Indiana Family to Family

Toolkit will help states identify and address barriers to telehealth coverage during emergency Today, the Trump Administration released a new toolkit for states to help accelerate adoption of broader telehealth coverage policies in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  This release builds on the agency’s swift actions to provide states with a wide range of tools and guidance to support their ability to care for their Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries during this public health emergency.  Ensuring that patients can safely receive the care they need at home minimizes travel to healthcare facilities and supports efforts to limit community spread of the virus. Under President Trump’s leadership, CMS has taken numerous steps to ensure that Americans can access the health care services they need through electronic and virtual means.  Swift actions in Medicare have ensured that the nation’s health coverage

Telemedicine FAQs 4-22-20 by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd

From FSSA Allies of Indiana in partnership with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction are hosting free virtual support groups every Tues, Wed, Thurs and Friday through the end of May. These support groups are for any individual interested in receiving support in a group setting during these challenging times.  During our time together we will check in with each other, support each other and share strategies of self-care.  We ask that you find a quiet place to connect with the group.    Registration will open on Monday each week.  Please register on Eventbrite by using the search events function and typing in Allies of Indiana . Days and times: CPR support groups: Tuesday - 7 p.m. Wednesday – noon Thursday – 7 p.m. Friday – noon meCPR self-care group: Friday – 8 a.m. Emotional CPR is a public health initiative  designed to teach anyone how to assist others facing an emotional crisis. eCPR is based on the principles shared by a number of support app

From Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Coverage and COVID-19 There is a lot of new information to be aware of during this time.  Here are some key points, helpful documents and recent webinars: Losing employer healthcare coverage triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) of 60 days. If COBRA coverage is offered, it is important consumers weigh the cost and benefits of COBRA coverage vs. Marketplace coverage (and potential premium tax credits) during that initial 60 days. The CARES Act provides an “economic impact payment” of $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent child for most families. The payment is phased out at higher income levels. This payment does not count as income for people seeking coverage in Medicaid, CHIP or the Marketplace.  If applying for Marketplace coverage, consumers may need to provide an explanation for reduced income and/or provide a self attestation if they are unable to attain requested documentation. Marketplace already has guidan

The Indiana State Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Child Services is seeking your feedback to inform the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) statewide needs assessment update.   Please note this MIECHV needs assessment is separate from other needs assessments you may have received, such as the Title V needs assessment or community survey. This survey is focused on home-based services for new and expectant parents and their young children.  Survey Link:     https://www.research. net/r/MIECHV_community Please complete the survey by Thursday, April 30 th .     A little bit of background:  The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 requires MIECHV awardees to review and update their needs  assessments by October 1, 2020. In addition, the findings from this survey will be incorporated to the OB Navigation project.   The OB Navigation project, established by House Enrolled Act 1007, is aimed at reducing t

From Seedlings Braille Books for Children Parents and teachers of children with vision loss in the U.S. and Canada: Please take this important survey about the challenges and successes students with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities and deafblindness, are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results will be used to identify novel ways families and educators are working together to provide instruction. The survey ends May 13. Go to https://www.accessengagement.com/

Managing Social Distanacing... by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd https://transitioncoalition.org/blog/webinar/social-media-youth-disabilities-covid/

From DDRS As communities across Indiana work to monitor the evolving public health emergency around the novel (new) coronavirus or COVID-19, we want you to know that the Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation program is committed to continuing to serve our participants. We are here for you. VR is taking steps to ensure the health and safety of participants, staff and community partners, including practicing CDC guidelines regarding hand washing, good respiratory etiquette, cleaning surfaces and social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19. In the interest of taking every possible measure to protect Hoosier health and safety, VR offices remain closed to the public at this time. The decision to close offices was made as the Family and Social Services Administration and state health leaders consider the best options for promoting social distancing to contain the spread of COVID-19. Even though offices are closed, VR services continue to be provided through video phone, tele

Rylin Rodgers, Director of Public Policy at Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) is looking for examples of best and emerging  practices of how schools are meeting IDEA in times of COVID.  AUCD knows that teachers, schools and teams are doing great work, but our Members of Congress are NOT hearing about it.  AUCD is sharing a short brief to go the Hill on 4/27.  Please share examples of innovation, creativity and commitment that is meeting needs. A short email to rrodgers@aucd.org would be helpful.  You can choose if you wish to be cited or not.

Indianapolis Bar Association:  In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Indianapolis Bar Association (IndyBar) has launched the “Virtual Ask a Lawyer” online legal advice chat service, where community members can chat in real time with an attorney who is prepared to assist with basic legal questions. To begin the chat, simply visit  indybar.org/chat . All correspondence is confidential. The chat service will be manned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). For individuals without access to the internet, phone-based assistance is also available by calling 317-269-2000.   

From our friends at AAHD The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is conducting a confidential, real-time online assessment of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on healthcare and healthcare access among persons with a range of disabilities. We have developed the COVID-19 & Disability Survey to collect and analyze that data. We are asking our colleagues to share the survey broadly amongst your constituents.    The survey is open April 17th, 2020 - May 1st, 2020 only.   American Association on Health & Disability 110 N. Washington Street, Suite 407 Rockville, MD 20850 TAKE SURVEY