Comments Needed - Public Charge

Regulatory Comments on "Public Charge"
Please weigh in by DECEMBER 10, 2018!

Background: In mid-October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed regulation known as "public charge." You can read the proposal in full at
 
Here's the BOTTOM LINE:  For over a 100 years "public charge" has been part of immigration law.  In the past it has been used (as it seems intended now) to keep out certain groups of immigrants (Irish, Jewish, disabled, etc.).  The real gist of these rules is to screen out who will be a "public charge," i.e., dependent on public services/benefits.  These benefits include, among others, Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance.
 
This proposal broadens the definition of "public charge" to someone who receives just one benefit/service.  The new proposal would have DHS scrutinize each of a long series of factors that could weigh against letting the immigrant in -- for example, pre-existing health conditions, ability to get a job, and disability or having a child with a disability.
 
FOR SCHOOLS:  If you opened the link above, you saw immediately the complexity of these rules. There is an exemption for Medicaid in schools. However, many immigrant families will not understand that and will be afraid to give consent for IDEA services, for fear of the effects on their immigration status. In fact, some CASE members have already reported this happening, including parents asking to withdraw their children from current services.
 
ACTION: CASE has developed comments and requests that each CASE unit also send comments as well as individual members. See below for details.
 
DEADLINE:  December 10.
 
TAKE ACTION:

1.  Use the  template link and fill in State and/or district-specific information in the highlighted areas. Personal stories are critical. DHS has already indicated they will not read "form letters!" By "personalizing" the highlighted areas, you will be making it a more individualized letter! This is a critical part of the directions!
 
2.   To submit your comments:
  • Format your response as a Word/PDF document (use organizational letterhead if possible)..
  • Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCIS-2010-0012-0001.
  • In the 'Comment" box, type "(name of unit) is pleased to submit the following comments on the proposed regulation on "Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds."
  • Below the comment box:
    • Upload your file.
    • Enter your first and last name.
    • Click 'continue.'
  • Review the information on this page, including a check to ensure your document is attached.
  • Click the 'I have read and understand' item.
  • Click 'Submit Comment.
3.  NOTE:  You can also send a copy of your comments to your Senators and House members.  We recommend attaching to an email and indicating that the proposed regulation is of deep concern to your members

Opportunity to Participate - OSERS Accountability Brainstorming Session

OSERS is committed to rethink anything and everything to ensure that we are in the best position to achieve our mission. Consistent with that commitment, we are beginning a process of rethinking Results Driven Accountability (RDA). This process, and any associated outcomes, will demonstrate our commitment to support states in their work to raise expectations and improve outcomes for children with disabilities, to provide flexibility within the constructs of the law, and to partner with parents and families, and diverse stakeholders.

This process cannot be successful without input from local administrators. Please join us Tuesday, December 4, to share your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions on rethinking RDA.

OSERS Accountability Brainstorming Session: Local Administrators
Date:                                     Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Time:                                    1:30pm to 2:30pm ET

Registration Link:            http://ems8.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=810531

To join the call, please register using the link listed above. Once you are registered, you will receive an automated email containing the dial-in number and a personalized access code.
In preparation for this conversation, please find below a set of questions that will help frame our discussion. You may also submit input to RethinkRDA@ed.gov. OSERS will review and consider all input, but will not respond to messages at this time.

Medicaid Committee Webinar: Medicaid claims for Health Aides and Special Transportation

Medicaid Committee Webinar:  
Medicaid Claims for Health Aides and Special Transportation

DATE: 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019

TIME: 
2:00 PM

Register for this 45 minute informational webinar and join Kim Moore, Regional Sales Manager for Embrace & IAASE Medicaid Committee Board Chair, to gain insight into the complex components of the Medicaid claiming process for Health Aides (Paraprofessionals), and Special Transportation services.

The purpose of this webinar is to:

  • Provide Clear Regulations for the Claim Process 
  • Identify Specific Services Allowable To Claim 
  • Discuss Training & Documentation Options 
  • Review Claim Requirements for Audit Needs 
Public school districts across the state are striving to meet the ever demanding need to provide essential services to students with special needs. Understanding the Medicaid claiming process for Health Aides & Special Transportation will support local school administrators in maintaining great services for students, while maximizing funding streams to support the continuation of those highly specialized services.

Get registered now by clicking here.

This webinar is co-sponsored by Embrace IEP and the Medicaid Committee of IAASE

IAASE President Appointed to Governor's Transition Team

IAASE is excited to announce that our President, Dr. Kevin Rubenstein, has been named to Governor-elect JB Pritzker's Education for Success transition team. Pritzker named 35 people today to the team, and we are pleased to be represented, along with several others from the public education community.

The committee is the seventh of several working groups of the transition made up of subject-matter experts who will advise the incoming Pritzker-Stratton administration. It will be chaired by State Sen. Andy Manar, a school funding reform champion; State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, chairman of the House Higher Education Committee; Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Janice Jackson, and Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin.

IAASE has sought to position itself as the voice, vision and future of special education in Illinois. This transition team will help to craft educational policy for the Pritzker administration and it is significant that we are included in its work.

This is an important day for our professional organization! Congratulations to Kevin Rubenstein and the IAASE leadership for their work in making it possible.

NPR News Article

We need your input — And you could win an iPad!

The Council of Administrators of Special Education will be meeting with senior Department of Education officials later this year. This is an opportunity for CASE to influence the future of our nation's education research agenda and ensure we are investigating what you and your colleagues need to best serve your students.

But first, we need to hear from you! As one of our members, your voice is critical and we want to know what you need.
  • How do you use education research?
  • How do you feel about currently available research?
  • What are your research needs?
On Nov. 27, representatives from various educator organizations will gather to discuss how we can better represent your needs on a national stage. By responding to this anonymous 15-minute survey, your responses will inform our participation in this national convening.

To further amplify your voice, the Jefferson Education Exchange is conducting a research study. By completing the survey, you agree for your anonymous responses to be used in this research.

At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your name into a drawing for one of 3 iPads.

Should you have any questions, for more details and/or to contact a member of the research team,please see this attached information sheet.

Thank you!
Dr. Luann L. Purcell,
Executive Director
CASE

Important Information Regarding 15 Year Old Elementary School Students and State Assessments

ISBE sent information to everyone last week regarding state assessments for students who are turning 15 years old and we thought that it would be helpful to bring it here too:
The following policy for testing pertains to 105 ILCS 5/14-6.01 of the school code. Fifteen-year-old students with disabilities who are enrolled in an elementary district become accountable to the high school district (according to school code). The high school district becomes financially responsible for the student. The high school district is also responsible for the educational program of the student. The law only pertains to elementary districts that feed into a separate high school district. It does not pertain to unit districts.
In response to questions from school district staff regarding testing accountability, the following must occur for students, who are 15 years old (the student turns 15 on or before April 23, 2019), attend an elementary district, and have an IEP:
  • The home school (in SIS enrollment) must be the high school in the high school district.
  • The serving school (in SIS enrollment) may remain as the school in the elementary school district, if still applicable.
  • The student must be enrolled in grade 9.
  • Grade 9 students take the PSAT 8/9 assessment, or the grade 9 DLM-AA assessment, and possibly the science assessment.
  • It is recommended that an IEP meeting be called to make these changes.

An Update From the Medicaid Committee

Our Medicaid Committee wanted to make sure that you have seen this Provider Notice from 09/28/2018:

The Department is releasing this bulletin to notify Local Education Agencies (LEAs) of a change related to audiology services

Per 42 CFR 440.110, diagnostic, screening, preventive, or corrective services provided by or under the direction of an audiologist must be referred by a physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts within the scope of his or her practice under State law.

A referral will be required for audiology services effective with dates of service on and after January 1, 2019. The referral must be updated annually and maintained in the student's health record.

The Handbook for Local Education Agencies has been updated and is available on the Department's website

Instructions for updating the Handbook for Local Education Agencies : Topic U-210.1 Audiology Services

Remove pages HFS U-200 (14-15) and insert revised pages HFS U-200 (14-15)

Spend Some Time During Cyber Monday At The IAASE Online Store


We are excited to announce the opening of our new online spirit wear store!  You can order IAASE Spirit Wear online by clicking here and have it delivered to your home or office!  Don’t see what you are looking for?  Chances are, we will be adding it to the store in the weeks and months ahead.

Nominations for Treasurer & Member-at-Large


Every two years, the organization elects two people to serve as a Treasurer and Member-at-Large.  Gene Olsen from Community Consolidated School District 89 has served as our Treasurer for the last two years and Christine Putlak from AERO Special Education Cooperative has served as our Member-At-Large for the last two years.

Nominations now openThe Treasurer serves on the Executive Board and on the Finance Committee and assists the Committee with the preparation of the annual budget.  S/he prepares financial reports for the chair of the Finance Committee and the Executive Board and manages the budget of the Organization.   The Treasurer maintains association financial records and forwards said records annually to the legal counsel.  S/he provides reports to Executive Board and the membership at Organizational meetings and provides written reports for the Newsletter. With others, the Treasurer is responsible for all financial matters of the association.

The Member at Large serves as a member of the Executive Board and the Legislative Committee.  S/he  is the Chairperson of Regional Representatives and serves as a member and chair of the Membership and Public Relations Committee. The Member-at-Large represents the Executive Board at any regional meetings he/she attends and provides written reports for Newsletter. The most important part of this role is making sure that each region has what it needs in terms of professional development throughout the year.

If you would like to nominate someone or if you would like to nominate yourself for either of these positions, please send an e-mail to Lea Anne Frost, Chair of the Awards and Nominations Committee.