Monday Memo

News for the week of November 5, 2012  
Contents
National News
Arizona News
Help Raising Special Kids
Featured Resources
Events and Activities
Free Training and Workshops
Quote of the Week

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Presidential Proclamation: National Family Caregivers Month

"Our Nation's health care professionals provide essential medical services to millions of Americans, yet they do not shoulder their responsibilities alone. Family members, friends, and neighbors devote countless hours to providing care to their relatives or loved ones. During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize and thank the humble heroes who do so much to keep our families and communities strong..." Read proclamation.

 
National News

 

Guide on Education Issues

Council for Exceptional Children has posted a nonpartisan guide with resources and information on education issues important in the election.

 

 

Office of Adolescent Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated state and national summaries on different areas of adolescent health and behavior. These fact sheets provide data so you can see exactly how Arizona compares to the national averages.

Physical Health. Nationally, 58% of high school students played on at least one sports team either at school or run by a community group in 2011.

Mental Health. In 2011, 16% of U.S. high school students reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide, and 28% reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row.

Substance Abuse. Nationally, in 2011, 39% of high school students reported drinking alcohol in the 30 days before the survey. Of these, 46% of female high school students and 35% of male high school students usually obtained that alcohol by someone giving it to them.

Healthy Relationships. According to the High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 22% of female high school students and 11% of male high school students were bullied through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, Web sites, or texting

 

 

U.S. Set to Sponsor Health Insurance

The New York Times

At least two nationwide health insurance plans are to be operated under contract with the federal government and offered to consumers in every state.

These multistate plans were included in the new health care law as a substitute for a government-run health insurance program. Read article in The New York Times.

 

 

Not Sorry For Using 'R-Word'

Disability Scoop

A celebrity came under fire from numerous disability advocates and organizations for using the word "retard" in several comments posted on Twitter.

Read another take on the story in The Washington Post.

 

Arizona News

AHCCCS Update - KidsCare II Re-Opens

AHCCCS announced that KidsCare II has begun accepting new applications for a limited time. KidsCare II provides health insurance for uninsured children in families who don't qualify for AHCCCS, but cannot afford private health insurance. KidsCare II has low monthly premiums and includes vision, dental, and behavioral health coverage. Families can make up to 175% of the federal poverty level, or about $40,000 annually for a family of four.
If you need help applying for KidsCare II, please call 1-800-377-3536. If you think your child may be eligible, apply today before KidsCare II again closes to new enrollment. More information.

 

 

Arizona Falls Behind as U.S. Makes Progress Covering Kids
 Children's Action Alliance
The US Census Bureau recently released data painting a very different picture of children in Arizona versus the rest of the country. The data show continued progress in covering kids nationally, as the rate of children lacking health insurance fell from 8.6% in 2009 to 7.5% in 2011. But in Arizona the rate rose from 12.0% to 12.9%. Only two states have worse rates of health coverage for kids.

Much of the progress nationally has happened thanks to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which was reauthorized and strengthened in 2009. KidsCare, which is Arizona's CHIP, has succeeded in covering kids with the health care they need to grow up strong and thrive, but it was frozen to new enrollment in December 2009. Since that time, the number of children enrolled has fallen from 47,000 to fewer than 9,000. Funding made available from Arizona hospitals earlier this year is providing a brief patch, allowing up to 25,000 children to temporarily get care through KidsCare II. Another challenge in Arizona is that only 40% of children in our state are covered with health insurance through their parents' employer, as shown by this chart. This is lower than the national rate of 47%, and accounts for most of the difference in the rate of uninsured children between Arizona and the nation.

The good news for Arizona is that voters can restore KidsCare coverage by voting for Proposition 204, which funds KidsCare and eliminates the enrollment freeze.

For more information on the progress made nationally in covering kids, including state-by-state data and a profile of children who remain uninsured, read this new report from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, or watch their brief video.

 

 

New Assistant Director for Division of Developmental Disabilities

Dr. Larry L. Latham has accepted the position of the Assistant Director for the Arizona Department of Economic Security's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD).  He will assume his duties on December 3, 2012.

 

Helping Raising Special Kids Make a Difference
Family at circus

 

Like many busy moms raising children with special needs, De Freedman takes advantage of services on the internet to help keep her aware of news and information she can use to help her son, Andy. She monitors public policy issues and other news via Raising Special Kids' "Monday Memo" emails, which arrive weekly. She finds additional tips and resources in Raising Special Kids' Facebook posts (Twitter and Pinterest are also available).

 

Sometimes a little sharing generates a lot of fun. When De learned through these services about the circus coming to the new accessible fitness center last summer, she shared the information with teachers at her son's school. The teachers, recognizing a great opportunity for a field trip, decided to bring two entire classes to the circus!

 

"This was the first time our family was able to enjoy a major show event together because it was held at a modified, familiar venue. We hope it is the first of many such family experiences," said De.

 

We hope so too. 

 

Raising Special Kids needs your help to serve more families like the Freedman's.  Please make your donation today through our secure online system. Thank You!

 

 

Featured Resources 

 

Common Core State Standards

As Arizona moves forward in adopting Common Core Standards, families and educators can benefit from understanding on how students in special education will be affected. These articles provide information and resources:

 

 

Potential Changes to Health Law

Kaiser Health News offers a look at how Obama and Romney might change the health law in the years ahead based on interviews with health policy experts.

 

 

Implications for students receiving special education services.
 This brief reflects upon the opportunity that transitioning to core standards gives schools and administrators to improve their programs for all students, especially those with disabilities. Schools must address five key elements to support the achievement of students receiving special education services: ownership; high expectations; intervention systems; inclusion/collaborative teaching; and organization/professional development. From the International Center for Leadership in Education.

 

 

New Magazine on Children's Health

HealthyChildren.org, the official American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Web site for parents, launched the inaugural issue of Healthy Children e-magazine this month. The free e-magazine is mobile-optimized and can be accessed via the HealthyChildren app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. 

 

 

Air Travel with Autism

For parents who struggle to navigate the nation's airports and airlines with children affected by autism, aviation officials are providing more help. Read article in The New York Times.

 

 

Transition Assessment Tool

For parents of high school students with disabilities--your high school age son or daughter, and a special education teacher from your high school can participate in the development of a new assessment tool that generates goals that will prepare students for life after high school. Students and parents receive a gift card for their participation in this national project and teachers receive an honorarium. Contact Dr. Amber McConnell at 405-325-8951 or ambermcc@ou.edu. Watch this 20 minute video for details. 
www.ou.edu/content/education/centers-and-partnerships/zarrow/transition-success-assessment-project/educator_trainingmodule.html



 

 

 

Events and Activities

Opportunity to Provide Input for Research

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is authorized by Congress to conduct research to help patients and health care providers make more informed decisions. PCORI's research is intended to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment and care options and the science that supports those options. If you would like to provide feedback or suggest a Research Question, visit http://www.pcori.org/get-involved/.

 

 

Call for Children's Artwork

United Healthcare would like to feature children's art on their holiday cards this year! Exciting news, but we are in a time crunch. We need children's art work with a theme related to the idea of family. Scans of artwork can be sent via email and are needed by Tuesday, November 6.

 

If you have a child who enjoys creating art, please send samples to info@raisingspecialkids.org  with "ARTWORK" in the subject line. Please include

  • name and age of the artist
  • name and contact information of the artist's parent or guardian

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Kelly at 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.

 

 

Webinar Series: Toward Universal Design

A two-part Webinar series exploring the principles and concepts of Universal Design.

Part 1:  Friday, November 2, 2012, 10 - 11AM
"Increasing Access and Inclusion in Events, Processes, and Experiences through Intentional Planning" gives an overview of UD Concepts and Principles

Part 2: Friday, November 16, 2012, 10 - 11AM
"Disability Perspectives on the Impact of Design" will bring you a panel of experts discussing personal negative and positive experiences with design

 

 

Emergency Preparedness Class for Parents and Caregivers of Individuals with Special Needs

November 12, 2012

6:30-8:00 pm

Highlands Church, High School Room

At this FREE workshop you'll receive a guidebook and learn the steps you need to take for creating a preparedness plan that meets your personal situation. Please contact Missy Farrington or check the website for more information. Missyf@highlandschurch.org, www.highlandschurch.org

 

 

Talks on Disability and Health Care

November 14, 2012

Abrams Building, Room 102, 1450 N. Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

Free and open to the public

  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am - The Community Engagement Initiative - Improving Access to Health Care Among Persons with Disabilities at the Local Level
  • 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - What in the Health is Disability Doing in Public Health? Re-Thinking Disability in Public Health

 

 

Free Dental Clinic Event

The Central Arizona Dental Society will be hosting its first Mission of Mercy event December 6-9, 2012 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Mission of Mercy is a dental clinic with portable dental stations set up in a large public arena. Dental screenings and services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, at no charge to those who attend.

  • Clinic doors open at 4:00 am.
  • Treatment will be performed from 6 am - 6 pm on both days.
  • No appointments will be taken or are necessary.
  • Patients are seen on a first come - first serve basis.
  • The number of patients seen will be limited by clinic capacity.

 

 

Provider Fair

Saturday, January 26, 2013

10 am - 2 pm

Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix

For families and individuals seeking services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This fair provides opportunities to connect face to face with providers from the Valley.

 

 

Previously Listed in Monday Memo:

 

2012 Voting Accessibility Questionnaire

The National Council on Disability is seeking input via a questionnaire to learn how people with disabilities fare in this election. To take or share the questionnaire, please visit  http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1053447/Voting

If you have any questions, please call 202.408.9514, ext 130. For more information, visit their website.

 

 

Got Transition Quarterly Webinar

"I am more than a diagnosis!" - The Impact of Personal Identity on Health Care Transitions for Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs

Date: November 7, 2012

Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm (Arizona Time)

In this Got Transition quarterly webinar, Susan Waisbren, Ph.D. will review research on identity development and its impact on health promoting behaviors and positive mental health. A panel of young adults with various health care needs will respond and share their current strategies coping with challenges as they move toward adulthood.

Space is limited. Register here.

 

 

Positive Behavior Supports to Prevent Restraint and Seclusion in Schools

Free training for parents and teachers on practical information that leads to the reduction of the use of restraint and seclusion and/or removal of a student with challenging behavior from the education environment.

1)     Thursday, November 8, 2012

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

To register online go to http://ressecphxnov82012.eventbrite.com

To register via phone or email, please contact the Center at (602) 274-6287 (voice/TTY) 1-800-927-2260 (toll free) or e-mail kvanhorne@azdisabilitylaw.org.

 

2)     Friday, November 9, 2012

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 East Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85711

To register online for this Tucson training, go to Eventbrite: http://ressectucnov92012.eventbrite.com

To register via phone or email, please contact the Center at (602) 274-6287 (voice/TTY) 1-800-927-2260 (toll free) or e-mail kvanhorne@azdisabilitylaw.org.

 

Presented by Arizona Center for Disability Law & Institute for Human Development - Northern Arizona University

Visit the following websites for more information. www.azdisabilitylaw.org , IHD to www.nau.edu/ihd and ADDPC to www.azdes.gov/ADDPC/Home .

 

 

Free Webinar on Telehealth Delivery

November 13, 2012 12:00 noon (AZ Time)

Telehealth: A New Delivery System to Improve Health Care for Patients with Serious Mental Illness

Presented By: Sarah Pratt, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth University

Executive Webinar Overview

This presentation and discussion will focus on the experience and results of Dartmouth's Center for Aging Research pilot study using the Bosch Healthcare Health Buddy System for remote patient monitoring intervention of people with SMI and physical co-morbidities.

Attendees will leave with an understanding of:

1. Telehealth for the SMI population with physical co-morbidities

2. Acceptance among this population

3. The promise of telehealth in improving quality of care and reducing utilization for this population

 

 

Empowerment Scholarship Account Presentation

Arizona Department of Education will be providing information regarding the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program open to children with disabilities. Parents and/or guardians are invited to attend. 

DATE:  Wednesday November 14, 2012.

TIME:  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

LOCATION: Disability Empowerment Center 5025 E Washington St., Phoenix AZ 85034.

RSVP:  To Michele.Fiorenza@yahoo.com  (with ESA in the subject line. In addition please provide your name, # of attendees, and phone #) by Friday November 9th 3pm. Space is limited to first 50 attendees.

 

 

Childhood Obesity Symposium: Prevention, Complications and Cost

The CARE Program at Phoenix Children's will be hosting the inaugural Childhood Obesity Symposium on November 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Melvin L. Cohen Conference Center on the main campus of Phoenix Children's Hospital. The symposium is for those involved in the fight to prevent and treat childhood obesity.

 

 

Survey on Advocacy and Resilience

For parents of children with special needs

Parents' participation is requested in an online, anonymous survey about advocacy and resilience in parents of children with special needs. The survey is expected to take about 20 minutes. The research is being conducted by Dr. Sarah Taylor at California State University, East Bay, and Dr. Amy Conley Wright at San Francisco State University.

To participate, please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/spclneedsadvocacy. If you have questions about this research, contact Dr.Taylor at sarah.taylor@csueastbay.edu, Dr. Amy Conley Wright at acw@sfsu.edu or the CSU East Bay Institutional Review Board at 510-885-4212.

 
 

Baseball in Southwest Valley - Challenger League

Goodyear Little League Challenger division is part of a nationwide program for youth with mental and physical disabilities. Youth ages 4-18 can enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities including those using wheel-chairs. Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include up to 20 players.

 

Any interested participants who live in the southwest areas of the Valley including Goodyear, Surprise, Buckeye, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Verrado, and others may register. Open registration is December 3rd through January 31st.

For more information please contact Goodyear Little League goodyearlittleleague@gmail.com.   

 

Free Training and Workshops 

The Journey to Adulthood

November 08, 2012

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

This class will provide parents with information about physical, emotional and social changes that adolescence and puberty bring to every child. 

 

Positive Behavior Support

November 08, 2012

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Training on effective techniques for behavior management. 

 

Guardianship/Turning 18, What's Next?

November 10, 2012

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Making the decision; understanding the process.  Learn what guardianship involves before your teen turns 18.  You will also learn about alternatives to guardianship.

 

Getting and Keeping the First Job

November 10, 2012

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

This workshop will assist families with identifying the importance of employment for youth with disabilities and special needs.

 

 

For workshops and training in Spanish, please visit our online calendar.

 

 

Quote of the Week 

"You should receive a score of a 50 on the scale of 1-5.  You went above and beyond, and helped us more than I could ever say!" 

Raising Special Kids works to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support.