Monday Memo from Raising Special Kids September 5, 2011

Monday Memo:

News for the week of September 5, 2011

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September 5, 2011

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Welcome to our weekly memo featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in the know.

New Part C IDEA Regulations to Improve Outcomes for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education released the final regulations for the early intervention program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The regulations focus on measuring and improving outcomes for 350,000 children served by the Part C program with the goal of ensuring that such children are ready for preschool and kindergarten.

Additionally, the final regulations provide states with flexibility in some areas, while ensuring state accountability to improve results and providing needed services for infants and toddlers and their families.

Part C is a $436 million program administered by states that serves infants and toddlers through age 2 with developmental delays or who have diagnosed physical or mental conditions with high probability of developmental delays.

Preventive Services Covered by Private Health Plans

The Affordable Care Act created new requirements that private insurers cover preventive services, including routine immunizations, screenings for conditions such as cancer and high cholesterol, and preventive services for women. A new fact sheet from the Kaiser Family Foundation outlines these prevention requirements and discusses the impact they may have.

Health Insurance Tax Credits: Who's Eligible and How Much?

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2020, 20 million people in the U.S. will receive premium tax credits to help offset the costs of their insurance, with an average credit of $6,740.1 This will substantially reduce premium costs for people who are uninsured and must buy coverage on their own or pay the full premium for COBRA coverage if they lose their job.

Who is eligible for the credits?
Are employees of firms that offer coverage eligible for the tax credits?
How much of the premium will the tax credits cover and when will they be available?

Read more from The Commonwealth Fund Blog

Cutting Special Education Spending

By Nirvi Shah, Education Week

School districts that want to reduce special education spending from one year to the next without restoring what was cut now have the blessing of the U.S. Department of Education.

In the past, federal law was interpreted to mean that once a district set its special education budget, it could not be reduced permanently except for very specific reasons. Read more

Arizona News

Ruling: AHCCCS Copays Break Law

Officials failed to show their purpose, appeals court says

by Mary K. Reinhart - The Arizona Republic
Federal officials have two weeks to decide whether to appeal or provide more information to the court in hopes of having the copays upheld. For now, AHCCCS officials said, they remain in place. Among those affected are thousands of homeless people and those with chronic conditions, including an estimated 5,500 people diagnosed with serious mental illness.

Featured Resources

Practical ways for schools to increase parent and family involvement

It is not enough to just invite parents or family members to the school or to their child's IEP meeting. Parents and family members must be proactively supported in order for their involvement to be successful. Read more

Early Learning resources

The Center on Instruction offers evidence-based Early Learning resources to help educators and policymakers improve teaching and learning for all young children birth to age five. The materials are designed to facilitate children's cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development by providing instructional support in the content areas of emergent literacy, mathematics, and science. Materials also highlight early intervention for struggling learners and evidence-based instructional strategies for children who are learning English to support classroom diversity and differentiated instruction.

New NICHCY "app" for android phones

NICHCY is very pleased to offer a new app (application) for android phone users. It's called DisAbilityConnect. With a tap of your finger, you can find the contact information for organizations offering info on disabilities, special education, early intervention, support groups, and many more disability connections. DisAbilityConnect is easy to download to your android phone. Just go to: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.amdee.disabilityconnect

p.s. And for all you iPhone users....be patient. We're working on a similar app for your smart phone.

Low Cost Internet Provided by Comcast to Low Income Families

How to qualify: To qualify for $9.95 a month Internet service and a low-cost computer, your household must meet all these criteria:

1. Be located where Comcast offers Internet service

2. Have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program

3. Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days

4. Not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment

How to apply: Call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to request an application

An application will be mailed to you. Complete and return it, along with lunch program documents from your child's school

We will notify you by mail about the status of your application. Allow 7-10 days for a response.

How to get connected: Once you are approved, you will receive a welcome package in the mail with everything you need to set up your Internet service and receive our free Internet training. If you choose to purchase a low-cost computer, your welcome package will provide details.

Comcast's website about the program in English: www.internetessentials
Comcast's website about the program in Spanish: www.internetbasico.com

Using What Works

Connect with the "how-to's" of what really helps students with disabilities learn: learning strategy instruction, peer tutoring and cooperative learning, explicit instruction, mnemonic instruction, graphic organizers, study aids and guides...very exciting for teachers and students alike.
http://nichcy.org/schoolage/effective-practices/meta80resources

May a member be excused from an IEP meeting?

http://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/meetings#excusal

Common Core State Standards

The Standards have been adopted in Arizona and define what all students are expected to know and be able to do. They set grade-specific standards but do not define the intervention methods or materials necessary to support students who are well below or well above grade-level expectations. The Standards should also be read as allowing for the widest possible range of students to participate fully from the outset and as permitting appropriate accommodations to ensure maximum participation of students with special education needs.

Critter safety tips from Phoenix Children's Hospital

The extreme summer heat doesn't just drive people indoors - the cool air is a welcome respite to some nasty critters. Some carry diseases and others use stingers, so it's best to be prepared in case you come in contact them.

Learn what to do:

Scorpion stings

Tick bites

Spider bites

Bees, wasps, ants and allergic reactions

Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Preventive measures

Emergency evacuation tips

and other links to helpful sites for emergency preparedness:

http://delawarefamilytofamily.org/Irene.html

National Preparedness This September: A Time To Remember. A Time To Prepare.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign has new Web tools to help individuals and organizations join the 2011 National Preparedness Month (NPM) coalition. NPM is held each September and encourages Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. The Ready Campaign website also has specific emergency preparedness information for people with disabilities http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
http://www.ready.gov/america/npm11/_downloads/NPM_Factsheet_20110620.pdf

Raise Your Voice Focus Groups Report

Report from the Arizona Department of Health Services Division of Behavioral Health Systems Transformation Committee

Events and Activities

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan - presentation

Friday, September 9th from 2:30 to 3:00 PM

Presentation by Kaihe Akahane from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

This program created by the Affordable Care Act is the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan for children and adults who have been locked out of the health insurance market because of a pre-existing condition. The program includes health coverage for physician's services, hospital care, and prescription drugs-even to treat a pre-existing condition. It does not charge a higher premium because of a medical condition and eligibility is not based on income. To qualify: must be a citizen of the United States or a legal resident, uninsured for at least 6 months before applying, and have a pre-existing condition or denied insurance coverage because of your health condition. To find out more about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, including eligibility, benefits and how to apply, visit www.pcip.gov.

To RSVP and request reasonable accommodations contact John at 602-443-0720 or johnb@abil.org. Please do not wear fragrances or scented products to this presentation.

5th Annual DDD Provider Fair

Saturday, November 12th

10:00am - 2:00pm

Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix

The DDD Provider Fair is for individuals eligible to receive services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD qualifying disabilities are Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Cognitive Disability or Epilepsy). Over 60 Providers and Community Partners will be on hand to answer questions on Respite, Habilitation, Attendant Care, Housekeeping, Day Programs, Residential Services, Employment Services, Therapies, as well as many other services and products. Walmart gift cards will be distributed. Fun and Games, Food and Drinks. For more information log on to www.azproviderfair.com.

Seeking entries from artists with disabilities

Artists who are over 19 years old, have a disability and live in Arizona or one of Phoenix's nine sister cities are eligible for the sixth annual Phoenix Sister Cities International Competition for Artists with Disabilities.

The deadline for the contest is Oct. 1. Cash awards of $500, $300 and $150 will be granted to the first, second and third place winners. An event to display the art and announce the winners will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at The Warehouse 1005, located at 1005 N. First St.

For more information, email mjtrunzo@mindspring.com.

Feeding Intervention Workshop

TR-eat for Success, presented by Pediatric Feeding Institute

Sunday, September 25, 2011

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Arizona State University SkySong

1475 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ85257

More information

FREE Workshop for People with Disabilities and Their Families

How to Create a "One-Page" Profile - Creating a Positive Introduction

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

9am - 3pm

DoubleTree Suites (Airport), 320 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Create a personal profile for your family member using Person-Centered Thinking Principles,
Learn new strategies for increasing community involvement and connect with other families

Workshop with National Person-Centered Practices Expert, Michael Smull

Each family will create a short personal profile. Meals will be Provided. Space is Limited - Mandatory Registration. Please Register by Monday, September 19th. Please contact the Sonoran UCEDD at 520-626-0442 or ucedd@email.arizona.edu

Free Hearing Health Seminar

Cochlear America will be offering a free Hearing Health Seminar in Phoenix on

October 1st from 8am-12:30pm.

Please register at www.hearinghealthseminar.com or by calling 1-877-432-7844.
The seminar is geared for those with hearing loss who may be potential CI/Baha candidates and for those wanting to learn more about implantable technology.

Free Trainings and Workshops

Bully-Free Environments

September 06, 2011

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Learn how to recognize bullying, effectively respond and build positive solutions.

Turning 3, What's Next? AzEIP to Preschool

September 07, 2011

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Learn how to transition your child from AzEIP services to preschool services provided by the school district.

Guardianship/Turning 18, What's Next?

September 08, 2011

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Making the decision; understanding the process. Learn what guardianship involves before your teen turns 18. You will also learn about alternatives to guardianship.

High School Transition

September 08, 2011

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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

Positive Behavior Support Seminar for Parents

September 10, 2011

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

This seminar is full. Please call the office at 602-242-4366 to place your name on the waiting list. Thank you.

Presented by Dan Davidson, Ph.D. BCBA-D, Institute for Human Development, Northern Arizona University

Parent Leader Opportunities

Saturday, September 10, 2011 ~ Sharing Down Syndrome - 12 Annual Walk for Down Syndrome (formerly known at the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk) Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. Raising Special Kids will be hosting an information table at this event from 7:30am to 11:30am. If you are available to assist in hosting the table for an hour or two, please contact Janna Murrell at jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

Quote of the Week

"Thank you for presenting this workshop. My hope is that we will develop and implement this program for students with disabilities in our district".

- Special Education Professional

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