When talking about insurance coverage for substance abuse and mental illnesses, people often assume that the problem is limited to the poor. That assumption is way off the mark. Even for those families with "good" health insurance, coverage is far from easy to obtain.

In my own experience, when trying to obtain coverage for residential treatment, you are often told the treatment can be obtained on an outpatient basis. In our community, that treatment could be offered at a community hospital, could be available only a few days a week, and is hardly suitable for an adolescent who needs detox, medication, therapy, group therapy, education and stabilization which takes months and years not days and weeks.

In my experience, even when our child was hospitalized for mania, the insurance company said that three days was adequate, the hospital disagreed and put us in touch with the insurance commissioner who obtained 10 days of coverage. At that critical time, when our child was very sick, it gave us the opportunity to have a diagnosis, begin a form of treatment and begin to look for long term residential care to begin to deal with the substance abuse issues.

Families who are looking for treatment for substance abuse and mental illnesses are often at their wits end. Not only is the loved one ill, the entire family is traumatized. It's exactly the time when insurances are most needed and making families fight for coverage at their most vulnerable time is unconscionable.

To read other postings, go to: http://www.audaciousideas.org/?cat=3  Let your legislators know that Health Care Reform is a priority for you and your family!
To contact Sen. Lisa Murkowski, click on: http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactMe.EMailLisa
To contact Sen. Mark Begich, click on: http://www.begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailSenator
To contact Rep. Don Young, click on: http://donyoung.house.gov/Contact/

3 Key Factors help Kids avoid social rejection

Are You Eligible for the EITC?

Nationwide, there are 1.3 million low-income wage earners with disabilities who have yet to file their taxes. Filing a return makes them eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can reduce taxes and can mean a refund. Qualifying individuals must have earned wages at some point during the year and if the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a refund for those who claim and qualify for the credit.Because low-income working individuals (with and without disabilities) failed to file and thereby qualify for the EITC, between $800 million and $1 billion go unclaimed every year.In 2003, the EITC lifted nearly five million Americans above the poverty line.In 2005, over 22 million families earned more than $41 billion in EITC refunds. Are you one of the individuals who failed to file and did not receive a refund?

There will be two free Super Saturday tax filing workshops in the Anchorage area to help you determine if you are eligible for the EITC and to file your return for FREE.  The first workshop is being held Jan. 30 from 10-4 at the Muldoon Boys and Girls Club (1251 Muldoon Road) and the second is on Feb. 20 from 10-4 at the Mt. View Boys and Girls Club (315 N. Price).
For listing of other statewide locations that are offering free tax filing help, call the Alaska 211 referral line by dialing 2-1-1, or 1-800-478-2221 toll free. 

Testing Written Expression: Myths and Misconceptions
by Melissa Farrall, Ph.D.

Writing is complex. When we write, we draw upon our knowledge of words, sentences, and meaning. We use rules for grammar, spelling, and mechanics. The job of the writer, however, does not stop there. Writing requires authors to think deeply about facts and concepts. It requires them to make connections between new and old. Writing is not just about putting thoughts on paper; writing helps us organize our thoughts and learn.

The importance of writing in school is often underestimated. Children who have difficulty writing are at a disadvantage in their schoolwork. They lack opportunities to develop critical thinking skills.  Children with disabilities are at risk for writing failure. Language, spatial thinking, attention, memory, processing speed, and handwriting can all make writing challenging. As a result, it is important to monitor writing skill from kindergarten through high school. Writing remediation is more effective when it is implemented early. It is more effective when it is targeted to children's individual needs.

The following is a list of common myths concerning written language tests:

Myth #1: All tests of written expression are created equal. Writing tests reflect different views of how children learn to write. Some tests ask children to fill in parts of a story; others measure performance on isolated tasks. Some authorities believe that spelling is part of written expression; others feel that an emphasis on spelling detracts from creativity.  Some tests measure writing skill apart from background knowledge; others incorporate higher-level thinking skills.

Myth #3: Written language is separate from oral language. Written language has its roots in oral language. Children who have difficulty writing sentences require language testing. They may also require speech and language therapy.

Myth #4: Handwriting is not important. Children who labor to control their pencils do not write a lot.  As a result, they get less practice. They may have difficulty thinking about what they want to say.

Myth #5: Written expression tests are sensitive to the skills of first and second graders. Many writing tests do not adequately sample the skills of young children. In the testing world, this is called a "floor." A "floor" is the term used to describe the number of items at the lower level of a text. When tests do not have enough lower level items, young children can earn inflated scores simply through lucky guessing.

Myth #6: Written expression tests are sensitive to the skills of middle school and high school students. Most writing tests do not measure the skills needed for reports and essays.  They may not measure whether children write with an age-appropriate vocabulary. On some tests, sentences that do not make sense do not affect the score.

To learn what should be included in a written language evaluation, click on: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.written.lang.htm

AYFN Recommended Read: The Healing Power of Play: Working with Abused Children
by Eliana Gil, PhD

Children traumatized by either abuse or neglect have special therapeutic needs. They can be difficult to engage for a variety of reasons: many have been frightened into silence and many have had their trust in adults betrayed; they may be hostile and acting out; and, if young, they may lack the sophistication of language or sexual terminology to clearly impart what has occurred. Whether or not children know how to communicate directly with a therapist, all children know how to play. This book describes how therapists can both facilitate constructive play therapy and intervene in posttraumatic play to help children who have been traumatized by abuse or neglect achieve a positive resolution.

To purchase this recommended read and help out AYFN in the process, go to: http://astore.amazon.com/alayouandfamn-20/detail/0898624673 When you use this link to purchase this book from Amazon, AYFN receives a portion of the sales price to contine helping Alaskan families!

AYFN Statewide Groups and Classes

In Anchorage : Join us for our interactive youth classes. Two classes are offered for youth ages 16-25, "Get Your S*#@ Together, Keep Your S*#@ Together!"(WRAP for Youth), and "Mood and Affective Skill Building (Anger Management)". Do you feel your life is out of control or that everything is swirling around you? We can help you pull it together, without blowing your top. Contact: will@ayfn.org for class info and registration!