It's difficult to say which was the highlight of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week-Governor O'Malley signing the Student Stigma Bill or First Lady O'Malley attending the reception in Annapolis. Thousands of green ribbons and green awareness bracelets were distributed at fairs, at schools and at events across the state. It was exhausting... it was GREAT!
- Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
Legislative Wrap-Up: Win-Win
On May 4, 2010, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the Student Stigma Bill into law. The bill changes the special education language for students with mental health needs. Our children now will be coded with an "emotional disability" rather than labeled "emotionally disturbed." The bill is a small but important victory to combat stigma and increase understanding of our children.
We are grateful to Del. Theodore Sophocleus of Anne Arundel County and Sen. Paul Pinsky of Prince George's County for introducing the legislation. Passage of the bill received strong support from the Maryland State Department of Education as well as the Maryland Association of School Psychologists.
Another bill of importance to families is the IEP bill (HB 269/SB 540), which was signed by the governor on May 20, 2010. The bill requires that IEP documents be given to parents and guardians five days in advance of a meeting at which education decisions are to be made. The Maryland Disability Law Center and the Education Advocacy Coalition were powerful advocacy groups that worked tirelessly to get legislators to vote in support of the bill. Family members provided compelling testimony before legislators in Annapolis. Many legislators themselves had experienced walking into IEP meetings without knowing what was being recommended and so they readily supported the bill.
Families caring for a child with a developmental disability can also smile with passage of several bills: HB 830/SB318 establishes an income tax checkoff system for voluntary contributions to the Waiting List Equity Fund for services to individuals with developmental disabilities; HB 1226/SB 920 improves access to Low Intensity Support Services, previously known as 'rolling access funds," and establishes a cap of no less than $3,000 per individual per year. HB 1034/SB633 develops a formula for determining rates paid to developmental disabilities and mental health service providers.
Both bills become effective July 1.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week Visit from the First Lady
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week was jam-packed with events stretching from Allegany County in Western Maryland to Baltimore City and on to Salisbury on the Eastern Shore. The culmination of the week was a reception at the Miller Senate Building with First Lady Katie O'Malley presenting a proclamation from the governor. The other special guest was Jon, the student from Jefferson School in Cumberland who created the artwork for the 2010 Children's Mental Health Awareness poster.
Each year the campaign grows bigger and better. The partnership between the Mental Health Association of Maryland and MCF has served to give the campaign a higher profile and reach a broader audience. Planning already is under way for 2011! Keep up with all the happenings by visiting www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org.
From the Maryland Insurance Commissioner
In order to make certain that we fully inform Marylanders about the changes that will take place regarding their health insurance as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (Health Care Reform law), we want to find out from you what issues concern you the most and how we can provide the information to you.
Download the PDF of this form
Beth Sammis
Acting Insurance Commissioner
What Health Care Reform Could Mean for You
With the passage of health care reform on a national level, changes are coming to the nation's health care system! The following are some key points of the revisions:
In 2010:
- Halts insurers' practice of denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Provides insurance for others with pre-existing conditions once health insurance exchanges are operating in Maryland.
- Allows young adults to stay on their parents' insurance policy until they turn 26 (most policies had limited coverage until age 18 or 22 if the child was attending post-secondary education).
- Bans lifetime caps on coverage, as well as annual limits on coverage under certain plans.
- Increases funding for community health centers, so more care will be available locally.
- Puts into effect an appeals process to aid consumers in private plans who disagree with decisions made by their insurer.
- Requires new private plans to provide free preventive care-no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services.
- Provides assistance for seniors to purchase prescription drugs.
- Requires most plans to comply with the 2008 mental health parity law.
In 2011 and later:
- Requires insurance companies to justify to states their requested premium increases.
- Requires Medicare to provide free preventive care-no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services.
- Expands Medicaid's eligibility and scope of services.
- Makes insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income families who don't get health care through their employers through health exchanges, tax credits and cost-sharing assistance.
Estimates put forth by government officials note the state could save $1 billion over the next decade. In addition, the consumer protections would benefit 5.6 million Marylanders and health insurance would be more affordable for about 465,000 more Marylanders.
Reaching Out to African Americans on Mental Health Awareness
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and two partners have launched a national public service advertising campaign to raise awareness of mental health problems among young African American adults. The campaign kicked off at Howard University last month in conjunction with the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Mental Health Awareness Day.
SAMHSA notes that nationwide, only 58.7 percent of all Americans with serious mental health conditions received care over the last 12 months, but only 44.8 percent of African Americans received treatment within that same time frame.
The campaign features television, radio, print and Web ads spotlighting real personal stories of African Americans dealing with mental health problems, with the goal of engaging those in the community to support young adults who need help. As part of the campaign, SAMHSA has developed a website, www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov, to provide more information regarding mental health problems and how to get involved in the campaign, which includes a component to reduce the stigma associated with being diagnosed with and treated for a mental health condition. Click here for a copy of the resource guide "Developing a Stigma Reduction Initiative."
Summer's Just Around the Corner
It's hard to believe we were digging out from record back-to-back snowfalls across the state just two short months ago-and in another two months we'll be welcoming summer and the opening of camp season.
Children with special needs need not be left out of the camp scene. Washington Parent magazine's guide to local camps for children with special needs may be accessed by clicking here. Also, Tips on Trips and Camps offers a virtual summer camp directory and two staffers who can help you learn more about camps for exceptional children: Meg Smith, 703.345.0722, meg@tipsontripsandcamps.com; Carey Rivers, 202.337.3451, carey@tipsontripsandcamps.com.
Wrightslaw offers a look at youth programs and summer camps for kids, including military children, as well as an extensive directory of programs and resources for a summer filled with appropriate activity for children with special needs.
Finally, information on summer camps may be found by visiting www.summercampsinfo.com/categories/special-needs-summer-camps.asp.
A LEAP Forward for Youth
The Maryland Coalition of Families has received a grant from the HSC Foundation to provide awards to eligible transition-age youth as part of the Life Enrichment Awards Program (LEAP).
Life Enrichment Awards provide funding for the one-time purchase of goods and services that are directly linked to youth transition planning and implementation, and that usually are not covered under traditional sources of support. LEAP does not fund "life necessity" goods and services such as food, medicine or housing. Youth ages 16 to 24 with a mental health disability who are actively engaged in a transition process are eligible to receive the awards. In addition, the youth must reside in central or southern Maryland.
Purchases will be made by the Maryland Coalition of Families on behalf of the award recipient.
For more information about the program and how to apply, contact Ann Geddes, the MCF transition-age youth specialist, at 410.730.8267 or ageddes@mdcoalition.org.
Upcoming Events
Knowledge is Power-CHADD Education Conference-May 22, 7:30 a.m5 p.m. Hyatt Regency, Reston, Va. One-day conference features a keynote on living with ADHD, breakout sessions on building resilience, creating an ADHD-friendly classroom, executive functions, parenting strategies and more. CEUs available. Click here for more information and a link to online registration.
Eastern Shore Family Leadership Institute-June 45, June 1112. Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury. Special two-weekend FLI for Eastern Shore families to learn about advocacy and collaboration and enhance leadership skills. Friday sessions are in the evening; Saturday sessions are during the day. For more information and to register, contact Carol Allenza at 410.730.8267 or callenza@mdcoalition.org.
High Noon Web Café Webinar, Gang Awareness-June 17, 12 noon1 p.m. Web-based workshop presented by Frank L. Clark Jr., assistant director, Gang Intelligence/Intervention Unit, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, provides an overview of gang problems and gives a basic understanding of gang culture and why youth join gangs, as well as the signs of gangs in communities. Pre-registration is required; participation is limited to 20. Telephone conference call is available. For more information, contact Carol at callenza@mdcoalition.org.
Catholic Charities 20092010 Professional Education Series: Trauma-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-June 29, 9:30 a.m.12:45 p.m. Lecture by Kay Connors of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. For more information and to register, contact Christy Kulacki at ckulacki@catholiccharities-md.org.
Military Child Education Coalition 12th Annual Conference-July 2123. Speakers include Alma Powell, chair of the America's Promise Alliance. National Harbor, Prince George's County. Please click here to visit the MCEC website for more details or to register, or call 254.953.1923.
