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Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Bill

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with the exception of the federal government's power to terminate states' Medicaid funds. The Court could have struck down all or part of the bill as unconstitutional, but instead, upheld each of four legal challenges.    

Implementation of health reform is already underway. Attempts from Congress to repeal all or part of the bill, as well as efforts to de-fund key provisions are expected.

Some key provisions of the ACA of interest to families of children with special needs include:

• Preventing denial of coverage for treatment of pre-existing conditions
• Ability to maintain health coverage on children until age 26
• Elimination of lifetime benefit caps
• Prohibition against rescinding coverage when someone gets sick

Here are online resources with further details:

The Supreme Court Ruling: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf 

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/June/28/supreme-court-upholds-individual-mandate.aspx 

http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/bm-aca (registration required - free)

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/765416?sssdmh=dm1.797961&src=nl_newsalert (registration required - free)

Unified Sports - Inclusion of Special Education Students

Education Week

Unified Sports was created by Special Olympics more than 20 years ago, but the program has had a recent surge in popularity, the organization reports, in part because of a broader effort to foster an inclusive culture that extends beyond the gymnasium or the playing field. Read more.

iPad may alter programmable shunt valve settings
HealthDay News    
Exposure to a tablet device may result in a change to programmable shunt valve settings when the tablet is very close to the valve, according to a study published online June 26 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. More 

Do You Know Your School's Sunscreen Policy?

It may be a good time to ask. Some schools regard sunscreen as a drug. Read article.

 

Arizona Has Highest Level of Community Integration for DD Services

Copyright 2011. OPEN MINDS 

A national review of Medicaid-funded community-based programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities found that compared to other states, Arizona's Medicaid program offered the highest level of community integration and community-based services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Read more: Arizona Has Highest Level of Community Integration for DD Services (registration required - free).    

 

 

 

Early Intervention - Making a Difference for Infants and Toddlers

Did you know there are 7 Key Principles for providing early intervention services?

 

Each week over the summer, one of these principles will be featured in Monday Memo. See the Videos available for download that give parents useful and practical information about what early intervention looks like for children from birth to three.  

This week's topic is:

The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members and caregivers in children's lives.

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) provides Early Intervention services to children birth to three, using a team-based approach. The team's focus is on collaborative coaching of families as the primary intervention strategy. The family and team work together to implement goals that achieve important functional outcomes in natural environments.

For more information or questions, please visit www.azdes.gov/AzEIP/KeyPrinciples or call AzEIP 602-532-9960, (Toll free in Arizona: 888-439-5609).

When Lynn's teenage son, Zane, was only four, their pediatrician recommended they call an organization now called Raising Special Kids. Lynn found comfort in the support and assistance offered as they helped Zane face the bewildering challenges of Autism, Apraxia and Bipolar disorder.

"I don't know how the heck I survived," Lynn said reminiscing about receiving Zane's diagnosis just after their daughter was born. Lynn recalled the relief she felt in speaking to another parent, who served as a mentor, and from the resources and training she received. Lynn has continued to attend Raising Special Kids' workshops and seek resources and assistance, especially related to transition issues, as Zane has gotten older.

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Zane's.  Please make your donation today through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. 

Dandelion Golf Classic for Special Kids

CareScape Inc. will host the 6^th Annual Dandelion Golf Classic to benefit Raising Special Kids on Saturday, September 29^th.

The event helps Raising Special Kids keep family support services available at no cost. 

Enjoy a day of golf at Pebble Creek, Tuscany Falls course, with a terrific lunch, prizes for winners, golf shirts, team photos and more. Sponsorship information and event details are available at www.dandeliongolfclassic.com.

For questions about sponsorship, registration, or prize donations, contact Kat at 602-242-4366 or katr@raisingspecialkids.org.

Videocast of Children's Mental Health Panelists

The National Institute of Mental Health posted a videocast panel of children's mental health researchers. Panelists will discuss neuroscience research findings related to: teen brain development, cognition and emotional and behavioral growth, and treatment for teens.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

NCTSN was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. The organization provides resources and materials on child traumatic stress for families, caregivers and professionals.

Newsletter for Families of Children with Epilepsy

Read the current issue and sign up for the mailing list.

Directory for Centers for Independent Living Resources

Listed by state, offering the following:

1. Information & referral
2. Independent living skills training
3. Individual and systems advocacy
4. Peer counseling

Vaccination Fact Sheet

The Arizona Autism Coalition, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Arizona Chapter, has launched an awareness campaign designed to explain facts surrounding autism and childhood vaccination. To view and download the fact sheet, or to learn more, visit http://www.azautism.org/resource-center/vaccines-and-autism-let%E2%80%99s-separate-fact-from-fiction/. 

Partners in Policymaking

Free Leadership Training for Self-Advocates and Parents of Children with Disabilities

Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona announced applications for the 16th class of Partners in Policymaking are now being accepted. This six-month training program for parents of children with special needs and for young adult self-advocates will begin in Phoenix in October. Applications are due by August 31, 2012. For more information contact: Karen Kelsch at (520) 324-3158, or Toll Free 1-877-365-7220 or visit www.pilotparents.org

Arizona's Twelfth Annual Transition Conference

"Facing the Future: Who's In Your Network?"

Making a commitment to the successful transition to adult life for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

October 15th - 16th, 2012 for youth and families (additional day for professionals: October 17th)

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Talking Stick Resort,

9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250

More information/registration online

or contact Jeannette Zemeida at (602) 542-3855 or via e-mail at Jeannette.Zemeida@azed.gov

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

"I truly appreciate all the work that you have done for families!"

-    Miriam Podrazik, Division of Developmental Disabilities

Location:

Deer Valley District Office

Central Board Room

20402 N. 15th Avenue

Phoenix AZ

• IEP Basics    1 - 3 pm
  Learn about the purpose of IEPs, parents' role in the process, and how to prepare for meetings.

• Parent Professional Collaboration    3 - 4:30 pm
  Techniques for effective advocacy: What to ask, How to ask for it.

Please register by contacting: email: deborah.switalski@dvusd.org or phone: 623-445-4983