Here are the highlights of our upcoming events and recent activity online. Not everything is included due to timeliness.

If an advertised event already took place, we've left it off. 

June 2024 Youth Corner

Why SSI Matters for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides essential benefits to young individuals with disabilities in Idaho crucial benefits: Monthly Financial Support for essentials like food and shelter, Automatic Medicaid Eligibility for comprehensive healthcare, and access to Vocational Rehabilitation for education and job training.

SSI lightens financial burdens on families, making the transition to adulthood smoother and fostering a brighter, more independent future. For more information, visit https://www.ssa.gov/

Understanding SSI Eligibility for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

To Qualify for SSI, your youth or young adult must meet a few key criteria:

·      Medical Condition: Must have a medically determined physical or mental impairment that significantly limits daily activities for at least 12 months or is expected to be life-threatening.

·      Financial Eligibility: Income and Resources must be below $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple in 2024.

·      Age Specific Support: SSI benefits are available right from birth! Special rules are in place for kids under 18 and young adults transitioning to adulthood to ensure they receive the support they need at every stage.

Resource: https://leadcenter.org/resources/financial-toolkit-frequently-asked-questions/

Tips on Navigating the SSI Process

·      Gather Key Documents

·      Choose Your Application Method

·      Prepare for Reviews

·      Start Benefits Upon Approval

·      Prepare for Age 18 Redetermination

·      Encourage Independence

·      Explore Guardianship Options

·      Plan for the Future

For More Info:

https://ipulidaho.org/health/financing-and-eligibilty/ssdissi/

Contact:

Phone: 208.342.5884

Email: parents@ipulidaho.org

Facebook: /IdahoParentsUnlimited

Twitter: /IPULIdaho

Unlimited Parenting Podcast

Season 2 Episode 12: Parent's Guide to the New Managed Care Changes in Idaho: Moving to Magellan

There's a new Managed Care Organization for Children's mental health in Idaho and we want to talk about it! We're thrilled to have Brittany Shipley with us, a passionate advocate for children's mental health, to guide us through the changes and answer your pressing questions. Below you will find links to the resources Brittany mentions in our discussion. If you would like to be involved in the conversation please reach out to IPUL at (208) 342-5884, or by sending an intake to our website at ipulidaho.org. 

Add us on your favorite podcast platform!

https://rss.com/podcasts/unlimited-parenting-ipul/

https://direct.me/unlimitedparenting/

From a post Angela made:

Speaking of the Adventure Island Playground, many of you know that before I began working at Idaho Parents Unlimited, I worked to create this amazing facility. Idaho's first universally accessible playground is in Meridian's Settler's Park. In addition to the resource fair, we're going to have a few people speaking about accessibility and what the playground has meant to us. We will hear from former Meridian Mayor Tammy DeWeerd, and current Meridian Mayor Robert Simison will be presenting a proclamation.

An entire generation of children have grown up in a more inclusive community as a result of this park and it has inspired more inclusive playgrounds throughout the state. We are hoping to hear from a family who would be willing to tell about their experiences of having the Adventure Island Playground in their community while raising children with and without disabilities.

If you or someone you know would be interested in telling your story, can you let me know? I'm at angela@ipulidaho.org 

Everyone else, if you're in the Treasure Valley area, swing on by on August 24th! It's going to be a wonderful day!

Idaho’s 1st Universally Accessible Playground Turns 20!

Join us for a special celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Adventure Island Playground, Idaho's first universally accessible playground.

Families - Check out this week’s featured Resources: Hanger Clinic and Sweet Zola’s Candy Shop. Find them and many others at the Resource Fair

Event Details:

Date and Time:9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location:3245 N Meridian Rd., Meridian, ID

Contact Us adventureisland@ipulidaho.org

Phone: 208-342-5884 Website: ipulidaho.org

Register Your Resource Booth

To register your resource booth, please see below

Idaho Parents Unlimited Presents:

The Adventure Island Playground 20th Anniversary Celebration and Resource Fair

Meridian’s Settlers Park

3245 N Meridian Rd., Meridian ID

UPDATE: 

Booth owners - Register by July 24th to be included on the Map to Services – fridge magnet – that will be given out for free to attendees of the Adventure Island Celebration. – See the form at the links below! 

REGISTER YOUR RESOURCE BOOTH TODAY!

 https://www.tfaforms.com/5129996 Or https://ipulidaho.org/events/adventure-island-anniversary/

Celebrate with us as we mark the incredible milestone of 20 years of adventures, joy, inclusion, and accessibility!

August 24, 2024

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Contact Us

adventureisland@ipulidaho.org

208-342-5884

Ipulidaho.org

Join Idaho Parents Unlimited and the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities for a unique series on the power of person-centered planning.

Charting the Life Course Family Roundtable Series

Three-part, virtual discussion series:

AUGUST 27, 2024

6:30 – 7:30 PM MT

5:30 – 6:30 PM PT

Planning Without Fear: using person centered tools to reach a strength-based result ~Jill Smith, ICDD Program Specialist, CtLC Ambassador

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

6:30 – 7:30 PM MT

5:30 – 6:30 PM PT

Strength-based Transition Planning: exploring the impact of planning for the future across the lifespan. ~Sarah Gornik, IPUL Program Specialist, CtLC Ambassador

OCTOBER 29, 2024

6:30 – 7:30 PM MT

5:30 – 6:30 PM PT

Feeling More Prepared: telling your story during eligibility and beyond…elevated advocacy. ~Melissa Vian, IPUL Program Specialist, CtLC Ambassador

Charting the Life Course: Empowering Every Step, Embracing Every Journey

Questions? Contact Jill Smith at jill.smith@icdd.idaho.gov or by phone at 208-484-5750

Three-part, virtual discussion series designed to help families:

• Approach service planning focused on strengths, family priorities, and personal preferences
• Identify and discuss areas that impact planning for the Now and the future
• Know that although planning can be challenging, there are tools that can help throughout the process and across the lifespan
• Approach eligibility events feeling more prepared and ready to be heard

REGISTER HERE: https://ipulidaho.org/news/08-27-2024-charting-the-lifecourse-family-roundtable-series/

By signing up for all three sessions, you will have the opportunity to learn about simple but effective tools created by families and people with disabilities who have lived what you are going through. You will spend time with experienced planners, specially trained in using and adapting these tools to meet individualized needs. But most importantly, by participating in these discussions, you will give and receive support from those who are experiencing the same challenges you are.

Seats are limited and we expect they will fill quickly.

Charting the Life Course: Empowering Every Step, Embracing Every Journey

Questions? Contact Jill Smith at jill.smith@icdd.idaho.gov or by phone at 208-484-5750

we shared this from the US Department of Education:

The federal government provides billions of dollars in Medicaid funds to schools annually to increase access to quality physical, mental, and behavioral health services for eligible students. These funds pay for services to students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and students from low-income families enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP programs. The services can include school-based physical, mental, and behavioral health services, including routine health screenings, preventive care, and physical, speech and occupational therapies, and more. Most States have Medicaid plans in place that allow for Medicaid to reimburse for health services provided to students with disabilities under IDEA. However, only 16 States have plans that allow for the reimbursement of services to Medicaid-eligible students beyond just those who receive services under the IDEA. This difference is significant: Having a State plan explicitly allow reimbursement for services to all Medicaid-enrolled students could enable thousands of additional students to gain access to crucial health services and ensure that your State has access to all available funds to support them. These federal dollars can directly address student needs, boost student achievement, and help improve life outcomes! Make sure your State takes up this opportunity and taps into these available federal funds. Read the entire pdf here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/docs/medicaid-funding-for-school-based-services-03-08-2024.pdf

Self Guided Modules

available now!

WHAT IS IPUL?

Self-Guided Modules

Ever Wonder what IPUL does? 

This training will introduce you to IPUL and the incredible support we offer to families in Idaho. Whether you need help with education or healthcare advocacy, we’re here for you. 

REGISTER NOW

ipulidaho.org  208-342-5884

Contact Idaho Parents Unlimited!

The best method to reach us for assistance is through our website:  

https://ipulidaho.org/connect-with-us/ . You can also shoot us a question using the abbreviated version of that form at the bottom of every page on our website, although we may need to get more information from you.

We monitor our intake phone line (208-342-5884) during the workday, and will try to respond to any request there within 24 hours. We use an automated intake phone system, so you will be leaving a message. (Please be sure the number you are leaving us can accept text or voice messages.)

For questions that are not about something in our scope of work, you can still leave a phone message as above, send the question to the form on our website, or shoot us an email at parents@ipulidaho.org.

We keep our website updated with new events and maintain a presence on Facebook, and Instagram

Programs and services offered by Idaho Parents Unlimited are supported in part by the U.S. Department of Education (H328M200033) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Affordable Care Act Family to Family Health Information Center (H84MC12896), opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions of either department, endorsement is not assumed