Will health care reform affect Medicaid?

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on August 18th, 2009

It came as no surprise to those of us here at Easter Seals to hear the very first question at President Obama’s health care town meeting in Montana last Friday. It came from a woman who has a son with autism — she is worried about her son’s health care.

I’m an MSU student. I have a son that suffers …Read More » »

Want to volunteer? We’ll help find an opportunity near you!

Posted by Beth Finke on May 28th, 2009

President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act on April 21, and since then more people are becoming interested in volunteering. From an AARP Bulletin Today article:Obama noted that service to others—he was a community organizer in Chicago before entering politics—was instrumental in launching his career. “I would not be standing here today were it not for …Read More » »

Keeping autism and other disability services a top priority

Posted by Beth Finke on May 18th, 2009

During his first months in office, President Obama has already signed the State Children’s Health Insurance bill (a top priority for Easter Seals) and designated funds in the economic stimulus package to go directly to programs that improve the lives of those with autism and other disabilities.

Easter Seals President and CEO Jim Williams visited the White House recently to personally …Read More » »

Easter Seals goes to the White House

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on April 24th, 2009

James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals, joined leaders from other national disability organizations for a briefing at the White House last week. The briefing was hosted by Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. Dale is the first-ever assistant focused on disability. His appointment was announced by vice-president Biden at the Winter …Read More » »

Strike a Boom! Maurice on Obama’s bowling score

Posted by Maurice Snell on March 24th, 2009

It has been a busy first two months for our 44th President Barack Obama. In those first two months, President Obama has issued a promise of change to a whole new America. As with every other president, it is not a cakewalk. There have been numerous topics for President Obama to deal with — the economic stimulus plan, AIG bonuses, …Read More » »

The stimulus plan: what’s in it for people with autism?

Posted by Beth Finke on February 23rd, 2009

Here’s an understatement for you: that stimulus package President Obama signed into law last week is huge. It’s a bit daunting, too. To help sort through all the changes, the Disability Policy Collaboration (The Arc of the United States, combined with United Cerebral Palsy) lists the amount of increased spending disability specific programs will receive from the time the …Read More » »

Thanks for saving our SCHIP

Posted by Beth Finke on February 10th, 2009

On February 4, 2009, the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was signed into law by President Barack Obama. Your advocacy and on-going support now make health insurance coverage possible for 11 million uninsured children from low-income working families, including children with autism and other disabilities. …Read More » »

Autism in Obama’s stimulus plan

Posted by Beth Finke on February 5th, 2009

Wondering how the proposed stimulus plan might affect your child with autism? An article in last week’s New York Times called Stimulus Plan Would Provide Flood of Aid to Education says that some of the money would go towards special education for children with autism and other disabilities. The story reported that President Obama’s Stimulus Plan allocates …Read More » »

Accessing autism services after age 21

Posted by Patricia Wright on January 28th, 2009

A parent commented to the Easter Seals autism blog last week — she was asking for help for her son. He is an adult with autism, and he has aggressive tendencies.

The needs for services and supports for adults with autism is a growing crisis. Entitlement services typically end at age 21. The parent who commented has a son who …Read More » »