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In The News (updated September 23, 2008) |
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The Arc of North Carolina Election 2008 Mission The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of Pitt County supports and encourages people with developmental disabilities and their families to fully participate in the electoral process.
Perdue and McCrory Governor Debate Education
The debate topics were education, immigration, and the economy. Two of these issues have been hot topics for the developmental disability community: education and the economy. UNC just released a report detailing the financial difficulties that families with a disabled child are currently facing in North Carolina. Education: Posted by Julia Leggett, Policy Coordinator, The Arc of NC North Carolina 2008 General Election Schedule 2008 General Election Schedule September 15 Beginning date to request an absentee ballot to be mailed. G.S. 163.302(b) October 10 Last day to register; change your party affiliation or your address. The voter registration form must be postmarked by/or hand delivered by this date. G.S.163-82.6( c ) October 16 One-Stop Voting Begins October 28 5:00 PM – Last day to receive absentee requests by mail and applications (for sickness or disability Nov. 3, 5:00 P.M.) G.S. 163.230.1 (a2) (3) November 1 Saturday – One-Stop Voting Ends November 3 5:00 PM – All voted absentee ballots must be in the Board of Elections office G.S. 163-231(b) November 4 GENERAL ELECTION DAY – 6:30 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M. |
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Government Affairs The Arc of North Carolina provides legislative advocacy through ongoing communication with members of the NC General Assembly, and North Carolina members of Congress in Washington D.C. The Arc of NC acts as liaison for state and federal governmental affairs by disseminating legislative information to members and local chapters of The Arc. The Arc of North Carolina provides information about pending legislation to people concerned with disability issues with actions they can take to influence public policy. The Arc of North Carolina does this through: Arc Action Alerts. Visit The Arc of NC's home page to subscribe to the Action Alert Network. The Arc of the United States offers extensive information concerning federal legislation and policy. Visit http://www.thearc.org/governmental-affairs.htm to learn about the issues and how you can help. For further information contact:
Dave Richard, Executive Director:drichard@arcnc.org |
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The Flu Season Is Just Around The Corner! Are You Prepared?
What is the Seasonal Flu? The seasonal flu is a yearly flu and in North Carolina, the flu season begins in October running through April. Usually, the seasonal flu is a respiratory virus that is spread from person to person. It shows symptoms of a fever, coughing, and sneezing. Usually, people have some immunity against this flu, but there is also a vaccine available to prevent catching it. A vaccine for the Seasonal Flu needs to be given every year beginning in the fall season.
What is
Bird Flu?
Simply put, it’s a flu that affects birds.
Recently, there has been much attention
focusing on a bird flu outbreak in What is the Pandemic Flu? This flu occurs when a new flu virus appears in humans, spreads easily from person-to-person, causes serious illness, and moves around the globe. Fortunately, there is currently no Pandemic Flu, so we don’t have to worry, just yet! Who Should Get a Flu Shot? Certain people are more likely to get very sick if they get the flu. Those people are: People over age 50; People with a long-term illness such as diabetes or heart, kidney or lung disease, even children with asthma; People who get sick easily; People living in nursing homes; and, Healthcare Workers and others who care for sick or older people. We should all remember that the flu is not just a runny nose or an upset stomach. It can be a serious illness that could lead to pneumonia, and possibly causing death. Getting a flu shot helps protect yourself and those around you. So, call your doctor today and schedule yourself and your family for a flu shot and enjoy a healthier winter season! |
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Never Set Limits! I was having conversation with a professional in the DD service provider field one day and she told me that no one, including parents/siblings/caregivers should ever set limits on their loved ones with developmental disabilities. I agreed with her and went on about my business for the next few days not really giving much thought to our conversation. Then, on Saturday morning, my brother’s community support worker called me and asked if she could pick Frankie up and take him to the ECU swimming pool. Initially, I laughed and said that was not a good idea. Frankie hadn’t been in a swimming pool for over 30 years, and I just knew he wouldn’t be agreeable about going into a pool. But then, the conversation with the lady about not setting limits came to my mind, so I said ‘okay, you can try, but Frankie will never get into a swimming pool’. His worker came over; they went off to the ECU swimming pool which is handicapped accessible. About an hour later, I received a photo on my cell phone…………..my brother was in the pool, loving every minute of it. There is much to say about setting limits – we should never set limits on our loved ones with DD as they surprise us every day with something new. Sometimes we complain how society sets limits on our children, but many times we, the parents/siblings, inadvertently set limits for them too. I am so glad I didn’t say no as if I had, I would’ve been setting limits, and my brother wouldn’t be enjoying the swimming pool three times a month now! Susie Lenfestey |
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The New Comprehensive Waiver The new comprehensive waiver replaces existing waivers for recipients requiring more than $17,500/year in services and supports. This waiver does not provide option for self-direction. The maximum benefit of $135,000/year presuming maximum benefit without specific DMH/DD/SAS approval would equal $100,000/year. Current request for federal approval to serve 9250 in year #1, 9500 in year #2, and 9750 in year #3. Under new service definitions, there are Behavior Supports. Behavior Supports is a professional to work with the consumer, family, and existing provider to develop an individual-specific behavior intervention plan and train staff and family on interventions. Another new service definition, Home Supports, is a service provided by parents to adult children in the home. Combination of habilitation and personal care services. Like existing residential supports definition for recipients served in group homes, it will have various levels of intensity. Additional new services are: Long Term Vocational Supports, assisting recipients to maintain a job when they no longer need the intense service of supported employment. This support does, however, provide periodic support. Transitional Work Service functions like group supported employment. Appropriate for employment opportunities like a mobile work force in which a group of consumers perform a function such as maintenance, lawn care, etc. The next steps will be spent during September and October, training consumers, families, providers, LME’s on proposed changes in the waivers. It will also identify individuals currently served on the waiver that would appropriately transition to the Supports Waiver. Assuming a timely CMS approval, the new waivers will be implemented in November, 2008. Work will begin on writing two (2) additional waivers, for Tiers 2 and 3, following successful implementation of the first two waivers, targeting July, 2009 to begin process. DMA and DMH/DD/SAS staff is currently reviewing comments received from the public back in August. They will make changes in the waiver documents necessary based upon public feedback. As more information on the new Waivers come about, we will post the information on our News Webpage. |
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Are You Prepared for an Emergency?
First,
BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE!!
Contact the Public Health Preparedness
Coordinator, Pitt County Health Department, located
at The Public Health Preparedness Coordinator has a Self-Care Handbook for people with disabilities or special health needs on how you can prepare for an emergency. This handbook has a vast amount of information that will prepare you for an emergency. Call them today and request a copy for your household. In the meantime, create a plan. Make sure all family members know the emergency evacuation procedures for their work or school building. Listen to any questions and concerns family members may have. Take children’s feelings seriously. Answer questions honestly & find the answers together. Keep contact information handy. List important phone numbers and other contact information and carry with you at all times.
Confirm
Be Prepared. Items you should have stored in 1 or 2 sturdy containers are: · Radio, flashlights, and extra batteries · First-aid materials · Nonperishable foods, such as canned foods, cereals, and crackers, including pet food – if you have pets. Don’t forget a can opener! · Jugs of Water (1 gallon/person/day) · Changes of Clothing, including sturdy shoes · Small amount of cash and credit cards · Medications to include a week’s supply of prescription medications · Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other essential items · Blankets and/or sleeping bags For evacuations, always pre-plan an evacuation route. You may want to plan 3 evacuation routes as depending on where the disaster is coming from, you may have to redirect where you thought you’d be evacuating to. Remember that the local Emergency Shelter should always be your last resort. And, if by chance, you do go to an Emergency Shelter, be sure to take blankets, pillows, and food with you. |
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EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S ASSISTANCE CENTER (ECAC) (704) 892-1321, Ext. 35 or (800) 962-6817 ECAC is North Carolina’s Parent Center and is committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children. Established in 1983, ECAC offers a variety of projects and services designed to meet the needs of North Carolina’s families, students, educators, and other professionals. The Arc of Pitt County’s Resource Center offers a variety of ECAC’s FAMILY KITS ranging in many topics from preschool to employment. If you are interested in one of their Family Kits, please stop by our office or contact us (252-756-1056) to receive a kit. News from ECAC's Family to Family Health Information Center The September edition of the NC Family to Family Health Information Center's monthly newsletter, The Beacon, is now available to download! This edition of The Beacon along with previous editions of The Beacon is available for download at http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/resources/publications.htm#3 We encourage you to share this information with others! For more information and individual assistance, please call ECAC at 1-800-962-6817 ext. 35. |
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The Arc of Pitt County’s Annual Membership Meeting Is tentatively scheduled for November 11th. We ask all members of The Arc of Pitt County to attend as there will be bylaws amendments to be voted upon, new officers, and a new board of directors to be voted in. More details will become available shortly! You can also contact our office at (252) 756-1056 for further information. |
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A New Website To Find Resources The NCcareLINK system is a new information and referral project for the state of North Carolina. The NC Department of Health and Human Services in cooperation with 22 local partner organizations has developed this database to provide the public with the most comprehensive list of services. Please visit their web site at www.nccarelink.gov to view the project. |
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