Foundation seeking grant applications from families in need

Foundation seeking grant applications from families in need Published 05/16/2012 12:00 AM Updated 05/16/2012 03:57 PM The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation announced today that it is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plan. Qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids. To be eligible, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health insurance plan. Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. To apply, visit: uhccf.org. There is no application deadline. Organizations or private donors can make tax-deductible donations to the foundation at this website. “The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is dedicated to improving a child’s health and quality of life by making it easier to access needed medical-related services,” Stephen Farrell, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare of New England said. “The grants enable families to focus on their children’s care instead of worrying about how they’ll pay their medical bills.” In 2011, UHCCF awarded more than 1,200 grants to families across the country for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy. The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Nancy Cowser Vice President, Planning UCFS 34 East Town Street Norwich, CT 06360 860-822-4161 - Phone 860-889-3450 - Fax www.ucfs.org

Independent Living Day at the Capitol - April 11, 2012

Independent Living Day at the Connecticut Capitol
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
State Capitol Building
Old Judiciary Room, Room 310

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Join Consumers and Advocates from around Connecticut at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to build advocacy skills, review the status of bills pending in the legislature and receive briefings from legislators on matters of public policy.
Everyone interested in Disability Advocacy is welcome!
Free Registration
CACIL will provide:

Transportation from each Center for Independent Living to the Capitol
Coffee and Pastries in the morning
Lunch, assorted sandwiches, fruit, chips and soda
Advocacy Training Materials
ASL Interpreters
PCAs

Register at your nearest Center for Independent Living
Center For Disability Rights, West Haven CT, (203) 934-7079
Disabilities Network of Eastern CT, Norwich, CT, (860) 823-1898
Disability Resource Center Of Fairfield County, Inc., Stratford CT, (203) 378-6977
Independence Northwest, Inc., Naugatuck CT, (203) 729-1281
Independence Unlimited, Inc., Hartford CT, (860) 523-5021
or
CT Association of Centers for Independent Living, Hartford, CT, (860) 656-0430

ECAT Event - Autism

The Eastern CT Assistive Technology Center (ECAT)
Presenting
Apps for Autism
Where: The Windham Regional Community Council
872 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
When: Tuesday, March 20, 2012; 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Learn how Apple products and applications can increase
independence
Some apps for the following featured:
• Communication
• Scheduling
• Positive behavioral supports
Join us for …
A hands on learning experience!!
Please R.S.V.P. (860) 423-4534; ext. 319; by March 16, 2012
Brought to you by ECAT Center Partners:
The Windham Regional Community Council
The ew England Assistive Technology
( EAT) Center at Oak Hill
The Connecticut Tech Act Project
No refreshments provided.

FREE Tax Preparation

Norwich Human Services
80 Broadway, Norwich, CT
will be offering FREE Income Tax Preparation & e-filing to low and moderate income Norwich residents.


This service will be available beginning January 16, 2012
through April 11th.

Please call 823-3778 to schedule an appointment.
Day, Evening and Saturday appointments available.



This service is made possible by VITA, the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program

DNEC Has Moved!

Disabilities Network of Eastern CT has MOVED!

Our new offices are located in the Norwich Industrial Park at:

19 Ohio Avenue
Norwich, CT 06360

Our phone and fax numbers remain the same: 860-823-1898 / 860-886-2316

Grace Curtis Conference presented by Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center

 

Katie Flynn
Resource Specialist
Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center   

   Featuring LeDerick Horne & the Shut-up Sisters
Sunday March 25, 2012: Mystic Marriott
$40 registration fee

Visit www.lvecenter.com to register
Cost-effective conference for our community!

A NEW NAMI-CT Support Group

NAMI- CT Presents:
A NEW NAMI-CT Support Group
This Support Group is for Parents, Family members and Friends of adult people with Behavioral, Health problems,

Please join us to share in support and encouragement with other individuals who understand the feelings and challenges of caring for a loved one with behavioral, emotional or mental health disorders.

When: Second Monday of each month 06:30 - 08:00 PM
Starting: January 09th 2012
Where: Thompson Library / Community Center
934,Riverside Drive,North Grosvenordale CT 06255

If you have any questions, please contact Sonya at 860-923-9344 or Larissa at lgdbenoit@gmail.com

For more information about the National Alliance on Mental Illness please call the NAMI-CT office at 860-882-0236 or our website: www.namict.org

Governor Malloy Names Amy Porter Director of New Bureau of Rehabilitative Services

GOV. MALLOY NAMES AMY PORTER DIRECTOR OF NEW BUREAU OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has appointed Dr. Amy Porter of Coventry to serve as Director of the newly merged state Bureau of Rehabilitative Services.

The Bureau is a new agency created last year through the consolidation of several state offices, including the former Department of Social Services (DSS) Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the State Board of Education & Services for the Blind, the Commission on Deaf & Hearing Impaired, and portions of the Workers’ Compensation Commission and Department of Motor Vehicles.

Porter, who has twenty years of experience in the field of rehabilitation, currently heads the new office’s Rehabilitation Services Division. Prior to that, she was director of the DSS Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, which is now the Rehabilitation Services Division and is one of the state offices consolidated into this new agency. She has a doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

“Amy has a sharp knowledge and understanding of the important programs for citizens with disabilities under the responsibility of this newly merged agency,” Governor Malloy said. “Especially as the office continues to undergo its transition, I’m confident that she will lead this merger in a way that continues to benefit those who receive its services while also ensuring that it efficiently and resourcefully meets its goals.”

“The creation of the new Bureau of Rehabilitative Services provides an exciting opportunity to realign disability services in Connecticut,” Porter said. “With the deep roots of each of the programs coming together in the new Bureau, we have tremendous experience to draw upon to create a new vision for disability services and supports. I am honored to help lead this effort, and look forward with optimism to the work ahead.”

DSS Commissioner Rod Bremby had served as the new Bureau’s Acting Director since the consolidated agency launched on July 1, 2011. Commissioner Bremby stated, “During the transition, the Bureau’s programs have continued to operate without interruption and have been successful in delivering appropriate and timely services. I look forward to continuing working with Amy in her new capacity as Director of this vital agency.”

###

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2012
Contact: David BednarzDavid.Bednarz@ct.gov860-524-7315 (office)860-770-9792 (cell)

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy

Action Alert: "Stop The Gang of Six"

Action Alert: Stop The Gang of Six!

Now is the time to fight for your rights! August 2nd is just days away and Congress must hear our voices. Your representatives are preparing to dismantle The CLASS Act community living services and supports. We must stop them.

The “Gang of Six” is a bipartisan group of senators who have proposed to repeal this important program, which provides seniors and people with disabilities with services that offer them the freedom to live and work in their communities. Currently, there are approximately 12 million Americans who require long-term supports and services. We ask you, our grassroots advocates, to make sure your representatives know there is a human face connected to these proposed budget cuts.

The “Gang of Six” presented an immediate $500 billion “down payment” on the deficit. This would also affect other areas of the healthcare law, including Social Security and Medicare. The plan to cut entitlement funds would be devastating to many of our brothers and sisters in the disability community.

This elimination of CLASS funds does not reduce the deficit. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that over the next ten years, CLASS will reduce federal deficits by $83 billion. This proposed legislation also calls for a “curb on the growth” of Social Security benefits, while our aging population is increasing rapidly each year.

This is a call to action to the NCIL family! Your representatives at the state and federal level must understand the importance of the CLASS Act and Medicaid funding in the lives of persons with disabilities. Your voice and the voices of your family members, friends, co-workers and community are critical.

You Can Make a Difference

Tell your senators and representatives not to support the “Gang of Six” proposals to cut entitlement funds (Medicaid) and repeal The CLASS Act. Both programs provide seniors and persons with disabilities the ability to live and work in their own communities.

Then get your family, friends, co-workers and other community members to call in as well!

Contacting Your Legislators

Online: Find a senator or representative in your state and click on their contact form to submit your letter. In your letter, identify yourself as a constituent and urge your senator / representative: “Please do not support the repeal of The CLASS Act and do not cut Medicaid funds. These cuts would be devastating to my community.”

Phone: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators’ and / or representative’s office, or use the links above to find their direct phone number.

Once connected, ask to speak with an office aide who handles budget and finance and / or healthcare issues. Give your name and identify yourself as a constituent.

Tell the aide to “Please tell Senator / Representative [NAME] that I do not want [him / her] to support the repeal of The CLASS Act or cuts to Medicaid funding.”

DOJ and Enforcement of Integration Mandate in ADA/Olmstead.

Date: Monday, July 11, 2011, 9:36 AM

DOJ and Enforcement of Integration Mandate in ADA/Olmstead. Information Bulletin # 334  (7/2011).In recognition of the 12th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, the United States Department of Justice issued an extremely important and comprehensive "Statement on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate" of the ADA and Olmstead.This is DOJ's "technical assistance guide." All advocates should download it and use it in your advocacy efforts. Quote it in your briefs in Court. Quote it in your meetings with government officials.  Cite it in your letters to the editor and opinion editorials. This document represents the official position of the highest law enforcement agency in the country. http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/q&a_olmstead.htmThis Information Bulletin is intended only to wet your appetite. Pleaseread the entire document.  We'll summarily quote as much as possible. In theoriginal, there are 18 questions. We've added (arbitrarily) emphases.DOJ stated:  The "goal of the integration mandate to provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to live their lives like individuals without disability has yet to be fully realized. Many people who could and want to live, work and receive services in integrated settings are still waiting for the promise of Olmstead to be fulfilled."1.  What is the most integrated setting?"Integrated settings are those that provide opportunities to live, work, and receive services in the greater community, like individuals without disabilities. Integrated settings are located in mainstream society; offer access to community activities and opportunities at times, frequencies and with persons of an individual's choosing; provide the opportunity to interact with nondisabled persons to the fullest extent possible. Segregated settings include, but are not limited to: congregate settings populated exclusively or primarily with individuals with disabilities."2.  When is the ADA's integration mandate implicated?Anytime a "public entity administers its programs in a manner that results in unjustified segregation" whether by operating segregating programs, or financing them in private facilities, or "funding choices or service implementation practices that promotes or relies upon the segregation in private facilities or programs."3.  What factors are relevant in determining whether an individual does notoppose an integrated setting?"Public entities must take affirmative steps to remedy this history of segregation and prejudice in order to insure that individuals have an opportunity to make an informed choice.  Such steps include providing information about the benefits of integrated settings, facilitating visits in such settings, and offering opportunities to meet with individuals with disabilities living in integrated settings.4.  Does ADA apply to persons at serious risk of segregation?"Yes. People need not wait unit the harm of institutionalization or segregation occurs or is imminent." Persons can show such risk "if a public entity's failure to provide community services or its cut to such services will likely cause a decline in health, safety, or welfare that would lead to the individual's eventual placement in an institution or segregation."5.  May the ADA require a State to provide additional services than are    provided in their Medicaid program?"A state's obligations under the ADA are independent from the requirements of the Medicaid program. The ADA may require states to provide services beyond what a state currently provides under Medicaid."  "Caps do not exempt state from serving additional people in the community by seeking a modification of a waiver to remove the cap."6.  Can budget cuts violate the ADA?"Yes, budgets cuts can violate ADA when significant funding cuts to community services create a risk of institutionalization or segregationb&. In making budget cuts, public entities have a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid placing individuals at risk of institutionalization or segregation including making exceptions to the service reductions or to provide alternative services to individuals who would be forced into institutions as a result of such cuts."7.  What budgetary resources are relevant?"All money the public entity allots, spends, receives, or could receive if it applied for available federal funding to provide services.  All relevant costs, not simply those funded by the single agency that operates or funds the segregated or integrated settings."8.  What about an Olmstead Plan?It must do more than provide vague assurances of future.  Must contain concrete and reliable commitments to expand integrated opportunities.  Must include commitments for each group of persons who are unnecessarily segregated. Must address the needless segregation of the group at issue in the case.9.  What about budgetary shortages?"Even in times of budgetary constraints, public entities can often reasonably modify their programs by re-allocating funding from expensive segregated settings to cost-effective integrated settings.  Whether the public entity has sought additional federal resources available to support the provision of services in integaated settings, such as Medicaid, MFP and federal housing vouchers.Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continuesBack issues of other Information Bulletins are available online athttp://www.stevegoldada.comwith a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my bloglocated at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call215-627-7100