“Nothing about us without us”: The time is now for a peer support movement in Arkansas
“Nothing about us without us!” What does this mean? Is it true here in Arkansas? How can decisions be made that affect individuals with disabilities without seeking their input? Does anyone look at the impact that these decisions might have on individuals with disabilities before they become law/policy? “Nothing about us without us.” These aren’t […]
Lack of PASSE accountability causes real harm to beneficiaries
In 2017, the Arkansas legislature approved a new Medicaid program: Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entities (PASSEs). The purpose was to implement a managed care program, which is basically a private insurance company funded by Medicaid, which is the state-funded insurance program for individuals with low income or disabilities. That means our legislature and governor took […]
Preventive care for children: the right care, at the right time, in the right setting
All children need regular health care. If your child has a disability, chances are that he/she is enrolled in Medicaid. All state Medicaid programs provide comprehensive and preventive health care through a program called EPSDT – Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment. What is it? The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) […]
What’s the difference? “State complaint” vs. “due process”
What is the difference between a state complaint and due process? In our practice, I have heard parents, advocates, and even attorneys refer to these mechanisms interchangeably. Indeed, both State Complaints and Due Process Complaints are procedures intended to resolve disputes between parents of students with disabilities and the school districts in which those […]
Tonight! Tune in to DRA on KABF “Speak Up Arkansas”
Tonight, DRA hits the airwaves! Speak Up Arkansas is a weekly talk show on KABF 88.3 that delves into a variety of issues, from health care to education to the environment to the economy, and how they affect regular people in Central Arkansas and beyond. Starting this evening at 5:00, DRA will host the program […]