| Volume 08 | Issue 13 | March 31, 2008 |
Welcome to Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., published weekly by The Arc of the United States. We will bring to you news of interest to self advocates and their families, volunteers, professionals, and supporters of the disability movement. Please send any comments to mmwdc@thearc.org. You are welcome to reproduce and distribute items from Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., but please credit Monday Morning in Washington, D.C. (The Arc of the United States, 2007).
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities; and influence public policy.
[NOTE: Having trouble reading this newsletter? Read it online.] [Past Issues]
World Autism Awareness Day-Please Distribute
In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day April 2, CNN reports on the global impact, latest science and controversies related to the brain disorder. Watch for expanded coverage on CNN.com and CNN TV - http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/25/ep.autism.advocacy/index.html
New Tax Credits Require the Tax Filing by People with Disabilities
Advocates are concerned that a number of persons with disabilities who do not usually file a tax return are going to miss out on the cash benefit that the President's Economic Stimulus Plan could bring them. For example, someone on SSI with earned income of $3,000 or more is eligible but may not be aware of this as they are not generally required to file a tax return.
The stimulus payment will not count toward or negatively impact any other income-based government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, food stamps and other programs. The law authorizing the stimulus payments excludes these payments from being counted as income and excludes them from being counted as resources for two months after their receipt.
There is information on this topic online, which includes examples of tax filers and specific information for individuals with disabilities. Click on the following link: http://www.reitour.org/news/2008EconStimPmt.htm
You can also visit the IRS website for more information, by clicking on the following link: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html
Technical assistance questions involving disability may be directed to Judy Stengel, Email Jstengel@ndi-inc.org, a parent and retired IRS employee who is an expert now working at the National Disability Institute in Washington, DC.
[nectac-enotes] NECTAC eNotes - March 28, 2008
DisabilityInfo.govFourth Quarter 2007 Letters of Clarification from Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs - Retrieved March 28, 2008
Policy documents from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) dated October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 related to the education of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities are now available online at http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/letters/2007-4/index.htmlA subset of letters of clarification that specifically address Part C and Section 619 of the IDEA can be accessed via the NECTAC Web site at http://www.nectac.org/idea/clarfctnltrs.asp
Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA) - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Evaluation, and Policy Development - March 24, 2008
The Office of Evaluation, and Policy Development has published proposed amendments to the regulations governing education records maintained by educational agencies and institutions under section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act, which is also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). Comments must be received on or before May 8, 2008. For complete information see the Federal Register Notice at http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/proprule/2008-1/032408a.htmlGrant Notice - Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - March 18, 2008
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently published a notice inviting applications for Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants to support dissertation research by advanced graduate students who are working in partnership with Head Start programs and with faculty mentors. The due date for letters of intent is 05/19/2008. The due date for applications is June 16, 2008. For complete information go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2008-ACF-OPRE-YR-0068.htmlNew Report – Transition Barriers for Children with Significant Disabilities and from Diverse Backgrounds
Source: National Early Childhood Transition Center - March 27, 2008
A new report from the National Early Childhood Transition Center (NECTC) entitled Transition Issues and Barriers for Children with Significant Disabilities and from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds by Beth Rous, Carol Schroeder, Sarintha Stricklin, Ann Hains, and Megan Cox provides findings from a national study to identify issues and barriers encountered during transitions for young children with disabilities and their families. Transitions for two specific groups were targeted; (a) children with significant disabilities and their families, and (b) children with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families.A short summary of the report is available at: http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/nectc/TRANSITIONALERTS/Delphi%20Findings.pdf
The full technical report is available at http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/nectc/Documents/technicalreport/DelphiTechnical%20Report.pdfUpdate - Improving the Delivery of Health Care that Supports Young Children's Healthy Mental Development
Source: Commonwealth Fund - Retrieved March 28, 2008
A new Commonwealth Fund report entitled Improving the Delivery of Health Care that Supports Young Children's Healthy Mental Development: Update on Accomplishments and Lessons from a Five-State Consortium by Neva Kaye and Jill Rosenthal discusses lessons learned from the second Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD II) Consortium, which gave five states an opportunity to develop and test strategies for improving the delivery of developmental services to young children at risk for or with social or emotional development delays, especially those in need of preventive or early intervention services. The report is available online at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=670975New Research - Food Insecurity Affects Children's Early Development
Source: Child Trends - March 26, 2008
New research from Child Trends, published in the March online edition of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, demonstrates that food security (access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food) can affect both mothers' psychological well-being and positive behaviors with their infants, and the children's development over the first two years. Food Security During Infancy: Implications for Attachment and Mental Proficiency in Toddlerhood by Martha Zaslow, Jacinta Bronte-Tinkew, Randolph Capps, Allison Horowitz, Kristin A. Moore, and Debra Weinstein, is based on the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative sample of infants and toddlers. An abstract is available online at http://www.springerlink.com/content/0q1174020t651nv0/.Working Paper - Towards Better Behavioral Health for Children, Youth and their Families
Source: National Center for Children in Poverty - Retrieved March 24, 2008
The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) recently published a paper entitled Towards Better Behavioral Health for Children, Youth and their Families Financing that Supports Knowledge by Janice L. Cooper, which provides a broad overview of funding sources (and their policy roots) that underwrite children’s behavioral health services. It is available online at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_804.html
Several new grant opportunities from the Department of Education, including funding to promote academic achievement and improve results for children with disabilities and projects or demonstrations that provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals with disabilities who are migrant or seasonal farmworkers. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5097.
ADAPT Celebrates 25 Years of Social Change through Direct Action
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Washington, D.C.--- 25 years ago, Rev. Wade Blank, and Mike Auberger, Co-Directors of the Atlantis Community, a Denver Center for Independent Living, proclaimed their intent to take their local activism, which used direct action to bring about positive changes in the Denver community, to a national level.
Looking at the rag-tag group of two dozen people with disabilities that had shown up for a protest to make Denver mainline buses accessible, nationally renown organizer Shel Trapp shook his head and said “It will never happen.” Yet, over the next 7 years, these three men and that rag tag group, along with dozens more that came to join with them each year, achieved exactly that outcome by forming ADAPT, then known as Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit.
25 years later, over the course of a week, from April 26 to May 2, in Washington, D.C., over 1000 people with disabilities and supporters from all over the country will participate in a variety of events to remember ADAPT’s humble beginnings in 1983, celebrate the growth and progress of the disability rights movement during the past 25 years, and set the stage for continuing activism in the years to come.
ADAPT’s humble beginnings grew into a national grassroots activist movement that has changed the face of the disability rights movement. ADAPT has been memorialized in photos by Tom Olin taken at ADAPT actions over the years. Olin’s photos of ADAPT have appeared in the Smithsonian, are part of the National Civil Rights Museum, and show up continually in national press and media, in scores of books, on posters, and in every corner of the world wide web.
More information on the Events occurring during the ADAPT 25 anniversary celebration week can be found on the following websites: www.Adapt25.org or www.adaptfunrun.org or www.adapt.org
The public is invited to participate in the Fun Run/Roll on April 27 or sponsor participants (www.adaptfunrun.org), and to tour the exhibits at the Holiday Inn Capitol Hotel on May 1.
People interested in learning more about ADAPT and/or the 25th Anniversary events can go to the websites above, or call 512-442-0252, or 303-733-9324.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the application process for disability benefits including how Social Security decides if an individual is disabled. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=170.
New Resource from AAIDD on Social Inclusion at Work
It is well-known that being included in social groups at work increases the job security and quality of life of people with or without disabilities. A new book titled, "More than a Paycheck: Social Inclusion at Work" by Janis Chadsey, contains step-by-step intervention strategies for teachers, vocational specialists, job coaches, and other professionals on how to socially integrate people with intellectual disabilities into employment settings. Social Inclusion at Work is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and is available for review and purchase at http://bookstore.aaidd.org/BookDetail.aspx?bid=68
Study Records A Dramatic Increase In Individual Choice While Choosing Service Providers For People With Intellectual Disabilities Transitioning From Educational To Adult Services
In the period between 1992-2004, the number of U.S. states offering young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose their service provider increased from only 8 to 41 states, according to a study published in the December issue of the journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. While patterns of service delivery in states are well documented, most studies focus on the number of people served and service costs incurred, rather than the issue of choice of providers offered to individuals. "Who Chooses Service Providers? The Spread of Consumer Choice, 1992-2004" reveals a different lens through which to explore the changing state of developmental disability services. To read an abstract of the article, go to http://aaidd.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-toc&issn=1934-9556&volume=45&issue=6
New Medicaid and SCHIP Rules -- Impacts on Children
Two new reports look at recent changes in the regulations and administration of government health insurance programs for children. These changes include a requirement that states prove that they have enrolled at least 95 percent of all uninsured children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid before they can expand coverage to other children, and prohibiting the use of schools to administer Medicaid. The summaries offer clear explanations of the new rules. New Report Indicates Medicaid Rules Would Hurt Special Needs Children (First Focus) - http://firstfocus.net/pages/3377/ and Children Are the Real Victims of the CMS August Directive (Shriver Center) - http://www.povertylaw.org/news-and-events/poverty-action-report/march-2008/Children%20Are%20the%20Real%20Victims%20of%20the%20CMS%20August%20Directive.html
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation to Offer Medical Assistance Grants
To apply visit: http://www.uhccf.org/
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance.
Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments
Any child 16 years old or younger living in any UnitedHealthcare region of the United States (all 50 states) and in need of financial assistance for healthcare services will be considered eligible for a grant. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the U.S., and be covered by a commercial health insurance plan.
Highlighted criteria for applying: The income max is based on "per individual" in the household, family Adjusted Gross can't exceed $80,000. Visit their website at http://www.uhccf.org/ and learn more about it. They also have a great Frequently Asked Questions Section.
Criteria (modified from their website http://www.uhccf.org/criteria.html)
Any child, 16 years old or younger
The applicant must be covered by a commercial health insurance policy and limits for the requested service are either exceeded, or no coverage is available and/or the copayments are a serious financial burden on the family.
Cconsideration will be given, but not be limited to, criteria such as the potential of the intervention to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life for the child, the financial status of the family and the severity of the child's illness.
Financial need of the child's family should be documented through information provided on the application and by submission of a copy of the most recently filed tax return. Generally, awards will be granted to individuals in families whose adjusted gross income per individual does not exceed $20,000. If you have 4 people in your family AGI cap would be $80,000. Other financial resources to meet the health care need are not available.
The amount awarded to an individual within a 12-month period is limited to either $5,000 or 85% of the fund balance, whichever amount is less. Awards to any one individual are limited to a lifetime maximum of $7,500. An application must be submitted prior to the child's 17th birthday.
REFERENCE POINTS:
Conference and Workshop Updates Added to the TATRA Website
REFERENCE POINTS is an activity of TATRA, a project of PACER Center
REFERENCE POINTS Conference and workshop updates feature NEW additions to the listing of transition related national and regional conferences maintained on PACER Center's TATRA Project web site. To see our complete calendar of events, please visit us at http://www.pacer.org/tatra/calendar.asp.
CFP -Georgetown University Certificate Program/BSC Partnership
The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute is launching two Certificate Programs: one for Individuals and one for multi-jurisdictional teams. These programs are called the Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative and are designed to provide intensive study for leaders responsible for policy development and implementation in their jurisdictions in order to enhance systems integration and build a strong cadre of public agency leaders supportive of juvenile justice reform and better outcomes for our young people. Participants will benefit from a deeper level of instruction and results- oriented activities. Faculty who will teach the modules are comprised of experts from across the country and within the Georgetown faculty.
Through the generous support of Casey Family Programs, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, participating jurisdictions will be able to benefit from expert guidance, professional resources, and financial assistance to support their work across the juvenile justice and related systems of care. Individuals and jurisdictions will receive financial support for the travel, lodging and tuition for the Certificate Program.
Participants in both programs will receive a Certificate of Achievement from Georgetown University and become a part of the Center's network of "fellows" who will both benefit from and provide ongoing professional support.
More information and the request for applications is available on the Center's website, http://www.cjjr.georgetown.edu. An informational/Q&A conference call will also be offered on April, 2, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
REFERENCE POINTS: Mental Health Resources
WOMEN WITH ADHD FACE MORE PROBLEMS THAN MEN
Although boys who have ADHD are generally more impaired than girls with the disorder, the situation becomes reversed once the boys and girls grow up, a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry indicates. Women who grow up with ADHD are more likely than men with the disorder to report higher levels of depression and anxiety as well as worse tempter control and mood-volatility, the study's researchers reported. This article from the March 19, 2008 issue of Reuters, can be found at http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSHAR97823520080319
From: Mental Health America
INCLUSIVE LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES
This new report from the National Council on Disabilities discusses the barriers and solutions to people with psychiatric disabilities fully participating in the community. The report can be found at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/LivableCommunities.html .
FEWER TEENS ATTEMPT SUICIDE AFTER ATTENDING PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program, used in more than 3,500 U.S. schools, teaches students to be able to recognize suicidal thoughts or spot the warning signs of depression in themselves and in their friends and to tell a trusted adult. The program saves lives, said program manager Sharon Pigeon, with research from 2004 and 2007 showing that suicide attempts were 40% percent less for students in the SOS high-school program than for the control group. This article from the January 3, 2008 issue of the Christian Sciences Monitor can be found at http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0103/p14s01-legn.html
EMPLOYER INNOVATIONS ONLINE FROM THE PARTNERSHIP FOR WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH
Employer Innovations Online, facilitating practical applications at the workplace, helps employers take action to address mental health at the workplace by providing case examples of successful corporate approaches. The website includes a search engine, which allows users to search for actual practices of leading employers in key areas, such as screening and education, Employee Assistance Programs, and disability management. The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health advances effective employer approaches to mental health by combining the knowledge and experience of the American Psychiatric Association and its employer partners. The partnership delivers educational materials and provides a forum to explore mental health issues and share innovative solutions. It promotes the business case for quality mental health care, including early recognition, access to care and effective treatment. The website can be found at http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/search.aspx
New products have been published on the Quality Mall web site:
"Assistive Technology News" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4641
"The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4701
"Art Mentorship - All ages and skill levels" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4574
"Unspeakable: The Story of Junius Wilson" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4642
"The Decline in Employment of People with Disabilities: A Policy Puzzle" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4646
"Positive behaviour support for people with intellectual disabilities: evidence-based practice promoting quality of life" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4650
"Schuyler's Monster: A Father's Journey with His Wordless Daughter" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4656
"Utah Young Adult Panel 2007" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4657
"Beyond Disability: The Fe Fe Stories" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4668
Sen. Christopher Dodd announced significant new legislation that would allow families of people with disabilities to save money in tax-advantaged accounts. The Disability Savings Act of 2008 would allow savings similar to college 529 plans, so families could put aside money for care without jeopardizing their access to existing government assistance. http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-doddsavingsact,0,2489789.story
New Bilingual Autism Resource Guide
To help diverse families living with autism, a new Bilingual Autism Resource Guide is now available at www.asdAtoZ.com. The Bilingual Autism Resource Guide is a free directory of the best web resources available in Spanish with site descriptions in both Spanish and English. http://www.asdAtoZ.com
Autism No Longer an Obstacle For Students Seeking College Degree
If college were purely academic, 16-year-old Cullen Kappel would have no worries. But the mostly straight-A student who studies astrophysics just for fun knows his challenge at college will be in what happens between classes. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080310/NEWS05/803100317/1118/PRINT
Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the following report:
No Child Left Behind Act: Education Actions Could Improve the Targeting of School Improvement Funds to Schools Most in Need of Assistance. GAO-08-380, February 29http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-380
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08380high.pdf
check out http://www.bazelon.org/newsroom/2008/3-08DRA.htm, Bazelon’s report on state choices for Medicaid under the DRA.
Society for Disability Studies listserv
video "Talk"
The remarkable video "Talk" by the UK Disability Rights Commission is
available online on YouTube. It's quite fun, and a good teaching tool.
Here are links:
part 1 of 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZfOVNwjFU0&feature=related
part 2 of 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9a2ZqLhuAw&feature=related
excerpt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3AeIFup1qY&feature=user
here is the link to the closed captioned and signed version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSG6LGutkHo&feature=related
George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Health Policy, “CMS' Medicaid Regulations: Implications for Children with Special Health Care Needs” http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/departments/healthpolicy/chsrp/downloads/CMSregsandCSHCN_031108fin.pdf
PHI Quality Care through Quality JobsIf you need to know how many hours of training states require for nursing assistants, or you want to compare your state's requirements to others, a new table in PHI's Clearinghouse can help.
Federal regulations require nurse aides to get at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training. That's a good start, but most consumer advocates and researchers who've studied direct-care work think more is needed. Most state governments appear to agree, since they require more than the federal minimum.
State Nurse Aide Training Requirements, 2007 (pdf) - http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/l_art_det.jsp?res_id=271910 lists the minimum number of total hours and clinical hours required by each of the states and the District of Columbia. Twenty-eight of the 51 require more than training than the feds, with 12 states and DC requiring 120 hours or more. Thirty states require more than 16 hours of clinical training.
The greatest amount of training required is in Missouri, which mandates at least 175 total hours and 100 hours of clinical.
PHI - http://phinational.org/ works to improve the lives of people who need home and residential care-and the lives of the workers who provide that care. Our goal is to ensure caring, stable relationships between consumers and workers, so that both may live with dignity, respect, and independence.
Disability is Natural - latest edition
March 2008 - View online at www.disabilityisnatural.com/email/2008-03.htm
Spring Edition of HEATH Publications Includes Summer 2008 Pre-College Programs
The GW HEATH Resource Center's recently released its Spring Edition of Publications: http://www.heath.gwu.edu/taxonomy/term/2 !
Of course those of you subscribed using our RSS Feature (see also: http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/18) are aware that we've published our annual Summer 2008 Pre-College Programs. Found in our Spring Edition are--
Target Stores Accepting Applications for Local Store Grants Program
Deadline: May 31, 2008
Target Corporation's ( http://www.target.com/ ) Local Store
Grants provide funding support to "Target" communities in the areas of arts, reading programs, and family violence prevention.
To be eligible, organizations must be located in communities
where Target does business. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit
501(c)(3) organizations, schools, libraries, or public agencies
for nonprofit programs that impact arts, early childhood reading, or family violence prevention. Arts grants are awarded to
programs that bring the arts to schools or make the arts accessible to children and families. Early childhood reading grants
support programs that foster a love of reading and encourage
children, from birth through age nine, to read together with
their families. Family violence prevention grants support programs that strengthen families and communities by keeping them
safe.
Support will be awarded for projects or programs. The average
grant amount is between $1,000 and $3,000.
For communities offering unique opportunities outside the scope
of the program's focus areas, Target provides each store limited
funds for Target GiftCard donations. GiftCard donations are
available March through December, as funding permits.
Visit the Target Web site for complete program information.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15012103/target
Until Next week
The Arc of the United States,1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650,Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301-565-3842, Fax: 301-565-3843, Email: mmwdc@info.thearc.org, Web: www.thearc.org
Disclaimer: MMWDC publishes information about issues and events that we believe to be important and likely to be of interest to advocates and others interested in inclusion of persons with disabilities in all parts of society. However, MMWDC and The Arc of the United States and TheArcLink Incorporated do not necessarily endorse all events, sponsoring organizations and reports which appear.