Madison County 310 Board
Important Links
Self-Directed Services Support
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Hometown Health
Upon the diagnosis of a disability or the suspected diagnosis of a disability (perhaps some important developmental milestones are missed) navigation of “next steps” is challenging. It becomes necessary to ensure a proper professional perspective is gained. Pediatricians, Family Doctors,
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/assets/currentvfcproviders.pdf
and School staff
can help you guide this process.
However, in addition to service providers like public schools, or charitable organizations like The Arc Alabama Chapters of The Arc or others as identified here:
Alabama Parent Education Center – Alabama Parent Education Center
Organic Support
While medical institutions can play a strategic role in treatment and care, more organic support may become necessary throughout the lifespan. Since it’s important to ensure equitable opportunities exist throughout our communities for people with disabilities , our federal government has designated a 3 pronged approach to the access to services for people with disabilities through something called the “DD NETWORK”. Established by the DD ACT in 1963 and revised in 2000. Each state is required to have 3 agencies working to “protect, provide, & proclaim” for a person with a disability. Those agencies are identified through their work in the following ways: LEGAL PROTECTION, PROGRAM FUNDING, & RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT.
In Alabama those agencies are:
1. Free legal aid for families supporting children with disabilities: ADAP
The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program
2. Program Funding for people with disabilities:
ACDD
(aka the DD COUNCIL)
3. Research & Development: UCEDD/LEND
(Universities Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities)
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities – College of Arts and Sciences
4. Alabama’s Early Intervention for children with diagnosed disabilities includes those who are ages 3-5 yrs old. This statewide program is called “CHILD
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-find-what-it-is-and-how-it-works
Department of Mental Health
Service provision in Alabama for people with disabilities varies greatly from one region or county to the next.
ADMH (Alabama Department of Mental Health) has identified 5 regions throughout the state which collaborate with other state and/or federally run agencies like CMS (Centers for Medicaid Services) & DHS (Department of Health & Human Services) to create a system of service providers. Those websites are listed here:
ADMH: https://mh.alabama.gov/
CMS: https://www.cms.gov/
Department of Health & Human Services:
https://www.usa.gov/agencies/u-s-department-of-health-and-human-services
An invaluable tool we recommend is something called “The Lifecourse Tools”
This is a strategic goal mapping and life planning guide for families who support individuals of all ages who have a disability. Please let me know if you are interested in a free consultation to help you get started on an upward trajectory with Charting the LifeCourse!
Exchange Knowledge | Build Capacity | Engage Collaboratively
Other Helpful Tools
Request your free publication of ADAP’s IEP guide titled, “A right, not a favor” here: https://adap.ua.edu/childrens-issues/special-education
Important Legislation to consider:
When requesting information about your loved one with a disability it’s important to include your loved one with the disability in the conversation. A respected phrase heard often in our community is “NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US!”
This is how we help the people we serve learn to self advocate and make decisions for themselves. Respecting a persons right to privacy and their decision making capacity is key to fostering healthy growth and development.
It’s important to create an environment to offer “INFORMED” consent before signing legal documents. To help with this please consider these resources:
The ADA: https://www.ada.gov/resources/effective-communication/
THE COLBY ACT: *Guardianship Laws are changing. Please consider alternative options before assuming a guardianship is necessary: https://states.aarp.org/alabama/the-colby-act-becomes-law
I hope you’ll find these resources helpful and I look forward to hearing your progress updates! Please consider donating to the Arc of Alabama to help us continue reaching our communities to provide supports and services for people with disabilities!
https://thearcofalabama.harnessgiving.org/donate/?selected-method=one-time&amount=50&campaign_id=0
Source:
Kim Spangler
The Arc of Alabama
Family Outreach Coordinator
334-262-7688