CALL YOUR SENATE OFFICE TODAY, House Approves Jobs Bill; Action Shifts to Senate

CALL YOUR SENATE OFFICE TODAY!

House Approves Jobs Bill Including Extended Support for Medicaid Programs and Funding for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF); Action Now Shifts to Senate December 21, 2009 On Dec. 16, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $154 billion package of initiatives designed to promote economic recovery and job creation, including extended higher federal match funding for state Medicaid programs and a $1 billion investment in the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). The vote was 217-212. The package -- known as the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 -- now moves to the Senate, which is expected to vote on the package in early January of 2010. Take Action Now! Advocates are strongly encouraged to contact their Senators to urge support for the House Jobs package (HR 2847). It is especially important for advocates to demand that Senators retain key investments in the House package for people living with serious mental illness including: $23.5 billion to extend the  higher federal Medicaid match rate (known as FMAP) for states through June 2011.  This higher match rate was put in place earlier this year as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  This higher FMAP has been critical in holding back additional cuts to mental health services at the state level (unless Congress acts, higher FMAP rates will expire in June 2010); and $1 billion investment in the NHTF to build and rehabilitate affordable rental housing targeted to extremely low-income households (including single adults with serious mental illness living on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  In addition to the $1 billion for the NHTF, the package includes $65 million for project-based rental assistance to ensure that rents are affordable for households with extremely low incomes such as SSI beneficiaries. View more information on the NHTF. All Senate offices can be reached toll-free by calling (877) 210-5351. NAMI E-News Alerts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a public service. With more than 1,100 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online. If you do not wish to receive further E-News Alerts, please click here, sign in and uncheck the box next to E-News. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please send an email to enews@nami.org.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Watch how one hospital raises Breast Cancer Awareness:

THREE FOOT GIANT

The next time you lose faith in yourself, or your day is a little too hard; try watching this:

He's on Sunday night 10:00 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009 on the Biography hannel.  Jack Canfield says, "Sean Stephenson - a man whose life story is pure “Chicken Soup”. Don't miss it.

The latest information on NAMI.org

This Flu Season is a Good Opportunity to Practice Prevention
The 2009-10 flu season is likely to be more difficult than the past few years.
In addition to the regular strain of influenza A (the flu) there is also the H1N1 virus
and a new Center for Disease Control (CDC) bacterial vaccine recommendation that impacts people with mental illness.
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Come join me on CRAFTY

Join me on CRAFTY create, believe, make, do, craft AnnMarie Cunniff has: 4 friends 13 photos 14 videos 1 discussion 12 blog posts For books, sewing supplies, sewing machines, quilting mysteries join CRAFTY1 today. Click to Join Members on CRAFTY: Feilecan Roisin Andrea Moore Amin Khan Kundi Hess jill jeglum About CRAFTY Share craft ideas and projects. Help to teach persons or families of persons with disabilities to find a craft to help in their recovery. 6 members 13 photos 14 videos 13 blog posts   To control which emails you receive on CRAFTY, click here

ATTN MA Autism Advocates: Please Contact the Joint Financial Services Committee

10/19/2009 Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.  Dear Massachusetts Autism Advocate, Thank you all for contacting your state legislators, asking them to support autism insurance reform legislation in Massachusetts.  As you've already heard, H3809/ARICA, sponsored by State Representative Barbara A. L'Italien (D-42) and State Senator Frederick Berry (D-7), will be heard before the Joint Financial Services Committee this Wednesday, October 21.  This groundbreaking legislation would require health insurers to finally cover evidence-based treatments for people of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Support from constituents all over the Commonwealth is critical to our success.  Our message should be strong and clear:  Autism is treatable.  Insurance should cover treatment.      Here is How YOU Can Help: 1.  Help us make a lasting first-impression!  Attend the hearing on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 11 am. We must pack the room! Make sure to wear red so that our community is easily identified. Bring photographs of your loved one with autism. Joint Financial Services Committee Hearing October 21, 2009 @ 11:00 am  Gardner Auditorium, Massachusetts State House (Information on directions, parking and public transit can be found HERE.) 2.  Come early and attend a press conference regarding H3809/ARICA at 10:00 am in Nurses Hall at the Massachusetts State House.  A strong community presence will send a strong message to the press.  Please be there if you can.    3.  Send an email to the members of the Joint Financial Services Committee and ask them to support passage of H3809/ARICA. You can e-mail them and personalize your story RIGHT HERE. (If you live in the district of any of these legislators, it is particularly critical that you contact them.) Your story matters to them. Be polite and persistent.  Tell them that you need and expect their support. 4.  Forward this e-mail to everyone you know. Friends, neighbors, teachers and family members are so often looking for ways that they can provide support. Please ask them to take a few minutes and contact the members of the Joint Financial Services Committee.  The voices of constituents truly have an impact. 5.  Stay updated minute-by-minute by registering at Autism Votes.   I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at the hearing!  For additional information, please visit www.autismvotes.org/massachusetts. Warm regards, Judith Ursitti Regional Director of State Advocacy Relations Autism Speaks Take Action Today > DONATE NOW to Autism Votes > Was this email forwarded to you from a friend?  Sign up to receive urgent email alerts from Autism Votes > Visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org > CONNECT with Autism Votes: Autism Votes is an initiative of Autism Speaks

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Important Autism Society Benefit

Having trouble viewing this email? Why not try the web version?   autism society   |  FORWARD THIS EMAIL  |  DONATE Peace of mind for you and your family Dear AnnMarie, To improve the safety of individuals on the autism spectrum, the Autism Society, in association with our Safe and Sound Program®, has partnered with the MedicAlert Foundation to offer you exclusive savings on MedicAlert enrollment. When a person with ASD wanders or becomes lost, authorities call the toll-free, 24-hour emergency response number on the individual’s MedicAlert identification bracelet, tag or other ID product to reach their 24-hour Response Center, which will then contact the lost person’s family. Find out more about how MedicAlert can protect your loved one. I’m thrilled the Autism Society can offer this special savings on MedicAlert Foundation’s invaluable, perhaps even lifesaving, emergency response service. You should also know that a portion of your MedicAlert enrollment supports important Autism Society programs like the Safe and Sound Program® to help families living with autism. I hope you’ll explore if MedicAlert's emergency information service is right for you… And if it is, I hope you’ll take advantage of your special Autism Society savings opportunity. Sincerely, Lee Grossman President and CEO Autism Society member since 1991 Parent of a son with autism   The Safe and Sound® Program Autism Society began the Safe and Sound® initiative in 2005 to provide much-needed resources to the autism community on topics such as general safety, emergency preparedness and prevention, and risk management... Read More      © 2009 AUTISM SOCIETY  |  Privacy Policy  |  About Us  |  Contact Us | Unsubscribe

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Study Indicates Autism Affects 1 in 91; We Need Answers

e-Speaks || October 9, 2009 New Study Puts Autism Prevalence at 1 in 91 A new study published October 5 in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal Pediatrics found a parent-reported autism prevalence rate of one in every 91 American children, including one in 58 boys. Autism prevalence numbers are growing. Read more about the study and view media coverage. We Need Answers! In light of the fact that autism prevalence figures are growing, Autism Speaks has launched an online campaign "We Need Answers" to galvanize the community to act. We ask you, your friends and the government to get involved. Start now by letting your friends and families know that the new study indicates autism affects 1 in 91. IACC Subcommittee Meeting Focused on Updating the Strategic Plan The Subcommittee for Planning the Annual Strategic Plan Updating Process, a subcommittee of the IACC, met recently to discuss new research gaps, opportunities to advance research and prioritizing goals. Included in the discussions were individuals with ASD, family members, clinicians, researchers, and others. Researchers Focus on Non-Verbal Autism In its quest to find answers, Autism Speaks High Risk High Impact Initiative convened a meeting focused specifically on non-verbal individuals with autism. The goal is to provide new insights into the capabilities and potential treatment approaches for those who are unable to communicate through speech. Why I Walk: For More Research Funding Why does Julianne McCall participate in Walk Now for Autism Speaks? To emphasize the need to fund more autism research that helps people who have autism, like her younger sister. Read Julianne's story and check out recaps from eight great Walks that happened last weekend. Acts of Love Salutes Autism Honorees The seventh annual Acts of Love event, a literary and musical celebration, honored one organization and three individuals that exemplify the mission of Autism Speaks. The evening, which attracted hundreds of guests and celebrities, raised more than $95,000. In Their Own Words: What to do After the Blackout In this week's essay, a mother tells how after her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, caring for him and adjusting to his needs became the most noble profession she could have undertaken. Coming Soon October 10 Baltimore Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Towson, Md.) Carolinas Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Concord, N.C.) Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Cleveland, Ohio) Kansas City Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Kansas City, Kan.) St. Louis Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Forest Park, Mo.) October 11 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Chicago, Ill.) Central New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Speaks (West Windsor, N.J.) Columbus Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Columbus, Ohio) Greater Austin Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Round Rock, Texas) Seventh Annual Ride for Autism Speaks Chicago (Chicago, Ill.) Southeast Michigan Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Auburn Hills, Mich.) October 14 Autism Speaks to Wall Street: Third Annual Celebrity Chef Gala (New York, N.Y.)     We Need Answers!   In light of the fact that autism prevalence figures are growing, Autism Speaks has launched an online campaign "We Need Answers" to galvanize the community to act. We ask you, your friends and the government to get involved. Start now by letting your friends and families know that the new study indicates autism affects 1 in 91. Donate Now | Contact Us | Forward to a Friend This e-mail is only available in HTML format. If you cannot read HTML messages, just click the following link to view this e-mail in your browser: http://www.autismspeaks.org/html_email/e_speaks_2009_1009.php. © 2009 Autism Speaks, Inc. Please add contactus@autismspeaks.org to your address book or safe sender list to ensure e-Speaks is delivered to your inbox.

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