NOTES FROM THE SENATE BY SENATOR JACK HILL

4th DISTRICT

June 29, 2007

As noted (in the blog) last week, the Governor made changes by “re-directing” the appropriation from legislative intent in the language of the Appropriations Bill.

This second column lists some 26 additional “redirects” in the Department of Human Resources, Labor, Public Safety, Transportation, Technical and Adult Education, Secretary of the State and Agricultural Exposition Authority.

-Department of Human Resources Re-Directs

$150,000 – Diabetes Awareness Campaign
$40,000 - Safe House Outreach Mentoring Program
$75,000 – Georgia Options, Inc.
$200,000 – Matthew Reardon Center
$25,000 – Clayton County Rainbow House
$140,000 – Juvenile Justice Fund for child victims of prostitution
$300,000 – Specially equipped bus for sickle cell anemia testing
$50,000 – Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence
100,000 – YMCA Youth Fit for Life Program
$11,438,747 for unduplicated recipients in the Mental Retardation Waiver Program was re-directed to not include language.
$721,000 for DFCS office expansions in Oconee, Walton, Carroll, Liberty, and Treutlen was re-directed for projects identified on the priority list by the Department. Treutlen was third on the priority list, Oconee, fourth, Walton sixth, Carroll tenth and Liberty twenty-fourth.

-Department of Labor Re-Direct

$50,000 for the Albany Advocacy Resource Center for a certified teacher to carry out the completion of GED classes for people with disabilities was re-directed for vocational rehabilitation purposes.
$167,000 for the Hinesville center for the Georgia Center for the Hearing Impaired was re-directed for vocational rehabilitation.

-Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Re-Direct

$50,000 for the pre-design for construction of an amphitheater was re-directed to purchase equipment.

-Department of Natural Resources Re-Direct

Redirected $300,000 of the $400,000 appropriated for the Waynesboro Field Trails Stable at the Di-Land Plantation for wildlife resources.

-Department of Public Safety Re-Direct

$250,000 for training at the North Central Law Enforcement Academy was re-directed to all academies statewide.
$118,700 for training and costs associated with the implementation of HB1059 "Sexual Predator Act" was re-directed to the Department to use for any purpose for field offices and services.

-Regents, University System of Georgia Re-Directs

$80,000 for the Formosan Termite project was re-directed to use for cooperative extension services.
$350,000 for a pilot program to promote smoking cessation was re-directed for the Cancer Coalition.
$750,000 from Emory to the Georgia Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Core Facility at the Medical College of Georgia was re-directed to the Cancer Coalition.
$19,000 for equipment at the Glynn County Library was re-directed for public libraries.
$180,000 for the Water Policy Planning Center at Albany State University was re-directed for public service and special funding initiatives.
$45,000 for the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars for Georgia student scholarships in Washington D.C. was re-directed for public service and special funding initiatives.
$150,000 to conduct a business plan to support the incorporation efforts for South Fulton and Chattahoochee Hills was re-directed for public service and special funding initiatives.
$100,000 for the Fort Valley Cooperative Energy Program was re-directed for teaching purposes.
$375,000 for Outdoor Education at Middle Georgia College was re-directed for teaching purposes.
$75,000 for Darton College Cordele Campus repairs and office supplies was re-directed for teaching purposes.
$100,000 for a Physical Education addition at Kennesaw State University was re-directed for teaching purposes.
$125,000 to Valdosta State University for administrative costs associated with the creation of a charter school was re-directed for teaching purposes.

-Secretary of State Re-Direct

$50,000 for the Silver Haired Legislature was re-directed to the Secretary of State for legal expenses.

-Department of Adult and Technical Education Re-Directs

$892,492 for expenses was re-directed for repairs and renovations.
$700,000 for roof repairs at the Moultrie Technical College Career Academy was re-directed for repairs and renovations prioritized by the Department.
$100,000 for the predesign of a college and technical facility in Catoosa County was re-directed for repairs and renovations prioritized by the Department.

-Department of Transportation Re-Direct

Utilization of existing funds to construct a sound barrier along the south end of GA 400 was re-directed to the Department to use for the State Road and Tollway Authority.

Visit the Legislature’s Home Page

Click to view the FY2008 Budget in its entirety

Parents Want Cheaper Home Care, but Medicaid Pays to Institutionalize

Babes Among Elders: Nursing-Home Kids
Ronnie's Journey

By CLARE ANSBERRY
Wall Street Journal Online June 28, 2007; Page A1

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Ronnie Rivera, a 15-year-old in braided pigtails, sits in a wheelchair in a narrow hallway of Hill Haven senior-citizen nursing home. A half-dozen other residents, many with dementia and most four to six decades older, sit nearby. Around them, a maintenance worker mops the linoleum floor.

Ronnie has lived in this single-story red-brick building since she was 10 years old, the only child among elders. Her mother, Iris Rivera-Smith, has tried unsuccessfully for years to get the financial help she would need to bring her daughter home.
Thousands of other children are growing up in nursing homes across the country, many for the same reason as Ronnie. Federal disability insurance guarantees nursing-home care for the disabled. But in many states, its coverage isn't enough to let those people, children included, live at home -- even when the cost to taxpayers, and the strain on families, is often much lower.

Born legally blind, with club feet and cerebral palsy, Ronnie can't walk or speak. She can't feed or dress herself. But she responds to touch, smells and sounds, pounding her chest with her right hand and laughing when happy.
Latin music, the outdoors and her mother's voice make her happy.

Until five years ago, Ronnie lived at home and went to school with other developmentally disabled children. Then she had severe respiratory problems.
Her lungs filled with fluid and she almost died. Doctors told her parents that Ronnie should go to a nursing home to receive 24-hour care for the few weeks she was expected to live.

Ronnie outlived expectations and remains here, more than 100 miles from her home. She doesn't go to school. Her world consists largely of the home's long corridors, its atrium with a big-screen TV and her room, with its cinder-block walls painted blue.

About 4,000 children nationwide live in nursing homes, according to Medicaid -- a small, often hidden population that has wound up in these incongruous settings, often against their parents' wishes. While some of the homes cater to children, many are traditional facilities designed for the aged. Their staff may dote on young residents but are often more familiar with geriatrics and dementia. Visits to family may be limited: Nursing facilities often give away residents' beds if they spend more than 10 nights a year away from the home.

"Any child in a nursing home is so outrageous -- it offends the sensibilities," says Ruby Moore, executive director of the nonprofit Georgia Advocacy Office, a federally chartered group that supports the disabled.

But for these families, there is often no alternative. Parents may seek help after their disabled child suffers a life-threatening emergency, or a divorce leaves a single working parent without time or resources for child care. Depending on what institutions are located near the family, a child may be sent to a group home, a state or private school or, often in the case of the most severe disabilities, to a nursing home. A total of about 26,400 children are in out-of-home facilities across the country.

Home care isn't an option for many parents. Medicaid, the federal-state program that insures people with low income or disabilities, automatically pays for nursing homes. It's up to individual states to decide how much they will pay for in-home services. Few states fund the level of skilled care such patients require, leaving parents with a burden that can run tens of thousands of dollars annually. Nationwide, there also aren't enough home-care workers, nurses and therapists to serve these families. About 93,000 developmentally disabled Americans of all ages are on waiting lists for home and community-care services.

When home care is available, it typically costs taxpayers less. Georgia spends about $81,000 a year for each resident in institutional care, which includes nursing homes. Home and community care, by comparison, costs about $26,000 a year, according to the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living.

"We simply don't do enough to support families to care for their children with significant disabilities at home," says Eric Jacobson, executive director of the Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. To begin to address the issue, last year Georgia's state legislature committed
$48 million to programs for the disabled, including a plan to move more than 140 institutionalized children, including 87 in nursing homes, back to their families.


To continue reading and for other stories, click here.

Community Choice Act is out!

The long awaited article updating the cost for MiCASSA and the Community Choice Act is finally out and published. Click for a PDF version of the article.

In summary, the study, done by UCSF researchers Mitchell LaPlante, PhD, Stephen Kaye, PhD, and Charlene Harrington, PhD, shows that the original Congressional Budget Office cost estimates greatly overestimated the number of people who would use Community Services and Supports as provided under the bill, and that the cost would be $2.0 to $5.7 billion -- as opposed to the CBO estimate of $10 to $20 billion. The authors also point out in their summary that these services would go a long way to ending the institutional bias in Medicaid and are an extension of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.

For more information:
NATIONAL ADAPT WEBSITE
Adapt Community Choice Act List.

Thanks to all who sent in referrals for the 2007-2008 Partners class.The deadline for receipt of applications is next Friday, July 6th, so please remind any referrals to send in their applications. For phone interviews if anyone needs assistance, call: 404-881-9777 ext 220.

Click for an online application and a schedule of dates

Take care,

Rita Young

NOTES FROM THE SENATE BY SENATOR JACK HILL

4th DISTRICT

June 22, 2007

MAY REVENUES WILDLY UP OVER PREVIOUS MONTH

Much has been written about the Department of Revenue's May Revenue Report and the fact that total revenues (hard-earned taxpayers dollars) were up 27.9% over the previous year following April's negative month report. Probably the best thing to do is to wait on June's report and look at the last quarter and the entire year in total. Just for the record, Individual Income Taxes for May were up 45.4% or $453 million dollars. Actually Sales Taxes were negative for the month at -4% or (-$20 million) following a troubling trend for this year. Again, a look at the end of the fiscal year will lead to some conclusions. Fuel taxes continued the upward trend, increasing 18.2% or $11 million. What is most interesting is that the excise tax, which is collected by the gallon, continues to increase (up 20% in May), and has risen to record levels again. This may reflect growth in the state: Year to date, revenues (taxpayers hard-earned dollars) are up 7.6%, with personal income taxes up 9.9% and sales taxes up 3.7%. So far the State has taken in $17.8 billion including tobacco and lottery funds, an increase of $1.1 billion. Fuel taxes are up 21.6% or $157 million YTD.



IS A "REDIRECT" A CONSTITUTIONALLY VALID VETO?

The Governor, in addition to vetoing specific appropriations and bond projects, has redirected appropriations from the language in the appropriations bill to other uses. This action muddies the water on gubernatorial authority when you read an earlier Attorney General's opinion dated Feb.11, 2000. While the opinion deals with a veto of part of an appropriation and not with re-directing appropriations, it does shed light on the strict interpretation of "veto" and leaves little doubt as to the veto parameters provided for in the Georgia Constitution after the Legislature has passed the Appropriations Bill.

Then Gov. Barnes had vetoed the amount that exceeded his original budget request for Regional Economic Development Grants. This was not a veto of the entire amount but an attempt to veto a part of the appropriation as listed in the appropriations bill. ("I veto any amount above $617,500). As a non-lawyer, I was glad to read in that opinion the use of the dictionary to define words like "veto", and "approve."

The opinion quotes the American Heritage Dictionary 1346 (2 d Coll. Ed. 1991). The opinion concluded that the Constitution strictly uses only the words, "approve," "veto" and "appropriation" and that those two choices, "approve" and "veto" are the only two choices a Governor has under the line-item authority granted by the Constitution. And that "veto" only means, per the dictionary definition, to "forbid or prevent, authoritatively prohibit" and when viewed versus the action defined in the term "approve" leaves the only choice "to consent or to refuse consent, again from the dictionary definition."

To a non-lawyer, it seems clear that this interpretation is consistent and correctly quotes earlier A.G.'s opinions "the Appropriations Veto limits the power to accepting or rejecting a whole appropriation....."

So for those reasons, legislators disagree with re-directing specific appropriations as opposed to vetoeing or approving.

Listed below are the Budget Re-Direct vetoes by department. Note the funds are not vetoed but just re-directed to other uses. Many are dismissive rather than redirections.

Budget Re-Directs
-Department of Community Affairs Re-Directs

$100,000 for 16 Regional Development Centers was re-directed to prepare for the Local Update of Census Addresses initiative.
$250,000 from the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund to the City of Richland for an emergency water system was re-directed back to the fund.

-Department of Community Health Re-Direct

$300,000 to implement a regional Health Information Technology pilot partnership with the Medical College of Georgia was re-directed to partnership with the federal government for the pilot.

-Department of Corrections Re-Directs

$1,422,224 to increase the county jail subsidy from $20 to $25 per day was re-directed to pay for the current rate. A subsequent agreement will raise the rate to $22.00.
$500,000 for the expansion of County Correctional Institutions to house state inmates in rural Georgia was reduced to $278,784 with the remaining funds for operations.
$100,000 to purchase equipment for the inmate construction program was re-directed to pay for utilities.

-Department of Early Care and Learning Re-Direct

$11,872,902 to reduce funds for 225 slots to provide for an increase in operating expenses was re-directed and increased for additional slots.

-Department of Economic Development Re-Directs

$2,000,000 for the City of Gainesville for the demolition and renovation of a parking deck was re-directed to international marketing and recruitment.
$2,500,000 for the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center was re-directed to the tourism projects.

-Department of Education Re-Directs

$625,000 to the Dropout Prevention program and $500,000 for three new Performance Learning Centers was re-directed to provide alternative education programs statewide.
$1,590,857 to provide foreign language media materials for elementary schools students statewide was re-directed to provide approximately $1,200 to each school for foreign language media materials.
$354,075 to Advanced Placement Exams for private school students was re-directed back to public schools.

Monday Morning Resources

Anniversary of the Olmstead decision

Feds judge states on special ed law

Wednesday, June 20, 2007, By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Grading states on how well they're educating children with physical and mental disabilities, the U.S. Education Department Wednesday (June 20) announced that nine states are on track, five are lacking, and the rest lie somewhere in between.

The evaluations, mailed to states June 18, are the first to judge compliance with the federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act since Congress amended the law in 2004. The landmark law, originally enacted in 1975, established the nation's first rules for educating disabled students.
Housing Vouchers Used for Home Ownership. Information Bulletin # 214 (6/07)

Even though Congress and HUD have authorized and encouraged Housing Authorities throughout the country to work with and assist low income persons in purchasing their homes, less than 800 Housing Authorities out of nearly 3,000 have used this program, and less than 10,000 eligible low-income families and individuals have purchased their own homes.

When we inquired into why so few Housing Authorities are participating in the home ownership program, we were told, for example, that the federal regulations are "too cumbersome" and the down payments are difficult to put together.

Nevertheless and even with these "barriers," of the 10,000 low-income families and individuals, nearly 7,000 have purchased their homes with Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers. (The remaining 3,000 are under either the Moving to Work or Family Self-Sufficiency programs).

Below are the Housing Authorities that participate in the Home Ownership Program, and the number of families who have used their Section 8/ Housing Choice vouchers to purchase a home.

We do not know how many of these families include people with disabilities. However, we have always thought that home ownership for people with disabilities should be pursued. For example, if two people, who are disabled on SSI and who each had a housing voucher, jointly purchased a home, the economics could work. Same goes for a married couple.

If your Housing Authority is not listed below, then it has chosen not to participate in a HUD Home Ownership program. Advocates might want to talk with your Housing Authority and ask why it does not participate.

If your Housing Authority is listed below, but has a zero listed next to its name, it means that the Housing Authority does participate in a HUD Home Ownership program, but it has not used any Housing Choice/Section 8 vouchers to purchase homes. Again, advocates should explore why not.

To read how your state is doing go to: www.stevegoldada.com

Guidelines for Reporting and Writing about People with Disabilities
This is a good set of guidelines for preferred terms and how to portray disability in words. It's from the Research and Training Center on Independent Living from the University of Kansas.

How to Write - and Talk - about Disability
This article in Access Press summarizes the guidelines linked above.

MHDDAD Meeting Tomorrow

The DHR's Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases's Metro Atlanta area regional board 3 will meet
Thursday, June 21, 2007
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fayetteville First Baptist Church
205 E. Stonewall Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214
Providers and consumers of services overseen by DHR/MHDDAD are welcomed to attend the meeting.

Time will be allotted for comments to the Board. Due to time constraints, each speaker will be allowed two (2) minutes for comments. Members of groups with particular interests (such as parent support groups, etc) are encouraged to elect a representative to offer comments. A light lunch will be available.

Please RSVP to fayettecounty.mhddad@yahoo.com or 404-769-7446.
Brenda Cox and Harriette Steele - Board Members, Fayette County

Supreme Court Says Wage Rules Don't Apply To Home Healthcare Workers

By David G. Savage, Times Staff Writer
June 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's growing cadre of home healthcare workers are not entitled to minimum wages or overtime pay under federal law, even if they work for private employers, the Supreme Court ruled today.

The 9-0 decision keeps in place a long-standing exemption to the minimum wage law for workers who provide "companionship services" at home to those who are sick or elderly.

With an estimated 1 million workers now assisting the elderly and the injured in their homes, unions and civil rights groups had urged the justices to repeal the rule because it deprives many of the nation's lowest-paid workers of a decent wage. These employees tend to be women and minorities and often work all night, but they do not earn enough to rise above the poverty level, the advocates said.

They won a ruling from a U.S. appeals court in New York that said the exemption did not extend to those who are employed by a private company or another employer. But the Supreme Court rejected the bid, holding that businesses are not required to pay the federal minimum wage or overtime to employees who provide home care services for the elderly. "The court's ruling is another blow to struggling, low-wage women," said Nancy Duff Campbell, co-president of the National Women's Law Center.

"It means that home care workers, who are overwhelmingly low-income women of color, will continue to be unfairly treated despite providing essential services to our growing elderly and disabled population," Campbell said. "Employers in the home care industry should, like other businesses, be required to comply with modest, but vital, labor protections."

The suit had been brought on behalf of Evelyn Coke, a 73-year-old retiree, who was employed by Long Island Care at Home, a private company that provided home care aides for the elderly.

Click to read the entire article

Proposed Changes to the Regulations for the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Public Hearings: IDEA Part C Regulations-

The Secretary of Education has proposed changes to the regulations for the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C). The proposed regulations will implement changes made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).  The official proposed regulations for IDEA Part C will be published in the Federal Register. You can click to download unofficial proposed regulations.

Once proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register, there is a 75-day public comment period, which will close on July 23, 2007.  DEC is working with CEC and the Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) to develop a side-by-side comparison and analysis of current IDEA Part C regulations and the proposed regulations. The group is also working on developing comments on the proposed regulations and recommendations for the final regulations.  DEC will post these comments, recommendations, and related information to our website.
Updates will also be sent via this list. You can submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. The Department of Education will not accept comments by fax or by e-mail. Include the Docket ID - ED-2007-OSERS-131 - at the top of your comments and submit comments only one time. Comments must be received by July 23, 2007.

A New Booklet from the Dept. of Education Tells How Children Can Benefit from NCLB and IDEA

No one cares more about a child than parents. Two of the U.S. government's biggest public investments are in laws pertaining to the education of children-the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) legislation. Now find out what the big ideas are behind NCLB and IDEA, and how exactly children can benefit from them through a new booklet published by the U.S. Department of Education. Click the title for Microsoft Word, Adobe, or HTML Versions: Learning Opportunities For Your Child Through Alternate Assessments
 


Also, Summer is here and it’s time to recharge your batteries. What can you do to prepare for next year?

Click for some valuble resources:

Summer School for Parents; Relax & Read; Plan & Prepare; Parent Tools

Factsheets: Disclosure for Youth with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy released a series of new factsheets for youth with disabilities. They address subjects including workplace accommodations and when to share information about your disability with an employer.

Click on each link for full articles:

The Why, When, What, and How of Disclosure in an Academic Setting, After High School

Youth, Disclosure, and the Workplace: Why, When, What, and How

Advising Youth with Disabilities on Disclosure: Tips for Service Providers

Jun 15, 2007 – Gwinnett Daily Post, Albany Herald, Rockdale Citizen
PeachCare to reopen enrollment

Dave Williams reports that the state will lift a freeze on health coverage for children of the working poor next month, Georgia’s chief health official announced Thursday. Families will be able to sign up for PeachCare for Kids starting July 12, four months after the state Board of Community Health froze enrollment in the popular program because of a federal funding shortfall. “This is perfect timing,” Community Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows said Thursday after the board voted to lift the enrollment freeze. “It is before school starts back, and everybody needs their physicals.”

Jun 15, 2007 – Times Free Press
Board OKs PeachCare caps, lifting of freeze

Matt Wilson reports that the state board that oversees Georgia's PeachCare for Kids health insurance program gave preliminary approval Thursday to a plan that would lift an enrollment freeze but cap enrollment at 295,000. "I think it's a good idea, very reasonable," said state Sen. Don Thomas, R-Rome, of the Georgia Board of Community Health's plan to lift the freeze. "Those kids need to be insured."

Jun 15, 2007 – AP - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Macon Telegraph
PeachCare officials consider re-opening enrollment

AP staff reports that the state Board of Community Health agreed Thursday to hold a public hearing on reopening enrollment in PeachCare, the state's health insurance program for low-income children, and is expected to vote on the proposal next month. The public hearing will be held on June 27 and the board will vote on opening the program's enrollment on July 12.

Jun 15, 2007 – Augusta Chronicle, Savannah Morning News
PeachCare enrollment might grow

Brandon Larrabee reports that more than 20,000 children could be added to the PeachCare rolls after the Board of Community Health voted unanimously Thursday to lift the enrollment freeze placed on the program three months ago in the face of a funding shortfall. The board gave preliminary approval to re-open the program July 12, though the rule would limit the number of children enrolled in the program to 295,000.

Jun 15, 2007 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
PeachCare enrollment will resume on July 12

Bill Hendrick reports that many families will be allowed to sign up their children for Georgia's popular PeachCare for Kids health insurance program July 12 for the first time since enrollment was frozen March 11 for lack of federal funding, the Department of Community Health said Thursday. However, Commissioner Dr. Rhonda Medows said a membership cap of 295,000 will be maintained indefinitely. This means that between 10,000 and 15,000 children will be allowed to sign up —- those with families who earn no more than 235 percent of the federal poverty level, or who became ineligible after the freeze for lack of premium payments.

Jun 15, 2007 – Gainesville Times
Local lawmakers split over special session
Mills fumes that Gov. Perdue redirected money from Gainesville, Hall projects

Harris Blackwood reports that State Rep. James Mills said Wednesday that he can't understand why Gov. Sonny Perdue would take funds for a ball field for handicapped children in Hall County and send them elsewhere in the state budget. "I have no explanation, nor would I try to explain why $250,000 for this special field in Hall County was redirected when both the Senate and the House agreed it was a good and worthy project," Mills said. On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle of Chestnut Mountain threw cold water on the idea of a special session aimed at restoring some of the money vetoed by Perdue. "The case has not been made at this point," Cagle said Wednesday.

New National Partnership Formed to Raise Public Awareness of Crimes Against People with Disabilities

RECORDING OF FIRST TOWN-HALL MEETING HELD NOW AVAILABLE

From the little data available on crimes against persons with disabilities in the United States, we know that children with a disability are 68 percent more likely to be victims of maltreatment, women with developmental disabilities are at a 4 to 10 times greater risk of sexual assault, and 15,000 to 19,000 people with developmental disabilities are raped each year in the United States.
To foster greater public awareness about crimes to victims with disabilities, a partnership has been formed between the National Council on Disability (NCD), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), and a web-based "town hall" meeting was held on May 30 to launch this initiative.

Click the following links:

To read a joint statement released by the NCD, AUCD, and NCVC.

To listen to an audio recording of the May 30 meeting titled "Breaking the Silence on Crime Victims with Disabilities in the United States."

To read a transcript of this meeting.

1st Annual Caregiver Resource Connection

Do you need help finding services in the aging or disabilities network for a family member? Or for you?

The following organizations are sponsoring the 1st Annual Caregiver Resource Connection: Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities,Wesley Woods Newnan-Peachtree City,CARE-NET,Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation,The Center for Positive Aging & The Georgia Institute on Aging

The “Caregiver Resource Connection” Mastering the Delicate Art of Caregiving event is designed for participants to gain a holistic response to issues all caregivers face moment to moment. This event is designed for family and professional caregivers, all staff in aging services, senior living, hospitals, congregations, synagogues, temples and faith-based organizations. As mission-driven organizations we are committed to supporting the person who is caring for an older parent or family member, a neighbor or friend, a special needs child, young or adult.

Participants will be able to:

· Attain skills and knowledge of appropriate resources available to support the Caregiver
· Find comfort and strength from others who are walking the same path
· Encourage and facilitate an interdisciplinary network for families dealing with the challenges of
caring for loved one, client, resident or friend
· Become a resource for others needing assistance in the caring network

This event will be held:
Tuesday June 26, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
at: Wesley Woods Newnan-Peachtree City, 2280 North Highway 29, Newnan, Georgia.

Reservations are necessary:
Call, fax or email your reservation by June 20th to Barry Lastinger
Phone: 404-972-9191 ext 14 FAX: 404-872-1737 E-Mail: blastinger@gahsa.org.

Click on the link for the flyer and registration form. Thank you!

Georgians with disabilities benefit from largest funding increase in Georgia history

People with developmental disabilities are benefiting from the largest funding increase in Georgia history – moving Georgia’s ranking from 44 – 30 in terms of community based services (2007 United Cerebral Palsy Report). Since 2005, close to 4,000 new Medicaid waivers amounting to over $100 million is being given to individuals with disabilities including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism. By 2008, the state will provide services to 3,000 additional people with developmental disabilities.

“Georgia is making unprecedented efforts to support people with developmental disabilities,” said Gwen Skinner, Director for the State Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases. “Individuals and their families have told us that they want to have a life in the community, to include employment and housing. We’re helping them to do that.” One example is Project Search, the first program of its kind in the State of Georgia, which matches the talents of people with disabilities to career paths that can lead to independence and new opportunities. Project Search currently works with two Atlanta area hospitals, North Fulton and Crawford Long. Routine work that would otherwise occupy nurses is now handed to Project Search participants.

In 2005, the state legislature approved 925 new Medicaid waivers for people with developmental disabilities; an unprecedented 1,500 in 2006, and another 1,500 in 2007; 340 of these waivers were earmarked just for children.

As a result of the new waivers, and consumer-driven services, Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families will have greater control and choice.

The new Medicaid waivers, which until recently were the most outdated waivers in the country, result from collaboration among advocates, consumers, families and public policy makers.

Click for the full article: www.theweekly.com

Governor Perdue Announces May Revenue Figures

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of May 2007 (FY07) totaled $2,140,232,000 compared to $ 1,673,929,000 for May 2006 (FY06), an increase of $ 466,303,000 or 27.9 percent.

The percentage increase year-to-date for FY07 compared to FY06 is 7.6 percent.

Click to see the details:

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Comparative Net Revenue Collections

What Services Are Most Important To You? Be Heard at the Public Roundtable Discussions!

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO HOLD STRATEGIC ROUNDTABLES ATLANTA (GA) – The Board of Human Resources, which oversees and sets policy for the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), will seek public input as the agency and its board plan for the SFY 2009 budget.

In an effort to become more effective in its delivery of services, the Board of the Georgia Department of Human Resources will hold a series of public strategic roundtable discussions to solicit community involvement statewide during the months of May and June.

These roundtables are designed to engage the public in the strategic policy and prioritization of the Department and help improve its decisions by involving those most affected. This is an opportunity for members of the public to provide the Board of Human Resources with comments on the services they feel are important for DHR to provide in Fiscal Year 2009.

Because space is limited in each facility, it is important to register for the Strategic Public Roundtable. To register, simply send an email by clicking on the location you plan to attend:

The Roundtables will be held in the following cities:

June 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital, Rome
1305 Redmond Circle, 3rd Floor
Rome, Georgia

June 14, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

The Armstrong Center, Savannah
13040 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia, 31419

June 18, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, Atlanta
515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30312

June 19, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Southwestern State Hospital, Thomasville
400 South Pinetree Boulevard
Thomasville, GA 31799

June 20, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Immediately following board mtg.

Waycross College, Waycross
Room 227-A
2001 S. Georgia Pkwy
Waycross, GA 31503

If the roundtable is filled, strategy recommendations can be communicated via email to Commissioner B.J. Walker and her staff. Those who are not able to attend may mail strategic recommendations to: Maria Pitts, DHR Office of Planning and Budget Services, suite 30.270, Two Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
All recommendations must be received by June 20.

Supporting Growth and Development of Babies in Child Care: What Does the Research Say? Source: Center for Law and Social Policy - June 8, 2007

A new brief from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and ZERO TO THREE outlines research to demonstrate that state policies can promote the quality and continuity of early childhood experiences and positively impact the healthy growth and development of babies and toddlers in child care. Click for the online version.

Breaking the Silence on Crime Victims with Disabilities

Addressing the long-neglected needs of crime victims with disabilities is the focus of a new partnership announced today by the National Council on Disability, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the National Center for Victims of Crime. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to foster greater public awareness about crime victims with disabilities and to forge a national commitment to better serve this particularly vulnerable population. Click for more information

The National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative at ZERO TO THREE

The National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative at ZERO TO THREE recently updated its State Child Care Map, which provides demographic information about children birth to three and their families, the child care system that serves them, and each state's use of Child Care Development Funds.

A HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS AND PROVIDERS ABOUT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, AGES 0-5

Link: Busy Box - Our goal is to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the partners of the decision-making team: families, service providers, legislators, child care agencies, Head Start, Medicaid, and all others who may become involved. Each is a member of a unique team whose purpose is to provide free, appropriate, and individualized services to young children and their families. Find more related information: Early Intervention - Resources - Permalink -

New products have been published:

Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations

Next Generation of Georgia Leaders

Who are the next generation of leaders for Georgians with developmental disabilities?

Partners in Policymaking is now accepting applications for the class of 2007-2008. Partners is a leadership development and advocacy course specifically focusing on parents of children with disabilities and self advocates. The goal of the program is provide an environment for learning, networking, and team building in order to build strong advocates that will work for systems change in Georgia.

Partners in Policymaking schedule of dates and an online application

Deadline for applications is July 6th. The program begins in September of 2007.

To make a recommendation of someone in your community, or for more information, email Rita Young or call: (404)-881-9777 x 220.

My life is changed forever. – A. Coggins, class of 2007

Thank you for opening my eyes to all the possibilities.- K. Ogletree, Class of 2007

Monday resource round up

Learning Opportunities For Your Child Through Alternate Assessments
This booklet introduces parents to the "big ideas" contained in school improvement efforts under NCLB and IDEA, and provides them with the information they need to help ensure that their children can benefit from these efforts. The end of this booklet identifies suggested sources of additional information that parents can use to help their children benefit from the nationwide education reform and accountability efforts intended to ensure high expectations for all children.

Education Laws & Regulations, Parent Resources Update: Learning Opportunities for Your Child Through Alternate Assessments
This booklet introduces parents to school improvement efforts contained in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Both laws have provisions that focus on improving the quality of teaching for all children, including children with disabilities. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

The New Freedom Transportation Program: An Introduction
This Q&A is intended to provide a general overview of the New Freedom transportation program contained in SAFETEA-LU. This funding program supports accessible transportation programs and facilities that meet specific criteria. The succinct four-page document presents the information in a question-and-answer format and touches on eligibility, funding allocation, match requirement, coordinated planning and other useful highlights plus advice for being involved in implementation. For details and full guidance on the program, readers are urged to read Federal Transit Administration circular 9045.1, "New Freedom Program Guidance and Application Instructions"

The Future of Disability Statistics: What we Know and Need to Know: Materials from the 2006 StatsRRTC State-of-the-Science Conference
Materials from the 2006 StatsRRTC State-of-the-Science Conference. Includes trends and statistics on the employment, health and socio-economic status of people with disabilities.