Beginning January 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that states must provide Medicaid coverage for individuals under age 26 who were in foster care at age 18 and receiving Medicaid. This mandatory coverage is available up to age 26, and youth in care at age 18 are automatically eligible. Please ensure that CASA/GAL volunteers currently serving older youth convey that this coverage is available to them, and that the child welfare agency ensures this extension of coverage.
This important provision was actually suggested by a former foster youth serving as a congressional intern to Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), when the intern learned that the ACA allows health insurance coverage under a parent's plan for their children up to age 26.
The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet released a final ruling on whether the extension of Medicaid coverage is portable to another state, i.e., whether it must be recognized by another state if the youth moves to the other state after the age of 18.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Braces For CASA Kids
National CASA Partners with Smile for a Lifetime
National CASA has entered into a partnership with the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (S4L). S4L is an international nonprofit organization that provides orthodontic care and free braces to underserved children with financial challenges. The mission of S4L is to create self-confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children in a dramatic way.
Local CASA staff members are encouraged to nominate youth ages 11-18 who are in need of but unable to afford the cost of braces by taking the following steps:
• Locate a local Smile for a Lifetime Chapter by visiting their website and clicking on the map.
• Once you locate a participating orthodontics office near you, contact the local office to find out more about the program. Most chapters will have an online application available to download and print. The application process is competitive and dependent on the number of applicants and the orthodontic need of each applicant.
• Ensure the youth has any assistance needed to complete and submit the application.
• Write a one page reference letter for the child to include in their application.
National CASA has entered into a partnership with the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (S4L). S4L is an international nonprofit organization that provides orthodontic care and free braces to underserved children with financial challenges. The mission of S4L is to create self-confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children in a dramatic way.
Local CASA staff members are encouraged to nominate youth ages 11-18 who are in need of but unable to afford the cost of braces by taking the following steps:
• Locate a local Smile for a Lifetime Chapter by visiting their website and clicking on the map.
• Once you locate a participating orthodontics office near you, contact the local office to find out more about the program. Most chapters will have an online application available to download and print. The application process is competitive and dependent on the number of applicants and the orthodontic need of each applicant.
• Ensure the youth has any assistance needed to complete and submit the application.
• Write a one page reference letter for the child to include in their application.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Fostering Media Connections Presents Web Series About Sexual Education for Foster Youth
Fostering Media Connections (FMC) presents a new web series: “Let’s Talk About Sex, With Foster Youth.”
Biological parents are usually responsible for having “the talk” but in the lives of foster youth, no one is responsible for teaching teens about safe sex practices and healthy relationships. Young women in foster care are 2.5 times more likely than those not in foster care to have been pregnant by the age of 19, and youth in foster care are at an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Each episode in this series includes interviews with foster youth, the adults in their lives, and experts on a range of topics covering sexual health, family planning, and the psychological issues associated with sexuality. The series has invaluable information for anyone whose role it is to talk with youth about sex and related issues. See the videos and find more resources on FMC’s website.
FMC has launched a “Summer Sex Talk Series” challenge to have at least 30 organizations or individuals host screenings of “Let’s Talk About Sex, With Foster Youth.” Learn more and sign up.
Biological parents are usually responsible for having “the talk” but in the lives of foster youth, no one is responsible for teaching teens about safe sex practices and healthy relationships. Young women in foster care are 2.5 times more likely than those not in foster care to have been pregnant by the age of 19, and youth in foster care are at an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Each episode in this series includes interviews with foster youth, the adults in their lives, and experts on a range of topics covering sexual health, family planning, and the psychological issues associated with sexuality. The series has invaluable information for anyone whose role it is to talk with youth about sex and related issues. See the videos and find more resources on FMC’s website.
FMC has launched a “Summer Sex Talk Series” challenge to have at least 30 organizations or individuals host screenings of “Let’s Talk About Sex, With Foster Youth.” Learn more and sign up.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Wings For Life - Facing Challenges
Wings for L.I.F.E.
Life-skills Imparted to Families through Education
“FACING CHALLENGES”
Women Incarcerated with Substance Abuse Issues
…AND…
Facts on Child Abuse & Neglect
Presented By WFL Team Instructors: Teresa Williams, MSW/LADAC
& Sylvia Sadler, MSW Cand/LSAA
…Door Prize Drawings...
Information & map will be provided for this year’s WFL
Bar-B-Que & Swim Party on July 7th at ENMU Campus!
Roswell Boys & Girls Club
201 S. Garden
Sunday, June 9th
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Free Dinner Provided
For Questions call: Shelly @ 317-2042
Life-skills Imparted to Families through Education
“FACING CHALLENGES”
Women Incarcerated with Substance Abuse Issues
…AND…
Facts on Child Abuse & Neglect
Presented By WFL Team Instructors: Teresa Williams, MSW/LADAC
& Sylvia Sadler, MSW Cand/LSAA
…Door Prize Drawings...
Information & map will be provided for this year’s WFL
Bar-B-Que & Swim Party on July 7th at ENMU Campus!
Roswell Boys & Girls Club
201 S. Garden
Sunday, June 9th
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Free Dinner Provided
For Questions call: Shelly @ 317-2042
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
New Podcast - Improving Outcomes for Older Youth
Older youth often age out of the foster care system without the tools and resources needed to successfully transition to adulthood. CASA and GAL volunteers that have been trained with the National CASA Fostering Futures curriculum are more aware of the needs of older youth and are better able to work alongside them to realize better outcomes. In this podcast, four staff members from the Essex County CASA program in Newark, NJ, discuss their experiences implementing Fostering Futures and how they are tracking and documenting outcomes.
http://podcast.casaforchildren.org/improving-outcomes-for-older-youth
Monday, May 6, 2013
Video Training - Youth Transitioning out of Foster Care
This is a very informative video on youth transitioning out of foster care. It's about 45 minutes long, so grab something to eat or drink and enjoy!
Remember we all need 12 training hours by July, so if you need hours here is an easy way to get them. CASA VOLUNTEERS Rock!!!!
http://portal.knme.org/video/2365002583
Remember we all need 12 training hours by July, so if you need hours here is an easy way to get them. CASA VOLUNTEERS Rock!!!!
http://portal.knme.org/video/2365002583
May Happenings
May Happenings
May 7th - Case Planning Meetings at CYFD
May 13th - Board Meeting at 4:00 p.m.
May 10th- Court Reports due by noon
May 14th & 15th - Abuse and Neglect Court
May 23rd - Last day of school
May 27th - Memorial Day, CASA Office Closed
May 27th-June 13th - Amber is out of the office, Call Mary if you need anything. :)
May 28th- CASA Summer Hours, Monday-Thursday 9:00-4:00p.m., Friday 9:00-12:00 p.m.
May 7th - Case Planning Meetings at CYFD
May 13th - Board Meeting at 4:00 p.m.
May 10th- Court Reports due by noon
May 14th & 15th - Abuse and Neglect Court
May 23rd - Last day of school
May 27th - Memorial Day, CASA Office Closed
May 27th-June 13th - Amber is out of the office, Call Mary if you need anything. :)
May 28th- CASA Summer Hours, Monday-Thursday 9:00-4:00p.m., Friday 9:00-12:00 p.m.
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