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Health Care Bill: The American Health Care Act
Nominations are being taken for the 2018 Inclusive Practice Awards. Deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2018
The New Senate Health Care Bill Could Cut $9.4 Billion from Alaska Medicaid from 2027-2036, AARP release 9/22/17
GCDSE Annual Report

The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education is pleased to announce two newly filled staff positions.

Peer Power is hosting a Self-Advocate Summit on September 30 and October 1. There are limited seats available for this event. Deadline for sign-up is September 8, 2017 at 5PM.
Opportunity to be part of the work of the Alaska Developmental Disabilities Collaborative!
Peer Power is hosting a Self-Advocate Summit on September 30 and October 1. There are limited seats available for this event. Deadline for sign-up is September 8, 2017 at 5PM.
Notice of Proposed Changes — Medicaid Coverage, Home & Community-Based Waiver Services, Person-Centered & Settings Amendments, & General Provisions — Full Public Notice. Deadline for Comments: May 30, 2017. Opportunities for public comment will be held May 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the Frontier Building, Conference Room Number 880, 3601 C St., Anchorage, AK 99503.
Notice of Proposed Changes : — Proposed Changes- Rate Changes, Medicaid- Facilities, Hospitals, Professional Services, & Waivers — Full Public Notice. Comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on June 5, 2017.

Employment First JOB FAIR, Friday, March 31, 2017 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the University Center Mall in Anchorage. For more information: Job Seekers and Employers
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month. We believe people with disabilities should have control over their lives and be able to make their own choices. We believe people with disabilities should have equal opportunities in: employment, early intervention, education, independent living, healthcare, and inclusion in the community.
Business Employment Services Team (BEST) Employment First Job Fair. Friday, March 31, 2017, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., University Center Mall, 3800 Old Seward Highway
Applications for 2017-2018 Project SEARCH Transition Program closing very soon. Kristin.Vandagriff@alaska.gov
12/13 Great opportunity: Alaska State Legislature is recruiting Page positions for the coming session.
The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education2016 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey
October 4-6 — Council Meeting Agenda
5/18 Council's draft 5-year State Plan 2017-2021 released for comments through July 5, 2016.
5/16 Fairbanks Certified Employment Support Professional Examination, June 30, 10am-1pm, Access Alaska, 5236 Gafney Rd, Suite 100, FBX, AK 99701.
5/2 Transition to Conflict-Free Care Coordination Website includes FAQ's, deadlines and due dates, and how an agency can claim a rural exception.
4/23 Council 5-Year State Plan Draft for Public Testimony ( May 5, 4:30pm)
2/16 SDS has released their 3rd version of the Alaska Medicaid Transition Plan on Home and Community-Based Settings
2/15 Mark your calendars for the Special Olympics Alaska Winter Games! Opening Ceremony March 11, 6:30-8pm. Click here for full schedule.
2/9 Governor's Council names Nikiski Middle/High School Life Skills Team as the 2016 Inclusive Practice Award winners!
1/25 Job Fair for employers and job-seekers in Anchorage on Feb 19, 10am-2pm!
1/23 PRESS RELEASE: The Governor's Council advocates for the passage of Education regulations that recognize FASD for special education services!
1/19 the Governor's Council FY15 Annual Report is now available in our "Publications" section.
The Micro Enterprise Fund strives to increase access to Micro Enterprise and self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities who are Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries. Grant funds may be used for costs associated with starting a new business, expanding a current business or acquiring an existing business. Applications due Jan 27 at noon for FU16. For more information and applications.
3/3 The Alaska Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE) is proud to announce that Alaska’s first ever Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) exam registration is now open! This first Alaska CESP exam is being offered as part of the Full Lives Conference for direct support professionals. Registration information for the exam is below with the flyer and application attached. Be sure to register by March 17!
Register for the Full Lives Conference
Learn more about the exam
2/12 Federal Contractor Workshop and Q&A, Anchorage Midtown Job Center, March 8, 8am-12pm
10/27 Alaska Peer Partnership Conference on "The Road to Employment," November 9010, 2015 at the Anchorage Hilton! To register, go to www.peerconference.org.
10/14 Register now for Self-Employment 1 training! This audio conference is scheduled for Friday, Oct 23, 9-11am, cost $30.
10/6 Registration is now open for the web-based Financial & Work Incentive Navigator Training, Oct 26, 11am-1pm. Click here to register!
10/1 Join the Council for a community forum on our 5-year state plan, Oct 7 in Anchorage, 6-7:30pm!
9/9 Join the Council and several Anchorage agencies for FASD Awareness Day at the Anchorage School District, on September 9 from 4:30-7:30pm! There will be community speakers such as self-advocates and families affected by FASD, First Lady Donna Walker, and Mayor Ethan Berkowitz; kid's activities; and refreshments!
6/2 Ever thought about becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst? Applications for the Center for Human Development's 2-year program are due June 14!
5/20 Interested in joining the Council? Read here for more information and instructions on applying to be part of the Governor's Council!
7/16 Governor Walker takes important step toward Medicaid expansion
4/13 Interested in pursuing self-employment? If so, join us for the upcoming Trust Microenterprise Grant Open House and Workshop - May 19, 1-4 PM. To learn more, please see the event flyer.
4/9 Attention Federal Contract Employers! The Council and the Department of Labor are hosting a presentation by OFCCP regarding Section 503 and VEVRAA with a state agency networking session to follow regarding resources for hiring individuals with disabilities and veterans. To learn more, please see the May 14 event flyer.
3/23 Learn about the ABLE Act in Korean!
3/5 Our Health Matters Alaska! A Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Resource for Alaska
2/23 New Report Published on Health: Save Lives, Cut Costs, and Deliver Better Care
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation announces Notice of Funding Availability for its Special Needs Housing Grant Program
New Medicaid regulations that affect people with disabilities on the HCBS waiver.
12/31 Governor's Council Annual Report for 2014 Now Available!
12/29 Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Seeks Letters of Interest from Qualified Parties to Design a Comprehensive Implementation Plan for 1915(i) HCBS State Plan Amendment
12/9 House OKs Bill to Allow Special Savings Accounts for People with Disabilities (the ABLE Act)
12/1 Governor Walker Appoints Valerie Davidson as Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner!
11/15 Make Sure Emergency Evacuation Planning is Part of Every Student's IEP
1/7 Attend our upcoming Community Forum & Public Testimony event in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan 20, 6-7:30pm (or call in to join!). Speak up and be heard about disability issues that are important to you! Refreshments will be provided.
10/30 Governor's Council Announces Patrick Reinhart as new Executive Director
10/19 Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as well as obtain resources on how you can take part this October, by visiting the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Website.