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November 14, 2011 

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

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Self-Advocates Appointed to PCPID

President Obama announced his intent to appoint two self-advocates to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID).

• Lauren Elizabeth Potter is a cast member on the FOX television program Glee where she plays the part of Becky Jackson.
• Julie Ann Petty is a project trainer for Partners for Inclusive Communities at the Arkansas University Center on Disabilities.

President Obama said, "I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years."

Affordable Care Act Court Challenges

Last week the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit upheld the ACA's individual mandate to purchase health insurance, ruling that the law does not over-step congressional power. Today's Supreme Court announcement confirms that it will take up some of the ACA cases. The Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the 2010 health care overhaul law. Oral arguments are expected by March and a decision in late June.

Department of Education Announces first ever Office for Early Learning

Council for Exceptional Children Policy Insider

Last week at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Conference, Senior Advisor on Early Learning Jacqueline Jones announced the Department of Education's plan to create the first ever Office for Early Learning. The object of this new office will be to provide the strong coordinated collaboration necessary to dramatically improve early learning services. Read more.  

New Data Collection to Improve Research

HHS Announces New, Refined Survey Standards to Examine, Help Eliminate Differences in Care Based on Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Primary Language, or Disability   

HHS Press Office

Participants who self report health information on surveys from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will soon be answering new questions about race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, or disability. These standardized questions, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will not only help researchers collect information about, analyze, and identify health disparities specific to ethnic groups, but also design interventions to reduce health disparities in other underserved populations, including individuals with disabilities. Read the final data collection standards  for race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, and disability status. 

Children at Risk

The Arizona Child Safety Task Force was created by the Governor for improving the state's ability to protect children served through the Child Protective Services division.  

While many children are vulnerable, children with special health care needs and disabilities are more likely to be victims of abuse and neglect, more likely to live in care facilities and institutional settings, and less likely to have the verbal and cognitive capacity to speak for themselves, or to seek help. Recommendations are being made for the following:

• Add an advocate for children with disabilities as a member of the Child Safety Task Force  
• Ensure that appropriate safeguards and services are available within inclusive and integrated settings
• Preserve, when possible, the sibling bonds and relationships in considering placement and adoption
• Annually provide CPS data on the number of children with disabilities and special health conditions

CPS Public Forum

Wednesday, November 16th at 9 AM

1700 W. Washington Street

Executive Tower, 2nd Floor Conference Room

New Five Year State Plan from DDPC

The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, created through Executive Order by Governor Jan Brewer, is a 23-member public body charged with creating a state plan to direct federal funds in support of programs which assist individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The policy of the Council is to promote quality improvements in employment, health, self-advocacy, and integration in community life. The Council's new Five Year State Plan is available here: State Plan (2012-2016).

New Report Shows Medicaid Spending Slows, But States & Patients Pick Up Bigger Share

(From Children's Action Alliance)
A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that for FY 2012 legislators authorized spending on Medicaid (known in Arizona as AHCCCS), by an average of just 2.2% between FY 2011 and FY 2012, the second smallest increase in the last 12 years.

However, because temporary federal funding is due to expire, states will see a 29% increase in their share of Medicaid costs in FY 2012. Increased federal funding had shielded states from higher costs, even as more Americans turned to this important safety net when they lost jobs and employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.

States are coping by cutting reimbursements to medical providers, eliminating benefits, and increasing copayments patients pay when seeking services. Arizona has done all three.

Due to the enrollment freezes in KidsCare and AHCCCS for childless adults, Arizona is the only state expected to see Medicaid enrollment decline in 2012. As of November 2nd, AHCCCS reports more than 125,000 children are not receiving KidsCare due to the Arizona enrollment freeze. KidsCare enrollment has fallen more than 70% since the freeze took effect in December 2009.

DDD Leadership Change

For the past ten years, Barbara Brent has served in the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The last five years as the director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Barbara directed a comprehensive statewide managed care program for 25,000 people with developmental disabilities including acute care, behavioral health and Home and Community Based Services. Over 85% of the individuals served living with their families or in homes of their own. This ranks as one of the nation's highest rates of community-based care. In reflecting on the importance of the state's efforts to serve people with developmental disabilities, Barbara stated, "Our work is a collective effort of DES and DDD leadership, ...people with developmental disabilities and their families, the many advocacy groups and community organizations in our Arizona communities, our providers and sister agencies. We stand strongest when everyone in our community stands together."

Barbara was recently appointed Director of State Policy for the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services. Effective December 5th, Barbara will manage the NASDDDS technical assistance team and be available to assist state agencies in administering a managed care system, developing services that support family caregivers, and autism services.

It is anticipated that the Department of Economic Security will appoint an interim director, and announce the start of a search process for the chief leadership post at the Division of Developmental Disabilities. 

Parent Training

Keeping In Touch - Tempe Union High School District's No Parent Left Behind (NPLB)

Training to provide parents, grandparents, and/or guardians with the opportunity to network, share experiences, lend support, and learn useful parenting strategies in a non-judgmental environment. Participation is free and available to everyone inside and outside of the Tempe Union High School District. Students are especially encouraged to attend with parents unless otherwise specified.

Times and locations of workshops may vary. Refreshments will be provided.

Call the Parent Community Services Office at (480) 838-3200 extension 40074 for more details.

Methods of pre-registration for workshops include: Online Phone: (480) 838-3200 x40074 or Email: kcosner@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Workshops Click here to see 2011-12 workshops.

Next workshop: Substance Abuse Workshop for the Entire Family

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Refreshments @ 6pm, Workshop 6:30 pm - 8 pm (visit registration page for details)

AZ Care Check

Arizona's Department of Health Services, Division of Licensing has a web site that provides a 3-year history of survey results, complaint investigation results for licensed facilities (hospital and other medical facilities, childcare or behavioral healthcare services, nursing homes and assisted living) including any enforcement actions in the last 3 years. AZ Care Check also provides the user with facility names, addresses, city, phone number and other useful information.

Adaptive Recreation - Skiing

Arizona Snowbowl offers an adaptive skiing/snowboarding program that helps customers build their confidence, improve their fitness level, make new friends and perhaps find a new passion for winter sport.

Reservations are required. Contact the Ski & Ride School at (928) 779-1951 x189 or lessons@arizonasnowbowl.com or learn more at:

http://www.arizonasnowbowl.com/ski_ride_school/adaptive_program.php

And don't forget to check the adaptive recreation opportunities through your local community's parks and recreation department.

Children's Action Alliance 2012 Leadership Academy - Accepting Applications
Various dates/times in January (click here for details)
CAA Office, 4001 N 3rd St, Suite 160 in Phoenix
View/download the application
 
Learn how to be a leader in your community on children's issues that concern you and on the challenges facing Arizona children and families! CAA is now accepting applications to the 2012 Leadership Academy. The program is designed to be interactive and rewarding with a curriculum that ranges from leadership skills to thoughtful analysis of public policy. In addition, each participant will design an individual community improvement project and, with guidance from CAA staff and advisors, will present a plan to tackle their policy issue.
 
The seven-session Leadership Academy is free, but is limited to only 15 participants. Click here for class dates and curriculum details.

Applications are Due November 29, 2011.

Pediatric Feeding Disturbances Conference

Reassure or Refer? Presented by P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E. Center ®

Saturday, January 14, 2012

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rosati Education Center at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, Arizona

This seminar is designed for pediatricians, neonatologists, gastroenterologists, allergists, pulmonologists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, students and parents.

Registration due Dec. 31, 2011. Registrations sent in after this date MUST be called in to (602) 222-6222. To register online, visit www.bannerhealth.com/230CARE. (Credit/debit cards only.)

For more information, call (602) 222-6222 or e-mail chris@popsicle.org

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

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