Your Input Sought/Of Possible Interest (Washington Update, August 8, 2018)

YOUR INPUT SOUGHT

NEW Indian Health Service Seeks Comments on Draft Strategic Plan
Comments due August 23.
As described in a Federal Register Notice, The Indian Health Service (IHS) is developing an agency-wide Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2018-2022, and is seeking public comment on its Draft Plan. Comments are due on August 23 and may be submitted per the instructions in the Notice.

CMS Tribal LTSS Program Survey
This survey is being conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help them develop a list of tribally operated long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs across Indian Country. The results will enable the sharing of LTSS best practices across Indian Country. Tribes and tribal organizations may provide these services directly, or through a contract or agreement with an outside organization.

Research Survey for Caretakers of Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
A researcher at Brandeis University is conducting a study on sexual and reproductive health care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is seeking family caregivers of such women to complete an online survey. The goal of the survey is to understand the perspectives and experiences of family caregivers about sexual and reproductive health care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The survey is available here.

OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

Latest News on the Separation of Immigrant Families:

• Family Separations Have Ended, But Children Risk Being “Permanently Orphaned” (The Guardian, 8/7/18) 
• Hundreds of Immigrant Parents Still Without Children as San Diego Judge Calls for Explanation (recording, KQED, 8/7/18)

Thanks to the Newsletter of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health:

• • When Bad News Isn’t Necessarily Bad: Recognizing Provider Bias When Sharing Unexpected News – from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Helping providers develop skills in presenting a family with a new, unexpected diagnosis.

• Pediatric Starter Kit: Having the Conversation with Your Seriously Ill Child – A free resource specifically designed to help parents who want guidance about “having the conversation” with their ill children. Available in Chinese, English and Spanish.