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PLUK eNews April
25, 2005
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Apr_25_05.htm
Volume 3 Issue 19
Welcome to PLUK's electronic
newsletter!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Apr_25_05.pdf
)
We are proud to present news of interest for Montana families of children with disabilities and special health care needs, and for the professionals and educators who serve them; however, it does not constitute an endorsement.
Impacts of Childhood Disability on Families , June
10-11, Billings
In a long-awaited conference opportunity, parents and caregivers are invited
to join national presenter and author, psychologist Ken Moses, PhD, for a
two-day conference, June 10-11, exploring childhood disability and its impact on
families and caregivers.
Dr. Moses has spent his career studying the "relationship between human
development and grieving" and for more than twenty years he has carried a
private practice and offered a range of services from counseling and
psychotherapy to consultation, supervision, education and training services.
The conference "Impacts of Childhood Disability: Understanding the Parents'
Journey From Grief to Growth" is sponsored by St. Vincent's Healthcare (in
cooperation with Billings Public Schools, STEP, and ECI). CEUs will be offered
and, a limited number of registration scholarships (for parents of special needs
children) will be available. For more information, call St Vincent Healthcare at
406/657-8792.
Kids at Heart Gala, May 13
The event will be held again at Sheraton Hotel in Billings and is set for
Friday May 13th. The 2005 Kids at Heart Gala features the band The Midlife
Chryslers (Billings' area doctors who participate in 4 or 5 performances a year
for local nonprofits). The Committee is excited about this notable band's
involvement and everyone is looking forward to the Gala. In addition to the
Chrysler's performance, the event will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, a silent
auction, a live auction (featuring auctioneer Bill Holt), and much more. For
information on sponsorships or tickets, call PLUK's office at 406 255-0540 or
800 222-7585. Visit the PLUK web site to see a list of auction items, http://www.pluk.org.
Benefit Concert for PLUK-May 20, Kalispell
Flathead Valley PLUK presents:
Rob Quist and the Great Northern Band with Jack Gladstone in concert, present
their newest collaboration May 20th at 7pm at the Kalispell Christian Center.
Quist and Gladstone, two of the West's most celebrated entertainers and
songwriters, have united in an unforgettable new show, Odyssey West,
commemorating Lewis and Clark's epic journey into the western frontier.
Jack Gladstone and Rob Quist bring the West to life with the rich historical
content of their original songs and narratives, presented with dramatic live
footage, as well as haunting photographic and artistic images of the Old and New
West.
Celebrate Our Heritage while supporting local children and adults with
disabilities. Proceeds also benefit Special Friends Advocacy. Ticket purchases
call 406 756-6159.
http://www.robquist.com/promopage.htm
BraveHearts Grief Support Group, May 3, Billings
BraveHearts is a grief support group for children, teens, and families. The
group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the Mayflower
Congregational Church. Every meeting includes refreshments, fun activities, and
story time. Registration is required for this free program. Please call Amy at
247-3300 for more information and to register.
Meeting Schedule:
May 3 Planting Seeds & Making a Memory Garden
May 17 Tree of Life (Family Trees)
June 7 Memories (A Year to Remember
June 21 Memory Box (Be sure to bring keepsakes . . . photos, cards, music, etc.
to put in the box.)
Final Legislative Update (14) from C. Briggs
1. Appropriations. The 59th Regular Session of the Montana Legislature is
now history. About 10:15 a.m. today, the House and Senate adjourned sine die
(Latin, "dismissed indefinitely"), which means the end - as distinct
from a recess - or postponement until a later time. Within the first hour of
convening, the Republican Leader, Roy Brown (R-Kimberley), stated he would end
the impasse and be the lone Republican House member to join the 50 Democrats and
approve HB-2, the "General Appropriations Act of 2003", with the joint
conference committee report as approved by the Senate late last week. The House
approved the conference report, and voting stood 51-49. The joint conference
committee never re-convened to entertain some $60 million additional fund cuts
in the bill, as the Republican leadership desired.
Both houses adjourned the regular 2005 Legislative Session with a clear
understanding they will convene a special session late in the year to resolve
the education funding mandate imposed by the Montana Supreme Court. Among the
final bills considered earlier in the week, HB-5 was finally approved, which was
the long-range funding bill (concerning more than one biennium or two-year
cycle). As a result of these two bills being approved the legislature was able
to complete its work and presumably keep state spending under the
"cap" (or ceiling), which most citizens learned not many months ago
was placed in statute by the 1981 Montana Legislature. As indicated in an
earlier report, there were no additional cuts to HB-2 and, hence, appropriations
increases that are important to disability advocates are approved for the
biennium that begins July 1, 2005.
2. Other Legislation.
Here is the final status of the remaining bills we have been following:
· HB 197 (Jayne) - Will make it a felony for anyone convicted of abusing,
neglecting or exploiting an older adult or person with a developmental
disability, at the request of DPHHS. Senate amendments kept violence between
consumers a misdemeanor. It has been transmitted to the Governor.
· HB 336 (Lange) - This bill providing service funding to developmentally
disabled youth who have aged out of services for about a year still but died
without action in the Senate.
· HB 438 (Buzzas) - The Braille literacy bill was approved and is being
prepared for transmittal to the Governor.
· HB 513 (Raser) - This will extend state tax credits to citizens who donate to
developmental disabilities programs. It has been transmitted to the Governor.
· HB 550 (Windy Boy) - Appropriates $100,000 over the biennium for the
leadership forum for youth with disabilities. It is being prepared for
transmittal to the Governor.
· HB 687 (Mendenhall) - This is an important companion to the I-149 tobacco tax
initiative, as it makes provision to track tobacco sales, and compliments the
actions of the sub-committee that funded six auditors for tax collection. It is
being prepared for transmittal to the Governor.
· HB738 (Kaufmann) - Will establish an advisory commission to study all
provider rates and services provided by DPHHS. The bill has been transmitted to
the Governor. The work of this advisory commission will be important to all
providers of services to people with disabilities.
· SB 41 (Keenan) - Establishing "funding principles" for Medicaid,
it's one of several the Senator offered as part of a larger Medicaid redesign.
It has been transmitted to the Governor
· SB 93 (Cobb) - Requires DPHHS to report monthly to the Legislative Finance
Committee updating Medicaid cost estimates. It has been transmitted to the
Governor
· SB 110 (Cobb) - A significant piece of the Medicaid redesign legislation. The
bill has been sent to the Governor.
· SB 127 (Keenan) - Another Medicaid redesign bills, this one focuses on
restructuring home and community-based waiver services. It has been sent to the
Governor.
· SB 146 (McGee) - Based on a lawsuit, this bill intends to redesign - and fund
- Montana's public defender system, which could be a good thing for people with
disabilities on limited incomes. This important bill (that requires a
disabilities advocate to be appointed to the State Public Defender Commission)
has been transmitted to the Governor.
· SB 150 (Keenan) - What has been termed the "waiver of deeming bill"
would require cost-sharing for community-based Medicaid services. The bill died
in House committee.
· SB 415 (Tester) - A significant bill drawing lots of attention designed to
mandate utilities access alternative energy, such as wind. While seen as
progressive energy policy, a number of non-profit organizations have raised
questions whether it could potentially raise costs to consumers. A conference
committee was appointed April 20th; apparently, no report was recorded and
approved by both houses, presumably killing the bill.
· SB 428 (Stapleton) - Establishes the 211 emergency human services system
statewide. The House concurred in Governor's amendments and was returned to the
Senate, but Senate did not concur. Bill is presumably dead.
· SB 433 (Lind) - Creates a Medicaid pilot project for 50 developmentally
disabled individuals, provides for retention of unspent funds in their annual
cost plan for future services, as well as a portion to the DDP "risk
pool". The Governor signed it earlier this week.
· SB 500 (Cobb) - Revises state election laws to facilitate voting
accessibility for people with disabilities. It has been transmitted to the
Governor.
· SB 526 (Cobb) - Would exempt bed taxes (such as hospitals and nursing homes),
as well as voter approved tax initiatives (such as I-149) from consideration of
the spending cap. The bill was scheduled for hearing in House Appropriations on
Tuesday but no action was taken. Bill is, therefore, dead.
Except for those very few bills whose fate is unclear, the actions of the 2005
Montana Legislature are indicated. However, as in the past, we will be assessing
and evaluating the implications of this Legislature's decisions for many months
to come, certain to discover implications of its actions that no one had
previously understood or pondered but knowing the citizens of the state will
have to live with, nonetheless. I think, on balance, disabilities services,
programs and rights have been better served in this Session than in many of the
ones in at least the last decade or more.
I extend my best regards and thanks to all of you for your diligence, passion
and good efforts to improve the circumstances and the support systems for people
with disabilities in Montana. I look forward to working with you again in the
future.
Charlie Briggs, CEO
CWB Consultation
511 Fifth Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
PH: 406/449-4075/406.431.9732(mobile)
Input Sought from healthcare providers and client
advocates at PASSPORT Summits
As the PASSPORT to Health program enters its twelfth year of successfully
managing the delivery of health care to Montana's Medicaid clients, the Montana
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is planning summits to
determine if the current operation of the PASSPORT to Health program is the most
effective way to meet its objectives.
The Department stresses that attendees should look at the program in a truly
comprehensive way; therefore, no idea is off the table for consideration.
"Change to the PASSPORT program, whether slight or radical, may be in
order," said Mary Angela Collins, Managed Care Bureau Chief. "These
summits will provide a forum for providers to identify parts of the program they
feel are ineffective or outdated. All we ask is that ideas fit within our goals
for managed care."
PASSPORT to Health's objectives include fostering a medical home between
providers and clients, which promotes appropriate care and reduces costs, as
well as assuring adequate access to primary care.
One-day facilitated summits are planned for locations across the state: Helena
on April 26, Havre on May 10, Billings on May 18, Kalispell on June 8, and
Missoula on June 15. A cross-section of PASSPORT stakeholders are invited,
including: PASSPORT providers, specialists, and other non-PCPs, representatives
from billing companies, hospitals, FQHCs, RHCs, the tribal health community, and
client advocates.
Implemented in 1993, the PASSPORT program has been successful in saving over
$20,000,000 annually. These savings allow the program to provide services to
people who may not have otherwise received them, and help maintain provider
reimbursement rates.
In addition to meeting its financial objectives, the PASSPORT program has been
well received by 80% of its PCPs and clients.
If you have ideas to offer, and would like to participate in one of the summits,
contact PASSPORT Program Officer Niki Scoffield at (406) 444-4148 or niscoffield@mt.gov.
For a copy of the agenda and more details, visit Montana Medicaid's website at www.mtmedicaid.org.
OPI & Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind
offers Summer Skills Program
The Montana Office of Public Instruction, Montana School for the Deaf and
the Blind (MSDB), and the Montana school for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation
will co-sponsor summer programs at the MSDB.† For information and a
questionnaire regarding the Summer Skills Programs, please use the following
link:
http://www.opi.state.mt.us/PDF/SpecED/05MSDBSummerSkillsProg.pdf
If you have questions regarding the summer programs, please call the Montana
School for the Deaf and the Blind at 406-771-6000.
Flathead County Elections in 2006 Herald Major Changes
to Montana Voting Methods
(From The Daily Inter Lake)
Posted: Sunday, Apr 17, 2005 - 11:08:23 am PDT
By WILLIAM L. SPENCE, The Daily Inter Lake
The Flathead County Election Department is preparing for several major changes
over the next year, including the introduction of an electronic vote-counting
device that should provide rapid election results.
Clerk and Recorder Paula Robinson said she expects the first shipment of M100
tabulators to arrive by midsummer. Beginning with the 2006 primary election, one
of the devices will be located at each of the county's 43 polling stations.
The tabulators will scan paper ballots and alert voters to any discrepancies
such as under-voted or over-voted races, she said.
Faulty ballots will be returned to voters, who can either revise them or
instruct the machine to accept them as is. The ballots will then be stored in
secure containers, without ever being handled by anyone other than the voters
themselves.
In addition to the tabulator, several other changes are scheduled for this year
and next, including:
· Computerized voter registration records -- Flathead County will be one of the
first jurisdictions in Montana to deploy a statewide database for voter
registration records.
That project is scheduled for this summer, Robinson said. Eventually, all county
election departments will be linked to the database, which should make it easier
to identify and remove voters who have moved to other counties, or to update
records for people who move here.
"The database will have your signature on file, so we'll be able to compare
signatures and verify [voter] petitions more easily," Eisenzimer said.
"We'll also be able to link to our address database and automatically tell
which precinct someone is in. We used to spend hours doing that." Prior to
implementing the system, all registration cards will have to be bar-coded and
scanned into the database. The work is scheduled to be completed by the 2006
primary.
· Same-day registration -- The Montana Legislature recently approved Senate
Bill 302, which makes several changes in state voter registration statutes.
Most notably, the bill allows people to register to vote as late as the day of
the election. Those who come in after the normal registration deadline will have
to vote at the election office. SB 302 has been sent to Gov. Brian Schweitzer
for his signature.
· Direct recording electronic equipment -- This is another device that could be
deployed by the 2006 primary election. It allows people who are blind or
vision-impaired, or who have some other disability that makes it difficult to
mark a regular ballot, to vote in privacy.
The direct recording equipment and the M100 ballot scanner are both intended to
meet the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act.
Robinson said the Election Department also is considering changes to its
absentee voting procedures and evaluating the number and location of polling
places to make sure they're still adequate.
Absentee voting might be switched from the county courthouse to the county
fairgrounds, she said, because the fairgrounds is better able to handle large
numbers of people and its handicap accessibility is better.
The hours for absentee voting also could be shifted or expanded to make it
easier for working people to vote.
"Last year, we had more than 8,000 absentee ballots," Robinson said.
"I bet we have at least 10,000 next time. I'd like to encourage as much
absentee voting as possible to alleviate the amount of paperwork we need to
handle on election night."
Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com.
Read the rest of this article in the Daily Inter Lake archive at http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2005/04/17/news/news02.txt.
National Council on Disability (NCD): Report Recommends
Immediate Changes in Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities
(Courtesy of Monday Morning in Washington, D.C.)
WASHINGTON-The National Council on Disability (NCD) recently released a report (
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/publications.htm
) recommending immediate federal changes in emergency planning for people with
disabilities.
According to NCD chairperson Lex Frieden, "Saving Lives: Including People
with Disabilities in Emergency Planning, provides an overview of steps the
Federal Government should take to build a solid and resilient infrastructure
that will enable the government to include the diverse populations of people
with disabilities in emergency preparedness, disaster relief, and homeland
security programs. This infrastructure would incorporate access to technology,
physical plants, programs, and communications. It also would include procurement
and emergency programs and services."
The decisions the Federal Government makes, the priority it accords to civil
rights, and the methods it adopts to ensure uniformity in the ways agencies
handle their disability-related responsibilities are likely to be established in
the early days of an emergency situation and be difficult to change if not set
on the right course at the outset. By way of this report, NCD offers advice to
assist the Federal Government in establishing policies and practices in these
areas. This report provides examples of community efforts with respect to people
with disabilities, but by no means does it provide a comprehensive treatment of
the emergency preparedness, disaster relief, or homeland-security program
efforts by state and local governments.
Key Recommendations:
· DHS should establish a Disability Access Advisory Group, in addition to the
Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness, made up of qualified
people with disabilities and others with disability-specific disaster experience
who meet regularly with senior officials to discuss issues and challenges.
· The DHS Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response should integrate
information on people with disabilities into general preparedness materials. It
also should inform readers and information users on how to get access to more
customized materials.
· The DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties should regularly issue
guidance for state and local emergency planning departments to reinforce their
legal obligation to comply with ADA and Section 504 and 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act in planning for, operating, and managing programs and
services such as Citizen Corps, shelters, and other disaster services.
· The FCC should develop stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure that video
programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite
television services, comply with their obligation to make emergency information
accessible to people with hearing and vision disabilities, that it acts
immediately on violations, and that it is proactive on Section 255 hearing aid
compatibility.
"Living In The Spectrum: Autism &
Asperger's" Audio CD
(Courtesy PR WEB)
Royal Oak, MI (PRWEB) April 18, 2005 -- Being that April is "Autism
Awareness" month, and with 1 in 166 children now being diagnosed with
Autism or it's close relative, Asperger Syndrome, MindscapeProductions.com is
donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their audio CD about Autism
and Asperger Syndrome to various Autism organizations to help raise awareness,
acceptance and understanding about the conditions.
The CD, entitled "Living In The Spectrum - Autism & Asperger's" is
filled with valuable nuggets of insight from researchers, parents and
individuals who have Autism or Asperger's. It features captivating music, poetry
and intriguing interviews.
"Living In The Spectrum" is an ideal primer for parents, relatives,
school districts, teachers, employers, doctors or anyone wanting to learn about
Autism and Asperger's. The 55-minute CD delivers a captivating introduction to
the subject matter. Co-producer, Lecia Macryn states, "What makes this
presentation unique is that it not only educates people about Autism and
Asperger's and presents the facts, but also puts a positive perspective on it.
It offers hope, encouragement and highlights the gifts those in the autism
spectrum bring us. Plus, because it's an audio CD, people who don't have much
time on their hands can listen to it while driving, on the treadmill or working
on their computer."
The Audio CD, "Living In The Spectrum - Autism & Asperger's,"
ISBN# 0976576007 is available for $16.95 online from Mindscape Productions at http://www.MindscapeProductions.com
or from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/.
The Special Ed Advocate--Wrightslaw
(From Wrightslaw)
In this issue of The Special Ed Advocate, we look at IEPs, Extended School Year
(ESY), and highly qualified special ed teachers. Download this issue at http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/05/nl.0412.htm.
Highlights:
· Finding a tutor for a child with LD
· Educating educators
· Writing IEPs for success
· Support for school personnel and parent training in IEPs
· How I got extended school year services after school said "no"
· Answering questions about extended school year (ESY) services
· Highly qualified special ed teachers
· Find help at Yellow Pages for Kids
Free curriculum for internet safety
http://www.isafe.org
i-SAFE America provides age-appropriate K-12 curriculum to schools in all 50
states free of charge. The curriculum is a dynamic interactive program designed
to educate and empower the student. Each lesson includes Activity Pages and
Discussion for the class.
Study and Work Abroad
Study and Work Abroad for All: http://www.independentliving.org/studyworkabroad/
In addition to information about traineeships and volunteer positions this free
online database lists universities offering services for disabled students.
Presently over 1,100 universities in 36 countries are covered. The database is
in English, free of charge and open to anyone.
Independent Living Online Library
Online full text Library: http://www.independentliving.org/library.html
contains hundreds of articles, guides or manuals on independent living,
Universal Design, human rights, legislation, women with disabilities, assistive
devices.
Nutrition for Persons with Intellectual/Developmental
Disabilities
People with intellectual/developmental disabilities often have a higher
tendency of being obese than people in the general population. For ideas on how
to improve nutrition in persons with Down syndrome, see the NCPAD factsheet at http://www.ncpad.org/nutrition/fact_sheet.php?sheet=197&view=all.
Watch "Riding the Bus with my sister" support
a great cause on May 1st
On Sunday, May 1, Hallmark Hall of Fame will broadcast Riding the Bus with
My Sister on CBS. Directed by Angelica Houston, and starring Andie MacDowell and
Rosie O'Donnell, this is the movie adaptation of our friend Rachel Simon's
wonderful book of the same name.
It is Rachel's wish that the premiere of this movie be used as an opportunity to
support the Sibling Support Project! Here's what she told us:
As I wrote Riding the Bus with My Sister, I learned of The Sibling Support
Project's important work. Whether it's helping local communities start Sibshops,
connecting young and adult sibs with their peers on SibKids and SibNet,
conducting wonderful workshops for parents and providers, or creating engaging
books for sibs and families, The Sibling Support Project is the go-to group for
all things sibling. I hope you'll join me and support the work of The Arc's
Sibling Support Project!
--Rachel Simon, author, Riding the Bus with My Sister.
In honor of this special network presentation, we're celebrating the many
important roles brothers and sisters play in the lives of their sibs who have
disabilities. I hope you'll help us celebrate by making a secure online donation
to the Sibling Support Project.
When making your online donation, be sure to check the "in support of"
box and select either "Stay at Home Premiere" or "Sibling Support
Project." (By selecting "Stay at Home Premiere," 50% of your
contribution will go to ANCOR, another worthy cause.) You can also send a
contribution to The Arc's Sibling Support Project, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650,
Silver Spring, MD 20910.
To learn more about what we do and why brothers and sisters are so important,
please visit us as our website at http://www.thearc.org/siblingsupport/
A Kiss That Binds: Understanding The Interaction Of
Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein And Kissing Complex RNAs
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation,
affecting approximately 1 in 3600 males and 1 in 4000-6000 females. Fragile X
syndrome results from loss of expression of the Fragile X mental retardation
protein (FMRP), the product of the FMR1 gene. Now, Drs. Robert and Jennifer
Darnell and colleagues, from The Rockefeller University, report the uncovering
of a new interaction between FMRP and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) containing a
tertiary RNA structure termed a "kissing complex".
Read the complete article at:
Read the complete article at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050416183454.htm
NEA, School Districts Fight Education Law
Thu Apr 21, 9:01 AM ET U.S. Government - AP, By BEN FELLER, AP Education
Writer
WASHINGTON - The nation's largest teachers union and school districts in three
states sued the Bush administration Wednesday over the No Child Left Behind law,
aiming to free schools from complying with any part not paid for by the federal
government.
Read the complete article at: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/education_lawsuit
Circle of Security early intervention program for
parents and children
http://www.circleofsecurity.org/
The Circle of Security Project is an innovative, first-of-its-kind early
intervention program designed to alter the developmental pathway of parents and
their young children. Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman, and Bert Powell from Marycliff
Institute in Spokane, Washington and Robert Marvin from the University of
Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia are currently designing this unique,
cost-effective program.
PARENTS AND TEENS FINALLY AGREE ON SOMETHING: ADHD
TREATMENT WORKS
Families Credit Therapy with Better Grades, Higher Self-Esteem, Improved
Relationships
Alexandria, VA (March 8, 2005) - Families with teenagers diagnosed with
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) strongly believe that treating
the condition can lead to significant improvements in school and at home,
according to a new nationwide survey.
Roughly two-thirds of these parents (66%) and teenagers (61%) report their
teen/they currently receive treatment for ADHD. Both groups credit their
treatment - in the form of medication, counseling and/or behavior therapy, and
school services - with contributing to better grades in school, higher
self-esteem, improved social relationships and enhanced participation in
extracurricular activities.
Download the survey results at http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/NMHA-ADHDsurveyrelease.pdf
Time magazine: The Bully Blight
Scientists find that getting picked on is more harmful than anyone knew
By MICHAEL D. LEMONICK, Monday, Apr. 11, 2005
Like most of her classmates at Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wis., La
Shanda Trimble, 18, is attentive to fashion trends; it's the particular trend
she chooses that sets her apart. She's a Goth, wearing black lipstick and nail
polish, listening to bands like Linkin Park and Rob Zombie rather than rapper
Nelly or R&B star Ciara. She likes to wear her hair in pigtails instead of
the more popularly accepted braids. The other kids don't approve. "They
think I should act like them,'' says the 11th-grader. "They like me to
listen to rap and pop and wear, like, brand-new shoes."
Read the article at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1047497,00.html
Partnership for Reading offers information for parents
& teachers
http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/
The Partnership for Reading offers information about the effective teaching of
reading for children, adolescents, and adults, based on the evidence from
quality research. The Partnership invites you to explore this site for
information on the research, principles about reading instruction suggested by
the research, and products for parents, teachers, administrators, and
policy-makers.
Parent's, Let's Unite for Kids - PLUK
516 N 32nd St
Billings MT 59101-6003
800-222-7585; 406-255-0540; 406-255-0523 (fax)
plukinfo@pluk.org
http://www.pluk.org
Edited by: Roger Holt rholt@pluk.org
Proofed & condensed by: Elisabeth Mills scribe@pluk.org
Mission Statement: Parent's Let's Unite for Kids unites parents, professionals, families and friends of children with special needs to support one another, and share information for the benefit of their children.
Vision Statement: Given information and support, individuals with disabilities and their families will feel empowered to advocate for themselves and participate fully in educational and community opportunities.
Statement on accessibility: Today, we endeavor to be conscious of the need for making all electronic information accessible, as we are aware of physical accessibility issues in our community. For design guidelines visit http://ncam.wgbh.org/cdrom/guideline/
Privacy Policy: We do not sell, rent, or lend the e-mail addresses of our subscribers.