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Hearing on Seclusion and Restraints held by Senate HELP Committee
A first-of-its-kind hearing by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Thursday began to raise awareness of how much physical force is used when disciplining students. The committee is considering a bill on restraint and seclusion practices in schools.

Learn more about the outcome of the hearing at the HELP Committee Website. 

Article from Education Week.

Article from Associated Press

Letter to Governors Clarifies Medicaid Eligibility Issue

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter to the nation's Governors providing clarity on the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for Medicaid. The Supreme Court decided that states cannot face loss of all of their Medicaid funds if they do not provide coverage for adults to 133 percent of the federal poverty line as required under the Affordable Care Act. Some state officials had mistakenly seized on the court ruling as effectively invalidating other parts of the law, including the maintenance of effort provision. The new letter addresses confusion over this issue: "the court's decision did not affect other provisions of the law" governing the joint federal-state health insurance program for individuals with low income or disabilities. According to a Kaiser Health News report, a White House official confirmed that it means states are still barred from reducing eligibility for Medicaid.

Education Department to Study English Language Learners with Disabilities

Education Week

The U.S. Department of Education will soon be launching an "exploratory" study  on challenges related to identifying English-language learners who have disabilities and providing appropriate services for them. Read blog article.

Control Costs Through Confusion

Here's a question - is it good practice to control the cost of health care by confusing people about whether they are eligible?

A National Public Radio piece, Will Medicaid Bring The Uninsured Out Of The Woodwork? focused on the current thinking of governors about what to do with Medicaid - whether or not to expand Medicaid under The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act. Those cost issues are pretty straightforward. But, the opposition of some governors to the health insurance exchanges is for another reason: it would be too easy for people to determine if they were eligible for Medicaid. Here's an excerpt:

But what really has many state leaders worried is something called the "woodwork effect." When big parts of the health law go into force in 2014, they worry it will bring out of the woodwork the millions of people who are already eligible for Medicaid but aren't already enrolled.

When some people look to see if they can get health insurance through one of the health exchanges, they may discover a cheaper option. "They will find out that they're actually eligible for Medicaid," says Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus, an advocacy group for children and families.

Read blog article by Monica E. Oss of OpenMinds.com

See updates on Arizona's Medicaid reform.

Waste, Duplication Found In Many Disability Programs

Disability Scoop

Dozens of federal programs exist to help people with disabilities get and keep jobs. But a new government report finds many of the initiatives are wasteful and produce questionable results. Read article

Impact of Court's Ruling For People With Disabilities
Disabled World News

A provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) says The Affordable Care Act has shown promise for people with disabilities because of future provisions set to take effect through 2014; however, the overall benefit is yet to be determined, with affordability of care being a significant hurdle that still needs to be addressed. Read article.     

Mobile Health Apps

Mobile devices offer ways to assess disease, and physiological variables, but privacy and security of health data is a challenge that calls for research. Read article.

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 is being 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: 

IFSP outcomes must be functional and based on children's and families needs and family-identified priorities.

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).

 After raising children of her own, Teresa didn't expect to find herself raising another baby--her grandson. Teresa also discovered that RyRy was not going to be an "easy" baby.

A gastro-intestinal issue required emergency surgery. An evaluation revealed developmental delays and the need for neurological testing. "You think you are bringing home a bouncy baby boy, and then ... this," she said. "He stopped talking, he stopped eating, and his system just wasn't working right."

As more health problems developed for RyRy, Teresa felt overwhelmed by trying to absorb the information and understanding the various diagnoses. She found assistance at Raising Special Kids, and was able to gain knowledge and confidence to help meet her grandson's needs.

"Someone calling and just talking to you is beyond huge" said Teresa. Teresa received support by having information, training, and peer mentoring that provided her with valuable assistance in making decisions for her family.  

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 to families. 

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.

NCHAM The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management

The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management serves as the National Resource Center for the implementation and improvement of comprehensive and effective Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) systems. Their goal is to ensure that all infants and toddlers with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and provided with timely and appropriate audiological, educational, and medical intervention. Find resources in your state.

Accessing Care for Children with Mental Health Needs

A report titled Linking Medical Home and Children's Mental Health: Listening to Massachusetts Families examines experiences in accessing and coordinating care for children of families whose children have mental health needs. The report describes the challenge of accessing mental health care and coordinating it with a child's medical care. Topics include coordination, communication, and trust; accessing care; finding resources; and schools. The report was produced by the Parent-Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) in collaboration with the Central Mass Medical Home Network Initiative (CMMHNI), a project funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, to improve care for children and adolescents with special health care needs within a group of primary care pediatric practices (medical homes).The report is available at http://ppal.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Medical-Home-Report.pdf.

Loan Counseling Tool

The U.S. Department of Education released a new interactive loan counseling tool to provide students with financial management basics, like information about their current loan debt and estimates for student loan debt levels after graduation. Students can access the new resource, known as the Financial Awareness Counseling Tool, accessed through StudentLoans.gov at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/financialAwarenessCounselingLanding.action. 

ADA Movie Festival

Free Movie Festival Celebrating the 22nd Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Please join in to celebrate the 22nd Anniversary ADA.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) of Arizona located at 5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

The celebration, which is sponsored by Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) and Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition (AZDAC), will include movies, discussion regarding latest attacks on the ADA, food and refreshments!
To register please go to (http://adajuly2012.eventbrite.com/). If you have further questions and/or need assistance registering online please contact John Beaubien at 602-443-0738 or johnb@abil.org .

Peer and Family Driven Conference

The Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services announced its first annual Arizona Peer and Family Driven Conference: Respect is Free:  Peers and Family Members Joining Together to Promote Diversity and Build Community

August 14-15, 2012

Franciscan Renewal Center

5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

The conference is free and seeks attendance by Peers and Family members from Adult and Children's Behavioral Health Services. Peers and family members from across the state are invited to participate. The conference is seeking participants from groups including:  SMI Adults including Non - T19 SMI Adults,General Mental Health Substance Abuse (GMHSA) recipients, Transition-age youth and historically underserved populations including Women, African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and people who identify as LGBTQ.

For information about the conference or lodging, please contact David Ryder via email at dryder@veerconsulting.com or call 602-568-6277. Register On or before July 30, 2012.

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

"What an amazing resource this is to provide to our patients!  I have learned to listen more closely to the parents, as they know their child better than anyone else."

 - Jamie Beckman MD, Scottsdale Healthcare

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 

 July 19, 2012

The Journey to Adulthood

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM This class will provide parents with information about physical, emotional and social changes that adolescence and puberty bring to every child. 

Sign language interpretation will be available.

July 19, 2012

Positive Behavior Support

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Training on effective techniques for behavior management. 

July 21, 2012

Collaborative Therapies Conference - Show Low

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Presented by professionals in the areas of pediatrics, speech language pathology, occupational and physical therapies.

Learn useful tips you can use with your children at home.  Breakfast and lunch included.  No childcare; adults only should attend.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Thomas Barela
• Physical Therapist - Cheryl Bird
• Occupational Therapist - Gina Crites
• Speech Therapist- Jeff Meeks
• Children's Rehabilitative Services - Judith Walker

August 04, 2012

Collaborative Therapies Conference - Yuma

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

This conference is presented in partnership with the Yuma Regional Medical Center by professionals in the areas of pediatrics, speech language pathology, occupational and physical therapies. Spanish translation will be available. Breakfast and lunch included. No childcare; adults only should attend. 

Speakers include:

• Occupational Therapist - Ruth Waldrop
• Physical Therapist - Meg Rodney
• Speech Therapist - Amy Garren
• Children's Rehabilitative Services - Marcia McCarrell
• Parent - Maria Valdez
• Dolores Herrera

En Español

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.

August 04, 2012

Conferencia Colaborativa de Terapias - Yuma

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Esta Conferencia es presentada en colaboración con el Centro Médico Regional de Yuma por profesionales en las áreas de Pediatria, Patologia del Leguaje, Terapistas Ocupacional y Fisica.  Traducción al español estará disponible. Desayuno y Almuerzo incluido. No habrá cuidado de niños; sólo adultos deben asistir.