MARCH 10, 2000
NO. 177
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE:
**FAMILIES OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2000
**CHECK OUT THESE WEB SITES
**FOR YOUR INFORMATION
**High School/High Tech Program
**Olmstead Decision
**ASHA CDC National AIDs Hotline
**VOTE
Families Opportunity Act of 2000
Background:
Senators Kennedy and Grassley are working together to introduce
this legislation. It will provide opportunities for families of children
with significant disabilities to access Medicaid for their child through a
State buy-in. This option will fill in the gaps that their employee
benefits do not cover and ensure that children with significant
disabilities receive the services they need.
The legislation also includes a demonstration to allow states to offer
Medicaid to children with potentially significant disabilities, who without
access to the health services provided under Medicaid will become more
disabled.
Lastly, the legislation funds state Family to-Family Health Information
Centers to help families of children with disabilities and /or special
health care needs maneuver through the available health care services and
support systems in their state.
ACTION NEEDED
This legislation is scheduled to be introduced the week of March 20, 2000.
It is a very short legislative year ---- so we need to tell our stories and
make known our support for this legislation NOW. Send faxes and make calls
to Senators Kennedy and Grassley to show your support for their efforts.
Most importantly _ contact your Senators, share your stories, and tell them to co-sponsor the bill.
OUR KIDS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUT OR LEFT BEHIND
ANYMORE FROM THE HEALTH CARE THEY DESERVE.
MESSAGE
Tell Congress this is an important issue to families. Let them know how
Medicaid benefits affect your family's livelihood and ability to be a
responsible parent and citizen of this country.
CONTACT INFORMATION
*Senator Kennedy (D-MA), senator@kennedy.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-4545 / Fax: 202- 224-2417
*Senator Grassley (R-IA), chuck_grassley@grassley.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-3744 / Fax: 202-224-6020
www.senate.gov / Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
www.disabledperson.com An online magazine and resource site that is geared specifically towards the person with disabilities.
www.e-bility.com It aims to provide easy access and links to a range of resources, services and products of interest to people with disability, their families and careers, as well as health professionals and other service providers in the disability sector.
www.ucpa.org/fctd/resourcelibt.htm Database of materials and resources from the Family Center on Technology and Disability Network.
www.e-resourceguide.com/children/special.htm The Educational Resource Guide has a new page on its website devoted to children who have special needs.
* High School/High Tech Program
It promotes science, engineering and technology careers for students with
disabilities through the creation of partnerships among state and local
stakeholders. A typical program incorporates a mix of learning experiences
that broadens the educational horizons of students with disabilities. These
activities may include:
corporate site visits (to call centers, laboratories, plants, etc.)
mentoring (professionals serving as career advisors)
shadowing (students observing professionals at work)
guest speakers (professionals speaking to student groups)
after-school activities (students working on science and technology-related projects)
summer camps (students participating in a variety of science, engineering and technology-related classes and activities, usually in a community college, university or other training setting)
It is people, not money, that makes the project successful. Corporate
partners are needed to jump start careers in technology for students with
disabilities. For more information contact Nellie Wild, President's
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, at: 202-376-6200,
Wild-Ellen@pcepd.gov or access: www.pcepd.gov.
* Olmstead Decision
The National Conference of State Legislatures has released a technical
assistance report and audio tape that is intended to help state lawmakers
develop options for moving people with disabilities out of institutions and
placing them in less-restrictive settings. The report, titled
Deinstitutionalization of Persons With Developmental Disabilities: A
Technical Assistance Report for Legislators, and audio tape, titled "After
Olmstead: Community Care for People With Disabilities," are products of
NCSL's Forum for State Health Policy Leadership. Copies of the report (item
#6683, cost $15) and audio tape (item #6730, cost $10) can be obtained by
contacting NCSL's publications department at 303-830-2054.
*ASHA CDC National AIDs Hotline
The American Social Health Association Announces enhanced STD and AIDS
Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) National AIDS Hotline provides service in English, Spanish and via
TTY, and the CDC National STD Hotline offers information in English. CDC
National STD and AIDS Hotlines 1-800-243-7889 - TTY Service (10:00AM -
10:00PM, Monday - Friday); 1-800-344-7432 - Spanish Service (8:00AM -
2:00AM, 7 Days a Week); 1-800-227-8922 - English Service (8:00 AM -
11:00PM, Monday - Friday); 1-800-342-AIDS(2437) - English Service (24 Hours
a Day, 7 Days a Week).
VOTE
History reveals that "one" person can make a difference! Register to Vote
Online at: http://www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.htm.