZONA STIGMA REDUCTION COMMITTEE at the Department of Behavioral Health Services. Joining Together for Wellness and Recovery, will launch for the first-ever National Wellness Week. Information about this webinar and national event is at: http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/10by10/training.aspx
Registration will close at 5 p.m. ET, on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. If you will be joining the group at DBHS in Phoenix, you do not have to register - just bring your lunch and a soft drink. 

The DBHS address is:  150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, and the webinar will be held on the 2nd floor in Conference Room 200 (to your right as you exit the elevator). Free covered parking is available on the first floor of the garage directly across from the DBHS building.

National Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar

Ticket to Work: Support Services for People Who Live with a Disability and Want to Work

Wednesday, July 27, 2011, Time: 1:00 p.m. (in Arizona time zone)

If you live with a disability, it is possible for you to work and continue receiving your disability benefits. Social Security's Ticket to Work and Work Incentives can provide the employment supports you need to succeed on the job.

The July 27 national WISE webinar, Ticket to Work: Support Services for People Who Live with a Disability and Want to Work, will present information about special Social Security programs and rules that may apply because of a medical condition. You will learn from Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Projects and Employment Network representatives about the Ticket to Work Program and Work Incentives including:

• Information on Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
• Answers to frequently asked questions and concerns
• Where to find more information
• Success stories from people who used their Ticket to Work

Register online: http://chooseworkttw.net/wise/jsp/wise.jsp or call 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)

Parent Leadership Opportunities

Volunteer needed for Outreach Saturday, August 6th  9:00 am to 1:00 pm

United Healthcare APIPA and Golden Gate Back to School Health and Safety Fair at Golden Gate Community Center (39th Ave & McDowell) 1625 N. 39th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ  85009
Please call Janna at 602-242-4366, x218.