AAMR F.Y.I.
April 2006, Vol.6, No.4

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:

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES AMENDMENT PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ACCESS TO FEDERAL WORK-STUDY FUNDS AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
On March 29, U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) introduced an amendment to the College Access and Opportunity Act (H.R. 609) that will provide students with intellectual disabilities access to federal work-study funds. Currently, approximately 94 higher education institutions nationwide offer programs for students with intellectual disabilities, but these students are not able to access federal work-study funds due to disqualifying factors such as the absence of a high school diploma or enrollment in non-degree education programs, says a press release issued by Representative Sessions. Research shows that comprehensive postsecondary programs have had a positive impact on student rates of employment and wages.

Read a press release by Congressman Sessions' office at http://sessions.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=41553

To read the text of H.R. 609, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas and conduct a search by Bill Number for H.R. 609.


NEW DATA REVEALS THAT WHILE 61 PERCENT OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE CARE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, ONLY FIVE PERCENT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS DIRECTED TOWARDS FAMILY CARE
While family spending increased 16% from 2002-2004, it still constitutes a small fraction of public spending on developmental disability services, reveals new data from the well-known State of the States study by David L. Braddock at the University of Colorado. In 2004, 395,978 families received family support services, an increase of only 2,249 families from the number supported in 2002. In 2004, the average spending per family across the states was $5,005, ranging from $235 per year per family in Alabama to over $10,000 in nine states. With more state budget cuts planned and a shortage of direct support workers, family support services remains more vulnerable than ever.

Read the data from the study at http://ici.umn.edu/products/prb/171/default.html


SISONLINE, A WEB-BASED ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR PROFESSIONALS SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, IS NOW AVAILABLE TO SMALL PRACTICES AND INDIVIDUALS
A web-based version of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS), a needs-based planning tool developed by the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), is now available to small practices of up to five persons as well as individual practitioners. SISOnline enables users of SIS to score the assessment form electronically, store the data obtained online, and run reports and aggregate analyses. SISOnline is currently being used by several states and large organizations. However, with the increasing need for managing and tracking client data electronically, AAMR is now offering this service to individual professionals. For pricing and further information, email help@sis-online.org.

In other SIS news, Utah becomes the second state to adopt SIS to determine needs and services for its 4,500 citizens with developmental disabilities.

Read more at www.siswebsite.org


DOWN SYNDROME IS MORE PREVALENT THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT, RECENT STATISTICS FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REVEAL
It is estimated that Down syndrome affects one in every 733 live births in the United States, according to new statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Previous data showed that one in every 800-1,000 births resulted in Down syndrome. This statistic is a part of the first undertaking by the CDC to record the prevalence of 18 birth defects, including Down syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, and cleft palate in the United States from 1990-2001. Prior to this, national birth defect estimates were only available for Neural Tube Defects. Down syndrome is a major cause of mental retardation.

Read the report at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5451a2.htm

Read a statement issued by the National Down Syndrome Society on the findings at http://www.ndss.org/media/pdf/NDSS_Statement_new_prevalence_stats.pdf


CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES LAUNCHES DATABASE DEDICATED UNIQUELY TO RESOURCES ON RETENTION OF DIRECT SUPPORT WORKERS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched the Direct Support Worker Resource Center, an online searchable database of materials on the recruitment and retention of direct support professionals. The web portal, located at http://www.dswresourcecenter.org/index.php/dsw, is meant for any government or not-for-profit organization, employer or professional seeking information on direct care workforce issues. In additional, state Medicaid Agencies can seek in-depth technical assistance through the site or by calling toll free at 1-877-822-2647.

In other direct support workforce news, retention of direct support workers by providing health insurance coverage is the focus of an article in the latest (April 2006) issue of the journal Mental Retardation. Access “Health Insurance Coverage of Direct Support Workers in the Developmental Disabilities Field” by William Ebenstein at http://aamr.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-toc&issn=0047-6765&volume=44&issue=2 (Payment required to access article).


NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY SEEKS RESEARCHERS TO EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT AND THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
The National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal agency, has $125,000 in funds available for research on the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for students with disabilities. Application deadline is May 1, 2006. The NCD expects that the research will be used by policymakers and the public to refine and strengthen the ongoing implementation of the two laws.

Learn more at http://www.ncd.gov/index.html

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

Click on the link below to remove your name from the AAMR F.Y.I. mailing list:http://remove.boomerang.com/?<merge>secret

© Copyright 2005 American Association on Mental Retardation

Publication of an advertisement by AAMR is neither an endorsement of the advertiser nor of the advertised products or services.

AAMR F.Y.I. may only be redistributed in its unedited form.