Family Voices Indiana

Employment First Town Hall Meetings Coming to Terre Haute, Bloomington, Evansville, and Muncie Are you a self-advocate, family member, or related services staffer interested in building an employment first coalition focused on improving employment outcomes for all? If so, mark your calendars and plan to attend an Employment First Town Hall meeting coming to Terre Haute, Bloomington, Evansville, and Muncie! These town hall meetings are designed to provide opportunities for self-advocates, family members, and support staff, to generate and share ideas around solutions to employment barriers so that everyone with a disability can work and become self-sufficient. Meeting dates and locations include: March 20, 2019 - Vigo County Public Library (5:00-7:00 p.m.), One Library Square, Terre Haute, IN April 10, 2019 - Monroe Convention Center (5:00-7:00 p.m.), 302 South College Avenue, Bloomington, IN April 24, 2019 - McCollough Library (5:00-7:00 p.m.), 5115 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN …

Control Over Our Lives!By Self Advocates Becoming Empowered | July 6, 2018

This is a toolkit where self advocates can learn about how to start a self advocacy group in their area or improve their current group.  You will learn about the history of the self advocacy movement, developing your value and purpose, setting goals, leadership skills, member roles, and choosing advisors. Download Files for this ResourceSelf Advocacy Start up Toolkit more power more control over our lives 2018

Join today's Call-in Day for Money Follows the Person!
#FundMFP!
Facebook event

Urge Congress to pass the EMPOWER Care Act to reauthorize the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program!  MFP has helped more than 88,000 people with disabilities and seniors transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community.  But funding for this critical program is running out soon!  Call your Member of Congress and request that they co-sponsor and vote to pass the EMPOWER Care Act!

On Feb. 25, 2019, new versions of the EMPOWER Care Act extending the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for five years were introduced in the House (H.R. 1342) and Senate (S. 548).  Learn more about MFP here.
JOIN US TODAY TO URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LIVING AND #FundMFP!  Call your Senators and Representatives and ask them to cosponsor the EMPOWER Care Act!

from National FV:

"Medicare-for-All" Bill Introduced On February 28, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), joined by another 105 Democrats, introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2019 (H.R. 1384). The bill would expand the Medicare program to cover all U.S. residents within two years after enactment. It would eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for all benefits except prescription drugs and would also cover long-term services and supports. See a summary of the Medicare for All Act, section-by-section explanation, and the full text of the bill. See also 'Medicare For All' Bill Unveiled: 'Complete Transformation' Of Health Care (NBC News, 1/26/19). "Money Follows the Person" Bills Introduced On February 25, bipartisan House and the Senate bills were introduced to extend the Money-Follows-the-Person (MFP) demonstration program. The House bill

from ICHS: 
The Administration proposed a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule on February 6, 2019, that would time limit food benefits for unemployed and underemployed people who can't document sufficient weekly work hours. They would lose SNAP eligibility after three months. The rule would diminish food assistance for unemployed and underemployed people in areas with insufficient jobs; undo long-settled regulations; cynically attempt to end run Congress; and increase hunger and nutrition-related diseases. Advocates are urged to submit a comments from organizations and individuals expressing their strong opposition to the proposed rule during the 60-day public comment period that ends on April 2, 2019.

In 1996 when Congress enacted time limits on SNAP (then called food stamps) for certain adults who were unable to document sufficient hours of work each month, Congress provided that states could request from USDA waivers on the time limits for areas with 10 percen…

from ICHS:

2019 Legislative Session Update

The second half of the Indiana General Assembly has begun. Any bill that did not receive a hearing in the chamber of origin is now 'dead'. 218 of the 636 Senate bills remain, and 201 of the 715 House bills. Niki Kelly with the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette has a great halftime summary of some noteworthy bills here. There are a number of bills advancing in the human services realm. During this long session legislators will continue to make important decisions regarding the biennium budget which is so far funded at about $34.4 billion and determines funding for important state services like education, infrastructure and safety. The Senate Appropriations Committee began hearing budget testimony this week.
Here are some links to help you follow the action during the session: House and Senate Bill ListHouse Committee Calendar - Senate Committee Calendar

Amends 405 IAC 5-22-12 to implement current best practices, modify the time limits and length of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy services, amend standards and criteria for ABA therapy services, and implement standards for home and community setting therapy. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.

Changes are in bold type. EPSDT still applies to children ages 0-21.



ABA rule by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd