Clearly the best thing since sliced bread.

Thanks to our newest team member(thanks Teresa) I have been made aware of my new favorite blog http://www.jaylenschallenge.org/ . Jaylen, an 8 year old with Tourette Syndrome, writes almost daily on his blog about his everyday life, family and most importantly how it's wrong to bully others.

His blogging has empowered children and their parents to stand up against bullying in their communities. Recently, Jaylen was featured on CNN. Here is a link to the video (provided by their local news channel) : http://bit.ly/v2j6b

Jaylen lets us into his daily life through his words and video. Since the response has been so overwhelming every now and then we hear from his parents.

"The CNN news clip reached thousands of you and for that we are so grateful. We had NO IDEA his story was on CNN until you all told us via emails! We knew our local station ran the story but had no idea it would go national. Jaylen has received hundreds of emails from you and your children. It is absolutely amazing! It's wonderful to see that so many people stand behind our little guy. It also lets us know just how global and what a huge problem bullying is ~ especially for disabled children."

Every day his witty one-liners make their way to my browser, and thank goodness.

Busy Schedule Getting In the Way? Online Support Groups May Help

While browsing some of our favorite websites, I have found a few area organizations that have online support groups for family members and friends. Here you post questions, read past topics and get more connected to your community.

The Wake County Autism Society has two online groups for parents of children and teenagers with Asperberg's Syndrome. They are both "parent support networks" that share information and resources concerning young children, teens and young adults with HFA/AS who are in high school, college or have recently begun employment.

Here is the link to the Wake County Autism Society support group website.

http://www.wakecountyautismsociety.org/events.htm

Here you will also find information for monthly support groups, as well as meeting times and locations. If you have any questions, contact Laura Graham, lgraham@nc.rr.com.

Are you current a part of an online support group? Let us know what you think?

Straight From the House's Mouth

This morning, we were notifed of House bill 687 commonly known as " Tax Credit for Children With Disabilities." This bill is scheduled to be heard by the House on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11am in room 643 of the Legislative Office Building.

This is what they say:

"House Bill 687 creates a new tax credit for parents of children with special needs who choose to educate those children in a nonpublic school (including home schools) or in a public school at which they must pay tuition. The credit amount is set at $3,000 per semester, up to two semesters per year (a maximum of $6,000 for a full academic or taxable year). The credit is refundable and is capped at the associated tuition cost. Initial eligibility depends on spending a year in public school. "

This information is available to the public, so please contact your Representatives with any questions.

Feeling More Empowered Lately?

Today marks the beginning of our "EMPOWERED" survey. We're calling all of our families (yes this means you) and asking what you think. We want to know what you like and dislike, and what questions you still need answered. Do you have any article ideas? Great, let us know!

We are currently working on our September issue, so anything you tell us will be just in time for print!


If you didn't get a call from us today, don't worry we'll chat tomorrow.

More News on the Budget...

Thanks to WRAL, we have more news on the proposed budget. The house plans to restore some of the money previously taken away from mental health.
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/5322164/

"Much of the DHHS funding would restore money cut from public health and mental health programs. The Smart Start preschool program would get back $20 million, and cuts to Medicaid programs like physical, occupational and speech therapy were dropped altogether."

Let's Put Our Heads Together

We are traveling across the state to hear your stories, answer your questions...and to pick your brain. Team Daniel is hosting a focus group in a city near you. We want to know about the issues that are important to you and gain insight on what's currently available in your community.

We don't want to just talk about the problems, we want to work together to find solutions!

Do you live in the Triangle? See you on the 23rd!

Raleigh,NC- June 23rd, 2009
North Regional Library:
7009 Harps Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27615


More upcoming locations:

July: Charlotte/Gastonia
September: Lenoir
October: Asheville/Hendersonville

If you have any questions about our focus groups call our Communications Manager, Lauren at 910-987-0272

CAP MR/DD Updates (6/1/2009)

Here is the highlight of the Update to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for participants and families utilizaing CAP MR/DD.

• For families that receive oral nutritional supplements billed through Medicaid, in addition to the Local Management Enitities having specific B codes that need to be listed, it is noted that "Prior approval is not required for payment; however an order is required from a
  physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner."

Other issues addressed in the update include:

• Peer Support Specialist Curriculum Standards


• CAP MR/DD Update


• New Email & Mail Address for NEA Withdrawals


• CST: Increasing Request Volume


• Fax Confirmation Update


• Updated Outpatient Prior Authorization Form


• MMIS Diagnosis Code Update

"Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation." - Kin Hubbard

New Full Time QP for Team Daniel

Team Daniel is adding a Full-Time Qualified Personnel (QP) for many of our western participants as of July 1st!

For our families who love their current QP in that region, there is no need to worry as those QPs will remain with Team Daniel to conduct training and fill in as needed. Team Daniel understands that change is not always the easiest pill to swallow. However, as Team Daniel grows we want to ensure constant and consistent attention is given to our participants and their family members. The addition of a full-time QP to this area of North Carolina will assist with this goal.



Denise, the CEO for Team Daniel, and Robin, the QP Director, have spent time reviewing applications and interviewing the candidates in person to choose the person who is the most qualified and who exemplifies the values of Team Daniel.

Quick - Make 3 Phone Calls!

It is vital that people from across the state of North Carolina call their representatives in the House today. If the proposed budget (note item 16 on the link) goes through the state will reduce CAP rates by $16,000,000.

For Families who utilize the following Medical Assistance, the proposed budget could effect you with the following cuts:

• Community Support Services, including EPSDT (#122)
• Durable Medical Equipment (#126)
• Dental (#127 and #143)
• Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy (#129)
• Freeze on CAP slots (#134)
• Reduction of Personal Care Services (#149)

Don't Wait For Someone Else To Call! Make 3 Calls Today!

Speaker Hackney 919-733-3451
Majority Leader Holliman 919-715-0873
Minority Leader Stam 919-733-2962


In addition to CAP MR/DD Funds the proposed budget also effects other programs such as: the Partnership for Children(#10), Local Management Entities, Special Olypics (#72), Child Support Offices (#93), Vocational Rehab (#109-113).

In a message from the Arc of North Carolina's Executive Director, Dave Richard, here are a few of the worst cuts:
Reducing the budget for state-funded services by over $150,000,000
Cuts all Medicaid service rates by 4% causing salary reductions and layoffs
Cuts Medicaid Personal Care Services by over $50,000,000...reducing the services by over half. This is the only direct service other than case management that is a Medicaid entitlement for people with developmental disabilities
Eliminates continuation increases in Medicaid of over $500,000,000. This cut means serious reductions because any increases in CAP plans implemented during the last fiscal year will be eliminated
Cuts case management services by over $50,000,000 by "consolidation"
Eliminates the Medicaid service called Community Support which is the one Medicaid service that is designed to support people with mental illness in the community.

CAP Services - What are they?

CAP is an acronym used for the North Carolina waiver program, Community Alternative Program.

"CAP C" provides cost-effective home care for medically fragile children (through age 18) who would otherwise require long-term hospital care or nursing facility care.

"CAP DA" provides a package of services to allow adults (age 18 and older) who qualify for nursing facility care to remain in their private residences.

"CAP MR/DD" consists of two waivers: the Supports Waiver and the Comprehensive Waiver. Both waivers provide community services to individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or intellectual disabilities/mental retardation who live in their own home or reside with their family.

In addition to the CAP waivers, a special Federal program is available to all North Carolina children with special needs that have a Medicaid card. EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment) is the Federal program that is available to children under the age of 21 that have a Medicaid card and require medically necessary services and supports. These medically necessary services and supports include, but are not limited to:

• Personal Care Services
• Home Health Services
• Hospice Care
• Physical Therapy and related services