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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-09 Special Education Parents Advisory Council Minutes e� RECEIVED Town of Reading TOWN CLERK ir:-„ ; Meeting Minutes READING, MA. y 2021 AW I I PM 12: 06 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Special Education Parents Advisory Council Date: 2021-03-09 Time: Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Amy Stewart, Board Member Alyssa Scaparotti, Board Member Amy Stewart, Board Member Members - Not Present: Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amy Stewart, Board Member Topics of Discussion: 28 participants 7:00 PM Call to Order 7:02 PM Minutes from 01/12/2021 meeting unanimously approved. 7:03 PM Board member Laura Noonan provided summary of SEPAC's efforts during 2020-2021 school year. 7:08 PM Michele Sanphy spoke of initiative to solicit proposals for disability-related topics from the school community and wider community. Initiative and Michele's contact info to be included in board's next email to membership. Examples include transitions and inclusion. Kate Goldlust and Kit Lonergen volunteered to help Michele. Amy Stewart commented survey results will provide roadmap of priorities for next year's board and suggested board provide its running list of potential topics to Michele. 7:18 PM Presentation on local family support services and resources. • Alice Gomez Salami, PsyD, NCSP, Reading Public Schools; 8 years with District. District has worked really hard at expanding network. District Behavioral Health website includes all the info. Purpose of presentation is to provide context for resources. Food pantry (Kerry Valle is contact for access) Reading Food Distribution: Wed. 2:30-3:30 PM and Fri. 11 AM - 12 PM (no ID required) Project Bread -counselors speak multi language; provide long term, sustainable solutions Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support: resources, services, support for mental health in addition to substance abuse. Page 1 1 William James College Interface Referral Service Helpline Helps gain access to mental health services Provides information about mental health related topics- adoption, addition, domestic violence (on website can search by topic) Prevention projects and resource sharing: respond and others Child Life Disaster Relief: car accidents, suicides, hurricanes, fires (referral required) The Children's Room -support for grieving children and youth (death of a family member) Behavioral Health Coordinator Lauren Sabella • Andrea Passacantilli, Mobile Crisis Intervention Program Manager, Eliot's Emergency Services Program (ESP), Eliot Community Human Services Responding rapidly and effectively in delivering course of treatment in behavioral health crisis. Community-based behavioral health services. On-site face to face therapeutic response (Zoom and in person), psychiatric consultations and meds , referrals and linkages, safety plans. Adult: Youth: Mobile crisis intervention. Keep kids in community, rather than in patient unit. Community Crisis Stabilization AT Eliot ESP everyone is eligible for services; no insurance barrier, no suicidiology required ESP Community based locations provide an alternative to hospital emergency departments Recovery-oriented services (certified peer specialist, family partners, recovery coach) Outpatient services apassacanti I I iCcDel iotchs.ora 24/7 crisis line: 800 988 1111 ESP Mobile Crisis Response for Autism: ASID or ID diagnosis or suspicion of diagnosis. Consultation with McPap team. BCBA, board certified analyst, doctor make recommendations to family. • Terri Farrell, Director, Autism Insurance Resource Center Project www.massairc.orc Resource for consumers, providers, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism treatment. Services are always free. Families- info, technical assistance, support applying for Masshealth, resources and troubleshooting Covid-19 -everything went to telehealth due to health and safety; benefit- more availability for this service (reduced waitlist); alot more parent training; All benefits, including ABA, will be available via Telehealth through April 2021. MassHealth -will allow self-attestation for disability through April 2021 Health Connector will remain open for the purchase of private insurance. Mobile Crisis Intervention/Emergency services- newly established consultative services to support providers working with youth and young adults with ASD or ID who are having a behavioral health crisis. Includes consultation and short-term follow-up support. 1-877-382- 1609, https://v w .behaviorbabe.comttelehealth- example videos of what telehealth looks like with ABA. COVID and private insurance Most insurers will continue to allow ABA via telehealth for the foreseeable future. Subject to change as it is based on COVID federal emergency declaration. Page 1 2 Types of Insurance- private self funded, private fully funded, and public In Massachusetts, if your child has a disability, they are then eligible to receive a Mass Health insurance policy as secondary insurance. This policy will be for the disabled individual only, and is not based on the family's need or income. The monthly premium however is based on the family's income. Families who obtain a secondary insurance policy through Mass Health would then have two monthly insurance premiums to pay. These families can apply for Premium Assistance through Mass Health, and may be eligible to receive assistance towards their monthly premium. Private insurance is always primary, Masshealth is secondary Child must have autism diagnosis to access ABA therapy. Legislation proposed to include intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis. Can I purchase a policy from the Health Connector that will provide access to ABA benefit for my child? Yes, but it has to be an unsubsidized plan -called a QHP. Child -Adolescent MentalHealth Services Bulletin 2018-07 CBHI Robust mental health services Commercial insurance plans now must include mental health plans (state govt. employees). But private employers adopting plans too (don't even know it) 2021 Plan Statement of Benefits Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access www.mabhaccess.com Helps both providers and masshealth members locate openings in mental health and substance use disorder services . ABA now added. Click on Youth and Family Services to find provider openings DESE Administrative Advisory Impact of insurance on provision and payment for special education services 8:45 PM Member/Parent discussion about local family support resources- no comments. made. Dr. Doherty mentions Dr. Stys promotion to assistant superintendent and Ms. Wright promotion to director of student services. 9:04 PM Update from Reading and Literacy Subcommittee March 23rd - five essential components of reading Two presenters from district. Amy Stewart inquires about SEPAC's role, if any, in presentation. Discussion about branding of presentation. SEPAC co-host or Parent University type presentation brainstormed. Reference to SEPAC on flyer vs. acknowledgment of SEPAC's role in working with district to prepare presentation. Defer to subcommittee to decide. 8:55 PM Public Comment- no public comment made. 9:13 PM Motion to adjourn unanimously approved. Page 1 3 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes a �o +,,.mvvoPen Board - committee - commission - Council: Special Education Parents Advisory Council Date: 2021-03-09 Time: Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Amy Stewart, Board Member Alyssa Scaparotti, Board Member Amy Stewart, Board Member Members - Not Present: Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amy Stewart, Board Member Topics of Discussion: 28 participants 7:00 PM Call to Order 7:02 PM Minutes from 01/12/2021 meeting unanimously approved. 7:03 PM Board member Laura Noonan provided summary of SEPAC's efforts during 2020-2021 school year. 7:08 PM Michele Sanphy spoke of initiative to solicit proposals for disability-related topics from the school community and wider community. Initiative and Michele's contact info to be included in board's next email to membership. Examples include transitions and inclusion. Kate Goldlust and Kit Lonergen volunteered to help Michele. Amy Stewart commented survey results will provide roadmap of priorities for next year's board and suggested board provide its running list of potential topics to Michele. 7:18 PM Presentation on local family support services and resources. • Alice Gomez Salami, PsyD, NCSP, Reading Public Schools; 8 years with District. District has worked really hard at expanding network. District Behavioral Health website includes all the info. Purpose of presentation is to provide context for resources. Food pantry (Kerry Valle is contact for access) Reading Food Distribution: Wed. 2:30-3:30 PM and Fri. 11 AM - 12 PM (no ID required) Project Bread - counselors speak multi language; provide long term, sustainable solutions Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support: resources, services, support for mental health in addition to substance abuse. Page I 1 William James College Interface Referral Service Helpline Helps gain access to mental health services Provides information about mental health related topics- adoption, addition, domestic violence (on website can search by topic) Prevention projects and resource sharing: respond and others Child Life Disaster Relief: car accidents, suicides, hurricanes, fres (referral required) The Children's Room -support for grieving children and youth (death of a family member) Behavioral Health Coordinator Lauren Sabella • Andrea Passacamilli, Mobile Crisis Intervention Program Manager, Eliot's Emergency Services Program (ESP), Eliot Community Human Services Responding rapidly and effectively in delivering course of treatment in behavioral health crisis. Community-based behavioral health services. On-site face to face therapeutic response (Zoom and in person), psychiatric consultations and meds , referrals and linkages, safety plans. Adult: Youth: Mobile crisis intervention. Keep kids in community, rather than in patient unit. Community Crisis Stabilization AT Eliot ESP everyone is eligible for services; no insurance barrier, no suicidiology required ESP Community based locations provide an alternative to hospital emergency departments Recovery-oriented services (certified peer specialist, family partners, recovery coach) Outpatient services apassacantilli(cDeliotchs.ora 24/7 crisis line: 800 988 1111 ESP Mobile Crisis Response for Autism: ASID or ID diagnosis or suspicion of diagnosis. Consultation with McPap team. BCBA, board certified analyst, doctor make recommendations to family. • Terri Farrell, Director, Autism Insurance Resource Center Project www.massairc.org Resource for consumers, providers, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism treatment. Services are always free. Families - info, technical assistance, support applying for Masshealth, resources and troubleshooting Covid-19- everything went to telehealth due to health and safety; benefit- more availability for this service (reduced waitlist); slot more parent training; All benefits, including ABA, will be available via Telehealth through April 2021. MassHealth -will allow self-attestation for disability through April 2021 Health Connector will remain open for the purchase of private insurance. Mobile Crisis Intervention/Emergency services -newly established consultative services to support providers working with youth and young adults with ASD or ID who are having a behavioral health crisis. Includes consultation and short-term follow-up support. 1-877-382- 1609. https�/twww.behaviorbabe.com/telehealth -example videos of what telehealth looks like with ABA. COVID and private insurance Most insurers will continue to allow ABA via telehealth for the foreseeable future. Subject to change as it is based on COVID federal emergency declaration. Page 1 2 Types of Insurance- private self funded, private fully funded, and public In Massachusetts, K your child has a disability, they are then eligible to receive a Mass Health insurance policy as secondary insurance. This policy will be for the disabled individual only, and is not based on the family's need or income. The monthly premium however is based on the family's income. Families who obtain a secondary insurance policy through Mass Health would then have two monthly insurance premiums to pay. These families can apply for Premium Assistance through Mass Health, and may be eligible to receive assistance towards their monthly premium. Private insurance is always primary, Masshealth is secondary Child must have autism diagnosis to access ABA therapy. Legislation proposed to include intellectual disability (ID) diagnosis. Can I purchase a policy from the Health Connector that will provide access to ABA benefit for my child? Yes, but it has to be an unsubsidized plan - called a QHP. Child -Adolescent MentalHealth Services Bulletin 2018-07 CBHI Robust mental health services Commercial insurance plans now must include mental health plans (state govt. employees). But private employers adopting plans too (don't even know it) 2021 Plan Statement of Benefits Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access www.mabhaccess.com Helps both providers and masshealth members locate openings in mental health and substance use disorder services . ABA now added. Click on Youth and Family Services to find provider openings DESE Administrative Advisory Impact of insurance on provision and payment for special education services 8:45 PM Member/Parent discussion about local family support resources- no comments. made. Dr. Doherty mentions Dr. Stys promotion to assistant superintendent and Ms. Wright promotion to director of student services. 9:04 PM Update from Reading and Literacy Subcommittee March 23rd - five essential components of reading Two presenters from district. Amy Stewart inquires about SEPAC's role, if any, in presentation. Discussion about branding of presentation. SEPAC co-host or Parent University type presentation brainstormed. Reference to SEPAC on flyer vs. acknowledgment of SEPAC's role in working with district to prepare presentation. Defer to subcommittee to decide. 8:55 PM Public Comment- no public comment made. 9:13 PM Motion to adjourn unanimously approved. Page 1 3