Family Voices Indiana

from Indiana Assn of United Ways: Preparing for the 2017 legislative session The  Indiana General Assembly  convened for the first time leading up to the 2017 legislative session on Organization Day last month.  The 2017 session will begin on  January 3  and must end no later than  April 29 .  This session is a "long session" where lawmakers will decide the state's next two-year budget which is typically about $30 billion.  Legislators will make tough funding decisions on state government services, including education, infrastructure and public safety. Helpful links to help you follow are below:  Indiana General Assembly Senate Committee Chairs  and  House Committee Chairs Standing Committee Rosters IaUW has started to monitor  Third House Sessions and Meet Your Legislator events  across the state.  These meetings are opportunities for constituents to talk to their legislators and learn about bills they are working on at the statehouse.  It is important that

The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is excited to announce that we are now on Facebook! We hope social media will be another way for individuals, families, providers and other valuable stakeholders to obtain timely information about the bureau, its services, updates, upcoming events, etc.  You may access the page by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Indiana-Bureau-of-Developmental-Disabilities-Services-318818311807579

Effective January 1, 2017, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) will cover physician-administered topical fluoride varnish. Coverage applies to all IHCP programs, subject to limitations established for certain benefit packages. Coverage applies to dates of service (DOS) on or after January 1, 2017. Physician-administered topical fluoride varnish is a preventive procedure. Coverage is limited to members from the time of first tooth eruption until the age of 4. Topical fluoride can include varnish, gel, or foam. Coverage requires the service be provided by or under the supervision of a physician.  The IHCP recognizes the following provider types as eligible to render the service:   Physicians   Physician assistants   Advanced practice nurses Before performing and billing for this service, eligible providers are required to complete the certified training course, Protecting All Children’s Teeth (PACT): A Pediatric Oral Health Training Program, available at the

By Jan Labas                                            Helping our children find their voice as they grow into self-advocates can be a challenging, yet rewarding, experience.  While there are many tools available, this is a very individual process with each child coming to readiness for self-advocacy at his own pace.  As parents we can be informed and prepared early to help steer them toward success. While they are young children we can encourage them to make well-thought-out decisions.  Start small with choices, such as which coat to wear or what things to pack for an outing.  Practice role playing, and help them to see the possible consequences of the choice.  Though it is important to encourage good choices and reap positive benefits, remember that we also need to allow them to fail.  It’s hard to watch our children experience disappointment and failure, but those can be effective learning tools that can promote self-advocacy much better than any conversation.

BY EDWIN PARK If confirmed, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary — House Budget Committee Chair Tom Price — will be well-placed to advance a proposal that he’s previously supported as part of recent House Republican budget plans to fundamentally change the structure of Medicaid by converting it into a block grant. [1]  Trump [2]  and House Speaker Paul Ryan [3]  also have supported converting Medicaid into a block grant, which would likely eliminate the guarantee that everyone who’s eligible and applies for its benefits would receive them and probably give states sweeping new authority to restrict eligibility, cut benefits, and make it harder for people to enroll.  The incoming White House and Republican congressional leaders are reportedly planning to pursue such a block grant in 2017, in addition to repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). [4] A MEDICAID BLOCK GRANT WOULD LEAD TO DRACONIAN CUTS TO ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS, AND PROVIDER PAYM