Due to the winter weather we have received word that the following events on Saturday, Feb 4th are being postponed!

Breakfast Club - rescheduled for next Saturday February 11th at 9am at the Autism Center of Nebraska.

Andrew Benjamin Group’s seminar on Guardianship changes - tentative reschedule date is February 25th

Enjoy your snow day everyone!

We have a new update from the Nebraska Insurance Reform Steering Committee…

The hearing date for LB 1129 has been set. It is Tuesday, February 7th at 1:30pm. The hearing will be at the State Capitol in Lincoln, NE and will be in Room 1507. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND! It is so important that the autism community show up in support. Here’s what you need to know:

Let’s show our State Senators that we are UNITED, and we are ready for discrimination for our loved ones to END!!! THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY for us to be heard!!

“Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”

–Thomas Jefferson

Thank you to our friends at the ARC for forwarding a list of legislative bills that they felt would be of interest to families of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities.   The bold text is the bill, who introduced it, and an official description of the bill.  The italicized words are the thoughts and concerns presented by the ARC representative and shared with us.  We would like to encourage our community to use this list as a reference for which bills to investigate and we’d also ask you to please form your own opinions.

LB 821 – Health and Human Services Committee – To create the Nebraska Children’s Commission and require legislation to create the Department of Children’s Services.

This bill attempts to address the Foster Care Crisis. It could add some structure and organization where it is really needed as well as provide oversight to service deliver in places it is significantly lacking in.  It would also focus all Kids programs and issues in one place: the Department of Children’s Services which could be a good thing.

LB 825 – Dubas – Establish local offices for access to public benefit programs. This bill was written to address the issues Individuals are having when they attempt to use Access Nebraska (an online process where people sign up for public benefits)  This would establish local offices where individuals can now go to register for public benefit programs if they cannot get Access NE. online  to work.  This would be a good thing.

LB 826 – Dubas – Change provisions relating to legislative consideration of proposed rules and regulations under the Medical Assistance Act. My interpretation of this bill is that it attempts to address the proposed Medicaid cuts by saying that Health and Human Services Medicaid program cannot just propose and make cuts without legislative approval first.  It is a step in the right direction but this bill in its entirety may not change the more immediate situation of the cuts– it seems to be looking more towards stopping cuts in the future without legislative approval.  I would support this bill but give more  of my support to LB 952 (see below )which does a better job of addressing the Medicaid cuts right NOW.

LB 900 – Lathrop – Requires a report concerning individuals in need of multiple division services from the Department of Health and Human Services. When an individual is receiving more than one service for example Medicaid, Developmental Disabilities services AND behavioral health services  all the different entities involved with this individual would need to  report on why the individual  is eligibile to receive their services. What is happening is that one department is passing the individual off to another department saying they are better served there… and individuals are not being served appropriately when this happens especially if they need a variety of services.

LB 901 – Lathrop – Designate funds to be used for services for persons with developmental disabilities. This bill is to fund the Wait List in Nebraska.  Important bill that should be supported.—Call your senators.

LB 952 – Nordquist – Change appropriation provisions relating to the medical assistance. This bill is very important!!!! It addresses the proposed cuts to Medicaid. It speaks to eliminating each proposed cut and it includes an E-Clause (Emergency Clause) which means that when this bill is passed it becomes effective immediately.—Call  your Senators with support for this bill.

LB 1113 – Flood – Adopt the Nebraska Uniform Power of Attorney Act. This bill speaks to one of the options you have concerning substituted judgment. It is a Bill to monitor and get more information on before deciding what position to take– although it looks like it might be a good bill.

LB 1129 – Coash – Provide requirements for insurance coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders. This bill is a bill to support on behalf of individuals with Autism.

LB 1144 – Ashford – Provide for Career Academy Schools. Seems like this bill is about establishing Career oriented schools for students (7^th through 12^th grades) that know they are not going to attend  college and want to have hands on experience with non-college related careers.  Could this be something students with disabilities who are not going to college might be interested in??—We might want to get more information and monitor this bill.

Have you been wondering what was going on with the process for insurance reform here in Nebraska?  Be sure and check out the new web site so you can stay informed of the latest updates!

http://nebraskainsurancereform.org/

An Update from the Nebraska Insurance Reform Steering Committee…

Hi Everyone.  As you may have heard, today Senator Colby Coash introduce a bill requiring insurance companies cover individuals with Autism up to age 21.  Most of you are involved in organizations that will have special interest in this, so please copy and paste the following and send out to your list servs or contacts.  Thanks to you all for the support over the last couple of (grueling) weeks!

Nebraska’s LB 1129–Insurance Coverage for Individuals with Autism!!

Today, Senator Colby Coash introduced LB 1129 that requires insurance companies to cover individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders up to age 21.  The bill covers screening, diagnosis/evaluation and treatments, including evidence based behavior therapies such as ABA.  This has been a long time coming in Nebraska, and we are so grateful to Senator Coash for standing up for Nebraska’s families who are affected by autism! (To read a copy of the bill, go to www.nebraska.gov and search for LB 1129).

Currently, the bill reads that children up to age 9 will be covered up to $70,000 per year, and those from age 10-21 have a financial cap of $20,000.  However, Senator Coash has already agreed to introduce an amendment that would cover individuals for the first three years of treatment, up to $70,000 per year, regardless of age (up to age 21). After the first three years of treatment, each individual will be covered for up to $20,000 per year. The financial cap ONLY applies to treatment, and not to diagnosis or screening.

As you probably know, introducing the bill is just the beginning. We have a lot of work to do!!  Many have asked how you can help.  The Banking and Insurance Committee will be holding a hearing to discuss the bill, and your efforts are needed!  We don’t have a date yet, but as soon as we do, we will pass it along, and ask for you to send an email to your Senator, and if possible, attend the hearing.  We want to have lots of people in the audience representing our families, and showing our State Senators that we are unified!

PLEASE Like our Facebook page, Autism Insurance Reform in Nebraska, and continue to check email and our website for more updates.  Our website will go live soon, hopefully on Friday, and there you can get additional information.  (www.nebraskainsurancereform.org) .  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at chrissy@neinsurance.com.

Thanks to everyone for all your support and hard work!  Those letters you wrote a month ago were great, and your voices were heard!!

Best Regards,

Chrissy McNair

Congratulations to local artist, James Bray! 

His “Autism is a journey” design was selected by our community for the 2011 Autism Puzzle Walk!  James and his Mom wanted to thank his teacher, Linsey Stangl and the staff at Brook Valley School for helping James bring his creation to life! 

 We definitely agree that it captures the spirit of our community! 

Great job James!

Registration is happening right now for the State Autism Conference!  Click HERE to download a conference brochure.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Did you know that members of the Autism Society can get a 25% discount?  Email us today at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org to find out how to save 25% on your registration! 

Again this year the Autism Society has scholarship funds to assist family members and individuals with ASD to attend.   Learn more about our scholarship program and download an application HERE.  Scholarships are for registration costs only.  Completed scholarship forms must be postmarked on or before March 1st, 2011.

NEW this year!  The Autism Society is providing child care during the Thursday evening dinner and keynote!  This is first come first served and to ensure adequate staffing registration must be completed prior to April 1st.  Download a registration form HERE.

Every year the Autism Society of Nebraska awards an individual who shows outstanding commitment to the Autism Community. Anyone who touches the lives of individuals with ASD’s is eligible. This award will be presented at the State Autism Conference on April 7th in Omaha.

Nominations should be emailed to the Nomination Committee at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org prior to March 15th, 2010.

Please include the name of the person being nominated, contact information for yourself and the nominee, and a one page narrative on why you think this person should be awarded the Excellence in Autism Award from the Autism Society.  Please help us honor those who work so diligently to improve the lives of those affected by autism!

The Autism Society of Nebraska is seeking applications for the Dan Archwamety Post Secondary Education Scholarship.  A scholarship of up to $500 is available this year for an individual with a diagnosis of ASD.  The scholarship must be used toward completing an accredited post-secondary course of study (educational or vocational).  Applicant must be currently registered /admitted for the program.

The scholarship will be awarded at the Nebraska State ASD Conference on Thursday, April 7th in Omaha.  Persons who have already received this scholarship will not be eligible.

Download the scholarship form HERE.

The Dan Archwamety scholarship was created to give hope, affirmation, and some financial help to young people diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who plan to continue their schooling after high school.   Dan died on June 1, 1997, as a result of a bike-truck accident, shortly after he completed his sophomore year at University of Nebraska-Kearney.   Dan’s family describes him as, ”an above average student who really had to study hard for the good grades he earned”.   Dan worked equally hard to learn how to socialize with other students, both his classmates and those who lived at his dorm.

The day after he died, two letters arrived from UNK, awarding him two different scholarships for his junior year. At his funeral service a fellow student confided that she had no idea that he had a disability.  She thought he was so much more mature than other college boys because he would offer to help her and other students in the computer lab at UNK.

Dan did not live to receive his scholarships, but he would be very happy to know that the memorials people gave to honor his life are helping other deserving young people with ASD to achieve their dreams.

Dreadful winter weather gets in the way again!  We are sorry to report that we will be having to cancel the planning meeting for tonight.  But it has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 3 at 7pm.  Thanks again to the Autism Center of Nebraska for hosting us on Thursday!

If you can’t make it just give us an email and we’ll get you on our list of volunteers!

Date:  Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

When:  7:00pm

Where:  Autism Center of Nebraska, 9012 Q Street

           NW Corner of 90th and Q Street (former church)

           Use main entrance from the upper parking lot

As many of you may know the Autism Society of Nebraska has had a successful Autism Puzzle Walk for the past 3 years.  We are in the process of putting together our  4th Annual Autism Society of Nebraska Autism Puzzle Walk.  This years walk will Saturday, April 30th at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha.

This event requires a tremendous amount of commitment and planning from volunteers within our community.  An orientation meeting for the Autism Puzzle Walk has been scheduled for Jan 31st at 7:oo p.m.

Assistance is needed is a variety of ways. We need leaders to coordinate food, door prizes and registrations but we also need volunteers who are willing to donate a few hours of work. So, whether you are able to stuff envelops or have a background planning community events, we need you there on Monday, January 31^th! 

We also need help securing corporate sponsors. Historically our best partnerships have been with those organizations where our families work. If you know of a possible sponsor please let us know. We will have large and small sponsorships available and would appreciate any help you are able to give to this important cause.

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America is to support and advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The funds raised from the walk will be used for family scholarship program, funding support groups, sponsoring activities for families touched by autism, annual ASD state conference speakers and the continuation of our newsgram, website and virtual support group.

We hope you consider helping us make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism here in Nebraska!   If you want to help and just can’t make it that night, don’t worry.  Email us and we’ll find a way to use your help!  Email us at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org

Remember the missing piece is YOU!

Date:  Monday, January 31st, 2011

When:  7:00pm

Where:  Autism Center of Nebraska, 9012 Q Street

           NW Corner of 90th and Q Street (former church)

           Use main entrance from the upper parking lot

A BIG thanks to the Autism Center of Nebraska for allowing the Autism Society the use of their facility to host our meeting!!!!!

TWENTY THREE states have passed insurance legislation helping the families of their state get appropriate insurance coverage for their loved one with autism.  Those families are now able to access the treatment and therapy they need!   Sadly, Nebraska is not one of those 23 states.

But there is a movement here in Nebraska taking foot to get a bill introduced to help our families.   Historically, these legislative changes do not occur over night and it may take a few attempts to get it done.  But the one thing that we have learned from watching the other 23 states pass their insurance laws is that there must be a large grassroots movement behind the effort.  Senators don’t want to hear from businesses or lobbyists.  They want to hear from the voters in  their district…the ones who put them in office!  And that is YOU!

A GREAT opportunity lies ahead of us to start being noticed by the legislative body here in Nebraska.

Every year (for 40 years) the ARC of Nebraska has hosted a Senatorial Dinner in Lincoln.  They typically have a great turnout from the Senators who are all in session in Lincoln during the event.   This is an amazing opportunity for us to come out as a community and meet with our senators.   This event is designed as a way for families with developmental disabilities to meet with their senators and share their personal experiences.

We recommend you call your Senator and encourage him/her to attend.   Don’t know who your senator is?  Visit http://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php for an interactive map to find out. 

Don’t be overwhelmed.  Make it a short and simple phone call and let them know that you will be attending the Arc’s 40th Annual Senatorial dinner and were hoping that you might be able to meet with him/her at the dinner and briefly introduce yourself. 

Don’t stress yourself out about needing to educate that senator about autism or your families plight.  What we really need is for him/her to know that your family exists, that you live in his district and that you have some added challenges to your life due to your loved one’s diagnosis of autism.  We want a friendly exchange with no real demands.  We want them to realize that we are out here.  Imagine the impact it would have for a senator to receive a call from 5 or 6 or 10 of his citizens sharing this similar story!

As a senator they hear from everyone what is wrong in this world and that they aren’t doing enough to help us.  We strongly encourage you to remind yourself that they really do want to help (otherwise they wouldn’t be in public office) but perhaps just didn’t realize our plight.  So please let them know that you appreciate all that they do and then maybe share a couple of your stories.    Try not to make any demands of them.  We don’t want to overwhelm them on multiple fronts.  Just show them that you exist and that you (just like every other parent out there) want what is best for your family. 

We will be gathering the community in the upcoming months to build on this grassroots connection and there will be a time for us to explain exactly what the autism community needs.  But right now, let’s focus on building some relationships and letting them know we are out here.  

Please consider attending this dinner!  You can download a registration flyer HERE.  The dinner is the evening of February 8th in Lincoln.  There is a cost but it will be such a great investment!  The RSVP deadline is February 1st!

***CHANGE TO DATE***This meeting is now February 22nd at 7pm  Download a flyer HERE.

The Arc of Buffalo County hosted a Kearney City Council Listening Session last Thursday evening to share their vision for an inclusive playground.   They are now needing to organize a calling campaign to educate the city council members about this project before they make their final capital improvement project decisions in February.

The city is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday, February 22th at City Council Chambers (18 East 22nd Street) at 7:00 pm.  It was strongly recommended that playground supporters personally call each of the city council members to ask them to support the project.   Please contact them to ask them to support the inclusive playground.  Ask friends and other city citizens to also call in support of the project.    (Download a list of council members and their contact information HERE.)

It is imperative that supporters attend the public hearing city council meeting on February 22nd.   This initiative has made progress but it must end strong in the coming weeks to make the final cut and secure funding.

Check out the proposed park HERE!

Due to a family emergency, James Emmett will not be able to travel to Omaha for our January 25th and 26th workshops.  A colleague of James Emmett, Brian King has graciously offered to step in at the last minute.   We are thrilled to have Brian come to Nebraska to share his expertise!

Brian R. King consults and speaks professionally nationwide, providing groundbreaking insights and strategies for bridging the communication gap between those on the Autism Spectrum and the rest of society.  As an adult with Asperger’s and ADD, the husband of a woman on the Spectrum, as well as the father of three boys on the Autism Spectrum, Brian has the most comprehensive experience around regarding living on the Autism Spectrum.

Brian promises he will “load up” participants with strategies for preparing their students with ASD for the challenges they may encounter in the real world. We are excited to have Brian step in for James Emmett on January 25th (Parent Night 6:00-8:00pm) and  the 26th Full Day workshop 8:30-3:30.

YOUR LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS Tuesday, January 18th!  Download the flyer below for registration information or call Teri McGill at the ASD Network (402)597-4957

_____

Transition…

a word that can send shivers down your spine. For many of our community the biggest transition is moving beyond school. At last year’s state autism conference, speaker James Emmet created quite a buzz in his breakout sessions. Therefore the ASD Network is bringing him back and they are working with the Autism Society to create an evening session particularly for parents!

Our loved ones may receive services during their first 21 years of life BUT…they will be adults for the remaining 50+ years of their lives and what happens during those years will largely be due to their preparation, their family support and advocacy!

PLEASE TAKE NOTE that the evening session is for parents and professionals and the information will be relevant no matter the age of your child. It is never too early to start planning and preparing to help make their dreams come true.

January 25th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm   (No cost)   ESU3 is located at 6949 S 110th St

Download the Parent Night Flyer HERE.  HERE is the updated bio on Brian King. 

January 26th 8:30am - 3:30pm $15 fee

Download the Flyer for the Day Session HERE.  HERE is the updated bio on Brian King.

Download a flyer HERE and help spread the word!

OMAHA: NO SUPPORT GROUP TONIGHT.

However, the amazing folks at Pump It Up have made the facility available to us next week. So we’ll see you at Pump It Up on Monday, January 17 from 6pm - 8pm for our bounce night and support group!

We absolutely love our friends at Pump It Up of Omaha - The Original Inflatable Party Zone!   They have always been amazing to us! Thank you Kim and Roger!