APRIL 17, 1998 ...............................................................................................NUMBER 88
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE:
CAMPAIGN '98 TO SAVE IDEA
Parents, family members and advocates have worked very hard this week to implement strategies in the campaign to save IDEA. Parents have been telling their Senators about the importance of special education and related services for their children. IDEA is a good law that needs to be implemented and enforced...not amended. NPND staff participated in a CCD Hill activity to reach every Senate office with critical information regarding IDEA. The offices we visited reported large numbers of phone calls re IDEA.
The momentum has been building. DON’T STOP, KEEP UP THE PRESSURE!!!!!!
As of today, it looks like the IDEA amendment may PASS on Monday or Tuesday. This would ALLOW SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO SUSPEND, EXPEL OR TOTALLY EXCLUDE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. SET NO LIMITS, NO SAFEGUARDS FOR CHILDREN, NO DUE PROCESS FOR PARENTS.
ACTION STEPS
HEARINGS ON WEDNESDAY, April 22nd
There will be a joint hearing of the House and Senate to review the proposed regulations to IDEA on April 22nd in the Senate Dirksen Building, Rm 106 at 10:30 AM. If you can, bring your children to the Hearing. We must keep sending the messages...IDEA is an excellent law...Don’t amend it...Don’t weaken the IDEA regulations...Implement, enforce the law...Fund IDEA. · Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
E-mail addresses:
Jeffords - vermont@jeffords.senate.gov
Lott - senatorlott@lott.senate.gov
Gorton senator_gorton@gorton.senate.gov
Gregg mailbox@gregg.senate.gov
REPORTS OF STATE ACTIVITIES
VT-Sen. Jeffords held a town meeting with parents and advocates regarding IDEA. He was very supportive of the law and pledged to continue his strong leadership in resisting any amendments. MS-40 parents, family members and advocates representing the Disability and Advocacy Groups within MS delivered a very strong letter signed by 26 organizations supporting IDEA and opposing the IDEA Flexibility Amendment. NH-The Education Advocate Network has been putting pressure on Sen. Gregg to remove his amendment on Teacher Flexibility. GA-3 moms with 4 of their kids are flying on personal funds to W., DC to talk to Senators. Parent leaders are working with Sen. Coverdell's staff to get rid of the amendments to IDEA on the Coverdell Bill. Maui-NPND received 20 IDEA Pledges from parents on the island of Maui. Thanks to all of the parents who sent in Pledges. We will be collecting Pledges through April 21st.
MCH-NETLINK PROJECT
Tom Gloss, Public Health Analyst, MCHB/DCSHCN, will be providing state Title V CSHCN Directors, state Title V SSI Liaisons, MCH Community colleagues and family leaders with periodic updates focusing on SSI issues: application, documenting disability, redeterminations, employment and work incentives, etc. via an electronic mailing list called MCHB-SSI-News.
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FEDERAL REGISTER APRIL 14, 1998, Vol. 63, No. 71
The Secretary of Education is publishing final regulations making technical changes to 34 CFR Part 303 in this Federal Register issue. These changes incorporate the statutory amendments to Part H of IDEA added by the IDEA Amendments of 1997. These regulations will take effect on July 1, 1998, at which time "Part H" will be renamed "Part C."
It also includes a notice of request for advice and recommendation on regulatory issues regarding Part C of the IDEA Amendments of 1997 from the Office of Special Ed and Rehabilitative Services.
The Secretary of Education is soliciting advice and recommendations from the public whether to develop new regulations implementing Part C (currently Part H), the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities under IDEA. Comments should be received on or before July 31, 1998.
For further details, access: http://www.ed.gov/OSERS
CHIP SIX MONTH PROGRESS REPORT
April 1st marked the six-month anniversary of the start of CHIP, which provides $4 billion a year in grants to states to cover uninsured children, either through Medicaid expansions, separate state programs, or a combination of these approaches.
STAND FOR CHILDREN DAY-'98
Stand for Quality Child Care
June 1st in Your Hometown!
To find out how to get involved, check out their website at http://www.stand.org