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Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp has said that his administration would request a federal waiver to seek new flexibility to use Medicaid dollars, during his first State of the State address
On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a bipartisan bill to delay the implementation of a provision contained in the 21st Century Cures Act requiring States to have Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) systems in place for personal care services by January 1, 2019. The Murkowski Brown legislation would …
The 21st Century CURES Act, enacted by Congress in December 2016, included a provision for “electronic visit verification,” or EVV, which requires that service providers electronically check in when providing in-home care to people with disabilities in order to prevent fraud. This week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued guidelines to help states comply …
Continue reading "Federal officials have issued guidelines for Electronic Visit Verification"
The State Advisory Panel for Special Education (SAP) advises the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Divisions for Special Education Services and Supports on the provision of special education and related services for students with disabilities. The SAP is comprised of parents, persons with disabilities, educators and administrators as well as representatives from public and private …
Continue reading "State Advisory Panel Seeks Public Comment"
Individuals wishing to file ADA complaints with the Department will now be able to fill out the form and submit it completely electronically.
In July 2015, the U.S. government determined that the GNETS program illegally segregates students with disabilities. The report also stated that this was in violation of Title II of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). GCEE is urging the state of Georgia to transform its separate and unequal educational program serving thousands of children with …
Individuals with disabilities and their families often live a life of poverty as a result of not being allowed to save even modest amounts of money without fear of losing supports through SSI, Medicaid and other publicly-funded programs. ABLE Programs like Georgia STABLE allow qualified individuals with disabilities to save up to $14,000 a year …
Continue reading "Georgia launchs new ABLE program named Georgia STABLE"
Talking to our staff, she heard an experienced, compassionate voice that was able to support her and guide her to the help she needed. Please help us reach more families like the Morleys.
The Georgia Department of Education Division for Special Education Services and Supports is currently accepting applications for the State Advisory Panel for Special Education (SAP). The SAP is comprised of parents, persons with disabilities, educators and administrators who are knowledgeable about the education of all children. SAP members provide input and advice into meeting the …
The 21st Century Cures Act passed by Congress requires states to implement Electronic Visit Verification(EVV) for Medicaid-financed Personal Care Services by January 1, 2019 and Home Health Care Services by January 1, 2023. EVV is a technology (like an online time-sheet) that gathers time, attendance, and other care plan details, and is to be entered …
Join GCDD on Friday, September 14 at 12:00 PM for the educational webinar, “What Is EVV and Why Should You Care?” GCDD’s Public Policy Director Dawn Alford and the Center for Public Representation’s Director of Advocacy Alison Barkoff will spend the lunch hour explaining new changes to Medicaid-financed personal care services and home health care …
The Office of the Special Education Programs(OSEP) has required that each State Educational Agency (SEA) develops a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) that includes a comprehensive, multi-year focus on improving results of students with disabilities. Georgia will implement a systemic plan, “Student Success”, in FY16 to improve graduation outcomes for students with disabilities.
Parents and Advocates filed suit in federal court October 11, 2017. The lawsuit, was filed by parents of children with disabilities, the Georgia Advocacy Office, the Center for Public Representation, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Arc, DLA Piper LLP and the Goodmark Law Firm. The class action lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that the state of Georgia, in …
October 11, 2017 – Parents and Advocates sue the state of Georgia over separate and unequal education for thousands of students with disabilities.
December 9, 2016 – The United States has filed a briefing opposing the State of Georgia’s Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to the GNETS (Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support) program. Read the full …
Continue reading "United States Files Brief Opposing Georgia’s Motion to Dismiss"
State of Georgia Files a Motion to Dismiss November 1, 2016 – The State of Georgia filed a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to the GNETS (Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support) program. Read …
2017 Will Trump’s Justice Department Pay Attention to Disability Rights? | Mother Jones – 10/13/17 Parents, Advocates sue state, claim inequities in GNETS schools | Georgia Health News – 10/11/17 With Federal Suit Stalled, GA Advocates File Special Education Complaint | Ed Week – 10/11/17 The Separate, Unequal Education of Students with Special Needs – The Atlantic – 3/21/2017 2016 …
What Has Happened in Georgia? 2015 Updated March 22, 2015! How Safe is the Schoolhouse? An Analysis of State Seclusion and Restraint Policies by Jessica Butler. This report has been updated to include changes made through March 18, 2015 to state seclusion and restraint laws and policies. 2014 On February 12, 2014, the United States Senate Health, …