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2,500 parents and kids attended the 27th Annual Special Day for Special Kids on Saturday, at McCormick Railroad Park. Families enjoyed the petting zoo, face painting, games and prizes, ice cream, family portraits, character mascots from Disney and sports teams, and lunch. On behalf of all those who attended this fantastic event, we express our appreciation to the very hard-working members of the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club, Scottsdale Unified School District Service Learning volunteers, Phoenix El Puente Rotary Club, and the Raising Special Kids staff and board members. Thank you to all who contributed to making Special Day for Special Kids one of fun and celebration for children with special needs and their families.
Check out more photos on our Facebook page! |
| National News | |
Affordable Care Act debated in Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court today opens its review of President Barack Obama's health care law that might result in the parts of the legislation being found unconstitutional. Read article.
Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs and the ACA
As the second anniversary approaches of the new health care reform law, known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), families are seeing some of the options and protections it provides as an important step toward high quality, affordable health care services for children with special health care needs and disabilities. When fully implemented, some 32 million Americans who are without healthcare coverage will have insurance. For millions more, coverage will be more affordable. Here are several things to note about the ACA:
- Coverage for young adults. Dependent children are allowed to remain on their parent's plan until their 26th birthday. This means 2.5 million young adults through age 26 have gained coverage on their parent's plan.
- Pre-existing condition coverage. Millions of uninsured people, including children with special health needs have gained coverage through the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. This includes people with cancer, hemophilia, and other diseases that blocked them out of the health insurance system. Under the ACA, more of your insurance premium dollars must be spent on health care and not administrative costs.
- Removes lifetime "caps" on coverage. Insurance companies will no longer be able to place lifetime limits on coverage, and will be required to cover preventive services like cancer screenings without co-payments. With the removal of the "cap" about 28 million children with special health care needs are now insurable.
- Patients' Bill of Rights. The Patient's Bill of Rights will end some of the worst insurance abuses and places consumers, not insurance companies, in control of their health care.
- Lower costs for small businesses. Tax credits for small businesses make it easier to provide coverage to their workers. In 2011, 2 million workers in 360,000 firms benefitted from the small business health insurance tax credit.
Report on Restraint and Seclusion
In a new report, the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) called on the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to do more to reduce and prevent the use of restraint and seclusion on school children.
This report is the third in a series of reports on restraint and seclusion by NDRN called School Is Not Supposed to Hurt. The first two reports were issued in 2009 and 2010. Many others, including the Government Accountability Office, have reported on deaths and injuries resulting from the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.
In the report, NDRN urges strong national guidance to state education agencies and local school districts about when the use of restraint and seclusion might violate anti-discrimination and education laws, similar to the guidance that the Office of Civil Rights has already issued on bullying and harassment.
A copy of the report can be found at www.ndrn.org.
Input Sought on Technology Access
In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Known as Section 508, the standards provide criteria specific to various types of technologies, including:
- software applications and operating systems
- web-based information or applications
- telecommunication products
- video and multimedia products
- self contained, closed products (e.g., information kiosks, calculators, and fax machines)
- desktop and portable computers
The Federal government is seeking your input and expertise on how to improve making government data, processes, decisions and activities accessible. At the following site you can submit an idea, vote on existing ideas or add your comments: http://section508.ideascale.com/
Survey Shows Student Misunderstanding On College Loans
By Caralee Adams, Education Week blog
A survey of borrowers with high student loan debt shows that many did not fully understand what they were getting into as they entered the loan process. Read article.
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| Arizona News | |
Discussion on "Framing the Future of Long Term Care"
Friday, March 30, 2011 9am - noon
Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington Phoenix, AZ
AAPPD is hosting their second "Framing the Future of Long Term Care" (ALTCS) Seating is limited & reservations are requested. Open to providers, policymakers, consumers, advocates, parents, and business leaders.
- 9:00 am - Registration
- 9:30 - 11:30 am - Dialogue
- 11:30 am - noon - Determination of Next Steps
RSVP to Debbie Durnell at info@aappd.org or 480-557-8445. For more information visit http://www.aappd.org/
Facilitated by Nan Carle, Ph.D., with leaders in long-term care including:
- Barbara Brent, Policy Analyst, National Association of State Directors of Development Disabilities
- Jami Snyder, ALTCS Administrator, Arizona's Health Care Cost Containment System
- Sharon Sergent, Deputy Director, Arizona Department of Economic Security
- Sherry Klein, Acting Assistant Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Individuals Covered By Both Medicare and Medicaid
AHCCCS is developing a proposal that seeks to integrate and improve the health care and service delivery for people covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. These individuals, commonly referred to as "dual eligible," are currently navigating multiple systems to receive care. A series of stakeholder engagement meetings has been scheduled specifically for consumers. There is also a survey available for those who cannot attend a meeting. Information regarding the Dual Eligible proposal and a complete schedule of all scheduled stakeholder meetings may be found on the AHCCCS website, at http://www.azahcccs.gov/reporting/legislation/integration/Duals.aspx.
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New Scholarship Program for Advocates
LEAP (Leadership Education Advocacy Partnership) is a program to provide scholarship funding for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to participate in valuable learning opportunities that increase their knowledge of disability issues and their skills as advocates and community leaders.
This program, sponsored by Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona, consolidates training opportunity information into one easy-to-use calendar located on the Pilot Parents website at www.pilotparents.org. The site also lists eligibility requirements, event requirements, funding limits and application instructions. The program application is available for download in a fillable PDF form.
For more information on this program contact Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona Toll-free at 1-877-365-7220, in Tucson at (520) 324-3150 or on the web at www.pilotparents.org.
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| Featured Resources | |
Eating Right and Maintaining a Healthy Weight in Adolescence
From the HHS Office of Adolescent Health Insider
Calorie requirements depend on an adolescent's gender and activity level, and the range is wide: from 1,800 calories a day for a sedentary female to 3,200 for an active male. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 stress the importance of balance between a teenager's nutritional intake and their level of physical activity (a recommended 60 minutes a day). The Guidelines also note which foods teenagers should try to minimize (for example, consuming less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily) and which they should eat (i.e. at least half of all grains should be whole grains). ChooseMyPlate.gov has a number of tips and tools for putting the Guidelines into practice, including filling half of each plate with fruits and/or vegetables.
The Body Mass Index (BMI) helps to standardize the term "healthy weight." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) BMI Calculator for Children and Teens helps identify whether an adolescent may have an issue with being under- or over-weight. Healthcare providers should routinely screen teens and young adults to determine whether they are at a healthy weight.
Resource on Preschool Literacy
A brief overview of effective literacy practices from the Institute of Human Development at Northern Arizona University:
The Effect of a Narrative Intervention on Preschoolers' Language Skills
Training Module on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The IRIS Center Module, Accommodations: Instructional and Testing Supports for Students with Disabilities. To access the resource, please visit http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/acc/chalcycle.htm
In addition to the module, the Center posted a pair of podcast interviews. In the first, Martha Thurlow discusses the importance of understanding accommodations and how they should be used to give students with disabilities the same opportunities to master content standards as their non-disabled peers (http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resource_podcast/thurlow_acc01.html).
In the second podcast, Ryan Kettler discusses the importance of understanding the relationship between accommodations and educational assessment practices for students with disabilities (http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resource_podcast/kettler_acc02.html).
Article on Frequency of Brain Injuries in Teens
Girls Playing High School Sports More at Risk for Brain Injuries than Boys
A recent study conducted at MedStar Research Institute and published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine examined three high school sports that are most similar for boys and girls - basketball, soccer, and baseball/softball - and reported that girls consistently suffered twice as many concussions as boys. Read more.
Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the nation's first hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling.
The toll-free Helpline operates 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. This free, confidential and multilingual, crisis
support service is available via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (Text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) to U.S.
residents who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or man-made disasters. Callers are
connected to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the network. The
helpline staff provides confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services.
Teen Leadership Opportunity
Calling all 8th graders! Apply to be part of the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The group will get paid to meet once a month for a one-hour discussion online and over the phone. TAG plays a key role in helping develop materials that resonate with teens. Want to apply? E-mail Rose Hooks at rhooks@iqsolutions.com. The application deadline is March 31!
Link: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/apply-for-teen-advisory-group/
March is Save Your Vision Month
"Vision disorders are the number one handicapping condition for children. Those with special needs (including ADHD, autism, twice-exceptional children as well as gifted learners) commonly have a host of vision problems that can directly contribute to their difficulties and uneven development." Read more.
A New Mobility Device
A recently-invented mobility device for individuals who have paraplegia appears to be coming to market. See more about it here.
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| Events and Activities | |
2012 AZ Navajo North Special Needs Conference
"Celebrate Diversity: All Learners Are Unique"
March 29, 2012
Moenkopi Legacy Inn, Tuba City, AZ
Free of charge
Breakout sessions will include
- Student Engagement
- Parental Rights
- Basics of the IEP
- Parents as Partners
- Sensory Motor Integration
- And more great workshops for families of children with special needs
For more information call Sara Begay at 928-697-3802.
Sensory Friendly Films
AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment each month.
With Sensory Friendly Films, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing. For tickets for these events, please visit the theatre the day of the show. Next one is April 7. Visit here for more info.
Annual Family Support Picnic
With the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix
WHEN: Saturday, April 14th, 2012
TIME: 10:00am - 1pm
WHERE: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Papago Ramada (South End of the Park)
The Autism Society of Greater Phoenix will be providing GFCF Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, condiments, and paper products (plates, napkins, utensils).
Families are requested to bring an item to share by last name:
A-H: Drinks/Water/Juice/Soda, I-Q: Desserts, R-Z: Side Dishes.
You are encouraged to bring a GFCF or special diet item to share RSVP by April 7th to Sheryl at sherylmcclary@yahoo.com
Hoofbeats 2nd Annual Open House-FREE Admission
Sat., March 31st, 2012, 3-6 pm
43491 N Coyote, San Tan Valley (formerly Queen Creek)
Presenting: Lee Anderson the "Arizona Cowboy" and his famous horse Concho, who does tricks!
Plus: Painted Horse Competition, Kids Rodeo Clown Contest, Cowboy Campfire, Music, Meet Local Dignitaries, Admission isfree. Steak Dinner 6-8 pm $15 tickets sold separately
Hoofbeats With Heart provides programs that improve physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills of individuals with special abilities.
Contact kelley@hoofbeatswithheart.org or (602) 421-7718.
2012 Northern Arizona Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders
4/14/2012 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Location: Northern Arizona University, du Bois Center
306 E. Pine Knoll Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
For a map and directions to the event, click here.
For more information visit www.nazasa.org
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| Help Raising Special Kids make a difference | |
 | | Maureen, Conor (front) and family. |
Maureen feels that she's "always" known about Raising Special Kids. She recalls that just after her son, Conor, was born, a local support group introduced her and she has been involved in various ways ever since.
"Anytime you need something as a parent of a child with a disability, and you're not quite sure what it is-call Raising Special Kids!" she suggests.
Maureen found networking with other families to be invaluable. Maureen says she refers parents to Raising Special Kids, and has become a Parent Leader, mentoring other families, and presenting training on the family perspective to health and education professionals.
Raising Special Kids is pleased to recognize Maureen and express our appreciation for her years of leadership and service to families.
Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Maureen's. Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. |
| Be a Parent Leader | |
Raising Special Kids' Parent Leaders share valuable experience and knowledge with new parents. As mentors they build confidence, increase advocacy skills, and provide support that decreases the isolation and grief new parents often feel when learning of a child's disability. Last year, Parent Leaders mentored 360 new parents. 0ver 90% reported they improved their ability to work with professionals, and their ability to provide for their child's needs, services, and care.
For information about Parent Leader Training, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org |
| Quote of the Week | |
"I came to this workshop to gain knowledge I can use in my career field to assist members and their families. Mission accomplished! Great workshop! I will be referring families here for further education for themselves and their loved ones."
-Tyler Wolfe, Case Manager for Mercy Care Long Term Care
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| Free Trainings and Workshops | |
To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.
Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC).
Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.
Raising Special Kids
5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204
Phoenix, AZ 85034
No workshops in English this week.
En Espaņol
Por favor llamar al 602-242-4366 o 800-237-3007 para confirmar su asistencia a los talleres. Somos una oficina libre de fragancias.
Disability Empowerment Center
Raising Special Kids
5025 E. Washington St., #204,
Phoenix, AZ 85034.
Entrenamiento Para Padres Lideres
March 30, 2012
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Acompanenos a un entrenamiento para voluntarios y asi desarollar su liderazgo ayudando a otras familias a aceptar y sobrellevar el diagnostico de un hijo (a) con necesidades especiales de salud.
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Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support. |
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