Family to Family: 2014

ksmith@ihl.state.ms.us

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - November 2014

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

November 2014

Inside this issue:

1) Time to Vote – Nov. 4

2) Dialogue on Community Transportation – Nov. 10, Jackson

3) Health Insurance Marketplace 2015 Enrollment Dates

4) Developmental Screener Event – Dec. 2, Petal

5) Mississippi Sibling and Supporter Network

6) November is American Diabetes Month

7) Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee Releases Report

8) Early Literacy Toolkit

9) Four New Results Matter Videos

_______________________________________________________________

1) Time to Vote – Nov. 4

Mississippians will vote in the state’s general election on Nov. 4. For more information about elections and voting, visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/default.aspx.

2) Dialogue on Community Transportation – Nov. 10, Jackson

The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Public Transit Division is hosting a community dialogue on transportation for people with disabilities on Mon., Nov. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Community Conference Room on the first floor of the Jackson Medical Mall at 350 West Woodrow Wilson Boulevard. The purpose of the dialogue is to develop a priority list to increase the quality of life for people with disabilities in local communities, to create strategies to build a network of community stakeholders to coordinate resources through the use of education and awareness tools, and to identify leaders or advocacy groups to lead local initiatives in respective regions. For more information, call the Public Transit Division at 601.359.7800.

3) Health Insurance Marketplace 2015 Enrollment Dates

Open enrollment for the 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace starts on Nov. 15, 2014. You must enroll by Dec. 5, 2014, for new coverage to begin on Jan. 1, 2015. To change plans, enroll by Dec. 15, 2014, to avoid a lapse in coverage. Coverage for 2014 plans ends on Dec. 31, 2014. Coverage for 2015 plans starts as soon as Jan. 15, 2015. Open enrollment ends on Feb. 15, 2015, the last day to apply for 2015 coverage. There are four ways to enroll for Marketplace coverage: online at www.healthcare.gov, in person with a navigator (Find your local center at https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/), over the phone with the call center (1.800.318.2596 or TTY 1.855.889.4325), or a paper application (Call the Marketplace Call Center or download from www.healthcare.gov).

4) Free Developmental Screener Event – Dec. 2, Petal

The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), in partnership with the Early Years Network, is providing a free developmental screener event on Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Petal School District Center for Families and Children at 201 West Central Avenue in Petal. The event is for children six months to five years of age with possible developmental delays. For more information or to register, call Dr. Leslie LaVergne in Hattiesburg at 601.266.6225.

5) Mississippi Sibling and Supporter Network

6) November is American Diabetes Month

Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion. For more information on American Diabetes Month in your community, visit http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/american-diabetes-month.html.

7) Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee Releases Report

The Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee (MAAC) recently released its 2014 Report to the Legislature. Suggestions made in the report include passing legislation mandating coverage of evidence-based Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) services by private and public insurance providers and creating three ASD positions to coordinate ASD statewide efforts. One position would be located at the Mississippi Department of Education, one at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and one at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. To read a copy of the report, visit http://www.dmh.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/MAAC_2014_Report_KS_Final_2014.pdf.

8) Early Literacy Toolkit

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released a toolkit with information and resources for pediatric health care professionals and families about the benefits of promoting early literacy and early learning for children. The Books Build Connection toolkit released in October provides tips and publications to help encourage families to talk, read, and sing with their children. The toolkit is a follow-up to the AAP policy statement on promoting early literacy that was released in June 2014. For toolkit information, visit http://littoolkit.aap.org/Pages/home.aspx.

9) Four New Results Matter Videos

Results Matter, a program of the Colorado Department of Education, recently posted four new videos in their Results Matter Video Library. Three of the clips were produced to be used in professional development activities to provide early care and education providers opportunities to practice observation, documentation, and assessment skills. These clips can be viewed online and downloaded at no cost for use in educational and professional development activities from the Clips for Practicing Observation, Documentation and Assessment Skills section of the library

Cameron and Alexis Playing with Blocks (Runtime: 4:25) Cameron and Alexis demonstrate a rich variety of communication, social, problem-solving, motor, manipulative, imagination, and play skills in the block area.
The Puppet Stage (Runtime: 3:20) Jenniah, Cameron, and Evelynn demonstrate a rich variety of imaginative, communication, social, motor, manipulative, and play skills while playing with puppets.
Jadyn Writing and Drawing (Runtime: 3:13) Jadyn demonstrates a variety of skills while writing her name with a pencil and drawing a picture with crayons.
The fourth video discusses the importance of making home visits in preschool. It can be viewed online and downloaded from the Practices Here and There section of the library. Preschool Home Visits - Making the Time to Build Relationships (Runtime: 5:12) - In this video, Sara Hefner, an Early Childhood Special Educator, discusses and illustrates the importance of making home visits in preschool. Sara and a father that she visits describe the benefits of home visits for children, families, and teachers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Family Health Notes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - October 2014

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

October 2014

Inside this issue:

1) New F2F Parent/Family Liaison

2) Mississippi General Election Voter Registration Deadline – Oct. 4, 12 Noon

3) Eudora Welty Library Autism Resource Center Grand Opening – Jackson, Oct. 9

4) Jackson State University Focus Group Session for Parents of Children with Autism – Jackson, Oct. 15

5) City of Jackson Disability Awareness Day – Jackson, Oct. 22

6) IDS Gulf Park Campus Fall into Fun! – Long Beach, Oct. 27

7) Health Insurance Marketplace 2015 Enrollment Dates

8) Family-Centered Care Assessment

_______________________________________________________________

1) New F2F Parent/Family Liaison

Keishawna A. Smith has joined The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies as parent/family liaison for the Mississippi Family to Family Health Information and Education Center (MS F2F), the state’s Family-to-Family Health and Information Center (F2FHIC). Shawn and her husband have two children, both living with Sickle Cell Disease, type SS. She began her work in the disability community when her first child was born in Texas. She started a parent support group in her community because she saw so many parents going to doctor’s visits and not understanding what sickle cell was and how it was affecting their children. She decided to gather as much information on the subject since this was all new to her also. At each group meeting, the parents talked about their experiences and solutions or what resources they had found. When Shawn’s family moved back home to Mississippi, she became involved with the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (MS PTI), eventually as a parent educator/advocate where she educated parents about their rights and responsibilities under IDEA/ADA. She has collaborated with the Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi disAbility Mega Conference, LIFE of Mississippi, Hinds County Human Resource Agency (Head Start), The Arc of Mississippi and Parents for Public Schools. As parent/family liaison for MS F2F, Shawn’s goal is to help parents become better advocates for their own children and their communities. She wants to make sure parents are involved in their children’s health, education and overall well-being. Shawn is available for one-on-one consultations on health information and resources for children with special health care needs. For the MS F2F Center, call toll free, 1.866.883.4474.

2) Mississippi General Election Voter Registration Deadline – Oct. 4, 12 Noon

The voter registration deadline for the State of Mississippi is Sat., Oct. 4. Circuit clerk offices must remain open from 8 a.m. until noon. Mail-in registration applications must be postmarked no later than Sat., Oct. 4.

3) Eudora Welty Library Autism Resource Center Grand Opening – Jackson, Oct. 9

The Eudora Welty Library announces the grand opening of its Autism Resource Center. Dan Weiss, director of the Fanwood Library in Maplewood, New Jersey, and co-developer of Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected, will speak on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. Libraries and Autism is an award-winning project that has produced a customer service training video and website primarily for library staff to help them serve individuals with autism and their families.

4) Jackson State University Focus Group Session for Parents of Children with Autism – Jackson, Oct. 15

Health promotion and behavioral health researchers at Jackson State University are conducting a focus group session to better understand parents’ participation habits in special needs support groups and their influence on health outcomes for their child with special healthcare needs. If you participate, you will attend a one-hour focus group session to answer and discuss questions related to parents and their use of support groups. For more information, call 601.291.2217.

5) City of Jackson Disability Awareness Day – Jackson, Oct. 22

Disability Awareness Day is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Metrocenter Mall Center Court. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the conference starts at 9:30 a.m. The expo will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Disability Awareness Day is designed to increase public awareness and provide an opportunity for increased services to people with disabilities. The day is sponsored by United Healthcare, BankPlus, United Way and the City of Jackson. For additional information, call Sam Gleese, ADA coordinator for the City of Jackson, at 601.960.1572.

6) IDS Gulf Park Campus Fall into Fun! – Long Beach, Oct. 27

Gulf coast ghosts and goblins will be welcomed at the Institute for Disability Studies’ (IDS) Gulf Park campus in Long Beach for some fall fun on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. Come dressed in a costume and decorate a pumpkin from the patch in the park. IDS Gulf Park is located on the Gulf Park campus of The University of Southern Mississippi at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. For more information, call 228.214.3400.

7) Health Insurance Marketplace 2015 Enrollment Dates

The next Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period for 2015 is just around the corner. Key dates to remember are Nov. 15, 2014 – open enrollment begins; Dec. 15, 2014 – you must enroll by this date for new coverage to begin in Jan. 1, 2015; Dec. 31, 2014 – coverage ends for 2014 plans; and Feb. 15, 2015 – the last day you can apply for 2015 coverage. For additional information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

8) Family-Centered Care Assessment

Did you know that family-centered care can improve patient and family outcomes, increase satisfaction, decrease health care costs, and lead to more effective use of health care resources? You can learn more about what makes health care family-centered by using the Family-Centered Care Assessment Tool, a 24-question tool to measure the family centeredness of provider care based on ideas created by families themselves. For more information, visit http://www.fv-ncfpp.org/activities/fcca/fcca-families/. To download a copy of the tool, visit http://www.fv-ncfpp.org/files/5113/0626/9069/fcca_FamilyTool.pdf. A tool for providers is available at http://www.fv-ncfpp.org/files/4113/0626/9064/fcca_ProviderTool.pdf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Family Health Notes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - September 2014

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

September 2014

Inside this issue:

1) Popsicles in the Park – Sept. 29 – Long Beach

2) Taking Charge of My Health: Partners in Health Transition Now Available Online

3) New, Free SAMSHA App Helps Parents Prevent Bullying

4) Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral Interventions Update

_______________________________________________________________

1) Popsicles in the Park – Sept. 29 – Long Beach

Come hang out at the Eaglet Town Playground on the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus from 3 to 5 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 29. Cool off with a free popsicle, play, and enjoy time with other families. Be sure to tour the Technology Learning Center (TLC), and check out the extensive toy lending library. TLC is located on the Gulf Park campus at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. Just follow the signs once you enter the campus. For more information, follow TLC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/usmidstechnologylearningcenter, or call 228.214.3400 or toll free 1.888.671.0051 (TTY).

2) Taking Charge of My Health: Partners in Health Transition Now Available Online

This website provides information and resources designed to guide teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members and caregivers to achieve successful transition from pediatric to adult health care. It focuses on the transition period from 14 to 28 years of age when people have questions about health transition and may experience difficulty finding answers. The content and focus of the information and resources draws on transition experiences of teens and young adults with I/DD, family members and caregivers, and it is based on a self-determination framework. For more information, visit the website http://www.takingchargeofmyhealth.org/.

3) New, Free SAMSHA App Helps Parents Prevent Bullying

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a new free smartphone app that can help parents and teachers prevent bullying. The “KnowBullying” app includes conversation starters, tips, warning signs, and other resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-fifth of all students in grades 9 to 12 have been bullied on school property. For more information about the app and links for downloading, go to http://store.samhsa.gov/apps/bullying/.

4) Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Behavioral Interventions Update

This report updates the behavioral intervention section of a review of therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2011. New research has been published since 2011, particularly research addressing behavioral intervention. To read the review, visit http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/544/1945/autism-update-report-140806.pdf

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - August 2014

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

August 2014

Inside this issue:

1) Popsicles in the Park – Aug. 25 and Sept. 29 – Long Beach

2) Autism CARES Act Passes Senate

3) “Kidswell: Securing Coverage for Children by Advocating for the ACA”

4) Achieving Bright Futures: Prevention Initiative to Improve Public Health

_______________________________________________________________

1) Popsicles in the Park – Aug. 25 and Sept. 29 – Long Beach

Come hang out at the Eaglet Town Playground on The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus from 3 to 5 p.m. on Mon., Aug. 25, and again on Mon., Sept. 29. Cool off with a free popsicle, play, and enjoy time with other families. Be sure to tour the Technology Learning Center, and check out the extensive toy lending library. The Technology Learning Center is located on the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. Just follow the signs once you enter the campus. For more information, follow TLC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmidstechnologylearningcenter, or call 228.214.3400 or toll free 1.888.671.0051 (TTY).

2) Autism CARES Act Passes Senate

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on July 31, to approve the Autism CARES (Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support) Act of 2014 (S. 2449). This bipartisan, bicameral bill reauthorizes the Combating Autism Act of 2006 as amended by the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011 for five years. Since its enactment, the law has impacted thousands of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. Had Congress not reauthorized the law before Sept. 30, activities authorized under the law would have expired. The House is urged to continue to work to move the bill quickly and not let the law expire. For more information about the Combating Autism Act, visit http://iacc.hhs.gov/reports/reports-to-congress/FY2010-2012/index.shtml.

3) “Kidswell: Securing Coverage for Children by Advocating for the ACA”

The Kidswell Campaign was launched by the Atlantic Philanthropies to maximize the potential of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to ensure health insurance coverage for all children and to build a lasting child advocacy infrastructure for children’s health. Because the success of states in enrolling uninsured children and their families depending on the effectiveness of state policies and systems, the Kidswell report examines how child advocates in New Mexico and New York have tried to shape state decisions on ACA implementation policies and their achievement. To view the report, visit http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/~/media/publications/pdfs/health/kidswell_grantees_nm_ny.pdf?spMailingID=9041981&spUserID=MTU0MDAwNzY3NwS2&spJobID=341410062&spReportId=MzQxNDEwMDYyS0.

4) Achieving Bright Futures: Prevention Initiative to Improve Public Health

Bright Futures, an American Academy of Pediatrics preventive health initiative works to promote health in infants, children, and adolescents. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) covers all Bright Futures services for children with no cost-sharing, highlighting the importance of preventive care to enhance population health. The Bright Futures issue brief provides the history and an overview of the initiative. To view the document, visit http://www.astho.org/Maternal-and-Child-Health/bright-futures/. For more information about Bright Futures and its role within the ACA to improve public health, visit the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91efyFNMHlM&feature=youtu.be.

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - Special Edition - Disability Partners Community Forums

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

Special Edition – July 30, 2014

Statewide Community Forums

The Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Mississippi and The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, Mississippi’s Developmental Disabilities Network partners, will host their annual statewide community forums in August. These community forums allow Mississippi’s DD Network partners an opportunity for hearing concerns and issues to help improve services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Each meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The free town hall type meetings will be held on the following dates in Southaven, Hattiesburg and Philadelphia at these locations:

· August 7 – Southaven, First Regional Library, 8554 Northwest Drive

· August 14 – Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Train Depot, 308 Newman Street

· August 19 – Philadelphia, Neshoba County Library, 230 Beacon Street

For more information, transportation assistance or an accommodation request, call 1.800.772.4057.

Sign language interpreters will be present at each event.

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[Familyhealthnotes] Family Health Notes - July 2014

Institute for Disability Studies

Family Health Notes

July 2014

Inside this issue:

1) Webinar: Special Enrollment Periods for the Uninsured – July 16, 12 p.m.

2) Why Oral Health Is Important for CYSHCN

3) Baby Milestones

4) Home and Community-Based Services Advocacy

5) Got Transition’s Updated Website

_______________________________________________________________

1) Webinar: Special Enrollment Periods for the Uninsured – July 16, 12 p.m.

Open enrollment for health insurance marketplace coverage closed on March 31; the next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014. However, individuals who experience certain qualifying life events, such as getting married or turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent's plan, have 60 days to apply for a special enrollment period and obtain new coverage. A webinar, hosted by Health and Human Services' (HHS) Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Center, provides an opportunity to learn about special enrollment periods and how to enroll in the marketplaces. There will also be a discussion about resources for individuals without insurance who do not qualify for a special enrollment period. Register for the webinar at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/835132719.

2) Why Oral Health Is Important for CYSHCN

Parents of children and youth with special health care needs have so many doctors’ appointments that it can be easy to overlook preventive care, especially dental care. Learn more about the importance of good dental care for CYSHCN and how to access it from an information-filled national Family Voices blog. Visit the dental care blog dated June 17, at http://www.fv-ncfpp.org/blog/why-oral-health-important-children-special-needs-how-access-it/.

3) Baby Milestones

What are the motor milestones for typically developing babies? Pediatrician Lisa Shulman discusses motor milestones from head control to walking for babies from birth to 24 months and what pediatricians look for during a well-baby visit in a video now available from Albert Einstein College of Medicine (NY LEND/UCEDD). To view the video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5wWVNYLBVk. Motor milestones is the second video in a two video set; the first video reviews communication milestone. To view the communication video, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZSjm0drIGM.

4) Home and Community-Based Services Advocacy

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and the Disability Rights Network have launched a new website to help advocates get involved in their states and improve the implementation of the new Medicaid rule regarding the settings of home and community-based services. The site provides links to official Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) resources, national advocacy resources and information for each state on their HCBS transition/compliance process. Visit the site at http://hcbsadvocacy.org/.

5) Got Transition’s Updated Website

Got Transition is pleased to announce the release of the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition (Version 2.0), which define the basic components of transition support and are based on the 2011 Clinical Report on Health Care Transition developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians. Three transition tool packages are now available for 1) practices serving youth transitioning out of pediatric care, 2) practices serving youth remaining with the same provider but needing to transition to adult-focused care, and 3) practices accepting new young adults into adult care. Each package, available in English and Spanish, includes sample tools, feedback surveys, and measurement tools that are customizable and available for download. Got Transition is also launching its redesigned website with the latest transition information for health professionals, youth/young adults and families and researchers and policymakers. For more information, visit http://www.gottransition.org/.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Family Health Notes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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