Courtesy Archive: March, 2005

In Memoriam: Terri Schiavo

WHEN: 2005-03-31

NOTES: Blog: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/custom/blogs/breaking
National focus: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/0305/31schiavoobit.html
Timeline: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/0305/31timeline.html
Court decision: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/0305/30ruling.html
Photos http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/photos/0305/schiavoscene/index.html
Complete coverage: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/noadsindex/schiavo.html

RESOURCE: AJC Newsletter Special Edition, http://www.ajc.com
NEW: 2005-03-31

Celebration of Leonard Roscoe's Life

WHEN: Friday, March 18, 2005 at 1:00pm
WHERE: Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-633-4505

RESOURCE: Mark Johnson
NEW: 2005-03-17

Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign Action Alert - Thank You

WHEN: Immediate
WHERE: Georgia
WEBSITE: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/thankyouhouse.html

NOTES: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Human Development voted today to fund the 925 new slots for the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP) and the much needed 4.5% increase for MR/DD providers.

We need to thank these Senate members that worked so hard to bring us this wonderful news. Please take a moment right now and send your thank you by email or phone call to each member.

We have made this easy, just go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/thankyouhouse.html and click the names. It will only take a few minutes of your time and will help us ensure that they remain long-term friends.

If you have not thanked the House leaders for their vote last week, it is not too late to go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/thankyouhouse.html and do so.

The ICWP caps and additional slots will be reviewed in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Community Health shortly. For a list of members serving on this subcommittee go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/aadd.html.

RESOURCE: Dave Blanchard, dave@aadd.org
NEW: 2005-03-10

ACTION ALERT: From National Mental Health Association of Georgia (NMHAG)

WHERE: Georgia Statewide

ALERT 2005-03-11: HB83 is off the calendar and is dead. However, SB174, also an insurance mandate bill, is still on the calendar

ACTION NEEDED: If you have an opportunity, please call today and leave a message for your Senator to vote against SB174 as this would also eliminate mental health parity
-------------

ALERT 2005-03-04: Managed Care is moving quickly through the Legislative process. Mental health advocates have had many concerns about changes that could affect them. Mental health consumers, families and advocates have been repeatedly told their services would not be interrupted and services could improve. In talking with the Governor's office and Legislators, there will definitely be changes in pharmacy benefits. Each managed care company that receives a contract from the state to provide mental health services will establish their own formulary for mental health medications. This could result in dire complications for consumers who are not be maintained on their present medication. Unlike the present formulary offered by DCH Medicaid, the private managed care companies would likely not have to include a variety of antipsychotic or SSRI's

ACTION NEEDED: Call the Governor's office (404-656-1776) expressing your concern must occur statewide. In addition, letters to the editor of local newspapers need to educate communit9es on the consequences of restricted formularies within the HMOs

RESOURCE: Ellyn Jaeger, ellyn@nmhag.org
NEW: 2005-03-11

Long Road Home March And Celebration

SPECIAL SAVE THESE FUTURE DATES REQUEST!
WHEN: Events Scheduled To Run: 2005-06-19 to 2005-06-22
WHERE: Georgia
SPONSOR: Long Road Home Planning Committee
CONTACT: Kate Gainer
PHONE: 404-687-8890
WEBSITE: disABILITY LINK

NOTES: Georgia advocates and other interested individuals are being asked to set aside the dates from June 19, 2005 to June 22, 2005 to help the Long Road Home Planning Committee in their celebration of the Sixth Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision. Many events are being planned, and MUCH help will be needed. To get involved and share in the festivities, please use the contact information given above!

RESOURCE: Shepherd Center Advocacy Office

Disability Policy Seminar, 2005: Partnership for Empowerment

WHEN: Monday, 2005-02-28 to Wednesday, 2005-03-02
WHERE: Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th St., NW, Washington, DC
SPONSOR: Arc, AAMR, AUCD, United Cerebral Palsy, and NACDD

NOTES: Invitation, registration form, etc: https://www.aucd.org/aucd_events.htm

Registration letter: https://www.aucd.org/meetings/GASeminar/2005/05SeminarLetter.htm

Registration deadline: Return the Seminar registration form, postmarked by February 4, 2005 to AAMR, 444 N. Capitol St., NW Suite 846 Washington, D.C. 20001.

February 4 - Disability Policy Seminar registration deadline without incurring a late fee. February 4 - Hotel registration deadline. March 2 - Date for visits to your Congressional offices. Please read the invitation letter to find out everything you need to know to participate in this important event!

ADA Impact Assessment Project

WHEN: March, 2005, through April, 2005
WHERE: Geographical Atlanta, Georgia
CONTACT: If you/your group want to be a team, please contact Lisa Brown, 678-637-7207, gtg874d@prism.gatech.edu or Sandy Shackelford, 404-272-3265, gte431j@mail.gatech.edu ASAP

NOTES: The ADA Impact Assessment Project is an effort to assess the accessibility of various businesses in [at least one] geographic area of Atlanta according to Title III of the ADA. Assessment (BARRIER BUSTER) teams will be recruited throughout Atlanta and advised as to some of the architectural barriers to access that are experienced by people with disabilities. The BARRIER BUSTER teams will be assigned to investigate select businesses within the geographic region and report back the results of their investigations Businesses will be rated on their level of accessibility using the prioritization system outlined in the Small Business Administration's/ Department of Justice's ADA Guide for Small Businesses.

RESOURCE: Shepherd Center Advocacy Office
NEW: 2005-03-24

People First Monthly Meeting

NOTICE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE; VERIFY BEFORE ATTENDING
WHEN: 4th Thursdays, 1:00-3:00pm
WHERE: disABILITY LINK, Decatur, Georgia
WHO: All interested advocates and self-advocates
PHONE: 404-687-8890
WEBSITE: disABILITY LINK.

RESOURCE: Shepherd Center Advocacy Office

Unlock The Waiting List Planning Meeting

WHEN: Friday, 2005-03-04 -- 12:00pm (Bring Lunch)
WHERE: James H. "Sloppy" Floyd Building, 3rd Floor (See DIRECTIONS)
DIRECTIONS: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/sloppyfloyd.html
CONTACT: Linda Wilson
PHONE: 770-463-1658
EMAIL: lpwilson@numail.org
WEBSITE: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/joinus.html

NOTES: Look for tables on the 3rd floor East (facing the Capitol). Please RSVP to Linda Wilson. Unlock The Waiting List planning meetings will be held every Friday. Minutes from the previous meeting may also be found at http://www.UnlockTheWaitingLists.com . Bring lunch or purchase onsite. Please RSVP to Linda Wilson @ lpwilson@numail.org

RESOURCE: Linda Wilson
NEW: 2005-02-24

"Baby Bullies" - Half-hour Special On Bullying Issues

WHEN: Saturday, 2005-03-05 -- 1pm
WHERE: Altanta Local Television -- WSB-TV Channel 2 (ABC)
SPONSOR: CSK Network and Connect With Kids initiative
CONTACT: Deborah Catrini, Director, Client Services, CWK Network
PHONE: 888-891-6020 ext 116
WEBSITE: Connect With Kids.

NOTES: Presented by WSB-TV Channel 2 (ABC) in partnership with CWK Network and the "Connect with Kids" initiative. This special examines the issue of bullying among our children, and what can be done to stop it. Also, future Connect With Kids specials airing on WSB-TV Channel 2

RESOURCE: Carol Sadler, CarolSadler@bellsouth.net, http://www.IEPadvocate4You.com
NEW: 2005-02-17

Board of Community Health Meeting (DCH)

WHEN: Thursday, 2005-03-10 -- 1:00pm
WHERE: Carl E. Sanders Fireplace Room, Capitol Edu. Ctr., Atlanta, Georgia

RESOURCE: Governor's Advisory Council for MHDDAD
NEW: 2005-02-17

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) Annual Conference

WHEN: Thursday, 2005-03-10 to Sunday, 2005-03-13
WHO: Parents, attorneys, and advocates
WHERE: Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square
SPONSOR: Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
EMAIL: edburke@copaa.org
WEBSITE: http://www.copaa.org. NOTES: The conference will feature four intensive skills training pre-conference sessions as well as a general conference program with 25 separate sessions covering virtually every aspect of special education advocacy. A major theme in this year's conference will be an examination of the many changes that were included in the recent reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Learn from seasoned and skilled advocates and attorneys about how these changes might affect you. The conference promises to provide parents, advocates, and attorneys with a wealth of useful information relevant to their day-to-day lives. Cnference program and gistration materials available at website. Please share this invitation with parents, attorneys, and advocates.

COPAA is a national association dedicated to promoting excellence in special education advocacy

RESOURCE: Governor's Advisory Council for MHDDAD

Unlock The Waiting List Planning Meeting

UPDATED: CANCELLED (Friday, 2005-03-11) Next meeting will be 2005-03-18
WHEN: 2005-03-11 Meeting has been CANCELLED -- The next meeting is currently scheduled to occur on Friday, 2005-03-18
WHERE: James H. "Sloppy" Floyd Building, 3rd Floor (See DIRECTIONS)
DIRECTIONS: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/sloppyfloyd.html.
CONTACT: Linda Wilson
PHONE: 770-463-1658
EMAIL: lpwilson@numail.org
WEBSITE: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/joinus.html.

RESOURCE: Linda Wilson
UPDATED: 2005-03-10

Medicaid Waivers and Advocacy 101

WHEN: Tuesday, 2005-03-15 -- 7:00-9:00pm
WHO: Parents, Family members, Advocates, Self-advocates, education community. All ages
SPEAKER: Dave Blancahrd, Director of Public Policy, AADD; Dottie Adams, Director of Advocacy, Governor's Council of Dev Disabilities; Janice Nodvin, Special Projects Director, May South; Sally Atwell, Director, Benefits Navigator WHERE: Northgate High School, 3220 Fischer Road, Newnan, GA; 770-463-5585
COST/FEES: Free
SPONSOR: AADD, Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, Special Education Department of Coweta County Schools, Coweta Supporters of Special Students
CONTACT: Linda Wilson, Coweta Supporters of Special Students, lpwilson@numail.org, 770-463-1658

RESOURCE: Linda Wilson, lpwilson@numail.org
NEW: 2005-03-10

SAN Metro, Self-Advocacy Network, Monthly Meeting

NOTICE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE; VERIFY BEFORE ATTENDING
WHEN: Wednesday, 2005-03-16 -- 1:00-3:00pm
WHERE: disABILITY LINK, 755 Commerce Drive, Suite 415, Decatur, Georgia 30030
WHO: Interested advocates and self-advocates of all disabilities
FACILITATOR: Cheryl Laurendeau; Cindy Sue Causey
PHONE: 404-687-8890; TTY: 404-687-9175; V/TTY: 800-239-2507; FAX: 404-687-8298
EMAIL: cherangel_33@yahoo.com or ButterflyBytes@gmail.com

DIRECTIONS: http://www.disabilitylink.org/docs/directions.html.

NOTES: SAN meetings can be very relaxed venues through which anyone interested may exchange ideas related to self-advocacy. All who may have resources available for self-advocates are welcome and encouraged to attend.

RESOURCE: Cheryl Laurendeau, cherangel_33@yahoo.com; Cindy Sue Causey, ButterflyBytes@gmail.com
UPDATED: 2005-03-06

DHR Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) Committee Mtg

WHEN: Wednesday, 2005-03-16 -- 10:00am-noon
WHERE: Georgia Department of Human Resources, 2 Peachtree Street, 22nd Floor, Room 270, Atlanta, Georgia
WHO: Open to the public

NOTES: Schedule and meeting location subject to change. Please verify confirm times and locations before attending.

RESOURCE: Governor's Advisory Council for MHDDAD
NEW: 2005-02-17

SAN North, Self-Advocacy Network, Monthly Meeting

WHEN: Saturday, 2005-03-19 -- 1:00-2:30pm
WHO: Interested self-advocates and advocates of all disabilities, their family, friends, caregivers, and other community supporters
WHERE: Pickens County Library, 100 Library Lane, Jasper, Georgia
CONTACT: Cindy Sue Causey, CPS (PWD); ButterflyBytes@gmail.com

NOTES: SAN meetings are and can be very relaxed venues through which anyone interested may exchange ideas related to self-advocacy. Self-advocates and those who may have resources available for self-advocates are always welcome and encouraged to attend. This type of venue can also be used for learning purposes as well as to gather appropriate resources that we hope will prove beneficial to others in the future.

RESOURCE: Cindy Sue Causey, ButterflyBytes@gmail.com
NEW: 2005-03-16

DHR Board of Human Resources Monthly Public Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, 2005-03-16 -- 1:00pm
WHO: Open to the public
WHERE: Georgia Department of Human Resources, 2 Peachtree Street, Room 250, Atlanta, Georgia

NOTES: Occasionally, the board will meet at a different location. The schedule is subject to change, so please check back with them to confirm times and locations before planning to attend.

RESOURCE: Governor's Advisory Council for MHDDAD
NEW: 2005-02-17

Drug Utilization Review Board Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, 2005-03-17 -- 2:00pm-5:00pm
WHERE: Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, West Tower, 20th Floor, Floyd Room, Atlanta, Georgia

RESOURCE: Governor's Advisory Council for MHDDAD
NEW: 2005-02-17

Unlock The Waiting List Planning Meeting

UPDATE: POSTPONED!!
WHEN: Postponed until Friday, 2005-03-18 -- 12:00pm (Bring Lunch)
WHERE: James H. "Sloppy" Floyd Building, 3rd Floor (See DIRECTIONS)
DIRECTIONS: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/sloppyfloyd.html.
CONTACT: Linda Wilson
PHONE: 770-463-1658
EMAIL: lpwilson@numail.org
WEBSITE: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/joinus.html

NOTES: Postponed out of respect for the memorial service planned for Leonard Roscoe. We will be scheduling an Unlock status and next steps planning meeting in the near future.

Note updates to UnlocktheWaitingLists.com: Alert Updates, Guide for visiting the Capitol, Schedule for when Legislator will be in session.

RESOURCE: Linda Wilson
NEW: 2005-03-14

Consumer Scholarships for NMHA's Annual Conference
National Conference

DEADLINE: Friday, 2005-03-18
WHERE: National Conference
SPONSOR: Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through contract with Westat/Health Systems Research, Inc. (HSR)
WEBSITE: National Mental Health Association
ACRONYM: NMHA

NOTES: The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), through a contract with Westat/Health Systems Research, Inc. (HSR), is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to participate in the annual conference sponsored by the National Mental Health Association. The purpose of the scholarships is to foster transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery. The completed application and letter of recommendation must be received by March 18, 2005 in order to be eligible for this scholarship.

RESOURCE: Consumer Affairs News from the Center for Mental Health Services, http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor
NEW: 2005-02-17

Regional Radio Show: What's so special about Special Education?

WHEN: Sunday, 2005-03-27 -- 5:00-6:00pm
WHERE: Regional Radio Show: WXRL 1300AM Radio
SPEAKER: Monica Moshenko, Host, DisAbility News and Views Radio Show
CONTACT: Monica Moshenko, monica@poweradvocates.org

NOTES: Monica Moshenko, Parent Advocate will be taking YOUR calls about Special Education such as: What is an IEP? What are my rights? What does the new IDEA (Federal law) say? How does the state law compare to the federal law? What happens at the Annual Review? How important is it to have the correct classification for your child? What is ESY? Is your child in the LRE? How do you measure progress? And much, much more!!

RESOURCE: Monica Moshenko, monica@poweradvocates.org
NEW: 2005-03-22

Long Road Home (LRH) Planning Meeting

WHEN: Monday, 2005-03-28 -- 1:00pm
WHERE: disABILITY LINK (CIL), 755 Commerce Drive, Suite 415, Decatur, Georgia
WHO: Anyone interested in helping organizing this year's celebration of the 1999 Olmstead Decision
SPONSOR: Long Road Home (LRH) Planning Committee
CONTACT: Kate Gainer
PHONE: 404-687-8890
EMAIL: ngainer@msn.com
WEBSITE: disABILITY LINK.

RESOURCE: Kate Gainer, ngainer@msn.com
NEW: 2005-03-24

Metro Regional Action Team (M.R.A.T.): Lunch & Learn - Special Education Advocacy 101

WHEN: Monday, 2005-03-28 -- 12:00-2:00pm
WHERE: Fulton County Juvenile Court, First Floor-Training Room B, 395 Pryor Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
FACILITATOR: Leslie K. Lipson, Staff Attorney, Georgia Advocacy Office
SPONSOR: Underdue Social Services, Inc.; Intensive Family Intervention Services Program
CONTACT: Kimberly Underdue, LMSW
PHONE: 678-851-9509
EMAIL: underduesocialservices@yahoo.com

NOTES: Please send an e-mail message to Kimberly Underdue, LMSW, at underduesocialservices@yahoo.com or 678-851-9509 to reserve your slot and/or obtain directions. Bring your lunch, and we'll do the rest!

Resource Panelist will be Kimberly Mills, Special Education Advocate, Fulton County Juvenile Court

RESOURCE: Unknown
NEW: 2005-03-24

ADAPT Monthly Meeting

WHEN: Friday, 2005-03-31 -- 1:00-3:00pm
WHERE: disABILITY LINK, Decatur, Georgia
WHO: All interested advocates and self-advocates
PHONE: 404-687-8890; TTY: 404-687-9175; V/TTY: 800-239-2507; FAX: 404-687-8298
WEBSITE: disABILITY LINK.

RESOURCE: Shepherd Center Advocacy Office
UPDATED: 2005-03-10, Cheri Mitchell, cjohnson@disabilitylink.org

Health Insurance Forum

WHEN: Thursday, 2005-03-31 -- 2:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW, Atlanta, Georgia
WHO: For those worried about cuts limiting health coverage or cuts to the Medicaid or Peachcare programs
SPEAKER: Linda Lowe, Sylvia Caley, Jeff Graham, Dr. Henry Kahn, Lynn Thogersen, Phyllis Johnson RN, Dr. Dan Blumenthal, Rita Valenti RN, Pat Puckett, and Arun Mohan
DIRECTIONS: Call 404.892.9822, ext. 2513
SPONSOR: Georgians for a Common Sense Health plan
CONTACT: Laurie Iscaro
PHONE: 404.636.4590

NOTES: Join an open discussion to learn about SecureCare, an exciting approach to covering everyone in Georgia with comprehensive, affordable health coverage!

RESOURCE: Georgia Rural Urban Summit (GRUS)
NEW: 2005-03-24

Celebration: Self Advocacy Exhibit at the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham

WHEN: Thursday, 2005-03-31 -- 4:30-6:30pm; Continues Through Sunday, 2005-04-24
WHERE: Birmingham, Alabama
WHO: All are invited to attend
CONTACT: Jenny Manders
EMAIL: jmanders@uga.edu
WEBSITE: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, http://bcri.bham.al.us/index.html; Advocating Change Together, http://www.selfadvocacy.org/; Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, http://www.sabeusa.org.

NOTES: This Self-Advocacy Exhibition features Advocating Change Together, Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, and People First of Alabama. The exhibit includes poetry by Gail Bottoms, the art of Lois Curtis, as well as the Long Road Home video. This exhibit is on display till April 24

Advocating Change Together features a twenty-one panel exhibit tracing perceptions, attitudes, services, struggles, and achievements in the history of persons with developmental and other disabilities. It covers this subject from antiquity through the present, the exhibit brings viewers through an illustrated timeline, chronicling societal interpretations of disability through moral, medical, and cultural group models

Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered features disability rights, awareness, and, advocacy videos running throughout the exhibit. Available for viewing are framed self-advocacy products from self-advocacy gatherings and conferences

People First of Alabama features poetry, art and information about the southern history of the disability rights movement

RESOURCE: Georgia Rural Urban Summit (GRUS)NEW: 2005-03-24

Commemoration of 15th Anniversary Of ADA Campaign

SPECIAL REQUEST FOR PARTICIPANT INPUT
WHEN: Events Scheduled To Run: 2005-07-04 to 2005-07-26
WHO: Anyone with input, ideas to share will be great appreciated
WHERE: Georgia
CONTACT: Mark Johnson, Director of Advocacy, Shepherd Center
PHONE: 404-350-7490

NOTES: Several advocates are in the process of identifying activities and developing a budget for the 2005 commemorance of the ADA Campaign. Events include: Kick-off on July 4th, Peaches and Pits cards, Barrier Buster Teams, Accessman and Boop daily appearances, a Festival. Mark would like your input on: general feedback, list of activities you have planned, card and costume designers, promotional help, sponsors ASAP.

RESOURCE: Shepherd Center

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