____________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 3/3/2008 12:42:22 P.M. Central Standard Time Subj: Council E-News; March 3, 2008
COUNCIL E-NEWS- MARCH 3, 2008 We hope Council E-News will provide resources and information about disability issues that will educate and empower advocates to form their own views on issues and advocate according to their personal needs and those of their communities. If you have comments or ideas to submit, contact Christine Dahlberg at [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9 ITEMS OF INTEREST ***Celebrate March Disability Awareness month by getting involved in a local event or creating your own! Attitude is Everything posters, bookmarks, stickers, and planning packets are still available. Download your order form today: _http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/_ (http://www.in.gov/gpcpd/) ----Click on the poster 1. LOOK FOR AWARENESS MONTH STANDING DISPLAYS AT SIMON MALLS 2. FUNDING FOR LOCAL ADA IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ANNOUNCED 3. BORROW DISABILITY AWARENESS DVDS AND OTHER MATERIALS FREE -BY MAIL 4. CARE SELECT ADVICE-NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 5. FAMILY VOICES WANTS FEEDBACK ON MEDICAID DENIAL OF SERVICES 6. REMINDER OF MEDICAID WAIVER PRIORITY CRITERIA 7. INDY JOB OPENINGS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PREFERRED 8. MARCH 8- 2008 INSPIRING ABILITIES EXPO, GREENFIELD 9. APRIL 25 AND 26 SIBLING SUPPORT PROJECT WORKSHOP! 1. LOOK FOR AWARENESS MONTH STANDING DISPLAYS AT SIMON MALLS We will be further celebrating Disability Awareness Month by placing two standing displays at each of the Simon Malls in Indiana. The displays will be primarily placed near Children's Play Areas, along with the Center Court and Fo od Court areas. Brochure holders are included with each display to provide mall visitors with the awareness month bookmark or the Power of Words brochure. Please look for these diplays your next trip to any of these malls. They'll be there from March 1-31. We hope they help further spread the message of inclusion for all people with disabilities. If you spot one, let us know and tell us what you think: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The displays will be at the following malls: Eastland Mall (Evansville, IN), Greenwood Park (Greenwood, IN), Castleton Square (Indianapolis, IN), Tippecanoe Mall (Lafayette, IN), Muncie Mall (Muncie, IN), University Park Mall (South Bend, IN) ******* 2. FUNDING FOR LOCAL ADA IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ANNOUNCED ADA-Indiana, in conjunction with Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, is pleased to announce that funding is available for 2008 Community ADA Implementation projects. The purpose of this funding program is to promote increased implementation of the ADA in Indiana's local communities. Funding up to $1500 is available for projects submitted by social service agencies, local government entities, schools, businesses, or other community organizations interested in increasing implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Proposals are due Friday, March 21, 2008. The Request for Proposal and grant application materials are available at ADA-Indiana's website: _http://www.adaindiana.org_ (http://www.adaindiana.org/) To receive additional information, contact Vicki Pappas, Fiscal Agent of ADA-Indiana, at 812-855-6508 or email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] This year, we are giving priority to proposals that result in specific and measurable CHANGES. Projects should target one or more of the Titles of the ADA. This may include training employers to increase their knowledge about the ADA and reasonable accommodations; working with local governments to make their programs, services, and activities accessible to people with disabilities; helping business and non-profits become more accessible; or making sure people with hearing and speech impairments have access to information. **** 3. BORROW DISABILITY AWARENESS DVDS AND OTHER MATERIALS FREE -BY MAIL 31 Days of Disability Awareness: March is Indiana's Disability Awareness Month! This year the Center for Disability Information and Referral (Cedir) would like to share some of the great disability awareness resources they have available. Each day in the month of March, CeDIR will highlight a new resource on their blog at _http://cedir.blogspot.com_ (http://cedir.blogspot.com/) . The current feature is a DVD called Where's Molly. This documentary chronicles one man's search for his sister, Molly, who disappeared when she was three years old. Upon the death of his parents he learns that she had been placed in an institution for people with developmental disabilities. CeDir has over 8,000 items that can be borrowed free of charge. For more information contact them at: 800-437-7924 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] For a bibliography of disability awareness materials they have go to: _http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/dawarebib.html _ (http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/dawarebib.html) ***** 4. CARE SELECT ADVICE-NEW MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Individuals and families who receive Medicaid due to disability should soon or already have received information letters about Care Select. Please read the information carefully. All affective individuals will need to call the enrollment broker (1-866-963-7383). -You should ask if your preferred primary care physician is enrolled with Care Select. - If they are you will need to simply select that provider. (this is true even if you have private insurance) -If they are not ask that MD Wise and Advantage try to enroll that doctor. (also true for everyone with and without private insurance) -Calling soon will allow time for Advantage and/or MD Wise to try to enroll your current doctor. -If your doctor chooses not to enroll you may need to select a new doctor, (calling early will give you time to research who will be a good fit for you). -Individuals who have private insurance in addition to Medicaid may be able to keep their primary care physician even if that doctor does not enroll in Care Select. The particulars of that option are still being worked out at the state level. If this applies to you-ask to speak to a supervisor when you call the enrollment broker. -Individuals who do not call the enrollment broker will be auto assigned to a doctor. Auto assignment has already taken place for individuals in the central region and will be made on June 1 for the remainder of the state. ----Suggestions provided by Family Voices **** 5. FAMILY VOICES WANTS FEEDBACK ON MEDICAID DENIAL OF SERVICES Family Voices has been contacted by families having difficulties with some Medicaid services. Apparently, current claims are being denied across the state for some individuals. In order to try to address the issue, we'd like to gather more information. First, we need to know what TYPE of Medicaid the individual has: Hoosier Healthwise; Traditional Medicaid; Home and Community Based Waivers/Medicaid; or Disability Medicaid -- Most cards look identical, so you need to look at statements like prior authorizations, claims, or correspondence from a managed care organization like Anthem, Managed Health Services and/or MDWise. The first 2 probably indicate you have Hoosier Healthwise. MDWise has more than one program, so you'll have to investigate this further. --We also need to know what's being denied-most are indicating it's therapy services-and if it has been covered in the past. Please send the info to Family Voices at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or reply to this email through yahoogroups. We will update our membership as we obtain information. You might also let your legislator know that you're having difficulty and the impact on the individual. You might want to copy Senator Broden as he has been particularly receptive: Senator Broden: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---Family Voices of Indiana will share advocacy opportunities and updated information on issues that impact Indiana families of children with disabilities or special needs. If you would like to receive notices, please join us at _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FVIndiana_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FVIndiana) We're also on the web at: _http://fvindiana.blogspot.com/ _ (http://fvindiana.blogspot.com/) ***** 6. REMINDER OF MEDICAID WAIVER PRIORITY CRITERIA Today, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's (FSSA) Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) issued a public reminder of several Priority Criteria that allows individuals with disabilities to bypass the waiting list and make application for an Indiana Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver. Those meeting the criteria should contact their local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) as soon as possible to determine eligibility and begin the application process. -Individuals between the ages 18 and 24 years old as of September 1, 2006 who officially finished their education or graduated with the class of 2007. -Individuals with a primary caregiver who is age 80 or older. -Individuals who have lost a primary caregiver (through death, long term institutionalization or long term incapacitation), where there is no other caregiver available. -Individuals transitioning to the community from nursing facilities, extensive support needs (ESN) homes, or state operated facilities. Residents of Indiana are eligible for Medicaid Waiver services if they meet a combination of state and federal requirements. People with a developmental disability and/or a diagnosis of autism should apply at the local BDDS office. BDDS will work with individuals to determine eligibility for a Priority Criteria waiver or a slot on the regular waiver waiting list. **** 7. INDY JOB OPENINGS-- PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PREFERRED The Indianapolis Resource Center for People with Disabilities (IRCIL) is beginning interviews for five positions. If you are interested please contact them ASAP. Job titles include: Part time: Community Guide (Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program), Minority Outreach Coordinator (Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program), Information and Referral Specialist Full Time: Office Manager, Independent Living Advocate. For more information, please contact IRCIL at 317-926-1660 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] and request the job description for the position in which you are interested.. For more information about IRCIL go to: _http://www.ircil.org/ _ (http://www.ircil.org/) **** 8. MARCH 8- 2008 INSPIRING ABILITIES EXPO, GREENFIELD FUSE invites families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them to attend the 2008 Inspiring Abilities Expo! The expo is an opportunity for families to connect with service providers, non-profit and public service agencies, plus vendors of products and services that may benefit your child. Browse booths for a few hours, or stay for the day! Saturday, March 8, 2008 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church; 3179 N. 600 West, Greenfield IN; (Mt. Comfort Road, just north of I-70) Highlights: Large Vendor Display Area, Door prizes, Fabulous Speaker Schedule! Child care available for attendees (by reservation please!), so you can browse the booths or listen to speakers while your children play. Lunch will also be available for a nominal charge on site. Pre-registration will help us with planning. Please register online at _www.fuseinc.org_ (http://www.fuseinc.org/) or call Denise at 462-9064 today. Attendees who RSVP will be entered into a special door prize drawing to be drawn at lunch time. Walk-ins are also welcome. Please forward this to other families and professionals who may be interested! We hope to see all of you there. Denise Arland, Executive Director, FUSE, Inc. **** 9. APRIL 25 AND 26 SIBLING SUPPORT PROJECT WORKSHOP We see our workshops and trainings as having multiple benefits. Here are just three: o Sibshops-a unique service in most communities--get started. School-age sibs connect with peers (usually for the first time) and form friendships that can provide a lifetime of support. o Parents and service providers turn their attention to the issues faced by brothers, sisters, and other traditionally overlooked family members. This discussion will change the way parents look at all of their children and how service providers look at the families they serve. o Income from these workshops trainings provides critical funding for the Sibling Support Project. Among other things, this allows us to be available to parents seeking advice and programs for their children; sponsor listservs connecting sibs across the globe; and provide no-cost technical assistance to agencies wishing to start Sibshops and create family-centered services that acknowledge all family members. I look forward to working with you to bring our workshops to your community. Please let me know if I can answer any questions along the way. Workshops on Sibling Issues and Training on the Sibshop Model: April 25 & 26, 2008, 9am - 3pm Indiana University Cancer Center, Cancer Research Institute, 1044 W. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Parking available at Wilson Street Garage This event is for two audiences: o The first audience is those who wish to become Sibshop facilitators. These trainees will attend both days: Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Registration limited to 25 trainees. o The second audience is parents, adult sibs, grandparents, service providers and others who wish to learn more about brothers' and sisters' unique concerns and opportunities. These participants will attend Friday, April 25. Registration is limited to 75 participants. To apply and for more information contact Christina Rogers, Strong Families Programs Manager Riley Hospital for Children, 1-888-365-2022 toll-free, [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** PLEASE NOTE: Council E-News is the e-mail newsletter of the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities. It is sent out on an occasional basis usually twice a month but more often when the legislature is in session. It is used to report on late breaking news and information about public hearings, policy issues, conferences and other Indiana related news. Sometimes federal level information is included, especially if it has an Indiana aspect. It is also used to pass on Action Alerts from Indiana Advocacy organizations. Please let me know if you would prefer not to receive this info in future and I will remove you from the list. If you receive this forwarded from someone else and would like to get it directly send your name, organization, street address and e-mail to me at the address below. We use the data base for our print On Target newsletter to send E-mail News so if you sign up, you will receive both in the future. Christine Dahlberg, Associate Director Governor's Council for People with Disabilities 150 West Market, Suite 628 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-7774 317-233-3712 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] _www.state.in.us/gpcpd _ (http://www.state.in.us/gpcpd) **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)
