AAMR F.Y.I.
March 2006, Vol.6, No.3
Visit www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter. Subscribe at http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up.
Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:
UTAH BECOMES SECOND STATE TO ADOPT THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BASED ON SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Starting January 1, 2006 , the state of Utah has started using the Supports Intensity Scale, a planning tool developed by the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) to determine individual support needs of its 4,500 citizens with intellectual disabilities, and provide services based on individual needs highlighted as an outcome of this assessment. This shift to providing services based on a person’s needs rather than on statistical norms marks a major change in disability services, and follows close on the heels of the adoption of SIS by the state of Georgia. Last November, Georgia announced that it would SIS to gauge service requirements of its 12,000 citizens with developmental disabilities. “The SIS has turned out to be a very valuable tool for the state of Utah ,” says Steve Wrigley, Utah ’s Statewide Crisis Systems Administrator. “The most useful aspect of the Scale so far has been to learn more about the support needs of the individuals we serve through the in-depth interview process SIS calls for. It’s been a very useful tool for our staff,” Currently, around 4,500 citizens with intellectual disabilities are being served by the state.
To learn more about SIS, visit www.siswebsite.org
NEW HAMPSHIRE IS TOP PERFORMING STATE IN DELIVERING MEDICAID SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHILE TEXAS RANKS LAST, SAYS REPORT BY UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY
A new report by United Cerebral Palsy ranking Medicaid services for persons with developmental disabilities in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia finds that the top performing state, New Hampshire, emphasized community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation and spent 98 percent of Medicaid dollars to support people living in their communities through home-and community-based services. Texas, on the other hand, which ranked last on the list, only spends about 31 percent on community services. Nationwide, Medicaid serves over 530,000 people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, spending $24.7 billion or $52,000 per person per year. In February 2006, U.S. Congress cut the Medicaid budget over the next five years by $4.7 billion and by $26.4 billion over the next ten years.
To read A Case for Inclusion published by United Cerebral Palsy, visit http://www.ucp.org/uploads/full_inclusion_state_report.pdf or http://www.ucp.org/medicaid/.
RESEARCHERS DISCOVER THAT SPECIFIC GENE MUTATION MAY HELP SPUR MENTAL RETARDATION
New research suggests that mutations in a specific gene, KCNC3, may cause neurodevelopmental disorders such as mental retardation and also drive neurodegenerative disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxias. The findings may eventually help lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study was led by Dr. Stefan Pulst of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
To read more about this discovery, visit http://healthinfo.cedars-sinai.edu/healthnews/healthday/060227HD531190.htm. The implicated gene, and two mutations are described in the February 26 issue of the journal Nature Genetics (http://www.nature.com/ng/index.html).
INADEQUATE TRACKING OF LEAD LEVELS IN NATION’S DRINKING WATER BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY MAY PUT PUBLIC HEALTH AT RISK, SAYS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT
A recent report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has put into question whether lead levels in nationwide water systems are at a safe level. Adverse health effects related to lead can be severe, including low birth weight, mental retardation, and learning disabilities in children. The GAO report, triggered by the controversy over elevated lead levels in the District of Columbia ’s tap water in 2003 found that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) database does not contain test results for over 30 percent of nationwide water systems. Hence, there is not enough data to find out whether EPA’s lead and copper rule on drinking water is effectively being implemented across the country.
To read Drinking Water: EPA Should Strengthen Ongoing Efforts to Ensure That Consumers Are Protected from Lead Contamination, visit http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06148.pdf. The report was requested by U.S. Senator James Jeffords (I-VT), Representative John Dingell (D-MI), and Representative Hilda L. Soils (D-CA). To read a press release issued by Senator Dingell’s office, visit http://www.house.gov/commerce_democrats/Press_109/109nr30.shtml
CATHY FICKER TERRILL, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF RAY GRAHAM ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TALKS TO AAMR F.Y.I.
With over 26 years of leadership experience in the disability field, and international consulting experience on strategic and fiscal planning for non-profits, Cathy Ficker Terrill is a noted expert on the topics of leadership and self-determination. Cathy talks to AAMR F.Y.I. at http://www.aamr.org/FYI/interview_CathyFickerTerrill.shtml
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON SOCIAL INCLUSION IN MONTREAL EXTENDED TO MARCH 31, 2006
The International Summit on Social Inclusion to be held in Montreal features more than 400 speakers from 28 countries. Register online by March 31, 2006 to get an early bird discount at http://sommet2006summit.aamrqc.org/sommet2006summit/registration_us.asp.
AAMR F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor. Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aamr.org.
Access past issues of AAMR F.Y.I. at www.aamr.org/FYI/. To subscribe, visit http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up
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