Disability Day Tomorrow and Additonal Information

[Guest guest]

Dear Advocates:

Please note that tomorrow is Disability Day. Hope to see you there. Like I said before, we must show our numbers and how we do support children and adults with disabilities in Georgia.

In addition, the Dept of Human Resources- Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Additive Disease (MHDDAD) will be having an advocates meeting on Tuesday, March 11. If you are having problems with the current system and need help- this is the place to be! More information below.

Also included in this newsletter is additional information regarding the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs information and a Special Needs Awareness Parent Information & Training in Cherokee County.

Hope you find this information helpful.

See you tomorrow at Disability Day!

Sincerely,

Heidi

Disability Day- Tomorrow February 21, 2008

http://www.gcdd.org/rsvp/index2008.html

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Important Advocates Meeting Announcement with Dept. of Human Resources- Dr. Hall

The advocates meeting is coming up Tuesday March 11, 2008 2-4pm

@ 2 Peachtree. I would like for families that are willing to testify at the

meeting about any problems they have experienced in getting services from the system to contact me directly @ gkirkpcs@... . I am thinking of people on the waiting list, in services and needing additional services, needing changes to their PA and not being able to expedite it through the system etc.

Also are there any families who would like to testify about any

confusion they have concerning the system changes, the NOW and COMP waivers. I feel like there are a lot of families out there that have mixed messages and this has created problems for them.

Please let families know that this is an opportunity to speak

directly to Dr. Hall and express their concerns about the system and

changes. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Greg Kirk

Executive Director

The Arc of Georgia

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From: Special Needs Awareness Parent Information & Training S.N.A.P.I.T.

Monday Feb 25, 10am

SNAPIT is an informational sharing and training group targeting families of Special Needs children in Cherokee County ages 0-5.Location: Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency7545 Main Street Bldg 200Woodstock, Ga 30188Date & Time: Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 10:00 - 11:30 amTopic: Community ResourcesPlease make arrangements for childcare as we are unable to provide childcare for these meetings.RSVP (770) 721-8503

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Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs Update:

Since announcing the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs grant to the Easter Seals Georgia Coalition last week, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has received questions from parents and providers with details on the program. As we are still in the planning phase of the program, we don't have all the answers yet. Below please find some additional general information we hope answers some of your questions.

When will I be able to apply for the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs program?

The program will officially start on April 1, 2008. The Easter Seals Georgia Coalition will launch the program in phases throughout the state. The first region that will be able to apply for assistance will be announced in late March. As it is very important to have a smooth process in place, the Easter Seals Georgia Coalition anticipates that a limited number of counties in Georgia will serve as the pilot for several months before the program opens up to children and families from other counties in Georgia. Look for more details in late March.

Where do I find an application for the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs program? How do I know if my child is eligible?

The Easter Seals Georgia Coalition will be posting information on a new, Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs website in the next six weeks. This website will detail the eligibility criteria and process; the application will be available there as well. Look for more details in late March.

Will the application be difficult to complete?

In the research-phase of the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs Initiative, many parents and providers told us the application needed to be simple to complete. The Easter Seals Georgia Coalition is committed to ensuring the application for support is not cumbersome.

Who should I call if I have questions?

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will continue to communicate with parents and providers for the time being. The Easter Seals Georgia Coalition will assume communications responsibilities in late March. If you have immediate questions, please email us at champions@....

Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs

Ugarte Pardi, Program Officer

a , Program Associate

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

(404) 688-5525

champions@...

http://www.atlcf.org

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--Heidi J. (Proud Mother to - 8 years old with Down syndrome & - 6 years old) For more information about how Heidi can help you maximize your child's potential, please go to www.heidijmoore.com "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. For previous advocacy email's, please go to the following website: http://www.lgtinc.org/authors/41/Heidi-J.-. To see how you can advocate for your child go to www.kidshealthcarega.org.