Loophole in Pa

[Guest guest]

Hello all Pa families,

It seems that the loophole will be closed unless parents and

those who are concerned about children act now. Their are

lots of ways that the department can mak the estimated 11

million dollars. Just to name a few

1. Improve oversite of programs and eliminate waste, fraud,

and abuse

2. Contract directly with licensed master level providers and

then freeze rates for four years.

3. For children with oppositional defiant disorder mandate 12

weeks of behavioral parent training ( a well established

evidenced based practice) groups before the use of more

restrictive and costly services such as family based and wrap

around services.

4. Use family based prior to wrap around.

5. For children with depression, using behavior therapy in

the outpatient clinic such as ohn's 12 week coping with

depression course which has been shown to be highly effective

in the reduction of depression symptoms instead of outpatient

therapy that goes on for years with no results.

6. Hiring nurse practioners and physician assistants to

reduce the need for psychiatrists and reduce costs

7. Only use BSC's who are board certified in behavior

analysis

8. Change the provider culture from one of mediocrity to one

of excellence.

See below:

Joe

Please distribute widely to networks wherever " loophole

children " are found!

Dear friends,

THE LETTERS TO SENATOR SPECTER ARE WORKING!

He is hearing our message and word is he has begun inquiries

on the premium issue with DPW. How seriously he takes this

issue is up to us, the vocal, taxpaying citizens of

Pennsylvania.

How unfair do you consider premiums? Do families

of " loophole " children want to pay the state's disability

tax? Don't let up the pressure now.

If you haven't written to Arlen Specter, please do so. If

you have already written a letter protesting premiums,

consider following up with his local office. Don't forget to

copy your state senator and representative.

Stopping the premiums is within our reach! Representatives

in the 201 legislative districts are taking heat for the pay

raise and unvouchered expenses. We need our local

legislators to help DPW find the $10million dollars to stop

premiums to families. Right now is an unprecedented

opportunity and we MUST continue to make them part of the

process. Write or email them today!

Woodings