Join Our List

Nation's Paratransit System Lacks Oversight

Disability Scoop

As demand increases for accessible transportation, a new government report finds that little is known about how well paratransit services are provided. Though there are hundreds of transit agencies across the country, just two to three get selected for a review of their Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance each year by the Federal Transit Administration. 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Increasing numbers of children in the U.S. are living with their grandparents, many of whom are responsible for their grandchildren's care. Grandparents may be called upon, often with little preparation, to provide primary care for their grandchildren in the face of family crisis. This brief examines recent trends, national and for each state, related to children who reside in their grandparents' household, based on data from the American Community Survey.

Health Care Law Provision Implementation

The Obama administration has begun moving forward to implement provisions in the health care law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.

________________________________________

Corrections - Some links in last week's Monday Memo were broken; the articles with corrected URLs are below:

U.S. Preterm Birth Rate Continues to Drop: Report

Women'sHealth.gov

For the fifth year in a row, the preterm birth rate in the United States has dropped.

Medicaid Should Matter to All Middle-Class Families

Timesdispatch.com

"Medicaid makes it possible for adults with disabilities and their families to live a life in the community -- a life like yours. All of us are one curve ball away from needing Medicaid too. Losing a job with health care benefits, giving birth to a child with a genetic blip, or suffering a brain injury in a car accident are just some examples of events that can swiftly change the course of a life."

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. She received support by having information, training, and peer mentoring that provided her with valuable assistance in making decisions for her family.  

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

If you itemize on your taxes, here is a special tax credit you should know about. 

Events and Activities

DS Network Holiday Party

Down Syndrome Network's Annual Holiday Party & Luncheon!

Saturday, December 8

10:30am - 1:00pm

At The Venue of Scottsdale, 7117 E. 3rd Avenue, Scottsdale

Enjoy a delicious lunch and a celebration for the whole family! For teens and adults, there will be dancing, billiards and Wii games. For younger kids, there will be crafts, balloon twisting, activities, special guests, live music, and more! Adults will enjoy great door prizes and visiting with other families! Direct from the North Pole, Santa will making a special appearance! Kids will love visiting with the jolly elf himself and receive a complimentary keepsake photo. Click here to RSVP before Dec. 3. For questions or to RSVP by phone, please call 480-759-9150. Please leave your name, phone number and how many will be attending.

Diabetes Health Fair

Date: Saturday, December 1, 2012

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

• Breakout Presentations
• FREE Health Checks
• Prize Drawings

For more information call Anne Dennis at the American Diabetes Association 602-861-4731 x7096

Vision Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Expo

Featuring technology and services that promote independence and quality of life for those with vision loss and combined vision/hearing loss. Free to attend and open to the public.

Friday, November 30, 2012

9am - 4pm

The Shriners Auditorium, 552 North 40^th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008

Complimentary shuttle service available from 38^th St. and Washington Light Rail stop - call to make a reservation: 480-994-0163.

Who should attend: anyone with vision loss or combined vision and hearing loss, and the friends, family and professionals who support them. More information: www.vrate.org

"Sensitive Santa" for Children with Sensory Sensitivities

Families will have the opportunity to have their child's picture taken with Santa in a calm, less-intimidating environment than the mall setting. This event is free and is for children who have sensory sensitivities, and who otherwise may not be able to have a picture taken with Santa at the mall.

Touchstone Behavioral Health locations

• Mesa Location: 2150 S. Country Club Drive, Suite #36, Mesa AZ 85210
  December 10, 2012 from 10am - 2pm
• Phoenix location: 15648 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85053
   December 12, 2012 from 10am-2pm
  December 15, 2012 from 10am-3pm

For details call Traci or Elizabeth 602-732-4967.

Christmas Party / Respite Time

December 8, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Highlands Church - 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255

The Highlands Church Special Needs Ministry is hosting a free community Christmas Party and respite time for children and adults with special needs. They will play games, make crafts, have pictures taken with Santa, enjoy snacks and sing songs. Please RSVP to Missy Farrington, 602-820-3345, missyf@highlandschurch.org

Webcast on Bullying

Moving from Awareness to Action in Bullying Prevention: Training Resources for the Field

Wednesday, December 05, 2012 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Arizona Time

This presentation from the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Webinar Series will explore how local communities can activate partnerships to create positive change in bullying prevention.

Workshop: Tips for Applying for SSI, SSDI and AHCCCS Freedom to Work

December 17

10:30am - 12 noon

ABIL, 5025 E Washington #200, Phoenix, AZ 85034

This workshop will provide tips for a successful application for persons with physical conditions as well as those with less obvious emotional or mental disabilities. We will also discuss how to appeal any denied applications.

Facilitator: David Cardinali is a retired Social Security Claims Representative and Public Affairs Specialist with 33 years of experience, and has provided benefits and work incentive counseling for the last 3 1/2 years at DIRECT Center for Independence.

Register: http://tipsapplyforbenefits.eventbrite.com/

Previously Listed in Monday Memo:

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.

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 4am.
• Treatment will be performed from 6am - 6pm 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

10am - 2pm

Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix

Free Training and Workshops

IFSP Basics

November 28, 2012

12:30pm - 2:30pm

For parents of children birth to 3 to learn the basics of the IFSP document and meeting process. 

Turning 3, What's Next? AzEIP to Preschool

November 28, 2012

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Learn how to transition your child from AzEIP services to preschool services provided by the school district.

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