Friday, April 29, 2011

Gentle Reminder - Macon RSVP

Conversations That Matter is coming to Macon on Tuesday, May 3rd, from 6pm-8pm at Disability Connections,170 College Street. It's not too late to RSVP, and we will keep spaces open until noon on Sunday, May 1st.

To RSVP call Margaret Spielman at 478-230-4446

See you soon!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

SAVE THE DATE!

Save The Date

Conversations That Matter:  Community Supports


·                Learn how to help people with developmental disabilities and their families with community based services. 
·                The meetings will provide a forum to discuss how to access community services and eligibility.
·                Updates will be provided on the Department of Justice Settlement, the 2011 Legislative Session and the NEW Georgia Crisis Teams.

City:
Macon, GA
Tuesday May 3rd 6 - 8pm

Where:

Disability Connections
170 College St
Macon, GA 31201

Contact & RSVP:
Margaret Spielman
478-230-4446
margaret@p2pga.org 

City:
Dalton, GA
Tuesday May 9th 6:30-8:30pm

Where:

John Davis Recreation Center
904 Civic Dr.
Dalton, GA 30720

Contact & RSVP:
Marlene Jones
706-278-8143 ext 106

City:
Savannah, GA
Tuesday May 17th 6:30-8:30pm

Where:

The Armstrong Center
Atlantic State University
13040 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419

Contact & RSVP:

Jennifer McGee
912-355-9098

Mitzi Proffitt
912-489-1904

City:
Valdosta, GA
Thursday June 9th 7:00-9:00pm

Where:

First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
1905 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, Georgia 31601

Contact & RSVP:

Amy White
229-686-0863

Jane Osborn
229-630-0924
Osbo1933@bellsouth.net

City:
Lawrenceville, GA
Monday June 13th 7:00-9:00pm

Where:

Busbee Center at Gwinnett Technical College
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Contact & RSVP:

Christine Kramlich



For more information please contact Heidi Fernandez hcf67@comcast.net
Presented by DBHDD, Division of Developmental Disabilities and All About Developmental Disabilities


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE
Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 447.205, the Georgia Department of Community Health is required to give public notice of any significant proposed change in its methods and standards for setting payment rates for services.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WAIVER PROGRAMS
The two waiver programs for people with developmental disabilities, the New Options Waiver Program (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP), began operations on November 1, 2008 under a configuration of new services and rates created by unbundling services that had been delivered previously on a per diem or monthly basis. The unbundling of the service was supported by CMS and continues to be supported through waiver amendment and renewal approvals. The NOW and COMP Programs’ current rates are attached to this public notice.

The purpose of this notice is to establish maximum rates for services provided under the NOW and COMP Waiver Programs. This public notice is available for review at each county Department of Family and Children Services office. An opportunity for public comment will be held on April 27, 2011, 1:00 p.m., at
the Department of Community Health, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303, in the Fifth Floor Board Room. Individuals who are disabled and need assistance to participate during this meeting should call (404) 656-4479. Citizens wishing to comment in writing on any of the proposed changes should do so on or before April 29, 2011, to the Board of Community Health, Post Office Box 1966, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Comments submitted will be available for review by the public at the Department of Community Health, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Room 4053, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Comments from written and public testimony will be summarized and provided to the Board of Community Health prior to the May 12, 2011 Board meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Department of Community Health, 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303, in the Fifth Floor Board Room.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THIS 14th DAY OF April, 2011
David A. Cook, Commissioner

Monday, April 18, 2011

SPADD Summer Conference

SPADD SUMMER CONFERENCE AGENDA


THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011

11:00 – 1:00pm             Registration

1:00 – 1:15pm               Welcome and Opening Statements from SPADD         
                                                Lana Copeland Hardy, President           

1:15 – 2:30pm               U.S. Department of Justice
Mary Bohan, Deputy Chief, Special Litigation Section Civil Rights Division,
U.S. Department of Justice
                                   
BREAK

2:30 – 3:15pm              U.S. Department of Justice
Mary Bohan, Deputy Chief, Special Litigation Section Civil Rights Division,
U.S. Department of Justice

3:15 – 4:15pm               Update from Commissioner Frank Shelp, DBHDD
                                                Frank E. Shelp, M.D., M.P.H.

4:15 – 4:45pm               Legislative Update
                                                Steve Neff, Executive Director

5:00pm                         Challenges for the Future
                                                Open to all Providers & Families           

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011

8:30 – 9:15am               Registration - Continental Breakfast

9:15 – 9:30am               Welcome & SPADD Updates
                                                                Lana Copeland Hardy, President

9:30 – 10:30am              Proxy Caregivers
                                                Catherine Ivy & Sharon Dougherty, DCH
                                   
            BREAK                                                

10:45 – 12;30pm            Person Centered Tools
                                                Mickie Muroff, AAIDD                                       

12:30 – 1:30pm             LUNCH & Award to Mr. Don Cole
                                                Steve Neff, Executive Director

1:30 – 2;00pm               SPADD Annual Meeting

2:00 – 3:30pm               Update from the Office of DBHDD
                                                Beverly Rollins, Executive Director of DBHDD

3:30pm                         Adjournments & Farewells…

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Update Alert!

The Georgia General Assembly has been working hard to come up with a comprehensive tax reform package that will modernize Georgia's tax structure to better meet our growing state's needs.  Until recently, the commitment from legislators has been to keep any reform revenue-neutral.  Adjustments to the proposed tax reform bill will still be made next week. The AJC is now reporting that the current version of the bill could actually reduce state revenues, in a time when the state is already facing an unprecedented budget crisis.

We have made real progress this year in supporting a tax reform package that invests in Georgia's future. We are concerned about the consequences of further reducing state revenues and the affect that this could potentially have for future services for individuals with developmental disabilities. How can we adequately address our waiting lists without addressing the need for revenue? In the final hour, it's crucial that legislators hear from YOU with a message that we need a tax reform package that INVESTS.

Call the following members of the Special Joint Committee TODAY and tell them: 

The message:

"I support tax reform, but only if it meets the needs of Georgians. I do not support tax reform that means less revenue when our needs are growing."

Call the following key legislators with the above message TODAY: 

·         Speaker Ralston: 404-656-5020
  • Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones: 404-656-5072
  • Majority Leader Larry O'Neal:  404-656-5052 
  • Chairman Mickey Channell: 404.656.5103
The legislative session only has three days left and will conclude on April 14. Please take action!
Many thanks,
Rita Young

Monday, April 04, 2011

Save the Date

Conversations That Matter:  Community Supports


o              Learn how to help people with developmental disabilities and their families with community based services. 
o              The meetings will provide a forum to discuss how to access community services and eligibility.
o              Updates will be provided on the Department of Justice Settlement, the 2011 Legislative Session and the NEW Georgia Crisis Teams.
May 3         6:00 pm - 8:00 pm                    Macon
May 9         6:30 pm - 8:30 pm                    Dalton
May 17        6:30 pm - 8:30 pm                    Savannah
June 9         7:00 pm - 9:00 pm                    Valdosta
June 13       7:00 pm - 9:00 pm                   Lawrenceville
Watch for news on locations and final details soon!
For more information please contact Heidi Fernandez hcf67@comcast.net
Presented by DBHDD, Division of Developmental Disabilities and All About Developmental Disabilities