VOTE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES.

(thax M.C.)

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CDBG AND HOUSING
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CDBG and Housing - Information Bulletin #65, 5/04

    Nationally, about $3.5 billion dollars were spent nationally under HUDS's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in each of the past three fiscal years (01, 02 and 03).  A breakdown of the $3.5 billion shows:

nearly $1 billion went each year for "housing;"
a little less than $1 billion went for "public improvements"
(including street improvements, sidewalks and removal of architectural barriers); and
another $500 million went for "public services" (including services for the disabled, rental housing subsidies, and security deposits).

    A number of people have asked how their local and State officials have ACTUALLY SPENT the CDBG funds that your communities received -- show me
where the money went.'

    HUD has available the actual expenditures for each of FY 01 and FY 02 by grantee (either YOUR local and/or State housing offices) throughout the country.  This information is very important for disability advocates for a number of reasons:

    1.  If CDBG funds were used for construction and/or rehabilitation of housing (whether single-unit or multi-unit and whether privately or publicly owned - it does not matter), there MUST be AT LEAST 5% accessible units and they MUST accept section 8 vouchers OR be affordable to SSI recipients.  You should know where these houses are located and check them out.  They probably are listed in your Consolidated Plans.
    2.  If the "public improvement" and/or "public services" funds were used for streets and sidewalks, they better be fully accessible.  Same for every type of "public improvement."
    3.  If the CDBG funds did not go for disability issues, you should inquire about it and find out why they did not.
    4.  Getting this information for the past few years, gives you a lot of ammunition in your fight this and next year.  If the disability community was shortchanged in the past, force your officials to make it up.  Remember they must have Consolidated Plans for the allocation of CDBG funds, and they must have two public hearings before these Plans can be approved.

Here is how to find out how YOUR CDBG funds were actually expended.
Step # 1- go to
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/budget/disbursementreport
s/index.cfm 
Step # 2 at the bottom of that page is a map; click on your state. 
Step # 3- then click on your city.  A "Use of CDBG funds by [the name of your city]" will appear.
Step #4 - there are two separate years in PDF format.  These are actual disbursements.  Under the Activity Group, you will find "HR" for housing, "PI" for public improvements, and "PS" for public services.

    The expenditure of CDBG funds is discretionary and your local housing professionals and politicians could expend 100% of the CDBG funds on "accessible,
affordable, integrated" housing -- IF you are at the table and you are applying sufficient pressure.  They could use these funds to make your cities and counties a model for the disability community IF the disability community made CDBG funds a disability issue.

        Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at: http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site.

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CELEBRATE COMMUNICATION, MAY 22, WITH NVRC
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Celebrate Communication, May 22

The Northern Virginia Resource Center for deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons will its second Celebrate Communication event at George Mason University's Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 22, from 10 am to 3 pm.  Co-sponsored by the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities, this will be a day of discovery for everyone in the community - hearing, hard of hearing, and deaf - with exhibits and demonstrations of the many resources available to improve communication for people who struggle with deafness and hearing loss.  Seniors, children, parents, friends, families and colleagues will have a wealth of information to choose from on topics such as Cochlear Implants, Hearing Aids, the ADA, Government and County Services, American Sign Language and Cued Speech, Access at the Kennedy Center, and Hearing Dogs.  Presentations will be given by the Virginia Assistive Technology System, by hearing dogs from Fidos for Freedom, and by experts in the field of assistive technology.  The Lions Club will be offering free vision and hearing screenings in their mobile van.  Celebrate Communication will also be a fun day, with arts and crafts, activities for children, snacks, door prizes and raffles.  Food will be available from Bion's Grill, and morning coffee will be provided by Starbucks.
(thax DS News)

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BRIDGES4KIDS
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Read the bridges4kids News Digest online!  http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeebboDaTbafpLKt/

National News

CO Later Best for Learning?
Amy Bounds, Daily Camera, March 15, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zefbboDaTbafpLKt/
Denver Public Schools is considering starting high schools at 9 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m., ending the day at 4:15 p.m. Sleep researchers are urging school districts to start high school classes later to reduce the number of exhausted, cranky teens. Not getting enough sleep puts teens at risk for falling asleep behind the wheel, keeps them from concentrating in class and leaves them feeling depressed and irritable, researchers have found.

A Principal's Experience with the Raise Responsibility System
Mary Lou Cebula, Ed.D., Principal, Central School, Warren, New Jersey
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zefbboDaTbafpLKt/
Last April (2003), I started a new life journey that has dramatically changed who I am as a principal as well as who I am as a person. I was completing my fifth year as an elementary public school principal.

WA Schools' Water Fails Lead Testing
Deborah Bach, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 30, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zegbboDaTbafpLKt/
The first six Seattle public schools to have their water tested all exceeded federal limits for lead -- with dangerous levels found at dozens of drinking fountains.

Supporting At-Risk Students (PDF)
Project For School Innovation, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zehbboDaTbafpLKt/
Lowell Middlesex Academy was founded in 1989 as a dropout prevention program. Over the years LMACS has developed a number of specific practices that consistently help them to support at-risk students and help them gain the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to succeed in school and in life. These practices are outlined in a new book called Supporting At-Risk Students that is part of the Project For School Innovation (PSI) "By Teachers For Teachers" series of books. Read the introductory chapter here.

PA Philadelphia District Seeks Ways to Boost Teacher Attendance
Susan Snyder, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 23, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeibboDaTbafpLKt/
On average, about 6% of Philadelphia's public school teachers are absent daily--a higher rate than the state's overall average in 2001-02 and chief executive officer Paul Vallas wants to do something about it. [Free registration/login required to view this article.]

bridges4kids Featured Website: Discipline without Stress, Punishments or Rewards
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zejbboDaTbafpLKt/
How Leaders, Teachers, and Parents Promote Responsibility. Marvin Marshall details his Raise Responsibility System - a simple and amazingly effective approach that promotes responsibility, self-discipline, and learning.

Using a Discipline System to Promote Learning
Marvin Marshall, Phi Delta Kappan, March 4, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zekbboDaTbafpLKt/
On returning to the classroom after 24 years, Marvin Marshall struggled to maintain discipline. In Part 1 of this article, he describes how his frustration led him to develop a system -- incorporating the ideas and strategies of Stephen Covey, William Glasser, Abraham Maslow, and others -- that would promote responsible behavior by internally motivating students. In Part 2, Kerry Weisner describes the positive changes in her students' behavior and learning after she implemented Mr. Marshall's program in her classroom.

Child Abuse & Neglect Media Handbook (PDF)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zelbboDaTbafpLKt/
Child Trends has just published this free, handy booklet to help journalists improve their coverage of child abuse and neglect stories. The handbook includes basic facts on child abuse and neglect and foster care, as well as quick references to sources of information that can help journalists develop a deeper understanding of the complex issues related to child welfare. Even though the handbook was originally targeted at journalists, it should be of interest to anyone who wants to learn where to find more information about one of society's most troubling problems.

PA Prom-bound? There's an Exam
Dan Hardy, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 30, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zembboDaTbafpLKt/
To head off underage drinking, the West Chester district will require alcohol screening before students can enter. Stung by students being drunk at school dances, the West Chester Area School District announced yesterday that it would require junior- and senior-prom-goers to be screened by alcohol-detection devices. [Free registration/login required to view this article.]

Tools For School Improvement Planning
Annenberg Institute for School Reform
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zenbboDaTbafpLKt/
This helpful website contains observation protocols, focus group samples and questions, surveys, questionnaires, and other techniques to help examine specific school-improvement concerns. In the tools section, is a database of new and innovative tools used throughout the country, organized into school-improvement focus areas.

Our Children Left Behind (OCLB) Email Group
Our Children Left Behind (OCLB) is dedicated to ensuring that the rights of students with disabilities are not compromised during the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). We have developed a new Yahoo!Group for the distribution of our commentary & action alerts. You can subscribe by visiting http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeobboDaTbafpLKt/ or by sending an e-mail to OurChildrenLeftBehind-subscribe@YahooGroups.com.

bridges4kids Featured Website: Alliance for Healthy Homes
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zepbboDaTbafpLKt/
The Alliance for Healthy Homes was founded in 1990 as the Alliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning. Our name change in July of 2003 reflects the expansion of our work on lead poisoning prevention to address other housing-related health hazards.
bridges4kids Featured Website: Community Environmental Health Resource Center
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeqbboDaTbafpLKt/
The Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) is a project of the Alliance in collaboration with community leaders from across the country. CEHRC helps community organizations identify health hazards in homes and document substandard conditions to achieve changes in policies and practice in high-risk communities.

Hip Hop Takes a Hit
Stanley Crouch, New York Daily News, April 23, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zerbboDaTbafpLKt/
Black women are starting to fight rap's degrading images. You never know in America. Just when you think something bad is going to go on far longer than it should, signs of its being brought to a sudden halt appear. Nelly, a rapper from St. Louis who is notorious for his hedonistic rap videos and dehumanizing images of black women, has been stopped in his tracks by a group of concerned young women from Spelman College and young men from Morehouse College, two historically black schools in Atlanta.

What We Sing, We Remember Forever!
EducationNews.org, April 13, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zesbboDaTbafpLKt/
In 1962 a former primary grade teacher and mother of three preschool children was washing dishes and talking to her youngest son to keep him nearby and occupied as she completed her task. She had been tutoring beginning and remedial reading students for years, but was still surprised by what she learned in that conversation with her 4 year old. For more information, visit http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zetbboDaTbafpLKt/

MO Schools Stuff Backpacks With Food so Kids Don't go Hungry
Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press, April 15, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeubboDaTbafpLKt/
For poor students who eat most of their meals at school through government-subsidized breakfast and lunch programs, weekends and holidays can mean going hungry. So the St. Joseph School District, with the help of the local arm of America's Second Harvest, has started sending home backpacks filled with canned fruit, cereal bars and other single-serving foods.

UK Study: Schools Cutting Soda Lower Obesity
Emma Ross, Associated Press, April 22, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zevbboDaTbafpLKt/
School programs discouraging carbonated drinks appear to be effective in reducing obesity among children, a new study suggests — the first research to document that such programs work.

bridges4kids Featured Website: The Success for All Foundation (SFAF)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zewbboDaTbafpLKt/
"We are the nation's most comprehensive and effective school-restructuring program for the education of our children in reading, writing, mathematics, and the social sciences."

American Education Ignores Its Brightest Young Minds
EducationNews.org, April 13, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zexbboDaTbafpLKt/
For many of our most brilliant youngsters, school is a purgatory of boredom and lost opportunities. The new book, Genius Denied, calls for a major shift in thinking for teachers, administrators and policy-makers, and encourages school reform that focuses on attending to the educational needs of every student. The book outlines specific steps that students, parents, educators, mentors, patrons and policy-makers can take to make the system work - or to work around the system - in order to help gifted students achieve their potential.

MI Smart Kid? Skip High School
MIRS, April 23, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeybboDaTbafpLKt/
It's always been assumed that dropping out of high school is a bad thing, but a West Michigan lawmaker has a new twist on the drop out situation with the state picking up the tab.

Craving a Taste of Their Heritage
Amy Argetsinger, Washington Post, April 26, 2004
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zezbboDaTbafpLKt/
Black students attending historically white institutions are finding a sense of belonging through an exchange program at Howard University.

bridges4kids Featured Website: The National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD)
http://bridges4kidsnewsdigest.c.topica.com/maacdfraa6zeAbboDaTbafpLKt/
A very informative website that contains different types of information, data, and statistics. It also contains data on children enrolled in 1915c waivers by state, age and program. Also, includes information on 1915b and 1115 Waivers. This group is a bipartisan, professional, nonprofit organization of representatives of state Medicaid agencies. The primary purposes of NASMD are: to serve as a focal point of communication between the states and the federal government, and to provide an information network among the states on issues pertinent to the Medicaid program.

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AccessWorld MAGAZINE FOR BLIND, FREE ONLINE
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AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind's technology magazine is now a free, web-only publication. Objective evaluations of both assistive technology and the accessibility of mainstream products are the centerpiece of AccessWorld. This is the place to read unbiased reviews of screen readers, screen magnifiers, optical character recognition (OCR) systems, video magnifiers, personal data assistants (PDAs), cell phones, electronic voting machines, music production software, and more.

AccessWorld will continue to offer the in-depth coverage of assistive technology it's become known for, while adding new features such as "e-mail this article to a friend" and "printer-ready" options.  In addition, readers who are blind or visually impaired can download "braille embosser-ready" files that have been translated and formatted to be sent directly to their braille printers.  Previous issues dating back to January 2000 are also available online.

Be sure to sign up to receive AccessWorld Extra, the e-mail newsletter produced by AccessWorld staff in each of the six months when AccessWorld is not published. When you sign up for AccessWorld Extra, you are also added to the list of people who receive e-mailannouncements when a new issue of AccessWorld is posted.

The May issue, which you can read at: http://www.afb.org/accessworld
(thax C.A.)

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JOB - VIOLENCE PREVENTION SPECIALIST
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Greetings--

Below is information on a job opening at University Health Services (University of Wisconsin-Madison) for a Violence Prevention Specialist.  This person will develop strategies and activities that address primary violence prevention, especially sexual assault and relationship violence prevention, through a broad-based, cultural-change approach. 

Please share this with others you think may be interested.  If you have questions, please contact me at the above email address.  Thanks for your assistance.

Daña Alder

By the time she reaches her senior year, one in eight female students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been raped. 

University Health Services is working with students, staff and faculty across campus to prevent sexual assaults and other forms of violence on campus.  Join our Campus Community Partnerships Team in the role of Violence Prevention Specialist and you will be in a key position to create primary prevention initiatives and services that will lead to real change in the campus culture. 

You have: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and preferably a Master’s in any one of a range of relevant specialties, such as community health, social work, health promotion, women’s studies, or community organizing.

Your experience includes: a minimum of one year of full-time, professional work in primary prevention, preferably in violence prevention or student services.  You've worked with college students in some capacity and understand student cultures and student community organizing.  You also have a strong theoretical and practical understanding of violence issues and creative ideas to address primary violence prevention.

We have: a dynamic environment, good pay (minimum of $36,475 to start), good benefits, and the chance to work with people across campus who are committed to violence prevention.

For an electronic posting with complete information on the position and information on applying, visit:  http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/pvl/pv_046960.htmlDo not FAX or email applications.  The deadline for applying has been extended to May 14, 2004.

Direct inquiries to Daña Alder at: dalder@wisc.edu

Daña Alder
Manager         
Campus Community Partnerships Team
University Health Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1552 University Avenue, Room 108
Madison, Wisconsin 53726
608/265-4901
fax: 608/262-4701
http://www.uhs.wisc.edu(thax SafeYouth)

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DRUG HELPS KIDNEY DISEASE -- PLUS MORE STORIES
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New drug helps with chronic kidney disease
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?newsid=7806

State: Gov. Bush begins Medicaid test
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/04/30/State/Gov_Bush_begins_Medic.shtml

Access Now Home Page
http://www.adaaccessnow.org/

Asperger's- Answer, but No Cure, for a Social Disorder That Isolates Many
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/29/national/29SYND.html?ex=1084226060&ei=1&en=26c9241a8efbea54

Study shows Lou Gehrig's disease prevalent among veterans
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/conditions/04/29/veterans.als.ap/index.html

Researchers show cystic fibrosis defect in mice corrected with turmeric extract
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-04/yu-rsc042304.php

Seniors search for options after handing over keys
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/8508180.htm?1c

Exhibit Examines Nazi Use of Eugenics
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1848311

Can Curry fight cystic fibrosis?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/22/health/main613258.shtml

Gel Delivers Healing Genes to Weak Lungs
http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2004-04-13-2
(thax R.N. & C.A.)

===============================
Comments and news of interest are always welcome.  Please feel free to use or disseminate the information in these newsletters however you want and while DAC likes to be recognized, do so only if you wish.  To subscribe (please enter state) or unsubscribe just hit reply with your wish.  Thank you.

Keith Kessler - Founder of DAC (disabled Action committee)
14405 Artery Ln#11
Dale City, VA 22193
703-878-1737
Email: DAC4VA@aol.com

Website:  http://members.aol.com/DAC4VA/main.htm 

**Some people grin and bear it.  Others smile and change it.**

New Web Site on Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Mobility Impairments

The University of Kansas' Research and Training Center on Independent Living has created a new Web site called "Nobody Left Behind: Disaster Preparedness for Persons with Mobility Impairments" http://rtcil.org/NLB_home.htm The site features ongoing research by the Center on the effectiveness of local emergency management plans in addressing the needs of persons with mobility impairments. 

"Disability Matters" with Joyce Bender
An international talk radio show with real-time captioning focused on the employment and empowerment of people with disabilities. Hear prominent disability leaders and senior executives from the private sector every Tuesday from 2:00pm - 3:00 pm Eastern Time on www.voiceamerica.com
(thax DS News)

NEXT
For those suffering cancer from asbestos induced cancer:
Title: Mesothelioma Cancer Advice
Text: Advice on mesothelioma, asbestos induced cancer, lawsuits, mesothelioma law firms, attorneys and treatment.
Link: http://www.mesothelioma-online-advice.com

And another good resource:
http://www.guardianship.org/ -- National Guardianship Association

In our 1st story read "Letters to the editor" that were sent in regarding a comment from Brian Weigand with WLNI radio, 105.9 FM on March 28, 2004, calling the disabled a "freak show."  Mr. Weigand seems to be out of touch with reality and I invite anyone else to write newspapers in the Lynchburg, Virginia area or call the station. Remember that Lynchburg was very much involved in the "eugenics" movement and no doubt people like Weigand with their ignorance were part of those favoring eugenics. Here's a link that discusses the meeting these so called "freaks" were referring too.  http://www.wlni.com/forums/3209  Incidentally the station refuses to give out tapes of the show.

I just happen to have the radio station info if you'd care to contact them:)
Format: Lynchburg's ONLY FM Talk Radio Station! Talk radio is the # 1 format in the nation, capturing over 14% of the over 12 population from 6 a.m. to midnight. It is the fastest growing format in America.Power 6,000 Watts, 24 hours a day. Coverage 50 Miles in all directions, covering Lynchburg, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, Nelson, and Rockbridge.

Contact
WLNI Radio
P.O. Box 11798
Lynchburg, VA 24506
Phone (434) 845-5463
Fax (434) 847-5709
Comment Line (434) 845-3927
Toll free (888) 881-8851
Morningline call in 6:10 AM - 9AM (434) 846-8255
Email: wlni@aol.com
http://www.wlni.com/
105.9 FM

Much more news so read, enjoy and comment if you wish:)

Keith- 

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1. DISABLED FREAK SHOW DOESN'T BODE WELL
2. 7500 EYE DOCTORS OFFER FREE EXAMS
3. CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AWARENESS DAY
4. SPECIAL ED - THE TEASER, LIAR, BULLY
5. FEDERAL HOME MODIFICATION FUNDS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
6. RESPONDERS NEEDS FOR DISABLED
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DISABLED FREAK SHOW DOESN'T BODE WELL
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I was the last caller to speak with Mr. Weigand on the "Freak show" I am including two letters to the editor that we are sending to the Lynchburg News and Ledger. Dana Jackson

http://www.wlni.com/forums/3209/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Letter of the Editor:

This is in regard to the comment from Brian Weigand with WLNI radio, 105.9 FM on March 28, 2004.

I was the caller that called back to talk on the comment of people with disabilities attending the open forum for City Counsel at Heritage High being called a "Freak Show"

I was one of the people at the open forum using a wheelchair and do not consider myself a "Freak".  I question if Mr. Weigand has come up to the 21st Century.

People with disabilities are allowed out of our houses, allowed to work and allowed to speak when we want.  At the open forum there were 30 or so people with CASA and at least 6 spoke.  Every time they spoke they had all the people with CASA there stand up.  Were they also a freak show.  

I was there as an advocate for what I feel is right, NOT FOR ANYONE TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME.  I hold a full time job and have been an efficiency expert.  I have offered the City my services free of charge to do an efficiency study. I made this offer to Kimball Payne, the City Manager but he seemed under the impression that it would be a conflict of interest.  I don't know how.

I believe that anyone with Mr. Weigand's total lack of regard for people's feelings should not be allowed on the air.  At the very least he owes all people with disabilities an apology for being behind the times and not aware enough to apologize in the first place.


Dana Jackson
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
News and Advance Editor,

I would like to hear Brian Weigand with WLNI radio, 105.9 FM, apologize on the air for being rude, inconsiderate, and flat out unprofessional.

My name is Dr. Rob Jarvis and I have been a person with a disability for eight years.  It has taken me a little while to get going again, not only physically, but also socially.  I have been getting out into the public more and more, I have been employed for nine months, and I have been involved in the city of Lynchburg as an advocate for people with disabilities.  I have spoken at City Council three or four times and have helped and encouraged other people with disabilities to become more active in their community.  I have felt very privileged and honored in doing this.  This past year has been the best year of my life!

Wednesday morning, April 28, 2004, I called into WLNI radio, 105.9 FM, to ask a question about the General Relief Program to Dr. Michael Gillette who is running for City Council and Brian Weigand, who is one of WLNI's DJs, referred to people with disabilities as "freaks"!  I was very disappointed and discouraged to hear this type of  language from what I thought was a well-respected, businesslike, and professional radio talkshow, I guess I was wrong.  I called Brian to confirm that I had heard correctly and he said "the public budget hearing at Heritage High School was a 'freak show'"! I responded "that isn't even nice" his response "I wasn't trying to be nice"!!  How about just being professional!

Dr. Rob Jarvis
Community Action Specialist
Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living
500 Alleghany Ave., Suite 520
Lynchburg, VA  24501
434-528-4971

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7500 EYE DOCTORS OFFER FREE EXAMS
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7,500 Eye Doctors Across the Country Offer Free Eye Exams for Eligible Seniors With Diabetes

EyeCare America Partners With Department of Health and Human Services for May's Healthy Vision Month

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss among adults in the United States. It causes up to 24,000 new cases of vision loss each year. Early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care can reduce the risk of blindness by 95 percent, even for people with established and significant diabetic retinopathy.

In honor of Healthy Vision Month taking place in May 2004, EyeCare America, the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, encourages seniors to take advantage of its Diabetes EyeCare Program. This year-round program offers eye exams and up to one year of treatment at no out-of-pocket cost to qualified patients.  To see if you, a loved one or a friend, is eligible to receive a referral for an eye exam and care, call 1-800-272-EYES (3937), 24 hours, seven days a week, year round. All eligible callers receive a referral to one of EyeCare America's 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists.

"A significant percentage of the millions of patients with diabetes are at risk of losing their eye sight," stated C.P. Wilkinson, MD, Committee Chairman of EyeCare America's Diabetes EyeCare Program. "Those with diabetes can prevent blindness through annual dilated eye exams. I am honored to be part of a program that helps provide access to important medical eye care to people in need."

Healthy Vision Month is a national campaign sponsored by the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program. The focus of Healthy Vision Month 2004 is to reduce visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy. Millions of people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness.  EyeCare America is a partner in the U.S. government's national effort to reduce visual impairment due to diabetes.

"I saw the doctor twice and will see him again in a year. He's very nice a real star in my book! I am happy that you recommended him to me," said Jeanette Nini, an EyeCare America patient.

Facts About Diabetes and Eye Disease (1)
--  Hispanics have three times the risk of developing type-2 diabetes as whites, and they also have a higher risk of complications
--  Twenty-five percent of blacks between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.
--  Approximately 6.3% of the US population, has diabetes. An estimated 13 million have been diagnosed, but one-third are unaware that they have the disease.
--  Everyone with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic eye disease.
--  People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those without the disease.
--  The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely is he or she to have retinopathy.
--  In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no warning signs. Over time, however, the vision blurs and everyday tasks become more difficult. Vision lost cannot usually be regained.
--  With timely treatment, 95% of those with significant diabetic retinopathy can be saved from substantial vision loss.

EyeCare America's Diabetes EyeCare Program (DEP) promotes annual, dilated eye exams for seniors with diabetes. DEP raises awareness about diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy, provides free diabetic eye disease educational materials and facilitates access to eye care.

People eligible for a referral through the program receive a comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of treatment with no out-of-pocket cost for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam. Volunteer ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursement as payment in full.

EyeCare America's Diabetes EyeCare Program is designed for people who:
--  Have diabetes 
--  Are US citizens or legal residents
--  Are age 65 and older- Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years 
--  Do not have eye care insurance through an HMO or the VAF

For a Diabetes EyeCare Program referral, those interested may call 1-800-272-EYES (3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
(thax Proaging)

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CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AWARENESS DAY
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Here are a couple of May health observance days that may be of interest to SafeYouth list members who deal with issues such as bullying and related where a child's mental health is a priority. On NMHA's website, they offer activity suggestions to help make the most of these observances, also.

From NMHA.. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, is Childhood Depression Awareness Day:
http://www.nmha.org/children/green/index.cfm

Also from NMHA, May is Mental Health Month:
http://www.nmha.org/may/index.cfm

From Freedom From Fear (FFF).. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, is National Anxiety Disorders Awareness Day during which some 1,000 clinics, offices, and others around the country will be offering free screenings and referral services for persons with anxiety and depressive disorders:
http://www.freedomfromfear.org/commread.asp?id=64

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SPECIAL ED - THE TEASER, LIAR, BULLY
********************************************************
The teaser, liar, bully......
They're in your classroom and their inappropriate behaviors are often a call for help. Find out how you can effectively deal with some of the more challenging students in your classroom or at home!...read more

No Child Left Behind
Melissa Jamula receives a standing ovation for her comment "Until the federal government provides "adequate resources for every child" it should not impose sanctions". Read more about the meeting held by Congressmen on No Child Left Behind....read more

Supporting Autistic and Mentally Disabled Students
Clearly defined goals with appropriate consequences will be your best strategy when changing behaviors of severely handicapped children/students. Find out how you can establish and implement goals successfully - remember patience is essential! Support Autism Month this April!...read more
(thax about.com)

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FEDERAL HOME MODIFICATION FUNDS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
********************************************************
Federal HOME MODIFICATION Funds for Accessibility
Information Bulletin # 64
(4/04)

Advocates should know that federal funds are available to achieve accessibility via home modification. Specifically, under the HUD funded HOME Investment Partnership Program ("HOME") and the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG"), federal funds can be allocated and used to implement or expand a home modification program in your communities to increase housing accessibility. These federal funds can be allocated either to home owners or renters who have disabilities.

Both HOME and CDBG funds are allocated annually to cities and counties which have the requisite number of people. (Your State Housing Agency may also receive HOME and CDBG funds to allocate to less populated geographic areas.)

The grantees of HOME and CDBG funds (whether your city, county or State) have DISCRETION regarding how they will allocate these funds. HUD has explicitly authorized Home Modification as a reimbursable "rehabilitation" function under both federal programs.

The decision regarding how these funds are actually allocated is up to your local and/or State officials - and you. As you know, the public officials must develop a Consolidated Plan listing how these funds will be used. Therefore, if disability advocates want and need a Home Modification program in their communities, you must be active players in your local Consolidated Plan process.

You must understand the politics of and become active in your Consolidated Plan development and allocation. Remember that the officials hold two public hearings a year before the Consolidated Plan can be approved or implemented! My bet is that in most areas of the country, the disability community has not made either their voices or their needs heard in this process.

These public hearings present a great opportunity for organizing, and you can WIN. You can have a Home Modification program so persons with disabilities can remain in their own homes and apartments and not be unnecessarily institutionalized.

If your local and/or State housing officials don't believe these funds can be used for Home Modification to achieve accessibility, you should cite 24 Code of Federal Regulations section 92.206(a)(2) (HOME funds may be used "to make essential improvements, including... improvements necessary to permit use by persons with disabilities") and 24 Code of Federal Regulations section 570.202(b)(11) (CDBG funds may be used for "improvements designed to remove...  architectural barriers that restrict the mobility and accessibility of ... disabled persons.")

(For low-income persons in rural areas, the USDA's Rural Housing Service provides up to $7,500 to make a dwelling accessible; contact your Rural Development County Supervisor. A separate USDA/RHS Information Bulletin will come out shortly.)

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues Back issues of related HOME and CDBG Information Bulletins (see ## 14, 16, 51,52, 60 and 61) are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site.

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at
http://www.stevegoldada.com

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RESPONDERS NEEDS FOR DISABLED
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To All,

Will people with disabilities be part of a homeland security emergency response program? Is anyone working in this area to ensure PWDs are included in national emergency programs? Who are they? These questions will be answered tomorrow and the press release appearing below will tell you where to learn this information. Tune in and participate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will be a great show.

John Williams
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TVWORLDWIDE.COM                                                                                            PRESS RELEASE

HomelandDefenseTV.com to Webcast Town Meeting on Training First Responders to Address Needs of the Disabled 
Worldwide Webcast Event to Feature Presentations and Panel Discussion
Friday, April 30, 2004,1 PM ET

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Contact: Nate Karle                                         
TV Worldwide.com, Inc.
nkarle@tvworldwide.com
www.tvworldwide.com
(703) 961-9250   Ext. 222

Chantilly, Va. – TVWorldwide.com, a fast-growing web-based global TV network and streaming video service provider, announced that its HomelandDefenseTV channel (www.homelanddefensetv.com) will webcast a town meeting on the needs of the disabled in emergency situations and strategies for protecting such individuals -- including the establishment of a curriculum to train first responders. The free webcast will feature presentations and discussion by a panel of experts. The Homeland Defense TV channel was recently launched in partnership with Homeland Defense Journal, Homeland Defense Radio and The University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness. The webcast will also provide insight concerning the readiness of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as other state and federal agencies, in ensuring the safety of persons with disabilities. The live online audience will be able to ask questions of the presenters via e-mail - - providing a fully interactive forum for sharing of information. It is requested that questions submitted by e-mail be done as far in advance as possible in order to ensure that they can be addressed during the live webcast. The HomelandDefenseTV.com event will be available live and archived in fully accessible format using the captioned video streaming of TVWorldwide.com's "webcapting" SM process. The event will be simulcast on AT508.com (www.at508.com) , TV Worldwide’s Internet TV channel for the community of people with disabilities with emphasis on assistive tecnology.  The webcast will originate from the studios of TV Worldwide in Chantilly, Virginia and invited guests include: Daniel Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties at the Department of Homeland Security, Eric L. Qualkenbush, Director of the University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness, Michael L. Webber, Adjunct Instructor and Consultant at the University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness, and Bill Brobst, Adjunct Instructor at University of Findlay’s School of Environmental and Emergency Management. John Williams, a renowned columnist on disability issues and Ms. Elizabeth Davis, consultant to the National Organization on Disability for emergency preparedness initiatives will also serve on the panel. Mr. Dave Gardy, CEO of TV Worldwide, will host the show.  "As a long-time developer of streaming media content for the community of people with disabilities, we are excited about producing a webcast on such an important national policy discussion to create awareness on this issue that will lead to tangible training solutions," commented Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TVWorldwide.com.  "We are pleased that the first live webcast event on Homeland Defense TV will also address the needs of the community of people with disabilities.”  The live webcast will begin at 1 PM ET at www.homelanddefensetv.com , www.at508.com and at www.tvworldwide.com . Participants should have the latest version of either Windows Media Player or Real Video Player installed prior to the event and should log on by 12:45 PM (ET) on April 30th. The live webcast will be made available as an archived file, shortly thereafter and will be hosted for one full year at HomelandDefenseTV.com and at AT508.com. 

About HomelandDefenseTV.com

Homeland Defense TV provides informational programming and e-learning opportunities on homeland defense topics for government and corporate security personnel, first responders and interested citizens. The programs of homelanddefenseTV.com, a venue for interactive streaming media e-learning courses, seminars, conferences and meetings, are sponsored by the University of Findlay School of Environmental and Emergency Management (SEEM), Homeland Defense Journal and Homeland Defense Radio. In addition to streaming video and audio, the site features relevant printed material and links to sites that provide additional information. HomelanddefenseTV.com is a content-rich, comprehensive source of knowledge about homeland defense, safety and security or emergency preparedness and response

About TV Worldwide

As a leading global Internet broadcasting and streaming media company, TV Worldwide ( www.tvworldwide.com ) is developing a network of video channels that is an affiliation of community-based Internet television stations, each underwritten by a strategic partner, "aimcasting" SM to targeted demographic audiences worldwide. TVWorldwide.com works with strategic partners to develop the latest in live and archived state-of-the art video streaming content applications. TVWorldwide.com was recently named one of the streaming video industry's "Hottest Streaming Companies” by Streaming Magazine, www.streamingmagazine.com, and CEO Dave Gardy was honored by the magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Streaming Media. Mr. Gardy currently serves as the president of the International Webcasting Association (IWA).                           

===============================
Comments and news of interest are always welcome.  Please feel free to use or disseminate the information in these newsletters however you want and while DAC likes to be recognized, do so only if you wish.  To subscribe (please enter state) or unsubscribe just hit reply with your wish.  Thank you.

Keith Kessler - Founder of DAC (disabled Action committee)
14405 Artery Ln#11
Dale City, VA 22193
703-878-1737
Email: DAC4VA@aol.com

Website:  http://members.aol.com/DAC4VA/main.htm 

**Some people grin and bear it.  Others smile and change it.**

Kids taking food home from school
'A little bit of love and a little bit of food'

From: CNN.com

ST. JOSEPH, Missouri (AP) -- On a recent Friday, about two dozen children went to the Noyes Elementary School office in what has become a weekly ritual at a growing number of schools: picking up backpacks of food so they won't go hungry over the weekend.

The children don't like to talk about being hungry, said Joyce Starr, who runs the backpack program. So teachers rely on other clues. "One of the things that we notice is sometimes in the lunchroom, kids who eat their lunch real quick. They are hungry," Starr said.

There are some children who are sorry when the weekend comes. "They say, 'I hate it because I've got to go home.' Or they get sick here at school and don't want to go home," Starr said. "So we kind of know that school is a safe place and they know we care about them and of course we try to feed them, too."

For poor students who eat most of their meals at school through government-subsidized breakfast and lunch programs, weekends and holidays can mean going hungry. So the St. Joseph School District, with the help of the local arm of America's Second Harvest, has started sending home backpacks filled with canned fruit, cereal bars and other single-serving foods. Similar programs serving thousands of children have started in more than a dozen other cities in the last few years.

At Noyes Elementary, where two-thirds of the students get subsidized lunches, 10-year-old Mimi Ho was lugging home two backpacks to help feed her three siblings along with five cousins temporarily staying at her home. The fifth-grader said she eats some of the food and gives some of it away -- particularly the applesauce, which she doesn't like. All the food is gone before Sunday.

It's good to get the backpack of food, the girl said, but as is typical of children getting such help, she struggled when asked to elaborate. "It's sort of hard to explain?" she said and paused. "It's sort of really, really hard to explain?"

Backpack program began in Arkansas

Called Backpack Buddies, the St. Joseph program served about 40 students when it started in January 2003 and has since grown to serve 140 students. But America's Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph said the need is as much as 20 times greater. St. Joseph sits in the middle of an agricultural area and the poverty rate in the school district has increased during the past few years as several industries have left.

The Chicago-based headquarters of America's Second Harvest is trying to raise the money to help more of its 214 affiliated food banks and food rescue groups offer the program.

Last week, the Hasbro Children's Foundation, which is a charity of Hasbro Inc., the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based toy maker, approved a $95,000 grant to help America's Second Harvest with a national backpack pilot program.

The idea of sending home food in backpacks originated with the Arkansas Rice Depot, a Little Rock-based statewide food bank, after a school nurse at an inner city school asked for help because students were coming to her with tummy aches and dizziness. The children weren't sick -- they were hungry, said Laura Rhea, president and chief executive officer of the food bank.

The food bank started giving out food at the nurse's school in spring 1995 and the program spread. The food bank now serves about 12,000 students in 339 schools, with some of the schools sending food home with youngsters during the week in addition to the weekend.

Besides feeding the youngsters, the food bank provides soap and other personal care items that the schools can slip into the children's backpacks.

Rhea said the food deliveries have been credited with improving grades, school attendance and self-confidence. "You give these children a little bit of love and a little bit of food and you stand back and watch how they amaze you," she said.

But the concept didn't expand nationally until the Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, New Mexico, decided to do something similar in spring 2001. That food bank, which now provides backpacks to about 1,500 schoolchildren, helped promote the idea.

Recent survey results from Second Harvest show at least two dozen of its affiliates have started offering the backpack program or something similar. And many more said they would do the same if they had the money.

Food bank and school officials say it's important the funding remain stable because students quickly grow to rely on the backpacks. The St. Joseph food bank learned that lesson when one youngster moved to a new school and waited patiently for a backpack during his first Friday. He burst into tears when a school employee told him the school didn't hand out backpacks, said Nicholas Saccaro, executive direction of America's Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph.

"It's just so tough," Saccaro said. The food bank began delivering a lone backpack to the child's school.
(thax safeyouth)

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NEW WEB RESOURCES
********************************************************
American Public Health Association (APHA)
The Health Disparities Community Solutions database  details projects and interventions that address health disparity challenges in our communities. These interventions have been reported by a wide range of groups from across the country, including city and state departments of public health, non profits, and academic think tanks.  (April 2004)

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (BCMHL)
As the effectiveness of Medicaid’s home- and community-based waivers becomes increasingly evident, it’s also become clear that Washington should take the lead to help states use the waiver process to serve children with mental health needs. Medicaid Waiver Can Help States Serve Children explains why the waiver process is underused nationally and why access to home- and community-based services for children remains limited.  (February 2004)

Center for Studying Health System Change (CSHSC)
Confidence in the ability of market competition to spur the expansion of high-quality, affordable health care is waning. As the belief that market forces can stimulate greater efficiency fades, health care leaders in 12 communities across the country are reconsidering the idea of government intervention in the health care system. A conference entitled Can Market Competition Cure an Ailing Health System??? explored this idea, and web casts are available for each session. (March 2004)

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)
As part of its fiscal year 2005 budget, the Administration again proposed providing a refundable tax credit to individuals and families for the purchase of health insurance in the individual market. Administration’s Proposed Tax Credit for the Purchase of Health Insurance Could Weaken Employer-Based Health Insurance discusses the potential drawbacks of such a plan. (April 2004)

Commonwealth Fund
Unequal Access: Insurance Instability Among Low-Income Workers and Minorities explores why low-income minority workers had higher uninsured rates and greater insurance instability than had been previously documented. According to the report, most low-income adults worked during the four years studied, but many had only intermittent job-based coverage or none at all. (April 2004)

Health care for children in the United States is appallingly bad, according to Quality of Health Care for Children and Adolescents: A Chartbook. The extensive report includes chart sections on the effectiveness of pediatric care; patient safety; racial, ethnic, and other disparities; and more. Most importantly, the report provides an examination of the capacity for improvement in this critical area of health care. (April 2004)

KaiserEDU
Developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kaiserEDU gives health policy students and faculty easy access to data, literature, news, and developments regarding major health policy topics and debates. While kaiserEDU.org is targeted to the academic community, it provides a wealth of information that can be used as an integral part of an educational program, as an additional source for independent research, or as background material for a variety of audiences. (March 2004)

Kaiser Family Foundation
The Kaiser Women's Health Survey was designed to better understand how the health care system is working for women in terms of health coverage, access to services, and in meeting their health needs. The resulting 2001 Kaiser Women's Health Survey and Issue Briefs present an in-depth look at health care access challenges faced by low-income women and women of color, as well as women's roles in family health care decision-making and coordination. (March 2004)

New Kaiser Family Foundation Survey Shows Seniors Confused about Medicare Rx Drug Law argues that seniors are confused about the  Medicare prescription drug debate and the resulting prescription drug law. While about two-thirds of seniors reported following the debate closely, just 15 percent said they understood the new drug law very well, and almost seven in 10 didn’t know that it was passed and signed into law. (February 2004)

Kaiser Network
Kaiser’s live call-in show, Ask the Experts, recently focused on racial and ethnic disparities in health care. A web cast and transcript of the session are available. (April 2004)

Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Affairs
"Outlook for Health Spending," the first report resulting from a continuing Health Affairs and Kaiser Family Foundation partnership, has leading health policy experts examining new projections of future health care spending, including implications of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. This partnership will publish a series of Web exclusives to speed dissemination of critical health care data. Web casts and related links are part of the package. (February 2004)

National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Thirty-six million Americans some of whom actually have health insurance coverage   lack access to basic medical care because they live in communities where there is an acute shortage of health care providers. A Nation’s Health at Risk describes who and where those people are, why having a regular provider is so important, and how the national initiative to expand community health centers has helped meet this pressing need. (March 2004)

National Small Business Association (NSBA)
Association Health Plan legislation will raise insurance rates argues that health insurance costs for small businesses will rise and the number of uninsured will increase by over one million, if federal Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation is enacted. Find out how and why in this press release. (April 2004)
(thax familiesusa)

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EMPLOYMENT FOR LATINOS W/DISABILITIES CONF. IN JULY
********************************************************
Employment for Latinos with disabilities focus of July conference

The third national conference on "Bridges to Employment for Latinos with Disabilities" is July 14-16 in  Chicago' -- conference organizers call it a  "national forum about issues concerning disabled Latinos and employment." For more information or to register, go to
http://www.proyectovision.net/english/bridges/index.html

Conference sponsors include the World Institute on Disability, through Proyecto Visión, its National Technical Assistance Center for Latinos with Disabilities, and the Chicago-based Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities. Proyecto Visión is funded by the Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration and based in Oakland. To visit the project's website in Spanish, go to http://www.proyectovision.net/index_spa.html the English-language version is at http://www.proyectovision.net/  The Proyecto Visión Listserv , which you can sign up for on the site, offers discussions of topics concerning Latinos with disabilities and their families, with emphasis on employment and training opportunities.

Proyecto Visión  also involves Access Living  in the Metropolitan Chicago area and the Harlem Independent Living Center. The Central Coast Center for Independent Living, based in Salinas, California, is also part of Proyecto  Visión; it specializes in services to disabled agricultural and migrant worker. Rehabilitation International provides technical assistance.

The July conference offers "two days of workshops, panels and roundtable discussions conducted by employment specialists and representatives of Latino, disability and government organizations/agencies," say sponsors. "Conference sessions will focus on job training opportunities and job openings in the Chicago and Midwest regions; resume writing; interview preparation; networking; financial support for higher education; individual development accounts; benefits; transitions from benefits to employment; current legislative acts; government programs available to disabled Latinos, and more."  Sessions will be available "in English or Spanish, reflecting demand," say organizers
(thax AcessE)

********************************************************
THIS, THAT AND OTHER NEWS
********************************************************
A Surprising Result in Lung Cancer Fight
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/22/health/22LUNG.html?ex=1083622254&ei=1&en=62ae845909273ff1

National Black Newspaper of the Year
http://www.sfbayview.com/042104/difficultyear042104.shtml

Congress asked to reverse proposed Section 8 cuts President’s plan would eliminate assistance
http://atlanticville.gmnews.com/news/2004/0423/Front_Page/029.html

Study links lawn chemicals to cancer in dogs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4797699/

JuneauEmpire.com: Opinion: Aging population means greater need for transit 04/20/04
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/042004/opi_transit.shtml

Type 2 Diabetics should have cholesterol lowering drugs say doctors
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?newsid=7438

Fresh case pushes polio campaign a year back
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=81973

Medtronic Recalls Two Implantable Heart Devices 
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=751&e=5&u=/nm/20040416/hl_nm/health_medtronic_recall_dc

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4 SMALL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
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1. Sound Partners for Community Health Grants:
The Sound Partners for Community Health program aims to increase public awareness of specific health issues, and the grants aim to facilitate citizens¹ involvement in making decisions affecting health care. The program brings together public broadcasters and community organizations to solve problems around local health and health care issues.

http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops138.asp

2. Skin Cancer Foundation Public Awareness Grants:
Sunproof America Public Awareness Grants Program¹s will be open to all U.S.
non-profit organizations that play a role in educating their constituencies and/or the general public about skin cancer prevention, early detection and effective treatment.

http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops139.asp

3. Target Community Giving Program:
Target¹s Community Giving Program is a store-based grant initiative that supports projects in the arts, reading, and family violence prevention. The latter project area includes funding for parenting education, crisis nurseries, family counseling, after-school programs, support groups, and abuse shelters.

http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops140.asp

4. NPower and AT&T Wireless Technology Grants:
The AT&T Wireless Community Connections Award announces the availability of
funds to support nonprofits using wireless technology to expand the reach and impact of their services. AT&T Wireless is interested in supporting projects that have the power to be models for other nonprofits, contributing new knowledge and understanding to the sector about how to use wireless technology.

http://www.healthinschools.org/grants/ops141.asp
(thax Safeyouth)

===============================
Comments and news of interest are always welcome.  Please feel free to use or disseminate the information in these newsletters however you want and while DAC likes to be recognized, do so only if you wish.  To subscribe (please enter state) or unsubscribe just hit reply with your wish.  Thank you.

Keith Kessler - Founder of DAC (disabled Action committee)
14405 Artery Ln#11
Dale City, VA 22193
703-878-1737
Email: DAC4VA@aol.com

Website:  http://members.aol.com/DAC4VA/main.htm 

**Some people grin and bear it.  Others smile and change it.**

STUDY SHOWS THAT REVERSE MORTGAGES
CAN HELP MANY WITH LONG-TERM CARE EXPENSES

SAN FRANCISCO - A new study by The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) shows that using reverse mortgages to pay for long-term care at home has real potential in addressing what remains a serious problem for many older Americans and their families.

In 2000, the nation spent $123 billion a year on long-term care for those age 65 and older, with the amount likely to double in next 30 years. Nearly half of those expenses are paid out of pocket by individuals and only 3 percent are paid for by private insurance; government health programs pay the rest.

According to the study, of the 13.2 million who are candidates for reverse mortgages, about 5.2 million are either already receiving Medicaid or are at financial risk of needing Medicaid if they were faced with paying the high cost of long-term care at home. This economically vulnerable segment of the nation's older population would be able to get $309 billion in total from reverse mortgages that could help pay for long-term care. These results are based on data from the 2000 University of Michigan Health and Retirement study.

"There's been a lot of speculation whether reverse mortgages could be part of the solution to the nation's long-term care financing dilemma," said NCOA President and CEO James Firman. "It's clear that reverse mortgages have significant potential to help many seniors to pay for long term care services at home."

According to the study, out of the nearly 28 million households age 62 and older, some 13.2 million are good candidates for reverse mortgages. "We've found that seniors who are good candidates for a reverse mortgage could get on average $72,128.  These funds could be used to pay for a wide range of direct services to help seniors age in place, including home care, respite care or for retrofitting their homes," said Project Manager Barbara Stucki, Ph.D. "Using reverse mortgages for many can mean the difference between staying at home or going to a nursing home."

The study is part of the NCOA's National Blueprint for Increasing the Use of Reverse Mortgages for Long-Term Care due to be published in June. The blueprint will offer new insights into the potential market for reverse mortgages along with recommendations for administrative action, regulatory changes, consumer protections and demonstration programs.  The study results were announced at a press briefing at the American Society on the Aging/National Council on the Aging joint conference here.

Reverse mortgages are a special type of loan allowing people aged 62 and older to convert equity in their home into cash while they continue to live at home for as long as they want. Eighty-one percent of households in the U.S. with homeowners age 62 and older own their own homes and many own them free and clear.

Seniors can choose to take the cash from a reverse mortgage as a lump sum, in a line of credit or in monthly payments. If they choose a lump sum, for example, Stucki said that they could pay to retrofit their home to make kitchens and bathrooms safer and more accessible -- especially important to those who are becoming frail and in danger of falling. If they choose a line of credit or monthly payments, an average reverse mortgage candidate could use the funds to pay for nearly three years of daily home health care, over six years of adult day care five days a week, or to help family caregivers with out-of-pocket expenses and weekly respite care for 14 years. They could also use it to purchase long-term care insurance if they qualify.

"Up until now, though, most these seniors have not tapped the equity in their homes -- estimated at some $1.9 trillion -- to pay for either preventive maintenance or for services at home," noted Peter Bell, executive director of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. Noting that the average income of men aged 65 and over is $28,000 and $15,000 for women, he added, "This study shows that unlocking these resources can help millions of 'house rich, cash poor' seniors purchase the long-term care services they feel best suit their needs."

The National Council on the Aging, with the support of both the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is laying the groundwork for a powerful public-private partnership to increase the use of reverse mortgages to help pay for long-term care. The ultimate goal of the Use Your Home to Stay at Home program is to increase the appropriate use of reverse mortgages so that millions of homeowners can tap home equity to pay for long-term care services or insurance. For a fact sheet on reverse mortgages, please go to www.ncoa.org and visit our press room.
           
Founded in 1950, The National Council on the Aging is a national voluntary network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons; increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society, and future generations; and to building caring communities. NCOA is a national voice and powerful advocate for public policies, societal attitudes, and business practices that promote vital aging.  NCOA is an innovator, developing new knowledge, testing creative ideas, and translating research into effective programs and services that help community service organizations serve seniors in hundreds
of communities. And, NCOA is an activator, turning creative ideas into programs and services that help community services organizations serve seniors in hundreds of communities. For more information on NCOA, visit www.ncoa.org.
(thax Proaging)

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FUNDRAISER -- DONATIONS
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The Peer Outreach Program (POP) is asking for donations for its multimedia
fundraiser that will be held from 7-12 Am on May 28, 2004.  The proceeds raised will be used to help fund and maintain the Peer mentoring program and Women's support group at the Memphis Center For Independent Living.  The Peer Outreach Program's mission is to help persons with all types of disabilities to live independently and be able to participate in all aspects of the community.  We are asking for donations of books, audiobooks, cds, movies, videos, dvds, games of all types, and records.  If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please contact Christina Clift at 726-6404 for more information. 

Christina Clift
VISTA Peer Outreach Program Coordinator

********************************************************
DAILY HEALTH NEWS
********************************************************
Daily health news articles are featured on the healthfinder® Web site, with 1-year searchable archives in English and Spanish.
Now you also can sign up to receive health news headlines by e-mail.

Estrogen-Only Study Produces Mixed Results
Quick Hip Fracture Surgery Cuts Patient Pain
Finding the First Signs of Ovarian Cancer
Protein Lowers Heart Attack Risk
Over-the-Counter Drugs Aren't Risk-Free
Clinical Trials Update: April 13, 2004
Predicting Odds Against Prostate Cancer
Secondhand Smoke Slows Wound Healing
Lung Cancer in U.S. Women Is 'Epidemic'
Colon Cancer Test Disappoints
News articles are available at http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/ for 1 year. Get the latest health news or easily search thousands of articles in English or Spanish.

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REFORM REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE SYSTEM
********************************************************
Congress and the President Act to Reform Representative Payee System

The following item appears in the April 16, 2004, issue of the Puget Sound [Seattle] Business Journal:

Mark Neil Haskey of Puyallup was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $167,500 in restitution Friday for defrauding more than 100 disabled Social Security recipients, government officials said.

Haskey, 42, who pleaded guilty in November, will also have to serve 36 months of supervised release as part of the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess in Tacoma.

The government alleged that Haskey took more than $160,000 while running a not-for-profit service, Turning Point Services, which managed money for Social Security recipients.

Haskey served as a "representative payee," a person or organization selected by the Social Security Administration to receive benefits from recipients who are too disabled to manage their own personal finances.

Haskey's service reportedly acted as a representative payee for more than 100 recipients from June 1995 to August 2003, court papers said. He faced a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years supervised release for each of the two counts of Social Security fraud he was charged with.

Social Security Protection Act
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Unfortunately, the tale of Mr. Haskey's criminal misdeeds is not rare. Although crimes by representative payees are by no means common, the problem is serious enough that Congress and the President have done more to stop the problem and protect Social Security beneficiaries. Last month President Bush signed into law the Social Security Protection Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-203.

The new law offers a number of protections for Social Security beneficiaries who have representative payees. Approximately eight million people who receive benefits under the Social Security or Supplement Security Income (SSI) programs have representative payees--usually family members who receive and manage cash benefits on behalf of beneficiaries.

As summarized on the Web site of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, the new law will:

* Allow the Social Security Administration to re-issue benefits to beneficiaries whose funds had been misused by organizational representative payees or an individual serving 15 or more beneficiaries. These re-issued benefits will be excluded from resource calculations;

* Require non-governmental organizational representative payees to be bonded and licensed under state law;

* Require monitoring of representative payees, including periodic on-site  monitoring of individuals serving more than 15 beneficiaries; certified community-based non-profit social service agencies; or any agency serving over 50 beneficiaries;

* Disqualify as representative payees people convicted of offenses resulting in imprisonment for more than a year, and people fleeing prosecution, custody, or confinement for a felony;

* Require that a payee that is not a governmental agency will be held liable for misuse of funds and that recovered amounts shall be refunded to the beneficiary; and

* Allow SSA to treat misused benefits as "overpayments" to the representative payee, thereby triggering SSA's authority to recover the money through tax refund offsets, referral to collection agencies, notifying credit bureaus, and offset of any future federal benefits/payments.
(thax Elderfax)

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