Join Us for An Online Session to Share Your COVID-19 Challenges and the Impact on the Georgia Disability Community.

Tuesdays Beginning April 7th | 3:00 – 4:30 PM The Georgia Developmental Disabilities Network and Partnering Organizations are launching a weekly community call to address issues and concerns related to COVID-19. The goal of these weekly forums is to receive and provide guidance and resources to the people we support across the state. Together we can tune into a clear signal of facts and resources that stands out from the overwhelming noise of social media, email and 24-hour news outlets.

We hope to accomplish several things:
-Provide a listening session to hear feedback on needs and wants regarding COVID-19 info and specific resources
-Crowdsource existing resources to share via a clearinghouse page
-Collect ideas and gauge where to focus our collective energy on new resources or advocacy efforts

Who can participate in this listening session?
-People with disabilities and their family members
-Service providers
-Policymakers
-State and Federal human and social services agency leaders
-Media professionals and journalists

Apr 7, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZclf-2hrTIiLbLgZfbAug2E8EM0jxZV8w

A maximum of 300 people can participate and registration is required. ASL/CART services are provided for all sessions. All sessions will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the following the day.

The State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is seeking parents of children who are enrolled in or recently graduated from Babies Can’t Wait (BCW)

The State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is seeking parents of children who are enrolled in or recently graduated from Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) who want to:

  • impact positive change for the BCW program
  • enhance services and supports to children and families in BCW
  • become more involved in the local and state BCW programs

Interested parents will be invited to join the SICC Parent Advisory Committee, which will provide insight on related topics and work hand-in-hand with the SICC to achieve Babies Can’t Wait program goals.

The SICC needs you!

For more information, please contact

Sharifa Peart
Program Manager for
Early Intervention / Maternal & Child Health
404-657-2861 or sharifa.peart@dph.ga.gov

2020 GA Department of Education Parent Survey

The 2020 Parent Satisfaction Survey, available in English and Spanish, is open now to all families of students with disabilities in the state. Share feedback about your engagement with your child’s school with the Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) by completing the survey before May 31, 2020. Find the survey here: https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Special-Education-Services/Pages/Parent-Survey.aspx     

State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) seeks input on VR services in Georgia

The Research and Evaluation Unit (REU) at Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) at University of Georgia (UGA) is conducting a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) on behalf of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) and the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and we are seeking input from all stakeholders regarding competitive, integrated employment for Georgian’s with disabilities. 

Individual surveys can also be found at:

  1. Individuals with disabilities in Georgia:  https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esNxdZiiCfkdSLz
  2. Family members and other stakeholders: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eqVyJazo9xgphpH
  3. Employment service providers: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZ6uAQqcynXXlBj
  4. Employers in Georgia: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZ6uAQqcynXXlBj

 The information you provide will inform GVRA’s portion of Georgia’s Unified State Plan, as well as influence decision making and delivery of vocational services to individuals with disabilities.

What is a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver?

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. 

Section 1115 waivers have been used in the Medicaid program to provide states an avenue to test and implement coverage approaches that do not meet federal program rules. Find out more about Section 1115 waivers here.

Bipartisan bill introduced to delay EVV

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 delay the new Medicaid requirement for one year, until January 1, 2020.

Cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Rob Portman (D-OH). Companion legislation was also introduced on Tuesday, May 22 in the House, sponsored by Congressman James Langevin (D-RI) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK).

Federal officials have issued guidelines for Electronic Visit Verification

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 with this upcoming Medicaid requirement.

State Advisory Panel Seeks Public Comment

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 agencies.

The SAP continuously seeks public comment regarding the services rendered to students in Georgia’s public schools.

In accordance with SAP procedures you must provide your name and submit your comments in writing by 4:00 PM and at least 3 business days in advance of the meeting. Written input must include the name, address, email address and county of residence of the person submitting comment.

The next SAP meeting is at the Holiday Inn (Macon) North, 3953 River Pl Dr, Macon, GA 31210
The Public Comment Online Form will be available until Friday, April 26 at 4:00pm
Public Comment Online Form: https://form.jotform.com/90677970890170