Family Voices Indiana

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has   issued a nationwide temporary halt   on residential evictions for nonpayment of rent. The moratorium takes effect on September 4, and is scheduled to end on December 31, 2020. Under the moratorium, tenants earning up to $99,000 ($198,000 for joint filers) cannot be evicted for not paying their rent if they can demonstrate certain hardships. Tenants can   use this tool to determine if they qualify for the moratorium , which also generates a customized letter that tenants can download or email to their landlords.  While the eviction moratorium is much broader than the previous moratorium under the CARES Act, it does not forgive any of the back rent, which will become due when the eviction moratorium ends, or provide additional support to housing providers. It is now up to Congress to enact a rent relief bill that will help millions of tenants who are struggling to pay their back rent and remain housed. From Justice in Aging 9.4.20

W hen kids are diagnosed with a   learning disability   we naturally worry about how it will affect their school performance. What we often don’t think about, but should, is how having a learning disability may affect children emotionally. Not all kids with a learning disability become frustrated, sad, or  anxious , but it is pretty common for kids to go through at least some period of emotional struggle. It isn’t easy for children when they see themselves falling behind their peers at school. Even if they pretend that they don’t notice or care, struggling in school can be a demoralizing experience. Here are some signs that kids might be struggling emotionally: Lowered  self-esteem Increased  anxiety , particularly in academic situations Increased sadness or irritability Acting out Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches Reduced motivation Some of the signs, like crying or worrying, can be obvious, while others, like acting out,  are more frequently misunderstood . Laura Phil

Family Voices National has been listening to the specific needs and challenges faced by families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the American Academy of Pediatrics began to develop guidance specific to CYSHCN, Family Voices partnered with the authors to integrate perspectives of families into the document. We thank the American Academy of Pediatrics for their valued partnership! The guidance aims to help health care providers, schools, health insurers, community members and many others to better accommodate the needs of families and CYSHCN in the pandemic. The recommended approach is to use the best available evidence to reduce risk of infection as much as possible and advocate for creative, flexible, and responsive accommodations so CYSHCN can get their needs met safely in the pandemic. There are many recommendations families will be able to reference in this document as they advocate for CYSCHN t

Friday, September 18 11:30am to 12:30pm EDT Ruth Roberts, IPMG Request for Approval Specialist, will provide participants with the information needed to have a basic understanding of how to apply for waiver funding for environmental and vehicle modifications and specialized medical equipment through the Medicaid Waiver Request for Approval (RFA) process. The training also covers allowable and non-allowable coverage for Request for Approval (RFA) services and the lifetime caps for these services for the Family Support, Community Integration and Habilitation, Aging and Disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury Waivers. Register here

  FEMA SEP Fact Sheet by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd

T he Education Department recently released an updated 60-page  transition guide  that’s meant to help students with disabilities and their families understand the years-long process and the options available to them as they prepare to leave public education. Letter can also be found here:  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/transition/products/2020-transition-guide-letter-08-31-2020.pdf