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To stay informed on the state’s response and resources, please refer to ReadyNC.gov. For those seeking immediate shelter, ReadyNC provides a resource of open shelters with availability. There are currently 19 general population shelters open to provide support and 2 state medical support shelters for those who require specialized healthcare attention.
NCDHHS is ensuring that healthcare facilities and state and county shelters have water, food, medical supplies, and staffing needed to care for residents and patients. Visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources for disaster recovery information, crisis services and resources for people with disabilities, and to find open pharmacies.
Disability Rights NC’s website provides an up-to-date list of resources in English and Spanish.
NC Council on Developmental Disabilities disaster response page
The Arc of NC Hurricane Helene Relief page
The Autism Society of NC Hurricane Resources page
Advocates for Medically Fragile Kids NC and the Parker Lee Project are partnering to help bring medical supplies to medically fragile children in WNC. Families can use this form to indicate needs.
The AAC Disaster Relief project can help you replace lost or damaged AAC devices (also called speech generating devices or SGDs), switches, mounting systems, and no-tech communication books/boards. They may also be able to help with batteries and chargers specific to AAC devices.
Flexibilities for EBT cards -- North Carolinians Enrolled in Food and Nutrition Services Can Use Benefits to Buy Hot Food Following Hurricane Helene | NCDHHS
WIC - Important Information for People Enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Impacted by Hurricane Helene | NCDHHS
DMHDDSUS has launched the Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) to provide mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response. It is help for the helpers.
The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) provides crisis support services to anyone impacted by a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene. It is available 24/7 in English or Spanish (Español presiona “2”). You can call or text.
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NC Medicaid Temporary Flexibilities in Response to Hurricane Helene
See the most recent information on Medicaid Flexibilities due to Hurricane Helene HERE, including flexibilities for Private Duty Nursing, Innovations and TBI waiver recipients, and CAP-C / CAP-DA recipients. See in formation on Additional Temporary Flexibilities for Medicaid Beneficiaries Due to Hurricane Helene Devastation posted on October 4th HERE.
CMS Issues Major EPSDT Guidance Letter
Recently the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a state health official guidance letter on improving awareness and effectiveness of Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. The letter explains that “the goal of EPSDT is to ensure that individual eligible children get the health care they need, when they need it, in the most appropriate setting. Section 1905(a)(4)(B) and (r) of the Social Security Act entitles eligible children under the age of 21 to Medicaid coverage of health care, diagnostic services, treatment, and other measures described in section 1905(a) that are medically necessary to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions, whether or not such services are covered under the state plan.”
On Tuesday, October 1st, Jane Perkins and Sarah Somers from the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) hosted a webinar to highlight its contents and discuss the next steps for advocates. Here you can see the SLIDES and WEBINAR RECORDING.
For more information on EPSDT, see this fact sheet by Disability Rights NC - Children's Rights to Medicaid Services: Early and Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT)
Interactive Monthly Update Webinars from the NC Medicaid Ombudsman
The NC Medicaid Ombudsman presents a monthly webinar about Medicaid Managed Care and related topics. The webinars are designed for Medicaid beneficiaries, health care providers and other Managed Care stakeholders. Presenters will solicit feedback from attendees about their experiences with Managed Care and answer questions from attendees. Register for the webinars HERE.
To find out more about the NC Medicaid Ombudsman visit ncmedicaidombudsman.org.
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MCH Bridges is the official podcast of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). This podcast aims to inspire and guide actions that will improve the systems that impact maternal and child health populations. MCH Bridges aims to lift up stories and people from the MCH field by centering the voices of the public health workforce, people and communities most impacted by inequities, and individuals and families with lived experiences. | |
Episode #20: Care Maps: The Power of Mapping Support for Children & Families
This episode of MCH (Maternal and Child Health) Bridges, led by previous AMCHP Family Engagement Intern Hanna Howell, dives into the world of care mapping. Care mapping serves as a powerful tool to help families and professionals coordinate and enhance support and care for children and youth with special health care needs. By visualizing the complex network of care, these maps improve communication and foster a shared understanding among all involved. This episode also explores innovative uses of care mapping, including how it can aid youth in articulating their mental health needs. Listen to hear guest speakers Becky Burns and NC's own Mahala Turner in discovering how care mapping can transform the way we approach and manage health care for children, families, and beyond!
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The Future of Children with Medical Complexity Virtual Cafe Series: Episode 5
Health Equity and Anti-Ableism Through Family Partnership
Wednesday, October 30
4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Zoom
This café will be led by discussants Nikki Montgomery, MA, MEd, GPAC, Director of Strategy and Communications, Family Voices, mother of a child with medical complexity; and Michelle J. White, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine. Discussants will first give examples of the pressing need to address bias in systems of care and move from a medical to social model of care, and key ways family colleagues’ lived expertise is essential to humanizing systems. Through facilitated discussion in breakouts, participants will explore and learn together tangible tools, strategies, and resources to effectively partner with families to make real progress in health equity and anti-ableism.
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New Resources from the U.S. Department of Education Will Help School Communities Address the Needs of Students with Mental Health Disabilities
The Office for Civil Rights has issued four new resources for schools, stakeholders, students with disabilities, and their families. These documents outline the rights of students with mental health disabilities and the responsibilities of elementary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and specifically address students with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder.
The new resources are:
The fact sheets remind schools of the obligation to treat a student with a mental health disability as they must treat any other student with a disability: free from discrimination, and the obligation to provide students with mental health disabilities with the modifications, supports, and services the students need to have equal access to their education. These new resources are part of a larger series on specific medical conditions, which thus far includes fact sheets on diabetes, GER/GERD, food allergies, asthma, cancer, sickle cell disease, and epilepsy.
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Learning Collaborative for Parents and Caregivers:
Navigating Social Media with Teens and Tweens
Are you a parent or caregiver who has tweens or teens (ages 8- 17)?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health is excited to launch its first learning collaborative for parents and caregivers: Navigating Social Media with Tweens and Teens ECHO!
What to Expect: This no-cost virtual program will combine presentations from experts and encourage parents and caregivers to ask questions and share experiences. We will address tough topics like:
- What is happening developmentally and how does this influence social media habits?
- When does digital media become a problem?
- What do parents and caregivers need to know?
Program Details:
- Duration: 4 weekly, 1-hour sessions
- Time: Tuesdays at 2 PM Central / 3 PM Eastern
- Dates: October 29, November 5, November 12, and November 19
Registration: Register here or click here for more information.
Questions? Contact Kristin at kconrad@aap.org.
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Follow along on the Innovations Waiver Pathway to learn the basics about how you can prepare to get services for you or a family member who has an intellectual or other developmental disability (I/DD) and what to expect as you go through the process. | |
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The Family-to-Family (F2F) Health Information Center within ECAC is here to provide health related information, resources and support to families and professionals in NC. Some commonly discussed topics are:
- Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, such as the Innovations Waiver, Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C), Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) and Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Grants for families to cover the cost of therapy, equipment, respite care, educational expenses, etc.
- Guardianship and alternatives to guardianship and other questions related to the transition to adulthood
- New to the state or new to the diagnosis and just don't know where to start
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Give us a call at
1-800-962-6817
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ECAC is providing this newsletter as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the ECAC. ECAC is not a legal services agency. We cannot and do not provide legal representation or advice, and information contained in this newsletter should not be used or considered as such. This newsletter is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $89,140 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. | | | | |
