Indiana Family to Family

Members of Family Voices Indiana attended the Developmental Disability (DD) Commission meeting Wednesday at the statehouse. Family Voices tweeted in real time on Twitter @FVIndiana as well. The following were key points of that presentation (embedded below): The Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS) is charged with providing information regarding House Bill 1001, Section 144, including the proposal for cost-participation for families at 500% of poverty (approx $110, 000 for a family of four) whose children are under 18. Representatives of key stakeholder groups, to include families and self advocates, will provide updates on progress on this issue. DDRS is trying to improve communication, including more transparency with policies and statistics. A “waiver journey” guide is also supposed to be added to the DDRS site at http://www.in.gov/fssa/2328.htm DDRS is committed to maximizing integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities through t

Family Voices Indiana wants to ensure its members are kept up-to-date on changes that impact families with children with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Emily McKinley, health information specialist for Family Voices Indiana, shares the following update to cost- participation. If families need assistance with First Steps, or other programs or resources, please contact Family Voices at 317 944 8982 or email info@fvindiana.org. We're happy to help! The Indiana Family and Social Service Administration (FSSA) is making an effort to recoup the costs of its early intervention services and in accordance with HB1001, First Steps recently changed cost-participation policies. These policies may affect the delivery of services. Families whose income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level will continue to receive services at no cost. Cost-participation for families with income above 250% ($55,875 for a family of four) will now be billed per 15 minute increments

From its inception, Family Voices has been committed to leadership training. Recognized as expert stakeholders by government and private leaders, families of children with special health care needs and/or disabilities should be key players in improving state policies that impact them. We encourage families to work with state agencies, to sit on state and local government advisory commissions, and to participate in the legislative process. Unlike most other groups, this unique community of families also requires child-care stipends, and travel money. Therefore, to support th

Family Voices Indiana hopes that its members will take advantage of opportunities to share the family voice in regards to policies that affect those with special health care needs and/or disabilities. We encourage you to attend these meetings if at all possible. If there is no opportunity to speak at the meeting, or if you cannot attend, please consider contacting the committee members to share your personal story and the impact of potential changes. We would love it if you would copy us on that email so that we, too, are aware of your concerns. Our email is fv.indiana@gmail.com Please share this information widely-on facebook, listservs, etc so that other families are aware of this opportunity for input. Commission on Developmental Disabilities (DD Commission) Wednesday, August 10 1:00 pm State House 200 W. Washington St. Senate Chambers Indianapolis The meeting will be available to watch online here: http://media.ihets.org/senate . Agenda: Updates from the Family