* Join PEAK Parent Center as we present a series of webinars for parents and educators.

* Join us for all or just the ones that interested you the most.

* Space is limited, so please register online and you will receive a confirmation email with directions for the webinar.

Lunchtime Training Series (Noon-1pm):

Advocacy 101-Wednesday, January 18, 2012

El IEP: Un Instrumento para Realizar las Posibilidades-Monday, March 5, 2012

Transitions: Grade-to-Grade-Thursday, May 3, 2012

Evening IEP Training Series (6:30-7:30pm)

Preparing for the IEP Thursday, February 16, 2012

Content of the IEP Thursday, March 1, 2012

Implementation & Follow up of the IEP Thursday, March 15, 2012

To sign up or learn more go online  to: www.peakparent.org/workshopsTranings.asp or call PEAK Parent Center 719.531.9400 or 800.284.0251

RTD is forced to make service cuts–it is our responsibility to help make the cuts in the way least damaging to the low income community. RTD has a TON of public meetings where people can give input. These meetings begin within the next week. Their website also lists the proposed changes in detail.

PLEASE read this RTD Proposed Cuts and Hearing Info <http://www.rtd-denver.com/proposedservicechanges-jan2012.shtml>

Also, we recently heard that RTD had determined that over 100 Access A Ride users were no longer eligible. The reason is that they got new mapping software that is more accurate. RTD does not have to provide para-transit
to people who live more than 3/4 of a mile from a fixed route stop. There are some people who were deemed eligible for years and made decisions about things like buying a home, accepting a job, etc., because they thought they would be able to get transportation. There is a current proposal in front of the RTD board that would grandfather the current Access a Ride customers. CCDC supports that approach. We will be sending letters to the RTD Board Members. We encourage you to do the same. The board is at RTD Board

<http://www.rtd-denver.com/BoardDirectors.shtml>.

Transportation is essential to us so our involvement is imperative.

The Colorado Health Care Affordability Act is generating new revenue to expand public health insurance coverage to more Coloradans. Among the health care programs included in the Act is expanded coverage to working adults with disabilities through a Medicaid Buy-In Program.

The 2010 Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to Support the Competitive Employment of People with Disabilities (MIG)- awarded to Colorado by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services­ supports State efforts to build Medicaid infrastructure and enhance employment options for people with disabilities.

How much total funding did we receive?
• Colorado received $L5 million in MIG funding for 2010 and 2011. How will the funds be used?
• Outreach: To help clients, employers, advocates, families, direct service workers, educators and community partners across the state understand the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities as well as available employment suppmts. During the next year, we will host public meetings, employer events, local visits to service providers and regional training conferences.

• Training: To develop customized program trainings for target populations that include persons with disabilities, e1nployers and service providers. Trainings will range from basic to advanced and will be delivered in various formats. Example formats may include training in person, via webinar or on DVD.

• Needs Assessment: To ensure that the Medicaid Buy-In is best suited to Colorado’s needs, the MIG has- and will continue to- fund effmts to gather input from stakeholders statewide through conferences, interviews and surveys. The MIG is also funding a review of the strengths, challenges, and lessons learned in other Buy-In states. The Department will compile, analyze and repmt on all relevant data.

• Steering Committee and Work groups: A steering conunittee and multiple work groups have been established, made up of diverse stakeholders. Together, these groups will advise the Department on MIG effmts to address the development of the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities, employment supports, training, outreach and communication.

• Employment Infrastructure Change for Workers with Disabilities: The MIG will help fund employment systems change and education with the goal of a complete, inclusive and coordinated employment system- including informed benefits planners and robust employment supports information- for people with disabilities.

How can I provide input, join a work group or attend a forum as announced?
• Please contact Kimberley Smith.

CONTACT: Kimberley Smith
303-866-3991
800-659-2656 (TTY/TDD)

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.pdf

HILLS is looking for a CNA or RN that specifically has experience with g-tube feedings and I was wondering if you would be able to help us spread the word about this work opportunity?

HILLS is a nonprofit that runs vacation trips for people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury and we have 2 specific trips coming up soon that a young man has expressed interest in participating in.

Trip #1 is to Cheyenne Frontier Days July 28-30. This is an overnight trip and we are staying at a hotel in Fort Collins. The nurse is required to stay with us throughout the entirety of the trip.

Trip #2 is to YMCA of the Rockies from August 29-September 1. This is an overnight trip and we will be staying at a cabin at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Again, the nurse is required to stay with us throughout the entirety of the trip.

The client is male, age 48, with Cerebral Palsy, uses a walker, speech is slightly altered but can communicate. Is fairly independent with personal care needs but just needs help in and out of the shower. He uses a chair in the shower, but if that is not available, he can stand and hold onto shower bar, or take a bath. In the latter two cases he would need more assistance with bathing. He needs roughly 1 hour to get ready in the AM and needs encouragement not to watch TV too late at night. He is g-tube fed 4 times a day, at 7, 12, 4, 8. Three of those times he gets medication through his g-tube as well. No behavior issues, he has traveled with us before and is a pleasure to have. Nurse would be responsible helping with this client and minor assistance with other clients on the trip.

Staff are considered independent contractors and are paid $150/day. If interested, please reply to info@hills-inc.org or call (303)875-9149.

By Michelle Diament
April 13, 2010

Disability Scoop

Arizona offers the best Medicaid services for people with developmental disabilities while Mississippi comes in dead last in an annual ranking of the states released Tuesday.

In addition to Arizona, the states coming out on top in the analysis from United Cerebral Palsy are Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington and California. Meanwhile, the lowest performing jurisdictions are Washington, DC, Illinois, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. (Find out where your state stands >>)

Much like in previous years, the best performing states included those of all population sizes, varying levels of wealth and those with differing tax structures. Further, successful states exhibited differing levels of per person spending on Medicaid home and community-based services waivers.

Notably, Washington state jumped from a rank of 25 in 2009to a fourth place ranking this year, largely due to better reporting. Meanwhile, Alaska declined from third place to rank 27 after state estimates of the number of people living in the community were replaced with actual numbers.

Success in the ranking known as the “Case for Inclusion” is largely based on a state’s strides toward serving individuals in the community. On that front, the report finds that the number of states where over 80 percent of individuals are supported in home-like settings continues to rise, reaching 22.

Nonetheless, waiting lists continue to grow – they increased 56 percent between 2005 to 2008 – and the 2010 report finds that state spending on housing people in large institutions remains steady.

The analysis is culled from the most recently available data, much of which is from 2008. With that in mind, the report authors note that the landscape could presently be altered due to the recession and subsequent stimulus dollars states received.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO SHOW UP Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 1:30pm FOR House Bill 1152, Civil Rights for Persons with Disabilities but if you are coming you may want to confirm. Go to (more…)

By Michelle Diament
Disability Scoop
April 26, 2010

An ambitious federal program intended to dramatically reduce the number of people with disabilities unnecessarily living in nursing homes is having mixed results as states put it into practice.

For years, adults with disabilities had little choice for assistance beyond the support of a nursing home. But a federal initiative known as Money Follows the Person established in 2005, aims to change that, while giving people much sought-after independence and saving the government millions.  Read the complete story.

Home Health Care Providers have already taken a 4.5% rate reduction and may take another 1% rate reduction July 1, 2010.

Home Health Reductions -

• $30.8M – 2% reduction July 1, 2009
• $19.6M – 1.5% reduction September 1, 2009
• $  8.3M – 1% reduction December 1, 2009
• Proposed: $22.8M – 1% reduction July 1, 2010

HCPF’s budget request is recommending another decrease of $202.8M general fund for the 2010/11 budget.

HB10-1324 reduces nursing homes per diem rates by 1.5% effective March 1, 2010 and only through June 30, 2011.  No other Medicaid provider has an end date on their rate reduction.

The current statue allows for Nursing Homes to receive automatic increases.  This amendment levels the playing field for all Medicaid providers on the continuum of long-term care by allowing HCPF, JBC, and the legislature in the long bill to set all provider rates.

It is hard to understand why Nursing Homes, which are continuing to provide services to fewer patients every year, will continue to receive special treatment.

All Long Term Care providers have a place along the continuum, but none is more important than any other. Please help us choose home for all Coloradans.

SUPPORT HOME HEALTH CARE AMENDMENT TO HB10-1324

Our legislation section has been updated with information regarding the following bills:

• Bill HB10-1005 – NOT ON CALENDAR
• Bill HB10-1029 – NOT ON CALENDAR
• Bill HB10-1041 – NOT ON CALENDAR
• Bill HB10-1061 – NOT ON CALENDAR
• Bill HB10-1122 – NOT ON CALENDAR
• Bill SB10-002 – NOT ON CALENDAR

Colleagues, I just heard from CCDC that the location has been changed for the Press Conference and Rally for tomorrow, April 21st at 12 Noon.  It will be at 1625 Marion Street in Denver (not the Capitol).

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