Exceptional Kids September-October 2023

What Teachers Want Parents to Know

Ham Roll-Ups

Ham roll-ups are an easy, three-ingredient pinwheel-shaped appetizer, or one-bite savory snack, that's made from sliced deli ham, your favorite spreadable cheese, and pickle spears. These pinwheels can be prepared the night before an event and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just make sure you don't skip the step of blotting dry the pickle spears with paper towels. This will help keep the pinwheels from getting soggy. Yes, you can make the roll-ups in advance. Preparing them the night before can save you time on the day of your event. No more panicking as your guests arrive! Just make sure not to cut the pinwheels into pieces until just before you're ready to serve them.

Ingredients

• 16 slices deli ham, about 1 pound

• 8 ounces whipped cream cheese

• 16 pickle spears

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Working in batches, place slices of deli ham on a flat surface.

3. Spread whipped cream cheese evenly over the entire surface of the ham slices.

4. Pat the pickle spears dry with paper towels.

5. Place one of the pickle spears crosswise on the short edge of the ham slice and roll tightly.

6. Repeat with the remaining ham, cream cheese, and pickles. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate.

7. When you're ready to serve, slice into 1-inch bite-sized pieces (4 pieces per roll).

Crescent Mummy Dogs

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) or 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet

• 2 1/2 slices American cheese, quartered (2.5 oz)

• 10 Oscar Mayer™ beef hot dogs

• Cooking spray

• Mustard or ketchup, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

• Heat oven to 375°F.

• If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate at perforations, creating 4 rectangles. Press perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut into 4 rectangles.

• With knife or kitchen scissors, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough. Slice cheese slices into quarters (1/2 slice

cheese, cut in half).

• Wrap 4 pieces of dough around each hot dog and 1/4 slice of cheese to look like "bandages," stretching dough slightly to completely cover hot dog. About 1/2 inch from one end of each hot dog, separate "bandages" so hot dog shows through for "face." On ungreased large cookie sheet, place wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down); spray dough lightly with cooking spray.

• Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. With mustard, draw features on "face."

is by far the best company I have had for my special needs daughter, from the o ce to the home health

Starting Back to School –What Teachers Want Parents to Know

“Make sure kids are getting plenty of sleep.” Studies show that consistent well-designed routines help build good habits, reduce stress, ease anxious feelings and decrease irritability for both parents and kids.

“Eat breakfast.” (if your school does not provide it)

Eating breakfast helps a child's attention span, concentration and memory—all important for learning in school.

“If you would like to be a volunteer at your child’s school for both field trips and other activities, be sure to do your online training. (Most district require training)”

Most schools have training and need to do background checks on all parents who want to volunteer at the school.

The kids are back in school and everyone is trying to get into a routine. As I was writing this article I wondered what do teachers want parents to know, especially in these first few weeks of school.

I spoke to Kelly C., a teacher who has taught in the school system for many years, to get a teacher’s perspective on starting back to school. I asked Kelly what do teachers want parents to know that will help start the school year off right for their kids.

“Be patient the first few weeks of school when picking up your kids.”

Teachers are working very hard to make sure every child gets to the right parent and/or car for pickup. They are still learning who your child is and know who the person who is picking them up is.

“Get your child to school on time.”

You don’t want them to miss any morning instructions, this will help their day go more smoothly and eliminate any additional stress on your child.

“Get to know the teacher and have two-way communication.”

Ongoing communication with your child's teacher allows them to tailor their approach and apply appropriate strategies to suit your child's needs and learning in class.

“Check your kids backpack every day for forms that need to be filled out.”

The first few weeks are crazy with all of the paperwork a parent needs to fill out, check the backpack daily, get the forms filled out and back to school as soon as possible. It will take the stress off of you and provide the school with the documents they need. Also, don’t forget homework assignments.

“Go over homework.”

Homework in grade school reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps kids practice important study skills. It also helps them develop a sense of responsibility and a work ethic that will benefit them beyond the classroom.

“Read to your child.”

Studies show that early reading with your kids helps them learn to speak, interact, bond with you and read early themselves. The more reading kids do, the more quickly they will develop as readers.

“Try to schedule all appointments for after school so your child does not miss a lesson.”

It is so difficult to take your child out of school during the day for an appointment, then try to rush and get them back to school. They miss important learning instruction with the class and disrupt their routine.

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

For our complete list of resources go online to www.ExceptionalKidsTexas.com ◆Donate

ABA THERAPY

Apara Autism Centers

844-272-7223

1922 Dry Creek Way Suite 2-101 info@AparaAutism.com www.AparaAutism.com

◆Autism Treatment Center

210-590-2107

15911 Nacogdoches Rd Building 2 www.atcoftexas.org

Bloom Behavior & Educational Solutions

210-643-1119

1850 Lockhill Selma Suite 106 www.bloom-aba.net

Centria Autism

248-436-4578 referrals@centriahealthcare.com

Mindcolor Autism

833-646-3222

8507 Culebra Rd Suite 101 info@mindcolorautism

www.mindcolorautism.com

ACUTE/SKILLED CARE

LifeSpan Home Health

877-434-3153

6243 IH-10 W Suite 375 www.lifespantx.com

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT/MEDICAL SUPPLIES Romo Medical Equipment

3453 Pan Am Expwy Suite 105 www.RomoMedical.com Romo Medical Equipment

915-307-2684

1141 Larry Mahan, Suite C, El Paso www.RomoMedical.com

ADAPTIVE SPORTS (COMPETITIVE & RECREATIONAL)

◆Kinetic Kids

210-748-5860

11931 Starcrest Dr info@kinetickidstx.org www.kinetickidstx.org

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Pathways Youth & Family Services Pg 5 210-733-7117

1919 NW Loop 410 Suite 201 www.pathway.org

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

◆Artvango Therapeutic Services Inc. 210-387-2218

3201 Cherry Ridge Suite B202 artvangosa@gmail.com artvango.org

COUNSELING PROVIDERS

◆Artvango Therapeutic Services Inc. 210-387-2218

3201 Cherry Ridge Suite B202 artvangosa@gmail.com artvango.org

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

For our complete list of resources go online to www.ExceptionalKidsTexas.com uDonateu

COUNSELING PROVIDERS (cont'd)

Catholic Charities

210-377-1133

San Fernando Community Center

231 W Commerce

DEAF SERVICES

Deaf Interpreter Services, Inc.

210-545-2946

15600 San Pedro Ave #302 info@deaf-interpreter.com www.Deaf-Interpreter.com

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Romo Medical Equipment

210-532-3895

3453 Pan Am Expwy Suite 105 www.RomoMedical.com

Romo Medical Equipment

915-307-2684

1141 Larry Mahan, Suite C, El Paso www.RomoMedical.com

WAVE Healthcare

866-235-2762

121 Interpark Blvd #300 www.wavehealthcare.com

EDUCATION ADVOCACY RESOURCES

uEpilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas

210-653-5353

8601 Village Dr, Suite 220 staff@efcst.org

www.efcst.org

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Achievers Center for Education

210-690-7307

5084 De Zavala Rd

www.aceschool.org

Compassionate Consulting, Meaningful Results

512-825-2744

jlevy@joshuaconsults.com

joshuaconsults.com

uEpilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas

210-653-5353

8601 Village Dr, Suite 220 staff@efcst.org

www.efcst.org

uFACT Institute, Inc. 210-267-9134

13032 Nacogdoches Rd #207 life@factinstituteinc.com www.factinstituteinc.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Catholic Charities 210-293-1009

202 W. French Place

www.ccaosa.org

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

Pathways Youth & Family Services Pg 5 210-733-7117

1919 NW Loop 410 Suite 201 www.pathway.org

Crisis Intervention (Foster Care Only) Pg 5 1-866-912-6283 (press *)

1919 NW Loop 410 Suite 201 www.pathway.org

GENERAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

www.unitedwaysatx.org

2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Alamo Local Authority

Intellectual & Disability Services (IDD)

Phone: (210) 832-5020 Fax: 1-866-689-1843

2700 NE Loop 410 Suite 101

iddservices@aacog.com http://www.aacog.com

City of San Antonio - Utility Assistance 210-207-7830

uDown Syndrome Association of South Texas 1127 Patricia info@dsastx.org www.dsastx.org

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

For our complete list of resources go online to www.ExceptionalKidsTexas.com uDonateu

GENERAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

uEpilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas

210-653-5353

8601 Village Dr, Suite 220 staff@efcst.org

www.efcst.org

Hill Country MHDD Centers

358 Landa Street, Suite 300, New Braunfels 888-315-3277

http://www.hillcountry.org

Kerr County MH Center

955 Water Street, Kerrville

888-445-5232

http://www.hillcountry.org

Project Warm - Bexar County Dept of Community Assistance

210-335-3666

Salvation Army

210-226-2291

226 Nolan St

San Antonio Food Bank

210-337-3663

5200 Old Hwy 90 West

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

210-225-7837

WIC Program

210-207-4906

LEGAL SERVICES

The Law Offices of Carol Bertsch, PC Pg 8 210-672-1034

8703 Broadway

www.assistingseniors.com

LOCAL IDD AUTHORITY (LIDDA) FOR BEXAR COUNTY

AACOG IDD Services - Alamo Area Council of Governments: Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services

210-832-5020

2700 NE Loop 410 Suite 101

https://www.aacog.com/66/Intellectual-Developmental-Disability-Se

MEDICAL CARE

Believe Dental

210-697-7377

14620 Huebner Rd

info@BelieveDental.com - general info

SanAntonio@BelieveDental.com - scheduling appointments

uEpilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas

210-653-5353

8601 Village Dr, Suite 220

staff@efcst.org

www.efcst.org

MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Believe Dental

210-697-7377

14620 Huebner Rd

info@BelieveDental.com - general info

SanAntonio@BelieveDental.com - scheduling appointments

CDS in Texas Pg 6

210-798-3779

Toll Free 866-675-7331

www.cdstexas.com

CLASS - Medically Dependent Children's Program 877-438-5658

DBMD-Deaf/Blind Multiple Disabilities Program

877-438-5658

Disability Services of the Southwest

210-798-0123

6243 IH-10 West Suite 114

www.dsswtx.org

HCS - Home & Community-Based Services Program

210-832-5020

MDCP - Medically Dependent Children's Program

877-438-5658

LifeSpan Home Health Pg 6

877-434-3153

6243 IH-10 W Suite 375

www.lifespantx.com

Texas Home Living Waiver

210-832-5020

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

For our complete list of resources go online to www.ExceptionalKidsTexas.com uDonateu

MUSIC THERAPY

Crescendo Center PLLC

210-343-2545

2401 S. Presa St

www.crescendosatx.com

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Red Cross

210-224-5151

Cerebral Palsy Foundation

ucp.org

210-520-1686

uEpilepsy Foundation

24/7 Helpline 1-800-332-1000 (en espanol 1-866-748-8008)

www.epilepsy.com

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

800-572-1717

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), SA

210-734-3349

National Down Syndrome Society

800-221-4602

www.ndss.org

Scleroderma Foundation

www.Sclerodema.org

Spinal Bifida Association

Texas Chapter

972-238-8755

Williams Syndrome

800-806-1871

www.Williams-syndrome.org

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

uAutism Treatment Center

210-590-2107

15911 Nacogdoches Rd, Building 2

www.atcoftexas.org

CHCS-ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)

Specializing in Infants & Toddlers, Birth to 36 Months

Easy to refer, no medical referral needed Call 210-261-3300 or visit www.chcs-eci.org

Medicaid, CHIP, Private, all insurances accepted Sliding scale available San

4203 Gardendale St #C105 www.sanrafaelhealthcare.com

4502

4203

PHYSICAL

CHCS-ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)

Specializing in Infants & Toddlers, Birth to 36 Months Easy to refer, no medical referral needed Call 210-261-3300 or visit www.chcs-eci.org

Medicaid, CHIP, Private, all insurances accepted Sliding scale available San

4203 Gardendale St #C105

www.sanrafaelhealthcare.com

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

For our complete list of resources go online to www.ExceptionalKidsTexas.com uDonateu

PHYSICAL THERAPY

uKinetic Kids

210-748-5860

11931 Starcrest Dr info@kinetickidstx.org www.kinetickidstx.org

San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department 210-207-3018

SCHOOL/JOB TRAINING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

uFact Institute Inc

210-267-9134

13032 Nacogdoches #207 life@factinstituteinc.com www.factinstituteinc.com

SPECIAL EDUCATION/504 ADVOCATE

MC Educational Advocacy & Consulting LLC

210-901-9695

maryc@mceac.info

www.mcedac.com

SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS

Believe Dental

210-697-7377

14620 Huebner Rd info@BelieveDental.com - general info SanAntonio@BelieveDental.com - scheduling appointments

uMarbridge Foundation 512-282-1144

2310 Bliss Spillar Road, Manchaca TX info@marbridge.org Marbridge.org

Romo Medical Equipment

915-307-2684

1141 Larry Mahan, Suite C, El Paso www.RomoMedical.com

WAVE Healthcare

866-235-2762

121 Interpark Blvd #300 www.wavehealthcare.com

SPEECH THERAPY

uAutism Treatment Center 210-590-2107

15911 Nacogdoches Rd, Building 2 www.atcoftexas.org

CHCS-ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)

Specializing in Infants & Toddlers, Birth to 36 Months Easy to refer, no medical referral needed Call 210-261-3300 or visit www.chcs-eci.org

Medicaid, CHIP, Private, all insurances accepted Sliding scale available

San Rafael Healthcare Inc Pg 7 210-255-1466

4203 Gardendale St #C105

www.sanrafaelhealthcare.com

STATE ORGANIZATIONS

Customer Service Line (Ombudsman) 877-787-8999

www.hhsc.state.tx.us

Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services NOW Texas Work Force www.twc.state.tx.us

North Field Office

210-561-8600

12000 Network Blvd #210

West Field Office

210-522-8010

5309 Wurzbach, Suite 102

Northeast Field Office 210-590-5740

10303 Nacogdoches

South Field Office

210-927-8300

1011 Ada St

Let's Talk About

Texas Medicaid waivers are a gateway to getting services for your child. We don’t want to tell you what to do, but we strongly suggest that you consider adding your child to the waiver interest list(s), which many parents call “waiting lists,” if you haven’t already done so.

Even if you hope your child will never need those services, it is important that they be added to the interest list for any program(s) that might meet their needs. Your child might have to wait a long time to get services through the waiver. You can always decline the services once your child moves to the top of the list.

Many parents say they wish they had signed up for the waiver interest lists when their child was born or first diagnosed. Some of the interest lists have more than a 15-year wait time.

We know this article has a lot of information for you to take in. It’s okay if you don’t absorb everything here in one visit. Take a deep breath and come back to this article as much as you want or need to.

What Are Waivers and How Do They Work?

• Waivers let states use Medicaid funds for longterm home and community-based services for people with disabilities or special health care needs in order to help them live in the community.

• Before the creation of waiver programs, people had to live in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions like State Supported Living Centers or Residential Treatment Centers so Medicaid would pay for long-term services.

• Some of the services you can get with a waiver are:

o Personal care for help with things like bathing or dressing

o Nursing care

o Home modifications like ramps

o Car modifications

o Respite care

o Certain therapies

• They are named “waivers” because certain Medicaid requirements are waived (meaning they don’t apply). For example, family income. All but one waiver are based on just the child’s income alone. Your child’s income means any money that they personally have earned or are paid—not your whole family’s income.

• Besides getting these additional services, people

who receive waiver long-term services and supports also get full Medicaid health care benefits. This is a huge help for children and adults who have complicated medical needs and no other health insurance.

• Texas has seven waivers. Each one has its own interest list. Consider adding your child to all the interest lists based on their identified diagnosis and current needs. You don’t know what future needs your child might have. You might want to place them on as many of the lists as possible.

• Waivers are managed by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

• When there is room for your child or young adult on one of the waiver programs, they will come off of the interest list for the program with the opening.  You may choose to continue to leave your child’s name on interest lists for other waiver programs.  This is when HHSC and/or DSHS will review diagnostic and other information to decide if your child meets the waiver requirements. Depending on the waiver, you might be asked for information about their medical, psychological, and developmental history, as well as financial and income eligibility. The eligibility information that is needed changes based on the waiver.

How to Add Your Child to Interest Lists

You do not have to prove your child is eligible before adding them to the waiver interest lists. Your child will go through this process once they move to the top of the list. Only then is the eligibility information reviewed and used to decide if your child can enroll.

Continued on next page

Waivers!

• Call 1-877-438-5658 for information about putting your child on an interest list for long-term services. This is for the CLASS, DBMD, and MDCP waivers. See the section below for details about each of these waiver programs.

• Call your Local Mental Health Authority about the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) waiver program. Go to the DSHS website to find the Local Mental Health Authority in your area.

• Call your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) to get your name on the interest list for the HCS and Texas Home Living Waiver programs.

Important Tips About Interest (Waiting) Lists

• Consider adding your child to as many waiver interest lists as possible when your child is first diagnosed with a disability or special health care needs. You should also think about adding your child to the lists even if they aren’t diagnosed but have reason to believe that your child will have a longterm disability or special health care needs. If your child no longer needs the service when they come off the interest list, you can tell them you do not want the waiver. If you refuse a waiver slot offer for your child once they are at the top of the interest list, your child’s name will be placed at the bottom of the interest list again.

• Ask for an email confirmation or a mailed letter when you add your child to the Medicaid waiver interest lists. Keep this in a safe place.

• It is very important to keep your address and contact phone numbers updated. If your child moves to the top of the interest list and they can’t reach you, your child will be dropped from the list. They might also call you or send you a letter to see if your child still needs services. If they can’t reach you, they might take your child off the list.

• At least once a year, call to update your contact information. Most parents remember by calling

around their child’s birthday. During these calls, you can also find out where your child is on the list. Write it down in a safe place, like your care notebook, so you can keep track of how far your child moves up the list each year.

• Once your child moves to the top of an interest list, a service coordinator, case manager, or nurse will schedule a home visit. This will start the process of determining if your child is able to enroll in one of the waiver programs. You can also research the waiver program beforehand to learn what it takes for your child to get services.

• Your child can remain on other waiver interest lists while receiving waiver services. They just can’t receive services from more than one waiver program at the same time. For example, your child is receiving MDCP services. They move to the top of the CLASS interest list and are approved for CLASS services, you will have to pick between the two programs. You might want to connect with other parents who have done this before.

• If you have other health insurance through an employer and your child is enrolled in a waiver program, you might be reimbursed for health insurance premiums through the Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program. Once your child starts receiving waiver services, call your local utility company about possible discounts on electricity, water, and wastewater bills, if your child lives in your home. Depending on income, your family might also be able to receive food stamps (SNAP benefits).

• Most of the waivers offer the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) choice for at least some, if not all, of the program’s services. Also known as “self-directed services,” this gives you more personal control over how your child’s services are delivered, and many parents prefer it. For example, parents who pick the CDS choice serve as the employer for their child’s attendants. They are able to interview, hire / fire, and train them.

• If your child has an intellectual disability or a condition related to an ID,  and is in a crisis or has high medical needs, call your LIDDA to ask about diversion slots. You can call 1-855-9372372. These slots are for extreme cases only, such as a critical health crisis that puts the family at risk of placing the child in a state-supported living center. If approved, your child moves to the top of the HCS interest list.

https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/texas-medicaid-waiver-programs-forchildren-with-disabilities

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