Family Voices of California would like to invite you to attend our next webinar.

When:  May 2, 2012  from noon - 1:00 pm PST

CCS Medical Therapy Program Means Test - The Pros and Cons

Please join us for a webinar regarding the Governor's proposal to establish a CCS Medical Therapy Program means test.  We will be joined by Robert Dimand, Chief Medical Officer, CCS and Laurie Soman Director, CRISS Project/Director, Alameda County Medical Home Project/Senior Policy Analyst, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal.

 Please use the following link to register:

 Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/139312002 

What Impact Will This Year's Budget Have on Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs?

In January, Governor Brown released a draft budget to resolve California's $9.2 billion deficit. The proposed budget includes another round of severe cuts to health and human services and children's programs as well as another attempt to raise revenue:

• $4.2 billion in spending reductions, including almost $1 billion in reductions to CalWORKs; potentially major changes to the Medi-Cal program through "program flexibility" in benefits and payment policies and reductions in payments to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs); the transfer of the Healthy Families Program to Medi-Cal; another $200 million cut to the state's developmental services; and the elimination of 62,000 child care slots.
• $6.9 billion in additional revenues through passage of an initiative on the November 2012 ballot that would temporarily raise taxes on the state's wealthiest earners and increase the state sales tax by ½ cent.
• $5.4 billion in additional and devastating trigger cuts—primarily to K-12 public education—if the revenue initiative doesn't pass.
  

Note: All Savings listed are for Fiscal Year 2012-2013

California Children's Services Medical Therapy Program (MTP): The Governor's Proposed Means Test for the Program

Proposed Budget Seeks to Cut the CCS Medical Therapy Program
The Governor's Budget proposes to apply new income eligibility requirements for CCS Medical Therapy Program Services. Under the Administration's proposed means test, medical therapy services would be limited to families with annual incomes less than $40,000 (regardless of the size of the family) or with annual CCS-related medical expenses exceeding 20% of their annual income. The Administration estimates savings of $9.1 million General Fund in Fiscal Year 2012-13 and $10.9 million in Fiscal Year 2013-14.

 ***NEW*** Archived Webinar

National Center for Cultural Competence - Two-Part Webinar on Cultural and Linguistic Competence

Presenters:    Tawara D. Goode & Wendy A. Jones

Part I. Cultural Competence:  What Does it Mean for Family Resource Centers?

To view handouts of the presentation, Click Here

 ***NEW*** Archived Webinar

 ***NEW*** Archived Webinar

This webinar will highlight Medi-Cal basics.  What services does Medi-Cal provide in California? This webinar will provide information on Medi-Cal eligibility, services provided by Medi-Cal and Institutional Deeming.  The webinar will include an opportunity to ask questions.

**NEW*** Archived Webinar

Children With Pre-Existing Conditions: Connecting Kids with Coverage in California

This webinar will highlight health insurance issues and options for children with pre-existing health conditions in California. Using state and county data, outreach resources from the 100% Campaign, and organizing efforts to improve the lives of children, this webinar will the describe: (1) the existing need for and barriers to coverage, (2) new opportunities to connect uninsured kids with pre-existing health conditions to coverage, and (3) ways to further inform policymakers about the importance of children’s coverage. The webinar will culminate in an interactive discussion about how to improve coverage for children with pre-existing conditions and best tailor outreach efforts to have the greatest impact on this population of children.

**NEW*** Archived Webinar

Developing and Integrating Patient and Advisory Councils

Featured presenters:

• Libby Hoy, Founder, Patient and Family Center Care Partners (www.pfccpartners.com)

Covers how patients and families can work together with healthcare organizations to improve care for children and youth with special health care needs. This webinar is for both families and health care organizations—whether you are a family member of a hospital who wants to get more involved and provide input into patient care or a healthcare organization who would like to engage families. Learn how to start, sustain and provide training to Advisory Councils or find out if your health care organization already has one.

HANDOUTS:

To view the slides for the presentation, click here.

• Example 1
• Example 2

To view a video of the presentation, click here

Please visit the Patient and Family Center Care Partners at: www.pfccpartners.com to get information on the JUNE 24th upcoming conference and other resources. 

**NEW*** Archived Webinar

THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFIT OF PARTICIPATING IN AUTISM RESEARCH: Perspectives of a Leading Scientist and Parents of Children with Autism

Featured presenters:

• Lisa Croen, PhD, Director Autism Research Program and Senior Research Scientist, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente
• Vanessa Wallace, Mother of 4 children with an autism spectrum disorder; Member Autism Research Program Community Advisory Board

This presentation was in honor of Autism Awareness Month and featured Dr. Lisa Croen, Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Autism Research Program at Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  It presents the state of autism research, two high profile, national studies, SEED and EARLI, and the importance of families participating in autism research.  Topics covered include: how researchers are seeking to discover the genetic and environmental risk factors for ASD and how families can contribute to science by participating in one of these studies.

HANDOUTS:

• Overview of Autism Research Program
  
• Flyers for Autism Research Program (in English and Spanish)
• Autism Recurrence Fact Sheet
• Thimerosal Fact Sheet

To view the slides for the presentation, click here.

To videw a video of the presentation, click here

Please visit the Autism Research Program website at: www.autismresearch.kaiser.org to view videos and and new materials including the 2nd Edition of the Autism Parent Handbook. 

Coverage options for children with pre-existing conditions (a fact sheet)

A collaborative effort of Family Voices of California, 100% Campaign, Children Now, Family Resource Centers Network of California and Children’s Specialty Care Coalition, this fact sheet in English, Spanish and Chinese helps families and providers alike understand and access insurance for children with pre-existing conditions.

• English 
• Spanish
• Chinese.

Thank you to all our partners who made this Summit an overwhelming success. A report with photos coming soon.

Featured speakers

• David Maxwell-Jolly, Undersecretary of California Health and Human Services
• Jean Ross, California Budget Project
• Edwin Park, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
• Rocio de Mateo Smith, Area Board 5
• Laurie Soman, Packard Children’s Hospital
• Marilyn Holle, Disability Rights California
• Kathryn Smith, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
  
• Representatives of Health Plans serving children and youth with special health care needs: HealthNet, CalOptima, San Mateo Health Plan and Alameda Alliance
  
• David Alexander, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health
• Erin Aaberg Givans/Tim Shannon, Children’s Specialty Care Coalition
• Assemblymember Tom Ammiano
  
• Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan

Materials

• FVCA 2011-12 Budget Analysis: how the California budget impacts children and youth with special health care needs
• 1115 Waiver: What is it? A fact sheet from FVCA.
• Others coming soon

Presentations

• About Us: FVCA 2011 Summit Slides

This slideshow provides background on the annual Health Summit & Legislative Day, Family Voices of California and profiles families who attended in 2010.

• What's Going on in the Nation" by Edwin Park, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities

This presentation provides an overview of federal policy and its impact on children and youth with special health care needs in California.

• What Does This Year's Budget Crisis Mean for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs?" by Jean Ross, California Budget Project

This presentation provides an overview of the California budget, including potential impacts on children and youth with special health care needs.

• "What Specific Changes have come as a result of the 1115 waiver and proposed CCS pilots" by Laurie Soman, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

This presentation explains this MediCaid waiver, provides up-to-date information on the process and expected impacts.

• "The Outlook for Systems of Care in California" with Laurie Soman, Kathryn Smith (USC UCEDD), Marilyn Holle (Disability Rights California), Robert Dimand (California Children's Services), Ana Clark (HealthNet), Gregory Buchert (CalOptima), Leila Saadat (Alameda Alliance) and Maya Altman (Health Plan of San Mateo)

This panel addressed MediCal changes, access to care, and profiled four health plans that serve children and youth with special health care needs followed by a very energetic audience Q&A.