Indiana Family to Family

Rules around service and emotional support animals are everchanging.  The Special Needs Alliance has compiled information about those rules and regulations that can be read  here

  Arp Faq Updated 6.30.21 by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd

From  Easterseals As we approach the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act in July, it is abundantly clear that we have a long way to go before accessibility in our society is at a level where everyone is 100% included. Easterseals continues to lead the way toward full equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities and the greater community. It takes collective action and persistence to get there. With your support and the partnership of passionate advocates, we are determined to make progress, one step and one industry at a time. That is why we are excited to partner with  Becoming rentABLE  through their development and introduction of accessible, short-term vacation rental homes for people with disabilities and their families. They — and we — invite you to  participate in this survey  to help provide insight on what is needed to truly deliver more accessible travel accommodations for people living with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities

From  The Arc of Indiana The third round of COVID-19 Economic Impact/stimulus payments included payments for adults claimed as a dependent on their parent’s or guardian’s tax return. That payment  should  have been paid to the person who claimed an adult disabled family member as a dependent. However, adult dependents receiving SSI or SSDI  also  received a stimulus payment because they were sent to all SSI/SSDI recipients. This resulted in families getting two stimulus checks for the same individual. We knew someone would have to pay it back, now we know how.  This link,  Returning the Third Economic Impact Payment , provides information on how to return the additional money. If the adult dependent will continue to be counted as a dependent, they should be the one to send back the money. If they are no longer going to be counted as a dependent, the parent or guardian should send back the money. It is important to keep in mind that decision could impact the ability of an adult with a d

The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services values the collaboration and input from the individuals and families who use our services. In Sept. of 2020, we provided a survey asking about your experiences and opinions on accessing and utilizing our services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We appreciate your response to the survey and value the feedback we received. As we continue to navigate through the public health emergency and near its end, we are again asking for your feedback. We have developed another survey to assist us in responding to trends and enhancing the services you receive. Individuals with disabilities and their families who are receiving services through the Family Support Waiver, Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver, and supervised group living (group homes) can access the survey  by clicking here. Even if you did not participate in the previous survey, we would encourage individuals in services to take approximately 15 min to participate

  ABA OVER 21 by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd

The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is pleased to share important changes to the Family Supports Waiver and Community Integration and Habilitation waiver. These changes reflect significant progress in areas of stakeholder feedback that have been received throughout BDDS’ waiver redesign project associated with the pay of direct support professionals and increase in funds available on the Family Supports Waiver. As part of its 2021 Budget Bill, the Indiana Legislature included a 14% rate increase for direct support professionals through the efforts of partners such as The Arc of Indiana and INARF. The intent of these funds is to support the overall goal of increasing the statewide average DSP wage to $15 an hour. Therefore, the rate increase requires an authorized service provider to use at least 95% of the amount of the increase in the reimbursement rate to pay payroll tax liabilities and to increase the wages and benefits paid to eligible direct care staff. BDDS values t

Do you struggle to navigate and understand your health insurance benefits for a child with special health care needs?  Would you like an expert who could work with your insurance company to get to solutions faster so you don’t have to?  Would you like help preparing for medical appointments, selectin g your benefits, or connecting to community supports and services for your family?  A Personal Care Advisor can help reduce your administrative burden, stress, and out-of-pocket costs. An anonymous funder is partnering with Family Voices to get consumer feedback about a Personal Care Advisor service that can help reduce family administrative burden, out-of-pocket costs, and stress. Please use the link below to take a survey about Personal Care Advisor Services.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/ r/PersonalAdvisor

Walgreens is partnering with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Hoosiers, ages 12 and over, at eight locations around the state on July 1, 2021.  Interpreters will be provided. Locations and registration information is listed below and for additional information please click here:  https://on.in.gov/2d7zh Schedule your first or second vaccination on July 1, 2021, at the following locations: Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club, 1917 E. 46th Street, Indianapolis, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Madison County Deaf Club, 750 East Broadway, Ingalls, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. EDT  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER The League for the Blind & Disabled, 5821 S. Anthony Blvd., Ft. Wayne, 1 – 6 p.m. EDT CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Walgreens, 115 Fields St, Mooresville, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. EDT CLICK  HERE TO REGISTER Walgreens, 710 N. St. Joseph Ave., Evansville, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CDT  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Walgreens, 2400 Beam Rd, Columbus, 10 a.m. - 2

From  Social Security Administration School is officially out and it’s a great time to begin exploring the opportunities available to you to help prepare for the future after graduation. In today’s  blog post , we discuss how participating in classes, camps, apprenticeships, and internships can help young adults prepare for future employment. Read more now.