News
7/30/2014
Six by '15: Community Living
At least six states will elect to implement the Community First Choice Option so that their Medicaid recipients with disabilities have access to long-term services and supports in the community
The Affordable Care Act included a new Medicaid option for states called Community First Choice. States that take up the option can provide home and community-based services without a waiver or waiting list and receive increased federal financial support for the services. As of the end of 2013, only California and Oregon had been approved to implement the option by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). By the end of 2015, the Six by '15 Campaign would like to see four more states join them in implementing the Community First Choice Option and addressing the institutional bias in their Medicaid programs.
7/30/2014
Six by '15: Early Childhood
At least six states increase by 15 percent the proportion of children ages 0-3 who receive recommended developmental screening
An estimated 17% of children in the US have a developmental or behavioral disability like intellectual disability or autism, but less than half of children with these disabilities are identified before starting school . Early identification connects children with disabilities to services so they can start school ready to learn. We hope that by the end of 2015, six states will have increased their current rate of developmental screening for children birth to three by 15 percent and at least six states commit to improving cross-system information exchange that supports access to services for children identified by screening.
7/30/2014
Six by '15: Education
At least six additional states have at least 60 percent of their students with disabilities graduating with a regular high school diploma
A high school diploma is required to perform even the most basic jobs in the modern economy. In the 2010-2011 school year, 22 states graduated over 60% of their students with disabilities with a regular diploma. Some graduated as low as 23%. We would like to see at least six more states reach the goal of graduating 60% or more of their students with disabilities with regular diplomas by the end of 2015.
7/30/2014
Six by '15: Employment
Six million working age adults with disabilities will be part of the American workforce
In March of 2014, 4.67 million people with disabilities participated in the labor force. That means less than 20% of people with disabilities are working or looking for work, compared to 68% of people without disabilities. The Six by '15 Campaign would like to see that number reach 6 million by the end of 2015.
7/30/2014
Six by '15: Transition
At least six states commit to supporting successful and outcome-based programs and strategies for high school transition services and closing the labor force participation gaps for youth and young adults with disabilities
Work experiences have been proven to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities transitioning out of high school. From 2004 to 2006, an average of 8% of youth with disabilities applied for vocational rehabilitation services. Of those who applied, only 56% actually received services. The Six by '15 Campaign wants at least six states to commit to supporting internships, scholarships, and other evidence-based services to help youth with disabilities transitioning from high school to higher education and employment.
7/28/2014
Celebrating the 24th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
July 26 marked the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Celebrations will occur across the country, especially as the community gears up for the 25th anniversary next year. The Six by "15 campaign is certainly looking forward to these years' celebrations and the exciting work we have to do in the coming year to achieve our goals.
7/28/2014
The Health and Well-Being of Children, NSCH 2011-2012 Chartbook
from http://mchb.hrsa.gov
Published by MCHB, the Health and Well-Being of Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2011-2012 (June 2014) reports that overall 73.2% of young children (aged 6 months-5 years) met all of the survey's criteria for flourishing.
7/28/2014
When the Caregivers Need Healing (TN UCEDD/LEND) Featured in the New York Times
All parents endure stress, but studies show that parents of children with developmental disabilities, like autism, experience depression and anxiety far more often. Struggling to obtain crucial support services, the financial strain of paying for various therapies, the relentless worry over everything from wandering to the future - all of it can be overwhelming.
7/21/2014
Disability Disclosure in/and Higher Education: Call for Papers
Co-editors: Kerschbaum, Jones, Eisenman, Univ of Delaware
This collection thus seeks to explore the richness of disability disclosure. Building on and extending the work of the "Disability Disclosure in/and Higher Education" conference, this work will explore questions about disability disclosures in all corners of higher education, from a variety of theoretical, methodological, conceptual, and (multi)(inter)disciplinary perspectives. By providing wide-ranging explorations of disability disclosure, this collection will highlight how disability in higher education is not an issue relevant only to those who have disabilities, but one which has far-reaching consequences across higher education. Deadline for Submissions: October 15, 2014
7/21/2014
Introducing Melody Imoh: New AUCD Program Assistant
AUCD warmly welcomes Melody Imoh to our staff as a Program Assistant! Melody brings a wealth of experience and will provide programmatic and operations support across all of AUCD's programs and departments.
7/21/2014
SD Center for Disabilities Announces Eric Kurtz, PhD as New LEND Director
from http://www.usd.edu
Kurtz has previously served as the Center's Clinical Operations director, Autism Spectrum Disorders Program director, Discipline Head for Autism and Related Disorders with LEND, and is assistant professor of pediatrics. He has several years of clinical experience providing specialized psychological services in clinical, school, and forensic settings. He succeeds Dr. Joanne Van Osdel, who retired in July.
7/21/2014
UCEDDs Take Part in a Thank You Video for Senator Harkin for his Dedication of People with Disabilities
On July 16, 2014, the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) presented this " Thank You to Senator Harkin! " video in recognition of the Senator's work on the developing and sustaining this national network. More than a dozen UCEDDs are lead entities on the implementation of the AT Act in their state.
7/17/2014
ASAN Unveils Toolkit for Advocates on Health Care and the Transition to Adulthood
ASAN has prepared a comprehensive toolkit to empower people with disabilities, their families, and other disability advocates to help youth with disabilities manage their own health care as they transition to adulthood.
7/17/2014
Federal Funding for Students with Disabilities: The Evolution of Federal Special Education Finance in the U.S.
In Federal Funding for Students with Disabilities: The Evolution of Federal Special Education Finance in the U.S., New America provides a history of special education financing in the U.S., and highlights the latest shift in the mission of the IDEA funding formula: a change from providing dollars directly based on the number of special education students, to ensuring the federal government provides sufficient resources for those students without encouraging the over-identification of children as requiring special education--mainly by cutting out financial incentives to do so
7/17/2014
Impact Findings from the Head Start CARES Demonstration
A new report, Impact Findings from the Head Start CARES Demonstration (July 2014) finds that all three enhancements had positive impacts on teacher practice and on children's social-emotional outcomes during the preschool year, although in varying degrees and not necessarily in the expected ways. The report was published by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
7/16/2014
HHS Changes how ACA Applies to Territories
from http://www.cms.gov
After many reports of uneven application and disruption of health insurance markets, HHS has reduced the number of ACA provisions that apply to the territories.
