Outreach to Children with Disabilities by John Hayes
According to recent research by the Department of Medical Assistance Services conducted in 2005, there were 149 children living in Medicaid-funded nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for persons with a mental disability. In an effort to advocate for children with disabilities, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities has received the green light on a grant to provide more options for families of children with disabilities. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) throughout Virginia are participating in an outreach program that will dissuade families from putting their child into a nursing home facility, without proactively exploring alternatives for care for their child.CILs already provide advocacy as a core function of their Centers. This will be furthered through this project, as we advocate for children to stay in their respective communities. CILs will be working in conjunction with nursing home facilities, personal care agencies, Medicaid providers, and many other organizations to help advocate for children who might not otherwise have a voice, or for their families who might not have all of the information necessary to make an informed decision about their child.
The project is in progress and will under review upon completion of its first year.
If you are a family member of a child who is in danger of institutional placement or you would like to take your child out of an institution, contact us. IEC will help you by answering questions about how your child might live more independently in a Community, rather than an institutional, setting.
Contact me for more information (telephone 703-257-5400, fax 703-257-5043, email jhayes@ieccil.org).
From Summer 2007 Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 3
