It appears that the elimination of the ATRC contracts is a result of
Amendment #7, to Senate Bill 202, Part X-A. Section 10.79.(a) item 12 that reduced funds for DPH Contracts, sponsored by Rep. Paul Luebke.
You can view the amendment by going to this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/BillDocuments/Senate/PDF/S202v5-A7.pdf
There is also a profile and contact info for Rep Luebke at this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=H&nUserID=63
I have learned that the ATRC services cannot be reinstated without
legislative action. Please contact your legislators and let them know what the loss of the ATRC services mean to our children. You can also contact the Governor by going to http://www.governor.state.nc.us/govoffice. Go to eTown Hall on the right side of the page and choose Constituent Services. Fill out the form and click submit.
Below is an article you can share with your legislators and local newspapers to bring attention to this issue:
Vital Services for Children with Disabilities Cut Infant and Toddler Assistive Technology Resource Center Contracts Terminated
North Carolina has been a national leader in providing innovative programs aimed at improving the lives of its youngest citizens. Over the past 17 years, a statewide network, comprised of 7 regional Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) has evolved with the support of the Department of Health and Human Services. Various agencies within DHHS have contributed resources to the ATRC network, with the majority of the direct funding provided by the Division of Public Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Section, Children and Youth Branch. The ATRCs are strategically located throughout the state.
The ATRCs have served as an assistive technology resource for young
children with disabilities aged birth to five, family members and
professionals in 3 ways: 1) provision of training, consultation and
technical assistance for families and service providers regarding selection, procurement and use of assistive technology and adaptive devices; 2) development of awareness activities to increase the public’s knowledge of the functional application of assistive technology devices and services to enhance a young child’s development and participation in daily living activities and, 3) operation of an extensive assistive technology equipment loan library, including augmentative communication, learning and literacy materials, positioning and mobility equipment, adapted toys, and computer hardware and software applications.
Last week, the ATRCs received notification that effective October 31, 2009 these services will no longer be funded by the Division of Public Health. This appears to be a result of Amendment #7 to Senate Bill 202, Part X-A. Section 10.79. (a) item 12 that reduced funds for Division of Public Health Contracts, sponsored by Rep. Paul Luebke. The amendment may be viewed at this link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/BillDocuments/Senate/PDF/S202v5-A7.pdf
Tens of thousands of children and families have received services provided by the ATRCs over the past 17 years. In the past seven years, over 52,000 parents and professionals have attended ATRC training events. In 2009, 10,936 equipment loans that directly impacted children aged birth to five were made by the ATRCs statewide.
The ATRCs have played a major role in the early intervention services in this state and the loss of these services to the families of North Carolina is tragic. For parents of infants and toddlers grappling with the diagnosis of a disability, it is extremely difficult to identify and locate the specialized tools their children need to help them achieve developmental milestones that come automatically to typically developing children. Without access to this equipment and trained professionals to help them determine their child’s needs, they will remain in the dark about the technology that exists that can improve their child’s quality of life.
The loss of these services will have a direct impact on the lives of
children with disabilities and their future development. The formative years between birth and five present a window of opportunity in brain development that cannot be regained if lost. Without access to a walker during the early developmental years, a child may never learn to walk. Without a communication device, a child who cannot speak may never develop language and the ability to communicate. Without access to assistive technology, many of these children will develop secondary disabilities that will negatively impact their development and future abilities. Without these services, these children will enter school unprepared and without the tools and skills they need to participate successfully in the classroom. Without access to assistive technology, we will raise a generation of children who are more disabled than they have to be and who require more costly care. Please contact your legislators and let them know what the loss of these services mean to our children.
These contracts have funded ATRC staff to provide information, training and technical assistance related to a wide range of assistive technology needs and services. These services ensured that families and service providers made sound decisions regarding the equipment and service needs of children across the state. ATRC services were provided at regional loan library locations as well as in homes, childcare centers and schools. Assistance has been provided in a variety of ways including individual consultations, group trainings and workshops. ATRC staff has served as a resource to families and professionals on issues related to accessing funds to purchase assistive technology equipment.
The ATRC program has also provided extensive equipment loan libraries designed to give families and service providers access to equipment prior to purchase. If a piece of equipment was not available in a particular region, the statewide network established by the ATRCs assisted in coordinating a loan across regions to ensure that children had access to the equipment they needed. The ATRC contracts provided funds that allowed each center to purchase new equipment each year so that families had access to up to date technology. These contracts also provided funds used to repair broken or damaged equipment.
No comments:
Post a Comment