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The new Medicaid waivers, which until recently were the most outdated waivers in the country, result from collaboration among advocates, consumers, families and public policy makers.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

Governor Perdue disregards FY08 budget language and vetoes SR 363 and HB 549

Yesterday, Governor Perdue signed the FY08 budget that included funding to unlock the waiting lists for supports for 1,546 unduplicated persons with disabilities. However, he took exception to the language introduced by the Senate to ensure that at least 1,546 people are served with this money. We had questions about the average costs the Senate used to develop this language and after voicing this concern to the Senate and House leadership, decided to leave it to their judgment. In conference committee, they decided to include the Senate language without additional dollars. The Governor's reaction is below...

Non-Binding Purpose Language to Disregard
Section 27, pertaining to the Department of Human Resources, page 128 and 134, items 180.7, 180.8, and 187.6:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the Department as to the net increase in the unduplicated count of recipients in the Mental Retardation Waiver Program in the Adult Development Disabilities Service program and the Child and Adolescent Development Disabilities program. Although this language is for information purposes only, it gives the appearance of meeting additional needs without the necessary funds being appropriated. Therefore, this language is stricken due to lack of adequate funding and the attempt to dictate a matter within the general law powers of the Department.

The Governor also vetoed two bills that are relevant to disability issues. The first, SR363, would create a commission to study Mental Health and Disability issues in a commission. He vetoed this bill so that he could create a commission with a broader scope under a executive order. The second is a bill that would have tried to reduce the paperwork related to requirements for basic therapy services for children with disabilities. We felt that this was a good bill and are disappointed to see it vetoed.

SR 363 establishes a commission to study and offer recommendations on the delivery of mental health services. The Commission includes members from the legislative and judicial branches and citizen members. Because any changes would be implemented by the executive branch, appropriate representation from the executive branch should be included for an effective study. For this reason, I will sign an executive order calling for a commission, including those persons described in SR 363 and representatives of the executive branch, to review the matters addressed in SR 363. Because my executive order will provide a more inclusive process, I VETO SR 363.

HB 549 seeks to amend prior authorization requirements for recipients of Medicaid funded services. The proposed changes inadvertently conflict with federal mandates on Medicaid services. Specifically, HB 549 would restrict the State’s ability to conduct appropriate prior authorization review as required by federal regulations (CFR 433.15(b)(7)). Federal regulators have also indicated an objection to the establishment of different standards for recipients based on a general categorization of their condition rather than based on an individual’s specific medical needs and likely rehabilitation and recovery (CFR 440.240). For these reasons, federal approval of the changes mandated by HB 549 is not expected. The timeliness of these services, particularly to this constituency is important. I am, therefore, directing the Department of Community Health to continue its efforts to provide for a more streamlined preauthorization process so as not to unduly burden the practitioners and patients this bill seeks to assist. I therefore VETO HB 549.

Gail Bottoms Poetry

Unlock the Waiting List
by Gail Bottoms

Unlock the waiting list,
What’s it about?
Why do we talk and why do we shout?
Why do people work into the night?
And get up early at morning light?
Why do we go to the State Capitol steps?
What is our reason?
Why do we do it?
I will tell you why.
People with disabilities are the reason why.
So they can live in the community is why we try.
Institutions are not places to be.
People with disabilities want to be free.
Free to live, work, and play where they choose.
To try their hand at many things.
To risk, win or lose.
To unlock the waiting list is the way this can be done.
Therefore, will work until civil rights
For all people will be won!

(Gail Bottoms, a member of the College of Direct Support’s National Advisory Board and a self advocate, is a native of Griffin, GA, and former president of People First of Georgia. In the mid 1990’s Gail became active in the disability rights movement and began speaking around the country on behalf of the rights of people with disabilities. She has recently published her first book of poetry, "From the Inside Out." A CD comes with the book on which she reads her poems. Gail is a mother, a daughter, a wife and now a grandmother who fills her poetry with her life and her feelings.)

Public Hearings on Changes to the Graduation Rule for Students with Disabilities Began Today at 1:00 pm

Friday afternoon the Department of Education issued the draft changes to the graduation rule, among those are changes to graduation rules for students with disabilities. Public Hearings to weigh in on the draft changes begin TODAY at 1:00 PM.

Click for:

Times and Locations of the hearings

Drafts of the regulations

If you cannot attend a hearing, then e-mail your responses.

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is tracking the comments that people submit and those attending sessions. Please submit this information to pnobbie@dhr.state.ga.us

HRSA Awards $2.9 Million for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers

The Health Resources and Services Administration has announced 30 grants worth $2.9 million to support new and continued Family-to-Family Health Information Centers for parents of children and youth with special health care needs. Twenty-four new and six continuing statewide centers will each receive grants of $95,700 beginning June 1, 2007.

"The centers help parents access information about health care, community resources, support services and technical assistance that they can use to make informed decisions regarding their children's care," said HRSA Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke.

Family-to-family centers employ parents of children with special health care needs who have experience navigating complex health care and social service systems to help other parents who may be facing similar circumstances.

Data collected from the continuing grantees show that information shared by staff at the centers helps more children with special health care needs keep medical appointments. That results in more family-centered care from providers for these children, which improves their health outcomes. Preliminary data collected from five of the centers over a seven-month period indicates that an estimated 185,000 families and providers received information and materials from the centers in person, by phone, through presentations, Websites, list servs, and/or newsletters.

These grants respond directly to President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which seeks to reduce barriers to community living for people with disabilities by addressing families' lack of access to needed services and assistance.

New grantees are:
Organization/City,State:

-Raising Special Kids/Phoenix,AZ
-Support for Families of Children With Disabilities/San Francisco, CA
-Family Voices of District of Columbia Inc./Washington D.C.
-Parent To Parent of Georgia Inc./Atlanta, GA
-Hawaii Pediatric Association Research & Education Foundation/Honolulu, HI
-The Indiana Parent Info Network Inc./Indianapolis, IN
-Bayou Land Families Helping Families/Thibodaux, LA
-The Parents' Place of Maryland/Glen Burnie, MD
-Federation for Children With Special Needs/Boston, MA
-University of Southern Mississippi/Hattiesburg, MS
-PTI Nebraska/Omaha, NE
-Family TIES of Nevada Inc./Reno, NV
-Statewide Parent Advocacy Network of New Jersey/Newark, NJ
-Parents Reaching Out to Help/Albuquerque, NM
-Parent to Parent of NYS/Tupper Lake, NY
-Exceptional Children's Assistance Center/Davidson, NC
-Family Voices of North Dakota Inc./Edgeley, ND
-Oregon Family Support Network/Eugene, OR
-Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center/Pittsburgh, PA
-Rhode Island Parent Information Network Inc./Pawtucket, RI
-South Dakota Parent Connection Inc./Sioux Falls, SD
-Texas Parent to Parent/Austin, TX
-Utah Parent Center/Salt Lake City, UT
-Family Voices of Wisconsin/Madison, WI
-Florida Institute of Family Involvement/Crawfordville, FL
-The ARC of Illinois/Skokie, IL
-Maine Parent Federation/Augusta, ME Maine
-PACER Center Inc./Minneapolis, MN
-Tennessee Disability Coalition/Nashville, TN
-Parent to Parent of Vermont/Williston, VT