H E A D L I N E S O N L I N E 12.14.05
In
this issue:
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Medicaid
Action Alert
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Double
your impact
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Discharge
Planning Conference – February 1, 2006
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Peer/Mentor Support Connection – Peers Needed
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Epilepsy Foundation's
You Are Not Alone Parent/Family Support Network
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Volunteer vacancies
for several state agencies
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New Association
Website Features
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¡LO QUE UD. DEBE SABER
SOBRE LA SEGURIDAD EN EL INVIERNO! Translated: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WINTER SAFETY!
New
lower rates for Classifieds – check it out!
Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones from the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota!
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Medicaid Action Alert
Your help with Action Alerts is critical. The federal debate
over the Budget Reconciliation bill and the cuts to Medicaid is still raging on Capitol Hill. The House and Senate Conferees
are set to begin work this week to finalize a Budget Reconciliation bill that could include significant changes to the Medicaid
program that would harm beneficiaries with disabilities if we do not act now.
Time is of the essence; the Disability Policy Collaboration
has posted an action alert on http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=8289796&type=CO about this issue. In
short, the Disability Policy Collaboration supports the Senate’s reconciliation bill, but not the House’s version.
Find out why by visiting: http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=8289646&type=CU.
Call your House Member and Senators on Capitol Hill today toll-free
at 1-800-426-8073. You can locate your House Member by visiting http://www.house.gov/ and
locate your Senators by visiting http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Please use the following talking points in your conversations with the Members and/or staff:
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I am aware that the Senate
and House will appoint conferees to a conference committee to begin work on the Budget Reconciliation bill.
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I am concerned about this
because the House’s version of the bill contains changes to the Medicaid program that will harm people with people with
disabilities and their families.
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Medicaid is their lifeline
and must be protected for their future.
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As your constituent, please
urge your Senate and House colleagues on the Budget Reconciliation Conference Committee to support the Senate’s bill
and reject the House bill, in relation to Medicaid and TANF, outright.
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Thank you for your time.
If you do not want to call, feel free to send an e-mail to
your House Member and Senators and help the fight against any Medicaid cuts that will harm beneficiaries.
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Double
your impact
Help persons with brain
injury in both Minnesota
and Mississippi. Donate by December 31 and 15 percent of
your dollars will be sent to the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi to help rebuild lives that were devastated by Hurricane
Katrina. Watch for your Annual Campaign letter in the mail. If you want to give now, call 612-378-2742, or 1-800-669-6442
and donate today.
Donations can also be made
by credit card online at Charity Box https://www.charitybox.com/BIAM/. Charity Box allows you to make a one time donation or spread out your payments monthly. Receipts are automatically
generated. Please note that only dollars received by December 31 are eligible for allocating 15 percent to Hurricane
relief.
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Discharge
Planning Conference – February 1, 2006
The 2006 Discharge Planning
Conference is designed for discharge planners, nurses, social workers, case managers, educators, vocational counselors, intake
coordinators, residential managers and occupational, speech, and physical therapists. All interested health care providers
are welcome to attend.
The 2006 Discharge Planning
Conference will be held on February 1, 2006 from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Department of Health office at 1645 Energy Park Drive in St.
Paul.
The morning Keynote Speaker
is Jim Stolz, Director of Social Work Services at the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services in Minneapolis.
A variety of breakout sessions will take place during the day, and Keynote Speakers Bonnie and Gene DeBoe will close out the
event by speaking about their life following brain injury.
The registration fee includes
course materials, continental breakfast, lunch and breaks. Registration is $90.00 for Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
members and $100 for nonmembers. The registration deadline is January 25, 2006. Registration after this date or
at the door is $110.00. For more information, please call 612-378-2742, or visit our event webpage at www.braininjurymn.org/DischargePlanning.cfm.
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Peer/Mentor
Support Connection – Peers Needed
The Brain Injury Association
of Minnesota's Peer/Mentor Support Connection program has trained Mentors who are waiting to provide a positive experience
sharing how their lives have been impacted by brain injury to individuals (peers) who want to increase their knowledge of
brain injury, available resources in the community, and develop skills to help navigate their future.
The Peer/Mentor Support
Connection needs you to help spread the word that the program is up and running, and peers are actively being sought.
If you are an individual
who would like the expertise of someone who has been where you are, volunteering to become a peer with the Peer/Mentor Support
Connection is a great way to start.
Mentors are also needed.
Qualities that are needed to mentor include the ability to listen and communicate, and a motivation to help others.
In addition, a mentor should possess a willingness to volunteer time and energy that is needed to provide support to others
in need.
If you would like more information
in becoming either a mentor or a peer, please contact the Volunteer Program Associate at 612-378-2742 in the metro area, 1-800-669-6442
in greater Minnesota, or by email at janicew@braininjurymn.org.
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Epilepsy
Foundation's You Are Not Alone Parent/Family Support Network
The Epilepsy Foundation
of Minnesota and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare have collaborated to provide a Parent/Family Support Network.
The group will consist of educational and experiential workshops designed to explore the many issues facing parents
of kids with epilepsy. The new Family Support Network will meet the third Tuesday of each month, beginning in January
and running through May.
The first session is scheduled
for:
When: Tuesday, January 17, 2006
6:30
– 8:00 p.m.
Where: Camphor United Methodist Church (Lower Level)
585 Fuller Avenue, St. Paul,
MN
(Camphor
UMC is located one block south of University Avenue
on Fuller Ave and Dale Street – Exit I-94 at Dale Street)
RSVP: RSVP by January 13, 2006 by calling
Stephanie at 651-287-2312 or email skolari@efmn.org.
The sessions will begin
with time for the entire family to network with others affected by epilepsy and will be followed by six breakout opportunities:
1. Parents of kids (ages
0-11) affected by epilepsy
2. Parents of teens (ages
12-19) affected by epilepsy
3. Teens with epilepsy
(ages 12-19)
4. Kids with epilepsy (ages
7-11)
5. Siblings of kids affected
by epilepsy (ages 7-19)
6. Open child care for
all children ages 6 and under
Each session will be designed
to educate, connect and empower those affected by seizures, using fun, innovative techniques. Please join us for this
exciting collaborative initiative!
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Volunteer
vacancies for several state agencies
There are several state
agencies that currently have vacancies for volunteer committees, councils, task forces and board positions. Current
openings include the Advisory Task Force on the Woman and Juvenile Female Offender in Corrections; Council on Black Minnesotans;
Hearing Instrument Dispenser Advisory Council; Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service; Minnesota Zoological
Board; Public Safety Officer Disability Benefit Eligibility Panel; Rehabilitation Council for the Blind; Rehabilitation Review
Panel – Department of Labor and Industry, Rehab and Medical Affairs; and the Respiratory Care Practitioners Advisory
Council.
Applications submitted by
December 27, 2005 are assured of full consideration by the Appointing Authority. To find out more about these positions
and the Minnesota Open Appointments, please visit http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=110
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New
Association Website Features
The Association has added
some new features to its expanding website resource. There is now a “Get Involved” page under the About
Us section. “Get Involved” offers a tangible list of ideas about how you can get involved with the Association
and the brain injury community. Visit the page at: www.braininjurymn.org/AUInvolved.cfm
In an effort to increase
public awareness about brain injury, the Association has added a Display Public Service Announcement (PSA) Gallery to the
website. With limited ad placement dollars, raising public awareness through print advertisement is often an opportunity
that is cost prohibitive. You can help the Association spread the word about brain injury by advocating for the free
placement of Brain Injury Association of Minnesota/brain injury awareness PSAs. Contact your company newsletter, college
paper, community daily or neighborhood press and let them know about this opportunity.
Visit www.braininjurymn.org/dc.cfm?vcTemplate=psagallery.htm for a list of available PSAs. Any of the PSAs can be formatted to print ready specifications by sending a request to
Andi Billig at andib@braininjurymn.org or by calling 612-378-2742.
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¡LO QUE UD. DEBE SABER SOBRE LA SEGURIDAD EN EL INVIERNO!
Hecho: Los niños están más
comúnmente lastimados cuando el trineo choca con algo o se pierde el control.
Hecho: Las lagunas congeladas
o los lagos pueden tener áreas escondidas de debilidad
y agua en movimiento. Los niños que casi se ahogan después de caer por el hielo pueden tener lesión cerebral de la falta
de oxígeno.
Hecho: Jugar al hockey sin
un casco es peligroso. Los golpes de un disco o palo pueden herir al cerebro de un niño. Un casco también protege al cerebro
en las colisiones de un niño con otros jugadores.
Hecho: Muchas lesiones existen
cuando el esquiador o el snowboarder están cansados.
Hecho: El interior de una
bola de nieve puede tener una piedra y se hace una arma peligrosa.
Hecho: El hielo es una superficie
firme. Uno cae en el hielo es como golpear el pavimento.
Llame La Asociación de Lesión Cerebral de Minnesota si Ud. tiene
una pregunta o necesita ayuda, el número de teléfono es (612) 378-2742. Hablemos Español.
Translation:
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WINTER SAFETY!
Fact: Children
are most commonly injured when the sled hits something or gets out of control.
Fact: Frozen ponds or lakes
can have hidden soft spots and moving water. Children who nearly drown after falling through the ice can have brain damage
from lack of oxygen.
Fact: Playing hockey without
a helmet is dangerous. Blows from a puck or stick can injure a child’s brain. A helmet also protects a child’s
brain in collisions with other players.
Fact: Many injuries occur
when the skier or snowboarder is tired.
Fact: Ice is a hard surface.
A fall on the ice is like hitting the pavement.
Call the Brain Injury Association
of Minnesota if you have a question or need help, the number is (612) 378-2742. We speak Spanish.
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Classified Ad Opportunities: Headlines Online is pleased
to provide an on-line opportunity for organizations to broadcast their message about job openings, services and more through
affordable, convenient advertising. This twice-monthly electronic publication is sent to more than 2,500 professionals,
paraprofessionals, and persons with injury and their families. We just lowered our rates! The cost to run a classified
ad of up to 250 words max is $20 for one edition, or $30 for two editions. Ads must be submitted in electronic form
to receive this rate. Ads submitted in hard copy will be charged an additional $15 administrative fee. To learn
more about this affordable, convenient advertising opportunity, please send email to Sharon
at sharonr@braininjurymn.org or call 612-378-2742. Advertising will be posted at the end of the publication under the heading “Classified
Ads.” As always, we are happy to publish at no cost Public Service Announcements about free or low cost opportunities
available to persons with brain injury, their families and the professionals who serve them.
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The
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota works to give help, hope and a voice to Minnesotans who live with the consequences of
brain injury. The organization, based in Minneapolis, provides
information and resources statewide, offers individual and group assistance, develops and promotes educational awareness and
outreach activities, and actively participates in public policy on issues related to brain injury.
We
welcome questions, comments or suggestions for the newsletter. Please contact Sharon Rolenc
at the information below. Headlines Online welcomes submissions at enews@braininjurymn.org. The Editor reserves the right to edit submitted materials for style, space and clarity. Submitted work is not
guaranteed publication.
Sharon Rolenc
Public
Awareness Director
Brain
Injury Association of Minnesota
612.378.2742
sharonr@braininjurymn.org
www.braininjurymn.org
