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

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

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

• Arizona state budget
• Disability issues this legislative session
• Join AzDAC to be introduced in the House and the Senate
• Learn how you can testify on bills via the internet
• Register to use the "Request to Speak" system 

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

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

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

Social Security Proposes Dropping 'Mental Retardation'

Disability Scoop

The Social Security Administration has signaled its intention to start using the term "intellectual disability" in place of "mental retardation."

New Interpretation of FMLA Benefits Parents of Adult Children with Disabilities

A new interpretation of the Family and Medical Leave Act's (FMLA) means that more parents will be able to take FMLA- protected leave from their jobs to care for their adult children with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor expands the FMLA's current language to include adult children who are unable to care for themselves because of a mental or physical disability and whose disabilities occurred before or after the age of 18. This Interpretation clarifies FMLA-protected leave for a parent and broadens the definition of "disability" to reflect the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act.

Learn more about the FMLA and this new Administrator Interpretation.

Federal Rule Limits Aid to Families Who Can't Afford Employers' Health Coverage

The New York Times

The IRS ruling just adopted includes a strict definition of affordable health insurance on Wednesday that will deny federal financial assistance to millions of Americans with modest incomes who cannot afford family coverage offered by employers.

Related: A Cruel Blow to American Families Editorial, New York Times

Arizona Drops U.S. Foster-Care Grant

The Republic | azcentral.com

State officials are canceling an $11.5 million federal grant program intended to help find homes for older, hard-to-place foster children.

Health Equity Strategic Plan

ADHS Weekly Update

Arizona just achieved a new milestone in eliminating health disparities, with the publication of Arizona Health Equity Stakeholders Strategies. The plan was the result of a two-year state-wide effort among key stakeholders, focus groups and experts in health disparities to identify existing health disparities and define the best strategies for addressing them.   

The Arizona Health Equity Stakeholders Strategies plan will serve as a starting point to eliminate health disparities in communities. The Arizona Health Disparities Center took the lead in developing the plan.

City of Phoenix Access to Care Assessment

Phoenix adopted an assessment on designated acute care hospitals so that Arizona's Medicaid program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), can draw down additional federal matching funds, subject to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approval.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

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

NEW IN OUR LIST:

HB 2350 Permanent Early Voting List - Notarization

Requires current and new voters signing up for the Permanent Early Voting List to register with a notarized application.

H2001 State Health Care Exchange - Prohibition

The state is prohibited from establishing or administering a state-based health care exchange.

First sponsor: Rep. Seel

H2091 AHCCCS - ORTHOTIC SERVICES

AHCCCS is required to limit reimbursement for nonemergency transportation to the cost of bus transportation in regions where a scheduled bus system is available.

First sponsor: Rep. Seel

S1119 AHCCCS ELIGIBILITY

The maximum income a person may have to be eligible for AHCCCS is increased to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, from 100 percent.

First sponsor: Sen. Gallardo

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H2047 - 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.

H2148 - 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.

H2168 - 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.

H2259 - Vocational Rehabilitation Prosthetic Appliances

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

H2458 - 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.

H2472 - 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.

H2476 - 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,

Passed 7-0 out of Senate Health and Human Services committee.

Events and Activities

Youth Involvement in Arizona's Behavioral Health System: Training and Workshop for Professionals, Youth and Families

Thursday, February 6, 2013

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Magellan

4801 E. Washington St., Phoenix

For providers working with youth and young adults, family members and other stakeholders, this workshop will enable attendees to participate in an interactive training and dialogue

The workshop will be followed by a presentation on MY LIFE highlighting the group's work over the last five years. MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment) was founded in Arizona in 2008 to give youth an opportunity to use their experience, talents and voice to make positive changes in their lives, while helping others to do the same. It is a free program.

To register or learn more, contact Erica Goble at (602) 652-5840 or e-mail EMGoble@MagellanHealth.com; or Greg Dicharry at (602) 692-9135, or e-mail GDDicharry@MagellanHealth.com.

Presentation of " Learning the Art of Common Language - How to Get your Perspective Heard and Understood"

Sponsored by Asperger Parent Network

Presented by Nicole Deopere, ASU Mary Lou Fulton College of Education graduate student

Disability Empowerment Center (Classroom A), 5025 E. Washington St. Phoenix 85034

Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 pm

For parent advocates struggling to make their voices heard by professionals and service providers.

• Introduction to Common Language
• Common Language from a parent perspective
• Common Language from a professional perspective

Please RSVP to Carolyn Warden at RainMom@cox.net

River of Dreams Open House

Saturday, February 16, 2013

10:00am - 2:00pm

Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center, 5031 E. Washington St.

-       Learn about the adventure recreation programs Daring Adventures and River Rampage.

-       Check out adaptive sports equipment for sled hockey, cycling, cross country skiing and hiking

-       Refreshments available

Registration: Interested participants and volunteers should sign up by sending an email to info@river-of-dreams.org. If you have any additional questions contact Linda Tuck at 602-290-0214 or linda.tuck@river-of-dreams.org

River of Dreams' Daring Adventures Winter Program Schedule includes biking, hiking, cross country skiing, and sled hockey adapted to meet the needs of individuals with significant disabilities.

Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) Presentation

Friday, February 22, 2013

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

SARRC Vocational & Life Skills Academy (VLSA), 2225 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Dr. Openden. Ph.D., BCBA, SARRC's clinical services director, will describe the development and implementation of Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence-based intervention for teaching children with autism.

$50 per attendee or $45 per attendee for groups of 3 or more. Discount for Arizona Autism Coalition Parent Members. Register online.

ASHA & BACB CE's Offered.

For additional details, please contact Sheri S. Dollin,M.Ed., at (480) 603-3284 or email training@autismcenter.org.

Childhood Trauma Conference

February 27-28 and March 1, 2013

7:45 am - 4:30 pm

Thunderbird Executive Inn & Conference Center Herberger Administration Building

15249 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85306

An two-day conference examining the effects of trauma on children, families and their therapists.

Click here for a complete speaker list and agenda.

Previously Listed in Monday Memo:

Presentation for Parents: Using Visuals to Support Positive Behavior

Tuesday, 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

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

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. Sponsored by the Council for Jews with Special Needs and Jewish Legal Aid.

Pre-registration is recommended. Pre-register at info@cjsn.org or 480-629-5343.

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:

• Recent advances in technology that are providing power mobility to young children.
• Practical issues and barriers; incorporating power mobility in schools, homes and community.
• Building a modified ride-on toy car.

Workshop Day 2:

• Participants assist in the basic modification of seating, steering and drive systems to prepare a car for a child

Scholarships available for families.

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

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 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"

Training, outreach and technical assistance for American Indians with disabilities residing in urban and rural areas. Attendees will gain awareness of support services and how to 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.

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

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.

 "I have been a CASA (Court-appointed special advocate) for four years, and in all that time, I can state this is the best and most informative conference I've attended."

- Collaborative Therapies Conference, Tucson