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Sierra Vista Transition Conference

Presented by Raising Special Kids, Arizona Department of Education Parent Information Network, and Sierra Vista Unified School District

Saturday, February 9, 2013

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Apache Middle School Library 3305 Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

• High School Transition Plans
• How your child can prepare for and keep their first job
• What is guardianship and what are other legal options

Registration required for each workshop. No charge for parents or caregivers.

Raising Special Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

Feds: Schools Must Open Sports to Kids with Disabilities

Disability Scoop

For the first time, federal officials are telling school districts that they must offer students with disabilities equal access to school sports.

Letter from CMS on Mental Health Parity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a State Health Official letter with guidance on the applicability of the requirements of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to

• Medicaid managed care organizations
• The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Alternative benefit (benchmark) plans

States are Preparing for Implementation of ACA

Kaiser Family Foundation

Nearly all states are moving into high gear to prepare for implementation of the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with information technology and process improvements including a new streamlined Medicaid enrollment system and, at states' option, the expansion of Medicaid.

Obama's Plans for Guns Put Focus on Mental Health of the Young

Morning Edition

President Obama wants to arm school employees with mental health training. The president's plan centers largely on training teachers and others who work with children, teens, and young adults to recognize mental illness as it's developing.

Public Comment Sought on Draft Accommodations

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) released two draft accommodations policies for public comment: the reading access accommodation and the calculator use accommodation. Accommodations are designed to give students greater opportunity to show what they know and are able to do in assessments. Read the draft test accommodations policy. PARCC is seeking public comment until February 4th. More information, including a link to a survey where you can submit comments, http://www.parcconline.org/open-policies-public-comment .

UnitedHealth Joins Mayo Clinic in Pact to Improve Care

Bloomberg

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), the largest U.S. provider of medical coverage, will join the Mayo Clinic in a research alliance designed to merge insurance records and medical data to find more efficient ways to deliver care.

Gov. Brewer's $8.9 Billion Budget Adds Funds for CPS, K-12

The Republic | azcentral.com

Gov. Jan Brewer presented an $8.9 billion spending plan for the coming budget year, loosening the state's purse strings to fund education and child safety.

She unveiled a new incentive plan for schools, tying academic achievement and improvement to $36 million in new funding. She also proposes $61.5 million to help the state's K-12 schools meet the requirement of the new Common Core academic standards, which will first be tested in fall 2014; $7 million to complete a database at the state Department of Education that would track students; and $3.6 million in a matching-fund program to help hire 100 new armed officers to patrol schools.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Know who your legislators are? Click here to find out.

Bills to watch:

HB 2047 - AIMS Replacement

Effective July 1, 2014, the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) test is eliminated and replaced with a competency test adopted by the State Board of Education.

HB 2066 - Mental Illness Terms

Would ban offensive language regarding mental illness including removal of terms such as "idiot, lunatic".

Bill passed out of the house committee and goes to the floor.

Heather Carter, Cave Creek and Kate Brophy McGee, Phoenix are sponsors.

HB 2148 - DDD Family Caregivers Liability

A person who provides medical care to a family member with a developmental disability shall hold the Department of Economic Security harmless for any medical condition that results from providing that care.

HB 2161 - Waiver for License Fees for Service Dogs

Permits the members of the Board of Supervisors of each Arizona County to not charge a license fee to a person with disability and who uses a service animal.

HB 2168 - School Age Increase

Increases the school dropout age from 16 to 18, fully effective in the 2016-17 school year.

HB 2224 - Child Care Waiting List

Removes waiting lists for child care services for eligible families.

HB 2259 - Vocational Rehabilitation Prosthetic Appliances

For the purposes of vocational rehabilitation, the definition of "prosthetic appliance" is expanded to include orthodontic appliances.

HB 2382 - Repeal School Tuition Organizations Tax Credits

Repeals the individual and corporate income tax credits and the insurance premium tax credit for contributions to school tuition organizations. Due to a potential increase in state revenue, this bill requires the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of each house of the Legislature for passage.

HB 2458 - Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Fraud Prevention

Outlines additional policies that the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) can adopt to monitor fraudulent activity in Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) and details what constitutes fraudulent use of an ESA.

HB 2472 - Pupils with Chronic Health Problems Absences

School districts are prohibited from expelling, suspending or withdrawing from enrollment a student with chronic health problems due solely to extended absences from school.

HB 2476 - Restrictions on Isolation Rooms in Schools

Beginning in school year 2013-2014, disciplinary policies for the solitary confinement of a student must include certain criteria including the size of the room and the method in which the student will be monitored.

SB 1090 - Grandparents Caring for Children 

Will restore a monthly stipend and other benefits to grandparents and great grandparents who are caring for their children. 

Sponsored by Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor and others, it passed 7-0 out of Senate Health and Human Services committee. 

Events and Activities

2-Day Seminar on Power Mobility for Young Children

Go Baby Go - Mobility and Sociability - Starting a "Special Racers Program"

March 1 & 2, 2013

Scottsdale Healthcare Medical Center, Brady Conference Center, 9003 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Seminar Day 1:

• Explore recent advances in science, training, and technology that are quickly closing the gaps in providing power mobility to young children.
• Address practical issues and barriers to real world implementation such as incorporating power mobility into the realities of life in schools, homes and community.
• Building a modified ride-on toy car.

Workshop Day 2:

• A hands-on workshop in which participants assist in the basic modification of seating, steering and drive systems to prepare a car for a child.

Register or for more information, contact Lori Sletten at 480-323-3516.

Seminar on Autism and Bullying

Bullying & Autism: What We Know & What We Can Do About It

Friday, April 26 - Saturday, April 27, 2013

Scottsdale Public Library Civic Center Auditorium, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Who Should Attend: Families, School Faculty & Administrators, Professionals, Policymakers, Providers & Others with an interest in this topic

Learning Outcomes:

• Current research, issues & prevalence,
• How to support a change in behavior as the bully, victim or bystander
• How to include kids with ASDs in bully programming

Register online at www.rsvp.com/sarrcbullyautismconf

Contact: Sheri S. Dollin, M.Ed. 480.603.3283 or training@autismcenter.org

Presented by SARRC. Co-sponsored by Raising Special Kids.

Free Webinar on Resources from CADRE

January 30, 2013

10:30 am - 11:30 am Arizona Time (11:30 am - 12:30 pm Pacific Time)

CADRE is The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education. It will host a free webinar with Philip Moses, Assistant Director titled Preparing for Dispute Resolution: CADRE's Parent Dispute Resolution Resource Showcase. The Showcase is searchable collection of resources that contains a variety of items including policy and guidance documents, preparation materials, brochures, factsheets, and links to webinars and videos.

Presentation for Parents: Using Visuals to Support Positive Behavior

February 5, 2013

5:00 pm

Southwest Education Center, 4433 N. 7^th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014

For more information contact Kara McMahon: kara.mcmahon@menta.com or 602-578-6362

Previously Listed in Monday Memo:

Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) Professional Networking Meeting

Tuesday, January 29,

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Educational Topic: "Current Recommendations for the Academic and Athletic Management of Sport-Related Concussion" 

Location: Disability Empowerment Center, Conference Room 1 & 2, 5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Presented by Dr. Tamara Valovich-McLeod of AT Still University, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

Cost: $10 per person includes continental breakfast. BIAAZ Professional, Members are free.

Register Online at www.ShopBIAAZ.org

Event Schedule:

9:00 am - 9:30 am           Networking/Continental Breakfast         

9:30 am - 10:45 am        Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Updates & Educational Presentation

10:45 am - 11:00 am       Networking

First Annual ESA Provider Fair

February 2, 2013, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Lexis Preparatory School, 12753 North Scottsdale Rd - Scottsdale, AZ

Event will highlight private school/educational/therapeutic options available for students through Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds. The Fair offers families an opportunity to meet with and learn more about approved ESA service providers available for students. Arizona Department of Education representatives will also be there for questions, and parents are encouraged to bring children.

Seminar on Developing Emergency Plan

Dads4SpecialKids, in collaboration with H.O.P.E. Group, will be hosting a free seminar designed to assist individuals with special needs and their caregivers in developing their emergency and disaster plan. There will also be a discussion how to work with your local first responders in preparedness planning.

When: February 2, 2013, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Where: H.O.P.E. Group, LLC, 4530 E Muirwood Dr. Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Please contact administrative assistant Leah Williamson to reserve your spot, 480-610-6981 or lwilliamson@hopegroupaz.com . For any questions email Caitlin Watson at cwatson@hopegroupaz.com .

***Refreshments will be provided and kids are welcome to attend.

10th Annual Camp Fair

Two Days/ Two Locations

• Sat. Feb. 23, 2013 - Tesseract School Shea Campus, 3939 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix
• Sun., Feb 24, 2013 - Chandler Preparatory Academy, 1951 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler

Meet with day camps around the Valley and overnight camps around Arizona, throughout the Southwest and across the country. Talk with camp staff and directors, pick up registration information, and ask questions. Free admission.

Guardianship Workshop

Does Your Child Need Guardianship?

Sunday, February 24, 2013

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road / Scottsdale, AZ

Parents of children with special needs often need to file for guardianship in order to ensure on-going communication with doctors, educators and others. This program will focus on the process of applying for and obtaining guardianship, when it is needed, how it differs from a conservatorship or when a Power of Attorney might be sufficient. This two hour workshop with forms and instructions will include a Q & A opportunity. Attorneys will be available to provide one-on-one practical information and insight into the process. Sponsored by the Council for Jews with Special Needs and Jewish Legal Aid, a Start Me Up! project.

Pre-registration is recommended. Participants who pre-register no later than February 17^th are guaranteed to receive a 42-page Legal Options Manual; a limited number of additional copies may be available to walk-in participants. Pre-register at info@cjsn.org or 480-629-5343.

Action Day at the Capitol

Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition (AZDAC) Action Day at the Capitol & Legislative Training

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

3rd floor Conference Room, Capitol Towers, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

• Hear how Arizona Legislators plan to deal with the budget.
• Learn what disability issues AZDAC will be tracking this legislative session.
• Join AzDAC to be introduced on the floor of the House and the Senate.
• Observe the Legislature in action.
• Learn how you can testify on bills via the internet through the Legislative electronic system.
• While at the Capitol, register to use the "Request to Speak" system. 

Box lunch provided. 

To register go to http://2013azdacatcapitol.eventbrite.com

For more information contact: David Carey (602) 443-0723 or davidc@abil.org.

2nd Annual African American Conference on Disabilities

Friday, March 1, 2013

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Coast Phoenix Sky Harbor Hotel, 4300 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Registration (free of charge)

For more information and vendor opportunities

Contact: David Carey (602) 443-0723 or Renaldo Fowler (602) 274-6287

Youth Book Club/Sibling Support

Candid discussion about what it's like to be a sibling of a person with a disability.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Family Involvement Center 1430 E. Indian School Road Suite 110, Phoenix, Arizona 85014

Please call and register with the Parent Assistant Center (602)-288-0155.

http://www.familyinvolvementcenter.org/

Special Day for Special Kids

Saturday, March 23, 2013

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale

• Train & Carousel Rides
• Carnival Games and Booths
• Clowns, Mascots, Face Painting & Petting Zoo
• Hot Dog Lunch & Ice Cream

Free for families of children with disabilities and special needs.

Registration required (on the day of the event).

9th Annual American Indian Disability Summit

Monday, April 1, 2013

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Embassy Suites Hotel - Paradise Valley, 4415 E Paradise Village Pkwy South, Phoenix, Arizona

Theme: "Gathering Native Voices to "Ensure Well-Being & Preparedness in the 21st Century"

The summit is held to facilitate training, outreach and technical assistance for American Indians with disabilities residing in urban and rural areas. Attendees will gain awareness of support services, become empowered and improve their lifestyle by learning strategies to eliminate barriers to service delivery.

For registration information and for an application, please call: 602-443-0707 (Rosalie), 602-443-0708, 1-800-280-2245 x707 (Fernando), or 602-495-7521 (Dorothy). Visit http://9thamericanindiandisabilitysummit.eventbrite.com/ for on-line registration.

This is a fragrance and tobacco free event. If special accommodations needed, call Fernando Cruz at (ABIL) Arizona Bridge to Independent Living at (602) 443-0708, by March 16, 2013.