Spring is officially here! Don't miss out on some great opportunities.







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KEEPING YOU INFORMED
March 25, 2016
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In This Issue...
NEWS
Up-to-date disability-related news and information from various state and national sources
MANAGED CARE MEMBER ID CARDS
From the Iowa Department of Human Services
Attached is an example card of what your new Managed Care Member ID card will look like. The card shots will be paired with a two-page letter, Confirmation of Your MCO Coverage--Beginning April 1, 2016.

IDAAN: HELP NEEDED ON THE HOME MODS PROPOSAL
A Legislative Update
One of the proposed actions by the Mental Health and Disability Services Commission regarding an assistance program was to create a grant program operated by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). The National MS Society has been running with this proposal and after speaking with Senator McCoy, we created the attached proposal for a $1.1 million proposal for the program from RIIF, the roads and capitol infrastructure budget. The money would be used to provide grants up to $5,000 for Iowa homeowners who live with a disability or who are over the age of 65, who have an annual income under 450% of poverty (~ $73,000 for a couple). 

We want to tell the members how important this issue is to Iowans. You can help by simply sending an email to members of the team. Your email should include the following:
  • Your name, contact information, and where you live
  • A few statements of why this issue matters to you and the people you know
  • The "ask" - Please support a $1.1 million appropriation from RIIF to the Iowa Finance Authority to provide grants to Iowa homeowners who want to modify their homes to increase accessibility and safety.
Keep the messages positive. Everyone thinks this is a good idea; they just need to hear that this issue matters to Iowans. If you have any questions or need help writing a statement, please let Dan Endreson ( [email protected] ) know.  Also, please let Dan know who you contact so he can keep track of the number of messages being sent. 


REFUELING ASSISTANCE BILL: YOUR HELP NEEDED
A Legislative Update
Please contact Representative Thomas Sands and all of the members of the House Ways and Means Committee listed below.
 
Representative Sands is refusing to call a subcommittee meeting to discuss and vote on the ReFueling Assistance Bill, SF 509, to get it out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.  This bill will assist people with disabilities and the aging population to get assistance with refueling their vehicles at gas stations in a safe manner. 


GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP IN IOWA
From DD Council
DD Council's publication,  Guardianship and Conservatorship in Iowa: Issues in Substitute Decision Making ,  h as recently been updated to reflect changes made by the Iowa General Assembly in the 2015 legislative session. Updates to the affected sessions are noted in the guide.
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!
FREE NAMI BASICS CLASS
March 29 - May 3, Tuesday Evenings | 6-8:00 p.m.| Johnston | Printable flyer
NAMI Basics is a free, six-session program designed for parents and family members of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties. NAMI Basics helps families to understand the illnesses that are causing those behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses. To sign up, email Susan Gill at   [email protected] , and provide your name, phone number, and the age of your child with an emotional disorder. 
WHAT ARE HOST HOMES AND ARE THEY RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?
March 31 | Webinar | Noon-1 p.m. | FREE
This free webinar will explain host homes (also known as shared living) and the many benefits this type of living arrangement brings to the individual receiving services and the host home provider. Participants will hear various perspectives of what it's like to be involved with the host home program, and learn about the process from initial application to placement.  Register now

Check out Danielle's Story. Danielle is a 22-year-old young woman currently living in a host home.
PLANNING FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS
April 16 | 8:15 a.m. | Sioux City | FREE | Printable flyer
ASK Resource Center and IFAPA invite you to attend a workshop filled with helpful information and resources for transition-age students to plan for success in living, learning, and working.  
SPRING CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Spring 2016
T he Iowa Peer Support & Family Peer Support Training Program has numerous spring
 continued education opportunities for professionals  seeking to expand their knowledge.
 
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Connections to events and activities for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the people who serve them
PROTECTING FAMILIES SPRING CONFERENCE
April 1 | 7:30 a.m. | Sioux City
All professionals interested in the protection of children and families including physicians, physicians assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and other interested professionals are invited to attend the Protecting Families Spring Conference on April 1st in Sioux City, IA. Learn more
 
ASK PRESENTS THE 2016 SUMMER CAMP LIST
Various Dates, Times, & Locations
Whether your family is planning a summer stay-cation, a caravanning sight-seeing road trip, a vacation to Disneyland, or a visit to the cabin to see the cousins, planning is an essential component for a smooth-sailing summer. ASK is here to provide you with some travel planning tools and various options for your kids to enjoy the summer fun!  2016 Summer Camp List
 
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $$
 
Exhibitors can save up to $20 by registering for a table before April 1st!

Exhibitors will receive:
  • One conference registration
  • Light breakfast, snacks, and boxed lunch for one
  • 8-foot display table
  • Wi-Fi access
  • Recognition in pre-conference promotions via email and social media
  • Exhibitors with more than one person representing their organization can register up to two additional people at a cost of $20 per person ($25 after April 1). This cost covers registration, meals and snacks.

Attendance is FREE for individuals with disabilities and their family members. Register now!
 
Parents can take advantage of free, on-site childcare at the conference, provided by the Bob & Billie Ray Child Development Center at Easter Seals. Space is available on a first come, first served basis, and children of all ages and abilities are welcome. A family can reserve space for up to four children via online registration; a refundable $10 per child deposit is required. Register your children now!

A limited number of reimbursement allowances are available for individuals with disabilities and parents/primary caregivers of individuals with disabilities (the term "parents" includes guardians and foster/adoptive parents). Learn more
Copyright © ASK Resource Center, 2016. All rights reserved.
 
You're among 4,842 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 e-newsletter 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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