Family Voices Indiana

from NDNRC: Consumers need to make sure they are asking the right questions about the plans being offered in order to make an informed choice. This new video series is based on our population specific fact sheets and are as follows:  Part 1: Intellectual Disabilities Part 2: Mental Illness Part 3: Multiple Sclerosis Part 4: Paralysis Part 5: Veterans Part 6: Accessibility The first round of Jeopardy videos which we released last year can also be viewed with the following links: Part 1: Prescription Drugs Part 2: Medical Devices Part 3: Rehabilitation and Habilitation Benefits Part 4: Medicaid Eligibility Part 5: Summary of Benefits and Coverage Part 6: Mental Health All the videos can also be accessed on our YouTube channel by  clicking here  and individual links are also on our "Webinars/Presentations" page  here .

from Indiana Assn of United Ways: Legislative Study Committees on the Calendar During the legislative session many   interim study committee topics   are recommended by the General Assembly. These committees provide legislators with more information on certain topics such as redistricting, immigration and more.  The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of certain issues in Indiana.  Upcoming committee meetings include:  Senate Select Committee on Immigration Issues   -  May 25 ,  June 15 ,  August 17  all at  1pm . See  memo about committee ,  update on SEA590-11  and  presentation from Immigration Reform Law Institute  from  April 19  meeting. Panel on Alternatives to the ISTEP Program Test  -   May 24  at 9amET.  Legislative Council , at which time study topic assignments will be made -  May 25  at 10amET   Check the   interim committee calendar  for updates.  See our quick summary of  recommended, required a

Indiana's Interagency Coordinating Council on Infants and Toddlers (ICC), which was first convened in 1987, is appointed by the Governor to advise and assist the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) (the Lead Agency) in its responsibilities. Indiana Administrative Code  then transferred these responsibilities to the Bureau of Child Development Services (BCDS) within DDRS. At least one-fifth of the ICC members are parents of children 12 years old or younger with disabilities or developmental delays. Other members include state agency groups, public and private early intervention service providers, legislators, pre-service professionals, and others. The ICC is committed to holding the vision of First Steps Early Intervention Services in Indiana and to keeping abreast of issues, concerns and trends that may affect First Steps in the future. If you know a parent of a child (12 years old or younger) with disabilities or developmental delays that would be interest

TO: AUCD network FROM: Kim Musheno, Director of Public Policy As you may know, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESD) used to treat aggressive or self-injurious behavior. FDA has determined that these devices present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury that cannot be corrected or eliminated by labeling. FDA is proposing to include in this ban both new devices and devices already in distribution and use. AUCD encourages its members to send in separate comments.  The more the better.  It would be great to receive comments from individuals, family members, physicians, psychologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, behavioral and other experts, not just national organizations.  . To submit a comment: 1. Go to  the Federal eRulemaking Portal at  http://www.regulations.gov 2. Enter the docket number  FDA-2016-N-1111 3. Follow the instructions to submit a comment. 4. You may also submit writte

Have you and your child experienced an emergency or disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, etc? Family Voices would love to hear your story and share it with other families of children and youth with special health care needs. Make a short (1 ½ -3 minutes) video-clip and submit it by May 31, 2016. We’ll select up to 10 of the best videos and award $100 for each, and will share the videos on our Family Voices websites, and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ websites. For more information including FAQs covering technical details, go to: http://www.familyvoices.org/page?id=0063

The Indiana State Department of Health’s Sunny Start: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds initiative is a comprehensive, collaborative, statewide effort to implement a strategic plan to support a coordinated system of resources and supports for young children from birth through age five and their families. Sunny Start , in collaboration with  Family Voices Indiana , has updated a series of financial fact sheets to aid families in locating and understanding important resources to assist them and their children, including those with special healthcare needs. These fact sheets are an overview of state and federal programs that support the health and well-being of children. They include eligibility guidelines when applicable, and link the family or professional with the appropriate agency. Families and professionals find these fact sheets to be easily understood and a reliable source of information. The recent update assures that they include any recent changes to these programs.

The LPCC's primary responsibility is to advise and assist with the implementation of the First Steps System in their local cluster of counties.  They provide the voice for early intervention services at the local level by identifying concerns, issues and strengths unique to each cluster and then developing a service delivery system that meets the locally identified needs. Each LPCC has a chair and members composed of local providers, parents and community partners.  Through the LPCC, community resources and service providers are identified to coordinate all available early intervention resources for children.  Each council is responsible for developing and documenting a formal system of communication and coordination among participating agencies operating in its cluster of counties. LPCCs have a number of responsibilities: Public Awareness Child Find Activities Identification of Resources within the Community Family and Provider Training Recruitment of Early Intervention