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Senators Propose Bill to Expand Mental Health Services for Children
Recently, Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Grassley (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand and strengthen mental health services for children who are on Medicaid. The legislation would also change the term "mentally retarded" to "intellectual disabilities" in the Social Security Act. Learn more about the new bill from Senator Kerry's press release.

IDEA Determination Letters

The U.S. Department of Education has issued annual determination letters regarding states' implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each state was evaluated on key indicators under Part B (ages 3 through 21) and Part C (infants through age 2) and placed into one of four categories: meets requirements, needs assistance, needs intervention, and needs substantial intervention. Most states fell into the top two categories; 29 states met requirements for Part B, and 36 states and Puerto Rico met requirements for Part C. No states were determined to need substantial intervention. For states in the lower categories, the IDEA identifies specific technical assistance or enforcement actions.

Report, Recommendations on Disability Employment

The bipartisan Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) released a report detailing the current state of employment for adults with disabilities, and describing policy recommendations that would help to increase labor force participation. View Press Release.  Read the report.

Family Advocacy Day

Children's Hospital Association's eighth annual Family Advocacy Day, which provides families with children who have been treated at children's hospitals the opportunity to go to Washington to advocate on behalf of their hospitals, takes place, July 23-25. You can follow the happenings via their blog: http://childrenshospitals.typepad.com/2012allstars/

Study: More TV Linked to Larger Waists, Weaker Legs for Kids

ABC News Medical Unit

The more television a child watches, even in the first years of life, the more likely he or she is to be thicker around the middle and less muscularly fit, according to a new study. 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: 

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).

Sharon Landay and Sophia

Sharon Landay became acquainted with Raising Special Kids early in her daughter's life. Sophia, now 11, was born with omphalocele which required immediate surgery. Sophia has had multiple physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.

A hospital social worker referred Sharon to Raising Special Kids, and she was connected through the Parent to Parent program with a parent of a child like Sophia. Sharon felt encouraged by "the reassurance that other families live this, too. There are families ready and willing to help and resources are available."

Even though Sharon has a background in special education, she welcomed Raising Special Kids' assistance when it came time to prepare her daughter's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). "It was frustrating to struggle to get appropriate services," she explained.

Join us for an evening of music and fun for a good cause!

Champagne Tap

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Evening (exact time to be announced)

Martini Ranch

7295 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ

Tap your feet to this fun loving Rock-N-Roll cover band of Valley doctors

$10.00 cover charge with all proceeds going to Raising Special Kids

Champagne Tap band members include:

• Singer - Dr. Matt Barcellona - Pediatrician
• Bass - Dr. Gregory White - Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
• Guitar - Dr. Erik Ramnath - Internal Medicine

Local band, Rock Lobster, is also scheduled to play

Dandelion Golf Classic for Special Kids

CareScape Inc. will host the 6th 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 contact Kat at 602-242-4366 or katr@raisingspecialkids.org.

New Website for Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council launched a new website designed to be responsive to comments and recommendations from consumers.

Grant Opportunity from the Arizona DD Planning Council (ADDPC)

Project SELF (Self-Employment Leads to Freedom) is seeking applicants interested in helping persons with developmental disabilities and their families develop small businesses using the Home Baked and Confectionary Goods Program. Project budgets up to $300,000 will be available to qualifying grant applicants.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a pre-application conference on August 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the ADDPC Offices: 1740 West Adams Street, Suite 410, Phoenix, AZ 85007

For more information and to download a copy of the Grant Solicitation, ADDPC-FFY-122EM-00, please visit the ADDPC website at https://www.azdes.gov/ADDPC/DD_Detail.aspx?id=8573

United Healthcare Family Grants
Families needing financial assistance to help pay for children's health care treatments, services, and equipment can receive up to $5,000 from the United Healthcare Children's Foundation. Grants are provided to help fill the gap between what is covered by commercial health insurance and what the family can pay in out-of-pocket expenses. Families are required to demonstrate financial eligibility. 

Got Transition?

A national resource for health care professionals, families, youth, and state policy makers focusing on a young adult's transition from pediatric to adult health care.

Guide for Parents on Common Core Standards

The Parents' Guide to Student Success was developed in response to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics (adopted in Arizona in 2010). The standards provide consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career. National PTA^® created the guides for grades K-8 and two for grades 9-12 (one for English language arts/literacy and one for mathematics).

The Health Care Blog

Featuring articles and perspectives from varied health resource professionals and consumers.

Meet Alexa Posny, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Blog post introduces the background, education and comments of Alexa Posny. Read here.

Gloves Translate Sign Language Into Speech

Using gloves fitted with flex sensors, touch sensors, gyroscopes and accelerometers the EnableTalk team has built a system that can translate sign language into text and then into spoken words using a text-to-speech engine. Read article from TechCrunch.

Candidate Forums

Sponsored by Children's Action Alliance

Learn where your candidates stand on health care, education, child care and support for kids and families. Free and open to the public. Call Debby Mayer at Children's Action Alliance at (602) 266-0707 x211 for more information.

Republican Primary East Mesa/Apache Junction (LD 16) Candidate Forum

Thursday, August 2, 2012

6:00 pm - House Debate

7:15 pm - Senate Debate

the CENTER at Empowerment Systems 2066 W. Apache Trail, #104 Apache Junction, AZ 85120 (behind Papa Murphy's on Ocotillo)

Primary Election Forums Yuma/Southwest Arizona (LDs 4 & 13) Candidate Forum

Monday, July 30, 2012

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm - LD 13 House Republican Debate

7:15 pm to 8:15pm -LD 4 House Democratic Debate

Arizona Western College - Schoening Conference Center - 3 C South Wing 2020 S Avenue 8E in Yuma -

Free parking is available.

Phoenix Zoo Camps for Children with Specific Impairments

• Sense of Wonder - A day of Camp Zoo created especially for children with visual impairments.
  Tuesday, July 31 * 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Wild Hearts - A day of Camp Zoo created especially for children with orthopedic impairments.
  Wednesday, August 1 * 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Registration forms available at www.phoenixzoo.org  or by calling 602.914.4333.

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

"Raising Special Kids gave me all the help I needed and then some. Every time I called the office the person answering the phone was very kind and helpful. I cannot thank you enough!"

Do you have a child with special needs or know someone who does?

Many families of children with disabilities or special health care needs have a simple wish: a chance...

...a chance to learn about effective therapies and activities to help their child

...a chance to develop better service plans with their child's therapists and doctors

...a chance to partner with agencies and organizations providing therapies

Families and caregivers can learn hands on techniques from

Occupational Therapist - Ruth Waldrop

Physical Therapist - Meg Rodney

Speech Therapist - Amy Garren

Collaborative Therapies Conference - Yuma

Saturday, August 4, 2012

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yuma Regional Medical Center.

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. 

Please call 1-800-237-3007 by August 1, 2012 to register. or follow the link above to register online.

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.