Family Voices Indiana

Health Information Specialist, Heather Dane, shares her story about utilizing Institutional Deeming for her daughter, Mikayla. Factual information about deeming courtesy of Beth DeHoff, Pediatric Practice Liaison, Children’s Health Services Research, IU School of Medicine; and also a mom of a child with special health care needs.


When my daughter, Mikayla, was born at 32 weeks gestation the doctors told us to expect her to be in the NICU until close to her actual due date. That meant that she was going to be there for approximately eight weeks. They were pretty close with their approximation. She came home 49 days later. 

This was not the first time I was faced with having a child with special health care needs. My son, Joseph, has special health care needs as well, so I was already familiar with most of the programs I needed to apply for. I filled out the application for the DD and SS waivers (note: now the FS waiver). I made an appointment with the Social Security office to…

On April 1, 2015, the new Hoosier Care Connect program will begin serving eligible aged, blind and
disabled Medicaid members.  Individuals enrolled in Medicare, and those residing in an institution or receiving services through a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver, will not be eligible for Hoosier Care Connect.

As a Hoosier Care Connect member, you will receive all Medicaid covered benefits in addition to care coordination services. Care coordination services will be based on your needs.  You will need to choose a health plan that, along with your doctors, will coordinate your care. If you do not choose a health plan by June 15, 2015, a plan will be chosen for you.

You will still have Medicaid and will receive full Medicaid benefits as a member of Hoosier Care Connect.

You will continue to receive any services that have been authorized for up to 90 days or until the authorization ends.

What is a health plan?

A health plan is a group of doctors, pharmacies and hospitals t…

¤ What do you think about current resources and services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Indiana?
¤ What has worked in supporting families, caregivers, and individuals  with ASD? What has not? 
¤ What changes do you think should be made?
This 10-15 min survey is your chance to provide input that will inform changes and the next steps!
Survey: tinyurl.com/autismneeds
We seek input from all perspectives: family members, individuals with ASD, medical providers, school personnel, justice system employees, and other community service providers. 
Share the link with your friends or colleagues! 
Conducted by the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center on behalf of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).
Questions about the survey or HANDS in Autism?
HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu | hands@iupui.edu | 317.274.2675

Our team is growing! We've excited to be part of a new project, CareShare for Kids: Better Screening, Evaluation and Coordination in Indiana. Our specialists will be supporting families who get a new diagnosis of developmental delay and/or autism. We're all family members, too, and we know how overwhelming it can be to get a new diagnosis. We hope to be able to support these parents and connect them with the resources to give their child the best possible opportunities and outcomes. If you, or someone you know, needs help navigating systems and services in Indiana, please contact us: 317 944 8982 info@fvindiana.org. We are supported by grants and donations, so our services are FREE. 
Melody Holmes is our specialist for the South Bend/St. Joseph County area.  Melody and her husband are the parents to Stephen, 18, and Natalie, 13.  Stephen had hearing loss and other unique idiosyncrasies early in his life but overcame many of them through First Steps intervention and theatre.  Na…