Advocacy and Information Updates

[Guest guest]

Dearest Advocates:

The Senate approved SB 507 (Therapy bill) unanimously on Tuesday (3/11/08) which was cross over day in the legislator. This means that the bill had to go from the Senate to the House by this day to be considered for this legislative session! This is good news.

There were some changes to the bill but it is still a positive step in the right direction in making sure the prior authorization process for therapy is simplified for less burdensome paperwork for children with disabilities and those children under the Medicaid CMO program. It also puts timelines in place regarding letting families/therapists know within 15 days of approval or denial and why. (this was not in place before) It also has Federal Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic Treatment Program (EPSDT) language in the bill to hold the state accountable for those services prescribed by their pediatrician.

As a parent, I am pleased the Senate has approved this important therapy bill. Because of the recent developments with Medicaid over the last few years, it is more difficult for children with disabilities and those under the CMO program to receive services. Many therapists have decided to no longer accept Medicaid. This makes it VERY difficult for families to find providers for therapy even when they are approved for services. I hope that this bill will help make the process easier to receive approval for therapy with less burdensome paperwork which will allow more therapists to accept Medicaid and children to receive the necessary therapy services they need! Like I said- it’s a positive step in the right direction.

Thanks again for Senator Moody for supporting this bill. If you would like to read more about SB 507, go to:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/versions/sb507_As_passed_Senate_4.htm

Will keep you posted on what the next step is in our advocacy efforts!

In addition, please read below regarding Governor Perdue’s announcement on Monday regarding cutting all new MRWP and ICWP waivers/slots this year AND NO rate increases for providers. This is due to the decrease in state revenue collections. Our legislators need to hear from US and why these waivers are necessary and provider increases. Medicaid is not going to worth the paper it is written on if we don’t have providers to provide services for our children need. Please see Dave Blanchard’s email regarding what you can do from Unlock the Waiting Lists!

I’ve also attached additional information regarding a new Challenger baseball league that is forming in following counties: Hart, lin, Madison, s, Rabun, Habersham, Elbert and Response to Intervention (RTI) educational training below.

United- We Will Make a Difference!

Sincerely,

Heidi

From Dave Blanchard with Unlock the Waiting Lists!- Needs Your Help.

Given the slowing rate of growth of the state’s revenue collections, on Monday Governor Perdue revised his budget with $245 million dollars in cuts to the FY09 budget. In the new budget, the Governor recommended cutting all of his proposals that support people with disabilities.

Currently, the Governor has recommended the House fund no MRWP services, no ICWP slots and no rate increase for supports! Your advocacy will be very important in the coming days.

In many respects, the House and Senate are starting over. We understand that they are currently looking at what they can do. They also have proven themselves as champions to our issue and that they understand the needs of people waiting today.

Please help us keep their resolve in these uncertain times by asking House and Senate members to remain committed to fulfilling their commitment to a multiple year funding strategy to Unlock the Waiting list for people with disabilities in both good and bad economic times.

OUR MESSAGE REMAINS THE SAME

Please continue supporting people with disabilities by funding 2,500 Developmental Disabilities supports and a total of 500 Independent Care waiver slots. Also, please insure that people with disabilities receive quality supports from fairly paid and highly trained direct care staff by providing a 7% rate increase to both the ICWP and MRWP waivers.

If you haven’t sent a note or email, please go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html today and do so with just three easy steps..

New Challenger League Information:

I just want to let you know about a program that is

starting in our small area. I am so excited to be a

part of it!

District 7 Little League Baseball is starting a

Challenger League. It is for kids 5-22. It includes

ALL abilities! For kids that will need help hitting...

the ball will be a t ball stand and they will have a

buddy that will help them hit the ball and run the

bases. This is also for children that are able to hit

the ball from a coach etc. This is something that is

going to be great for not only our kids, but for the

community as well.

It is for the following counties:

Hart, lin, Madison, s, Rabun, Habersham

Elbert (Elbert is not in our district, but they do not have a challenger league yet)

The registration is from now until March 24.

Regisistration fees are $30, but no one will be turned

down. We will be playing 10 games. All on Saturdays,

no practices during the week. The games will be played

at different fields around the district. Most will be

played at Hart, lin, or Madison Co fields. The

games will be played later in the afternoons (so it

won't be too hot). I can email you the registration forms if you need them.

For more contact info: Fay: kellykfay@...

or or

Educational Training for RTI (Response to Intervention):

RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI):

POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES?

SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2008

8:30 A.M. - 3:45 P.M.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

SCHOOL OF LAW

ATHENS, GEORGIA

8:30-9:00 A.M.: Registration

9:00 -9:15 A.M.: Welcome and Introductions

9:15-10:30 A.M.

The Use of Response to Intervention as an Alternative to

Traditional Identification Procedures in Special Education

Amy L. Reschly, Ph.D.

Associate Professor University of Georgia College of Education

Department of Educational Psychology & Instructional Technology

In this session, Professor Reschly will give the audience essential background information on RTI, and its application will be described, including the impetus for reform, different models of RTI, and a description of examples of problem-solving in an RTI model.

10:30-10:45 A.M.: Break

Light Refreshments will be Served

10:45-12:00 P.M.

The Impact of Georgia’s Pyramid of Intervention on

Services for Students with Exceptionalities.

Nealy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor University of Georgia College of Education

Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education

This presentation will include an overview of services and sample strategies provided at each of the four levels in Georgia’s Pyramid of Intervention. The focus will be on the transition from Tier 2 to Tier 3 for students not demonstrating progress as documented by progress monitoring and will include both academic and behavioral concerns.

12:00 - 1:15 P.M.: Lunch on Your Own

1:15 -2:45 P.M.

Panel Discussion of RTI and Best Practices

Sue Snow,Ph.D. , Georgia Department of Education

Seymour, Assistant Principal and Baker, Ed.S., School Psychologist,

Madison County School System

Marie Emerson-Gangaora, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

2:45 - 3:45 Parent Meeting on RTI with law students, parent advocates, and attorneys.

The Special Education Symposium will provide valuable information and knowledge on Response to Intervention (RTI) from two professors of the University of Georgia, College of Education and from a panel of experts that will answer your questions on this emerging area of special education. RTI is a multi-level approach to providing instruction and intervention to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. RTI is designed to help schools focus on high quality and research-based instruction while carefully monitoring student progress.

This symposium is open to teachers, administrators, school specialists, psychologists, social workers, parents, students, parent advocates, attorneys, and anybody else interested in learning more about Response to Intervention practices and applications.

The sponsors of this symposium are the University of Georgia, School of Law, and the Special Education Practicum, a clinical program to serve low-income families of children with disabilities in the greater Athens-e area and beyond.

The cost of attending the symposium is $25.00. Registrants should send a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 payable to the University of Georgia School of Law, Herty Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602. Send To: Torin D. Togut, Cousins Public Interest Fellow, Herty Drive, Civil Clinics, Room 338, Athens, Georgia 30602. All individuals wishing to attend this symposium should send in their registration by no later than March 31, 2008. The cost of the attending t

he symposium for parents and students may be waived depending upon financial circumstances. Requests for waiver of the costs of the symposium should be made to Torin Togut at (706) 227- 5362.

If any registrant requires accommodations in order to attend to the symposium, then please write in your need below. Please register your request at least three weeks prior to the symposium.

--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.