Raising Kellan

In today's episode, we chat with Leo Cuello, J.D., a Research Professor at the Center for Children and Families in the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

Leo helps us understand what Medicaid is and the roles it performs as the U.S. largest health coverage program.

Timeline of the conversation:

2:00 What is Medicaid and how does it impact the disability community? What services does Medicaid cover?

7:00 Medicaid pays 60% of the long-term care, covering nursing homes and 70% of the home and community-based services.

10:00 Medicaid is known by different names in different States, and eligibility criteria for each program may vary. For example in Tennessee, Medicaid is known as Tenncare.

20:00 Home and Community-based waivers or exemptions

25:23 Funding and how does money flow from the Federal to the State level (federal matching dollars per State . According to HUD Exchange, Tennessee receives $1.86 for each healthcare dollar it spends).

36:00 What is Medicaid Expansion? (States not currently enrolled in this program include: AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, WI, WY)

37:00 Implications of Medicaid Cuts for Rural Communities?

41:00 Misinformation that Medicaid Cuts will not affect individuals with disabilities

44:00 What is Fraud, Waste, and Abuse as it relates to healthcare?

51:00 What does Medicaid cuts mean for healthcare providers?

How do States adjust for Medicaid cuts?

1) Change eligibility criteria

2) Change program coverage

3)Cut provider rates

56:00 Call to Action.

Contact your Congress Representative and Senator to tell them what Medicaid means to your family. You can find representatives at the following links: https://www.house.gov/ or https://www.senate.gov/.

If you are comfortable with making a call, contact your representative at the US Capitol Building (202) 224- 3121 and respectfully speak or leave a message advocating for #NoCutsToMedicaid.

Names of Medicaid per State

Arkansas Health Care

CaliforniaMedi-Cal

ColoradoHealth First Colorado

Connecticut Husky Health

DelawareDelaware Medicaid

Florida Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

GeorgiaGeorgia Medicaid

IllinoisIllinois Medicaid

IowaIowa Medicaid

KentuckyKentucky Medicaid

MaineMaineCare

MarylandMaryland Medicaid

MassachusettsMassHealth

MichiganMichigan Medicaid

MinnesotaMinnesota Family Care

MontanaMontana Medicaid

NebraskaNebraska Medicaid

NevadaNevada Medicaid

New HampshireNH Medicaid

New JerseyNew Jersey Medicaid 

New Mexico New Mexico Medicaid

New York New York Medicaid

North Carolina Medicaid

North Dakota North Dakota Medicaid

Jessica Awsumb and Hilary Travers are co-leads at Transition Tennessee

Timeline:

2:15 Introduction

3:15 Hilary's work at Perkins School of the Blind and what led her to Vanderbilt and transitional planning

5:00 Jessica's pathway to transitional training and employment for students with IDD.

8:13 How do we prepare for transitions (legal and evidence-based practice), which starts at Age 14 in TN. Key points mentioned:

- 4 future goals in transitional planning are: post-secondary education, employment, community involvement, and community living.

- A Course of Study (9th to 12th grade) is a selection of classes that are needed and individualized to a student to reach their post-secondary goals.

- Annual goal to build competency for life skills.

- Transition Services- a coordinated set of outcome-based activities to supplement after-school goals ( assigned to parent or third-party provider).

18:00 Job Exploration- What would you like to do for work? Your areas of interest? Explore the skills needed for the job in the community.

21:14 Thinking about employment as a family.

23:09 Support of job coaching vs natural supports- team-based approach.

28:24 Job experiences and work-based learning: rural vs urban. What are students' skills? What is their motivation? What are their supports? It will influence their experience. Another consideration is full vs part-time, self-employed.

32:27 VR for formal supports, faith communities are informal supports (these are non-paid opportunities), the Chamber of Commerce, who know the local businesses, and career fairs.

35:00 CTE courses are based on local community needs assessment, and if they align with students' interests, this is a great way for students to gain job skills.

37: 00 Helpful Resources: https://transitiontn.org/ Empowering Youth with Vision Impairments - free resources

I am excited to introduce you to Abby McCage, who will be one of our presenters at the upcoming Resource Ability Employment Expo to be held on May 7 at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, TN, from 9- noon.

Hello, my name is Abby McCage, and I am a young woman with a disability who is passionate about advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities. My personal experiences with disability have shaped my understanding of the world and fueled my desire to create change. I believe that everyone should have the chance to participate fully in society, regardless of ability. Through advocacy, I strive to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and empower others with disabilities to find their voices. My goal is to inspire and remind people that disability is just one part of who we are — it doesn’t define us, and it certainly doesn’t limit our potential.

In this episode, I chat with Emily Moscoe about Catalyst Sports.

Timeline:

1:30 Introduction to Emily Moscoe and her involvement with Catalyst Sports

3:34 Gol Ball

5:00 Catalyst Sports origin story

8:40 What does adaptive hiking/camping look like

Freedom Chair

12:00 Overview of Catalyst Sports Programs

14: 00 Great Smoky Mountains Bike Program

14: 50 Contact Information and Conclusion

Marsh Naidoo welcomes self-advocate Peach Chinratanalab and Milton Neuenschwande from the Department of Disability and Aging for an engaging discussion on the transformative power of technology in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Peach, a dedicated co-trainer at My Tech for All, shares her experiences and insights on enabling technology to enhance independence and improve daily living skills. From smart microwaves that respond to voice commands to air tags, Peach highlights the importance of accessible tech solutions.

Milton explains the role of the DDA in promoting enabling technology and the exciting developments in the field. Listeners will learn about various tools available for individuals of all ages, including smartwatches that assist with daily routines and innovative applications that foster social interaction and skill development.

00:00 Introduction

02:42 Milton is the State Director of Enabling Technology for DDA

06:03 Peach is a co-trainer at My Tech for All.

07:57 Milton: Peach has a smart microwave that works with Alexa and Google

13:55 Technology is always evolving, right?

16:10 The Department of Disability and Aging has a website for enabling technology

19:07 Smart Home Models in Tennessee.

Don't miss the upcoming Resource Ability Employment Expo on May 7th in Dyersburg, Tennessee, where you can discover more resources for individuals with disabilities!

In Episode 136 of Raising Kellan, Marsh Naidoo sits down with Lindsey Lind from East Tennessee to discuss their shared experiences in the Partners in PolicyMaking program, a leadership initiative by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Lindsey, a dedicated mother of three, shares her journey navigating the complexities of disability advocacy, particularly focusing on her son who has an extra male chromosome, autism, and ADHD. This episode dives deep into the importance of understanding Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in various settings including education and healthcare.

Listeners will learn about Axys, a nonprofit organization supporting families affected by sex chromosome variations, and the implications of the Texas vs Becerra lawsuit that threatens to undermine these critical protections for persons with disabilities. Lindsey emphasizes the need for parents to be informed and proactive in advocating for their children's rights within the educational system, including understanding the differences between IEPs and 504 plans.

Join us for this enlightening conversation, which will highlight the urgency of advocacy in the face of proposed federal changes and the vital role of community support in ensuring that all children receive the accommodations they need to thrive. Don't miss the upcoming Disability Day on the Hill on March 12th, 2025, where you can make your voice heard!

00:00 Introduction

03:53 Lindsey Lind origin story

09:53 What is keeping Lindsey up at night?

18:23 Lindsey: Advocating for school accommodations for kids with disabilities is crucial

21:12 Upcoming events

Maribeth Watson talks about Partners in PolicyMaking, Morningstar Ministries in Sweetwater TN, and proposed Medicaid budget cuts in 2025 #Protectmedicaid

Timeline:

2:00 Introduction

3:00 Maribeth Watson's backstory

4:00 Morningstar Ministries

8:30 Assessing the needs of your community

11: 00 Respite Resources: J⁠oni and Friends⁠ and A Mother's Rest

13:00 Proposed Medicaid Changes

16:00 Conclusion and Words of Encouragement!

In Episode 134 of Raising Kellan, Marsh Naidoo engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tamara Tuckson, a passionate disability advocate and co-author of the book ⁠McKenzie Can Talk⁠. Tamara shares her journey as a mother to McKenzie, who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, and how that diagnosis ignited her advocacy work to eventually found⁠ Mission2Advocate⁠. This episode delves into the challenges of navigating the educational system, the importance of understanding rights, and the transformative power of communication devices in McKenzie's life.

Tamara discusses her mission to empower other parents through her organization, Mission2Advocate, and how her experiences led her to become an advocate. She emphasizes the significance of giving children like McKenzie a voice and the impact of inclusive practices in schools. Tamera also shares exciting news about their upcoming projects, including a new book in the "McKenzie Can" series.

Join us for this inspiring episode that showcases resilience, advocacy, and the importance of community support. Don't forget to check out Tamara and Mackenzie's book available on ⁠Amazon⁠. The book was illustrated by Katie Grayson and published by ⁠Traitmaker Media⁠. 

00:15  Introduction

01:40 McKenzie and Tamara’s backstory

02:09 Rhett Syndrome

04:00 Educational Experiences

06:43 How Tamara facilitated McKenzie’s communication

07:44 Communication Devices

10:09 McKenzie!

11:02 The book “McKenie Can Talk”

20:00 Mission to Advocate was formed in 2022 to help parents become entrepreneurs

23:32 What next for McKenzie and Tamara?

Mark your calendars for Disability Day on the Hill on March 12th, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee!

In this episode, Anna Fields discusses her journey from a homeschooled upbringing to creating an inclusive workplace that champions individuals with disabilities. Learn about her experiences working with children in China, her challenges when starting Bubble Love, and how she found innovative ways to integrate employees with disabilities into her business. This conversation highlights the importance of community, empathy, and creativity in fostering an inclusive environment.

Timeline

1: 40 Anna's backstory

6:00 China to Nashville

7:00 Bubble Love's History

8:40 What is Bubble Tea?

11:00 How the business grew.

15:00 Anna talks about #HireMyStrengths.

17:00 What Peach brings to the business.

18:30 McKenzie Tuckson and her AAC device.

23:00 Conclusion

Join us for this heartfelt discussion that emphasizes the power of inclusivity and the joy of bringing people together through shared experiences. Don't forget to rate and review this episode, and mark your calendars for the Resource Ability Employment Expo on May 7th, 2025!

Plant for a Change is a for-profit social enterprise based in Nashville, Tennessee, aiming to create an inclusive and accessible conservation workforce. The company sells native plant seeds and provides employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Timeline of our conversation:

1:44 Introducing Nathan Fields and Jason van Wulven

4:17 Nathan's proximity to the disability community and how that evolved with pursuing his Master's in Special Ed at Vanderbilt University and to meeting Jason at Next Steps (Best Buddies is also mentioned)

9:02 Next Steps at Vanderbilt University

9:16 What does a day look like for Jason and Nathan at Plant for a Change

13:34 Developing new products

13:53 Eco footprint

15:16 Keystone (regional) plants/trees etc

20:14 Family Life

21:55 Vision for Plant for a Change

26:30 Disability Employment Statistics

28:00 Care Farming Network

29:00 Conclusion