Where parents of the developmentally disabled network with other families and professionals
Get involved with the
Georgia's Unlock The Waiting Lists! campaign
What's happening in this session at the Capitol
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How to Monitor Charges for Services and Care
Billed to your Child's Medicaid Account
As the Governor continues to promote "personal responsibility," we as parents need to take responsibility to check our child's Medicaid account on an on-going basis.
2. You must request a password from Georgia Health Partnership to be able to track Medicaid charges to your child’s account. They will send you a letter via mail a few days later with a temporary passcode. You will then be given access to the account.
This is very important in order to verify and report problems on your child’s Medicaid account. If you find that there are problems or concerns regarding your child's Medicaid account you can file a complaint via the web by going to https://www.ghp.georgia.gov/wps/portal then go to "Member information" and click on "Fraud and Abuse" OR call 404-206-6480 or 1-800-533-0686. Only through education, accountability and communication are we going to be able to make a difference in the process. Please take the time to get involved and check the charges.
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Autism
1. State Resources
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=stateresources
The Autism Society has launched a new tool that makes it easier for those affected by autism to find local resources in their area. The new State Resources section of our Web site was designed by Autism Society information and referral experts, and features commonly requested resources sorted by state. These pages include localized information on Autism Society chapters, advocacy, public policy, autism waiver, education, community resources and events.
2. Autism Competencies for Educators Now Available Online
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/ProfessionalStandards/default.htm#Standards
These professional competencies contain the knowledge and skill base that professionals entering practice or assuming advanced roles should possess to practice safely and effectively. These competencies are based on evidence-based autism research and will be part of the CEC and CEC/NCATE accreditation that universities go through in designing their special education curricula.
3. Resources for the Public on Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~autismPDC/resources/resources_public_ebp.cfm
The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders has posted a number of resources for the public on their Web site, including: (1) Evidence-Based Practices for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders; (2) Autism Internet Modules; and (3) Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Online Course content.
Disability Statistics
4. Annual Compendium of Disability Statistics
http://neweditions.net/statsrrtc/Compendium2009.pdf
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC) released the first Annual Compendium of Disability Statistics. (StatsRRTC) is a group that facilitates evidence-based decision making in many different service and policy arenas to benefit persons with disabilities. The Compendium is a compilation of the most recent disability statistics published by federal agencies and includes data on special education gathered from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which is housed within the U.S. Department of Education.
Early Childhood
5. Head Start 2008 Fact Sheets
http://www.clasp.org/in_the_states/
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) recently published state fact sheets analyzing Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data for 2008. Each fact sheet includes all Head Start programs in the state (Early Head Start, Head Start preschool, American Indian and Alaskan Native Head Start, and Migrant/Seasonal Head Start), as well as data on participants, families, staff, and programs. A national fact sheet is also available.
6. Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Futures: A Judge’s Guide
http://www.abanet.org/child/baby-health/healthybeginnings.html
Produced in collaboration with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Zero to Three National Policy Center, this guide for judges addresses the wide array of health needs of very young children in the child welfare system. By sharing current research on physical health, child development, attachment, infant mental health, and early care and education, the authors provide tools and strategies to help judges promote better outcomes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who enter their courtrooms.
Family Support
7. Family Support Services for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
http://www.idhd.org/downloads/Briefs/FamilySupport.pdf
This research brief provides an overview of family support spending in each of the states. The full article is available here.
Health Care
8. Aiming Higher: Results from the 2009 State Scorecard on Health System Performance
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2009/Oct/2009-State-Scorecard.aspx#
The Commonwealth Fund has released their second state health care scorecard report. The report ranks states on 38 indicators in the areas of access, prevention/treatment quality, avoidable hospital use and costs, healthy lives, and equity.
9. Children and Health Care Reform: Assuring Coverage Meets Their Health Care Needs
http://ccf.georgetown.edu/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=ccf%20publications/health%20reform/pediatric%20benefits.pdf
This new publication by the Kaiser Family Foundation discusses health care reform in relation to children, especially those with special health care needs. The report discusses specifically how well private plans might meet children’s health care needs.
Postsecondary Education
10. Higher Education and Disability: Education Needs a Coordinated Approach to Improve Its Assistance to Schools in Supporting Students
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1033.pdf
This report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Committee on Education and Labor examines assistance and accommodations for students with disabilities in postsecondary settings.
Public Health Genomics
11. New Public Health Genomics Page Mow Available
http://phpartners.org/public_health_genomics.html
The Public Health Genomics page on PHPartners.org includes links to selected resources on genomics from government agencies, professional and research organizations, libraries, and educational institutions.
12. Telling Stories: Understanding Real Life Genetics
http://www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/tellingstories/
This resource has been developed to promote understanding among all health professionals of the impact genetics has on real life, and its relevance to healthcare practice. The website draws on stories that cover a range of genetic conditions including single-gene disorders (with autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance patterns), chromosomal abnormalities and multifactorial conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
