Adult Autism Medicaid Waiver Announced

Good news, forwarded by Jean McCoubrey, below for families coping with the issues associated with children who have autism and the "age issue." :-)

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The Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Autism Services is pleased to announce the approval of the Adult Autism Medicaid Waiver to serve individuals ages 21 and older.

Please share the archived handouts (.zip of pdf files, 420 K) with anyone who may be interested (i.e., potential consumers and/or providers). These handouts are also available online at www.autisminpa.org.

Please note that the “Provider Packets” mentioned in the “Provider FAQ” document will become available on June 16, 2008. Please email DPW-AutismOffice@state.pa.us or call 1-866-539-7689 on or after this date for a copy. The Provider Packet will include handouts entitled, “Autism Waiver Service Descriptions” and “BAS Adult Autism Waiver Provider Qualification Requirements,” as well as additional provider information.

May 31: Behavior and Development ...

We hope to see you this Saturday, May 31 at 1:00 at the Chestnut Hill Library (8511 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia) for a presentation by Eileen Quinn, a behavioral specialist with Quinn Developmental Services in Ambler, PA. Are you concerned about your child's ...

• challenging behaviors?
• Social skills?
• Toilet training?
• Summer programs and school-year services?

Bring your questions. You are welcome to arrive at 12:30 for a light lunch and to meet other families before the presentation.

Quinn Developmental Service | http://www.behaviorexcellence.com/
46 E Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002 | (215) 654-7577

Rep. Vereb May 21 in East Norriton

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Mike Vereb

speaking at

Little Wonders

Child Growth & Development Center,Inc.®

Wednesday, May 21^st at 7:30pm

Mike Vereb (left in photo right) works closely with Speaker of the House, Dennis O’Brien (center in photo right) dealing with issues regarding Autism.

Mike also serves on the House Insurance Committee and will be discussing budget issues in the next few weeks.

Representative Vereb want to hear from you…

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION:

Here’s your chance to be heard…

Have a question about Healthcare Coverage for your child with special needs? Or, any other questions that Representative Vereb can answer or bring to the House of Representatives and fight for you and your child?

RSVP Preferred: #610-275-KIDS

or email: dana@littlewonderscenter.com

May 21^st at 7:30pm

(Please, no children)

www.littlewonderscenter.com

Hillcrest Plaza Shopping Center

100 West Germantown Pike East Norriton, Pa 19401

(Intersection of Germantown Pike & Swede Rd.)

Information Fair, Andorra section of Philly May 3 2008

PLEASE JOIN US AT INFORMATION FAIR!

WHEN: May 3, 2008; 12:00- 2:00

WHERE:

Father Sullivan Hall (Right behind I.H.M. School)
819 Cathedral Road
Philadelphia, PA 19128

(about 10 minute drive from the SPEC meeting place in Chestnut Hill | directions)

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE... [More Signing On]

-United Cerebral Palsy Social Services

-Vision for Equality

-Liberty Resources

-Autism Sharing and Parenting

-Temple University Institute on Disabilities

-Law Office of Joseph Romano

-Philadelphia Mental Health / Mental Retardation Office

-Philadelphia Corporation for Ageing

-Office of Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities

-Speaking for Ourselves

-State Senator Shirley Kitchen’s Office

-Philadelphia ARC

-Catholic Cares Options for the Elderly

-Marion Bolger Recreational Program

-Roxborough YMCA

-Department of Public Welfare

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAIR, CALL JOE & RITA MCGRATH AT (215)487-7651

The Therapy of Art ...

From my friend Jean McCoubrey:

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Special Parents of Exceptional Children (SPEC), a support and information group for those who care for children with special needs, will hold its next meeting on Saturday, April 26 at the Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Come at 12:30 for a sandwich, and the presentation will start at 1:00 (ending by 2:30). A speaker from Kardon Institute of Arts Therapy will tell us about movement and music therapies for children with special needs.

Regards,
Jean McCoubrey
Co-Organizer

Autism Advocacy in PA: state and family

Hello from my son Quinn's music class (they provide free wireless while I watch from the "parent room" outside the studio) -- and Quinn really enjoys the class, interaction with specific guides.

My wife forwarded a note about advocacy for HB1150, providing insurance for children with autism -- I recognize my friend from HS Tom Murt as a sponsoring PA Representative, and I am working to contact my Representative Greg Vitali (or ask that Tom give him a message, as if I had that kind of access :-).

On April 1, 2008 at 10 AM, Capitol Building Complex (Harrisburg), Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building, the Pennsylvania Senate Banking & Insurance Committee will conduct a public hearing regarding the merits of HB 1150 -- there seems to be a balanced panel of advocates, including David Gates of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project -- I was initially surprised see Rachel Brooks, Miss Pennsylvania 2007, listed as an advocate due to her brother with autism -- from my quick read it seems not like another "throw money at it" approach, but a directed investment in helping kids with autism in an early (and thus efficient) way -- more and up-to-the-minute information is available here.

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Footnote: I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with Rachel and her mother Julia last Thursday as Rachel addressed my Rotary club about autism awareness (and concluded with a wonderful rendition of Gershwin's Summertime)
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My wife also pointed me to the Autism Mini-Grants for 2008, $500 that can help fill in the gaps, if it fits, consider applying by April 18, 2008.

Local Conference April 4-5

Putting the Pieces Together
Empowering Children with Complex Medical & Educational Needs
April 4-5, 2008 at the Cira Centre (next to 30th St. Station)
There is a now bigger discount for parents of children with disabilities -- $70 for both days, $50 for Friday only, $25 for Saturday

• Click here for a brochure, with full schedule (PDF)

Contact: Suzanne S. Zimmermann
Development Officer, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
4400 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-222-2566 x120 | suzannez@hmsschool.org