Utah Autism Coalition
Our Volunteer Philosophy: "We accept WHATEVER help you can give WHENEVER you can give it and say THANK YOU. Period. That's all we ask. :)
NEVER underestimate the power of your individual contribution. The Utah Autism Coalition (UAC) is a parent-driven, grass roots advocacy group dedicated to supporting initiatives and other programs that enhance the lives of individuals with autism and their families. It is comprised of both the families of these individuals as well as representatives from various autism advocacy organizations, agen
Utah County friends! Come out and Trick or Treat your legislators tomorrow (Tuesday) evening! Who will be there?
Awesome news!!!
BREAKING NEWS: CIGNA is making ABA a standard benefit for all group plans -- whether self-funded or fully-funded -- in all states starting in 2018. Also, benefits will no longer be subject to age, dollar, or visit limits. The removal of limits applies to OT, PT, ST, and ABA.
Proof that advocacy works!!! Today the sunset review of S.B. 57 unanimously passed out of committee!! Even the insurance companies lobbiest testified in FAVOR of coverage for ABA therapy. Thank you advocates!!!
If your child receives DSPD services you will want to attend this meeting to learn more about the Cures Act.
Autism Votes
ADVOCATES: ACTION NEEDED! PLEASE SHARE!
There’s a new healthcare reform effort in Congress that proposes big changes to Medicaid. Autism Speaks continues to actively engage in the advocacy in D.C. related to critical Medicaid services for individuals with autism. Make sure to share your thoughts with your representatives in D.C. today!
Contact your U.S. Senators through the link below and help today!
http://act.autismspeaks.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=245
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream opens in SLC employing mostly people with special needs | KSL.com
Just in case you need more reasons to eat ice cream 😜
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45706056&nid=148&title=howdy-homemade-ice-cream-opens-in-slc-employing-mostly-people-with-special-needs
ksl.com There's a new ice cream shop in Salt Lake City with a twist. What makes the employees different is an asset, not a liability.
Utah Parent Center
Raising a child with special needs isn't always easy, but a smile makes it all worth it! We had such a fun day with Matthew and his family. Thank you for sharing your "perspective" with us.
The Utah Parent Center is all about perspective and the way we LOOK at life with special needs; the child, the family, the community, the school, church, activities, etc. Stay tuned for of our messages of HOPE! ❤️❤️❤️
(Thank you for telling our story )
Target Unveils Clothing For Kids With Special Needs
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.s.stillman/posts/10214457839780211
disabilityscoop.com Target is rolling out a collection of sensory-friendly apparel for children and says adaptive clothing for those with disabilities is on the way too.
Disability Law Center
Today, August 15th is Primary Election Day in Utah! If you haven't already mailed in your ballot, DON'T MAIL IT. Instead, enter your address at vote.utah.gov to see to see how and where you can vote today.
Questions? Contact (800) 662-9080 for more information.
Utah Autism Academy
Great news for families in Southern Utah! Spread the word!
We are happy to announce the expansion of our services at our St. George location! Email us if you would like more information!
The Utah Department of Health and their partners including Utah Family Voices have undertaken an initiative to improve the access and ease of services for children and youth with special needs. Obtaining feedback from families about their experiences and needs are vital to the process. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the following survey. It should take less than five minutes of your time. Your responses are voluntary and will be compiled together to assist in guiding the activities.
https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9S4UbOPdL51ZbYp
What is Medicaid and how would reforming it affect Utahns? | KSL.com
One Utah family's story about how essential Medicaid benefits can be to those with autism. https://www.ksl.com/?sid=45189393&nid=148&title=what-is-medicaid-and-how-would-reforming-it-affect-utahns
ksl.com Medicaid cuts and caps have been discussed as a part of the new health care reform. Here's how Utahns use Medicaid.
Don't forget to register for this fantastic event!!
Register for the Sahara Cares Autism Carnival and spread the word :)
Utah Senators: Hold a Healthcare Town Hall
The health care bill vote has been delayed until after the July 4th recess! This is great news as it gives us more time to make our voices heard! Sign this petition if you would like to encourage Senator Lee and Senator Hatch to hold a town hall meeting during the recess.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/utah-senators-hold-a-healthcare-town-hall?source=direct_link&
actionnetwork.org Let Senator Lee and Senator Hatch know how important it is that they take the time to speak to Utahns before returning to DC after the July recess. Feel free to include a personal healthcare message in the comments!
Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University
"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members" - Mahatma Gandhi
This is a great video put out by the USU Center for Persons with Disabilities that outlines why it is so important that everyone read and understand the changes that are being proposed in the new healthcare reform bill and why we must make our voices heard to protect those who are the most vulnerable.
Utah State University CPD Director's FB Live Update: Healthcare Reform Call to Action
Advocacy for Medically Complex Kids: Your Story
A group of DC-area families will be going to the capitol TOMORROW and will be visiting Senators on behalf of families in other states. Fill out this form so they can speak for you and your family! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe13J9aoFngTdfIs5_KmI_OMQdBUxRFMA2oPV6BMWrasooFkA/viewform
docs.google.com As many of you know, Republican Senators are quietly planning to fast-track their version of the House-passed AHCA right now. Reports say they are hoping for a full vote this month -- with no debates, no committee hearings, no opportunity for amendments. This is outrageous! A group of DC-area famili...
Check out these free clinics for all ages and abilities!
This has some great ideas!http://files.constantcontact.com/eadde16c001/fb728c02-30a7-43c5-bb72-8cfa039ab2fb.pdf
FYI - Here is an invitation for parents to participate in a new survey to understand the connections between autism, stress, and health. Data collected from this survey will be used for an NSF-funded dissertation project at the University of Colorado that will be published in the scientific literature.
The first 400 participants to complete this survey will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card. All participants will also be entered into a lottery to win one of three $200 Amazon.com gift cards. The survey should take approximately half an hour to complete. All responses will remain confidential and no identifying information will be used in published reports.
Please consider participating if you meet the following criteria:
1) You are the parent or legal guardian of a child diagnosed with autism.
2) Your child with autism is between the ages of 6 and 17.
To participate in this survey, click on the link provided here: https://cuboulder.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cGDwkfwGt4UJHJr
If you have any questions, please contact Bethany Rigles at [email protected].
Thank you for your help with this important project!
ABC4 Utah - Good4Utah
CBO estimates GOP health care bill would increase uninsured by 23 million, reduce deficit by $119 billion over 10 years. Does this report change your opinion about the bill? http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/23-million-fewer-americans-insured-under-house-gop-bill-says-cbo/721073953
One Utah Medicaid program that would face elimination under the proposed budget cuts is the Medically Complex Children's Waiver. This is a program that provides Medicaid services to families who earn above the Medicaid income threshold but who have a child with a disability that requires significant and expensive care... like a night nurse or a breathing machine. This is potentially very damaging to many Utah families.
Important!! Senator Hatch is requesting feedback from the disability community regrading health care reform, in particular health savings accounts, Medicaid, and tax credits to purchase health care coverage. He has requested comments and recommendations be sent to: [email protected]. Deadline for submission is May 23. Please take the time today to send an e-mail with your thoughts on this very important decision. Include ways that it will personally affect you or your loved ones if you can. Let's make our voices heard!!
A Little-Noticed Target in the House Health Bill: Special Education
nytimes.com A provision of the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act would sharply cut Medicaid funds for special education programs across the country.
Find Your Representative · House.gov Mobile
Tomorrow congress plans to vote on the GOP Healthcare bill. This bill will affect the autism community in the following ways.
1. It will not guarantee that insurance companies will have to cover "essential health benefits" including mental healthcare, and pre-existing conditions which includes the Autism Spectrum Diagnosis; many co-occurring medical and mental health diagnoses as well.
2. It will drastically cut Medicaid which will impact our community greatly.
3. It could make our work next year much harder in regards to renewal and hopefully improving the SB 57 bill.
Please consider taking five minutes today to call or write.
Mia Love, 202-225-3011
Chris Stewart, 202-225-9730
Jason Chaffetz, 801-851-2500
Rob Bishop, 202-225-0453
Www.resistbot.com
http://m.house.gov/representatives/
m.house.gov U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 TEL: (202) 224-3121 TTY: (202) 225-1904 Web: Go to full site Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Webmaster
Check this out! 100% of the funds raised go to the Autism Council of Utah. You donate any amount you feel comfortable with and you get an adorable yard stake.
Utah Autism Coalition
Today is the first day of Autism Awareness Month! As a former president (ok, it was such a short time, I'm not sure if it even counts) of the Utah Autism Coalition, I am personally asking you to please consider making a donation! I helped pass SB57 (the autism insurance mandate bill) and in this next legislative session, the Utah Autism Coalition will be working hard to renew this bill. We will need all the resources we can get to do this, please consider a donation today! Thanks, friends. And, thank you, Sarah Daugherty Sargent, for taking this on!
In the spirit of please consider making a donation to the Utah Autism Coalition. As a non-profit 501(c)4 organization ran entirely by parent volunteers we rely on donations! We have some big things happening in the next year and will need support. To donate simply go to our website: www.utahautismcoalition.org and click the "support via paypal button". :)
Utah Autism Coalition
Today is the first day of Autism Awareness Month! As a former president (ok, it was such a short time, I'm not sure if it even counts) of the Utah Autism Coalition, I am personally asking you to please consider making a donation! I helped pass SB57 and in this next legislative session, the Utah Autism Coalition will be working hard to renew this Autism Insurance Mandate Bill. We will need all the resources we can get to make this happen. Funds would be helpful. . .as would human beings willing to help. Thanks, in advance! And, thanks, Sarah Daugherty Sargent, for taking this on!!
In the spirit of please consider making a donation to the Utah Autism Coalition. As a non-profit 501(c)4 organization ran entirely by parent volunteers we rely on donations! We have some big things happening in the next year and will need support. To donate simply go to our website: www.utahautismcoalition.org and click the "support via paypal button". :)
Utah Autism Coalition
In the spirit of please consider making a donation to the Utah Autism Coalition. As a non-profit 501(c)4 organization ran entirely by parent volunteers we rely on donations! We have some big things happening in the next year and will need support. To donate simply go to our website: www.utahautismcoalition.org and click the "support via paypal button". :)
www.utahautismcoalition.org Autism Insurance Now!
This is a great fact sheet put together by the Disability Law Center that outlines the Medicaid cuts in the affordable care act repeal bill. The House will be voting on this tomorrow. Call your representatives TODAY and ask them to vote no. Instructions in the comments!!
We need your help! Congress is currently working on the ACA repeal bill which would make some BIG changes to Medicaid funding. Optional medicaid programs, such DSPD services, rehabilitative services (like ABA therapy), prescription drugs, personal care services (bathing, feeding, dressing) durable medical equipment, private duty nursing and more, will be in danger of losing funding. The house will be making a vote early next week. Here is what we need you to do:
1. Call 202-224-3121 (you will call this number 3 seperate times: once for each senator and once for your house representative)
2. Either leave a message or tell the person who answers that you are a resident of Utah and that you are against Medicaid cut and cap under the AHCA. Make sure you specifically mention the medicaid portion of this bill .
3. If you have a personal connection such as a friend or family member with autism share how this might affect them.
4. This is a national bill - so share with everyone and ask them to call their representatives as well!
Urgent: Medicaid Cuts in the ACA Repeal Bill Devastating for Children, Older Adults and People with Disabilities
The Disability Law Center will be hosting a free webinar concerning the current healthcare bills in congress and what effects they will have on services such as programs for DSPD, ABA, and Early Intervention tomorrow at 10am. If you are interested in attending register at this link: https://events-na6.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/1395462498/en/events/event/shared/default_template/event_registration.html?sco-id=1418682180&_charset_=utf-8
events-na6.adobeconnect.com If you've never used Adobe Connect, get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect.html Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat and Adobe Connect are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
Utah Autism Coalition
utahautismcoalition.org The 2017 legislative session is well underway and again has a record number of bills. Below are some that affect some portion of the auti...
SB0059
The 2017 legislative session has begun, and we will be keeping you up to date on bills and issues to watch. Three bills, all sponsored by Gene Davis, made it past the Education committee on Tuesday:
SB 59 – Students with disabilities evaluation amendments
This bill will require that when a child is identified as possibly having a disability their parents must be quickly given a timetable of when the child will have evaluations, etc. This will help parents understand the process their child is now going through.
SB 60 – School District Amendments
This bill creates requirements that information be communicated by private schools to potential students with disabilities. Here is a section of the bill: “…provide the parent or guardian of a student with disability information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education including: The right to free appropriate public education - An IEP; and - What, if any, services a child enrolled in the private school will not receive that the student has a right to receive if enrolled in a public school."
SB 61 – Students with Disabilities Accommodations Funding
This bill requires the State Board of Education to appropriate money specifically for 504 accommodation plans for children with autism.
The first two bills were developed in response to an autism parent's difficulties in getting their child from private to public school. It was an extraordinarily awkward transition which was not good for the kiddo, and that could have been much smoother with some information sharing.
The third bill is meant to reduce the impact of having a child with a 504 plan on a school. Schools would apply for reimbursement from the state school board. It's seen as a particularly good thing for rural schools.
If you support these bills it would be a good idea to e-mail your senator. If you have a personal story about how these bills might have helped your family, that would be very helpful.
Below are the links.
HB 59 - http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/SB0059.html
HB 60 - http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/SB0060.html
HB 61 – http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/SB0061.html"
le.utah.gov The official web site for the Utah State Legislature.
Utah Autism Coalition
Here's a page with all our survey results so far. All of the candidates received them - if you don't see a response from someone who wants to represent you and your family, feel free to give them a nudge. If you don't see them on Facebook, their contact info can be found here: https://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/2016-candidate-filings (or post a comment and I'll look it up for ya).
utahautismcoalition.org The Utah Autism Coalition sent a survey to candidates for the Utah state and federal offices. The list below includes links to all of thos...
Utah Autism Coalition
Check out Doug Owens response to our survey. Doug is running for the 4th Congressional District seat.
utahautismcoalition.org Candidates for the November 2016 elections were given the opportunity to answer a few questions relating to autism. The following are...
If you missed the Autism Mandate Summit last September and are in the Ogden area, you might want to attend this Saturday's event.
Broker - Applied Behavior Analysis benefit coverage will be extended to all fully insured...
This is big! UHC (United Health Care) is expanding the coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) for Autism related treatment to all fully-insured market segments and is encouraging the self-insured employer plans to follow suit. Hopefully this means other insurance companies will follow their lead. Thank you, UHC!
broker.uhc.com Be the first to know about new products, services, health care reform and more by subscribing to our newsletter. Visit our Profile and Preference Center to sign up today.
Hello, friends! We work closely with the Autism Council of Utah and they are putting on a great event July 8 at 7:00 PM. The "unGala" is going to be a fun event! Don't miss out on your chance to get tickets and support a great organization! Thanks.
Autism Insurance Bill Gets Final Passage In Oklahoma House
Way to go, Oklahoma! You're more than just "OK". http://www.news9.com/story/31834340/autism-insurance-bill-gets-final-passage-in-oklahoma-house
news9.com Legislation that requires health insurers to cover the treatment of children with autism has received final legislative approval in the Oklahoma House.
Home - Autism Housing Network
Madison House just launched its new Autism Housing Network site. Housing and employment are huge issues for our community. If you're interested in learning more (including about how to advocate), check it out: http://www.autismhousingnetwork.org/
autismhousingnetwork.org Explore. Learn. Connect. Autism Housing Network There are 5 million citizens with intellectual / developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the USA Only 10% have access to supports to live outside of their family home. 48% of autistic adults report feeling lonely, 57% report feeling depressed Bringing tog…