PLUK eNews May
10-14, 2004
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/May_10_04.htm
Volume 2 Issue 44
Welcome to the weekly PLUK eNews!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/May_10_04.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.
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain--until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life. -- Jane Addams
Two PLUK trainings this week, May 11 & 12 (and May
19)
On May 11 from 6-8pm, our last free interactive TV session of this school
year will focus on Fragile X syndrome. It will air out of Billings and broadcast
directly to studios in Kalispell, Missoula, Great Falls, Browning, MSU-Bozeman,
Helena, & Havre and available at a streaming site in Miles City.
Visit http://www.pluk.org/ITV.htm
for details on the session and registration information. You are welcome to
attend any of the sites or view from your computer at home.
On May 12th Roger Holt will be presenting an all-day seminar in Billings on
Assistive Technology. This session will also be reprised in Kalispell on May 19.
For more information on these technology sessions or to register, visit http://www.pluk.org/ATconf.htm
Cost is $120 per person or $50 for full-time students (new!). We may have a few
parent scholarships available for the Kalispell session. Call for availability
at 800-222-7585.
PLUK Launches new Publication: PLUK Notes
PLUK Notes is a user-friendly publication of concise summaries on frequently
visited topics. Our first topic is "On IEPs". Single copies are free
to parents and $1 each in bulk. They are available from the PLUK main office in
Billings and from all Family Support Consultants around the state.
OPEN HOUSE May 25th from 3 - 5:30pm in the TRIC/PLUK
Library
The TRIC/PLUK Special Needs Library has existed for eight years. We've
scheduled this OPEN HOUSE as an opportunity to show off the collection along
with a new tool - the ability for library patrons to search on-line for
material! We're excited about the new capability and know that it will be a
wonderful tool for parents and professionals alike.
Please drop by on May 25th between 3 and 5:30pm and let us show you the library
and "search capabilities." We'll have refreshments and this will give
you the opportunity to meet PLUK's staff and Board as well. Call if you have
questions - 255.0540.
Watch for the link on the PLUK web site which will provide a tutorial and link
to the new searching function.
Senate Passes Family Opportunity Act!
The Senate just passed with a committee substitute S. 622, the Family
Opportunity Act, a Grassley-Kennedy-Baucus bill to amend title XIX of the Social
Security Act to provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to
purchase coverage under the Medicaid program for such children.
Statement from Montana Senator Max Baucus:
"I am so pleased that the Family Opportunity Act has finally passed the
Senate, and I was proud to work together with my colleagues, Chairman Grassley
and Senator Kennedy, to get us to this point. This important bill will allow
parents of disabled children to keep their jobs without losing the health care
insurance their children need. I know this legislation could help many families
in my home state of Montana and I hope that our colleagues in the House will act
quickly to pass this bill that will allow states to provide crucial Medicaid
coverage to more families with disabled children."
From Senate Finance Committee press release: http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2004/prg050604.pdf
"Medicaid works well for a lot of people," Grassley said.
"The problem is some families fall through the cracks. Many parents of
disabled children have to drop out of the workforce or keep themselves in a
low-paying job just to remain eligible for Medicaid. In effect, the government
is forcing parents to choose between near-poverty and their children's health
care. We need to fix that.
This is an important step. I hope the House will follow suit."
Kennedy said, "The Family Opportunity Act may be the most important
legislation we pass this Congress. It will close the health care gap for the
nation's most vulnerable children, and enable families of disabled children to
be equal partners in the American dream."
Last September, the Finance Committee on a voice vote passed the Family
Opportunity Act, which has attracted widespread bipartisan support in each
Congress since the senators authored it in 1999.
The Family Opportunity Act allows states to create options for families with
disabled children to buy into Medicaid while continuing to work. Parents would
pay for Medicaid coverage on a sliding scale. Medicaid is critical to the
well-being of children with multiple medical needs because it covers many
services that these children need, including physical therapy and medical
equipment, the senators said. Private health plans often are much more limited
in what they cover. And many parents can't afford needed services or multiple
co-payments out-of-pocket.
COUNCIL FACILITATING HAVA TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Have you or someone you know ever had a problem getting transportation to
get to your polling place? With the upcoming primary and general elections
rapidly approaching, the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities announces
a unique program in partnership with the Help America Vote Act, HAVA.
Through this program the Montana Council can link people with disabilities who
are in need of a ride to their polling places to an identified person or entity
in their home community who can provide the ride to the polls and home again.
There is no charge for this service to the person receiving the ride. The
Council does ask for as much lead time as is possible to facilitate the match,
and cannot guarantee all ride requests can be matched.
Persons who are eligible to receive these rides are:
For persons or entities providing the ride, the Council can pay a stipend of
$20.00 plus mileage at .375 per mile on a reimbursement basis. If the person or
entities providing the ride transport more than one person with a disability, in
the same ride, the Council will increase the stipend amount by each additional
person. Transportation matches will be made through the Council offices.
If you would like to participate in this exciting program, either as a person
requesting a ride or as a person or entity providing the ride, please contact
the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities at Montana toll-free
1-866-443-4332. Television public service announcements will begin running this
week, May 10 statewide and press releases have been sent to all weekly and daily
newspapers in the state.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Update, July 26, Helena
CF occurs in 1 in 2,500 births in Montana. Advances in medications and
treatments have dramatically improved the quality of life as well as increasing
life expectancy. Topics will include: genetics, nutrition, physical therapy,
personal stories.
RSVP by June 28 by calling 800-762-9891
When: Monday, July 26
Where: Montana Association of Counties, 2715 Skyway Dr, Helena
Time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $10 (includes lunch)
Call BJ Archambault at 406/444-0984 for more information
Birthday Time?
Does your child have a birthday coming up? Are you dreading the decorating,
food preparation and cleanup? If so, Contact Bill at Montana Candy Bar &
Deli at 294-2327. Montana Candy Bar & Deli offers birthday parties at their
store located at 111South 24th Street West in the Rimrock Mini Mall.
They will do the decorating, provide lunch, ice cream and activities for the
kids giving you an opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the party for a
change. Be sure to take your camera for great photo of all the activities.
AND PLUK will receive a portion of the proceeds!
Get your Albertson Community Partners card!
PLUK has joined Albertsons' Community Partners Card Program. This program is
designed to help non-profit organizations raise funds needed for their programs.
A percentage of your grocery total will be donated to PLUK. All that is needed
is to show your Community Partners card each time you make a purchase at
Albertsons. It does not cost you anything.
If you are interested in assisting PLUK in raising funds this way, please
contact Bernice at 255-0540 to get a Community Partners card.
1. Monday Morning in Washington, DC, http://www.inclusionresearch.org
2. Rocky Mountain DBTAC, http://www.adainformation.org
3. Transition Newsflash, Montana Center on Disabilities, http://www.msubillings.edu/transition
4. PEN Weekly NewsBlast http://www.publiceducation.org
5. Reference Points: Transition updates from the TATRA Project, http://www.pacer.org/tatra/tatra.htm
6. The American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center Training Calendar http://aidtac.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/TrainingCalendar.htm
7. Rural Policy Matters, http://www.ruraledu.org/rpm/rpm.htm
8. Technology for Nonprofits: http://www.techsoup.org
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.
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