July is Disability Pride Month
Why is Disability Pride Month celebrated in July? It’s to commemorate the July 26, 1990 signing into law of the Americans Disability Act. Here are some great documentaries on disability, and information about the history of the disability pride flag.
PACER’s Symposium on Students with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities
August 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center
This full day event offers informative, engaging sessions on current best practices related to children’s mental health and learning disabilities. Parents, educators, administrators, and other professionals will learn strategies to support students more effectively at school and at home. The symposium features keynote speakers Sheletta Brundidge, an Emmy Award-winning comedian, radio host, television anchor, newspaper columnist, and author of best-selling children’s books, and Charlene Myklebust, Psy.D., president and educational consultant with EQ Learn, LLC, and Stone Arch Learning, LLC, and an expert on special education and mental and chemical health. $40 registration fee includes lunch. Register now!
Watch for the Blue When It’s Time to Renew
Medical Assistance Annual Renewals Have Resumed
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual process for eligibility reviews and renewals for MinnesotaCare and Medicaid/Medical Assistance was paused. However, Congress has now enacted legislation that requires states to resume the annual process. Watch for a letter with this graphic on the envelope to complete your renewal and maintain health coverage.
Follow this link if you’ve moved and need to update your address or want to know when your renewal letter will arrive. Lack of response may mean your insurance could be paused or cancelled.
New Tip Sheets for Medical Transition to Adulthood Available
PACER has developed two new tip sheets about medical transition for students with special health care needs. View and download the Medical Transition for Your Child With Special Health Care Needs: A Tip Sheet for Parents and the tip sheet for medical professionals Health Care Transition Tips for the Pediatric Provider.
Volunteer With PACER’s Puppet Program
PACER’s puppet program is gearing up for the 2023-24 school year! Join PACER’s team of caring volunteers, have fun, and give back by spreading the message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to young children in the Twin Cities metro area. Time commitment is just two-three hours a month, training is provided, and there is a per-show stipend.
PACER’s Parent Leadership Trainings
Do you want to go beyond advocating for your own child, and become a leader in advocating for systems change? One of PACER’s virtual parent leadership trainings may be right for you.
Parent Leadership Summit on Children’s Mental Health: September 8 & 9
For parents who are passionate about improving access to children’s mental health services.
Parent Leadership Training for Educational Advocacy: September 22 & 23
For parents of children in regular education (special education will not be covered).
The goal of all of PACER’s parent leadership training programs is the same: building the capacity of parents to advocate for educational systems change, and giving parents the tools they need to lead systems change at the local and state levels.
Parents will learn the power of their personal story, and how to tell it in ways that touch hearts and change minds. They will also learn about opportunities for parent leadership, and the role of legislation and policy.
National News
CDC Finds “Significant Increase” in Developmental Disabilities in Children
A newly released study by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) covering the period of the 2019 – 2021 found that the incidence of any diagnosed developmental disability in children aged 3–17 years increased from 7.40% in 2019 to 8.56% in 2021. There was little to no change in the percentage of autism and intellectual disability; the increase was due to the number of children diagnosed with other developmental delays.
Connect With PACER on Social Media
Stay up to date with all of the latest PACER news and events through social media. “Like” PACER Center on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PACERCenter to receive ongoing updates.
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