News on Current Legislation/Local-National

US Dept. of Ed. Opens FY2009 Early Reading First Grant Competition
From ASHA website (03/09/2009)

The U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of the new Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 grant applications for the Early Reading First (ERF) Program in the March 3, 2009, Federal Register. An estimated total of $111,424,000 is available for grants awarded under this competition. Applications became available March 3, 2009. Other important deadlines include:

* April 2, 2009 - deadline for transmittal of pre-applications
* June 16, 2009 - deadline for transmittal of full applications (for applicants invited to submit full applications only)
* August 17, 2009 - deadline for intergovernmental review

All applicants must apply in the pre-application phase, and applicants must be invited to submit a full application. Pre- and full applications for grants under this competition must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov site. ERF staff will be hosting two technical assistance webcasts on Tuesday, March 10, 2009: one for novice applicants and one for experienced applicants. Details will be available soon.

SLPs have the specialized knowledge and experience needed to identify communication problems and to provide the help that children need to build critical language and literacy skills. As key members of the team responsible for helping students learn to read and write, SLPs are often the first professionals to identify the root cause of reading and writing problems through a child's difficulty with language. They help children to build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. A number of SLPs have been awarded ERF grants.

The ERF program supports local efforts to enhance the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of preschool-age children, especially those from low-income families, through strategies, materials, and professional development that are grounded in scientifically-based reading research. For more information on this grant competition visit ED's Web site or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611.

Early Detection and Intervention Bills Move Forward. The ASHA Leader, 13(5), 1, 7, April 2008
According to the ASHA Leader, "the legislation would reauthorize EHDI grants to states to implement programs that screen newborns for hearing loss before they leave the hospital. The bill also would allow states to use the funds for follow-up services to ensure that infants found to have hearing loss receive a full diagnostic evaluation and, if necessary, are enrolled in early intervention programs. The legislation is consistent with the 2007 position statement of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH)... The bill (H.R. 1198) next goes to the full House for a vote." For full article go to:
http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/archives/2008/08041...

Brookings Institution places children as priority in their 2007 publication, "Budgeting for National Priorities" by Julia B. Isaacs.
From the introduction: "American children are facing an uncertain economic future. Rising spending for health and retirement benefits for an aging population, combined with falling tax revenues after several rounds of tax cuts, have led to a fiscal crisis. If the current generation fails to take on the responsibility for balancing the budget, future generations will pay the cost—plus interest—of paying off the debt and addressing unfunded financial commitments"
Download the full document here: http://www.speechlanguagepractice.org/files/200701isaacs.pdf

Colorado Anthem BCBS Agrees to Cover ABA Therapy for Child but Predicts this is a Select Case
"An arbitrator in a Colorado family's dispute over whether Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is covered under a health insurance plan has ruled in favor of the family seeking reimbursement for about $110,000 over two years of therapy." See following blog for details
http://autismbulletin.blogspot.com/2007/12/colorado-family-wins-insuranc...

Arizona Passes Autism Insurance Bill
http://www.azautisminsurance.org/

Hillary Clinton speaks on Autism Legislation

Other information on Autism legislation:
From AutismSpeaks.org: "On January 29, 2008, Arizona State Senator Amanda Aguirre introduced legislation that would disallow large group insurers from denying or refusing coverage to children who were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The required coverage would include the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and treatment that prescribed by the insured's treating medical doctor pursuant to a treatment plan". Follow this legislation as it passes though the US House and Senate via the following website:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/government_affairs/index.php

Take Action!
ASHA’s webpage and portal for letters to legislators. Learn more about speech, language, and hearing legislation and how you can help!
http://capwiz.com/asha/home/

SLP Advocate
ASHA's synopsis of current Government Relations and Public Policy
http://www.cshassoc.org/advocate.html