CKSN UPDATE for March 15, 2003     (from ABC for Health, Inc.)

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Correction from Last Update on Federal Poverty Levels
2. Update on Proposed Funding Cuts for In-Home Autism Services
3. Budget Hearings Held Around the State
4. Case Tip:  SSI Eligibility for Low Birth Weight Babies
5. Announcement:  People Can't Wait Rally
6. Announcement:  Circles of Life Conference
7. HealthWatch Update:  Northeastern Region

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1. CORRECTION FROM LAST UPDATE ON FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS

The eligibility date (listed as May 1, 2003) for the new Federal Poverty Levels was incorrectly stated in the last CKSN Update.  The correct effective date for these levels was March 1, 2003 and is already in effect.  CKSN Update apologizes for this confusion.  For more information, please visit www.dhfs.state.wi.us/em/ops_memos/2003/pdf/03-15.pdf

2. UPDATE ON PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS FOR IN-HOME AUTISM SERVICES

There has been much discussion and advocacy activity surrounding Governor Doyle's budget recommendation of eliminating funding for the in-home autism programs in Wisconsin.  A group representing a cross-section of stakeholders in the autism community most recently met with the Department of Health and Human Services on March 11 to present a proposal that would save in-home autism services from complete elimination.  The proposal identified cost-saving mechanisms and various funding options.  DHFS is now evaluating that proposal as well as some other options it has identified at the Governor's request.  Contrary to some reports in the media, the federal funding for these services has not been cut.  Rather, DHFS is concerned that at some time in the future the manner in which these services currently receive federal funding may be at risk.  For more information on this issue and to download a fact sheet, visit the Autism Society of Wisconsin at www.asw4autism.org  Additional information can be found at the DHFS website, www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aboutDHFS/osf/summarypapers/autism.pdf

3. BUDGET HEARINGS HELD AROUND THE STATE

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee will hold a series of six public hearings on the biennial budget bill (SB-44).  All hearings will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

The dates and locations of the hearings are:
* Monday, March 24: Rhinelander. James William Junior High School, 915
Acacia Lane.
* Tuesday, March 25: Menasha. Menasha High School Auditorium, 420 7th
St.
* Monday, March 31: Milwaukee. Washington High School, 2525 North
Sherman Blvd.
* Thursday, April 3: River Falls. River Falls High School, 818 Cemetery
Road.
* Tuesday, April 8: Platteville. UW-Platteville Center for the Arts, 1
University Plaza.
* Wednesday, April 9: Madison. Room 412-E, State Capitol.

Updates on these hearings can be found at the DAWN website, www.dawninfo.org


4. CASE TIP:  SSI ELIGIBILITY FOR LOW BIRTH WEIGH BABIES

If your child is not older than six months and weighed less than 1200 grams (2 pounds and 10 ounces) at birth, your child may be presumptively eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  SSI is a federal program that makes monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources if they are 65 or older or if they are blind or have another disability.  Persons who receive SSI will automatically receive full Wisconsin Medicaid benefits.  

If your child weighed more than 1200 grams, but is/was still considered a low birth weight baby, she/he may be presumptively eligible for SSI.  If your child's gestational age at birth corresponds with the birth-weight indicated in the table below she/he might be eligible for SSI.

Gestational Age (in weeks)
Weight at Birth
37-40
Less than 2000 grams (4 pounds, 6 ounces)
36
1875 grams or less (4 pounds, 2 ounces) 
35
1700 grams or less (3 pounds, 12 ounces)
34
1500 grams or less (3 pounds, 5 ounces)
33
Between 1200 grams and 1325 grams (2 pounds, 15 ounces)
  
Please note that your child's eligibility will also depend on your ability to provide proof of your child's birth weight (e.g. birth certificate, hospital admission summary), citizenship status, and financial need.  

If you are interested in applying for SSI you can call (800) 772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to set up an appointment.

5. ANNOUNCEMENT:  PEOPLE CAN'T WAIT RALLY

On April 23, 2003, thousands of people with disabilities, their families, the 
workers who support them, and other disability advocates from throughout the 
state will gather at the State Capitol to voice their concerns to the Governor 
and the State Legislature.  The "People Can't Wait" Rally is sponsored by the 
Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations and will take place 
from Noon to 1:00 p.m.  Participants are encouraged to make appointments to meet 
with their elected representatives in the morning and afternoon.  

ATTEND THE RALLY!  If you can, help people with disabilities to attend.  For 
more information on the issues facing the disability community or the "People 
Can't Wait" Rally, visit the DAWN website at www.dawninfo.org or contact the 
C
266-6660. 

6. CIRCLES OF LIFE CONFERENCE

Wisconsin's annual conference for families of children with disabilities will be held on May 1 and 2 at the Olympia Resort and Conference Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
This conference is for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support and provide service for them. Parents and professionals will be representing their own perspectives, sharing experiences and approaches they have found helpful. For further information and to download this year's brochure, visit www.wfv.org

===============================================================7.  HEALTHWATCH UPDATE - NORTHEASTERN REGION

The Northeastern Regional Center for Children with Special Health Needs is hosting its first HealthWatch Community Educational Session on Tuesday, April 8 from 9 - 11:30 am at the Brown County Central Library in downtown Green Bay.   The goal of this group is to make sure those children with special health care needs and their families have access to health care.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Kate Umentum at (920) 433-8357 by March 28th.  For further information, please contact Steve Gerczak at (920) 433-8154 or by email at sgerczak@stvgb.org

The CKSN Update is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter of the Covering Kids with Special Needs project that ABC for Health is implementing with its partners, the Title V Children with Special Needs Regional Centers and Family Voices - Wisconsin. If you would like to include news and information in future CKSN Updates, please send it to the attention of Barbara Katz, Parent Consultant, ABC for Health.  All submissions should be limited to 150 words.

Barbara J. Katz
Parent Consultant
ABC for Health, Inc.
152 West Johnson Street, Suite 206
Madison, WI  53703-2213
608.261.6939 ext. 207
barbk@safetyweb.org