| Volume 08 | Issue 22 | June 2, 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]
ACTION ALERT - URGE CONGRESS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR FAMILY SUPPORT
Summary: Beginning right now and throughout the summer, Congress will be deciding how much money federal programs will receive for the coming year. There are several key programs that provide family supports (see below) but they are seriously underfunded. We need your help to educate Members of Congress about why it is important to provide more money for family support programs.
Action: Contact members of the House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittees. Urge them to provide additional funding for family support programs at the levels recommended below, which are consistent with recommendations from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
Members of Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Members of House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee
You can contact members of Congress by calling the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3124.
You can also click here to send your members of Congress a prepared e-mail message.
Background: While over 80% of all long-term services and supports are delivered informally, little funding is provided to support family and other informal caregivers.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) is authorized under Older Americans Act. It is intended to provide a variety of supports to caregivers of older individuals and older caregivers of children and adults with disabilities. Funding for the NFCSP has not kept pace with an aging population and actually received a slight cut last year. It is currently funded at $153.4 million; it is recommended that Congress increase funding to $250 million for FY 09.
2. Lifespan Respite Care Act
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law on December 21, 2006. It is intended to provide competitive grants to assist states in developing statewide respite systems to make quality respite available to family caregivers regardless of age or disability. However, it has not yet received any funding to be implemented. It is recommended that Congress provide funding at the full authorization level of $53.3 million for FY 09.
3. Family Support Program
Title II of the Developmental Disabilities Act authorizes the Family Support Program to promote and strengthen systems of family support services to families with relatives with developmental disabilities. Currently, only 21 states receive grants and funding is provided through a different section of the Act. It is recommended that funding for family support be increased from approximately $7.2 million to $17 million for FY09 to allow every state and US territory to receive grants. It is also recommended that this funding be provided through Title II without negatively impacting funding for other initiatives within Projects of National Significance.
Current and past issues of eNotes can be viewed online at http://www.nectac.org/enotes/enotes.asp
In this Issue
Family Voices of North Dakota e-News
Equality of Health for CSHCN: Contributing Factors and Help for Families and Communities
This publication provides an overview of the literature, demographics, and references for families, services providers, and communities on health disparities and access to care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN).www.championsinc.org/disparity/ethnicDisparities_brief.cfm
Proposed amendments to the regulations of Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities Program and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities Program
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has posted proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities Program and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities Program, as published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2006. These proposed regulations have not previously been available for public comment. The announcement states, "In developing final regulations for the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities Program, we identified certain issues for which additional regulatory changes might be necessary." These issues include: 1) Parental revocation of consent after consenting to the initial provision of services 2)A State's or local educational agency's (LEA's) obligation to make positive efforts to employ qualified individuals 3)Representation of parents by non-attorneys in due process hearings 4)State monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement of the Part B program 5)The allocation of funds, under sections 611 and 619 of the Act, to LEAs that are not serving any children with disabilities. Comments must be received on or before July 28, 2008. For complete information go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-10522.htm
The Economics of Early Childhood: What the Dismal Science Has to Say About Investing in Children
The RAND Corporation has published a new paper entitled The Economics of Early Childhood: What the Dismal Science Has to Say About Investing in Children, by M. Rebecca Kilburn and Lynn A. Karoly. This paper summarizes recent research findings from the field of economics related to the benefits of investing in early childhood programs. It is meant to provide policymakers with a primer on how economic analyses can be used to help set agendas for early childhood policy and identify the benefits of targeting certain groups of children for help. For complete information and to read the report go to http://rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP227/ The May/June 2008 issue of the Harvard Education Letter discusses recent research findings related to the significant difference parents can make in their children's literacy skills by increasing the quantity and quality of their conversations beginning at birth. The issue is entitled The Power of Family Conversation and is available online at http://www.edletter.org/insights/familyconversation.shtmlStudy Provides New Data on Infants and Children With Special Health Care Needs
"As demonstrated in earlier studies, CSHCN [children with special health care needs] require and use more health care services, as well as incur higher expenses. Our analysis shows that this also holds true for IYCSHCN [infants and young children with special health care needs]," state the authors of an article published in the April-June 2008 issue of Infants and Young Children: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Special Care Practices. Houtrow AJ, Kim SE, Newacheck P. 2008. Health care utilization, access, and expenditures for infants and young children with special health care needs. Infants and Young Children: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Special Care Practices 21(2):149-159. Abstract available at http://www.iycjournal.com/pt/re/iyc/abstract.00001163-200804000-00007.htm. Readers: More information is available from the following MCH Library resource: - Knowledge Path: Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs at http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_CSHCN.html
Medicaid Spending by State of Residence (NEW)
New data from CMS's Office of the Actuary on total Medicaid spending estimates by state of residence for 1995 through 2004 are also available for all states. Medicaid Spending by State of Residence - http://cme.kff.org/Key=14237.Z4.F.C.KT6y0p
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is pleased to announce exciting improvements to the Ticket to Work Program.
These changes were published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2008 and will go in to effect on July 21, 2008. Check out the new regulations at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10879.pdf
FACTS FROM NLTS2: SUBSTANCE USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES (MAY 2008)
This report was released by the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) and uses data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) to answer questions about the use of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and LSD among young adults with disabilities. The report compares substance use among this population with substance use in the general population, and compares different disability categories and demographic groups in substance use and in the receipt of substance abuse prevention education and services. The report can be viewed at http://ies.ed.gov/whatsnew/
[FCTD] May News & Notes - AT & Families
On the Front Lines: AT and Families
In This Issue...
http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/index.php
Among the organizations that provide much-needed disability information and services are the State Assistive Technology Programs, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. Tech Act programs work hard to connect parents and guardians with the information, equipment and services they need to acquire on behalf of their children. AT is a frequently addressed topic, as it is an area in which families often need a great deal of support – from a basic introduction to terms and concepts to equipment trials, evaluations and assessments. In this issue we look at AT through the eyes of an experienced Tech Act center professional.
Joining us to help explore this topic is Alice Wershing, M. Ed., ATP, educational technology coordinator at the East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC). The organizations spotlighted this month focus on family AT needs. Please share this newsletter with families and colleagues who may benefit from it. We invite you to visit us at http://www.fctd.info. We welcome feedback, new members and all who contribute to our growing knowledge base.
To read more... http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/index.php
Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD),
1825 Connecticut Ave. NW,
Suite 700S,
Washington, DC 20009,
email | fctd@aed.org,
web | www.fctd.info
Bridges4Kids NewsDigest: May 26, 2008
bridges4kids Featured Resource: Free Reproducible Language and Early Literacy Activities
To download materials go to www.walearning.com and click on the purple button that says "Free Parent Education Handouts" on the home page. Look for the "On the Go" file to download the materials in PDF format. The new materials are designed to encourage parents to interact with their children while they are "On the Go" to facilitate language, early literacy, and positive parent-child interactions. The materials include 14 activities as well as accompanying hints for each of the activities about how to modify the activities to meet the specific developmental needs of the child.
People w/Disabilities Gaining Independence Through Video Games
ScienceDaily, May 15, 2008 - http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/5-08/ScienceDaily5-5-08.html
Today’s video games serve a multitude of functions ranging from entertainment to exercise and even education. Now, three graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Class of 2008 have created a game with an even more important purpose—to foster independence among disabled individuals.
Veterans Prepare for Largest Annual Wheelchair Sports Event
Ability Buzz, May 22, 2008 - http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/5-08/AB5-22-08b.html
The US Fed News on May 12 reported that The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scheduled to take place July 25-29 in Omaha, Neb., will attract more than 500 veterans with disabilities. It has become the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world. Veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will again join their fellow veterans in 17 competitive events being offered in Omaha.
Olympic Dream Stays Alive, on Synthetic Legs
Ability Buzz, May 22, 2008 - http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/5-08/AB5-22-08.html
Joshua Robinson and Alana Schwarz reported in the New York Times on Saturday, May 17th that when an international court ruled Friday that a double-amputee sprinter from South Africa was eligible to compete in this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, the stage was set for disabled athletes to meet their own trailblazer.
REFERENCE POINTS:
CALL FOR PAPERS/SAVE THE DATE: NOV 10 - 11, 2008 "OPENING DOORS: ADVENTURE, CONNECTION, SOLUTIONS"
"OPENING DOORS: ADVENTURE, CONNECTION, SOLUTIONS," a State of the Science conference on accessing services for children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs from traditionally underserved communities.
Submit paper proposals for the conference through June 30, 2008.
PARTICIPANTS: Practitioners and researchers in rehabilitation, health, education, and public policy; Community-Based Organizations; Families and Youth
TOPICS OF THE CONFERENCE
INVITED SPEAKERS: STEPHEN BLUMBERG, PhD-Centers for Disease Control; RENEE JENKINS, MD, FAAP-President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (10/07-10/08)
DOT NARY, MA-Project Workout on Wheels, University of Kansas; GREG SMITH-Disability Advocate, Radio Host, and Motivational Speaker
DATE: Monday-Tuesday, November 10-11 (Sunday night arrival) Registration begins September 1.
LOCATION; Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Berenise Reyes-Albino at berenise.albino@umb.edu or 617-287-4314.
Submit paper proposals for the conference through June 30, 2008
Opening Doors is a five-year Rehabilitation Research and Training Center funded by NIDRR/U.S. DOE. Partners: ICI, Children's Hospital Boston, UMass Boston, Mass. Consortium for Children with Special Health Care Needs, PACER, and Opening Doors community partners. The conference is sponsored by NIDRR, the HSC Foundation, MCHB, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Download the conference poster (PDF): http://www.openingdoorsforyouth.org/sos/opening_doors_conf.pdf
Download a call for papers poster (PDF): http://www.openingdoorsforyouth.org/sos/sos_call_f_papers.pdf
Submit an Abstract: http://www.openingdoorsforyouth.org/sos/abstract.php
Sponsored by Opening Doors for Youth and held in Bethesda, MD. For more information go to http://www.openingdoorsforyouth.org/sos
REFERENCE POINTS:
Resources on the Olmstead Decision
CMS RELEASES PROPOSED RULE FOR THE MEDICAID HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED STATE PLAN OPTION
On March 31, CMS released a notice of proposed rulemaking for State Plan Option Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The rule implements section 1915i of the Social Security Act, which was created by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Under this new option, states can provide HCBS to individuals who do not qualify for institutional-level care. Previously, through 1915c waivers, individuals needed to meet institutional level of care requirements in order to receive HCBS. One of the main aspects of the proposed rule focuses on a person-centered planning process to develop each plan of care. Currently, Iowa is the only state with an approved 1915i state plan amendment. Comments on the rule are due by June 3, 2008. The text can be found online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2249P.pdf.
DISCUSSION PAPER: ADVANCING SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES: MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE OLMSTEAD INTEGRATION MANDATE
This report was prepared by the National Disability Institute. For states that receive federal funding, the Olmstead decision confirmed the obligation to serve individuals with disabilities in more integrated settings rather than provide supports and services in institutional settings. As states move forward with strategies to support community living for individuals with disabilities and promote the principles of person-centered planning, these tools and strategies provide complimentary opportunities to accelerate the achievement of inclusive outcomes. To review the report, go to http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/doc/2221
KAISER FOUNDATION RELEASES REPORTS ON CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
The Kaiser Foundation recently released two reports on Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CD-PAS). CD-PAS are methods of allowing individuals more control over their services, including options for hiring, firing and setting schedules for service providers. In 2006, forty-two states offered this option, but the utilization of the services remained limited. The Kaiser reports look at quality of training, motivational factors of the workers, and ways that states monitor quality. One report examines issues from the state policymaker perspective, and the other examines issues from the perspective of enrolled individuals. The reports are available at http://www.kff.org/medicaid/kcmu032408pkg.cfm
DISCUSSION BRIEF: ADVANCING MEDICAID HCBS POLICY: FROM CAPPED CONSUMER TO CONSUMER-DIRECTED
Over the last eight years, federal, state, and local governments have re-envisioned how to deliver and pay for an ever-growing caseload of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities who need services at home, in the workplace, or in more costly nursing facilities. This discussion provides a vision and a context for HCBS reform consistent with CMS vision for reforming post-acute care that focuses on addressing system barriers and informing and empowering health care consumers. Produced by Rutgers/NASHP, this report can be found at http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2200
FROM ISOLATION TO INTEGRATION: RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN LONG-TERM CARE
This report outlines an integrated strategy to update the country's long-term care services infrastructure in preparation for the aging of the population over the next thirty years. Recommendations are focused on the areas of quality, workforce, technology, and financing. From the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care, the report can be found at http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2226
REFERENCE POINTS:
Social Security Administration Extends Youth Transition Demonstration
In the March 13 Federal Register, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published notice that it intends to extend and alter the Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD). The YTD began in 2003 with seven sites in six states. The project intended to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of altering Supplemental Security Income Rules (SSI) and providing employment services to youth who were receiving SSA benefits or were at risk of receiving benefits. SSA published notice that three of the original seven sites will be extended and that three additional sites will be included in the study until 2012. The final evaluation will include the seven original sites and the three additional sites.
Further information about the Demonstration projects can be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/youth.htm . The Federal Register notice is available online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5036.pdf
From: Working for Tomorrow, a publication of CWD
REFERENCE POINTS:
Request for Comments on NIDRR Funding Priorities
The Rehabilitation Services Administration is providing notification of two funding priorities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a DRRP for a Research and Technical Assistance Center on Vocational Rehabilitation Program Management, and a priority for a DRRP entitled Center on the Effective Delivery of Rehabilitation Technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies To Improve Employment Outcomes. The Assistant Secretary may use these priorities for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2008 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend these priorities to improve rehabilitation services and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. More information can be found at http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/proprule/2008-2/053008c.html
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Valueless Lives of Elderly and Disabled in Nursing Homes -
Information Bulletin # (5/08)
Federal monetary sanctions and fines against nursing facilities that
fail to comply with federal minimal standards of care are abysmally low,
reflecting how little value or worth elderly and disabled persons are to
the Department of Health and Social Services' Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, the federal agency that is supposed to punish nursing
facilities for the injuries they cause residents.
In a recent report, the Center for Medicare Advocacy reviewed 85 of
the 2007 HHS enforcement decisions, and the monetary fines imposed against
nursing facilities that had failed to comply with the federal standards
that are supposed to ensure proper care and protection to people in
nursing homes. Even though CMS could terminate the nursing facility's
Medicaid payments, deny payment for new admissions or a combination of
penalties, nearly all the deficiencies resulted in only small monetary
fines.
These administrative decisions/cases involved extremely serious
failures/deficiencies: deaths, over medications, amputation of limbs,
development of avoidable pressure sores, elopements, failures to give
prescribed medications, and many other injuries. When HHS finds such
violations, it gives the nursing facilities an "opportunity to correct"
the deficiency. It's important to understand that money penalties are
imposed NOT for the deficiency - the death, the amputation, etc.- but for
a nursing facility's failure to correct the deficiency.
Fines, penalties and sanctions are imposed only if the nursing facility
does not achieve substantial compliance with the standards within a given
time period. That must be a great relief to the dead person, the person
in pain with the avoidable pressure sure or the person who was over
medicated. Also, the dollar amount for serious deficiencies is only
$3,050 -$10,000 per day. That surely must really frighten nursing
facilities that receive Medicaid reimbursements, depending on your state,
between $40,000 - $65,000 per year per person. If a nursing facility had
100 Medicaid recipients @ $50,000 per year, the following fines/penalties
would not have much of an impact on the profits.
Here are a few of the deficiencies and the "penalties":
Failure to provider CPR to resident who then died - $53,200 penalty
[resident in cardiac distress, who was not transferred to the hospital or
given emergency treatment, including CPR.]
Strangulation death on bed rail - $4,050 penalty [88 year old resident who
had fallen numerous times from her bed, found with her neck wedged between
the side rail and the mattress.]
Leg amputation following failure to follow doctors' treatment orders -
$7,500 penalty [resident admitted for short-term rehabilitation following
surgery for a fractured ankle. Nursing facility did not bring resident
for follow-up visit and subsequently failed to monitor for infection and
treatment, including antibiotics. Resident's leg had to be amputated.]
Elopement death - $64,050 penalty [resident with history of elopement
found dead a week later. Nursing facility failed to implement care plan
that required monitoring every two hours. Nurse falsified report,
counting resident present, even though she did not see resident.]
No pain medication for three months - $7,500 penalty [ Resident, who cried
out when she was given care and stopped crying when care was completed,
was not given pain medications. Resident not given pain medication for
three months, despite doctor's order that pain medication be administered "as needed." ]
Sexual assault of resident by aide and staff failure to report sexual
assault - $12,600 penalty [resident sexually abused, reported it, but next
day the same aide was assigned to take care of resident.]
Choking death of one resident and other residents' dehydration during heat
wave - $80,000 [resident whose care plan required he be fed, fed himself,
choked and died. Same nursing facility failed to provide residents with
necessary care and services during heat wave, resulting in residents'
suffering from dehydration.]
Failure to monitor blood sugar levels, leading to re-hospitalization with
hypoglycemia four days after admission to nursing facility - $38,700
penalty.
Ten consecutive overdoses of morphine and other medication errors
-$178,150 penalty.
The full report and many other case descriptions can be found at www.medicareadvocacy.org/SNF_08_05.13.DABNursingHomeDecisions.pdf
Elderly and Disability Advocates:
These incidents are not even the tip of the iceberg. Advocates who visit
nursing facilities regularly hear and see regularly many, many other "deficiencies." Maybe it's time we publicly point out these violations in
the press.
The Nursing Home Reform movement apparently believes that more money to
nursing facilities will improve these institutions, despite the past 20
years of increased Medicaid reimbursements. Does not the continuation of
these abuses demonstrate that institutions cannot and will not provide the
care that elderly and disabled people deserve?
It's obviously beyond the CMS political will to shut down these nursing
facilities that are literally killing some elderly and disabled persons.
CMS (and Congress) has known about these abuses for years, but continues
to impose these paltry money penalties that do not amount to "chump"
change. What about enlisting private lawyers to bring real damage actions
against these nursing facilities? Although there have been some such
litigation, the number of cases has been relatively minimal. Nursing
homes are quite worried that such litigation will increase, and that's why
the nursing home industry in a number of states have tried to prevent such
litigation.
Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at
http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided
into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to
stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.
Federal Disability Programs: More Strategic Coordination Could Help Overcome Challenges to Needed Transformation.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-635 Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08635high.pdf
[NationalFamilyNetwork_Disabilities]
New Site - Resources for Families of those with Disabilities -
Pass this on to everyone you know. It’s going to be a big help for families and people who work with special needs kids.
Please take a look at this new site that hopes to provide all sorts of resources nationwide for families of those with disabilities, and please share widely! Thanks! http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com
One Place for Special Needs – a new resource for
families with disabilities and special needs
(Naperville) - An Illinois mom is making it her life’s
mission to find services for families with
disabilities.
Dawn Villarreal has two special needs children. When
she learned of her children’s disabilities she found
it difficult to find answers. “In many cases,
physicians give parents the devastating news that
their child has a lifelong disability and then send
them on their way,” Villarreal said. “At a time when
parents need the most support, they find they are on
their own.”
Villarreal vowed that she would help families find the
resources and services they need. “Parents don’t have
a year to leisurely read up on a disability and learn
about what kind of therapists will have the best
impact on their child’s development,” Villarreal said.
“Early intervention works. Every moment wasted is a
moment that could have been used to help a child
master new skills.”
Villarreal became moderator and resource researcher
for a statewide disability group. She soon realized
that the issues facing Illinois families were the same
around the country. “Everyone is looking for
information and services,” Villarreal said. “Special
needs parents are relying on a word of mouth system to
find services. That’s not even a system, it’s more
like a desperate call for help.”
Frustrated that there was not a better system in
place, Villarreal decided to create her own called One
Place for Special Needs. It is a national service
provider database and repository for disability
resources. It is also a place that special needs
families can call their own. “It’s out of place to
see very heartfelt parents and disability groups
sharing social networking space with less serious
groups like Beer and Brats Fans Unite,” Villarreal
said. “Here they can build a community where everyone
understands what it is like to be a family of a child
with a disability or disorder.”
Villarreal is currently contacting therapists,
educators, paraprofessionals, tutors, physicians,
recreation associations and other businesses in the
U.S. that are sensitive to the needs of people with
special needs. “I want to hear from anyone that works
or has a desire to work with people who have special
needs,” Villarreal said. “Even the local hair stylist
who is patient with kids. If you can help I’ll find a
place where all families can find you.”
Parents and professionals can go to
www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com for more information.
The Center for Disability Rights releases new blog - check it out!
I am happy to let you know that the Center for Disability Rights has recently released a new blog on its website! We plan to provide you all with a great deal of content and lively discussion. We'll have staff and guest bloggers posting new content every day and we will be addressing issues as far ranging as sex/sexuality and program provision in Medicaid Waivers. Of course, we will have an intense focus on the issues that most affect people with disabilities across Rochester, New York State and the rest of the Nation.
You can view the blog here: http://rochestercdr.org/wordpress/
Please register as a user so you can reply to what's posted! Please visit the blog, read the articles, post your thoughts and comments, and share this with your friends and colleagues! We want to be the biggest and best blog on disability issues in New York State! Let me know what you think!
Thank you, Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy, Center for Disability Rights
New products on the Quality Mall web site:
"Living Proof: The Right to Live in the Community" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4906
"Triumph at Carville: A Tale of Leprosy in America" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4907
NCSER introduces new Cognition and Student Learning in Special
Education grant program
The National Center for Special Education Research within the Institute of
Education Sciences has added a new grant program to improve learning and
other outcomes for students with high or low incidence disabilities by
building on theoretical and empirical advances in cognitive science. The
Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education (Cognition) grant
program will support research that uses cognitive science to develop,
implement, and evaluate approaches that promise to improve teaching and
learning. As one example, a researcher might take a task such as text
comprehension, identify the information processing demands for students
with visual impairments, and test the effects on comprehension of
different strategies for presenting text in ways that reduce information
processing demands. More information about the Cognition and Student
Learning in Special Education program can be found at
http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/funding/cognition/index.asp. Or contact Celia
Rosenquist, 202-219-2024, Celia.Rosenquist@ed.gov
NCES Releases New Report: Condition of Education 2008
The National Center for Education Statistics within the Institute of
Education Sciences has released "The Condition of Education 2008," a
congressionally mandated report that provides an annual portrait of
education in the United States. The 43 indicators included in this year's
report cover all aspects of education, from early childhood through
postsecondary education and from student achievement to school environment
and resources. Among the report's findings:
The full text of "The Condition of Education 2008," along with related
data tables and indicators from previous years, can be viewed at
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe.
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy -
Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government
Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral and Physical Health grants
Qualified faith-based and other applicants may apply for the Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral and Physical Health grants. The purpose of both the Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health (AIR-B Network) and the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-B Network) is to establish and maintain a network infrastructure designed to be the platform from which to conduct research on evidence-based practices for interventions to improve the behavioral, mental, social, and cognitive health, or the physical health and well-being of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.
Successful applicants for the AIR-B Network or AIR-P Network grants will: 1) conduct research on evidence-based practices for interventions to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities; 2) develop evidence-based guidelines and validate tools for interventions to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities, and 3) disseminate critical information on its research findings, guidelines developed, and validated tools to health professionals and the public, especially families impacted by ASD and other developmental disabilities.
Applications are due June 23, 2008 for the behavioral health announcement and June 24, 2008 for the physical health announcement. For the AIR-P approximately $4 million is expected to be available annually to fund one (1) grantee for a period of three years. For the AIR- B approximately $2 million is expected to be available annually to fund one (1) grantee for a period of three years. The full announcement can be accessed at https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/DisplayAttachment.asp?ID=658EA9F5-A870-
43E1-99DC-AA88100C2019.
State Implementation Grants for Improving Services for Children and Youth with ASD
Qualified faith-based and other applicants may apply for the State Implementation Grants for Improving Services for Children and Youth with ASD grant. The purpose of this program is to improve access to comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Grantees will implement an existing state plan to improve the system of services for children and youth with special health care needs who have ASD and other developmental disabilities as defined by the following components: partnerships between professionals and families of children and youth with ASD, access to a culturally competent family-centered medical home which coordinates care with pediatric subspecialties and community-based services, access to adequate health insurance and financing of services, early and continuous screening for ASD and other developmental disabilities, community services organized for easy use by families, and transition to adult health care.
Applicants must: 1) demonstrate effective coalition/partnerships between the State Title V Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), primary care providers, parent organizations, state and community agencies, state legislatures, public and private payers and schools; 2) complete a statewide needs assessment that addresses the State’s status of systems of services for children and youth with ASD and other developmental disabilities; 3) work with coalition partners to implement a statewide plan to achieve a community system of services for children and youth with ASD and other developmental disabilities that results in improved access to health and other services, promotes evidence-based interventions for children with ASD; 4) define a comprehensive evaluation plan using national, state, and community data and demonstrate the capacity to gather and report on systems outcomes for children with ASD; 5) conduct community outreach activities and provide information and education on ASD to increase public and professional awareness about ASD; 6) identify, recruit and lead a team which will participate in a learning collaborative designed to improve access to care for children and youth with ASD; and 7) develop a plan that will sustain the project beyond federal funding.
The application due date is June 30, 2008. Six grants up to $300,000 per year for up to three years will be available. The full announcement is available at https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/DisplayAttachment.asp?ID=E30D723F-
A2B2-4331-83FBA15E04D85417.
KAISER FIRST EDITION -
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/firstedition
States That Rank High in Measures of Children’s Health Tend to Have Lower Rates of Uninsured Children, Higher Health Costs, Study Finds USA Today
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/fe.cfm?id=9062
May 2008 Newsletter - View online at www.disabilityisnatural.com/email/2008-05.htm
http://www.bostoncil.org/fredfayleadershipOne-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project
To subscribe and/or view past resources of the week archives, access: www.onestoptoolkit.org and click on the link to “Resources of the Week” on the right hand side of the home page.
To view an indexed list of the resources of the week by subject matter, visit the LHPDC website at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/resources/wig/default.asp. It currently includes 20 categories, covering over 300 annotated references. Each category opens to a new window with each Resource of the Week which covered material in that area.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Seeks Evaluations of Health Care Worker Quality Improvement Training
Deadline: July 16, 2008
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ( http://www.rwjf.org/ ) has
announced an initiative to investigate the impact of quality
improvement (QI) training on public health and health care workers, as well as the impact of such programs on organizational
culture and patient outcomes. The initiative seeks evaluations
of existing QI training programs to produce evidence that will
inform decision-making about whether and how to invest in QI
training.
Researchers from all disciplines - including multidisciplinary
teams - are invited to respond to this solicitation. Doctoral
degrees are not required. Preference may be given to public agencies, public charities, and/or organizations that are tax-exempt
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicant
organizations must be based in the United States or its territories. No members of the evaluation team may be employed by the
QI training program they propose to evaluate.
The initiative will support up to five projects with budgets of
up to $350,000 each for a time period of no more than three
years.
Visit the RWJF Web site for the complete Call for Proposals.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15013324/rwjfapplications
American Legion Child Welfare Foundation Offers Grants for
the Betterment of All Children
Deadline: July 15, 2008
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation ( http://cwf-inc.org/ )
accepts proposals from nonprofit organizations that 1) contribute
to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual welfare of
children through the dissemination of knowledge about new and
innovative organizations and/or programs designed to benefit
youth; and/or 2) contribute to the physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of
knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations
to the end that such information can be more adequately used by
society.
Grants must have the potential of helping American children in a
large geographic area (more than one state). Grants are awarded
only to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. Grants may not be
used for any of the normal, day-to-day operating expenses of the
grantee or special operating expenses connected with the grant.
Visit the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation for access to
complete application information and examples of funded programs.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15013319/cwfincorg
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
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