Fall 2005 Newsletter   click for links to other newsletter pages  |  See Family Voices of VT Links page
 
Vermont Family Voices A family support program of Parent to Parent of Vermont advocating for system change and providing health care information to families.

Parent Leadership Conference
If you would like to learn more about becoming a more active advocate, the two-day parent leadership conference now being planned for mid-March 2006 by the New England Region of Family Voices might be for you. The retreat, funded by Family Voices, will be held at Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut. Our hope is that families who participate will be interested in serving on advisory boards related to special needs or participate in legislative activities. Contact Clare at (800)800-4005 ext. 11 if you would like more information.  Y
Changes in Medicaid Under Discussion at State and Federal Level
At both state and federal levels, 2005 has been a busy year for discussion of changes to the Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur program.

Julie Beckett from our national parent Family Voices organization was appointed to the national Medicaid Commission. While responsible for identifying areas to make budget cuts nationally, this Commission has fortunately recommended continuation of the benefit package offered to children under Medicaid (in Vermont, under Dr. Dynasaur).

Parent to Parent of Vermont was appointed to serve on Vermont's Medicaid Advisory Board to help advise policy makers about the impact of proposals on children with special health needs. Issues under discussion this year have included increased premium levels and a new approach to funding Medicaid in Vermont called "Global Commitment" which at press time is still under active debate.

As many families are all too aware, on July 1st, 2005, premiums for the Dr. Dynasaur program were raised for the third time in as many years. However, if these changes to the Dr. Dynasaur premiums have been a particular hardship and/or resulted in lack of insurance for your children, Family Voices of Vermont would like to relay your experience to our policy makers, contact Kay Van Woert at 985-5668.
Of course, you can also directly contact your own state or federal legislator to talk with him or her about your family and Dr. Dynasaur.

If you need assistance in enrolling or re-enrolling in Dr. Dynasaur, call Parent to Parent's Family Support staff at (800) 800-4005 for more information.  Y

Fall 2005 - In this Issue:
Family Connections: Button Story
From Our Director: When People Work Together
Conference Fund: Rasmussen Story
Families Who 'Give Back': Tom Sustic Fund
Where's the Waste Update
Community News: Support Group & Therapeutic Riding
Parent to Parent News: Library & Funding

Thanks, Development & Outreach
Our Calendar | News & Note

Top of page

(Click Site Map to view older newsletters)  |  See Family Voices of VT Links page

Parent to Parent Main Page