Current Events:

Iowa 2008 Disaster Resources

Floods and tornados have affected many areas of our state. Here are resources that may be able to help. This is not a list of every resource available.

If you need more assistance, contact Iowa Protection and Advocacy at 800/779-2502. Please tell the intake specialist that you need help because of the floods or other recent storms.

2008 Flood Resource Center for Iowa: http://www.flood2008.iowa.gov/

Here are links that help explain resources to help replace property and belongings:

• To Qualify For Full Assistance, SBA Loan Application Is Essential, Jun 16
• Applicants Should Ask to See FEMA Identification Badge, Jun 16
• FEMA Mitigation Team to Offer Tips for Rebuilding Safer in Cedar Falls, Jun 16
• Six more Iowa Counties Approved for Individual Assistance, Jun 16
• Insurance Experts Answer Questions Following Disaster, Jun 16
• Paying Off Your Mortgage With Disaster Funds, Jun 16
• Upgrade Disaster Defenses, Downgrade Future Losses, Jun 16
• FEMA Registration Available Two Ways for Residents in 18 Iowa Counties, Jun 15

Here are links that give tips to help prepare for a disaster that might
happen in the future.

Disaster Preparedness for Families . . .

[PDF]
Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Special ...

Additional resources:

• Case manager (if you receive services)
• US Post Office (change your mailing address)
• 211 (a state-wide referral service)
• Iowa Compass 800-779-2001
• Legal Services 515 -243-2151
• Social Security (go to your local office or call) 800-772-1213
• Iowa Medicaid 800-338-8366
• Iowa Concerns 800-447-1985
• Department of Human Services 877 937-3663
• Department of Elder Affairs 800-532-3213
• Division of Persons with Disability 888- 219-0471

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
May is Mental Health Month. The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health again declares the first full week in May, May 4-10, 2008 as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. The National Federation would like to invite all of its local chapters and statewide organizations to use this week to promote awareness about children’s mental health. Join the national office in sending the following messages:
• Mental Health is essential to overall health and well being;
• Serious emotional and mental health disorders in children and youth are real and treatable;
• Children and youth with mental health challenges and their families deserve access to services and supports that are family driven, youth guided and culturally appropriate; and
• Stigma associated with mental illness should no longer exist.

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Iowa P&A Establishes Board Meeting Dates for FY 2008.

At the Iowa P&A Board meeting on September 15, 2007, tentative Board meeting dates were established for Fiscal Year 2008. The dates are as follows:

January 25 and 26, 2008
April 11 and 12, 2008
June 27 and 28, 2008
September 19 and 20, 2008

Once again, these are tentative dates and subject to change. Notice will be given if there is a need for changing the dates.
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Iowa P&A PAIMI Advisory Council Establishes Meeting Dates for FY 2008.

The PAIMI Advisory Council has tentatively set the dates for their council meetings in Fiscal Year 2008. The PAIMI Advisory Council usually meets on Friday afternoons prior to quarterly Board meetings. The dates are as follows:

January 25, 2008
April 11, 2008
June 27, 2008
September 19, 2008

Once again, these are tentative dates and subject to change. Notice will be given if there is a need for changing the dates.

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The White Paper

The paper is focused on the issues of service decisions being made at the county level by Central Point of Coordination Administrators (CPC) and how the appeal process is facilitated or hindered when consumers challenge an adverse notice of decision relating to community-based services. This paper examines the county plan systems' procedures with respect to service decision-making authority and the appeal process as it is provided to consumers and the public.

The White Paper

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DRA Citizenship Documentation Requirement for Medicaid beginning July 1, 2006

The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) amends the federal Medicaid statute to require that individuals declaring to be a citizen (or national) of the U.S. for purposes of qualifying for Medicaid must present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship (or nationality). This requirement applies not only to new applicants for Medicaid, but also to existing beneficiaries when they seek to renew their eligibility. Effective July 1, 2006, the federal government will not match the costs of Medicaid services for any individual declaring to be a citizen who does not meet this documentation requirement.

DRA Citizenship Documentation Requirement for Medicaid
DRA Attachment 1
DRA Attachment 2
DRA Attachment 3

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PAVA News

The Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities is a publication that was originally intended as a training tool for County Auditors, election officials, and poll workers. However, it has been provided as a tool for anyone who assists voters with disabilities. Thanks to the Montana Advocacy Program for allowing us to borrow content and ideas for this booklet from their own publication, Guide to Etiquette and Behavior for Working with People with Disabilities.

Click below to read the Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities.

Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities

Guide to Etiquette for Working with Voters with Disabilities (Text Only Version)

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Kmart Class Action Lawsuit

Kmart has entered into an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit concerning the accessibility of its stores for individuals who use wheelchairs or scooters for mobility. Click below for the Legal Notice and Claim Form.

Kmart Class Action Lawsuit

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LOAN FORGIVENESS OF $17,500 AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

On February 8, 2006, a new law made permanent loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 for new special education teachers.

If you are interested in becoming a special education teacher, this loan forgiveness could be available to you.

There is a vast shortage of special education teachers in schools throughout the nation.

Job opportunities for special education teachers are plentiful in virtually every state, and in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Special educators work with students who experience a range of learning challenges, including intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, and emotional disabilities.

Special education is a profession where you can truly make a difference in peoples' lives.

For more information, see the letter from Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings at www.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/secletter/060301a.html.

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72 Hour Disaster Survival Kit

Click on the link below for good information on disaster preparedness.

Disaster preparedness

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The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles Applauds FOX’s Decision on the “R” Word

Published: March 10, 2006

Los Angeles, CA – Peter Ligouri, President of FOX Broadcasting Network will lock out the word “retarded” from Fox Productions according to Lawrence Jacobs, General Counsel of FOX Entertainment Group and News Corp in New York, in a response to the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA).

Public demand has brought FOX to this decision. The National Down Syndrome Society in New York received phone calls from concerned parents about a promo airing during FOX’s top grossing show “American Idol” for the upcoming comedy series “The Loop.” The promo included the statement, “You have a retarded squirrel look on your face.” NDSS alerted Gail Williamson, Executive Director of the DSALA and long-time media advocate for people with disabilities. Williamson contacted Lawrence Jacobs who had come to her aid on a previous media issue. Jacobs’ concern got the studio to pull the promo, but was told it was too late to re-edit the first episode of “The Loop” due to premiere on Wednesday, March 15th following “American Idol.”

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and the Arc of the U.S. have fought this fight before but never has a studio heard and responded to their concerns with such a definitive response. Jacobs reported that Ligouri felt if the use of the word offended a group of people this much it should be left out of any program they produce. Williamson and the DSALA have been campaigning to keep the word “retarded” from being used in the media to slam someone or something for many years. She reports, “The word exists on the medical charts of over 2 million people worldwide trying to fit into their communities participating in education, employment, living, worship, and recreation opportunities; it is extremely dangerous to use it as a derogatory term. This casual use of the word meant to offend can escalate to isolation, segregation, and even abuse of people with intellectual disabilities.”

Jon Colman, NDSS Acting Director, applauds Ligouri for this groundbreaking decision. “NDSS is pleased with FOX’s response and hopes that other studios and networks will review how their Standards and Practices Departments govern the use of the word as well,” said Colman.

— National Down Syndrome Society

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Survey to Provide Families with Nursing Home Feedback
IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com to launch March 15

Many people seek quality care each year in Iowa’s nursing homes, and Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services has developed a feedback forum to ensure they can make an informed decision.

The survey and website, www.IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com, is designed to obtain direct feedback about the overall quality of care in each of Iowa’s nursing homes from past and present residents, and provide a resource for future residents. The first of its kind to be launched in the U.S., the survey results will provide Iowa nursing home residents and family members with information on food, facility cleanliness, nursing staff, administration and more.

“Iowa’s aging population continues to turn to long-term care facilities and they need to be informed of the available options and quality of care at each,” said Sylvia Piper, Executive Director of Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services. “We are looking for Iowans’ input and first-hand knowledge of these facilities, which will help provide a true picture of long-term care across the state.”

People are encouraged to log on to www.IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com to provide feedback and view survey results.

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