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FREE Conference in Yuma August 4th

State Medicaid Programs Benefit Vulnerable Populations

Expanding U.S. state Medicaid programs may contribute to reduced death rates, as the poor, elderly and other vulnerable people benefit from greater access to health care, Harvard University researchers said in a report. Governors who pursue a 2014 Medicaid expansion funded by the federal health- care overhaul may see a healthier population than those who don't. Read Article in Bloomberg.com or AZ Capitol Times or Arizona Daily Star.

Disability Rights Treaty Held Up In Senate

Despite bipartisan support for a United Nations disability rights treaty, a group of lawmakers squashed efforts by supporters of the treaty to get the U.S. to ratify it before the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Read article from Disability Scoop

Scrapping Medicaid Expansion Could Affect Poor School Children

As more governors pledge to back off of federal plans to expand Medicaid, children's health advocates warn of a rollback in the progress made in insuring poor children. Press Release from Dept. of Ed. and Edweek article

Special Education Funding May Drop $900 Million

The nation's top education official is warning that special education programs across the country will face "devastating" budget cuts next year unless Congress acts. Read article in DisabilityScoop

Reading Program Ineffective for Students with Learning Disabilities

A new report from the What Works Clearinghouse questions the effectiveness of a longstanding, widely used reading program, developed by McGraw-Hill, for students with learning disabilities. Read EdWeek article.

 

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: 

The family's priorities, needs and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support.

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).

Tory did not know what to do about her son's difficulties at school. She knew Chris was smart, but each day the conflicts were getting worse and her relationship with the school was becoming adversarial.

The worst part was "Chris was not getting the help he needed," explained Tory. After an evaluation revealed that Chris was struggling with Aspergers and ADHD, a doctor referred Tory to Raising Special Kids for help in getting an appropriate education program in place for her son.

Through Raising Special Kids, Tory learned how to use effective advocacy techniques and was able to work with the school in developing an individualized learning program for Chris that has turned school into a positive experience.

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like Tory's. Please make your donation today through our secure online system. 

Thank you - your donation is greatly appreciated!

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

 Featuring a band of fun-loving Valley Docs:

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.

Adapt Shop

Southwest Human Development's ADAPT Shop designs and builds products to help children with disabilities become independent, active participants in the world. From custom-made seating - best known as "Happy Chairs" - to mobile scooters, the ADAPT Shop creates customized products that help children develop competence, confidence and self-esteem.

Arizona Association of Community Health Centers (AACHC)

The Arizona Association of Community Health Centers (AACHC) is the Primary Care Association (PCA) for the State of Arizona. All states have one designated PCA to advance the expansion of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and advocate for the health care interests of the medically underserved and uninsured.

Enter your zip code to search for a Health Center near you.

Child Crisis Center

Supports families through education and intervention, by providing a safe environment for children to heal, and by recruiting, training and supporting foster and adoptive families. Services include:

• Emergency shelter
• Adoption and foster care program
• Programs, classes and workshops for children and families
• In-home support for parents of children 0-5 years
• Referral-based counseling for children under 18 years old

DES Utility Assistance Program

Utility assistance programs available through the Department of Economic Security and its community partners assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes who spend a high proportion of their household income on utilities, in meeting their immediate home energy, utility and telephone needs.

(602) 542-6600

Total Health Fairs

Webinar - Transition to College

Heading for College with Special Health Care Needs; Student Preparation for a Successful Transition

Wed, Aug 1, 2012 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MST

From Got Transition? National Health Care Transition Center

Webinar Registration

Preparing to go "away from home" to college is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Concerns about the unknowns can cause student jitters: dorm life, being away from family, will I like my classes? my roommate? For students who have chronic or special health care needs, there are the additional concerns about "leaving for college when their health care support networks are left behind."

In this webinar Dr. Kitty O'Hare, a physician and Coordinator of Transition at Boston Childrens Hospital's Martha Eliot Health Center, will provide practical considerations for a student's health care transition, in preparation for a successful adjustment to college life. Young adult panelists will respond to Dr. O'Hare's "health care advice", sharing their own experiences with college transitions.

Down Syndrome Dinner, Q&A with Doctors  

Down Syndrome Dinner, Q&A with Doctors
Research Dinner Event for Parents and Guardians of Young Adults with Down Syndrome (ages 18-30)
Learn more about advances in Down syndrome cognitive research & therapies, and enjoy a Q&A with top researchers over dinner at
The Herb Box (7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 85251)
Thursday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Parents/Guardians of individuals with Trisomy 21 ages 18-30 are invited to attend the dinner.
Presenters: 

• Dr. Michael Harpold, DSRTF Chief Scientific Officer
• Dr. Jaime Edgins, Research Director, Down Syndrome Research Group
• Dr. Omar Khwaja, Translational Medicine Leader, Roche
• Clinical trial research team from Barrow Neurological Institute

Seating is limited and advanced registration is required.
DSNetwork has reserved a private room and a menu has been selected.
To RSVP, please contact Janet Romo.
For more information, visit DSNetwork website. 

Network to Examine Disability in Film

A month-long film series on cable this fall will focus on people with disabilities as portrayed by Hollywood.

Read article from Disability Scoop

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.

Arizona Center for Disability Law Public Forums

The Arizona Center for Disability Law is hosting public forums to discuss topics including:

• What are the biggest issues facing people with disabilities in Arizona today?
• What are the barriers to people with disabilities achieving independence?
• What should the Arizona Center for Disability Law be doing to address these issues and barriers?
• Do ACDL's current priorities - employment, accessibility, mental health, education, and health care - address the most important issues for people with disabilities? What areas should ACDL include?

Phoenix: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 - 4 to 6 PM

(Immediately following will be a Legal Options Training from 6:30 to 8:00 PM)

1023 North Tyndall, Tucson

Call Lorraine at (520) 327-9547, ext. 313 or 800-922-1447 for more information.

2012 Expo: "Innovative Technologies for Independent Lifestyles" (Phoenix)

October 5 & 6, 2012

5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix at the Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona Campus, which includes the state-of-the-art Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Seeking exhibitors that design, fabricate, manufacture, and/or sell technologies that expand the active lifestyles of people with disabilities. More information regarding sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor registration is available at ABIL's site. For questions, please contact David Carey at 602-443-0723..

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 Pilot Parent's website.

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

"Thank you to Raising Special Kids for truly caring about my son and for the help!"

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.