Newsbriefs: February 14, 1999

Web posted at 15-Feb-99 13:44 Central European Time

The city of Groningen, Netherlands.

Groningen, NL establishes parents council for pupil transportation

GRONINGEN, Netherlands, February 10 - The municipality of Groningen, a city of 170,000 inhabitants in the north of the country, is the first in the Netherlands to establish a client council for pupil transportation in special education. The initiative was taken by parents who often had complaints. The council will have eleven members. Alderman H. Pijlman (Education) hopes this will improve special education transportation. "An official council complaint has more power than an individual complaint", Pijlman said.
The special education taxis are for children with disabilities who have to travel far in order to reach their special school. But since last year, only children with a disability that prevents them from travelling by regular public transport are eligible for taxi transportation, regardless the family situation. This sometimes leads to parents having to be in the bus for hours with their child in order to take it to school.
Two families filed suit against the municipality. Before the case serves this month, the parents will offer a list of negative experiences to the municipal council.
Source: De Groninger Gezinsbode of February 10

New York: Autistic group home was scam

ALBANY, New York, USA, February 11 (AP) - A couple that ran an autistic group home bilked Medicaid out of more than $750,000 and spent the money on items ranging from Star Trek memorabilia to mail-order degrees, state officials say.
"They used fake bank documents to start the not-for-profit, then they created a sham board of directors to run it," Gary Masline, a spokesman for the state Commission on Quality Care, said of Joseph and Mary Ann Fricano.
The Fricanos, both 52, created the Special Needs Program Inc. in Chatham, about 20 miles southeast of Albany, in 1994. They then misled the agency with fabricated personnel manuals and inaccurate data on time spent on resident care activities, according to a commission report released Wednesday.
Full story at: Yahoo! News: AP Headlines: Couple Accused of Medicaid Scam

Maine: Children's Agency Investigated

BANGOR, Maine, USA, February 8 - State officials are investigating a Bangor-based child service agency that allegedly mistreated a 12-year-old autistic boy. An unidentified person told the Department of Human Services that an employee stepped on the child's foot, held a hand over his mouth, twisted his ankle, and forced him to engage in activities against his will. The Department of Human Services has notified CARE Development that it will be granted a six-month conditional license as a result of the charges. CARE Executive Director James Sousa says his agency will appeal the decision.
Source: Yahoo! News: Maine Headlines

Minnesota: Autistic boy denied homeschooling

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, USA, February 9 - A hearing officer appointed by the state has ruled the Minneapolis Public Schools are capable of providing an appropriate education for a severely autistic seven-year-old boy. The officer says Erik Nordberg should start school within a month. The boy's parents oppose placing him in school full-time and want to continue intensive one-on-one schooling at home with subsidies from the school district. The families attorney says the family may appeal the decision.
Source: Yahoo! News: Minnesota Headlines

Tennessee: Autistic child left alone

GALLATIN, Tennesee, USA, February 12 - A school outing to buy Valentines turns frantic for a Gallatin mother. Her eleven-year old autistic daughter was left behind and forgotten. Eleven-year old Natoshia Hollon was lost for more than an hour. She was eventually found unharmed walking down a busy street. Her mother is angry and wants to know why school officials delayed calling the police. School officials say they made a mistake and are working to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.
Source: Yahoo! News: Tennessee Headlines

San Diego ASA organizes Charity Golf Classic

In the San Diego, California, the San Diego Autism Society of America will hold a Charity Golf Classic on April 30, 1999 at the Mt. Woodson Golf Course and Country Club. It will benefit the local chapter of the ASA. If you would like further information to participate or for donations for the raffle or silent auction, please call Marty or Vennie Bosselman at (619) 695-1728 or e-mail at mbosselman@msn.com.
Source: Posting on alt.support.autism