November E-newsletter from MPAS keeping you up-to-date on the work we are doing to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Michigan. ------------------------------------------------------------ November E-newsletter In this edition: * MPAS Highlights * Ernie Reynolds Memorial Essay Contest * MPAS Bids Farewell to Retiring Board Members MPAS Highlights * MPAS’ Legal team filed suit in federal district court this month against the owners and operators of Whitehall Healthcare Center of Novi and Fenton Healthcare challenging their failure to disclose documents and information related to the abuse and neglect of patients residing in their nursing home facilities. The full press release (http://mpas.org/newsroom/mpas-sues-two-michigan-nursing-homes-failing-comply-abuse-and-neglect-investigation) is available on our website. * Our Intake and Referral (I&R) team continues to receive hundreds of calls with questions about special education rights and procedures. Recently, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issued findings on a complaint involving a fourth grader with emotional impairment and ADHD in a rural district. Up until the MPAS complaint, the boy had never been in school a full day. He is gradually going to a full day program with interactive behavior supports and the benefit of full communication with the boy’s parent. MDE will monitor the case until May 2014. Please bookmark MPAS’ Special Education: An Advocate’s Manual (http://mpas.org/resources/special-education-manual) to help answer any questions you might have. * Michigan Nursing Homes Receive Failing Grade: (http://mpas.org/newsroom/michigan-nursing-homes-receive-failing-grade) Michigan received a failing grade for its quality of nursing homes following an investigation of nursing home care in all 50 states. Michigan is one of eleven states to receive an “F” and ranks 44th overall according to a report released on Aug. 8. Two years ago, with the help of MPAS' Community and Institutional Rights (CAIR) Team, we exposed the horrendous abuses that occur in Michigan's nursing home industry and this report shows very little has improved. * Our CAIR Team also monitors facilities housing children with disabilities as part of our legal mandate. Recently, a state children's psychiatric hospital has been investigated for violating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). MPAS filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Education against Michigan Department of Community Health/the facility alleging numerous violations (http://mpas.org/newsroom/state-childrens-psychiatric-hospital-under-scrutiny-individuals-disabilities-education-act) . Enter MPAS’ Annual Essay Contest in Honor of Ernie Reynolds “If I can help just help one person, it has been a good day.” -Ernie Reynolds We are looking for essay submissions detailing real, motivating stories about people with disabilities who have successfully advocated for themselves or others. Please visit our website announcement (http://mpas.org/newsroom/ernie-reynolds-memorial-essay-contest) for more rules and submission guidelines. About Ernie Ernie Reynolds was well-known for his quick wit and humor as well as his uplifting slogans that highlighted his approach to advocating for people with disabilities. Ernie was a member of the Michigan Department of Community Health stigma workgroup which produced the Anti-Stigma toolkit. He also treasured his participation on the many national and state committees including the Recovery Council and Walk-a-Mile which he chaired. He was a great advocate who got to know legislators on a first name basis and was a very strong supporter of mental health parity. Ernie served on the Northern Lakes Community Health Board and was awarded the Northern Region Partners in Excellence Award in 2006. Long-Serving MPAS Board Members Retire We paid tribute to retiring board members, Susan Odgers and Frederick (Rick) Swegles, at our September Board of Directors meeting. “Both Susan and Rick’s positive impact on the agency’s ability to fulfill our mission will be evident for decades to come,” said Elmer L. Cerano, Executive Director of MPAS. For pictures and more information on the retiring board members, visit our newsroom page (http://mpas.org/newsroom/long-serving-mpas-board-members-retire) . As always, if we may be of assistance to you, please call our office at (517) 487-1755 or toll-free at (800) 288-5923 (Voice or TTY). Sincerely, The MPAS Team https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Protection-and-Advocacy-Service/99270177031