Family Voices Indiana

  From Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Newsletter 3.4.21 Following a busy close to the first half of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers have returned to the Indiana Statehouse to continue debate and discussion on proposed legislation. Several key pieces of legislation impacting healthcare coverage survived the first half, including: Senate Bill 51  - Would expand reimbursable Medicaid services for schools, potentially returning millions of dollars in funding to Indiana schools. Senate Bill 233  and  House Bill 1009  - Seeks to TANF eligibility and benefits, which have not been adjusted since the 1980s. Senate Bill 3  and  House Bill 1286  - Removes provider barriers for telehealth services, clarifies language and expands available services. Senate Bill 19  - Adds suicide prevention and human trafficking hotline information to the back of middle and high school student ID cards. Senate Bill 1127  - Would improve mental health and addictions services while protecting Medicai

  From CNF's weekly Opportunities & Announcements Newsletter 3.2.21 It’s not uncommon for parents and caregivers of children with a neurologic condition to experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – for a variety of different reasons. A few months ago, we sat down for a very candid and vulnerable conversation about PTSD and mental health in the child neurology community. Hillary Savoie, the founder and director of the  Cute Syndrome Foundation , shared her experiences with PTSD as the mother of medically-fragile child and witnessing her daughter Esmé go through medical traumas including cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies and seizures. She was joined by Kate Junger, a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at  Cincinnati Children’s Hospital,  who has her own personal, as well as professional, experiences with PTSD. This was one of the most popular topics of discussion from our COVID-19 educational series and, while the pandemic is still on-going

Learn what it means to be an ally, how to talk about disability, and find resources to learn more in the  Digital Toolkit  from Fishers Disability Awareness campaign . 

    The state's Rental Assistance Portal is now accepting applications for the the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program.  IERA can provide eligible renters with up to twelve (12) months of rental assistance. Qualifying applicants may also receive utility and/or home energy assistance for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash) and home energy (fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets, and propane) expenses and internet/ broadband assistance for past due internet expenses. You may be eligible for the program if you meet the following criteria : Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above you are encouraged to apply for the program. However, this is not intended

The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is committed to working collaboratively with individuals, families, case managers and providers during this extraordinary time. We appreciate the hands-on and coordinated efforts and responses our case managers and providers have demonstrated. As part of this commitment, the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services and Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services has submitted a request for an extension of the Appendix K waiver amendments for the Family Supports Waiver and Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver. While awaiting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approval on this extension, BDDS will continue to allow the use of the Appendix K waiver amendments flexibilities, including the use of telehealth until further notice. For more information and resources related to Appendix K, including policy guidance and frequently asked questions, please visit the  DDRS COVID-19 resource webpage.  

  IHCP Announces Special Selection Period For by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd