AHF weekly update

Apr 6

Written By Ann Snelson

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Weekly Announcements

The queue is currently at these dates

Marketplace – 3/5

Direct Pay – 3/4

Reimbursements – 2/24

Pre-Approvals – 3/28

** Note, anything not reviewed that was submitted before these dates is likely in further review for one of many reasons. But as a WHOLE this is where the queue is at in processing.

**** The office has additional help starting this week. Most of the main review team will be focusing on reimbursements to get those into less of a backlog. During this time the assisting personnel will be assisting in Marketplace and Direct Pay approvals. This team will be working diligently to clear as much as possible but in areas that do NOT require ADE to review. (ONLY ADE employees will be approving certain items like electronics still) The only thing you may notice is that some items during this time may get reviewed out of order some. DO NOT be concerned if you have a more recent order approved before an older order, this is NOT a sign that it was missed or skipped.

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I created a page to give better steps and better instructions on requesting preapproval to hopefully clear up some questions and issues. Especially reminders about not forgetting about tax and shipping for the item when submitting the amount needed.

https://www.arkansashomeschoolfreedom.com/preapprovals

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There have been vendors who emailed because parents could not find them in direct pay and they were concerned their listing had gotten disconnected somehow because lets face it, it has happened. But there are occasionally glitches in the direct pay search where for no reason logical, typing too much of a vendor’s name makes them magically disappear into the black hole that is classwallet. SOOOOO if you do not at first see the vendor when searching first try ONLY TYPING THE FIRST TWO LETTERS of the vendor’s name, let it populate the search up and scroll through the alphabetically listed vendors to find it. I know it is annoying at times, but we are gonna just have to squeeze this lemon for all its worth sometimes because it is the lemon we have.

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Alrighty now!

Everyone is very concerned about the proposed rule changes. Which can be found here.

Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Legal Services - Rules - Pending

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This is the email where comments can be sent. This is the last day I believe for commenting. Maybe tomorrow… I really am not 100% if their dates mean through the 7th or until the 7th.

ADE.RulesComments@ade.arkansas.gov

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Sending emails that simply complain and give zero feedback outside of complaining about change will not help them to correct the wording that needs to be corrected and a few key points that need to be addressed.

For one, $1k per year flat hard line for electronics is not workable for families just starting and doing initial setup. It would be fine for later students replacing an item that is older but it is not possible for older students starting their journey to properly set up for higher level courses. A more reasonable way to control excess spending but account for this issue would be a limit of $2K per every 2 years.

Another thing that I feel was short sighted is setting the limit at a specific dollar amount at all. If we do not want them constantly needing to fight to change things because of inflation making any amount invalid in a mere few years, the amount for electronics needs to be set as a % of funding so that is automatically adjusts with inflation when the funding itself does.

Wording in many areas needs to be adjusted to provide clarity of exactly what groups are affected by the change.

Wording needs to be adjusted to clarify a parent’s ability to provide the instruction in co-curricular courses and they still qualify for using funds for needed materials and supplies. But they do NEED to have a hard line set on what items they are deeming ineligible in that case.

Please keep all comments sent short, detailed and precise and use your manners. Nobody listens to anything said in condescending or aggressive tone so choose your wording to be certain you are factual and not bat shit crazy.

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As always I am available via PM if you need an answer to something and are still confused after checking here and the websites.

I do NOT work for the ADE and do NOT know all answers. But I know a damn site more than the majority because I am a type A, OCD, insomniac that makes and keeps spreadsheets of important data so that I can reference it for accuracy… and I also DO in fact usually know who can help you when I cannot and can forward you to the appropriate person.

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HOW DID MY WEEK GO? --- WELL

WELL… so my younger children are all delayed. The 7-year-old level 3 ASD and the 5-year-old speech delayed and waiting on evals, the 3-year-old also speech delays and waiting on evals, so we have been battling potty training for a long while with them.

The TROLL refuses but the other two try but not always successfully.

This weekend we went hard core on insisting. Surprisingly the Goblin (age 7) has taken a sudden interest in complying finally!! He is making fast progress.

The Brownie (3) she’s giving it her all… But we are having limited success still.

BUT THIS TROLL… He absolutely can go to the potty. Child is strait up refusing to do it. NO reason at all this child is not doing this. He just likes to fight and argue just to fight and argue. Bribery is not helping. He gives zero F***s what I offer him.

I am not a novice. I have 7 older children. (10 total) Most were fully trained before 2 like normal little beasts. I have the concept of how to talk children into agreeing to master this skill. But I think these three are gonna give me a stroke.

Scheduling evals for ASD and other such dx for both of the youngest two soon. Already have the referrals. This house is so Neurospicy I am not sure anyone NOT running on spice can even fit in here anymore.

All that said… if you call me for help and it sounds like I am in the bathroom I probably am… But I promise I am not taking you with me to pee…. But these little minions must be monitored at all times in there or a whole Tsunami will emerge from my bathroom. I have PTSD from past water damages they have caused… I don’t think my nerves or my checkbook can handle that right now.

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Ann Snelson

501-412-5107

ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom@gmail.com

TheSnazzySnail@gmail.com

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