Winter Events in Washtenaw County 2013

Special  Olympics Snow Ball

Friday, January 11, 2013
7 - 10 p.m.
The Michigan League Ballroom at the University of MIchigan
911 North University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

• Dress is semi-formal
• Tickets are $5 pre-sale or $7 at the door
• No additional charge for parents/chaperones
• Contact your teacher or coach to purchase tickets

Hosted by University of Michigan pre-health organizations, Alpha Epsilon Delta and Medical Educational Service Opportunities


St. Joe's 5th Annual Sock Hop
Hosted by Joe's Club 5th and 6th grad youth group

Friday, February 8th from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish Center
3430 Dover Dexter, MI 48130
(Parish Center is behind the Village church)
For our friends with Developmental disabilities, ages 16 and over (and a caregiver, please)
Cost: $5 per guest (no charge for caregivers)

Please feel free to call us with any questions!
Contact Liz Aslin at 734-904-4294 or Laura McKenzie at 734-276-7454

Elvis will be in the house again to entertain us with his music of the 50's.
Games and light refreshments available

Dress for the occasion (saddle shoes, jeans, t-shirts, and poodle skirts) or come as you are!

Winter Events at Ann Arbor CIL

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living is a welcoming place, especially for people with physical and developmental disabilities. Call the contact numbers below if you have questions.
*************************
Hello everyone,
                Happy new year to all!  The Ann Arbor CIL pleased to announce our upcoming events in January and February.  Please note that some events are exclusively for youth (ages 14 to 26) while others are open to all ages.  We hope you find something of interest look forward to seeing you soon!  Please contact Mary or Anna about signing up for events.

Wii Game Night For All

Join your friends on Wednesday, January 16th from 6-8pm at the Ann Arbor CIL for a video game challenge.  Play popular Wii games such as bowling, golf, baseball, and much more.  If video games aren’t your thing there will be plenty of board games and cards available as well. This event is open to all ages and feel free to bring a friend. Snacks will be provided. RSVP is appreciated.  Contact Anna or Mary with any questions and RSVP.
Mary 734-971-0277 Ex: 22
mary@aacil.org
Anna 734-971-0277 Ex: 17
anna@aacil.org

Motley Crew Party Saturday, January  26th   from 1:00-3:00pm

Join your friends at the Ann Arbor CIL and our wonderful Motley Crew volunteers for some fun and games! The theme will be a surprise! This  event is open to youth ages 14-26. RSVP will also be appreciated.

“Sweet” Valentine Social

Do you love sweets? If so this is an event for you! Join your friends at the Ann Arbor CIL for a sugar filled evening.  You’ll learn how to make assorted candies and cookies. You will have a treat bag to take home with you as well.  We will also have Valentine’s themed games and you will have an opportunity to make a Valentine for the special someone in your life. The event will take place on Monday,  February 11th from 5:30-7:00.  RSVP is appreciated. The event is open to anyone ages 14-26.

Family Casino Night

Have you ever dreamed of stepping inside a casino? Well here’s your chance. You are cordially invited to Ann Arbor CIL’s first Youth Casino Night. The night will be filled with casino night fun including games, music, treats and more. Join your friends on Monday, February 25th from 5:30-7:00. The event is open to all ages and abilities. Contact Anna with your RSVP.
734-971-0277 Ex:17
 

Halloween Party

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living is sponsoring a free Halloween Party for youth 14 to 26, with apple bobbing, bingo, pumpkin painting, caramel apples and more.

Costumes encouraged.

Friday, October 28, 2011, 6 - 9 p.m.

RSVP required: Ann Dusbiber Gossage at anna@aacil.org .

Anna Dusbiber Gossage coordinates youth events. Contact her for information and questions on future events.

More on "Integrating Dual Eligibles" in Michigan

In July 2011, the Michigan Department of Community Health notified stakeholders about forums on the "Integration of Dual Eligibles". Dual eligibles are people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. Most people with developmental disabilities become eligible for Medicaid when they turn 18 and their families' incomes are no longer considered in determining eligibility. Usually, people with DD qualify for Medicare in addition to Medicaid, when a parent who has been paying into Social Security retires, dies, or becomes disabled. 
 

Michigan is one of fifteen states that has a contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a model to "integrate dual eligibles". So far, it appears that the state's plan could radically change the way services are provided to this population. Because dual eligibles are a significant minority served by the mental health system, everyone who receives specialty services through community mental health may feel the impact of these changes.

Presumably, this is all about saving money. According to the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB), "As a group, these individuals [dual eligibles served by the mental health system] have the most complex care needs of persons served by our system.  As a result, the Medicaid expenditures for the specialty services for these persons was $1.1M, almost 50 % of the total Medicaid expenditures for specialty mental health and developmental disabilities services statewide."

These figures would not be a surprise to anyone who knows this population well, just as most people would not be shocked to discover that it costs more to treat an aggressive cancer than it does to treat a sore throat or a broken arm. But we aren't necessarily dealing with people who have an intimate knowledge of what it is like to have a severe developmental disability, mental illness, or other condition covered by Medicare and Medicaid. As far as the state and the federal government are concerned, dual eligibles cost too much money and the costs must be reduced. The belief is that, “Providers will experience administrative efficiencies by working with a single administrative system and payer source [probably Blue Cross/Blue Shield or a similar entity] and instead of dealing with multiple entities for authorization and payment of services." The belief of many families and other advocates is that cost reductions are more likely to come from reducing services than from administrative efficiencies.

The State is required to include stakeholders in the development of this plan that will go into effect next year, but stakeholders were kept in the dark about it until recently. Even after four stakeholder forums with two more scheduled in August (see below), people who attended the forums and read the material distributed about the State plan are still scratching their heads wondering what this is all about. 

What is truly shocking about all this, is that the MDCH is either unwilling or unable to answer some very basic questions, such as those posed by stakeholders at the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards Executive Board Meeting on August 5, 2011. Here are a few of those questions:  

Unanswered questions regarding changes to consumer services and treatments:

• Who makes the final decision as to which treatments and services are
  “inappropriate” and/or “too costly”?
• Will Habilitative Services be continued to the extent necessary to maintain functioning level and skills and for how long?
• Will Payers have the final approval over the PCP [Person-Centered Planning] process and its content regardless of the individual beneficiary’s opinions?

Unanswered questions about participating payers [most likely Blue Cross/Blue Shield or similar entity]:

• Will anyone address the exorbitant reserves and extravagant Executive salaries and benefits of the large carriers?
• Will anyone address the extreme administrative cost rates that result from these large executive employment packages and insure that Medicaid dollars will not be used to feed increases to these already high costs?
• Would it not be worthwhile to compare the participating carrier administrative costs ratios with those of the present CMHSP [Community Mental Health] system already serving these beneficiaries?

Unanswered questions about the Governance Steering Committee for the dual eligibles plan:

• Why is there no Stakeholder participation in this committee?
• If the committee is charged with governance and oversight, it would follow that part of their responsibility is to insure the stated goals of improving healthcare and cutting costs are included in its charge. What happens when those two objectives are in conflict? Which of the goals will take priority?
• Will the most severe therefore be determined too costly to support in any meaningful manner? This is one of the most important questions as these individuals are the most severely impaired, most challenging to treat, and are considered the least able to contribute to their healthcare costs and/or healthcare needs.

Due to feedback from families and other advocates, the state has added two additional meetings for stakeholders regarding the "dual eligible" proposal for integrated care: 

Greater Lansing

Date: Wed., August 24
Time: 1–4 PMVenue: Eagle Eye Golf Club (at Hawk Hollow), 15500 Chandler Road (directions)
(517) 641-4570
Directions

 

and

Detroit 

Date: Mon., August 29
Time: 1–4 PMVenue: Greater Grace Temple Banquet Hall, 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit

(313) 543-6000
Directions

If you were unable to attend the previous forums, go to the project Website or call Dawn Wade (517) 484-4954 to register. It is critical that as many people as possible attend. Ask questions concerning aspects of the plan you do not understand or cannot reconcile with your needs. To the extent that you have unmet needs, that should also be expressed as the purpose is to obtain stakeholder input concerning needs. If your needs are currently being served and you fear they will not continue, or will be diminished, that is also a valid statement to express. 

If the state is unwilling or unable to answer basic questions about the dual eligible integration project, the results could be disastrous for this vulnerable and relatively powerless population. 

Written comments can be e-mailed any time to Integratedcare@michigan.gov. See the project Website here and follow the links for more information.

Detroit: Administration on DD to hold "listening" session

On December 2nd, 2010, the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities is holding a "listening session" in Detroit on "Envisioning the Future". Registration is still open and the agency is encouraging families to participate.

People who are picked to speak have three minutes (with an extra 2 minutes given to "self-advocates"). You can submit written testimony at the Website, whether or not you are chosen to speak. There will also be limited room for people who just want to listen. Speakers should arrive by 8:00 a.m. Testimony lasts from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. followed by closing remarks with breaks interspersed throughout the day.

Here are some important links to information:

• How to give testimony.
• Details on the event in Detroit.
• Registration

What is the Administration on Developmental Disabilities?

The ADD is the U.S. Government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, known as the DD Act. The ADD is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The DD Act programs that are administered by ADD are the State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (the Michigan DD Council), Protection and Advocacy (Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services), University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (DD Institute at Wayne State University), and Projects of National Significance.

Why is it important for the ADD to hear from you?

You and I are often represented by professional advocates who receive federal funding through the DD Act, but rarely do we have an opportunity to speak for ourselves directly to the agencies that fund the advocates. This is a chance for you to make your views known on behalf of your developmentally disabled family member.

Meeting of MACMHB Executive Board in Dearborn tonight

The Executive Board of the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards will meet tonight, May 17th, 2010, at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency. The address is 600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126. The meeting will be in the Marquis Ballroom on the second level. The Choice Resolution is on the agenda.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and there will be a public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.

The AACIL: Activities for People with Disabilities

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL) offers lots of activities for people with disabilities. Although their focus is generally on people with physical disabilities, they also serve people with other developmental and cognitive disabilities. Even if your child has never participated in AACIL programs, it is worth a look to see if there might be something for a more severely impaired child or adult.

The AACIL also has an email news letter with updates on CIL activities:

eNews for Youth
A Periodic ePublication of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
for Young People with Disabilities

Call to be placed on the email list.

Contact the AACIL at:

Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
3941 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 971-0277
phone: (734) 971-0826 fax: (734) 971-0277

Washtenaw ISD: Free sign language classes

This is from the Washtenaw County Special Education Information group:

Free Sign Language Classes
At Washtenaw Intermediate School District
1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106
beginning on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Instructor: Barbara Leonard

Twelve free sign classes will be held on Wednesdays,
beginning on October 14th.

Textbook required: Signing Naturally I.
(Wait until first class before purchasing.)

School/Preschool Signs -- 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn:

• the sign alphabet
• signs for everyday phrases related to the school environment
• signs for song, rhymes, and stories
• proper use of gestures, idioms, body language

Basic ASL -- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn:

• the sign alphabet
• signs for everyday phrases
• finger spelling
• proper use of gestures, idioms, body language
• deeper look into the characteristics of American Sign Language

The best way to register is to register on the WISD website . Click on Services--Staff Development Services--Workshop Registration or use this link .

If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Barbara Leonard
at 994-8100 x1532 and leave a message with your name, address, and
phone number.

Michigan Conference on Medicaid Waivers

Home and Community Based Waivers are available to provide a wide array of services to people living at home or in other community settings including group homes. Your developmentally disabled family member may already have a waiver - if that is the case, you were asked to give consent to use waiver services instead of placement in an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR).

Families usually don't receive much information about the waivers, the services they pay for, and how your local Community Mental Health agency is spending the money from the waiver. But access to HCBS waivers is often vitally important to getting all the services your family member needs to live safely and comfortably in whatever setting is appropriate.

This conference may help you to fill in the gaps in your knowledge about Medicaid waivers and how it might help your family. I'm hoping that's the case. As always, these mental health people are in love with acronyms and funny language ("wrap-around facilitators"???) Here is the the text of the flyer sent out by the MACMHB and the Michigan Department of Community Health:

MI Association of Community Mental Health Boards, in partnership with the MI Department of Community Health presents:

Annual Home & Community Based Waiver Conference
September 9 & 10, 2009

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
MSU, East Lansing, Michigan

3 Featured Waivers:

• Children's Waiver Program (CWP)
• Habilitation Supports Waiver (HSW)
• Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver (SEDW)

Workshop Goals and Objectives: Learning objectives for each educational activity are identified within the body of the brochure.

Who Should Attend: Case managers, supports coordinators, wrap-around facilitators, clinicians, administrative staff, providers, consumers, and family members.

Consumers & Family Members: A special rate is available for consumers and family members. [The special rate is $50 for the whole 2-day conference.]

Continuing Education Credits: The Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards (MACMHB), provider #1140, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. MACMHB maintains responsibility for the program. Social workers participating in this conference (9/9/09-9/10/09) may receive a maximum of 10.5 continuing education clock hours.

Evaluation: There will be an opportunity for each participant to complete an evaluation of the conference and the instructor. If you have any issues with the way in which this conference was conducted or other problems, you may note that on your evaluation of the conference or you may contact MACMHB at 517-374-6848 or through our webpage at www.macmhb.org for resolution.

Includes Plenary Sessions such as:

• “Asperger’s and the Five Senses”and Concurrent Workshops such as:
• "Medication and the Child and Teenage Brain: What do Psychiatrists do? What do Medications do? Can we all Work as a Team?"
• "Getting Started in Self-Determination"
• "Benefits and Community Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Mental "Illnesses
• "Increasing Independence for Children with Autism through Visual Supports"
• "Project ImPACT: Teaching Parents of Children with ASD Strategies to Enhance Their Child’s Social Communication"
• and much more

Other MACMHB Trainings here.

Respite evenings in Chelsea, MI

The Chelsea Free Methodist Church is offering families of special needs children one respite evening per month for free. The program, called Rest and Refresh, is open to families of children with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. Siblings may also attend.

One Saturday night per month, the church, which is located at 7665 Werkner Road in Chelsea, MI, will offer respite from 5-9 p.m. Volunteer care givers will be selected based on the child's needs. All volunteers are required to submit to a background check and will go through an orientation for the program.

A family orientation night will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 5-9 p.m. at the church. The first respite care evening will be on Saturday, March 8, 2008.

For questions about the program, call Liz Graves, Rest and Refresh Coordinator, at (734) 475-8801. For an application, call (734) 475-1391 or email info@chelseafmc.com.

eNews for Youth from the AA Center for Independent Living

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living publishes an email newsletter, eNews for Youth, listing recreational and fun events for people of varying abilities and their families. To receive the newsletter, contact:

Anna Dusbiber
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
2568 Packard Rd. (in the Georgetown Mall), Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 971-0277 x17
adusbiber@aacil.org

Here are a few of the events listed for August:

The first annual Great Lakes Independence Ride or I-Ride: Thursday, August 16 through Sunday, August 19.

Riders can participate for one day, two days, four days, just for the last few miles of each day or the last miles on Sunday. Departing from Holland that Thursday, riders will head north along the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan, before turning west toward Grand Rapids. The I-Ride will make brief ceremonial and celebratory stops in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Jackson, finishing with a flourish in Ann Arbor.

To join in the final mile or the after-party come to Gallup Park, 2970 Fuller Rd, near the corner of Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor at 3 pm that Sunday. We’ll be in the larger shelter at the rear of the park near the playground. This is a free family event open to everyone! The party ends at 6 pm.

Contact the I-Ride coordinator at (734) 971-0277 x49 or iride@aacil.org or go to the website www.independenceride.org. Check the website to find out about registration fees and fund-raising goals for I-Ride participants. All participants must register, even if they do not pay.

Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and Mentoring

The Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition and the Ann Arbor CIL will have a table at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Friday, August 17 through Sunday, August 19. Meet us at the booth (look for the Coalition’s blue banner) at noon that Saturday for a group exploration of the festival, including the youth games until 2 pm. The festival takes place in Depot Town, Frog Island Park and surrounding areas.

The Coalition will have a decoy duck in the non-profit duck race during the festival. Help us decorate the duck from noon to 3 pm on Friday, August 10 in the art room at the Ann Arbor CIL, 2568 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor. The office is located at the back of the Georgetown Mall. The duck race takes place at the festival’s dock stage at 3:30 pm on Sunday, August 19.

Want to volunteer to staff the booth? Need more information about these events? Contact Jen Chapin-Smith at jchapin@aacil.org or (734) 971-0277 x23.

Weekly Group Cycling Rides

The Ann Arbor CIL invites people of all ages and abilities to join us for a weekly ride using bicycles, handcycles and tricycles. The rides continue this summer on Wednesdays from the Ann Arbor CIL, 2568 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor, behind the Georgetown Mall. Arrive before 6:30 pm, when the cyclists leave the parking lot! Participants must RSVP ahead of time!

Bring your own cycle or use one of ours. If you need to borrow a cycle, reserve it ahead of time by contacting Mary Stack at (734) 971-0277 x56 or mstack@aacil.org. She can also answer your questions. Helmets are required.

Back To School Block Party Aug. 24 in Ypsi

Noise Permit, the Back to School Block Party, will take place Friday, August 24 (rain date, Tuesday, August 28) from 3 to 10 pm at Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti. Free food and entertainment by local youth bands and rappers will be available. Ozone House, Teens Center without Walls and Washtenaw Area Teens for Tomorrow are sponsoring this event, thanks to a grant from Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act. Special thanks go to the City of Ypsilanti. Last year 300 youth attended this free event!

For more information, contact Catheryn Malczynski of the Teen Center Without Walls at (734) 973-4384 or check out their website www.Tcw2.com and WATT’s website http://watt.ewashtenaw.org.