North Carolina Action Alert
Archives
When action is needed, you will receive an e-mail that states the problem, presents talking points based on The Arc's position, and ways that you can respond so that your voice is heard.
Note: You must have Adobe Reader to open PDF files. Some of the links below link to PDF files. Visit www.adobe.com to get a free Reader.
December 20, 2007
E-Alert
New Waivers to Support People with Developmental Disabilities are Coming
On December 19, 2007, staff from The Arc of NC attended a waiver meeting in Raleigh. Staff from the division of DD/MH/SAS gave an overview of the process for developing new CAP-MR/DD waivers.
The current CAP-MR/DD waiver expires in August 2008 and last session, the Legislature mandated the development of tiered waivers. NC intends to develop 3 separate waivers. (The Arc of NC is recommending 4 tiers, not 3). The waiver that a person receives will be based on their support needs: i.e. Tier 1 will support people with greater independence and less support needs while Tier 3 will serve people with medical fragility and significant behavioral support needs.
We are notifying you today of these developments because over the next few months there are going to be public comment periods, opportunities for people to participate in the development of the new waivers and a need for feedback on the proposed new waivers.
The Arc of NC will be actively involved throughout the entire waiver development process. The Arc is drafting recommendations that we will send to the Division (we will share these through the E-alert network) and that we will use to guide our advocacy around this critical issue.
The timeline for the development of these new waivers will be very quick. The Division plans to have the waivers submitted to The Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) by March 2008.
The Arc of NC will use the e-alert system to inform you of new developments as they occur and will encourage you to advocate at various times.
Thank you all for your advocacy and The Arc of North Carolina Staff wishes everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.
December 14, 2007
ACTION ALERT! CALLS NEEDED!
Support Funding for Disability Programs
Background: The Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill will provide all of the funding for all national disability programs. Plans for this appropriations bill are changing frequently. Congressional leaders are still negotiating the overall funding levels and possible cuts. Many of the current proposals would be harmful to people with disabilities.
Congress needs to be reminded that the cuts proposed by the President in supported employment, special education, housing for people with disabilities, and other programs are unacceptable. Help us send a message to Congress that our programs need adequate funding.
Status: The timing on the vote on the Omnibus Appropriations bill is uncertain. It could happen anytime during the next several days.
Take Action! Please Call your Senators and Representative
Calls Friday December 14, 2007 and Monday, December 17, 2007 are essential!
Please us this toll-free number to reach your Senator and Representative: 1-888-245-0215
Thank you for your advocacy.
Julia Leggett Policy Coordinator
The Arc of North Carolina
343 E. Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919-782-4632
Email: jleggett@arcnc.org
Policy Blog: www.thearcnc.blogspot.com
December 6, 2007
Action Alert: Take Action Now to Oppose the Elimination of the NC Accessibility Code!
ISSUE:
The North Carolina Building Code will be having a public hearing on Monday, December 10, 2007. During this meeting the The North Carolina Building Code Council-Accessibility Code Committee will be proposing that our state stop using the North Carolina Accessibility Code and adopt the ANSI Chapter 11 Code. The North Carolina Accessibility Code is certified by the Department of Justice and meets all federal building guidelines. This code permits our state inspectors to advise contractors on their accessibility requirements.
The removal of North Carolina's Accessibility Code will have a negative effect on state policy initiatives including Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services Reform, developing more accessible housing opportunities for persons with disabilities in our state, building more accessible schools, and promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities because it will cease all NC enforcement authority and require all complaints to be filed at the Federal level.
Filing complaints will be more complicated, take longer, and could allow more building to slip through the cracks.
ACTION NEEDED:
You
can help us stop this change by either:
Attend the NC Building
Code Council Hearing on Monday, December 10 in Raleigh.
If you cannot attend, please write a letter to:
Chris
Noles, PE
Engineering and Codes
Deputy Commissioner
cnoles@ncdoi.net
What to talk about: How important it is for persons with disabilities to have access to hospitals, schools, apartments, public building, parking spots and sidewalks.
Talking Points about the NC Accessibility Code:
North Carolina's Accessibility Code is one of the strongest most progressive codes in the nation.
North Carolina is one of six states to have its Accessibility Code certified by the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.
North Carolina's Accessibility Code is certified by the Department of Justice.
Our state Code complies with federal requirements, local building inspectors and the Department of Insurance has the ability to enforce the Accessibility Code.
The North Carolina Accessibility Code provides a state/local mechanism for people with disabilities the ability to grieve barriers to accessibility on a state level as opposed to taking these grievances to a federal level.
The North Carolina Accessibility Code covers all construction including; hospitals, schools, apartments, public buildings, parking and curb cuts.
When/Where the Public Hearing will be Held:
Monday, December 10, 2007 at 1:00pm
General Assembly Auditorium-Third Floor of Legislative Building
Thank you for your support in helping us prevent turning back the clock on accessibility in North Carolina.
Have Questions or Need More Information?
Contact Julia Leggett, Policy Coordinator, The Arc of North Carolina
jleggett@arcnc.org or 919-830-5457.
MEDICAID ACTION ALERT
Please Take Action Today!
Call Senator Elizabeth Dole and Senator Richard Burr!
Urge Our Senators to Support the Moratorium on the Proposed Regulations on Medicaid's Rehab Option and School Based Services by Signing the Sanders-Collins-Casey "Dear Colleague" Letter.
Background:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued two proposed Medicaid regulations which, if implemented, would have a severe impact on children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. One would limit habilitation services for people with developmental disabilities under Medicaid's rehabilitative services option. The other would limit school based services and transportation for Medicaid eligible children receiving IDEA services.
A two year moratorium on these proposed regulations, which would prevent CMS from taking any action to implement them, is part of the SCHIP reauthorization bill. However it is unclear whether that bill will become law this year.
Status:
Senators Sanders (D-VT), Collins (R-ME), and Casey (D-PA_ are circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter urging their colleagues to sign a letter to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) urging them to include the two-year Medicaid regulation moratorium in the a forthcoming Medicare bill. (Congress will soon be considering a bill on Medicare reimbursements to physicians).
It is important that as many Senators as possible sign this letter. Hearing from their constituents will encourage them to do so.
The deadline for Senators to sign the "Dear Colleague" letter is close of business Thursday, November 15th.
Action Needed!
Call your Senators' Washington offices before Thursday, November 15.
You can: Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators' office OR Call Senator Elizabeth Dole's office at (202) 224-6342, Senator Richard Burr's office at (202) 224-3154.
Talking points
May I please speak with the staff person who handles Medicaid or health care?
I am calling to urge the Senator to sign on to the "Sanders-Collins-Casey" Dear Colleague Letter. This letter urges the Finance Committee to include a two-year moratorium on proposed Medicaid regulations in the Medicare bill. If implemented, these regulations would severely limit services which are critical to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
If the Senator has not seen the letter, has questions, or is willing to sign on, he/she should call Abby Driscoll in Senator Sanders' office (for Democratic offices) or Priscilla Hanley in Senator Collins' office (for Republican offices). The deadline for Senators to sign the letter is close of business Thursday, November 15th.
Thank you for your advocacy!
Julia Leggett
Policy Coordinator
The Arc of North Carolina
343 E. Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
E-mail jleggett@arcnc.org
Policy Blog www.thearcnc.blogspot.com
Late Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Legislative Update: Representative Bob Etheridge Will Vote for the Override.
The News and Observer's Blog, Under the Dome, is reporting that Representative Bob Etheridge has decided to vote to override President Bush's veto of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program). The Arc of North Carolina has issued a series of Action Alerts requesting Representative Etheridge vote for the reauthorization and expansion of SCHIP and vote to override the veto.
On Tuesday, Representative Mike McIntyre announced that he would vote to override the veto, switching his previous vote.
The Arc of North Carolina has been partnering in this effort with Action for Children and the North Carolina Health Access Coalition.
Read the Under the Dome report: http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome
October 16, 2007
SCHIP ACTION ALERT: Take Action Wednesday October 17!
Help Protect the Health of Children by Supporting the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, we need you to call the offices of Representative Bob Etheridge (D, 2nd District) and Representative Robin Hayes (R, 8th District).
Background: Thursday, October 18th, the U.S. House of Representatives is schedule to vote on overriding President Bush's veto of legislation to reauthorize and expand SCHIP.
This important legislation does provide health insurance for over 1,300 children in North Carolina with special needs. This legislation also includes a six-month moratorium on proposed regulations to limit habilitation services under Medicaid's rehabilitative services option.
Here is what is at stake:
Health insurance for children in families with incomes up 250% of the federal poverty level.
No exclusion from coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
Coverage of dental care.
Parity for mental health services.
A provision for a 6-month moratorium on proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations on Medicaid's rehabilitation option and school based services for Medicaid-eligible children with disabilities. These regulations would result in billions of dollars in cuts for services for children with disabilities.
We need your voices to help the House of Representatives override the Presidential veto of SCHIP.
If you live in the following House members' districts we need you to call them.
Representative Bob Etheridge (D, 2nd District)
Representative Robin Hayes (R, 8th District)
CALL 1-800-828-0498
ASK to be connected to the office of
Representative Etheridge or Hayes.
TELL THEM:
To change their vote against kids into a vote for kids.
Please vote for uninsured children in our district and vote to override President Bush's veto of the expansion of the children's health insurance program.
Children with special needs are currently served by SCHIP and we need to serve more children with special needs. This expansion legislation will help make that happen.
This legislation includes a 6 month moratorium on CMS rules that would limit habilitation services under Medicaid's rehabilitative services option. This moratorium is important to people with disabilities and their families.
North Carolina did not have enough money to cover families of 4 making under $41,300 because so many lower-income kids in NC need coverage. The program was saved in NC by shifting younger children into Medicaid. We need this new money just to cover the lowest income children in the state.
A 61 cent increase in the federal cigarette tax to fund the program means 3-4 times more money for NC in increased funding for children's health insurance than we will ever lose from the increase in the cost of cigarettes.
Thank you for your advocacy.
Julia Leggett-Policy Coordinator, The Arc of NC
SCHIP ACTION ALERT
October 10, 2007
SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) expansion legislation, which was vetoed by President Bush, will be returning to the U.S. House the week of October 15th..
Leadership in the House has been working to secure enough votes to override the veto. In North Carolina, only five members of Congress voted to support the expansion of SCHIP. That means ten members of Congress voted against expanding health insurance to children in our state.
We need your voices to help the House of Representatives override the Presidential veto of SCHIP.
Action Needed
If you live in the following House member's districts we need you to call them.
Representative Bob Etherdridge (D, 2nd District)
Representative McIntyre (D, 7thDistrict)
Representative Hayes (R, 8th District)
CALL 1-800-828-0498 and ask to be connected to the office of Representatives McIntyre, Etheridge or Hayes.
TELL THEM: To change their vote against kids into a vote FOR kids.
Please vote for uninsured children in our district and vote to override President Bush's veto of the expansion of the children's health insurance program.
Children with disabilities are currently served by SCHIP and we need to serve more children with disabilities. This expansion legislation will help make that happen.
A 61 cents increase in the federal cigarette tax to fund the program means 3-4 times more money for NC in increased funding for children's health insurance than we will ever lose from the increase in the cost of cigarettes.
NC farmers and quota holders are in the process of getting over $11 billion in direct payments from the tobacco buyout and the national tobacco settlement.
Isn't it about time we helped children -especially of workers in other industries who are losing health care?
Thank you for your advocacy.
Julia Leggett, Policy Coordinator, The Arc of NC
Check out The Arc's Policy Blog at: http://www.thearcnc.blogspot.com/
URGENT! September 25, 2007
Calls Needed Today to Support SCHIP bill!
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill this afternoon - Tuesday, September 25.
Background: This vote will be on a House-Senate agreement to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). By providing $35 billion over 5 years, it will continue coverage for the approximately 6 million children in the program including eligible children with disabilities. This funding increase will add an additional 4 million children.
The agreement also includes a 6 month moratorium on proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations on Medicaid's rehabilitation option and school based services for Medicaid eligible children with disabilities. A moratorium was a high priority of the disability community.
President Bush has threatened to veto the SCHIP bill. A strong vote in the House will show that the President's veto can be overridden.
Take Action Please Call your Representative Now!
The vote on the SCHIP agreement is only hours away.
Call toll-free: 1-800-828-0498. You will be connected to the Capitol Switchboard -ask for your Representative's office (to find your Representative's name: enter your zip code at http://www.house.gov/ (you'll find the box at the top left).
Tell your Representative: "Please vote for the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill! I'm a constituent"
Thank you for your action! Every phone call matters!
Have You Visited our New Policy Blog Page Yet?
The Arc of North Carolina is proud and excited to introduce its official policy Blog. The Blog offers in depth coverage of policy issues affecting people with cognitive and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. The Blog features posts on state and federal policy as well as a special section titled "Julia's Musings" where our Policy Coordinator will give her "spin" on the issues. http://www.thearcnc.blogspot.com/
NC LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT
URGENT ACTION REQUESTED!
CALL OR E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY
Please Take Action Immediately on House Bill 1366
The School Violence Prevention Act
August 2, 2007
On August 1, 2007, The Senate passed a gutted version of the School Violence Prevention Act (HB 1366), removing the enumerated categories, including children with disabilities. This bill no longer offers specific protection to the most vulnerable students in our schools.
There is Hope.....We Still Have Time to Act.....
Please Call or Email your House member today!
The Message:
Tell your Representative to NOT CONCUR with the Senate's weakened version of the bill.
If the House members reject the Senate's gutted version, a committee of legislators will be appointed by both chambers and will be able to adopt a version of the bill that does offer the protections specified by the original bill.
To find out who your representative is by zip code:
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
To contact your representative by telephone use the General Assembly Switchboard 919-733-4111
Thank you for helping protect students with disabilities from bullying in schools!
As always, please call The Arc of NC with questions 1-800-662-8706
NC LEGISLATIVE ACTION-ALERT URGENT ACTION REQUESTED!
July 26, 2007
CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NEED YOU TO SPEAK OUT IN FAVOR OF THE SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT!
PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL THE SENATOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY!!
House Bill 1366 (the bullying bill) passed the House with your help (thank you!) and now we need to get it through the Senate Judiciary Meeting. Students with disabilities across our state expressed their concerns over being bullied and harassed in school. This bill will protect the most vulnerable students in our state.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN: PLEASE E-MAIL THESE SENATORS NOW
Chair:
Chairman Sen. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr,
Fletcherh@ncleg.net
Vice Chairman Sen.Austin M. Allran, Austina@ncleg.net
Vice Chairman Sen. Doug Berger, Dougb@ncleg.net
Vice Chairman Sen. Ed Jones, Dougb@ncleg.net
Members:
Senator Tom Apodaca Toma@ncleg.net , Senator Bob Atwater Boba@ncleg.net
Senator Stan Bingham Stanb@ncleg.net, Senator Walter H. Dalton Walterd@ncleg.net
Senator Charlie S. Dannelly Charlied@ncleg.net, Senator Katie G. Dorsett Katied@ncleg.net
Senator Don East Done@ncleg.net , Senator W. Edward (Eddie) Goodall Eddieg@ncleg.net
Senator Jim Jacumin Jimja@ncleg.net, Senator John H. Kerr III Johnk@ncleg.net
Senator Joe Sam Queen Joeq@ncleg.net, Senator John Snow Johns@ncleg.net
Senator A.B. Swindell Abs@ncleg.net
TELL THEM:
Vote YES for the BILL
HB 1366 enumerates protected categories to protect children most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. This legislation addresses the needs of students with disabilities.
To SUPPORT the bill with the enumeration that is currently in this important legislation.
Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected category for students with disabilities.
This legislation will support students with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool. Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their right to be protected from bullying and harassment.
Enumeration of protected categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.
To Find Your Senator by Zip Code follow the link below
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
House Bill 1366: School Violence Prevention Act.
Primary Sponsors: Representatives Glazier, Fisher, Justice, and Stiller An Act to enact the school violence prevention act.
To read H1366: http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H1366v1.html
Thank you for your advocacy and as always call The Arc of NC with any questions at 1-800-662-8706.
Legislative Alert- Action Needed on Bullying in School
July 23, 2007
The Senate Votes on House Bill 1366: School Violence Prevention Act.
House Bill 1366: The school Violence Prevention Act will be in the Senate Judiciary II committee on Tuesday, July 24, 2007.
This bill passed the House with your help and now we need to get it through the Senate. Students with disabilities across our state expressed their concerns over being bullied and harassed in school. This bill will protect the most vulnerable students in our state.
Just to remind you how important this is we are sharing this reflection from a North Carolina Youth Leadership Network member and advocate: "Being a person living a life with a disability can be difficult especially if the disability is visible. A person who does not walk straight or does not speak clearly is a target for bullies in the education system. As a student in their junior year of high school, people would think there would be an understanding and the teasing would decease but that is not the situation."
ACTION TO BE TAKEN: PLEASE EMAIL your Senator NOW!!!!
TELL THEM:
VOTE YES FOR HB 1366
HB 1366 enumerates protected categories to protect children most vulnerable to bullying and harassment. This legislation addresses the needs of students with disabilities.
To SUPPORT the bill with the enumeration that is currently in this important legislation.
Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected category for students with disabilities.
This legislation will support students with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool. Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their right to be protected from bullying and harassment.
Enumeration of protected categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.
Find Your Senator by Zip Code by following the link below:
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
Read the bill H1366 by following the link below:
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/House/HTML/H1366v1.html
Thank you for helping students with disabilities gain the protections they need from bullying and harassment in school.
As always, please call The Arc of NC with any questions at 1-800-662-8706.
Legislative Alert- Action Needed on Equitable Health Coverage
June 26, 2007
As many of you know, The Arc of North Carolina has been following and supporting a bill this session that would require insurance companies to cover mental health needs in the same way they cover physical illnesses. For example, duration limits, co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, etc. would be the same for medical services as for mental health services.
The Equitable Mental Health Coverage Bill (H973) passed the House and is now under consideration by the Senate. However, there is an effort in the Senate to pass equitable coverage only for certain diagnoses. This will continue the current discrimination in terms of coverage of mental health needs, especially for children.
While some insurance companies correctly view autism and other disabilities as neurological disorders and not mental illness, the reality is that many families with children with a variety of disabilities need to access mental health services.
Individuals with disabilities access mental health services for behavioral and medical issues and should have equitable coverage for these services. For example, the House bill would ensure that visits to a psychiatrist would be covered at the same level as a visit to the pediatrician.
Under a proposal to limit equitable coverage to 9 mental illnesses, many diagnoses used for treatment of children would not be covered, such as: Autism, Anxiety, Attachment disorders of early childhood, Mild or moderate depression, ADHD, Adjustment disorders
We think it is wrong to exclude any diagnosis.
Please contact your Senator and ask them to support the House version of Equitable Mental Health Coverage (H973). It is not fair to continue to exclude groups of individuals from equitable coverage.
To search for your State Senator, click here to visit the Who Represents Me? page on the NC Legislature website at www. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us or you can call the General Assembly switchboard at 919-733-4111
Phone calls and emails do make a difference! Thank you in advance for your action on this matter.
E-Alert
May 29, 2007
The Senate budget provides no additional funding for developmental disabilities services. It follows the trends of the House budget by realigning funding for existing developmental disabilities services. A realignment is a cut! Special provisions in the Senate bill have the potential to destroy the developmental disabilities system. A few of the most ominous provision include requiring co-pays for CAP/DD and CAP-C. This will put our most vulnerable population at risk. This budget also allows for reverted service dollars to be utilized for LME administrative costs. This budget realigns developmental therapies budget without regard to actual services provided or needed. This budget requires three additional (Piedmont) waivers. After a quickly released and pushed Senate budget our initial review is that there will be additional provisions that will negatively impact the DD system.
TAKE ACTION: We need you to call and email the Senators listed below now!!! This budget is moving quickly through the Senate and leadership needs to hear from you today.
TELL THEM:
1.The Senate budget released today is the worst budget that people with developmental disabilities have seen in the past two decades.
2. This budget will create chaos.
3. This budget ignores the basic service needs of North Carolinians with developmental disabilities and their families.
4. This budget provides no expansion of services and has the potential to reduce services for people with developmental disabilities.
Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee :
Co-Chairs Sen. Walter Dalton Walterd@ncleg.net Sen. Linda Garrou Lindag@ncleg.net Sen. Kay Hagan Kayh@ncleg.net
Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services
Co-Chairs Sen. Doug Berger Dougb@ncleg.net Sen. William Purcell Williamp@ncleg.net
Members Sen. Harris Blake Harrisb@ncleg.net Sen. Charlie S. Dannelly Charlied@ncleg.net Sen. James Forrester Jamesf@ncleg.net Sen. Steve Goss Steveg@ncleg.net Sen. Marc Basnight Marcb@ncleg.net
To contact any of these Legislators, please call the switchboard at 919-733-4111
Date May 21, 2007
Contact: Jill Warren Lucas Phone: 919-807-2496
Release Immediate
CLA will assume responsibilities on July 2, 2007
RALEIGH - North Carolina's Protection and Advocacy System was today redesignated to Carolina Legal Assistance (CLA). CLA will assume the protection and advocacy responsibilities on July 2, 2007. These services are currently provided by the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities (GACPD), a division of the N.C. Department of Administration.
This action was taken at the request of the disability community and after consulting with the GACPD governing board. Feedback determined that advocacy services can be provided more efficiently and effectively in an independent agency. CLA is independent of the state and will be exclusively responsible for advocating for people with disabilities in North Carolina.
CLA meets all of the requirements of a statewide Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and shall have all of the powers and duties vested in it by applicable federal statutes and regulations. There will be no charge for P&A services.
P&As are required to have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies or approaches to ensure the protection of, and advocacy for, the rights of such individuals within the state who are or who may be eligible for treatment, services, or habilitation, or who are being considered for a change in living arrangements, with particular attention to members of ethnic and racial minority groups; and provide information on and referral to programs and services addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. P&As have the authority to investigate incidents of abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities if the incidents are reported to the system or if there is probable cause to believe that the incidents occurred.
###
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE
May 18, 2007
Budget
The Senate has been meeting behind closed doors working on their budget. Indications are that the initial budget is worse than the House budget. This is due to the Senate's leadership decision to let the 1/2 cent sales tax sunset. We anticipate that this will be next week. At that time, we will ask you to respond with calls to the Senate.
Policy
House Bill 1366- School Violence Prevention Act or the Bullying Bill. The House Committee on Education debated and finally passed HB1366 this week. The bill clarifies what is bullying and harassing behavior. It provides schools with a clear guideline on how to create policy that addresses bullying and how to prevent school violence. This bill includes a list of students who are most vulnerable to bullying in our schools. The list includes students with mental, physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. House Bill 1366 will now move to the House Judiciary 1 committee and then on to the House floor for a full vote.
House Bill 1428 - Students w/Disabilities/No long-term Suspension is scheduled for the House Committee on Education next week. This bill protects children with IEPs who were suspended from school for more than 10 days and have been denied the Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans that are required. The bill prevents schools from suspending students with disabilities when schools have failed to provide assessments and needed interventions.
House Bill 973- Mental Health Parity- Mental Health Equitable Coverage. This bill will eliminate discrimination in health coverage for mental illness and chemical dependency/addictive disorders. This bill will be in the House Insurance Committee on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 11:00 am in Room 1228 of the Legislative Building.
May 11, 2007
House Finds Money For State Employees, County Relief on Medicaid and other Priorities but Can't find Money for People with Disabilities
The house finalized its budget on Thursday without addressing the needs of people with disabilities served through the MH/DD/SA. House members cite the potential of over 90 million dollars in unspent state dollars as the rationale for providing little if any additional funding for the MH/DD/SA system. This rationale of course punishes the citizens of the state rather than fixing the problem. In addition to the unspent funds house appropriations leadership indicated to us on several occasions that there was "no money". Of course that was just a line to avoid the truth that they had other priorities.
It is important to know that you did your job. Legislators have told us that they heard from you in large numbers; they just chose to ignore your needs.
Though the House did not have the conscience to do the right thing we still have an opportunity on the Senate side. We are working on very specific recommendations to give to Senate leaders on the inability to spend issue and clear concise recommendations on spending priorities. The Coalition rally comes at an important time. The House budget will be final and we can help the senate see what really matters. Your presence and voice are very important. If you are planning to come great, if you are not, we really encourage you to reconsider. Hundreds of people with disabilities and their families in Raleigh will create a clear picture of what the House did not do!
Since the House budget passed early this morning, we do not have all of the final details. We will by Monday have that in place and e-mail to you. I will also be available at the Rally. Scroll down for the rally schedule and information.
On a positive note, the House did add 5 million dollars to the Special Education budget which will add to the funding each school district will receive for Special Education students.
Below please find the list of key Senators, facts about where to park for the Rally, talking points for the Coalition and The Arc cell phone numbers for The Arc staff at the Rally.
NAMI is sponsoring a March at the end of the Coalition Rally. We have not sent this information out because we did not want to add another event to the Rally. If you want information on this, please call us.
Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services
Co-Chairs
Sen. Doug Berger Dougb@ncleg.net
Sen. William Purcell Williamp@ncleg.net
Members
Sen. Harris Blake Harrisb@ncleg.net
Sen. Charlie S. Dannelly Charlied@ncleg.net
Sen. James Forrester Jamesf@ncleg.net
Sen. Steve Goss Steveg@ncleg.net
Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee
Co-Chairs
Sen. Walter Dalton Walterd@ncleg.net
Sen. Linda Garrou Lindag@ncleg.net
Sen. Kay Hagan Kayh@ncleg.net
Legislative Rally Schedule
8:00 am - Registration Begins - back portico of Legislative Building - You will receive information about the day and talking points for talking with legislators for the day.
8:30 am - Attend Joint Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee meetings - schedule available at registration.
10 am to 11:30 am - Meet with members of your legislative delegation. (See below for talking points and how to schedule a meeting).
11:30 to 1 pm - HOT DOG RALLY - on the lawn by the
Legislative Office Building - with food, entertainment, talks by legislators and more
Afternoon: Continue visits with legislators and attend House and Senate sessions
PARKING
Because there is limited parking in the area around the state government complex in Raleigh, the Coalition has been able to arrange some parking and transportation at the State Fairgrounds complex.
BUS SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM FAIRGROUNDS TO LEGISLATURE - Thanks to the generosity of RHA Health Services, we will have a bus and two vans that will make a circle from 8:30 am to 3 pm from the State Fairgrounds location to the Legislative Building and back to the Fairgrounds. WE ARE URGING THAT THIS BE AN AREA WHERE PERSONS DRIVING A BUS, VAN OR CAR WITH PASSENGERS CAN COME TO PARK. You will need to take your passengers directly to the Legislative Building and then come back to park the vehicle.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE THE PARKING AND VAN SERVICES, PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY AND PLEASE PARK ONLY IN THE AREA NOTED BELOW.
Directions to Parking -Take Wade Avenue toward I-40. Get off at the Blue Ridge Road exit (the one you would take to go to the NC Museum of Art or the State Fair). At the top of the ramp coming from downtown Raleigh turn left onto Blue Ridge Road. Coming from the west (I-40, exit 289 to put you on Wade Avenue) turn right onto Blue Ridge Road. Take Blue Ridge up to Trinity Road - several blocks. Turn right onto Trinity Road. Take a left at the oak trees into the Gate 9 access road, then turn right and park in the area immediately adjacent to the oak trees. A Coalition volunteer will be in the parking area. You are parking in the Lower Bunn Field - a satellite area of the Fairgrounds.
REMINDER - WE SUGGEST THAT IF YOU ARE BRINGING A BUS OR BRINGING A GROUP IN A CAR OR VAN - that the driver of the vehicle take the passengers directly to the Legislative Building and drop them off. Then the driver of the vehicle drive to the State Fairgrounds, park the vehicle and return to the Legislative Building by bus.
FOR PERSONS IN WHEELCHAIRS - please note that we will have limited transportation with wheelchair accessibility so it is suggested that those in a wheelchair be dropped off directly at the front of the Legislative Building and that drivers of those vehicles use the shuttle service after parking their cars/vans at the Fairgrounds.
Talking Points for The Arc of North Carolina
We support the Coalition budget proposals
People with disabilities should not be punished because of problems with "the system"
The Arc's specific priorities:
660 CAP/DD slots-10 million dollars (brings in 20 million in federal funds)
20 million dollars in CAP/DD funding
1.7 million dollars funding for First in Families
Funding for services in the Housing 400 Program
The Arc of North Carolina Staff on Site for the Coalition Rally
Dave Richard - 280-3272
Ellen Russell - 280-3878
Linda Guzman - 280-7270
Julia Leggett - 830-5457
Ricky Terry - 971-6583
If you cannot find us and need information, please call us.
The Arc of North Carolina E-Alert URGENT
House Proposal provides Only 2 CAP Slots per County and little else for people with Developmental Disabilities!
On Tuesday afternoon the House Sub-Committee on Health and Human Services unveiled its proposed budget. Chairperson Verla Insko stated that members of the committee had until tomorrow to suggest changes to the proposed budget with a vote scheduled for Thursday.
Though the MH/DD/SA expansion total is listed at 34 million dollars, very little funding is targeted for people with developmental disabilities. In fact, LME Administrative increases of 9 million dollars are triple the targeted funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.
In the proposal, only 200 new CAP slots would be made available statewide, that's two per county. No funding is included for Respite or First in Families. People with developmental disabilities would benefit from a 3 million dollar increase in supported employment and could possibly benefit from the funding for housing.
The committee chooses not to include Medicaid inflation increases, instead leaving that decision to the House leadership. One exception was funding inflation for state institutions.
Click here to read a word document that contains the budget proposals of particular interest
ACTION NEEDED
Members of the House Sub-Committee and the Chairs of the full appropriations committee must hear from constituents concerning this budget. Our message is simple.....People with developmental disabilities deserve and need the support of the General Assembly!
The General Assembly should fund:
Remind them that 200 CAP slots will only support 2 new people in each county.....add any information that will give members a personal story about why these services are needed.
Calls are best but e-mails will have an effect.
Please call your member if they are on the target list and e-mail the rest of the list. If you can only send 3 e-mails please send them to the three Chairs of the Sub-Committee. If you have questions please call The Arc of NC.
To contact any of these Legislators, please call the switchboard at 919-733-4111
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services
Chairs
Rep. Beverly Earle Beverlye@ncleg.net
Rep. Bob England Bobe@ncleg.net
Rep. Verla Insko Verlai@ncleg.net
Vice Chairs
Rep. Jeff Barnhart Jeffba@ncleg.net
Rep. Debbie Clary Debbiec@ncleg.net
Rep. Linda Coleman Lindac@ncleg.net
Members
Rep. William Brisson Williambr@ncleg.net
Rep. Wil Neumann Wiln@ncleg.net
Rep. Charles Thomas Charlest@ncleg.net
House Full Appropriations Committee
Chairs
Rep. Alma Adams Almaa@ncleg.net
Rep. Martha Alexander Marthaa@ncleg.net
Rep. James Crawford Jimcr@ncleg.net
Rep. Phillip Haire Philliph@ncleg.net
Rep. Maggie Jeffus Maggiej@ncleg.net
Rep. Henry M. Michaux, Jr. Mickeym@ncleg.net
Rep. Joe Tolson Joet@ncleg.net
Rep. Douglas Yongue Douglasy@ncleg.net
The Governor has announced his intent to redesignate the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities to Carolina Legal Assistance!
The Governor has officially announced his intent to redesignate the Governor's Advocacy Council on Persons with Disabilities (The GACPD) to Carolina Legal Assistance (CLA). The official announcement triggers a federally required public comment period that ends on April 30, 2007.
The GACPD is North Carolina's federally mandated Protection and Advocacy Agency (The P&A). The GACPD is housed in NC State Government in the Department of Administration. To read the official announcement click here.
The Arc of NC and many other disability advocates and organizations believe that the agency that is responsible for protecting and advancing the rights of people with disabilities needs to be separate from state government. The Arc has been advocating for the redesignation of GACPD to a private non-profit for over ten years.
The Governor's decision to name Carolina Legal Assistance as the new agency for the P&A is an excellent choice. CLA has an impressive history of protecting and advancing the rights of people with disabilities in our state through class action lawsuits, individual lawsuits, systems and legislative advocacy and by creating and serving on multi-disciplinary coalitions and task forces.
Please e-mail the Governor's office today and tell him that you agree with his decision and that a P&A separate from State Government will improve the lives of people with disabilities in North Carolina. Please thank the Governor for taking this bold step. The e-mail address is: input.intent@ncmail.net.
Please copy Dave Richard, Executive Director, The Arc of NC at Drichard@arcnc.org on your e-mail to the Governor.
The message can be this simple;
Dear Governor,
I am the parent of a child with a disability .......or..... I am a person with a disability......or..... I work with people with disabilities. Thank you for deciding to redesignate the GACPD to Carolina Legal Assistance. North Carolinians with disabilities will greatly benefit from redesignation.
.....add additional comments if you'd like, sign your name and hit send.....
If you prefer you can write a letter and mail it to:
McKinley Wooten, Jr., Deputy Secretary
Department of Administration Internal Services and Programs
1301 Mail Services Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1301
Input from the public will be accepted until April 30, 2007. Please write today thanking the Governor for his decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about the redesignation.
The Arc of NC 2007 Policy and Funding Legislative Priorities
Print the Priorities in a Pdf File or click here to read them on-line
Implementation Update #19 Parents/Guardians as Providers
WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED
The Division of MH/DD/SAS has posted Implementation Update # 24 which details a new PROPOSED policy that will allow some guardians/parents to provide paid CAP-MR/DD supports to adults with disabilities. The proposed policy that is mentioned in the memo is a separate attachment. You can click on the underlined links above or visit the MH/DD/SAS Website to read all of the Division's official communications
The Arc of North Carolina E-Alert - Legislative Update
The Governor released his proposed budget on Thursday. The budget contains very little for Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse. A quick review indicates that the only service funding is 3.5 million dollars for Mental Health/Substance Abuse community capacity. At this time, we are unable to determine if any additional CAP slots are included in the Medicaid budget, but we do not believe any additional funding is included.
The Governor's budget proposal is only a proposal, but having no funding in it makes our job more difficult. On Monday we will send an "Action Plan" for the appropriations process.
On Wednesday, The Coalition Central Region Legislative Breakfast was held. The Arc was well represented. Rebecca Sorensen, a family member and member of The Arc of North Carolina Board of Directors, did a wonderful job of showing Legislators why increased funding is critical as she delivered The Coalition's speech. On Wednesday, February 28th, the Western Region Legislative Breakfast is scheduled. We still are lacking a significant turnout. Please consider attending if you have not yet signed up!! If you need additional information regarding the Breakfast, please contact Ricky Terry at rterry@arcnc.org or 1-800-662-8706.
The April 1, 2007 scheduled implementation of the new Parents/Guardians as Providers policy has been postponed until further notice. Please see page 4 of Update #23 for more information.
The MH/DD/SAS Division has posted Implementation Update #23, a memo that covers a variety of topics including: revisions to the CAP Manual, prior authorizations, appeals process, Parents as Providers, EPSDT, and supervision of Personal Care staff. To read all of the Division's Communication Bulletins and Implementation Updates, visit the MH/DD/SAS Website.
The purpose of these Town Hall meeting is to offer an opportunity for the community to have a direct dialogue with representation from the Division, share information and listen to concerns about system transformation.
February 14, 2007
The Division of MH/DD/SAS has posted a new communication.
State Plan Communication Bulletin #69 Housing Initiatives.
To read all of the Division's official communications please visit the MH/DD/SAS Website. You will see the Communication Bulletins posted on that page. To read information about service implementation updates, click on the link on the right hand side titled Enhanced Services Implementation Updates.
As the Legislature convenes, the needs of people with developmental disabilities are being pushed aside by issues that are perceived to be more critical. Every year we must struggle against high profile issues like education, highways and tax cuts, but this year fueled by an outlandish consultant report, we are also pitted against the needs of people with mental illness and addictive diseases.
The Arc has always been supportive of equitable funding for each disability group and continues to support that position. But this year, people with developmental disabilities, their families and supporters, could end losing. We will need to be vocal about the needs for people with developmental disabilities or risk being left behind.
The Legislative Oversight Committee (the LOC) on Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse is considering 19 proposals that would, if funded, add almost 300 million dollars to the MH/DD/SA system.
Of the 300 million dollars, only 3 million dollars would be allocated specifically for people with developmental disabilities. In the recommendations, Developmental Disabilities would receive 5 million dollars of inflationary increases and could participate in crisis funding and housing subsidies.
The proposal for Targeted Developmental Disabilities funding would only increase CAP-MR/DD Waiver slots by 100 and would only provide token funding for additional vocational services. These recommendations will not address the needs of individuals waiting for services.
Action Needed
While these are only proposals, we believe members of the Legislative Oversight Committee should hear from constituents about the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
If you have a member of the Legislative Oversight Committee from your community (Committee Members and e-mail addresses are listed below), please e-mail them with the following message:
1. Funding 660 new CAP-MR/DD slots
2. Fund the First in Families Program statewide
3.Provide adequate resources for the Early Intervention Program
The Arc has a larger legislative agenda The Arc of NC 2007 Policy and Funding Legislative Priorities which are posted below this E-Alert.
We will be working with the members of the General Assembly to achieve these goals as the session continues, but believe that the three items listed above best fit the Legislative Oversight Committee agenda.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dave Richard at 1-919-782-4632 or 1-800-662-8706.
The Arc of NC 2007 Policy and Funding Legislative Priorities
Print the Priorities in a Pdf File
In NC we have a severe shortage of qualified direct care workers to work with people with developmental disabilities. This crisis is undermining the ability for families to provide quality care for their family members. We recommend that NC enact legislation that will allow for a direct salary pass through for these workers. In addition we would encourage the General Assembly to explore methods through which health care benefits could be accessed at a reasonable rate for workers in this arena.
Many families who are on waiting lists for services would be able to support their family member at home with a little additional help. NC has a Family Support model, First in Families that is highly successful but is not available statewide. We encourage the General Assembly to fund expansion of the First in Families program statewide. To do so is would cost 1.7 million dollars in state funding. An additional service that would assist families who are waiting for service is respite care. We would ask the General Assembly to provide additional funds for respite.
The CAP-MR/DD Waiver
This program is the most efficient method for NC to provide needed community services for individuals with developmental disabilities. NC is scheduled to have additional 660 slots available in FY 2007-08. An additional appropriation of 9 million in state dollars is needed to draw down the federal funds.
Housing
The Housing 400 Initiative recommended and funded by the Legislature in 2006 is an important step in providing needed housing. For some individuals with developmental disabilities, to take advantage of this program, state funds will be needed to provide services in the homes. Additionally The Arc, along with other developmental disability agencies, has been awarded HUD grants for additional housing units. The individuals in the units will require state funds in order to live in the homes. Finally we would recommend that the Legislature continue its work from last year by recommending funding more units through the Housing Trust Fund.
Vocational Services
The Division of MH/DD/SA has developed a new service definition for vocational services. The definition will enhance the ability of providers to move people with developmental disabilities into the work force. We recommend the Legislature include funding in its recommendation for this change.
Adult Care Homes
Many people with developmental disabilities are inappropriately placed in Adult Care Homes. We encourage the General Assembly to include people with developmental disabilities in any proposals to assist individuals to move into community settings.
Early Intervention
Services for young children with disabilities are a critical step in alleviating future difficulties. We ask that the General Assembly provide full funding for this program.
Dental Care
For individuals with developmental disabilities access to quality dental care can be very difficult. The Access to Dental Care program is a best practice model that should be expanded statewide.
Mental Retardation Centers
North Carolina continues to house more individuals in our state mental retardation centers than most states. The General Assembly should direct the Division of MH/DD/SA to develop and implement a plan to downsize our facilities by at least 7% per year.
Crisis Services
Lack of adequate community crisis services continues to create hardships for families and people with developmental disabilities. The General Assembly should assure that these services are in place and adequately funded for people with developmental disabilities.
Public Education
A number of bills will likely be introduced as a result of the recommendations of the House Select Committee on the Education of Students with Disabilities. Some of these are related to the recent re-write of the NC Special Education Law, known as Article 9. Issues of particular interest include: criteria for utilization of homebound services, consideration of appropriateness of IEP and/or placement in discipline procedures, discipline protection for unidentified students whose past performance/behavior indicated need for referral, study of teacher preparation programs, and Medicaid reimbursement for school-based services. We will also be following and supporting an anticipated bill addressing funding.
The North Carolina General Assembly Convenes
The North Carolina General Assembly opened today, January 24, 2007.
The Speaker of the House is Joe Hackney from Chapel Hill.
This E-Alert is to thank you for your participation in The Arc of North Carolina's advocacy network. We would like to give everyone some background information as well as ask you to please forward this e-mail on to someone else who is not currently on the E-Alert network and enlist them to join our cause. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to sign up and join us at www.arcnc.org.
Expect an Action Alert tomorrow.
The Arc of NC's 2007 Legislative Priorities will also be posted on our website on Thursday. We will send you the link to the priorities in tomorrow's E-Alert.
This year will be a critical year for people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities in North Carolina. The DD community will need to have a strong united voice.
People with disabilities continue to languish on waiting lists, their parents aging, wondering who will help their son/daughter when they no longer can. Young adults with intellectual disabilities are being "placed" in rest homes that are designed for the elderly. School-aged children continue to be segregated in separate classrooms. Infants and toddlers are left waiting for early intervention services at the most critical developmental point in their lives and our state continues to utilize our large institutions at a higher rate than most of other states in the nation, the "downsizing" plan just ink on paper.
The Arc of North Carolina's E-Alert network connects you to the issues that are important to the developmental disability community. We will send you background information on specific issues/legislation along with possible talking points and contact information for the people in the General Assembly that need to hear from you, their constituent. The elected officials making the laws must hear directly from people in their district how the decisions they make in Raleigh will affect real people.
Please mark your calendar now for the Legislative Rally Day that is scheduled for May 16, 2007. If you have never attended a rally, make this year your first! It is an action-packed day where people with disabilities and their families actively participate in our democratic process. We need to have thousands of people with disabilities in Raleigh to meet with their legislators face to face. The General Assembly must hear from people with developmental disabilities and their families. Information about the rally will follow as the date nears.
Here are some helpful hints to assist you in your advocacy.
To find out who represents you: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us Just scroll down to the bottom right hand side of the page and type in your zip code.
To look up bills: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us You can search by bill number or by bill text. There is a search box on the right hand side of the page.
Driving directions to the Legislative Buildings: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/NCGAInfo/visitinglegcomplex.html
Thank you again for being part of the network that improves the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
For questions you may contact The Arc of North Carolina advocacy staff by telephone at 1-800-662-8706 or 919-782-4632 or via e-mail
Dave Richard, Executive Director, drichard@arcnc.org Ellen Russell, Director of Advocacy and Chapter Support, erussell@arcnc.org Gerri Smith, Advocacy Specialist, gsmith@arcnc.org Linda Guzman, Chapter and Advocacy Specialist, lguzman@arcnc.org
Parents/Guardians as Providers Changes are Delayed!
The Arc of North Carolina's Position on Families as Providers Policy
Print the Position in a Pdf File
Families of people with developmental disabilities have and will continue to be critical support to their children with developmental disabilities. The Arc of North Carolina reaffirms its commitment to families to receive family support dollars to provide care to their children in the home.
Often families are placed in the position of becoming the primary paid caregiver for their child due to the lack of high quality direct support work force. Parents who have provided this service have done so because of their interest in ensuring high quality service to their loved ones.
The Arc of North Carolina does understand the need for the State of North Carolina to regulate services that utilize funds from the CAP-MR/DD program. The policy adopted in Implementation Update #19 is generally consistent with the values and beliefs of our Board of Directors. In order to implement this policy in a manner that is fair to parents, people with developmental disabilities and the citizens of North Carolina, we recommend that the Department of Health and Human Services implement the policy in the follow manner:
In addition, The Arc of North Carolina calls upon the General Assembly and the Administration to address the crisis in available direct support workers. Specifically, we recommend:
The Arc of North Carolina intends to work with members of the General Assembly, Administration, families and consumers to implement these recommendations.
For more information, contact The Arc of North Carolina at (919) 782-4632 or (800)662-8706
12/9/06 Position adopted by The Arc of NC Board of Directors
The MH/DD/SAS Division has posted a communication that outlines the new rules governing parents as CAP providers for their children. Parents of minor children may no longer provide CAP services. Please read Implementation Update #19 for further information. To read all of the Division's Communication Bulletins and Implementation Updates, visit the MH/DD/SAS Website.
ACTION ALERT from The Arc of the United States.
Take
Action Today - E-mail Your Senator
(if the link above does not work please copy and paste the address below
into your browser)
http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=8910411
Millions of people with disabilities and their families survive on Medicare, Medicaid, special education, housing, Social Security, food stamps, etc. However, if Senate Budget Committee Chair Judd Gregg's (R-NH) budget reform bill (S. 3521) passes, these and other domestic programs are in serious jeopardy. The Senate may vote the week of July 17 on this bill.
While budget reform is vital to our nation's prosperity, S. 3521, the Stop Over Spending Act of 2006, is lopsided and irresponsible. It also unfairly targets domestic programs and services important to the disability community.
Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Sen. Richard Burr will have a critical vote on this bill. Please ask them to reject S. 3521 and any separate legislation with its provisions. Click here to e-mail them today.
Thanks for your help.
Richard B. Price
Director of Communications and Grassroots Advocacy
The Arc and UCP Disability Policy Collaboration
Take Action Today!!
The Division has posted two new communications:
Enhanced Services Implementation Update #11 Clarification of Various Topics
Enhanced Service Authorizations #12 Value Options Implementation
Official MH/DD/SAS Division communications can be read on the:
Division's Official Announcements Page.
The Division has posted a new communication about crisis services Crisis Plan Memo 7.06.06.
Official Division communications can be read on the: Division's Official Announcements Page.
The Division has posted Communication Bulletin #058 regarding services for consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind as the LMEs divest of services.
The MH/DD/SAS Division has posted a new Enhanced Services Implementation Update #9:
Billing for Medicaid Services for which Direct Enrollment with DMA is not yet Possible.
Official Division communications can be read on the: Division's Official Announcements Page.
E-Alert July 3, 2006
Help Save Medicaid Funding for Related Services in Schools
The e-mail message below contains important information from The Arc of the US about a threat to related services in schools for children with disabilities. Please take the time to respond. The Arc of the United States has pre-written letters on their action site. This makes it quick and easy to respond.
Medicaid Funded Special Education Services Seriously Threatened
If the Bush Administration has their way, families of students with disabilities who are Medicaid eligible and who receive IDEA related service through their school systems may be cut-off from their much-needed services, which can include speech, physical and occupational therapies, transportation to health services, tube feeding and other medical interventions.
The Arc of the United States needs your help. Here is how:
1. Help us stop the Bush Administration from gutting these services for students with disabilities. Click here to learn more about this issue and contact the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, urging them to restore the funding for this program.
2. Senator Ted Kennedy, a friend of the disability community, will be introducing legislation aimed at correcting this problem. To learn more, click here and contact your Senator, urging him/her to support Senator Kennedy’s bill.
3. Finally, click here to send us personal stories from Medicaid eligible families who have a student (s) with a disability and who receives IDEA-related services. Please emphasize the critical nature of the related services on the child's ability to thrive in school and the devastating impact the elimination of such services would have on the child.
To help us save this funding, it is vital to reach out to your network of families, friends and allies and distribute this Action Alert broadly and help us gather these stories.
Thanks for your efforts.
Paul Marchand Staff Director The Disability Policy Collaboration, a partnership of The Arc of the United States and United Cerebral Palsy
Posted by Linda Guzman, The Arc of North Carolina
E-Alert June 12, 2006
Legislative Update
Coalition Rally
Success
Thanks to all members of The Arc who
attended this year's Coalition 2001 Rally. Your participation did help in
improving the Appropriations on the House side!!!
House Budget
The House Appropriations Sub-committee
adopted its budget on Thursday night. On Tuesday, the full Appropriations
Committee will vote with our anticipated final House passage by week's end.
The Sub-committee report includes around the same amount of money as the
Senate budget, but changes the method and mix of recurring and non-recurring
funds.
Positive highlights include: the inclusion of 3 million dollars for additional CAP funding for people on the waiting list; increases Early Intervention by $900,000 over the Senate plan, and funds for a rate increase in Special Assistance ($1,118 per month to $1,132.)
On the downside