Saturday, March 31, 2012

Where To Start-Alaska

ALASKA EARLY INTERVENTION

In 1990 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act required states to develop and implement early intervention programs for infants and children from birth to 3 years of age with disabilities or delayed development. Part C (as it is now known) encourages children that have a 50% deficiency in one or more areas of physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional or adaptive developments to be referred for early intervention services. It has been found with early intervention there is a reduced need for later special need services. There are also specific diagnosed conditions which prequalify children because of the high probability of developmental delays. Once identified by a medical provider or family the child is referred for assessment by a multi-disciplinary team which may include physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and/or developmental specialists, subject to the availability of the area. No child is turned away because of inability to pay, however if insurance is available they will be billed.

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/ocs/infantlearning/default.htm

http://hss.state.ak.us/gcdse/Publications/pdf/ILP.pdf





For more information please contract the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Toll free in Alaska 1-888-269-8900 / (907) 269-8990


ALASKA DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS-FACEBOOK

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-Down-Syndrome-Congress/118739141565376


ALASKA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS

http://www.alaskadownsyndrome.org

Phone (907) 337-7691
Email akwaldrons2@alaska.net / akdadshd@aol.com


MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM

This program offers certain home and community based services. These services are available for a limited number of eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. It can take years after you apply to obtain this service. You must qualify and be placed on a waiting list for a slot to open. These services include: case management, crisis abatement, residential habilitation, consultation services, specialized medical supplies (not paid for by insurance), physical adaption services, and extended prescription services. It is recommended you begin this application process early to be placed on a waiting list after eligibility is determined. Down’s Syndrome is not an automatic qualifying diagnosis, it is based on the needs of the child.

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/grantservices/hcbwaivers.htm



THE ARC OF ANCHORAGE

From birth to old age, The Arc of Anchorage has a full array of disability services for Alaskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Alaskans served and their families are free to choose disability services that best meet their needs. The recognize each person they serve has specific dreams, ambitions and interests, as well as aptitudes and abilities apart from the disability he/she experiences. Their services are individually tailored to meet the needs and goals of each person they serve.

2211 Arca Drive, Anchorage AK 99508
Phone: (907) 277-6677
Fax: (907) 272-2161
http://www.thearcofanchorage.org/


TEFRA (Tax, Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982)

TEFRA is a specialized category of Medicaid for disabled children living at home, who do not qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to parental income and meet specific disability requirements.

http://dpaweb.hss.state.ak.us/e-forms/pdf/med15.pdf


GENETICS SERVICES

Meg Kurtagh, Clinic Manager
Genetics Clinic
Alaska Division of Public Health
Women’s, Children’s and Family Health
3601 C Street, Suite 322
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-269-3430


EASTER SEALS ALASKA

http://alaska.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=AKDR_homepage
You can also reach Easter Seals at:
907-277-7325 phone
907-272-7325 fax
Or, via regular mail at:
670 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 105
Anchorage, AK 99503

Friday, March 23, 2012

Where To Start-Arkansas




ARKANSAS EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM: AKA “FIRST CONNECTIONS” 

Early intervention services help infants and toddlers (birth until age 3) with special health and developmental needs to learn and grow.  Early intervention services are delivered through a partnership between families and professionals.  They help your child reach his or her individual potential.  They are provided by qualified professionals and may include, but are not limited to, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, parental income services, psychological services, parent support groups, and family counseling.   Contact this program to get your child “into the system” so he or she may be evaluated at 6-8 weeks old by the appropriate therapists to see if he or she qualifies for therapy.  It is important to begin early to ensure your child does not fall behind.  Be proactive and recognize their needs ahead of time.   The Early Intervention program coordinator can mail you a list of facilities that can provide the evaluation, therapy, and day care that provide these services.  Services are available as outpatient also.
Phone: 1(800) 643-8258 or (501) 682-8699 Dept of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities






EASTER SEALS:


Easter Seals can also provide the above listed services and evaluations.  They have an infant monitoring program that re-evaluates your child every 3 months.  The evaluations can be done in your home.  Your child may not meet criteria initially, so he or she will be monitored until they do.  Easter Seals along with many other facilities can provide a day care/”pre-school” setting that your child may attend and receive therapy during the day.  Services are available as outpatient also.


http://www.ar.easterseals.com/


3920 Woodland Heights Rd,
Little Rock, AR 72212
Phone: (877) 533-3600 or (501) 227-3600




MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM:


This program offers certain home and community based services.  These services are available for a limited number of eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.  It can take years after you apply to obtain this service.  You must qualify and be placed on a waiting list for a slot to open. These services include: case management, crisis abatement, residential habilitation, consultation services, specialized medical supplies (not paid for by insurance), physical adaption services, and extended prescription services.    It is recommended you begin this application process early to be placed on a waiting list after eligibility is determined.  Down’s Syndrome is not an automatic qualifying diagnosis, it is based on the needs of the child.
Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities  (501) 682-1464






ARKidsFirst:


According to information provided by the State, the ARKids B demonstration provides coverage for uninsured children through age 18 with family incomes at or below 200 percent of the FPL. Individuals can choose between the State's traditional Medicaid program and the ARKids B program. AR kids B offers a less comprehensive benefit package than the Medicaid State plan and requires co-payments. The demonstration utilizes the same provider system as the traditional Arkansas Medicaid program and operates as a primary care case management model. Funding for the program is provided through State appropriations; title XXI matching funds are claimed for enrollees who are not eligible for traditional Medicaid.


/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/ar/ar-arkidsb-fs.pdf


/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-State/arkansas.html 
Phone: (800) 275-1131 ARKIds Physician information





TEFRA: (Tax, Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982)


According to information provided by the State, the TEFRA-like Demonstration provides coverage for disabled children otherwise eligible for Medicaid under section 134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act. All Medicaid State plan services are provided under the demonstration. A sliding scale premium is assessed to families based on income and there are no co-payments allowed for services to TEFRA children.




/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/ar/ar-tefra-like-fs.pdf


/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-State/arkansas.html
Phone:  (501) 682-8473








ARKANSAS WIC PROGRAM


The WIC program is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Arkansas WIC Program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Health through a grant provided by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
WIC provides:


  • Supplemental foods high in nutrients during time of critical growth and development.
  • Nutrition education designed to improve dietary habits and health status and to emphasize the relationship between nutrition and health.
  • Information, support and encouragement for breastfeeding.
  • Referrals for other health services.


You can receive WIC services once you are assigned a medicaid number (WIC clinic 501-791-8555)

http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/WIC/Pages/default.aspx





ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL GENETICS CLINIC:
Many of us take our children to both a regular Pediatrician and the Genetics Clinc.  It will require a referral from the Pediatrician.  They see numerous children with Down syndrome and help monitor your child to ensure all necessary labs, eye exams, hearing test, etc...are completed as recommended.

Office:  501-364-2966
Appointments :  501-364-4000 Menu option 6

West Little Rock Clinic
16101 Cantrell Rd. Suite 114





 


UAMS GENETICS CLINIC:
Combines medical, psychological and social care to people of all ages (typically schedules patients age 11 and older) to help them lead long, happy and productive lives.  The only adult clinic for Down syndrome in the region.Appointments:  501-526-4020

Freeway Medical Tower
5800 W 10th (6th floor)
Suite 605
Little Rock, AR






ARKANSAS DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATIONS


9800 Vinson Court
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 223-DOWN (3696)
www.ardownsyndrom.org (also on Facebook)




ALLIED THERAPY


Allied Therapy and its staff are passionate about improving peoples’ lives. They strive to provide the best possible care and service for all patients and their families, as requested. Services provided can include therapeutic treatment, consultations, as well as educational and advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of disability. It is their goal to enable, train or retrain an individual to perform the independent skills and activities necessary for daily living. Pediatrics is something they hold very dear; therefore, they have received many specialized certifications in this area.

Please call 501-941-5630 and refer to extensions below.
  • Administrator: Stacey McMinn
  • Administrative Assistant: Brenda Kempson - ext. 202
  • Intake and Early Intervention: Crystal Patrom and Stephanie Ingram - ext. 201
  • Billing: Lynn Wood and Nicole Ozment - ext. 208
  • Human Resources: Tammy Ponder - ext. 207
  • Mothers' Day Out Program: Kim Hoyt
http://allied-therapy.com/




PATHFINDERS


Pathfinder provides an array of services for the disabled. Services are provided for those citizens, of Arkansas, with developmental disabilities. Our objective is for each participant to become a self-supporting, productive member of society.


Phone 501-982-0528
Jacksonville, AR
http://www.pathfinderinc.org/






DOWN SYNDROME CONNECTION OF NW ARKANSAS


Support group meets 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2898 S 48th St. in Springdale.


Contact:  Jennifer McWhorter at 479-936-2149
614 E. Emma Avenue, Suite M403
Springdale AR 72764
Phone:479-644-9208

http://www.dscnwa.com/






DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF NE ARKANSAS


Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Arkansas Inc. is a non-profit support group that was organized in 2004 and became an IRS approved 501(c)(3) in 2005. We are a caring and sharing support group that involves the entire family as well as friends of those with Down Syndrome.

Support group meetings are held each month on the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm at Calvary Pentecostal Church, 5312 South Caraway in Jonesboro; sometimes with a guest speaker or just as a time to share ideas and experiences.


P.O. Box 10115
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-273-6997 

http://www.dsaofnea.org/news.php



SOUTHERN ANGELS

Contact:  Joede Fleming
Phone:  870-866-4060
Email: 
dg_ar@yahoo.com



ANGELS OF ARKANSAS

Hot Springs/Benton
Contact:  Leslie Faulkner
Phone 501-282-8281
Email: 
lesliefskylar@yahoo.com
http://arkansasangelspageant.weebly.com/



4-STATES DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY

P.O. Box 67,
Wilton, AR 71865
twincityangels@live.com



RIVER VALLEY DOWN SYNDROME NETWORK


Contact:  Stephanie Young
Phone:  479-295-2795
Email:  everybreathhasareason@centurytel.net




FACEBOOK


Buddy Talk Group  http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/220165548052313/



THE ARC OF ARKANSAS


The Arc for the River Valley
2301 S 56th St., Suite 107
Ft. Smith, AR 72903
(479) 783-5529 (office)
(479) 783-5394 (fax)


Sevier County Arc

715 W. Stilwell Ave.
De Queen, AR 71832
(870) 642-6077