The Latest

The Faith Inclusion Forum  is a group of community members interested in promoting inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the life of faith communities. If you are interested in joining us in planning a conference with a national speaker in the fall of 2009, please call Lois Ustanko at 746-1454.

Download the inclusion guide, “All One in the Image of God,” here.

Expanded Children’s Health Insurance Program: Governor John Hoeven announced that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved North Dakota’s request to expand eligibility for the Healthy Steps State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Read the press release here.

Backpacks for Brilliance provides backpacks and school supplies to children with special needs. Cash or in-kind donations are needed for this program. For more information, call Pam Burkes at 701-739-4229 or view the donation list.  Click here to learn about the history behind Backpacks for Brilliance.

Legislative Issues

Take a moment to download and read the June 30, 2008 issue of the Capitol Insider.
It is a great source for your weekly news and information on disability public policy related to mental retardation, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Publications

Read the June 2008 issue of RX Connector (a publication of the North Dakota Insurance Department.

North Dakota’s SHIC TALK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling) newsletter for April 2008.

Assistance

The Arc, Upper Valley has partnered with LensCrafters to act as a referring agency for their Gift of Sight Program in our service area (Grand Forks County and surrounding area). If you are living on limited funds or have no health insurance, you may qualify for free eyeglasses through this program. Download the application to review guidelines.

Prescription Connection for North Dakota is a program of the North Dakota Insurance Department that connects children and families with free and discounted prescription drugs. For mroe information or to sign up for the program call 1-888-575-6611 or visit their website.

Third Street Clinic is a non-profit organization that provides health care, emergency dental care, vision care and limited prescription medication assistance for persons who have no health insurance, who cannot access treatment through other agencies and do not have the resources to purchase their own medical or dental care. Third Street Clinic has been meeting the needs of the medically underserved who are low income or even homeless in the Grand Forks area for 16 years. For more infomation visit their website.

The Donated Dental Services program provided oral health care to 116 of North Dakota’s most vulnerable individuals during fiscal year 2006. The donated Dental Services Program is a partnership between the North Dakota Department of Health’s Oral Health Program, the North Dakota Dental Association, and the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped. Individuals who need care can contact the Donated Dental Services Program coordinator at 866-572-9390 (toll-free). For more information about the Donated Dental Services Program, contact Kimberlie Yineman, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701-328-4930 or visit their website.