A newsletter to inform advocates for CSHCN about current issues and upcoming opportunities to express their opinions to policymakers and program administrators.
 
Missed a past copy of the newsletter? You can find them all here.
 

CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S SERVICES

July 17: Final CCS Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Board (RSAB) Meeting
The state's proposed Whole Child Model (PDF) to redesign the California Children's Services program will be the topic of the last meeting of the current Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Board (RSAB) on July 17 in Sacramento. The Board first discussed the plan at its June 22 meeting (see materials—meeting minutes are scheduled to be posted soon).

Public comments on the proposal were accepted until July 3. The Children's Regional Integrated Service System (CRISS) has released detailed comments (PDF), expressing many concerns about the model.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has proposed replacing the RSAB with a CCS Advisory Group (PDF) that will meet quarterly in Sacramento. The first meeting is scheduled tentatively for October 7. DHCS also has proposed that the six current Redesign Workgroups be consolidated into three ongoing workgroups, described here (PDF), with tentative first meeting dates set for August and September.

The Health Plan of San Mateo County, one of the CCS pilot programs, on July 1 presented a webinar on its efforts to provide whole child integrated care. View the webinar slides (PDF).

Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Board Meeting
Friday, July 17
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
California State Lottery – Pavilion
700 North 10th Street, Sacramento
Listen-only number: (888) 921-8686. Passcode: 961-640-6431
An agenda will be posted on the state's redesign website and the UCLA redesign website.

 

NETWORK NEWS

Profile: Turning Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones
Ann Cirimele knows from personal experience how hard it is to navigate the health care system as a parent of a child with special health care needs. As the executive director of the Family Resource Network in Stockton, she's helping guide families in rural California through the complexities of the system of care while also working with other local agencies to improve that system. Read more.		  


 

CALIFORNIA POLICY

Medi-Cal Coverage Results in Gaps in Access to Care, Study Finds
A new analysis from the California Health Care Foundation and UCLA indicates that Californians covered by Medi-Cal have significantly less access to care than those covered by employment-based health plans. However, children fared better than adults. Read the study.

See also: Auditor's Report Shows 'Symbiotic Relationship' in Medi-Cal Managed Care and
Special Session on Health Spending Opens

Upcoming Meetings
  July 16 – Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP)
The 15-member MCHAP advises DHCS on matters relevant to children enrolled in Medi-Cal.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DHCS, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Training Room B & C, Sacramento
Conference number: (888) 810-4932. Passcode: 6736716
See the meeting agenda (PDF) and read more about the panel.

July 17 – Behavioral Health Treatment Stakeholder Webinar
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Read more and register for the webinar. View instructions (PDF) on how to participate.

July 22 – Department of Health Care Services Stakeholder Advisory Committee
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St, Sacramento
Conference number: (866) 581-6591. Passcode: 2791273
See the committee webpage for details.
 
 
 

NATIONAL POLICY

Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Students with Disabilities
Research shows that up to 85 percent of youth in juvenile detention facilities have disabilities that make them eligible for special education services, yet only 37 percent receive these services while in school. A new report from the National Council on Disability makes recommendations to improve existing special education systems to better meet the needs of these students, especially those of color. Read the report.

 

RESOURCES

Moving to Young Adult Life: A Legal Guide for Parents of Youth with Mental Health Needs
The guide covers topics such as financial decisions, health care options, guardianship and transition from special education. Read the guide (PDF) and visit the Parent/Professional Advocacy League website for more information.

Other useful resources:  

WEBINARS

Inclusion in Community Emergency Response Team Programs
Wednesday, July 15
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Sponsored by the FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Division
How to engage and include individuals with disabilities in Community Emergency Response Team training and activities and ensure a positive and accessible experience.
Read more and register.

Obtaining and Documenting a Pediatric Family History: Understanding Why It Is Important, Identifying Red Flags, and Capturing the Information in the Electronic Medical Record
Thursday, July 16
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pacific Time
Sponsored by the New England Genetics Collaborative
Continuing Medical Education credit available.
Register.

Navigating the Affordable Care Act—Help for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Monday, July 20
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific Time
Hosted by the Catalyst Center and the National Center for Medical Home Implementation
Read more and register.

 

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Equity Leaders Action Network—Webinar Offers Guidance on Application Process
Friday, July 10
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific Time
The BUILD Initiative, which supports strong foundations for young children, is launching an Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN) to support individual leaders, over three years, who have responsibility at the state or county level for early childhood systems. ELAN leaders will work together to identify, address and take action on issues of inequity based on race, ethnicity, language and culture in early childhood state systems. Applications are due no later than 2 p.m. Pacific Time on July 30. See the application and register for the webinar, which will provide guidance on the application process. For additional details on ELAN, view the overview document (PDF).

 

EVENT

The Arc's 2015 National Convention
October 3-5, 2015
Indianapolis, IN
Learn more and register. Fee.

 

IN THE NEWS


WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Let us know what's happening with your organization or family. E-mail Newsletter Editor Eileen Walsh at Eileen.Walsh@lpfch.org with your news or updates.