Autism Society of the Fox Valley – Parent Educator Workshop
Take a look at the attached information on the Autism Society of the Fox Valley’s November Parent Educator Workshop!
Public Hearing Notice – Valley Transit 2015 Proposed Fare Increase
Please look at the attached flyer outlining a proposed 2015 fare increase from Valley Transit and dates for public hearings about the issue.
Attached Flyer: 2015 Fare Increase Notice_web (2)
New Event – Educational Forum For Parents
On November 6, 2014, we will be hosting an educational forum for parents of children with disabilities. With a focus on long term planning, we will have representatives coming from Lakeland Care District, Community Care, IRIS, and the Outagamie County Aging and Disabilities Resource Center. The representatives will take a short amount of time to explain the services they provide, and then time will be spent for Q&A from the parents to the representatives. We are asking that parents register ahead of time and submit questions ahead of time to Mitch Cornils at [email protected] or (920)731-9831 x111 so that the representatives have time to semi-prepare and can answer the questions fully. This event will take place in our Lower Level Activity Room at 211 E. Franklin St, Appleton, WI from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Autism Society of the Fox Valley – IEP Workshop
Coming up on Monday, October 20th, the Autism Society of the Fox Valley will be hosting a Parent-Educator Workshop titled Understanding the Parent Role in Special Education Programming. Sherry Gundlach, the Parent Support Program Coordinator for CESA 6 will inform parents on many school based topics. These topics are assisting parents in becoming active participants in the decision-making process of their children’s education, parent participation in the IEP process, best practices in team-building between parents and school staff, and locating resources for families who have children with disabilities. Certificates of attendance will be provided.
This event will be held from 6:30-8:00 pm at Miron Construction, 1471 McMahon Road, Neenah, WI 54956.
To register go to: http://www.focol.org/asfv/register.htm or e-mail Diane Nackers at [email protected]
ABLE Act of 2013 – IMPORTANT NEW LEGISLATION
The ABLE Act of 2013 (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is a new piece of legislation making its way through Washington D.C. that would affect many of our participants. This bill would allow individuals with disabilities to build up a tax-free bank account to pay for “disability related expenses” which is explained more below. The amount of money in an ABLE account would not go towards qualifying for federal programs such as Medicaid and other programs that take money into consideration for qualification. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments can be suspended to any individual who has extra resources in an ABLE account. This would most likely take effect if the individual holds more than $100,000 in the account. The gift tax rule of $13,000 would be in effect as well. This means that one person can’t give more than $13,000/year without being taxed for it. Once the individual with a disability passes away, or is no longer deemed to have a disability, the money in the ABLE account will be taken to pay for remaining Medicaid expenses. If there is any leftover money after that, it will most likely be deemed an asset. That would first need to be decided by the Secretary of the Treasury. As of now, the bill is sitting in the House of Representatives, and is waiting to be amended. If the House of Representatives pass the bill, it will have to pass through the Senate and be signed by the President to become law. After talking to Kyle Roskam from the US Capitol, he stated that the bill should move to the President’s desk quickly, after the House of Representatives decides what to do about the lost revenue from lost taxes and puts it to a vote. He stated that it is supported by about an 85% majority in the House of Representatives, which is definitely a good sign for the bill.
Disability Related Expenses that the ABLE Act Can Be Used For
Education – This can be used from pre-school to college, including books, supplies, tutors, and special education.
Housing – Expenses for primary residence. This includes rent, purchase of a residence, mortgage, and improvements to the home, maintenance, property tax, and utility charges.
Transportation – Use of mass transit, buying or fixing a vehicle, or for moving purposes
Employment Support – Charges for finding and keeping employment, job training, assistive technology, and personal assistance support
Health Prevention and Wellness – Premiums for health insurance, mental health, medical, vision and dental, habilitation/rehabilitation, reliable medical equipment, therapy, respite care, long term services and support, nutritional management, communication services, adaptive equipment, personal assistance, and assistive technology
Other Approved Miscellaneous Expenses – Services for managing finances, legal fees, and funeral and burial expenses
Sources Referenced and Attached
AAID, The Arc, AUCD, NACDD, SABE, UCP. (2013). Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act Fact Sheet. 2013 Disability Policy Seminar.
Congressman Ander Crenshaw. (2007). The ABLE Act – The 113th Congress.
Roskam, K. (2014, September 16). Telephone interview.
Attachments With More Information
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