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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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134 days without a state budget!
The Alliance together with other statewide organizations are organizing a Human Services Rally on Tuesday November 17th from 11:30am - 12:30pm. We need legislators to understand that Human Services is a top priority, Human Services need to be funded appropriately and we need a budget with fair funding for Human Services NOW.
Please help us get the word out about this event across your networks ...a full Rotunda will send a strong message.....but an empty Rotunda will tell legislators that Human Services is not important. That would make it fair to put Human Services on the chopping block in the budget negotiations.
#putpeople1st #passabudget
Click here for more information
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Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Mini Course Lecture Series FALL 2015
DECEMBER 1 and 2
Bridges to the Community: Building Social Capital
Presented by Cathy Ficker Terrill
About the presenter:
Cathy Ficker Terrill is the CEO of the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Her job is to define, measure and improve personal quality of life for people with disabilities. Her career has included working in leadership positions in government, non-profit organizations, university teaching, advocacy and supporting and mentoring self-advocates. (for more about our presenter, go to http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/miniseries/
2 DATES/ 2 LOCATIONS:
DATE: December 1, 2015 Tuesday
TIME: 9:30 to Noon
(registration starts at 8:30 AM)
LOCATION:
Westmoreland Case Management and Supports Inc. (WCSI), 770 East Pittsburgh Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601
DATE: December 2, 2015 Wednesday
TIME: 9:30 to Noon
(registration starts at 8:30 AM)
LOCATION:
Berks County Services Center Auditorium, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
- Lecture is free but registration is required.
- Requests for accommodations must be submitted by November 16, 2015
- Act 48 credits available and Permission to offer Social Work CEs has been requested
The Mini Course Lecture Series on Disabilities is presented by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Co-Sponsors: Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania and
Pennsylvania Association of County of Mental Health and Developmental Services (PACA MH/DS)
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OSEP is celebrating 40 years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
As part of our celebration, we want to hear from individuals with disabilities, teachers, researchers, and other IDEA stakeholders about the personal impact this legislation has had.
How has IDEA made a difference to you?
What do inclusion, equity, and opportunity look like for you?
We want to hear from children and youth with disabilities, teachers, parents, researchers, and other IDEA stakeholders about the impact this legislation has had. Please share your art, photographs, and writing with us for possible use during the upcoming 40th Anniversary events.
You may submit your documents and personal stories up to November 8th.
Please share your art, photographs, poetry, and written stories with us for possible use during an event in Washington DC to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of IDEA.
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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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November 16, 2015
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1:00 - 3:00 pm
6:00 - 8:00 pm
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Northeast
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Quality Inn Wilkes-Barre 800 Kidder Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
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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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2016 National APSE Conference!
Just Announced! The 2016 National APSE Conference Registration is NOW OPEN!
This year's annual conference will take place June 21-23, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. and will bring together businesses, individuals with disabilities and community leaders from across the country and around the world to network and discuss state-of-the-art strategies to ensure equitable employment for
citizens with disabilities.
Based on past conference attendance, we anticipate 1000 registrants this year! Last year, the APSE Conference brought together representatives from 47 United States and Washington D.C., Canada, Singapore, Japan, China, Saipan, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Turkey and Finland!
Attendees can look forward to:
30 Exhibitors and Sponsors from across the country, representing the very best services, training opportunities and products in advancing employment for people with disabilities
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National APSE is Currently Accepting Presentation Proposals to Present at the 2016 National APSE Conference!
This premier event offers you an opportunity to share knowledge, expertise and ideas on the latest and best practices and innovations to make employment a reality for all!
The National APSE Conference provides education and networking opportunities for individuals with disabilities, families, rehabilitation and employment professionals, transition teachers, employers, policymakers, educators, and anyone interested in advancing EmploymentFirst!
We are seeking innovative presentations that expand state-of-the-art practices advancing employment for all!
If you are interested in submitting a presentation proposal please read the full call for proposals here!
For more conference information please click
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Nominations NOW Being Accepted for National APSE Awards!
2016 National APSE Awards
Now is your chance to nominate a deserving individual for one of the prestigious National APSE Awards!
Nominees will be recognized and winners announced throughout the conference.
Nominations are due by January 31st 2016!
- Professional Award-Individual
- Best Practice Award-Organization
- Employer Award (small, medium and large)
- Wendy M. Wood Award
- Rebecca McDonald Award
- Dave Hammis Innovation Award
- Got MIKE Educational Leadership Award
- Personal Achievement Award
- Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award
For a full description of each award, and to nominate-click
here!
For more information on Deadlines, Exhibiting opportunities or Sponsorship click
here
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Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
A CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
Hosted by Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania (DRN) Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA) and Associated
Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Do you want to work but are afraid of losing your benefits?
Thousands of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries have learned how to stay in control of their benefits while enriching their lives through employment. You can, too!
The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program helps individuals with all disabilities understand how employment affects Social Security benefits.
Representatives from BBVS, Social Security, and an advocate from Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, will speak about specific work incentives that support your employment goals. In addition, you won't want to miss our nationally known, surprise Guest Speaker!
WHEN: December 2, 2015, 10am - 1pm
WHERE: Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
919 Walnut Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
For more information or if you need an accommodation to participate, please contact Tyra Virden by November 18th at (215) 238-8070, ext. 216 or by emailing Trya at
tvirden@drnpa.org.
Please RSVP your attendance before November 27th and direct any questions or concerns to:
Cedric Bryant at (215) 627-0600, ext. 3295 or by email to cbryant@asb.org OR Tyra Virden at 215-238-8070, ext. 216 or by email to tvirden@drnpa.org
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RESOURCES
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 opens on November 2, 2015
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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Printable 2015 PAR Solutions Conference Brochure
with Descriptions NOW Available!
Register NOW for PAR's 2015 Solutions Conference
LEADing Forward
November 9 & 10, Post Conference November 11
at the Harrisburg Hilton
Remember to reserve your room now at the Harrisburg Hilton for PAR's discounted
rate of $134/night - Room block is protected until October 20th
Print the full Conference Brochure Now!
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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 Gold Book 2013
Understanding the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania: Intellectual Disability and Autism Services
Click here for printable copy
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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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