KINSHIP CARE - MORE RESOURCES!

NOTE:ADDITIONAL KINSHIP CARE RESOURCES

From March Gateway newsletter - e-lert
2011 National Child Abuse Prevention Website From: e-lert_admin@childwelfare.gov


Visit the 2011 National Child Abuse Prevention Month website to help you prepare for Prevention Month in April.

The site features:

• Strengthening Families and Communities: 2011 Resource Guide Tip sheets that address particular parenting concerns and questions—in English and Spanish—to distribute to parents and caregivers.
• A calendar for April full of activities that relate to the Five Protective Factors.
• Child Abuse Prevention Month widgets to post on your website.
• A video that shows how Child Welfare Information Gateway connects professionals with information and resources on preventing child abuse and neglect www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth
  

Adoption Web Sections

We have made additions to the Adoption section of our website. Find updated resources and materials throughout the section, including:

Ethical Issues in Adoption: www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adopt_ethics
Postplacement Adoption Casework Practice: www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/postplacement
Social Media in Adoption Recruitment: www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/preplacement/social_media.cfm


FROM MICHIGAN LEAGUE FOR HUMAN SERVICES Newsletter,
Factually Speaking

This week marks the first anniversary of the signing of the landmark legislation known as the Affordable Care Act. This law was nearly a century in the making and, when fully implemented, will provide millions of Americans access to health care coverage that was not previously available to them.


In its first year, the Affordable Care Act has made a difference in the lives of thousands of Michiganians. To celebrate, the Michigan Consumers for Healthcare Advancement Coalition is hosting celebrations around the state to highlight the benefits gained by residents during the first year. The “birthday celebrations” began in Grand Rapids on Monday, move to Kalamazoo on Tuesday, the State Capitol on Wednesday, Saginaw on Thursday, and culminate in Dearborn on Friday, with the attendance of U.S. Rep. John Dingell, a long-time advocate for health care for all Americans.


Here’s what we’re celebrating during this week:
• Children cannot be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, such as asthma.
• Adults with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for six months can purchase federally subsidized, comprehensive coverage for conditions such as cancer or diabetes. Individuals with cancer diagnoses have been able to access life-saving treatments. Information is available at http://www.HIPMichigan.org .
• Young adults, up to age 26, can remain on or re-enroll in their parents’ employer-sponsored insurance without being a student or an IRS-defined dependent. This provision allows comprehensive coverage for young adults who might otherwise be uninsured as they work to establish themselves in their careers, or begin working in jobs that do not offer health care coverage.
• Senior citizens are enjoying several new provisions under the law. In 2010, those who entered the Medicare Part D “donut hole” received a cash payment of $250 to help with their drug costs. In 2011, seniors who enter the “donut hole,” will receive a 50 percent discount on their brand name drugs. In addition, all seniors on Medicare can now receive recommended preventive service screenings at no cost.
• Health insurance companies for the first time have required percentages (80 percent to 85 percent) of the premiums they collect that must be spent on medical care and quality improvements. If the requirement is not met, companies must provide rebates to their customers.
• Lifetime limits on benefits cannot be imposed, and coverage cannot be cancelled just because a person gets sick.


These are just of few of the benefits available now because of the Affordable Care Act. There are many others with more to be implemented over the next three years. One of the key future benefits of the law is the expansion of Medicaid to individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty ($14,500 per year for an individual). This future benefit will provide new coverage to an estimated 400,000 – 500,000 individuals.

Another future benefit is the creation of a health insurance exchange, sometimes called an “Expedia of health insurance,” in which individuals will be able to compare and purchase affordable coverage with possible subsidies (depending on family income), limits on out-of-pocket costs, as well as guaranteed coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions for adults. There is much to look forward to.
Please join us in celebrating this historic law.
– Jan Hudson
www.mlhs.org

Thanks to Luanne for these important items:
Luanne Beaudry, MS, CPC-RParenting Awareness Michigan Coordinator, Prevention Network517.393.6890 ext 12, www.preventionnetwork.orgwww.facebook.com/pages/Parenting-Awareness-Michigan/344643609571