DHR Budget Requests

Senator Jack Hill - (R-Reidsville) sends out by email his thoughts on the upcoming conversation on Georgia's state budget. His most recent email covered the funding for disability services come under the Departments of Community Health and Human Resources. I thought you might like to see it...I've highlighted his comments on our issue. You can email him your thoughts at jack.hill@senate.ga.gov.

The FY2008 budget cycle is in full swing with the Senate beginning to look at what agencies are recommending. Senator Hill comments on Olmstead and Unlock in today's release.

December 29, 2006
Agencies Submit Budget Requests
This week we will review the formal requests and offline requests from the Department of Human Resources within the scope of the Senate Human Development Subcommittee of Appropriations, Chaired by Senator Renee Unterman.

Department of Human Resources (DHR) - FY 2008 Budget Requests
The Department of Human Resources, with over twenty thousand employees, is responsible for the delivery of many critical health and social services throughout our state. Investigating abuse allegations, assisting needy families, providing mental health services, and monitoring health epidemics are a few of the many services that this agency provides. The total FY2007 budget request for the Department of Human Resources is $3,065,066,483 ($1,403,343,099 state general funds).

DHR - Division of Family and Children Services
The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) goals are to investigate possible child abuse and locate foster homes for abused and neglected children. DHR is requesting $1.3 million in federal funds to expand their "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" program. Many times it is beneficial for a grandparent to take care of a child if the parent cannot. This will allow financial support and services to aid that care.

Another item that will impact DFCS in the coming years is the settlement agreement reached in the lawsuit Kenny A. vs. Perdue. This case involved Children's Right's Inc., a child advocacy group, who filed suit in June of 2002 charging that DFCS in DeKalb and Fulton Counties were overburdened and in crisis. A settlement agreement was reached in July of 2005 that would require caseload limits, foster care payment increases, and a reform of the placement process of foster children.

DHR-Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases
The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) provides treatment and support services to people with mental illnesses and addictive diseases. Support services are also provided to people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.

The Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C. ruled that unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions may constitute discrimination based on disability. The Supreme Court also ordered the state to look at community based services rather than institutional placements for individual with disabilities. To comply with the Olmstead decision, MHDDAD is seeking to expand the availability for community service placements. Last year, the General Assembly expanded access by 1500 slots. The division wants to further this expansion by at least 1000 slots in FY2008.

DHR is also responsible for the care of those in the criminal justice system who need screening and treatment for mental health issues. Local sheriffs are currently obligated to drive these prisoners to the nearest DHR facility for intake and evaluation. This is very burdensome for those sheriffs located far from a DHR facility. DHR is proposing a pilot so that evaluations can be done via video conferencing. If successful, it can be expanded statewide. This pilot program will cost about $100,000.

DHR- Division of Aging Services and Division of Public Health
The Division of Aging Services in DHR seeks to support and assist Georgia's senior citizens. In the FY2008 budget, the Department will seek to serve an additional 500 elderly clients through its Community Care Services Program (CCSP). CCSP provides services that will keep these elderly clients out of nursing homes and in the community as long as possible.

The Division of Public Health is responsible for monitoring and preserving the health status of Georgians. The Division is asking for approximately $15 million state dollars to purchase 1 million flu shots to prevent an influenza outbreak. DHR is also requesting that the new cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, be put on the vaccine formulary for 11 year old girls. To cover the cost of immunizing children who cannot afford this costly vaccine (approximately $300/child) DHR is asking for $4.3 million.

Students with Developmental Disabilities want to work when High School Ends...

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is over 70%, and yet when asked people with developmental disabilities want to work. made that that case today. Laura Diamond's "Students STRIVE to join workforce" in the AJC today made that case...

But Bonita Phillips, the cafeteria manager at Radloff Middle, said she was worried at first that students wouldn't work out. "I wondered if they would really be able to do this job and whether I would have to spend too much time supervising them," Phillips said. "But then after watching them work, I realized how ridiculous my worries were..."They can do the job. They are dependable, hard-working and they want to do the job. They're everything an employer wants in an employee."

There are over 700 students graduating each year that need the kind of help that Chip Underwood has offered these ladies so that they can be as successful. Without this help, many young adults with developmental disabilities will sit at home watching television instead of living out their dreams to contribute.

Go to the Unlock the Waiting Lists website to see what you can do to help.

Republicans may shun aggressive legislative agenda

DOUG GROSS with the Associated Press wrote an interesting piece that quoted Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Martinez) as saying that "it'll be a real quiet session, but that's so tough to predict. There will probably not be an overly aggressive package this first year, but we will begin laying out our long-term vision and taking the initial steps that will get us to where we feel like we need to be."

See the complete article in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

Announcing the new 2007 Employment Workshop Series

Announcing the new 2007 Employment Workshop Series

Employment in Your Community: Effective Tools, Collaboration, and Outcomes for People with Disabilities

Sponsored by Employment First Georgia (EFG)

Employment First Georgia is a newly established, statewide technical assistance, training, and consulting center, promoting innovative customized employment practice. EFG is supported by a collaborative of state and federal agencies, including start-up funds from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Attend all four workshops in the series, and receive technical assistance and consultation as an extra bonus ! (please register early as there is limited availability.)

Mark your calendar! The 1st seminar in the series...

Employment for People with Disabilities Best Practices to Career Success

Seating is limited. For more information and registration, see the Employment First Registration Form to register.

The same story in Virginia...families face horrible choices for their loved ones.

In Georgia, we have over 700 students leaving high school, 6,441 people waiting for help, and over 17,000 individuals with developmental disabilities living with caregivers over the age of 60. Last year we celebrated the largest increase in home and community based supports for people with disabilities in the history of our state. We are both making progress and have a long way to go. In July 2006, the waiting list was 7,100 people - as of November 2006 it was 6,441! Yes, our service system is experience the pains of getting stronger - but lets make sure Georgia continues moving in the right direction! Help us, go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com.

A Painful Choice Over the Mentally Disabled
Dearth of Group Homes Leads Dozens Of Families in Northern Va. to Send Their Loved Ones Far Away for Care

It was a decision that Peggy Kube thought she would never have to make: Her brother, Terry Leatch, a 50-year-old with severe mental retardation, needed a new group home with more supervision. He wanted to stay near his sister because their parents, who doted on him for years, were dead.

But there was no place for him near her Spotsylvania County home -- not in Fairfax, not in Loudoun, not in Prince William. So she did the once unthinkable and had him moved 200 miles from his sister "Peg" to a group home outside Lynchburg, Va...Nearly 1,400 Northern Virginians with mental disabilities get a Medicaid-funded waiver to receive services -- largely group home beds -- in the community in lieu of being placed in institutions. But because of funding shortages, nearly as many are on years-long waiting lists to receive this community care, which is cheaper than placing the mentally disabled in the large facilities downstate.

Jim Wooten writes piece in support of vouchers for students with disabilities

This opinion piece alludes to a number of the important questions this bill forces.
Will this approach:

• deplete resources from public education?
• only be a win for public schools, who no longer have to "deal" with students with disabilities?
• offer real opportunities for meaningful inclusion in private schools, or will private schools be unequipped or unwilling to offer the supports needed for inclusion of students with disabilities? Will enough money be transferred with the child so that real inclusion can be supported
• encourage funding to move from public schools where protections under IDEA applies to segregated school settings where there are less protections for students and their parents? (see: And the program “shall not be construed to expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any public school system to impose any additional regulation of nonpublic schools beyond those reasonably necessary to enforcement of the requirements of this article.”)

This bill is a great opportunity to educate legislators on what you expect for your children in school and why it is so important to prepare them for employment and a meaningful, autonomous adult life...

By Jim Wooten Saturday, December 16, 2006, 07:02 PM
Click here for the full article in the AJC

The most important education reform bill proposed here in decades, one that would give scholarships to special-needs children, has been introduced by state Sen. Eric Johnson of Savannah, the Senate’s President Pro Tem — a position second in power to the lieutenant governor.

Watch for the defenders of the status quo, the more-money it’s-not-our-fault crowd that resists anything that doesn’t boil down to more revenues and less accountability, to rise up in an effort to smite down this reform-minded heretic and his mold-shattering legislation.

Truth is, in the world of education reform, Johnson’s Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act is not revolutionary. It is, in fact, downright mainstream. Florida does it, and has for six years. The number of students with disabilities whose parents opt for the scholarship that allows them to buy education services from any private school has grown from 970 to 17,300...

...As it exists in Florida, the John M. McKay scholarship program offers parents of children with a disability who are enrolled in public schools the opportunity to transfer to another public school, or to get scholarship aid to enroll in a private school. The scholarships range from $4,800 to $20,700. Parents love it.

Qualifying students in Georgia, according to the legislation, are those who suffer one or more defined disabilities, who spent the prior year in one of the state’s public schools, and who are required by state and federal law to have had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) written for them. That’s 186,272 students.

As proposed by Johnson, the maximum scholarship would be a sum equal to the state and federal money spent on them in public school. That sum — and not any locally generated revenues — would be granted to parents to buy from the private sector the education services they wanted for their child. The sum could be less, since parents could get no more than an eligible school’s tuition and fees.

Johnson has built in some important principles. The money goes to parents, not private schools. Parents designate where they want the money sent. Another important consideration is that no private school is required to admit anybody. And the program “shall not be construed to expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any public school system to impose any additional regulation of nonpublic schools beyond those reasonably necessary to enforcement of the requirements of this article.”

The early indication is that opposition will come from the education workplace unions and from the organizations that represent superintendents and school boards, as well as traditional voucher opponents, Johnson said last week. Supporters will be free-market conservatives and parents of special-needs children, who in Florida have overwhelmingly expressed their satisfaction with the McKay scholarships.

Some school officials are likely to object because most of the money being spent on a special-needs child will move with him to the private school. The local system should come out ahead, however, because it’s being freed of the obligation to serve a child with special needs, and class sizes should drop as a result. The systems keep their local money, plus the funds that would be spent to transport the children with disabilities...

...Some groups, like the education workplace unions, are just flat-out opposed to anything that smacks of vouchers. But “the dirty little secret is that we already have vouchers,” said Johnson. The HOPE scholarship is a voucher program. So too is the pre-k program, which sends public money to private pre-kindergarten programs.

Johnson said his bill “does not attempt to blame teachers, administrators or parents. It simply says that parents of special-needs children can choose the school that their children will attend. If they believe their needs are being fulfilled in public school, they are free to stay.” But if not they would have the option to go. Who could possibly object to giving parents that choice?

Governor Perdue Reaffirms Call for Tax Cut on Retirement Income

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that his 2007 legislative package will include eliminating state income tax on retirement income, a promise he made to Georgians while on the campaign trail this fall.

“I’m proud of the fact that we ran on a platform limited to promises that we could keep and that would have a positive impact on our economy for the future,” Governor Perdue said to attendees at today’s annual state Economic Outlook Luncheon. “We will keep our promise to eliminate taxes on senior citizens. This will prove to be a positive factor in Georgia’s long-term vitality.”

The tax cut will completely eliminate state income tax on retirement income, such as pensions or certain interest income, for Georgians 65 and older. This $142 million a year in tax relief will add to the more than $2 billion in tax relief that Governor Perdue has delivered since taking office in 2003.

Because of Governor Perdue’s tax relief, Georgia taxpayers currently have one of the lowest state tax burdens in the nation. Based on 2005 data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia has the 9th lowest per capita tax burden of any state in the nation – an improvement from 13th when Governor Perdue took office. This positive business environment has resulted in Georgia having one of the best economic outlooks in the nation.

For Immediate Release Contact: Office of Communications
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Sonny Perdue
GOVERNOR

Changing hearts, one at a time

Gracie Bonds Staples has written a number of wonderful articles in the AJC about disability issues. This article about Cynthia Patterson is a nice story about one of the career specialists at Briggs and Associates...

Associates, she helps others with disabilities find employment. In her spare time, she speaks to youth groups at churches and schools, encouraging them to embrace who they are, to treat others as they want to be treated.

She finds teaching moments — small opportunities to change the way those around her think about people with disabilities.

It happens when children gossip loudly to their parents that she has no hands; at fast-food drive-throughs or in line at the grocery store. She explains she was born that way, instructs that she can handle her own loose change from store clerks and invites onlookers to touch the place where her hands should be.

Senator proposes scholarships for disabled students

By JEREMY REDMON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/12/06

ATHENS — A Republican state lawmaker filed legislation Monday that would grant scholarships for disabled children to attend public or private schools of their choice.

"I want the state to give scholarships to any disabled student, whose parents are dissatisfied with their assigned public school, the ability to attend the public or private school that best fits their needs," Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) said in a prepared statement.

Modeled on Florida's McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program, the scholarships would be equal to the cost for children to attend their assigned public schools or the private schools they want to attend, whichever is less. To qualify, students must have an Individualized Education Program.

Florida's scholarship program helped 17,300 students attend private school there during the 2005-2006 school year, according to a Florida Department of Education Web site. And the average scholarship was $6,927 for that year, with 751 private schools participating in the program.

"In a recent study of Florida's scholarship program," Johnson said, "findings show that parents are pleased, class sizes are smaller, the children are victimized less and there are fewer behavior problems."

Go to our legislative section to see the full text of this bill.

Study Finds Barriers in Rural Healthcare for People with Disabilities

A study has emerged highlighting the obstacles people with disabilities who live in rural areas face when searching for primary care physicians. Researchers interviewed residents with varying disabilities in rural Massachusetts and Virginia. They found that, in addition to the challenges already present with healthcare in rural America, people with disabilities face further obstacles. These include difficulties in finding doctors who understood the unique needs of people with disabilities and the necessity to travel large distances to get to medical centers.

Lisa I. Iezzoni, Mary B. Killeen, & Bonnie L. O'Day, Rural Residents with Disabilities Confront Substantial Barriers to Obtaining Primary Care. Health Services Research, August 2006, pp. 1258-1275.

For free abstract or full text purchase: Click Here.

Request for Comments on the Proposed Comprehensive Plan for IDEA Part D National Activities

Source: Federal Register - November 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 227) The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services invites comments and recommendations from the public prior to finalizing the comprehensive plan for national activities authorized under subparts 2 and 3, part D of IDEA (Comprehensive Plan or Plan). DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 11, 2007.

For complete information go to the Federal Register.

Governor Perdue Announces November Revenue Figures

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of November 2006 (FY07) totaled $1,278,047,000 compared to $1,208,629,000 for November 2005 (FY06), an increase of $69,418,000 or 5.7 percent. The percentage increase year-to-date for FY07 compared to FY06 is 5.6 percent.

Senate Republicans launch website for public comments

The Walker County Messenger reported today about a new website developed by Senate republicans to make it easier for the public to suggest ideas...

Republican leaders in the state Senate announced a new initiative called “Georgia Speaks” — a program and Web site that lets citizens present their ideas for new legislation. Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) and Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) made the announcement during a press conference at the State Capitol on Monday.

“We are looking to give our constituents more input into the legislative process,” Williams said. “We are looking for ideas that will adhere to Georgia’s conservative principals.”

Some of the criteria the Senators will use when deciding whether to consider the potential legislation will include:

Will it reduce the size of government?
Will it strengthen our traditional family structure?
Will it reduce the tax burden for our citizens?
Will it increase personal responsibility?

“We want to see more Georgians get involved in the political process and share their ideas with us,” Williams said. “We are here to serve them and we hope they will use GeorgiaSpeaks as another way to communicate with us.”

Ethics and Intellectual Disabilities

The Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown was created with the support of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. The Institute has worked for decades on Bioethics issues and has a strong interest in bioethics and people with intellectual disabilities. They have recently devoted a section of their website to such issues, including a periodic newsletter on Ethics and Intellectual Disabilities.

THE 2007 DISABILITY POLICY SEMINAR

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 4 - 6

New Congress, New Opportunities, the theme for the 2007 Disability Policy Seminar, is a practical vision of the many new public policy opportunities for the millions of people with disabilities and their families nationwide once the 110th Congress commences. Everything from health care and family supports to civil rights and education could be on the table, and the disability community needs to be ready to press for a progressive disability policy agenda.

Democrats control the new Congress with only a slim majority, which will require working both sides of the aisle to achieve legislative successes. Bipartisanship, historically for the disability community, is a key ingredient to our successes on Capitol Hill. Together, The Arc of the United States, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD), AAMR/AAIDD and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) will look to our extensive grassroots networks to advocate in a bipartisan manner for national public policies promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our society.

On Sunday, March 4, at 9:30 a.m., participants will begin their two-days of in-depth, intense public policy discussions/presentations that end on March
5 at 6:00 p.m. And, on March 6, we will take our unified message to Capitol Hill.

What will we be talking about at the Seminar and lobbying on Capitol Hill?
We expect the following public policy issues will take center stage:

Developmental Disabilities Act
Family Support
Americans with Disabilities Act
Long-term Services and Supports
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Budget and Appropriations
Social Security
Capitol Hill staff and our nation's leading public policy experts, disability advocates and association leaders will be on hand to address these and other issues.

SEMINAR & HOTEL REGISTRATION
OPENS ON NOVEMBER 30
COMING SOON - REGISTRATION DETAILS AND DEADLINES

November 2006 Partners in Policymaking Updates

I hope you all had a relaxing Thanksgiving with family last weekend and are looking forward to the holiday season.

By now, you all should have received a phone call from two Partners alums, Susan Farner or Vickie Martin, to update your information and to ask you a few questions about your Partners training and your leadership development needs for the future. Thank you for taking their calls and sharing your advocacy experiences with them. The information you gave them has been put into the Partners database and is extremely valuable as we plan and assess the needs of Partner graduates and their level of advocacy after graduation.

In the surveys we have administered to graduates in the past year, education is one of the top priorities and areas of advocacy of Partners alumni. In response to that, we will be including more information on how to get involved in state level advocacy on education.
There will be stakeholder meetings around the state to get input on state regulations on special education. These meetings will be held during the months of December and January. If you attend, please send me an email and let me know what the experience was like. We will post it in a future blog.

To access the state regulations and dates, look for state rules on the DOE website.

Partner alumni are continuing to bring families out for Unlock’s “Conversations that Matter” with Dr. Steve Hall, director of the Office of DD. Attendance at each event has been excellent. Our next event is December 5 in Roswell from 6:30pm -8:30pm at the Teaching Museum. Contact Jennifer Carroll for more details or to volunteer.

Other dates include:
Macon on January 23 contact: Nalini Isaac
Savannah – February 20 contact: Mary Poncy
The Albany event is being rescheduled for February. contact Rosalyn Horne

Partners Postings:
Don Pollard is looking for interested athletes for power wheelchair soccer in the Conyers area.
Dot Jones is looking to start a networking/social group for all graduates in Athens and surrounding counties. Email rita@aadd.org if you want to contact Dot.

The January session at the Capitol is just around the corner!
Upcoming Advocacy Dates:
February 7th- Advocates Legislative Day at the Capitol. This is a new first time event for disability advocates. Contact Sarah Pike for details and to RSVP.
February 22nd – Disability Day at the Capitol. It is strongly suggested that you register early this year!

Panel Calls for Big Changes in Medicaid

The New York Times published this article on November 23rd about changes being discussed for Medicaid services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Only one person voted against it...

Gwendolyn G. Gillenwater, a commission member who is policy director of the American Association of People With Disabilities, an advocacy group, voted against the report. “People with disabilities have not had good experience with managed care,” Ms. Gillenwater said. “We need federal protections and safeguards. People with disabilities should at least have a choice of two managed care plans. And what are your choices if you opt out of managed care? The alternatives are getting more and more limited."

This debate is an important one as Georgia moves forward with additional funding for people with disabilities.

Moreover, it said states should be allowed to enroll some of the sickest Medicaid recipients, including nursing home residents and people with disabilities, in managed care plans. The panel said such plans “would provide a medical home and better coordinated care” for people entitled to both Medicaid and Medicare. Care is often fragmented now because Medicaid pays nursing homes while Medicare is the primary payer for doctors and hospitals, and in many cases “clinical data is not shared,” the panel said. People enrolled simultaneously in the two programs account for 13 percent of Medicaid recipients, but more than 40 percent of Medicaid costs. Medicaid, which is financed jointly by the federal government and the states, covers two-thirds of the nation’s 1.6 million nursing home residents.

The problem becomes when managed care means less care...

Senator Max Baucus of Montana, the Democrat in line to lead the Finance Committee, said many of the proposals would make it more difficult for “the most vulnerable Americans” to get comprehensive care. John C. Rother, policy director of AARP, the lobby for older Americans, said, “In some states, flexibility means cutting benefits.”

How do we offer more flexbility and control without risking the level of care that makes community living for people with disabilities possible?

Their siblings' keepers: When parents die, disabled adults need help

Gayle White wrote a very nice article in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the aging of family cargivers who are taking care of people with developmental disabilities who are also aging. As she reports, more than 17,000 Georgians with developmental disabilities or 711,000 nationwide were living with caregivers 60 or older.

As of September, the list of Georgia residents of all ages on the waiting list for services from respite to 24-hour care was about 6,600. Almost 3,700 needed immediate help, according to the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Legislators increased funding in Georgia to create 1,500 slots for Medicaid-funded services in fiscal year 2007—-up from 30 two years ago. But some applicants need multiple "slots" or services, and 1,100 people enter the system each year.

Consider sending Gayle White a thank you email for her coverage. There is still time to help make a difference by sending the Governor a letter asking him to continue his support for Unlocking Georgia's waiting lists for disability supports.

Governor Perdue's Response to Letters on Unlock the Waiting Lists

Dear

Thank you for contacting my office and sharing your thoughts and concerns regarding services for Georgians with disabilities. I am pleased that the voices of people with disabilities, their families and other disability advocates are strong in Georgia, and I want to assure you that we hear those voices.

From listening, we know that Georgians with disabilities want alternatives to institutional care. They want to be active, participating members of their own communities, and they want a fair chance to be a part of Georgia's great workforce.

I am very proud of the support that we have been able to provide for Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disability (MR/DD) services during my administration. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, we provided funding for 925 new MR/DD services. The FY 2007 Appropriation Bill included funding for 1,500 new Medicaid Waiver services including funding to allow 150 children, adolescents and adults with DD to transition from institutions to community services. Also, the FY 2007 budget included funds to strengthen our MR/DD system's capacity to meet the increasingly complex needs of our consumer population. On an annual basis, the FY 2007 appropriation will total over $19 million in state dollars, the largest increase in MR/DD funding in Georgia's history.

Developing our state's budget involves making difficult decisions as we must weigh and prioritize the many competing and important needs of the people of our state. However, I want to assure you that I will not forget my respect for and commitment to Georgians with disabilities during this budget cycle.

Again, I want to thank you for sharing your unique prospective. I encourage you to also share your thoughts and concerns with your legislators. The General Assembly has the ultimate responsibility in the allocation of our state's resources. If you need contact information for your members, it is available from your county board of voter registration. As always, I appreciate hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time in the future.


Sincerely,
Sonny Perdue

Texas settles with advocacy group on Unlock the Waiting List

Summary: Pursuant to a settlement between the State and the Arc, State officials will ask lawmakers for money to reduce waiting lists for programs that provide at-home services. VOR will be studying the specifics of this settlement to determine what impact it may have on developmental center residents.

By Corrie MacLaggan
American-Statesman
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

As part of a lawsuit settlement, state officials will ask for more money to stop the growth of waiting lists for state services for people with mental retardation and other disabilities and reduce the number of people on the lists 5 percent to 10 percent a year.

Advocates say the settlement could lead to as many as 60,000 more people getting care at home or in group homes, rather than in institutions: those now on waiting lists plus those who are added to the lists in the next few years.

"This is a real issue of civil rights for individuals with disabilities," said Geoffrey Courtney, general counsel for the Arc of Texas, which is an advocate for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. "It enables them to live where they want to live."

But state Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin, a member of the House Human Services Committee and a supporter of reducing the waiting lists, said the settlement might not mean the issue is resolved. "I'm hopeful that the leadership in the Legislature will do the right thing, but I'm not convinced that it will happen," he said.

If it doesn't, Naishtat said, he expects advocates to file another lawsuit.

Ted Hughes, a spokesman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said his agency has "long been concerned about the (waiting) lists as is evidenced by our ongoing efforts to reduce, and eventually eliminate, them."

The settlement involves a 2002 lawsuit by the Arc of Texas that said the state violated federal law granting options to people with mental retardation and other disabilities to remain at home or in group homes.


The lawsuit involved two programs that provide home-based nursing care, physical therapy, respite care and other services for people with disabilities. There were about 15,000 people on the waiting lists for
Those programs when the lawsuit was filed in 2002. There are now about 45,000.


"This is an issue that could potentially bring tremendous benefit to thousands of families across the state," said Mike Bright, executive director of the Arc of Texas. "Families can have hope that the state of Texas is going to be responding to a critical need as a result of this settlement."

But the people won't get the services if the Legislature, which convenes in January, doesn't approve $254.7 million in state dollars, which will be requested by the Health and Human Services Commission.

Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit was Jamie Travis, whose daughter, Christy, 27, has severe physical and mental disabilities and requires around-the-clock supervision. Travis, who lives in West Columbia, near Houston, spent nine years on a waiting list for the state program that provides the services.

Now, she has a chance to take a break from full-time caregiving and volunteer at her other children's school. "It's been pretty awesome," said Travis, whose daughter is one of 12,000 Texans moving off of state waiting lists as part of a plan approved by legislators in 2005 that is not directly related to the lawsuit.

But 85,000 elderly Texans and those with disabilities are still on Waiting lists for programs that allow them to live at home or in group homes. The lawsuit aimed to reduce the waiting lists for two of the programs, both of which involved people with disabilities.

Partners in Policymaking Fall 2006

Great news! Voices That Count graduates have been added to our database and will be included in all of our future advocacy efforts and trainings. Voices that Count is a training program geared toward the issues for self advocates and has about 100 graduates. Combining the two will give us access to over 500 trained advocates across the state. Voices and Partners are both sponsored by the Georgia Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. With that in mind, what is your suggestion on what to call this monthly newsletter that would include everyone?

A series of workshops entitled “Conversations that Matter” have been organized across the state by Partners alumni. Forums were held in Athens, Suwannee, and Augusta in October with huge success! All events were attended by legislators and have been well attended by the public. The events were held in key legislative districts, and were centered on informing families about the new MRWP waiver. The series will continue through February. Please volunteer and attend if you live near the events. For more information, go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/townhalls.html

To contact the leaders, click on their names below.

December 5 Roswell Jennifer Carroll
January 16 Albany Rosalyn Horne
January 23 Macon Nalini Isaac
February 20 Savannah Mary Poncy

February 7th 2007, we will hold a separate legislative training at the Capitol for a smaller group of advocates. This effort will be held on a different day than Disability Day, which will be February 23rd. If you would like to be a part of this unique training experience, please contact Sarah Pike. Sarah is a PIP graduate and is recruiting participants for us. The training centers around pre-set, one-on-one meetings with legislators to discuss specific issues regarding Unlock the Waiting list and funding for waivers.

ACTION ALERT: Please send your letters to the Governor regarding Unlock. We need 2000 letters to get to him by the end of the year. We are at 69% of that goal.

We have made it very easy at http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/actionalert.html

August 2006 Partners in Policymaking

August 2006


Partners Alumni Take the Lead in “Conversations That Matter”

Unlock the Waiting Lists! and the Georgia Department of Human Resources will be hosting Disability Town Hall Meetings across the state this fall and winter. Partners graduates have stepped up and will lead and organize the events. The meetings will focus on learning about the new waiver system, building awareness for Unlock the Waiting Lists!, and in networking with others in communities who care about disability issues. Dr. Steve Hall, Director of the Office of Developmental Disabilities, will our main presenter. The meetings will be held in Gwinnett, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Augusta, North Fulton and Albany. Dates and locations will be finalized soon. There is interest in having an 8th event in Henry county. If you can help, email lpwilson@numail.org If you live in those areas we want you to attend, volunteer the night of the event, or help promote the event in your area. Please contact the following leaders:

Gwinnett -Karen Addams KAddams@aol.com
North Fulton -Jennifer Carroll jenniferofroswell@msn.com
Macon Nalini -Isaac nalini@a1-hosting.com
Albany- Rosalyn Horne rosalyn@swga-easterseals.org
Savannah- Vicki Sumner vsumner@alltel.net
Augusta- Rene Collins augustape@bellsouth.net
Athens- Lynn Jones JLynnpjones@aol.com
Pam Moore psmoore91@yahoo.com


Opportunities to get involved :

Alumni Paula Rafferty Miller needs two grads to advocate for two individuals who are adults with disabilities and have no family members. One is Gwinnett and one is in Covington. This is an excellent opportunity to use your abilities to provide your knowledge of resources and support skills to help. Please contact her by clicking her name above or calling 404-885-1234.

Cares and concerns:

Suzanne Hugueley, class of 2001 has tragically lost her adult son. She has suffered the loss of both of her adult children in the past few years. Please send her a note of encouragement.

If you have a leadership/volunteer opportunity or want to post a concern about your family, please send it to rita@aadd.org

Stories of improving lives span 50 years

Gracie Bonds Staples wrote a wonderful piece today in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on AADD's recent celebration of 50 years of stories.

One day a group of parents, the story goes, sat around a coffee table and decided the time had come to create opportunities for children with developmental disabilities. They were frustrated. They wanted more than a life of isolation for their children. They wanted them to grow up with family. parents have crossed over. And some are still here in this room with Mary Yoder and the people who've benefited from their actions.

Partners in Policymaking July 2006

At the beginning of July, I was given the opportunity to attend the Toronto Summer Institute on Inclusion, Community and Diversity. Participants came from as far away as Russia, Scotland and China to learn and exchange ideas on what makes a community open to including people with disabilities. It was an opportunity to hear from the top experts in North America on Community Building. Speakers like John McKnight, John O’Brien, Mike Green and Henry Moore who have spent years researching community assets and resources.

As we think about the future of Partners and Partners alumni it reminded me of several things I heard at the Institute: in order to change systems we must engage with each other. With over 400 well trained and informed graduates, the impact you are having in your communities could fill textbooks. Putting a price tag on that work would be impossible.

With that in mind, we have added a new feature to the website to capture the impact of your valuable work. This is an opportunity for you to update us on projects, workgroups, leadership positions, volunteer or paid employment that you are involved in. So, go ahead and brag on yourself! And don’t be modest! So much of what we do goes on under the radar screen, but we care about the influence you are having at the local, state and national levels. Each month, we will send this out as a link to within the newsletter. Please fill it out when you can. Also, if you have a need for volunteers or have a special concern with yourself or a family member that you want to send out to all graduates, send that too, and we will include that too in newsletters.

The link is :
http://www.aadd.org/newsite/programs/alumni.html

Lastly, one of the speakers at the Institute said “ the future is changed one conversation at a time”. We know the knowledge gained from Partners has had a lasting impact on more than just the 400 grads. You all have had those individual conversations, with teachers, administrators, providers, neighbors, friends, children, doctors, and so many others. Thank you for continuing to spread the word on the importance of building communities of inclusion and acceptance. I can’t imagine what Georgia's future would be like without you.

Giving people the choice to move from insitutions is within our State's grasp

This issue is simple, people with disabilities should be given the choice of where they live.

Right now, over 2,000 persons with disabilities are living state institutions and over 5,700 persons with disabilities are living in nursing homes. On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions constitutes discrimination based on disability. However, Georgia still spends only 39% of its Medicaid long-term care dollars on Medicaid home and community based waiver services.

States will get additional help from the federal government to support elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients who wish to live in the community rather than institutions, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced on July 26th.

July 26th CMS's Press Release on MFP

Georgia's "institutional bias" has created real financial disincentives to offer these persons in institutions real choices where they can live.

You can help by adding your organization to the letter written to the Governor below that urges Georgia to adopt a policy that will allow money to follow persons from nursing homes and institutions into the community. You can add your organization to this letter with just one click.

July 26, 2006

Honorable Sonny Perdue
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334

Dear Governor Perdue:

On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions constitutes discrimination based on disability. The court ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placement for individuals with disabilities. This historic decision makes attainable a goal long-sought by the disability rights movement, a community first approach to long term care (LTC).

In the July/August issue of the Journal Health Affairs, H. Stephen Kaye’s, professor at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California - San Francisco noted that in recent years, there’s been a large and steady increase in the number of home and community based (HCBS) workers — from 264,000 in 1989 to 894,000 in 2004. The aging baby boomer generation will continue to increase demand.

After years of mounting evidence that the long term care system is failing people with disabilities, health policy experts agree, it's time to reduce our dependency on nursing homes and other institutions and implement a community first approach. Both the Olmstead decision and DRA present an opportunity to rebalance Georgia's long term care system. One of the biggest problems with Medicaid-financed long-term care has been its "institutional bias." Medicaid paid mostly for nursing home care and much less for home care over the years. That imbalance has been changing for a decade or more but still exists. In fact, according to CMS, as part of clinical assessments of all residents in Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing homes, 5,774 Georgians expressed a preference to return to the community. During the same year, Georgia spent $1,065,938,986 of its Medicaid long-term care dollars on nursing facility services (nursing homes, ICF/MR institutions, swing beds) (61%). In contrast, Georgia spent $419,092,665 (39%) of its Medicaid long-term care dollars on Medicaid home and community based waiver services (Community Care Services Program, Mental Retardation Waiver, Community Habilitation and Support Services Waiver, Model Waiver, Source Program, Dedicated Case management, and Independent Care Waiver Program).

The undersigned groups want to know which incentives in DRA you plan to utilize to meet Georgia’s commitment to people with disabilities. In particular we're interested in Money Follows the Person (MFP), a policy that Texas successfully implemented. CMS released the Request for Proposal (RFP) for MFP on July 26th and it is our expectation that Georgia will respond to this RFP and begin the long overdue journey to re-balancing the LTC system.

We'd appreciate a response by August 15. To sit on the sidelines would be a disservice to all Georgians. We look forward to working with you to prepare a sound proposal.


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Why Georgia Needs a New Waiver...

The waiver is ready to be sent by DCH for approval by CMS, but has not been sent yet. However, we have learned that the Governor's office continues to be committed to the principles of the new waiver and is working with CMS (the federal department that oversees the approval process of our new waiver) and other entities to determine how to move forward. To see what the Governor said recently about the waiver and our recent success - read his letter that was published recently in Making a Difference Magazine in the post below.

Also, the memo below is from the Director for the Office of Developmental Disabilities and explains the potential changes that could come from this new waiver...

July 18, 2006

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: People with Developmental Disabilities, Their Providers, and Those That Care So Much About What Happens

FROM: Stephen R. Hall, Director - Office of Developmental Disabilities

SUBJECT: New Waivers for Georgia

For too long Georgians with disabilities have had to fit into an old vehicle knows as the original Medicaid Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP). This vehicle has been modified, patched up, amended, and made more reasonable over the years. Over these same years other states have abandoned their old original waivers, stopped amending them, and have written new Medicaid Waivers for their citizens with developmental disabilities. It is now Georgia’s long overdue turn to send the New Options Waiver and the new Comprehensive Supports Waiver on to Baltimore, Maryland for federal approval.

1. A first ever Community Supports Waiver, called NOW, that will ensure real self-determination through individual budgets.
2. Fair funding with the statewide Supports Intensity Scale Assessment ensuring that the funding is determined based on the person’s exact need.
3. Transportation, dental, behavior, and support coordination services will all be within the new waiver so families can decide, based on their son or daughter’s individual budget, just how much of these new services they want and can afford.
4. Community Guide Services are in the new waivers. These Community Guides will work for and be employed by persons with disabilities and their families.

We have spent eight long months building a new efficient customer-driven system through two new Medicaid Waivers. It is time to say the last rights on the old MRWP and CHSS waivers and welcome the new NOW and COMP waivers. It is time for people with disabilities and their families to live in The New Georgia.

Governor Perdue comments on the proposed new waiver for people with disabilities

We have made great progress over recent years in meeting the needs of Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families including responding to the Olmstead mandate. During this next year we expect 100 people to move from state institutions into the community with the necessary support. This includes 44 children under the age of 21 who have been growing up in state facilities instead of with loving, supportive families.

We have substantially increased the number of Medicaid Waivers that support individuals with developmental disabilities. In 2005, funds were available to support 925 waivers; an unprecedented 1,500 were awarded this year, and we are committed to building on this progress in the future.

Georgia currently has the oldest Medicaid waivers in the country, ones for the most part, require that people fit into existing program. Today, the Department of Human Resources Office of Developmental Disabilities is rewriting the waiver program in order to give more people with developmental disabilities support based on their exact needs. Under the new waivers, people with disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism will be able to have more control over the types of home and community-based services they receive and who provides those services.

Instead of investing in outdated facilities, buildings and programs that segregate people with disabilities, Georgia is investing directly in individuals and families – individuals who want employment, housing, membership in civic and community organizations and families who want to keep their young children at home.

As a result of the new waivers, and consumer-driven services, Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families will have greater control and choice. You can expect the State of Georgia to continue its progress toward providing home and community-based services for our citizens with disabilities. And, as Governor, I look forward to our working together to improve the lives of individuals and families.


Sonny Perdue
Governor
Making a Difference Magazine, Summer 2006

Help ensure strong funding for programs like Partners In Policymaking

The National Association of Developmental Disability Councils is working to increasing the federal dollars that support the work of the Governor’s Councils. The Georgia Governor’s Council has a proven track record of supporting life changing programs such as Partners
in Policymaking for so it is important you strongly support for the work that they do by responding to this email.

We need you to contact Senator Johnny Isakson and Senator Saxby Chambliss and encourage them to support increased funding for Councils. The critical date is July 18th.

If you decide to call, ask to speak to the staffer who handles disability issues and tell them that you would,

"ask the Senator to provide $84.5 million to State DD Councils when the Senate Subcommittee marks-up its Labor, HHS, Education spending bill on July 18, 2006"

(202) 224-3643 Isakson: Staffer is Tyler Thompson

(202) 224-3521 Chambliss: Staffer is Steve Rebillot

Let us know automatically that you have helped by making your call.

If you decide to email, you will need to go to their website and cut and paste the text from below into the message box.

Johnny Isakson's Website or Saxby Chambliss' Website

Let us know automatically that you have helped by sending your email.

When the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies marks up its spending bill on July 18, 2006, it is imperative that State and Territorial Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD) receive adequate funding in FY 2007.

I ask you and the Subcommittee to appropriate $84.5 million to DD Councils under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 106-402).

Councils struggle not only to meet their obligations under the DD Act, but also to address unmet needs within their States. When the 106th Congress reauthorized the DD Act in 2000, the authority for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities was increased to $76 million and “such sums as necessary” for FY 2001-2007, in recognition of the significant work of these entities within each State and Territory. To date, Councils have not been funded at this authorization level, nor have they received a standard cost of living adjustment in recent appropriations bills.

In FY 2001, 2002 and 2003, some Councils lost up to 20% of their funding as a result of a legislative drafting error when specific “hold harmless” language was inadvertently omitted during the drafting of the last reauthorization of the DD Act in 2000. Further, over the last two fiscal years, Councils have experienced a one- and two-percent rescission that dealt a serious blow to their individual budgets. During this period, our sister agencies authorized by the DD Act – University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies – have received appropriation increases. The intent of the DD Act is that all three entities in each State and Territory work in partnership to produce positive systems change. As Councils fall further behind in funding, they find it increasingly difficult to be full collaborators in these partnerships.

We, ask, therefore, that the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies provide funding that makes up for these rescissions, as well as a cost of living adjustment.

Despite these cuts, Councils have continued to make a positive impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities in each State and Territory. Their work has gone well beyond the original investment of Federal dollars. Still, Councils are struggling to fulfill their responsibility of improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities in this country. Thank you for your continued leadership on behalf of people with developmental disabilities in our State.

Campaign Round Up

Perdue emphasizes accomplishments: Perdue noted he inherited a $640 million budget deficit when he took office, but when the fiscal year ends at the end of the month, the state will have a budget surplus of more than $500 million.

The speaker makes a pick in a House primary: Richardson on Wednesday endorsed Mark Williams, a business leader in Jessup, in the Republican contest to replace retiring state Rep. Hinson Mosley in District 178.

OnlineAthens.com | News | Districts likely in place for primary 06/21/06: ...with absentee balloting already under way for the July 18 primary election, state Rep. Jane Kidd, D-Athens, and Republican Bill Cowsert almost certainly will face off in one of two state Senate districts carved from Clarke County. State Sen. Ralph Hudgens, R-Comer, and Democrat Mac Rawson will compete in the other district.

Campaign Round Up

Perdue, Cox paint different pictures of where state stands | ajc.com: To Secretary of State Cathy Cox, a leading Democratic candidate for governor, Georgia's economy is hemorrhaging jobs, its schools are struggling and its political system is plagued by mindless partisanship. jobs, schools are improving and the political system has produced bipartisan support for his agenda.

Macon Telegraph | 06/16/2006 | Lieutenant governor candidates face off in debate Reed backs legislation to limit state spending and return surpluses to Georgia taxpayers. Cagle, who said he's never voted for a tax increase, said limiting state spending should be more of a focus in the race.

Campaign Round Up

OnlineAthens.com | Opinion | Shipp: Reed is viewed as threat by many in the Georgia Republican Party: ...much of Georgia's GOP establishment views Reed as a menacing figure with national aspirations. The recently entrenched Republican leadership, many of whom were formerly B-list Democrats, has no intention of giving up their newfound power to Reed or anyone else. So they are gathering forces to crush the potential new kingpin before he can gain a beachhead.

Macon Telegraph | 06/13/2006 | Fish fry a grand old party tradition: They spent much of the four days leading up to the party mowing grass, setting up picnic tables and readying their home to receive an anticipated crowd of 200...to prepare for the dinner of fried catfish, hush puppies, french fries and coleslaw.

The Interview: Mike Cheokas vs Bill McGowan

Campaign Round Up

Taylor hits the trail in South Fulton | The Citizen Online: Taylor pledged to stop annual cuts to schools that have been the equivalent of $600 per child in Fulton County...

Mary Perdue adjusts to new 'normal' life | ajc.com: Mary Perdue also formed the Children's Cabinet. Composed of leaders from state agencies, its mission is to stem child abuse and neglect and to promote foster care and adoption.

Georgia still looking to Reshape Medicaid supports

Over a year ago, a proposal from the Governor's office to reform our Medicaid system was circulated. Following the release of this paper, there were a number of meetings attempting to build consensus to redesign Medicaid services in Georgia that eventually stalled with no real progress. It seems this effort has resurfaced in an invitation for an event to be held on June 30th that was forwarded by Mark Johnson entitled "A Call to Action: Redesigning Medicaid Long-Term Care (LTC)." Speakers for this workshop include:

Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner for DCH, Renard Murray, Associate Regional, Administrator CMS, Region IV, Joy Cameron - NGA Center for Best Practices, Donna Deleno Neuworth and Van Thomas, AARP Policy Institute, Patrick Flood – Commissioner, Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities, and Governor Sonny Perdue

During the day, work groups will be exploring ideas such as Helping Individuals with Disabilities Return to the Workplace, Developing a State Long-Term Care Partnership Program, Developing Self-Directed Personal Care Services without a Waiver, Expanding Insurance Coverage for Persons with Disabilities, Offering HCBS Without Waivers, and Offering HCBS Alternatives to Children in Psychiatric Residential.

Four days after I recieved this email, I stumbled on an article in the Washington Post entitled States' Changes Reshape Medicaid.

After winning greater freedom from federal Medicaid rules, states are moving aggressively to transform the nation's largest public health insurance program, adding fees, restricting benefits and creating incentives for patients to take responsibility for their health. The changes are just beginning in several states that are being watched closely by governors nationwide. Those changes are reshaping Medicaid, which covers 55 million poor and disabled Americans, so that the program more closely resembles private insurance, rather than a social welfare system run with a strong, central government hand. Since its creation in the 1960s, Medicaid has been a shared responsibility of the federal government and the states. States shoulder more than 40 percent of the cost, which totals $338 billion this year, and have always had certain freedom to decide how many benefits to cover. But the federal government has determined many of the program's basic contours.

Last December, Congress granted states broad flexibility to alter benefits, charge patients more and expand the role of private insurers as part of a law that will cut federal Medicaid spending by $43 billion in the next decade. Even before the law, the Bush administration was sympathetic to states that wanted greater say over how their programs are designed. The law, called the Deficit Reduction Act, and the administration's policies have eliminated a hallmark of the program: Until now, every Medicaid patient within a state has qualified for the same benefits.

Medicaid's new direction borrows ideas from the overhaul of the welfare system a decade ago. That transformation also decentralized a major piece of the social safety net, limited government assistance, expanded the private sector's role and tried to instill self-reliance in low-income people who had depended on government help. Alan Levine, secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, said the revised Medicaid will give patients more "emotional buy-in" by increasing their choices and incentive to take care of themselves, while eventually saving the state money. "We are doing it for the right reasons."

The article finished with a quote from Alan Levine, "I just hope it works." A lot of people's who depend on this saftey net share his hope.

Candidates for Lt Governor square off in debates

The two Republican candidates for lieutenant governor made a stop in Cherokee County on Monday night to answer questions from local residents. Click here for the story

All the Candidates will come together on June 6th, sponsored by the League of Women Voters. They have invited Casey Cagle, Greg Hecht, Griffin Lotson, Jim Martin, Steen Miles, Ralph Reed & Rufus Terrill to the Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta 30306. Directions can be found at clicking here. Voter Registration volunteers will be available at the event and free child care will be provided. The Voter Registration Deadline for the Primary is June 19th.

Perdue Calls for Special Session

Given the recent decision regarding gay marriage, Governor Perdue has said he will calls for a Special Session on August 9th. Some others views

Former Atlanta city council president Cathy Woolard is in a committed relationship. Like many in the gay community, she worried the amendment denies her, and her partner, benefits straight couples take for granted. But, she said the state's battle bothers her as a taxpayer, because Georgia law already prohibits gay marriage.

But on a special session, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor’s campaign said, “He hopes the courts will move quickly to overturn this decision, without the need for any other costly action. We'll reserve judgement on a special session until we see a court decision."

Secretary of State Cathy Cox, the other Democratic challenger, released a statement that said, “I strongly support Attorney General Thurbert Baker's ruling to appeal. Should his efforts fail, I agree that the general assembly should meet in special session."

Other papers have also reported around the state: In Savannah Now, Gov may call special session on gay marriage and a report by 11 Alive, The question now is will it work that way again? and in the Access North Georgia, Gay marriage ruling a boon for state GOP.

And what is the cost to us? The legislative fiscal office estimates $32,500 per day for a five-day session.

Campaign Round Up

The race for Governor has opinions directed in all directions...two months left before the primary and some are saying that Coxis dead in the water.

Meanwhile, the Macon Telegraph editorials are suggesting that Perdue's TV ads are misleading.

Strategic Vision recently released their polls based on 800 voters from May5-7.

Rep. Mickey Channell finds competition

As reported in Wilkes County's News-Reporter, Michael Horgan will run against Mickey Channell in the House District 116. The Republican, Rep Channell recently switched parties and is respected for his understanding of Medicaid issues. Channell currently serves on the sub committee that oversees the DHR and DCH budgets and so his support could be vital to the success of the Unlock the Waiting List Campaign.

Success! Now we must look forward...

The election is an exciting opportunity to develop relationships with state legislators that can help to Unlock Georgia's waiting lists for home and community based services. The first step is to find out who is running in your area.

Go to the Secretary of State's website for a list of persons who have already declared their intent for run for office.

Campaign Round Up

Rockdale Citizen News State Sen. John Douglas would push to eliminate Georgia’s state income tax and replace it with a 5 percent sales tax, or “FairTax.”

Red and Black Cagle said Reed was responsible for a “fraudulent” 1998 commercial, which accused Taylor of being a drug user. “That is despicable,” Cagle said.

Henry Daily Herald More candidates for Governor than Perdue, Cox, and Taylor. 2 more throw their hat in...

An Open Letter to Families who have School Children with Developmental

Beyond this date, April 25, 2006, please widely distribute to families that have children of any age with developmental disabilities in Georgia’s public schools. This memo should be given to parents. It contains important information for families to think about and to begin planning for when their son or daughter becomes an adult.

Significant and rather magnificent changes are coming that will have great impact on people with developmental disabilities. The State Office of Developmental Disabilities is writing new Medicaid Waivers that will give each person an individual budget of financial resources based on his or her exact needs. These resources must only be used to purchase services or supports of significant benefit. But let me back up a bit, introduce myself, and the reason I am writing this letter to you. I would like to explain what a Medicaid Waiver is and why it is important to you.

I am Steve Hall and I am the Georgia State Director of the Office of Developmental Disabilities. I lead a team of folks that are dedicated to the health, safety, well-being, and the realization of a meaningful life for everyone in Georgia that has developmental disabilities. Over the past several months we spoke at dozens of public forums and conferences statewide about the coming new Medicaid Waivers for Developmental Disabilities. At those meetings, time and time again, families of children who currently attend public school in Georgia would come to me and say, “Steve, this is so important. Few families are even aware of what you are talking about.” Sometimes special education teachers said the same thing. Medicaid Waivers are how States “waive” or change the federal Medicaid rules in a manner to better serve their citizens with developmental disabilities. Before there were Medicaid Waivers, most of these federal Medicaid funds were used by each state to run their government institutions. A more proper name for the Medicaid Waivers is Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers.

What happens to your children, teenagers, and young adults during their public school years is very important to me and the citizens of Georgia. What happens in school makes all the difference in the world. I have been a school teacher, school administrator, have taught teachers going back to the university for their masters degrees, and have worked as an executive leader for almost two decades. Based on these experiences, I must share three best practices with you that I learned along the way:

1. Good Special Education greatly reduces the need for supports and the
   taxpayer cost of supports throughout the person’s life. Good Special Education
   supports the student in the regular classroom. Good Special Education provides
   community-based instruction outside of the classroom to better prepare the child
   for an adult life in the community.
2. The best special education services occur in the regular kindergarten classroom, elementary classroom, middle school classroom, junior high classroom, and high school classrooms that are located where the other children in your neighborhood are in class.
3. For most children with developmental disabilities, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) should be written to include non-school building instruction in work and other community environments during the school day, beginning by at least age 14.

Georgia’s new Home and Community Based Medicaid Waivers are prepared to support children and adults to live, work, and participate in full community life alongside other citizens who do not have developmental disabilities. “Places for them,” day centers, sheltered workshops, and taxpayer dollars staying with the government to run institutions are being replaced and closed all around the United States, including Georgia. Instead of facilities, buildings, and other “for the disabled only” programs, taxpayers are investing in people with developmental disabilities themselves and want professionals to provide the services and supports in the real life of the community with everyone else.

Employment is very important. Over 200,000 people with developmental disabilities, who professionals and parents thought could never hold a real job, are employed throughout the United States through a practice known as Supported Employment. In the past, our own fears and lack of knowledge was the greatest barrier to people having a real job and becoming taxpayers. In addition to meaningful productive work, membership in clubs, groups, churches, and associations is just as important. Parents do not live forever. This is why I have written this letter to you. People with disabilities need to be valued members of their community so they are not solely relying upon their parents for resources, safety, companionship, and love.

Our children will be successful throughout their adult lives to the extent that we as parents recognize the importance of their living alongside others who are different from themselves—not just people who have similar disabilities, not just people who are paid to be with them, and not just family members who already love them. I want you to remember that your son or daughter did not do anything wrong. People who have never done anything wrong are not put in special places just for them or excluded in any other way from the workplaces, groups, or places where all the rest of us live, work, and enjoy ourselves. Special centers, special classes only for others who have such disabilities, and any program that takes our children away from the other children, do not result in people spending the rest of their lives with the rest of us in the real world. All citizens with disabilities, including those men, women, and children with the most significant disabilities, should develop relationships with other citizens and be a valued member of the real world.

Disability World is not the real world. When children begin their educational lives in rooms and other places separate from children of the same age, they start down a path that most often ends as an adult existing outside of where everyone else in society lives, works, and plays. An adult with a developmental disability who is a part of, not apart from, society is the result when children are alongside the other children that they will spend their adult lives with right from the start.

I hope this letter is helpful. I do not expect you to agree with everything that I have said and it is you, as your child’s parent, who will always know what is best. If you agree with what I have said, then many others agree with you, and if you disagree with me, then you have plenty of company also.

The purpose of this letter is to share my knowledge and experiences that when children with disabilities are educated alongside children who do not have disabilities, and it is done right, then the outcomes as an adult are better. Less support is needed when they become an adult. People live longer. They are happier.

You are welcome to copy, email, and share this with others. I am looking forward to working on behalf of your son or daughter throughout his or her adult life. Please let me know what you think about what I have said, whether you agree or disagree. Your opinion matters to me.

Sincerely,


Stephen R. Hall, Ph.D., Director
Georgia Office of Developmental Disabilities
srhall1@dhr.state.ga.us

Campaign Roundup

Cathy Cox's campaign manager, Morton Brillant, resigned Wednesday after being accused of mucking around with some online information on Mark Taylor. No word yet on his replacement.
State Representative Stacey Reece of Gainesville has said he will not seek re-election on Wednesday, saying that his decision not to seek a State Senate seat or run for re-election had nothing to do with a controversy over an engagement party for him and his financee' which was paid for by lobbyists. "There's been a lot of questions about that," Reece said in an interview with AccessNorthGa.com late Wednesday afternoon. "I think one little blip on the radar screen is not what you base changing a political career over. My supporters were very encouraging for me to continue but they also understood that I'm a family man first."

The AJC reported that State Reps. Johnny Floyd of Cordele and Richard Royal of Camilla formally switched their loyalties, as the week of qualifying for statewide candidates continued. That brings the number of Democratic House switchers this year to four. The Republican majority in the 180-member House now stands at 104.

Other qualifying news includes Willie Hinton and Steen Miles announcing their intention, as well as a number of candidates from the Thomasville area.

Medicaid to make major shift in state

Medicaid to make major shift in state...

The twice-delayed overhaul, called Georgia Healthy Families, will begin June 1 in the metro Atlanta and Macon and Columbus areas. Aimed at saving millions of dollars a year — partly by discouraging patients from using hospital emergency rooms for routine medical care — the plan is considered the biggest change in the history of Georgia Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor and disabled....The 500,000 who get Medicaid coverage in the "aged, blind and disabled" category — many in long-term care — aren't included in the new program.

Rep Mike Keown eyes re-election in House District 173

Keown eyes re-election in House District 173, a district located in Thomasville. Thomasville is of course nestled between Valdosta and Bainbdridge and borders Florida - as below the gnat line as you can get in Georgia. Rep. Keown, Thomasville-R has not taken a stand on disability issues by completing our survey, yet...

"It's simply good policy."

A recent article in the Atlanta Creative Loafing did a highlighting some of the recent success with Unlocking the Waiting Lists.

In a budget marked by tight purse strings when it came to paying for social services, the Legislature approved a significant increase in funding to move people with developmental disabilities out of institutions and into communities.

The article ends with me saying that it is simply good policy...It is a great phrase, but I have to give someone else credit. Rep. Ben Harbin, Evans-R actually said it first during a committee hearing when presenting his budget to his colleagues.

Its Official!

As suspected earlier, this news from a Press Release from the GOP...

Today in Greensboro, GA, State Representative Mickey Channell announced he is joining the Georgia Republican Party. He is the 14th legislator to switch to the Republican Party since the Perdue administration took over in 2002.

“As I’ve said, the Republican Party is the fastest growing family in Georgia, and this is yet another example of that truth,” said Georgia Republican Party Chairman Alec Poitevint. “We look forward to working with Mickey as we continue to improve education, create jobs, and do what is best for the citizens of Georgia.”

Channell has represented the people of district 116 since 1992.

Bordeaux and Zamarrippa will not run again

Senator Sam Zamarrippa, Atlanta-D announced his retirement from the Senate. He has been a long time friend to our issues and will be missed. Rep. Nan Orrock, Atlanta-D has already announced that she intends to run for his seat.

Savannah area legislator, Rep Tom Bordeaux, Savannah-D announced that he will not be running for relection. He will be helping Cathy Cox run for Governor.

Georgia's revenues rising...always important to us

The thousands of people with disabilities waiting for help really is a issues only connected to the bottom line...how many dollars fund our supports? Right now, the amount Georgia puts to home and community based supports has fallen from 7th in the 1970s to 46th today. In order to reverse this trend in Georgia, our effots must become sophisticated to understand this bottom line...

This election year will be tied to our state's rising revenue. It will affect how our candidates run on all levels. By the numbers:

Revenue in March increased 6.5 percent over March 2005, according to a state Department of Revenue report released Monday. That is an increase of about $73.2 million. And for fiscal year 2006, which ends June 30, collections are up 9.6 percent, or $1.028 billion, over the same period in 2005.

Health coverage reform - Everyone's concern

Julie Appleby with the USA TODAY did a piece this morning covering efforts across the county to reform healthcare . Georgia ought to be paying attention and use this election year to define the issue for our state. Because of the high rates of uninsured, states are not waiting on the federal government to deal with this issue. According to this article, we have uninsured rates of 16.6%, so we should not wait either.

Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday approved a law that would require everyone in the state to carry health insurance by 2007 or risk losing tax credits or facing fines. Employers would have to offer coverage or pay a $295 per worker annual assessment.

Americus, Georgia - Gerald Smith announces plans to run for House as a Republican

The Americus Times Recorder is reporting that Gerald E. Smith, of Americus, announced Monday that he intends to run as a Republican for the State House of Representatives, District 134 against the incumbent 134 Rep. Mike Cheokas, D-Americus. Rep. Cheokas has not completed our survey and Mr. Smith did not mention disability issues as part of his agenda...

“I believe that Americus and Sumter County communities are on the verge of some great and new things,” said Smith during a telephone interview. Those “great and new things,” he attributed to a turnaround in area schools. “We want this community to prosper and do as well as we can. That starts with education. It starts with that basic concept of education, and that every child should be getting a good education,” said Smith, echoing President Bush and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, both of whom have backed the controversial “No Child Left Behind” legislation.

It will be up to you to ask them to take a stand like so many others.

Article Roundup

Perdue campaigns against two new candidates

The statewide Young Democrats convention at the University Friday and Saturday marked the kickoff to the campaign season for two gubernatorial candidates. Secretary of State Cathy Cox and Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor are competing in the Democratic primary to run for governor against Republican incumbent Gov. Sonny Perdue. Both laid out markedly different campaign platforms. Taylor - criticism of Perdue’s HOPE Chest Amendment and rising tuition rates. Cox - children birth to 3 and criticism of Perdue’s HOPE Chest Amendment

Senator questions rights act

State Sen. Bill Stephens, R-Canton, said he believed it was unfair to "have Georgia be treated so differently" from many other states when it has come so far to correct racial voting disparities of the past. But he said he had reached no final position on the law, which must be approved by Congress.

House to lose a Democrat of rare stature

After 26 years in the Georgia House of Representatives, Bill Cummings is going home to Rockmart. Terrell Starr of Jonesboro, the longest-serving member of the state Senate, is calling it quits, too, after 38 years. The longest-serving member of the House, former Speaker Terry Coleman of Eastman, is leaving after 34 years.

Whats going on out there?

Notes from Sen Jack Hill

The Blade Plus in Swainsboro GA published online Notes from the Senate by Senator Jack Hill which mentioned our success!

The Independent Care Waiver Program for Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injuries would receive over $8.5 million to add 152 new slots, the Mental Retardation Development Disabilities Waiting List would receive $2.6 million in state funds to unlock 925 waiver slots, libraries across the state would receive $2 million to purchase books, and $16.5 million would be provided for 3,751 new prison beds to reduce county jail backlogs.

The paper should read...

The Independent Care Waiver Program for Disabilities and Traumatic Brain Injuries would receive over $3.2 million in state funds to add 152 new slots, the Mental Retardation Development Disabilities Waiting List would receive over $11.5 million in state funds to unlock 1,500 waiver services, libraries across the state would receive $2 million to purchase books, and $16.5 million would be provided for 3,751 new prison beds to reduce county jail backlogs.

And they're Off!

The races have already begun around Georgia for the 2007 election. We hope that this blog will be a source of election information for you throughout the coming months - adding information on disabilities. There are 236 elected legislators throughout the state - and there will be thousands of candidates running for those seats...

We promise to encourage you to get involve with your location election, and education as much as possible on their positions on issues of disabilities. There are some legislators that have already proven themselves in this last budget process, answered our questions - and with your help, we will continue to ask them to take a stand...We will post their responses on our website.

And of course, in the coming months we will be discussing our legislative agenda for the coming year...we have proven that starting early only makes us stronger.

The dates to remember:

QUALITYING DATES
For partisan offices: April 24-28
For non-partisan offices (school board): June 26-30

ELECTION DATES
Primary: July 18
Runoff (if needed): Aug. 9
General: Nov. 7
Runoff (if needed): Dec. 5

ELECTION 2006
State offices
Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Agriculture Commissioner
Insurance Commissioner
Labor Commissioner
State Schools Superintendent
Public Service Commissoner
State Senate
State House
Federal offices
U.S. House of Representatives

Use our webpage to get contact information of incumbents.

A time for Thanks...

We have tried to make sure our voice was heard above all else during this last legislative session...you have helped us...and as a result, now we have many things to be thankful.

We now need to ensure that we are remembered by our legislators...please help us send them a thank you for their hard work and real committment this year by going to our webpage.

Unlock Action Alert

We have made it incredibly easy for you to help with just a click. Right now, we have set the goal for 500 emails - easily met if you take the time to help right now. Forward the link to your family and friends.

Thank you for all that you are doing!

Article roundup from around the state

There were a number of articles that covered the wrap up of the budget. Such as the AP's coverage in the Macon Telegraph and the Statesboro Herald that mentioned Unlock

The budget would also fund 1,500 new slots for services for mentally and developmentally disabled adults and children. The Senate had wanted to fund 3,000 slots to cut into a waiting list of over 6,000 people.

Brandon Larrabee with the Augusta Chronicle mentioned Unlock in his piece saying

Thousands of Georgians with disabilities will receive home health-care services and state employees will get raises of as much as 7 percent under an $18.6 billion state budget deal struck Thursday by negotiators for the House and Senate...Lawmakers who approved the spending plan said it provides 1,500 slots that will allow those with development disabilities to receive care at home, removing some from a waiting list thousands of names long.

Other papers covered the budget with no mention of our funding; such as the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, WXIA-Channell 11, and the AJC.

Congratulations...1,500 new MRWP services and 152 ICWP slots are funded this Year!

The House and Senate announced just moments ago their agreement to fund the recommendation by the multiple year funding plan by allocating 1,500 new MRWP services with $11.58 million state dollars and to surpass the plan by funding 152 ICWP slots with $3.2 million state dollars during this year's legislative session! This is wonderful news for over a thousand people waiting right now throughout Georgia for help for these much needed services.

With the current waiting list for ICWP services being 164 people, the 152 new ICWP slots gives Georgia an opportunity to now look to finally focus of managing the growth effectively each year.

The 1,500 MRWP services are funded with the infrastructure needed to successfully implement them and with a breakdown of types of services that mirrors the true need on the waiting lists. To see the number of people waiting for each category of service, click here. We have posted an analysis of how the $11.58 million will be broken down in a previous post. Is 1,500 enough to eliminate the waiting lists? No, of course not. But is part of a multiple year plan to bring these lists to a more manageable level and the House and Senate proved this year that they understand that each year they can not make the same mistake made in the past by forgetting these families and individuals impacted by developmental disabilities.

The budget also contained language that directs the Department of Community Health to explore the feasibility of a Medicaid Buy-In program. For more information on this exciting news, see a previous post by clicking here.

When combined with last year's funding of 925 MRWP services and 46 ICWP slots, the total allocation for these two waivers is 2,623 supports. This commitment is unprecedented for Unlocking Georgia's waiting lists.

This was because of you and all your hard work over the last year!