Thank You CareScape!

For the past four years Raising Special Kids has been the beneficiary of The Dandelion Golf Classic sponsored by CareScape, Inc. This remarkable event has consistently been an amazing source of support of programs and services for families of children with disabilities. This past weekend saw the highest results yet with $42,000 donated to Raising Special Kids. The spirit reflected in the hard work and generosity of CareScape staff and volunteers is a welcome asset to our community. We are grateful for their support.

Child Health Day

is October 3, 2011 and Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F) are highlighted this year for the work that they do for children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities. Raising Special Kids is proud to be the Family-to-Family Health Information Center in Arizona. In helping children lead healthy lives, we've helped more than 8,000 families in the past year navigate services, communicate with their child's doctor, coordinate care, and learn from other families. Learn more about F2Fs in this video:

Posted in the Federal Register

The final Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C regulations have been posted in the Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-28/html/2011-22783.htm. The document includes a summary of the major changes in the final regulations from those proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the rationale for each of these changes is discussed in the Analysis of Comments and Changes section.

Also in the Federal Register were proposed rules for IDEA Part B related to the use of public benefits or insurance in which a child participates to provide or pay for services required under Part B of IDEA. Comments on these regulations are due December 12, 2011 and can be submitted online at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=ED-2011-OSERS-0012-0001 or mail: Jennifer Sheehy, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland

Avenue, SW., room 5103, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-

2600.

Shortages of critical drugs

Drug shortages mean a growing number of Americans aren't getting the medications they need. That's causing drug companies and doctors to ration available medications in some cases. Read more

Supreme Court to address Medicaid Cuts

A case brought against California could have ramifications across the country. The federal Medicaid law establishes a cooperative federal-state program in which the federal government assists states to furnish medical help for the poor, elderly and the disabled. The California Legislature cut fees for hospitals, doctors and other providers...Read more

Reaction to No Child Left Behind Act

Concerns raised by advocates of students with disabilities following the release Sept. 22 of details of President Barack Obama's plans to give states flexibility on the No Child Left Behind Act... There is not sufficient attention on the schools that struggle to consistently meet the academic needs of students with disabilities... Read more

Redesigning CRS

Raising Special Kids is working with St. Luke's Health Initiatives (SLHI) interviewing families who are currently using the Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) system to obtain input on designing a new model for CRS. In January of 2011, a process was begun to integrate CRS into the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS - the Medicaid program in Arizona). AHCCCS is working to create a specialty health plan that would manage care not only for CRS conditions but also for other medical and potentially behavioral health conditions.

Stakeholder involvement and input is critical to this process. Consumers and their family members, providers, and other interested parties should have the opportunity to be part of shaping the best type of plan to deliver and pay for services for CRS conditions, as well as services related to primary care, behavioral health, and other needs. Interviews are being held with parents throughout Arizona to gain input from a broad sample of stakeholder families. AHCCCS welcomes input from all CRS families. If you would like to know more visit this page on AHCCCS website

More information is available here: Background

New Child Care Home Rules

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced new rules go into effect for child care homes (childcare homes provide "pay" childcare for 5 to 10 children). The new rules go hand in hand with SB 1315, which outline standards for child care homes. The new rules simplify the application process and reduce insurance requirements, and include updated training needs for staff to prepare food, formula, and breast milk.  The new rules allow operators to use prescription medications to treat life-threatening conditions (like asthma).  See a newly developed checklist on the ADHS revamped childcare licensing website.  ADHS will also be conducting trainings for operators.

Change in AHCCCS benefits for adults

AHCCCS has release an explanation of a change in benefits that began on October 1 for adults. There will be a 25-day inpatient hospital limit for adults aged 21 years or older within a 12 month period of time. Please visit the AHCCCS website for more information.

Lawsuit filed against scholarships

The Arizona School Boards Association and Arizona Education Association have sued to block a new law that provides publicly funded scholarships that allow children with disabilities to attend private schools...Read more from East Valley Tribune

Progress on redistricting map

The Arizona Capitol Times reported on updates to the redistricting plan which will strongly influence future elections:

-    Arizona's five redistricting commissioners will begin filling the hole in the center of their "donut" congressional district plan ...read more. But wait, there's even more (read for more updates)

Stuttering Association Youth Day

The National Stuttering Association is hosting a Youth Day on Saturday October 22 from 8:30-12 at ASU in Tempe. This one-day event will focus on providing information and support to young children, teens, their families and the professionals that work with them.

Find a link for parents to sign up at https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/nsa/event.jsp?event=247

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.

Presentation: The College Experience for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Presenter: Garret Westlake, Director of the Disability Resource Center for Arizona State University's Polytechnic 

Garret Westlake is the Director of the Disability Resource Center for Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus. He has experience leading college groups and working with students on the spectrum at the community college and university level. His program at ASU offers specific courses for students on the spectrum, including a discussion-based skills course in the fall and an entrepreneurship course in the spring. Garret shares strategies and opportunities for students on the spectrum interested in postsecondary education.  

This training will address how to support individuals on the autism spectrum to successfully transition into college. Key components will be discussed on how students and families can prepare for the college experience through peer, residential, campus, and community supports. Factors to consider in determining the best fit for a student (e.g., community college or a university) will also be covered in this training.
Date:  Tuesday, October 4th  

Time:  4:30pm - 6:00PM 

Location: SARRC Main Campus for Exceptional Children, 300 N. 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Cost: Free for individuals with ASDs, Others - $10 per attendee
More Info/ Register  

Please register for all workshops. To register, click on the name of the workshop or call 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.

Location: 5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204, Phoenix, AZ 85034

United Way Donations Can Help Raising Special Kids

Raising Special Kids is eligible for donations made through United Way campaigns. Make a workplace donation through your employer using a monthly payroll deduction. Raising Special Kids is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

United Way pledge cards have a Donor Choice location in which to write Raising Special Kids name and address (5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034), or use our United Way Number: 314. Thank you for supporting families of children with disabilities and special health needs!

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate your meeting with me today. The information you provided was exactly what we need at this time, and I feel a renewed sense of hope that getting the appropriate help for my daughter is actually possible."