**FREE WEBINAR*** 

Please join Family Voices of California for an interactive Webinar for Family, Youth, Family-to-Family Support staff, Professionals and Providers too. 

WHAT CAN WE DO? UPDATE ON BUDGETS AND BILLS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS with Jessica Rothhaar, Health Access

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010, 12-1pm PST

REGISTER NOW! 

This webinar will cover:

• Governor's proposed premium increases for Medi-Cal and CCS
   
• Health Care Reform: status of pre-existing condition exclusions and insurance for youth with special health care needs
   
• Upcoming Opportunities to Take Action

May 20th, 2010

Family Voices of California provides comments on Governor's Proposals (click here for PDF)

The Governor's proposal includes: copays for children in Medi-Cal and CCS, caps on benefits, mandated enrollment for persons with disabilities in Medi-Cal Managed care, increase in Healthy Families premiums.

If you feel strongly on these issues as we do, we urge you call your legislator and let them know! We will be providing you with ongoing information and ways to get involved.

For more information on the Governor’s proposals, see budget review from the Western Center on Law & Poverty.
 

***ARCHIVED TRAINING***

FIRST FIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN with Sherry Novick, First Five Association of California

Recent budget cuts and budget battles over early start programs and the Department of Developmental Services; how to avoid pitting children's programs against each other;  How Regional Centers and First Five Commissions can collaborate together.

To see a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, click here
To see a video of the presentation, click here (wmv)

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Please join Family Voices of California and Sherry Novick, First Five Association of California, for an interactive Webinar for Family, Youth, Family-to-Family Support staff, Professionals and Providers too.

FIRST FIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN with Sherry Novick, First Five Association of California

• Recent budget cuts and budget battles over early start programs and the Department of Developmental Services
  
• How to avoid pitting children's programs against each other
• How Regional Centers and First Five Commissions can collaborate together

Date:        Wednesday, May 5, 2010
       
Time:        12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT 

REGISTER NOW!

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UPCOMING ***FREE*** TRAINING

Please join Family Voices of California and Sherry Novick, First Five Association of California, for an interactive Webinar for Family, Youth, Family-to-Family Support staff, Professionals and Providers too.

FIRST FIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN with Sherry Novick, First Five Association of California

• Recent budget cuts and budget battles over early start programs and the Department of Developmental Services
  
• How to avoid pitting children's programs against each other

• How Regional Centers and First Five Commissions can collaborate together

Date:        Wednesday, May 5, 2010
       
Time:        12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT 

REGISTER NOW!

Archived Brown Bag Lunch Training

NEW!!! GETTING BASIC HEALTH SERVICES & MEDICALLY-NECESSARY TREATMENT FROM YOUR HEALTH PLAN with Lyn Gage and Susan Burger, Department of Managed Health Care

How the Department of Managed Health Care’s Help Center can help you with health plan problems or questions. How you can file a complaint to resolve a problem. What to do if your requested treatment or service has been denied, delayed, or modified. 

To see a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, click here
To see a video of the presentation, click here (wmv)

Please join us next month on Wednesday, May 5th with Sherry Novick from the First Five Association of California. 

Are you:
• a parent with a child in the CCS program?
• a youth in the CCS program?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, please make the time today to fill out a survey. It’s that simple! This survey is a wonderful opportunity to get your voice heard and provide input to the State of California as it evaluates the CCS program and makes decisions about its future.

English survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZBWK8WS.
Spanish survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EncuestadeCCS

Please forward this to other groups, centers, families, etc. 

Sincerely,
Tara C. Robinson
 

***NEW***  On March 2-3, 2010 Family Voices of California held its eight statewide Health Summit, bringing together families, advocates, state agency representatives, health policy advocates, legislative representatives, providers and insurers.  

• Online Photo Album (if you have photos to add, please email trobinson@familyvoicesofca.org)
  

Agenda

• English and Spanish
  

Bios

• English  and Spanish

Powerpoint Materials

• Laurie Soman "The Current Landscape for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Riding the Roller Coaster"

• Edwin Park "Explaining the Federal Budget: What Does it Mean for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs?"
   
• Marty Omoto "Defying Gravity: Accountability with Action"

Handouts from Family Voices

• 2010 Budget Analysis: What's in Store for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (in English and Spanish)
   
• Call to Action (in English and Spanish)
   
• Tips for Visiting Legislators (in English and Spanish)
   
• Family Voices: Who Are We? (in English and Spanish)
   
• Highlights from 2009 Summit (in English and Spanish)
   

Handouts from Other Participants

• Department of Managed Health Care: "Getting the Help You Need" (in English and Spanish)

• Health Access, "Hospital Bill Help"
   
• Office of the Patient Advocate, "How to Use your Health Plan"
   
• DREDF, Diabetes in Public Schools

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

 Family Voices of California
Annual Health Summit & Legislative Day
March 2-3, 2010
Sacramento, CA

Come learn about pressing issues facing children and youth with special health care needs AND do something about it. Hear from experts, get trained in advocacy, and build a relationship with Legislators in the State Capitol.

Each year, Family Voices of California hosts a statewide Summit in Sacramento to bring together families, youth, providers, policymakers, advocates, state agencies, insurers, and other stakeholders to identify and address challenges affecting one of California’s most vulnerable populations: children and youth with special health care needs.

Click here to Register and here for more info

Cost: FREE for families. $25 suggested donation for professionals. Registration is limited to first 150 people to sign up. Travel scholarships available for qualifying families. Please contact us for more information.

Prior to the Summit, family members will schedule meetings with their Legislative representatives for March 3rd between 9-3pm. Not sure how to make Legislative appointments? Don’t worry! Family Voices of California council members will provide you with information that will help you make Legislative appointments. Participation in both the Summit and Legislative Days is strongly encouraged.

2010 Sponsors:

 NEW!!! LANTERMAN ACT: Changes in the Law with Katy Lusson, Client's Rights Advocate, Disability Rights California

 How do the recent cuts to Regional Center, In Home Support Services, SSI, and Medi-Cal impact services? What new information is available? 

 To see a copy of Katy's PowerPoint presentation, click here
To see a video of the presentation, click here (wmv)