The Parent Network
December 2018
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Mission:
Idaho Parents Unlimited supports, empowers, educates and advocates to enhance the quality of life for Idahoans with disabilities and their families.
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*Includes non-IPUL community events
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Parent Training and Information Center - IDEA Part D
American Sign Language Club
For many, American Sign Language (ASL) is traditionally thought of as a form of communication for those who have a hearing impairment.
In addition to American Sign Language used to assist people with hearing impairments, a Nampa High School Club emphasizes its use to highlight the importance of community, compassion, and inclusion. In this 30-member club, even students without a hearing impairment can learn and appreciate the importance of American Sign Language as another form of communication in its own right.
KTVB News recently ran a story on this club. Please see the link below for more information.
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Idaho’s Dispute Resolution Program through the Idaho State Department of Education continues to provide families and school districts with effective options that can support them in working toward resolving disagreements, communication issues, etc. Idaho, among several other states, offers a service called Facilitation as a form of dispute resolution in order to resolve conflicts and disputes at the lowest level of conflict. The Idaho State Department of Educations website provides some great information to help families become more aware of their options within dispute resolution.
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Family to Family Health Information Center - Idaho Family Voices
DD Enhancement Update:
Changes to Children’s Developmental Disabilities Services
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has asked Idaho Parents Unlimited to share the following updates with families:
On July 1, 2019 all intervention services for children will be moved to the State Plan. Community based services and school-based services will share the same service names. Additionally, individuals may choose to access children’s intervention services up to their 21st birthday.
Changes in Federal law now require Medicaid to offer intervention services in the State Plan. Children will be allowed to access Medicaid intervention services that are medically necessary, based on need, no longer based on a diagnosis.
The proposed services include: Habilitative Skill, Behavioral Intervention, Interdisciplinary Training, Crisis Intervention, and Behavioral Consultation. Currently school-based services include Behavioral Intervention and Behavioral Consultation, only.
Support Services will remain a waiver service like they are today. The proposed services include: Habilitative Supports, Family Education, Respite, and Family Directed Supports. These services will continue to be attached to a budget and are not school-based services. Individuals are eligible to receive children’s support services up to their 18th birthday
There is a published schedule for parents and providers to attend meetings to discuss the upcoming changes to the children's developmental disabilities program and offer you the opportunity to ask questions and give your feedback. (Upcoming meeting dates are for both families and providers will occur on December 5th & 6th.) Here is the link to the schedule which shows specific meeting dates and times in your region.
For more information about the changes coming to the Children's DD Services Enhancement Project, see the following link:
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Youth Corner
Adaptive Gaming Controller
If you know someone who likes video games, but they they aren't able to participate as much as they would like due to barriers in operating a standard gaming controller, they may be able to benefit from an adaptive controller by Microsoft. Earlier this year the company unveiled the new accessibility-minded controller designed to give disabled gamers new, more comfortable avenues to playing video games.
The adaptive controller which works with both the Xbox console and PC, is highly customizable letting players remap buttons as well as add other large buttons and other external peripherals as well. The larger buttons and accessories will allow players who have difficulty with fine and gross motor skills to join their friends who have already been avid gamers. Please see the following link for more information.
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Tools For Life - Tools for you
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Tools for Life is a great resource for youth with disabilities. The Secondary Transition and Technology Fair is an annual event and is put on primarily for transitioning youth. However, it is something for parents to enjoy as well. It is a two-day event on March 4th and March 5th. The event is cycled between North Idaho, East Idaho and Southern Idaho; and this time it will be hosted in Boise at BSU. There will be various breakout sessions with national, regional and state experts on higher education. This will be incredibly helpful for youth as they transition. There will be an area open for Education institutions, State Agencies and various vendors. Registration is now open and will end on January 23rd, 2019. For further information and the page for registration, go to:
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VSA Idaho - The State Organization on Art and Disability
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Thirteen students participated in IPUL’s Work of Art program at Guardian Angel homes in Post falls Idaho this fall. Students learned employment skills, artistic concepts and basic masonry skills by creating stepping stones and a totem for the garden at Guardian Angel Homes. This program is made possible by the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
VSA Idaho, The State Organization on Arts and Disability, provides arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increases access to the arts for all. VSA's mission is empowering and engaging people with disabilities in the creative process through opportunities which are fully inclusive, educational, and participatory.
VSA Idaho is member of the VSA Affiliate Network, a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA is an international organization founded by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith in 1974.
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To learn more about IPUL's arts programs please contact Heather@ipulidaho.org.
For more about VSA International please visit VSA, The National Organization on Arts and Disability:
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Idaho Parents Unlimited Save the Date
Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.
Save the Date
Monthly Workshop and Webinar Series
2018 - 2019
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This workshop is designed for both parents and professionals. Participants will learn how the various Medicaid funding programs work and how they can fit the multiple needs of families and individual children with special health care needs and disabilities.
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December 2018
Understanding Idaho Medicaid
DECEMBER 12, 2018
5:30-7:00 P.M.
(PLEASE NOTE: ONLY CDA TIME IS 6:30-8:00 P.M.)
Locations
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Boise
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4619 E. Emerald Street, Suite E
Boise, Idaho 83642
Pocatello
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A New Hope
300 N. 7 th Avenue
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
Coeur d'Alene
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Kootenai Health Center
Heart Health Center Classroom
2003 Kootenai Health Way
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
Registration
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Call - 208-342-5884
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Angela Lindig
, Executive Director
Amy Ireland
, Parent Education Coordinator
Sarah Tueller
, Parent Education Coordinator
Joe Gonzales
, Parent Education Coordinator
Casey Gordon
, Parent Education Coordinator
Heather Kirk Skinner
, Statewide Arts Education Coordinator
Rosario Beagarie
, Bilingual Parent Education Coordinator
Candace Garman
, Bookkeeper
Bill Nuttycombe
, IT Specialist
IPUL Board of Directors:
North
:
Lisa Richards Evans
Darci Graves
South Central
:
Becky Novak
Southwest
:
Dallas Gudgell
East
:
Jared White
Alycia Birch
The contents of this electronic newsletter were developed under a Cooperative Agreement from the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education (OSEP) Grant #H328M140020 and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Family to Family Health Information Center Grant # H84MC12896. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the either department, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
IPUL's parent education programming is always free to families. Consider making a tax-deductible contribution to assist us in assisting families who are raising exceptional children in Idaho. If making a cash contribution is out of reach right now, you can still help by making Idaho Parents Unlimited your charity of choice when shopping at Amazon.com or Fred Meyer thanks to their fantastic giving programs:
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Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.
4619 Emerald St. Ste. E
Boise, ID 83706
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