Family Voices Indiana

Family Voices Indiana families and friends grieve the unexpected passing of Polly Arango. Many of us know and have benefitted from the life work of Polly. I had the privilege of being introduced to Polly while living in Colorado when my children were young. This was a very important introduction for she was a “bright spot” in my journey. Polly being the change agent that she was, brought many of us along to be part of something bigger than you and I. She has made a difference in the lives of so many, we celebrate her life and will miss her dearly. We celebrate her life’s work which continues to live on. One person can make a difference, Polly showed us this. Below is the full text of the Obituary from the Albuquerque Journal Mary Jo Paladino ARANGO -- Polly (Mary Elizabeth Egan) Arango, a nationally known advocate for children, died in a freak one car accident in Alamosa, CO on Saturday, June 26, 2010. A resident of Algodones, NM since 1977, Polly is survived by her husband Jo

Family Voices originally posted information that caregiver supports would be available July 1, 2010; that date has been changed to July 12, 2010. The following bulletin from DDRS explains it in more detail: Caregiver Supports (respite while on waiting list for waivers) Applications for Caregiver Supports Services will be made available beginning on Monday, July, 12, 2010 at all local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) district offices. Caregiver Support Services may be approved when: 1. The Developmental Disabilities Services Eligibility is completed 2. Caregiver Supports Services funds are available 3. The primary caregiver selects a provider The Caregiver Supports Service is accessible to the caregiver from the start date through June 30, 2011, at which time applications will once again be offered if funds are available. The Caregiver Supports Services is 100% state funded and is for those individuals eligible for developmental disabilities services not receivin

Family Voices wants to be sure its members have information about the most up-to-date crisis plan for the state. The following bulletin is from DDRS: Interim Crisis Management Plan As the contracted crisis program ends on June 30, 2010, an interim plan has been created to serve the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver and Supported Group Living Medicaid Home and Community Based waiver Services: In a crisis situation, individuals receiving HCBS should contact their case manager for assistance. Case managers should be contacted directly during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). If assistance is needed outside of normal business hours, individuals receiving HCBS should contact an Indiana Professional Management Group (IPMG) case manager, toll free, at 1-800-878-9133. If a case manager is unable to effectively address a situation, they may obtain a behavioral management consultant