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Dearest Yahalom Family,
At Yahalom, there are many times when our incredible parents reach out saying, "The system isn't working for us, can you help?"
When there is a systemic issue, we try to do what we can to impact a positive solution. Big problems need big solutions, and big solutions take time.
Over two years ago, Mrs. Perry Binet, an incredible parent, reached out and shared a major insurance issue that some of our families are facing. We learned that children with sugar diseases benefit from CGMs (continuous glucose monitoring devices) as a way of staying safely home in the community. This device monitors glucose levels on a regular basis reducing the need for constant finger pricks, and increasing the ability to catch sudden blood sugar changes. The challenge is that insurance law only allows the dexcom device for children who have diabetes above the age of 2. Meanwhile, there are children with many other sugar diseases who need it, and it saves lives before age 2. Parents should be able to access this life saving intervention for all children with sugar diseases, from diagnosis, not needing to wait until age 2.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of NY government relations at Agudas Yisroel, our YahalomNY team went to Albany with an amazing group of parents and advocates and worked to get support for the introduction of this bill. We are excited to share that after much effort, this bill we have advocated for has been introduced in Albany. This bill will allow any child with a sugar disease to access Continuous Glucose Monitors (like dexcom) through insurance. To see the bill, click here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6923.
Our next steps will be raising more legislative awareness so more legislators will sign on the bill (and vote in its favor). We'll keep you posted because we may ask you for your help writing letters to your elected officials. For now, we wanted you to know that your thoughts as parents are heard. Change takes time. But we hear you!! With advocacy and tefillos, bezras Hashem we can bring about change and support for our children.
This week, YahalomNY had the privilege of attending two incredible community events.
Last Shabbos, we had the privilege of joining the Eis Laasois Shabbaton for parents of young children with special needs. It was an inspiring experience to connect with parents, like you, who work tirelessly and passionately for their child(ren)'s needs. Meeting you and hearing your stories was humbling and heartwarming. We were also blown away by the incredible staff at Eis Laasois who arranged for parents the ability to access the chizuk so necessary for raising a child, as well as the resources that are needed for your journey. We hope to share our slide presentation from the "diamond resource fair" with all of you in a future Yahalom newsletter.
On Monday, we joined Achiezer's mental health networking event, which brought together over 100 mental health professionals and heads of schools in the Five Towns/ Queens communities. We met with new partners including neuropsychologists, therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, school leaders, referral specialists, and others who can help our children. Part of our work at Yahalom involves knowing the fellow professionals in the field so we can collaborate to help our children with special needs. It was an incredible experience, and we look forward to sharing the information with you.
We know that Nissan is full of blossoming and growth, and a lot of challenging pre- Pesach time. We are thinking of you and davening for your success during this time period. As always, feel free to reach out if there is something we can help you with.
Wishing you an incredible Shabbos and a gutten Chodesh!!
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