What will new debt deal mean?

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) provided a brief overview of what the current state of funding is and the process to come. Here are the main points excerpted:

• First Round of Cuts:  The deal "caps" discretionary spending for the next ten years, meaning Congress can't appropriate more than the statutorily "capped" amounts. These caps will result in cuts of about $900 billion over the next decade. For Fiscal Years (FY) 2012 and 2013 these caps are projected to mean a cut to discretionary spending of $3 billion as compared to FY 2011 levels. Congress has yet to decide how that amount will be applied to programs - or specifically how it will impact education funding.
• Vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment:  The deal also requires the House and Senate to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment between October and December of this year.
• Second Round of Cuts:  The second round of cuts will be decided by a joint congressional committee called the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.  By August 16, leaders from both parties in the House and Senate must appoint members to this committee and its charge is to cut more. It must come up with an additional $1.5 trillion in cuts over fiscal years 2012-2021.
• Trigger: If Congress doesn't approve the Committee's recommendations by this December, significant cuts to defense and discretionary programs (including education) will automatically occur. Again, there is no information about which individual programs will be cut or by how much - but it is unrealistic to think IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) will escape the knife.

More Budget News Coming Up

Congress will be back in session after Labor Day, and there are sure to be many questions about the recent agreement to raise the debt ceiling.

Medicaid and other entitlement programs (SSI, Medicare, CHIP) are not subject to this first stage of cuts. Other programs serving children with special health care needs, such as Arizona's Title V block grant, are vulnerable to cuts in this first round.

If the special House-Senate "super committee" with a total of six Democrats and six Republicans doesn't find at least $1.2 trillion in savings, or the committee's recommendations are not approved by Congress, then automatic cuts are triggered in January 2013.

While Medicaid is not subject to this round of cuts, the committee can recommend cuts in any area. It is unlikely that budget-cutting targets can be met without reductions in Medicaid.   

Social Security payments will be on time

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that Social Security payments for August will be made on time and as scheduled. People still receiving paper checks from Social Security should consider signing up for Direct Deposit.  All current beneficiaries must switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013. More

Comments wanted on grant application

The 2012-2013 Joint SAPT/CMHS Block Grant Planning Application has been posted to the Department of Health's website for review and public comment (http://www.azdhs.gov/bhs/pdf/FY12_NBG_PC-Draft.pdf) .

This Application represents a marked departure from those of past years', as the goals are no longer driven by the requirements of SAMHSA, but by the State's identified needs and priorities around prevention and treatment services for both Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Please read the application and submit any comments to grantsmanagement@azdhs.gov.  

Featured Resources

Many kids abuse controlled medications

(Reuters Health) - More than one in five teens who get strong painkillers, stimulants or other controlled medications from their doctor take too much of the substances, according to a new survey...more

Overweight and Obesity Among People with Disabilities

http://1.usa.gov/rcAsdV

This NCBDDD factsheet covers: challenges facing people with disabilities, physical activity for people with disabilities, obesity on a national level, health consequences of overweight and obesity, as well as related resources and links.

Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Campus Disability Services

http://ahead.org/resources

Resources on developing inclusive programs in higher education for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities and the impacts on traditional DRS services. 

Article on grandparent involvement

Statistics show that more grandparents are caring for grandchildren.

Abstract: Health Disparities in Low-Income Families with Infants and Toddlers: Needs and Challenges Related to Disability

Children in low income households are more likely to suffer from poorer health status, which influences participation in essential child development and intervention services. This study examines disparities between low-income infants and toddlers with and without disabilities in the areas of health status, health care utilization, insurance coverage and parental satisfaction. Journal of Child Health Care, March 2011

Who Are America's Poor Children? Examining Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity

See a report that compiles data from multiple national studies on the health status and health risk of children living below the federal poverty line in the United States. The report covers some basic indicators of health status and health risk such as food insecurity, second-hand smoke, lead poisoning, health insurance coverage, physician care, dental care, birth weight, asthma, emotional and behavioral problems, and obesity. Each indicator is described in the context of overall health and health disparities that exist between non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. The report concludes with policy recommendations. 

Free: 16^th Annual Special Needs Activity Day

Veterans Memorial Center, Kykotsmovi, AZ (Hopi Tribal area in Northern Arizona)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

7:30 am - 3:00 pm (Registration: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM)

For more information please call the Hopi Tribe - Office of Special Needs (928) 734-3418

Everyone welcome!

Institute on Infant-Toddler Mental Health

The 14th Institute on Infant-Toddler Mental Health

September 16 & 17, 2011

Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, Chandler, Arizona

Sponsored by Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona

Conference title: From Risk to Resilience

Topics offered are valuable to those working in clinical practice, early intervention, family support, consultants, early care and education, pediatric medicine, child abuse prevention and intervention, and public policy. Brochure here