There's something for everyone in this issue of Keeping You Informed. heir parents.







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KEEPING YOU INFORMED
February 5, 2016
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In This Issue...
NEWS
Up-to-date disability-related news and information from various state and national sources
LEAD POISONING AND CHILDREN
From American Academy of Pediatrics
Lead exposure can cause serious damage to the developing brains of young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that all elevated lead levels are a concern and there are no safe levels. Lasting decreases in cognition have been documented in children with blood levels as low as 5 micrograms per deciliter of lead in blood. A set of new resources on Lead Exposure and Lead Poisoning from the AAP provides information on lead poisoning and its effects on children, what families can do to protect their children, and more.
LITERACY DEFICITS IN PRESCHOOLERS WITH UNCORRECTED FARSIGHTEDNESS 
From National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health
Findings from a recent study show that uncorrected farsightedness (hyperopia) in preschool children is associated with significant early literacy deficits. Children with moderate hyperopia did significantly worse on the Test of Preschool Early Literacy (TOPEL) than their normal-vision peers. These findings underscore the importance of early detection, especially because early deficits in literacy have been shown to be associated with future problems in learning to read and write. Read the full press release here
HCBS Statewide Transition Plan
From Iowa Department of Human Services
In March 2014,  the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).  The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that individuals receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated in and support full access to the greater community.
 
The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) has been working with CMS to develop a statewide transition plan (STP) to assure that all HCBS settings will be in compliance with the new regulations by March 17, 2019.  The state intends to submit a revised STP to CMS  on April 1, 2016.  The revision is based on the previously submitted plan with additions made based on CMS feedback.  CMS requires that the STP be available for review and comment prior to submission.  The STP will be available for review on the DHS website from February 1, 2016 - March 2, 2016.
 
The IME is looking for feedback on the revised STP.  Please share this information with others that you feel may be interested.

TAX PREPARATION CONSIDERATIONS
From ASK Resource Center
Last year, the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought changes to the federal income tax return that individuals filed; it marked the first time that taxpayers were required to report health care coverage, and provided premium tax credit for eligible individuals who purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. View Access Info Sheet
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Information on training events available for parents and professionals in and around the state of Iowa. Find upcoming conferences, webinars, workshops and more!
DIVERSE LEARNERS RESOURCE FAIR
Feb. 20, 2016 | Johnston | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. | FREE
Join Heartland AEA at the 2016 Diverse Learners Resource Fair! The Resource Fair is a FREE event that focuses on linking families of children and youth with special needs to valuable community and AEA resources. Highlights will be sessions about challenging behavior, 504 plans, seizure recognition and first aid, helping youth develop work skills and transitioning to post-secondary education. View flyer


PARENTS AS PARTNERS IN MENTORING
March 5, 2016 | Clive | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | FREE
The Parents as Partners in Mentoring initiative, part of ASK Resource Center's Family to Family Iowa project, offers this workshop to train volunteers in an effort to develop a statewide network of trained parent mentors. View flyer  | Register


WHAT IS THE ABLE ACT AND IS IT RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?
Feb. 25, 2016 | Webinar | Noon - 1 p.m. | FREE
This free webinar, presented by financial planning professional Frank Varvaris, will provide an overview of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act legislation, as well as discuss the comparison between an ABLE account and a special needs trust. Following the webinar, join Frank in an interactive online chat on FIND! He will answer your questions and further explore the various future planning options for individuals with disabilities and their families.  Register Now

EPILEPSY EDUCATION SEMINARS
Various Dates & Locations | 5:30 p.m. | FREE
A series of Epilepsy Education Seminars are being conducted in the next few months. Epilepsy Foundation of North/Central Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska has partnered with community hosts and area Neurologists to provide epilepsy education in select communities across the state. Our goal is to assess the needs of the population of those impacted by epilepsy in those communities while offering education, an overview of our programs and services, seizure diagnosis, first aid and an overview of treatment options all in one evening. These seminars are provided at no charge, as they are part of our education and outreach efforts.
 
The Epilepsy Foundation will be holding three seminars:

Clinton, Iowa 
Dr. Michael Ciliberto,  Rastrelli's Restaurant, April 5th at 5:30 PM 
Get registered

Fort Dodge, Iowa
Dr. Babak Rezaei,   Best Western Starlite Village, May 10th at 5:30 PM
Get registered!
 
Marshalltown, Iowa
Dr. David Moore, Best Western Regency Inn, May 19th at 5:30 PM
Get registered!
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Connections to events and activities for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the people who serve them
WORKFORCE INNOVATIVE & OPPORTUNITY ACT PUBLIC MEETING
Feb. 11, 2016 | Capitol Complex | Des Moines 
The Core Partners have developed the Unified State Plan to set forth a bold mission to create greater opportunities for employers and job seekers in the State of Iowa. They invite you to come for public comment and  to hear from these Core Partners on the Unified Plan. You're invited to share in the vision for achieving great success in implementing a job-driven model of employment and training.  During these meetings, you will be given the opportunity to hear first-hand about the plan and ask questions to generate greater solutions. 
  • Meeting Date: Feb. 11, 2016
  • Where: Wallace State Office Building, Auditorium, Capital Complex, Des Moines, IA
  • Times: 9 a.m. - noon; or 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
CALL FOR #2016TWC EXHIBITORS!


Exhibitor registration is now open! Don't miss the chance to promote your organization and connect with families at the 2016 Together We Can Conference on May 7. Sign up before April 1 and save up to $20!  Click here to learn more
 
Conference details and registration links are posted to the new 2016 Together We Can Conference page as soon as they are made available. Check this page often for the most up-to-date information on this year's event. Also follow us on FINDFacebook, and Twitter for the latest updates. 

General registration opens February 15!

2016 MIDWEST SUMMER INSTITUTE
June 27-28, 2016 | Embassy Suites | Des Moines
A handful of faculty from the University of Northern Iowa in collaboration with local advocates are following these forces of nature and have conspired to make a worthy conference happen. For five years, UNI has been host to the Midwest Summer Institute, where students, families, self-advocates, teachers, administrators, and educators of all sorts work the cracks and create fissures in a system that has long excluded the voices of those who desire inclusive educational spaces and opportunities for all. Joining with the Second City International Conference on Disability Studies in Education we hope to deepen and widen those cracks and rule the world, if just for two days.  

Proposal submission portal will remain open until February 15. Learn more
Copyright © ASK Resource Center, 2016. All rights reserved.
 
You're among 3,956 others who received this email because you wanted us to keep you informed of the latest disability-related news, educational opportunities, events, and more from in and around the state of Iowa.

 
The contents of this listserv blast were partially funded under grants from the US Department of Education, #H328M140017, Project Officer, David Emenhesier, and a grant from the US Department of Health & Human Services, #H84MC24065, Project Officer, LaQuanta Smalley. The contents of this listserv blast do not necessarily represent the policy of those Departments, and the reader should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. ASK's Family to Family Iowa Project serves as Iowa's Family Voic es State Affiliate Organization. ASK is also Iowa's Parent to Parent USA Alliance Member.

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