|
Join Our List
|
|
|
|
| National News | |
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Clarify Medicaid Eligibility
Last week, CMS announced a final rule to clarify eligibility and income standards for the expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). "Under the final rule, people who have disabilities or need long-term services and supports may enroll in an existing Medicaid eligibility category to ensure that they find coverage that best meets their needs Click here for more information on the final rule or read on at McKnights.com.
Education of Children who are Deaf or Hearing-impaired
Information provided by Wendy Taormina-Weiss - Published: 2012-03-26
Two national panels reach the conclusion that the education of students who are deaf or hearing-impaired needs to be improved to meet their communication and other needs. Read article.
Health Insurance Exchange Rules
The Department of Health and Human Services released rules for health insurance exchanges, which include specifics about state functions and responsibilities. Kaiser Health News has a copy of the health exchanges rule from the Federal Register, as well as the regulatory impact analysis. Read more from Kaiser Health News.
|
| Arizona News | |
Provide Input on Arizona Employment Services
A survey from the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) is available to help identify the strengths and challenges of existing employment support. The SELN brings states together to improve employment outcomes for people with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following completion of the assessment a report will be prepared for the Division of Developmental Disabilities outlining the team's principal findings, observations and recommended action strategies.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. If you do not complete it the first time through you may click on the link to return to the survey at a later time. The survey will be available through April 3, 2012.
Your input will be incorporated into the state's self-assessment process.
New State Director of Special Education
Angela Denning has been selected as Arizona's new Deputy Associate Superintendant, Exceptional Student Services, an administrative position at the Arizona Department of Education responsible for special education and implementation of IDEA.
Hospitals Drop AHCCCS lawsuit
azcentral.com
The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association has dropped a lawsuit challenging payment cuts from the state's Medicaid program. The hospital group in November sued the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to reverse a 5 percent cut in hospital payment rates. Read more.
|
| Featured Resources | |
Web Site for Students with Disabilities Interested In College:
Going to College has videos, activities, and resources to help start planning for college.
Video interviews with successful college students with disabilities offers first-hand accounts of their experiences. Modules include activities to help students explore; learn what to expect from college, and considerations and tasks to complete when planning for college.
www.going-to-college.org
Online Screening for Children Birth to Five
Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)® is now available to parents and caregivers on Easter Seals' Make the First Five Count website (www.makethefirstfivecount.org). Child development issues can be identified and monitored so concerns can be readily addressed to stay on track and prepare to enter school.
New Inclusive Children's Show
Forever Friends is a unique and exciting new children's show for kids ages 2-7. It stars Chris Burke, the actor with Down syndrome best known as "Corky" on the hit ABC-TV series "Life Goes On" and Joe and John DeMasi. Forever Friends brings a message of love, friendship and inclusion as children follow Chris, Joe and John, their feline friend "Feedback" and talking computer "Newton" as they sing along, sign along, and celebrate abilities that show we are more alike than we are different. Watch for FREE at: www.ForeverFriendsShow.org
Bullying Prevention Website
www.stopbullying.gov has been re-launched by U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services bringing bullying prevention resources together in one site. It features tools and resources for community leaders, young people and families, including:
|
| Events and Activities | |
HopeFest Phoenix
Saturday, April 14
9:00am - 3:00pm
Chase Field
401 E. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
HopeFest Phoenix is a collaboration of helping agencies, organizations and individuals pulling together to provide thousands of people FREE medical & dental care, food, haircuts, clothing, personal care products, employment services and more. Over 200 agencies are coming together to make a difference for our neighbors in need.
HopeFest Phoenix will be providing free eye exams, pregnancy screenings, pediatric checkups, dental work, dermatology screenings, well-checks, diabetes care, pharmacy assistance, podiatry, asthma care, behavioral health attention, HIV and STD screenings, injury prevention and more.
Everything Free!
Fun Activities, Live Bands, Kids Play Area, Lunch, Bicycle Repair
For more information: www.cityserveaz.com/hopefest , email: hopefestphoenix@cityserveaz.com
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Higher Education ASU's hosts the Annual Symposium on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Higher Education. April 20, 2012, 8:00am-12:00pm ASU Polytechnic campus Presentations will focus on student success and student programs at the postsecondary level. Presentations will cover summer internships with companies like IBM, the new student organization ASD@ASU, as well as ASU student entrepreneurs with ASD. One student team, Alien's Guide to the Galaxy, will be launching their mobile application designed to support individuals with ASD. Intended for Educators, Advocates, Parents, High School Students, College Students, Clinicians, ASU Faculty and Staff invited to register by emailing Tricia.Bawn@asu.edu. |
| Help Raising Special Kids make a difference | |
Katie remembers learning about Raising Special Kids from the Support Coordinator for services her son Jack received through the Division of Developmental Disabilities when he was two years old. Then she realized she had been acquainted with Raising Special Kids previously in her career as a special education teacher, "but I didn't think to use those services for myself until I heard that recommendation."
Katie was connected with a family of a child similar to Jack, and she found that sharing experiences, emotions and knowledge was invaluable. "It was so good to talk to other parents who understood what I was going through," she explained. "If you are new to either a diagnosis or the experience of having a child with special needs, I think it is key to be able to talk to other parents in the same situation. There are so many different emotions that you just wouldn't share with anyone else."
As Jack has grown to nearly eight years old, Katie has become an active Parent Leader in multiple ways. She not only mentored other parents, she also helps host physicians in her home through the resident training program, and she has served on parent panels in classes for educators-in-training helping students gain greater insight into the challenges families caring for children with special needs face.
Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Katie'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 | |
"Thank you once again for the insightful parent panel you provided today for my students. These students are preparing for their first year of teaching in the fall and benefit from opportunities to put their in-class theoretical knowledge into actual practice. My collaboration with Raising Special Kids has been among the most fruitful and rewarding connections, in no small part due to the informative, timely, and compelling sessions you provide. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts to enrich my students instruction in this way, and have no doubt about the difference these teachers will make as they become more compassionate and knowledgeable about their role in advocating for families!"
-Juliet E. Hart, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Special Education, Arizona State University"
|
| 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
Getting & Keeping the First Job-Family Partners
*held at Family Partners in Peoria:
9051 W. Kelton Lane, #7, Peoria, AZ 85382
April 04, 2012
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This workshop will assist young adults and parents with identifying the importance of employment for youth with disabilities and special needs.
IEP Basics
April 05, 2012
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Learn about the purpose of IEP's, parents' role in the process, and how to prepare for meetings.
Guardianship/Turning 18, What's Next?
April 05, 2012
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.
|
|
|
Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support. |
|
|
