Click here to read a detailed report from the Children’s Action Alliance explaining why too many tax cuts are hurting Arizona children.

This week, 2,000 parents of children with disabilities and special health conditions are receiving letters from APIPA. These families are being informed that their eligibility for CRS services has been terminated. This is not like the previous letter, moving families into 100% self-pay status, this means their eligibility to use CRS services has ended.

As the budget crisis deepens, the ability of the state to provide for its most vulnerable children is being tested as never before. We all have a stake in seeing that our elected representatives understand the critical nature of these services for children with disabilities and special health needs. Without access to health care services and the ability to manage serious and chronic medical conditions, more children suffer needlessly, become more severely affected by their disability, and have a less favorable prognosis. What is the legislature doing to see that the state meets its basic obligations to children for health, education, and essential services? And what program is on the next list of cuts?

Find your legislators and their contact info at http://www.azleg.gov/

Please refer to our website www.raisingspecialkids.org or contact us at 602-242-4366, Toll Free 1-800-237-3007 or info@raisingspecialkids.org.

For additional advocacy tips and support visit http://www.pafcoalition.org/

Click here to view the national standards project addressing the need for evidence-based practice guidelines for autism spectrum disorders.

With potential budget cuts coming to the Department of Economic Security, which includes the Division of Developmental Disabilities, you can let your legislators know now how your family could be impacted by their budgetary decisions. To view the 2010 DES budget review, click here.

If you need assistance finding you legislators, visit www.azleg.gov. You can send them an email or give them a call, but always remember to be polite and respectful when speaking. You are a constituent and your voice should be heard, but these are difficult economic times that are affecting us all. Click here to learn more about how to be an effective advocate and engage appropriately with your legislators.

Read this report and learn more about the important issues facing Arizona. Then, you can join in the conversation and help influence the future of public policy in our state.

Click here to view an Arizona Republic article detailing “The Arizona We Want” report and how effective change can be influenced.

If you have not already joined the Arizona Autism Coalition, why not sign up today and become part of the solution? Simply click on the Donations & Dues tab to join. Below you will find more information about the Coalition and what we have been doing over the last two years. Whether you are an individual with ASD, a family member, or a provider agency, you too can join us and help improve the lives of people in Arizona affected by autism.

Our Mission

The Arizona Autism Coalition improves the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families in Arizona by sharing resources and affecting autism systems reform through state-wide collaboration and advocacy. Current members include parents and grandparents of children with autism, individuals with autism, medical professionals, educators, agency providers, State agency representatives, and advocacy organizations.

Accomplishments

Since the Coalition’s inception in July of 2007, we have been actively meeting as a group and sharing information with not only the autism community, but the special needs community as a whole. We successfully partnered with other advocacy organizations to pass important legislation such as Steven’s Law (autism insurance mandate) and SB1197 which created a Special Education Restraint/Seclusion Task Force whose sole purpose is to provide recommendations to school districts across the state of Arizona. The Coalition was also the only autism organization actively working with insurance companies and Department of Insurance to ensure that Steven’s Law was successfully implemented.

Coalition meetings have provided information to the community on the following topics (this is just a sampling):

• DDD and AHCCCS
• Special Education including independent education evaluations, advocacy, actively partnering with your district, PINS, and private placement options
• Emergency meetings to discuss DES budget reductions and provide appeals assistance to families
• Early intervention and AzEIP information from the ICC
• PAFCO presentation on effectively working with legislators, and much more!

Benefits of Family Membership

• Member dues are a reasonable $25 per year and include entrance to all Coalition meetings and conferences
• Coalition meetings provide families the opportunity to meet and ask questions of some of the top autism professionals working in the state of Arizona
• The Coalition provides immediate, accurate results and inquiries are handled within 24 hours of receipt
• News, events and resources are posted to the Coalition website daily

 Benefits of Agency Membership

• Access for all employees to attend any Coalition event including meetings and conferences that take place throughout the year (for information about our upcoming Insurance Insight101 Conference, visit our website www.azautism.org); agency members will also have the opportunity to advertise their services with a resource table at events, materials may be made available at meetings
• Marketing on Coalition website
• Access to membership directory

Questions? Contact Coalition Coordinator, Jessica Lewis.

Click here to help Autism Speaks end autism insurance discrimination. For more information, please visit www.autismvotes.org!

Click here to view the report on Best Practices in Special Education and Behavior Management created by Arizona Senate Bill 1197.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) recently received a grant from First Things First of the Northeast Maricopa County, which allows them to provide services to families in need of help with their child’s behavioral problems at no cost to the family.

If the child is eligible, he or she will receive short-term, focused intervention that includes an individualized assessment conducted by a behavior specialist, an individualized intervention plan, implementation and caregiver training on how to implement the child’s intervention plan, and group caregiver training and support meetings. CARD Specialized Outpatient Services provides the assessment and intervention in the child’s home.

The group parent training sessions and support meetings will be held once every other week and will cover topics such as childhood development, common childhood issues, and parenting strategies. Each session is 2 hours long and free child care is provided by CARD staff.

In order to be eligible for this service, the child must:

Be 5 years of age or younger, and live within one of sixteen specified zip codes in the Northeast Maricopa region (zip codes include: 85250, 85251, 85253, 85254, 85255, 85257, 85258, 85259, 85260, 85262, 85263, 85264, 85268, 85269, 85331, and 85377).

Please note that the child does NOT need to have a diagnosis (i.e. autism) to be eligible.

1. Ask the Company/Human Resources Dept. (HR) for whom you work (where you receive your health benefits/insurance) if the plan your family has is a “Self Insured Plan.” If they tell you “Yes” – you are not eligible for benefits under Steven’s Law. If they tell you “No” go to step # 2.
2. If you do not know or are unsure, ask the HR Department if the company has 50 or more employees. If they tell you “No” than you are not eligible for benefits under Steven’s Law. If they tell you “Yes” go to step #3.
3. Ask the HR Department where/in which state your Insurance Plan is “underwritten.” If your plan has been underwritten in any state other than Arizona you may not be eligible for Steven’s Law.
4. Call your insurance company and ask for “Member Benefits.” Ask if they (Customer Service) are familiar with Arizona’s Steven’s Law/Autism Coverage.If they tell you “No” ask to speak to a Supervisor and ask the Supervisor the same questions.
5. If they tell you “Yes” ask them if your family (your child) is eligible for the benefits under your plan.
6. If they tell you “No” ask them why/what the reason is, and then tell them you want the reason you do not have coverage sent to you in writing.
7. If they tell you “Yes” request a list of “Network or Contracted Providers” or “Preferred Providers” for your area. This will give you all of the agencies and/or individuals who are contracted with your insurance company to provide services outlined by Steven’s Law.
8. Because some Companies have elected to offer this coverage when they are not required to, call your insurance company and ask even if you think you are NOT eligible. If they tell you that you ARE eligible, request it in writing before you make any appointments etc.