Keri will share information & answer questions on the Medicaid Waivers!

What:  Lunch Bunch Support Group Meeting
Where: Lucy Simms Center-Meeting Room 4
620 Simms Ave.
Harrisonburg, VA  22802
When:  Wednesday, March 10, 2010 – 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership (SVAP) will host our Lunch Bunch on the second Wednesday of each month during the school year (September – May).  The Lunch Bunch is an informal “brown bag” support group meeting to network with other families and professionals who support persons on the Autism Spectrum.  Please bring your lunch and share your joys, dreams and challenges with others.

*Free childcare provided; Call in advance if needed*

University Commons at Eastern Mennonite University
7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.  – Race Day Check in
9:00 a.m. –  Introduction
9:30 a.m.  – 5K Race Begins 

Online Registration: www.runwalkjog.com/autism

Mail in Registration:
Jenny Hummel
145 Sugar Mill Lane
Weyers Cave, VA 24486

Contact us at:  valleyautismrace@gmail.com

For additional info, see links below:

Autism Flyer

Sponsorship Worksheet

Sponsorship Cover Letter

Sponsorship Levels

http://www.iihhs.jmu.edu/precioustime/

Precious Time is a program coordinated by the James Madison University Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services. The success of Precious Time depends on community support and student service. Whether you are a family caregiver, a community member, or a student, you can be part of the Precious Time Program.

Please visit their website to find out more information and learn how to participate in their program.

About SVAP

We are dedicated
to improving the quality of life for all individuals with the autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger’s Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders and other related disabilities.

We believe
that every person with a developmental disability has the right to live, learn and work in the most normal and least restrictive setting as possible.

A planning committee
consisting of parents and professionals meets to organize events that focus on topics related to the autism spectrum disorder. We also provide support, advocacy, networking and social opportunities for families and professionals.

We maintain
this website to disseminate information and may also hold fund raising activities as well as recruit new members. We welcome ideas and input from folks in the valley that support individuals with autism. Click here to contact us if you are interested in helping our new organization grow!

Join us
The yearly membership fee is $15 for individual or family.  Here is the membership form to download and print.

Please send your membership form and payment to:

Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership
4181 Brown Roan Lane
Harrisonburg, VA 22801

SVAP is pleased to announce our autism spectrum disorders scholarship program.  Due to the generous community support for the first “Valley 5K Walk/Run for Autism”, we will be offering monetary scholarships on a limited basis for individuals on the Autism Spectrum.  These funds might be used towards services such as respite, therapies, safety or sensory equipment.  More information and an application are available for download (see above link).

Final State Regulations are now Posted 

View the regulations at

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Sped/varegs.pdf

“Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers for Persons with Disabilities, Their Parents, and Caregivers.”

This guide focuses on five of the waivers currently available in Virginia:

a. Mental Retardation/Intellectual Disabilities (MR/ID) Waiver
b. Day Support Waiver
c. Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support (IFDDS or DD) Waiver
d. Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) Waiver
e. Technology-Assisted (Tech) Waiver ”

For the pdf version of this guide, click on the following link: 

http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/valend/MEDICAID%20WAIVERS%20GUIDE%207-07.pdf

“This guide was created by Jessica Cann and Elaine Ogburn of the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (Va-LEND), in collaboration with Terry Smith, Division Director, Division of Long-Term Care, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), and Maureen Hollowell, Director of Advocacy and Services, Medicaid Waiver Technical Assistance Center, Endependence Center, Norfolk, Virginia. Va-LEND is an interdisciplinary leadership training program at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (telephone 804-828-0073).”

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Voice: 703 923 0010/1 800 869 6782 (toll free); Fax 1 800 693 351
Email partners@peatc.org

There’s some good information on HB 1588, legislation on mandated insurance coverage for services related to the autism spectrum disorder, at http://autismadvocates1.blogspot.com. The posts are from James Madison University nursing students with an interest in the legislation.