Indiana Family to Family

  From CNF's weekly Opportunities & Announcements Newsletter 3.2.21 It’s not uncommon for parents and caregivers of children with a neurologic condition to experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – for a variety of different reasons. A few months ago, we sat down for a very candid and vulnerable conversation about PTSD and mental health in the child neurology community. Hillary Savoie, the founder and director of the  Cute Syndrome Foundation , shared her experiences with PTSD as the mother of medically-fragile child and witnessing her daughter Esmé go through medical traumas including cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies and seizures. She was joined by Kate Junger, a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at  Cincinnati Children’s Hospital,  who has her own personal, as well as professional, experiences with PTSD. This was one of the most popular topics of discussion from our COVID-19 educational series and, while the pandemic is still on-going

Learn what it means to be an ally, how to talk about disability, and find resources to learn more in the  Digital Toolkit  from Fishers Disability Awareness campaign . 

    The state's Rental Assistance Portal is now accepting applications for the the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program.  IERA can provide eligible renters with up to twelve (12) months of rental assistance. Qualifying applicants may also receive utility and/or home energy assistance for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash) and home energy (fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets, and propane) expenses and internet/ broadband assistance for past due internet expenses. You may be eligible for the program if you meet the following criteria : Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above you are encouraged to apply for the program. However, this is not intended

The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is committed to working collaboratively with individuals, families, case managers and providers during this extraordinary time. We appreciate the hands-on and coordinated efforts and responses our case managers and providers have demonstrated. As part of this commitment, the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services and Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services has submitted a request for an extension of the Appendix K waiver amendments for the Family Supports Waiver and Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver. While awaiting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approval on this extension, BDDS will continue to allow the use of the Appendix K waiver amendments flexibilities, including the use of telehealth until further notice. For more information and resources related to Appendix K, including policy guidance and frequently asked questions, please visit the  DDRS COVID-19 resource webpage.  

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  From PBS News Hour 12.14.20  By —   Rachel Wellford .  Original article found here . Childhood trauma affects millions of Americans every year, and the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated the impact. With many kids out of in-person schooling and isolated from the support systems that can normally offer help, it’s harder than ever to know what’s happening behind closed doors. There are a number of events that can create trauma, from physical or sexual abuse to gun violence or divorce. And though not everyone responds the same way, many will experience symptoms like depression, anxiety and behavioral issues. These symptoms can affect the way children behave in school, interact with their peers and relate to their parents or caregiver. And these symptoms can — and often do — continue into adulthood if left untreated. While reporting for our series “Invisible Scars: America’s Childhood Trauma Crisis,” the PBS NewsHour came across a number of resources that could be useful to any fa

  From MHA's Newsletter 2.25.21 Mental Health America (MHA) is thrilled to announce that we have a brand-new screening site! The site was due for a design overhaul to make the functionality easier for new users. It is where our online screening tools (MHAscreening.org) are hosted along with dozens of articles for individuals who are first seeking help for their mental health and may have never been treated for their mental health concerns before. Visit the new screening site

From Exceptional Parent Magazine The CDC states that children with special needs are almost 40% more likely to be obese than their non-disabled peers. Further, the obesity rate for adults with disabilities is 57% higher than for adults without disabilities.  Keep Reading

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