In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives proclaimed July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Ms. Campbell was a noted African American author whose works often were focused on mental illness. She began to write about the subject after learning of a family member who struggled with mental illness.
"Stigma is one of the main reasons why people with mental health problems don't seek treatment or take their medication," Campbell said. "People of color, particularly African Americans, feel the stigma more keenly. In a race-conscious society, some don't want to be perceived as having yet another deficit."
During July, we encourage families of all races and creeds to work to eliminate stigma within their schools and communities.
- Jane A. Walker
Executive Director
High Court Special Ed Ruling Favors Parents
A long-awaited U.S. Supreme Court ruling in an Oregon case handed down in late June holds that parents who unilaterally enroll a child with disabilities in a private school may be entitled to tuition reimbursement—even if that child never received special education services from his/her school district.
The case, Forest Grove School District v. T.A., looked at two parts of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), specifically a 1997 amendment to the act that specified tuition reimbursement for students who "previously received special education and related services."
A student identified only as "T.A." attended public school from kindergarten to high school, but never was found to have a learning disability and, thus, never had an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or received any special education services. His parents decided the public schools were not providing an adequate education, so they placed him in private school and sought tuition reimbursement, which the Oregon officials said was not required because of IDEA's "previously received" language.
In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court held that the case differed from others because "it concerns not the adequacy of a proposed IEP but the School District's failure to provide an IEP at all...moreover, when a child requires special education services, a school district's failure to propose an IEP of any kind is at least as serious a violation of its responsibilities under IDEA as a failure to provide an adequate IEP."
The justices issuing the opinion further noted that IDEA's "child find" requirement means states must identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, and that to go along with a school district's refusal to find a child eligible for clearly necessary special education services would be irrational.
The 17-page opinion concluded that "IDEA authorizes [tuition] reimbursement for the cost of private special education services when a school district fails to provide a FAPE [free, appropriate public education] and the private-school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the child previously received special education or related services through the public school."
The case goes back now to the U.S. District Court, with the direction that the court is to consider all relevant factors, including notice provided by parents to the school district and the district's opportunities for evaluating the child when making a determination regarding tuition reimbursement.
Value Options to Manage the Public Mental Health System
Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, Maryland 's public mental health system will be administered by a new contractor. Value Options Inc. of Norfolk, Va., has been awarded the contract from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and will take over from the former contractor, MAPS-MD. The current toll-free number, 1.800.888.1965, will remain the same for providers and consumers.
Guidelines for Children and Video Games
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has examined the effect of some video games on children and has determined that some of the most violent and negative reinforcement games may be inappropriate for all children, and particularly for children who are sensitive or who have identified mood or emotional disturbances.
These types of games are among the most popular—and parents will lose popularity points with their children for restricting access or outright banning them. It is true some games have educational content or can be helpful in presenting positive concepts or aiding turn-taking—but many emphasize negative themes and promote:
- the killing of children, adults or animals;
- the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol;
- criminal behavior, disrespect for authority and the law;
- sexual exploitation and violence toward women;
- racial, sexual and gender stereotypes; and
- foul language, obscenities and obscene gestures.
According to an AACAP fact sheet on children and video games, studies of children exposed to violence have shown they can become "immune" or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Some children accept violence as a way to handle problems. Studies also have shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children.
In addition, children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems may be more influenced by violent images. Children and adolescents who become overly involved in video games can develop problems. Spending large amounts of time playing these games can:
- lead to poor social skills;
- take time away from family time, schoolwork and other hobbies;
- lead to lower grades and reading less; and
- lead to exercising less and becoming overweight.
AACAP offers the following tips for parents concerned about their children's exposure to video games:
- Check the Entertainment Software Rating Board ratings on the game's box to learn about the content before purchasing, renting or borrowing a game.
- Help your child select appropriate games—both in content and level of development.
- Play video games with your children. This shows the game's content and helps you as a parent to understand your children's experience.
- Set clear rules about game content and playing time, both in and outside of your home.
- Strongly warn your children about the potential serious dangers of Internet contacts and relationships while playing games online.
- Talk with other parents about your family's video game rules.
Energy Assistance for Marylanders
With the current economic crisis showing little sign of easing, the state of Maryland continues to take steps to help families save money and increase efficient use of resources. To that end, officials recently announced an expansion in the state's home weatherization program.
Low-income families are eligible for a home energy efficiency audit and necessary improvements at no expense, thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus package).
Change on an individual level is always helpful, but the potential overall effect of a few simple changes is dramatic. Families could save between $300 and $400 a year after making their homes more energy efficient; if every household in the state swapped just one incandescent light bulb for a compact fluorescent bulb, it would save enough energy to power more than 6,300 homes for one full year, according to government estimates.
Families must qualify for the program; contact your local energy office at 1.800.332.6347 or click here to visit the website for Maryland 's Office of Home Energy Programs.
Citizenship Confirmation Required for Some Health Care
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 included a provision that requires individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and identity when applying for or renewing Medicaid health coverage.
This year, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act extended the documentation requirement to children applying for benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
After application, states must give applicants a reasonable period of time—during which Medicaid or CHIP benefits must be made available—to prove citizenship. Applicants may prove they are eligible to receive benefits by providing original documents or a certified copy issued by the relevant agency. Naturalized citizens are permitted to use affidavits.
Acceptable documents for verifying citizenship include:
- a U.S. passport;
- a Certificate of Naturalization or of U.S. Citizenship;
- a U.S. birth certificate;
- a certified report of birth abroad, followed by U.S. citizenship;
- a U.S. Citizen ID card;
- an adoption decree showing a child's name and place of birth;
- a military record showing place of birth;
- evidence of citizenship of an adopted or biological child born outside the United States ;
- evidence of civil service employment before 1976;
- a hospital or health insurance record showing a U.S. place of birth;
- a religious record created in the United States within three months of birth identifying place of birth and age of the individual at the time of record;
- early school records showing a U.S. place of birth;
- a valid state-issued driver's license (in states that require proof of citizenship to obtain a license);
- a federal or state census record showing citizenship or place of birth; or
- nursing home admission papers showing a U.S. place of birth.
The above list is arranged in order of preference, with the passport being the most preferred method of establishing citizenship/benefits eligibility and the nursing home papers the least preferred way.
The National Health Policy Forum produced a paper in May 2009 outlining all of the changes and requirements; click here to access The Basics: Citizenship Documentation in Medicaid and CHIP.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission
The Maryland judiciary recently created the Maryland Access to Justice Commission to make and implement recommendations to expand access to the state's civil justice system, including juvenile court. One of the commission's goals is to enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for persons who encounter barriers when dealing with the courts or trying to solve a legal problem.
The Critical Barriers Committee of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission will be holding a series of regional listening events. Individuals and organizations that serve persons from a range of groups are invited to come and speak with members of the commission about their experience with the civil justice system. The events are designed to focus on how courts handle cases and how individuals can get help in accessing the courts and the civil justice system. Each event will be designed to elicit experiences related to key barriers to justice. Specific legal issues cannot be addressed at the forums.
Listening events will be held at the following date and locations:
- July 28, Washington Metro Area— University of Maryland, College Park
- Sept. 22, Western Maryland Area— Allegany College, Cumberland
- Oct. 27, Upper Eastern Shore Area— Chesapeake College, Wye Mills
- Nov. 24, Lower Eastern Shore Area— Wicomico County Library, Salisbury
- Dec. 15, Southern Maryland Area—Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, California
- Jan. 19, 2010, Central Maryland Area—Judiciary Education and Conference Center, Annapolis
You may register online at www.mdcourts.gov/mdatjc, and find directions to the events as well. All of the events will be held from 6–8 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required.
Upcoming Events
Are You Ready for School?—Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Interactive Parents' Place of Maryland workshop will help parents and caregivers learn effective ways to transition their special needs child into a new school setting, including how to prepare information packets for the new team of teachers and specialists. Southern Maryland Child Care Resource Center, 299958 Killpeck Creek Court, Charlotte Hall, Md. To register or for more information, contact Missy Alexander, Parents' Place of Maryland, at 301.884.4662 or e-mail missy@ppmd.org.
Advocacy Strategies for Parents—Aug. 13, 12 noon–1 p.m. Presented by Deb Gordon, IEP specialist, Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health. Parents often are tasked with advocating for their child; a parent's ability to be an effective advocate directly influences outcomes for that child. This workshop will explore the importance of advocacy, what it is and how a parent can become the best advocate for their child at home and in school. Limited to 20 participants; pre-registration is required. Telephone conference call is available. For more information or to register, e-mail callenza@mdcoalition.org.
Autism Expo 2009—Oct. 10. More than 10 speakers and 40 vendors gather at this expo focusing on services. Topics to be covered include the autism waiver and assistance in finding resources to pay for therapies. Jim Rouse Theater, Columbia, Md. Free, but online registration is required at www.autismexpo.com.
