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Stay up to date on news stories, upcoming training opportunities events and resources by continuing to receive our Weekly News Digest.
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 The Brighter Futures Awards
Intellectual disAbility Services and the Public Awareness Committee create, promote and enhance the supports and services available to individuals with intellectual disabilities. With our mission in mind and supporting our theme
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Intellectual disAbility Services and the Public Awareness Committee invite you to submit a nomination for a community member who makes a difference in the lives of others. Help us celebrate the 24th Annual My City, My Place; Brighter Futures Awards by acknowledging those in the community who exemplify our motto:
IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY!
The Brighter Futures Awards
The Brighter Futures Awardsare for individuals from all walks of life: neighbors, people with disAbilities, teachers, friends, family, employers, co-workers, spiritual leaders, civic groups/organizations, self- advocates, medical professionals, political leaders, business men and women who are not employed by provider agencies.
We are looking for people who:
- Assist people with intellectual disAbilities to have control over their own lives by making real choices: working, playing, worshiping, enjoying friends, loving relationships and participating in the community.
- Support others to be self- determined, realizing their goals and dreams.
- Are self-advocates and are examples of self-determination and who live everyday lives.
- Neighbors, businesses or organizations that welcome and include all people.
- Individuals who support overall health and wellness and are not employed by provider agencies.
- Individuals or organizations who have developed an innovative program that promotes inclusion, community participation and provides natural supports
We encourage you to consider individuals or organizations who provide and promote vital programs that engage the community in recreation, health & wellness, employment, socialization, politics, art, music, education and volunteerism.
We are very interested in those who exemplify the Everyday Lives Principles and who support individuals with intellectual disAbilities to have everyday lives and live inclusively in the community.
Nominations can be submitted to Wendy Williams at
wendy.williams@phila.gov. For more information, contact Wendy at 215.685.4680. The deadline for nomination submissions is January 29, 2016.
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Forwarded by the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania -
FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR
PROVIDER NAVIGATORS AND ASSISTERS
Healthcare.gov can screen applicants for most categories of Medicaid. However, individuals with disabilities or significant health issues who are working (or may be able to work) can't be identified through the automated Marketplace website.
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) is almost always less expensive and provides more comprehensive benefits than any Marketplace plan.
Presenters from the PA Health Law Project will provide navigators and assisters with the eligibility criteria for MAWD and help them compare health insurance options for adults with disabilities and chronic health conditions. People with disabilities and their caretakers are also welcome to register to learn more about applying for MAWD.
This free training will take place:
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PA Mental Health Consumers' Association
4105 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
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CLICK for Harrisburg Training Announcement)
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Friday, December 11, 2015
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Health Federation
1211 Chestnut St, Suite 801
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(
CLICK for Philadelphia Training Announcement)
Space is limited.
or
Kyle Fisher at kfisher@phlp.org (Philadelphia site) or by calling 412-434-5637.
This training is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
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The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is planning five Listening Sessions at sites across the Commonwealth along with two conference calls to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to voice ideas for updating and improving the Intellectual Disability Waivers.
ODP's Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waivers expire on June 30, 2017, requiring ODP to apply for renewals. As a result, ODP is in the initial stages of discussions for updating and changing the waiver content. In preparation, we are asking our stakeholders for their ideas and suggestions. ODP has scheduled five Listening Sessions at local sites across the Commonwealth to allow our stakeholders to voice their input. There will also be two conference calls conducted to allow individuals who are not able to attend a local session to add their ideas. Registration is required at each session (local or conference call). Initial comments will be limited to 5 minutes so everyone who has comments will have an opportunity to give them.
ODP is in the early stages of developing the Waiver Renewal for the Person/Family Directed Support and Consolidated Waivers. In preparation, we would like to hear your ideas. We are offering these sessions so that we can hear what changes you would like to have considered during the writing of the Waiver applications. These Listening Sessions do not replace the public forums that will be offered after the Waiver is drafted and prior to submission to CMS.
If you would like to register for one of the conference calls, click the date you would like to register for to complete that registration.
The following are the dates, times and locations for the locally scheduled sessions across the Commonwealth:
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December 7, 2015
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1:00 - 3:00 pm
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Southeast
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11th Floor (room 1154A) 801 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
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December 7, 2015
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6:00 - 8:00 pm
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Southeast
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Church on the Mall, Plymouth Meeting Mall 500 West Germantown Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
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RESOURCES
Pennsylvania Health Law Project Newsletter
David Beats Goliath-PHLP Wins Final Decision Requiring Insurers To Pay for Autism Services In School
John and Suzanne Burke knew how important it was for their seven-year-old son to receive applied behavioral analysis therapy, which medical professionals say is vital to social acclimation and development. When Independence Blue Cross (IBC) refused to pay for Anthony's therapy in school, the Burkes called PHLP. We won!
CLICK here to read the Newsletter
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Dear Readers:
I am excited to announce that DHS' new and improved website (www.dhs.pa.gov) launched today.
We hope you find the new site to be user friendly, and that you are able to navigate this site to easily find DHS information and materials.
Website features will be in new locations, so we anticipate questions about where to access materials. Our hope is that finding your way around the new site will be easier. However, if you can't find something, please email us at RA-PWDHSPRESSOFFICE@pa.gov
We will continue to make improvements to the website after its launch, and will keep striving to make it the best possible resource for you and the people we serve.
Sincerely,
Ted Dallas
Secretary
Department of Human Services
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LIHEAP program Is now open
As colder weather moves in, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, opens Monday. LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills and deal with such heating emergencies as a broken furnace, fuel shortage or utility service shutoff.
If you're living in a family of four and have a household income less than $36,375, you qualify for LIHEAP. To find out if your household is eligible, please view these requirements.
To get an application, please visit this site.
Heating your home can be expensive, but there are things you can do to help reduce those costs.
Visit this site to learn more about ways you can save money on heating expenses by making your home more energy-efficient.
Click here for more information
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10 Short Films by Dan Habib Featured in
SWIFT's Free Guide for Inclusive Practices
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SWIFT (Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation) is a national K-8 technical assistance center that promotes the inclusive academic and social achievement of ALL students, including students with disabilities and those with the most extensive needs.
Dan Habib of the Institute on Disability at UNH has worked with SWIFT to develop ten "SWIFT in 60" films. These films are now included in the
SWIFT Field Guide
, a tool to support the implementation of inclusive educational practices.
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The Tech Toolbox
The Arc's Tech Toolbox is a place to find, share, rate and review technology for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).
The need for a service that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) access technology has long been apparent and The Arc decided to step in to help centralize resources in this field. Through a partnership with the Comcast Foundation, The Arc was able to create the TechToolbox. Staff from across The Arc's chapter network came together to design a one-stop-shop, peer- reviewed directory of technology products that are effective for people with I/DD. Through this directory, chapter staff, people with I/DD, and the general public can find, review, and post examples of technology tools that work well for them. There are already over 500 apps and devices in Tech Toolbox, and the list will continue to grow with your input! Tech Toolbox is supported by a grant from the Comcast Foundation
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Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) Releases
Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual
PHLP has expanded and updated its Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual. Intended for health care advocates and the general public, this manual describes eligibility for Pennsylvania's Medicaid Assistance (or Medicaid) program in plain language. Readers will learn Medicaid coverage "categories" as well as the program's income and resource counting rules.
The updated Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual can be found here.
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Get $50 in groceries for $20 and community service. Fresh produce packages available for $15. Accepts SNAP (food stamps) and farmers' market vouchers
For 25 years SHARE has worked to create stronger, healthier communities through its mission of providing good, affordable food to all. Over the years, the needs of its communities have evolved. Opportunities to expand its reach to more individuals and families has led SHARE from its beginnings as the SHARE Food Package program to a leader in the food relief system providing an array of services. At its core, the SHARE Food Package program is larger than ever, but is now accompanied by emergency relief programs, fresh food packages, dinner and nutrition programs, and urban agriculture.
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College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Prospective college students with disabilities will find that many campuses are equipped with offices and services that address accessibility, accommodation, and assistive technology for a diverse range of needs. Student services offices and disability coordinators at many colleges work to make campuses inclusive environments through specialized advocacy, support, and academic services.
CLICK HERE for more information
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CAP4KIDS Programs
We all know the importance of quality after school/weekend programs for kids through sports and other positive recreational activities, but sometime finding the right fit isn't so easy.
website, under After School Programs (click here), you will find dozens of great programs including: tennis; lacrosse; golf; rowing; running; horse back riding; squash; and more, all focused on serving lower income youth.
Also on this site you can find specific programs by zip code using the Department of Recreation's site (click here
) or the wonderful After School Activities Partnership site (click here).
Check these search functions out!!! Also, to sign up for Cap4Kids hint, please have your friends and coworkers sign up here. Thanks.
Daniel R. Taylor, D.O., FAAP, FACOP
Associate Professor Drexel University College of Medicine
Director Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
Articles on being a Philly Pediatrician
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Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Intake Referral Unit -
Call 215-685-4646
Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) coordinates the Infant Toddler Early Invention Program in Philadelphia!
The Infant Toddler Early Intervention program serves children from birth to three years of age who have a developmental delay. This Program is a state and federal entitlement for eligible children and is provided at no cost to families in Pennsylvania.
Referrals come directly from parents or family members, and from hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics, and other agencies serving children. Once a child is referred, an IDS Early Intervention Intake Coordinator contacts the family to complete the intake application. The Coordinator then assigns the child and family to service coordination. ChildLink, the service coordination organization, works closely with the family and the Early Intervention Provider Agencies to identify and deliver the needed services.
See Sections II-D and V of the 2014 IDS Directory of Services and Supports for more detailed information.
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