From the Desk of Gwen Skinner

"MHDDAD has committed to providing current information on a variety of subjects, most importantly Division activities in an effort to keep all interested parties well informed. The volume of information Glynda King is managing has become quite large and in an effort to keep it manageable we will begin to send only information generated by DHR/MHDDAD and very limited outside sources. As we transition to the new Department of Behavioral Health/Developmental Disabilities we will be assessing the information and email function going forward."

Gwendolyn B. Skinner, Director
Division of MHDDAD

NOTES FROM THE SENATE

BY SENATOR JACK HILL, 4th DISTRICT

May 1, 2009

As the April Revenue figures come out this week, maybe this is a good time to quickly review both the 2009 Amended and 2010 General Budgets, also an update on where the state stands in revenue collections through April. Finally, it bears repeating the critical position the state is in over the next fiscal year and beyond.

Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Director of the Senate Budget & Evaluation Office, released a review this week that succinctly outlines both the Amended 2009 Budget and the 2010 General Budget with sources and uses of funds. This column is derived from that information.

AMENDED 2009 BUDGET

At $18.9 billion, the Amended budget projected a $2.68 billion (-13.3%) shortfall from the original FY09 budget as passed one year ago and signed by the Governor. Unbelievably, the final Amended 2009 Budget is 6.8% less than the FY 2008 final budget. This shortfall, starting last summer with Gov. Perdue ordering the withholding of allotments to agencies across state government, was met in the end by using $627 million in stimulus funds, $408 million in reserves (including $387 million from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve) and $1.6 billion in cuts.

A total of $579 million was drawn from surpluses that had accumulated in the State Health Benefit Plan. Because the Legislature was vitally interested in the HTRG (Homeowners Tax Relief Grant) being funded, the leadership proposed a series of cuts to help make up that $428 million for the HTRG. Prior to the stimulus bill being passed by Congress, the legislative leadership proposed a $95 million cut to local k-12 systems that could be taken as furloughs for teachers possibly from post planning days. As days passed, the stimulus bill passed which included a total $3.15 billion in federal funds. The House and the Senate proposed in their budgets and in the final appropriations bill to utilize stimulus funds to fund the cut required to pass on the HTRG as well as to fund $50 million in austerity cut reductions. It now appears from press reports that the Governor does not intend to use the stimulus funds for that cut of $145 million as the budget outlines, so systems may be getting a huge cut in the final quarter of the fiscal year with few post planning days left to furlough teachers.


2010 GENERAL BUDGET

State funds in this budget total $18.6 billion. Comparing this budget to the original 2009 budget proposed by the Governor in January of 2008, there is a $3.3 billion shortfall (-16.5%) that had to be addressed. Governor Perdue has wisely projected a continuing decrease in state revenues for 2010 of -8.9% under the FY 2008 Budget two years ago and -2% under the final Amended 2009 Budget.

Here is how the shortfall was met through reserves, cuts to agencies, federal stimulus and increased Medicaid match funds:
Reserves - $476 million (Includes $258 million from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve)
Stimulus Funds - $661 million
Increased Medicaid match - $735 million
Agency Cuts - $1.26 billion

Along with other cuts plus the adds discussed below.

The added complicating factor that made this such a difficult task was the fact that there was growth in Medicaid ($140 million) and growth in K-12 education formula ($98 million) and in the formulas used for higher education because of increased enrollment ($151 million) as well as $204 million to cover a pre-existing shortfall in Medicaid. The pay raises given to educators in the 2009 budget along with college faculty had to be annualized which was part of the new k-12 and higher education spending. The shortfall plus the growth amount was covered by the budget cuts mentioned earlier. These cuts included $219 million from the teaching formula for the Board of Regents, $309 million in cuts to the QBE formula for k-12 schools, $124 million in Medicaid reductions, and the elimination of the $428 million HTRG for 2010. The net budget cuts totaled $1.4 billion

Also costly were the replacement of the 10% Medicaid cuts proposed earlier to hospitals and 6% cuts to other providers, as well as the $29 million restoration of cuts to the school nurse program and the $23 million for trauma expected to be replaced by the "Super Speeder" fines.

When you look back and see how large the numbers are in retrospect, it seems amazing these two budgets were balanced without more repercussions.

THE OUTLOOK FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS

If present trends continue and no altering or flattening of the slide in revenues occurs, Georgia will use up all or much of the $565 million in reserves to balance the states books at the end of this June. If the revenue line does not flatten or turn up over the next few months, the Governor and Legislative leaders could be looking at a special session to reduce appropriations even more. A next round of cuts could drastically alter state services as the public has come to expect them.


Senator Jack Hill may be reached at:
234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5038 (phone)
(404) 657-7094 (fax)
E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov
Or Call Toll-Free at
1-800-367-3334 Day or Night
Reidsville office: (912) 557-3811

The Arc Action Alert - Long Term Services and Supports Must be Included in Health Care Reform

Urge Your Members of Congress to Include Long Term Services and Supports in Health Care Reform

Click here to Take Action!

Background

Fixing the health care system is one of the top priorities of the Obama Administration. The White House has actively been working to learn about what Americans most want to see in health care reform.

At a recent White House meeting, leaders from national disability organizations, including The Arc and UCP, had an opportunity to explain what people with disabilities most need in their health care system. Two of the most important needs we discussed were:
• The choice of receiving long term services and supports in our own communities rather than in institutions
• Not having to impoverish ourselves in order to qualify for long term services and supports.

Though Administration officials expressed a strong commitment to people with disabilities at the meeting, we cannot take for granted that long term services and supports will be addressed as part of health care reform.

Congress is in the process of putting together a health care reform bill. Therefore, if we want long term services and supports to be addressed as part of health care reform, we must communicate our views directly to Members of Congress and to do so now.

For information on the two critical long term services and supports bills that we want included in health care reform legislation, see:
• www.passthecommunitychoiceact.org
• www.passtheclassact.org

Take Action

On April 29, hundreds of disability self advocates, their families, service providers, and others will be on Capitol Hill pushing for long term services and supports to be included in health care reform. Participants in the 2009 Disability Policy Seminar will be sending a consistent message:
• Long term services and supports MUST be included in health care reform
• The CLASS Act and Community Choice Act provide the long term services and supports policies needed for real health care reform

If you cannot make it to Washington, please join your fellow disability advocates by contacting your Members of Congress via email. Click here.

Training Announcement: Evening Family Event - "New" Waiversfor DD Services - May 19, 2009 in Morrow

Please help spread the word by FORWARDING THIS LINK TO FAMILIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DD SERVICES.

Waiver participants, families, representatives, support networks, and advocacy groups are invited to attend an informational session about Georgia's "New" DD Waivers.

A session will be held in Metro Atlanta on the evening of May 19, 2009 at Clayton State University in Morrow.

Please help us to reach families throughout Georgia by distributing the announcements posted on the Division of MHDDAD training website at: http://mhddad.dhr.georgia.gov/training where it can be printed or downloaded.

Registration online is quick and easy at www.cviog.uga.edu/training/dhr and the announcements include details about how to do this. Because refreshments will be provided, please encourage registration so that we will know how many people to expect.

Information about how to request special accommodations are included in the announcements. Questions can be emailed to: RegistrationMHDDAD@dhr.state.ga.us

Will tax breaks bust state budget?

Policy institute predicts a $168 million revenue fall next fiscal year, but leading lawmaker disagrees.

By James Salzer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, April 20, 2009

Tax breaks approved by lawmakers during the 2009 session will cut state revenue $168 million during the upcoming fiscal year, and $1.3 billion in a few years, according to a report being released today.

That will drive a huge hole in the state budget in coming years, forcing lawmakers to make massive spending cuts without the aid of federal stimulus funding or reserves, officials with Atlanta-based Georgia Budget and Policy Institute said.


Click here for the article.

NOTES FROM THE SENATE BY SENATOR JACK HILL, 4TH DISTRICT April 10, 2009

MARCH REVENUES--NOT MUCH WORSE--NOT ANY BETTER

March revenues released this week declined 14.3% or -$167 million. The last four months have averaged over a $200 million decline, so the rate of decrease is less. But, if the present trend continues, the state will not make the 09 budgeted target and state reserves of only $562 million will be drained.

Individual income taxes, half of revenues, continue to show sharp declines this month at minus 18.8%. This revenue source contains employee withholding taxes and taxes by small businesses and individuals.

Sales tax collections declined by 14.4%. Corporate tax collections were down for the month 23.6% or $37M. Fuel tax collections declined by $23.4M or 28.6%.

Year to date, total collections show a 8.0% decline which sounds better until you remember we are budgeted at a minus 7% reduction. Individual Income Taxes show a negative 8.8% for the year, sales taxes a 6.3% decline and corporate taxes are down 35%, Motor Fuel collections of both excise and sales taxes are down for the year
$77M. Any shortfalls under budgeted amounts have to be made up from general revenues; or in this year from the Shortfall Reserve Fund.

If the negative trend of the last few months continues, the state will likely use up the majority or all of the $562 million in reserve Funds leaving nothing in reserve for the 2010 budget year.

2010 STATE BUDGET--DEEP CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD--FEW ADDS

The FY 2010 state budget passed late Friday, April 3, which contained few additions and continued 8% plus cuts government wide except for k-12 education which took only a 3% cut. The $3.3B hole in the budget was filled by $476M in Reserve funds, $1.2B in Federal stimulus funds, $88M in one-time funds, and $1.3B in cuts to agencies.

This budget:

--Fully funds Medicaid for the full year per current projections
--Restores the 10% cut to Hospitals state-wide
--Restores the 6% cut to Medicaid providers also in the Governor's budget
--Restores funding for School nurses
--Continues funding at base salary level for National Board Certified Teachers
--Contains no cuts that would cause teacher furloughs
--Does not change present State Health insurance benefits
--Leaves approximately $1 billion of Federal stimulus funds for the critically short FY 2011 budget
--Provides 3000 new slots for the Lottery funded Pre-K program--$350 million in Lottery funds
--$1.2 Billion in bonded projects for infrastructure including Ports and Water and Sewer Loans and other building projects
--Funds $297 m in K-12 Capital Outlay school projects
--$534 million in building projects for Higher Education including $37M for new Libraries statewide
--Restores cuts for services for the elderly for "Meals on Wheels'"
--Restores funds for respite care for families of Alzheimers sufferers
--Provides additional MRWP waiver slots to “Unlock the Waiting list"
--Restores cuts to Public Defenders Council for critical needs
--Restores funds to protect Wildlife Management Area Federal leases
--Enhances Consumer Protection inspectors for the Department of Agriculture
--Contains additional marketing funds for Tourism
--Gives Department of Natural Resources latitude to manage State Parks, golf courses and lodges to be sustainable
--Budgets for the new Department of Behavioral Health and for the transfer of the Public Health Dept to DCH
--Funds HOPE scholarships of over $500 million for public and private colleges
--Bonds $100 million in Road projects statewide (additional to $900M in stimulus road funds)
--There are no "pork" or "earmark adds" in this budget

It would be an optimistic view to believe that more budget revisions are not necessary this summer.

In the coming weeks, we will examine legislation that passed or failed this session.

Senator Jack Hill may be reached at:
234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5038 (phone)
(404) 657-7094 (fax)
E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov
Or Call Toll-Free at
1-800-367-3334 Day or Night
Reidsville office: (912) 557-3811

Alliance for Full Participation Announces First in a Series of Webinars on Employment

The Alliance for Full Participation (AFP) has recently launched a major initiative to improve the employment infrastructure, services and outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. The primary focus of this initiative is on achieving demonstrable results on a state level. The Alliance is building and will guide state teams that include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, advocates, service providers, business organizations, state government officials, and members of the general community to explore and transform the environment for employment in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To support our state teams, and to bring awareness to the cause of increasing employment for people with developmental disabilities, The Alliance is hosting a series of quarterly webinars. The first of these webinars will be held May 7 at 4:00 pm ET.

Topic:
Employment Today:
Understanding the Current State of Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities

Time & Date:
May 7, 2009, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, ET

Dial in Information:
Dial in information will be emailed to all registered participants.

To Register:
Please complete the registration form here, or e-mail walshworks@verizon.net with your name, address and phone number, and add "AFP Webinar" as the subject line.

Cost:
Free, audience must pre-register.

Moderated by Jim Gardner, president and CEO of The Council on Quality and Leadership and president of The Alliance for Full Participation, the call will feature Chester Finn, president of SABE discussing the importance of employment for self advocates and the communities they live in. John Butterworth, Research Director of the Center on State Systems and Employment will present the results of his national and state-by-state study on the status and trends in employment for people with developmental disabilities. Participants will be invited to add their thoughts and experiences to the discussion.

Participants:
John Butterworth, Ph.D., has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, manager of community-based day and employment services, trainer, and researcher. He has directed projects on school-to-career transition, employment support, and disability policy. Dr. Butterworth currently directs a longitudinal national data collection project on day and employment services for persons with developmental disabilities, and a project that addresses the use of personal networking in career development and the job search in diverse communities. He is the Research Director for the Center on State Systems and Employment (RRTC).

Chester Finn is a Special Assistant with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), is President of the national Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) board. Finn previously served as Chairman from 2002-2006. Finn is former President of the New York State Self-Advocacy Association and currently serves as an advisor. He also serves on a number of statewide, national and international committees for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to his work with SABE, Chester remains active on the Board of Directors for the ARC of the United States. He is committed to fighting for the civil rights of people with disabilities and as a self-advocate, demonstrates that on a daily basis.

James F. Gardner, PhD is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Council on Quality and Leadership. Dr. Gardner is a nationally recognized leader in the application of quality improvement methods to the field of human services. Through presentations at national conferences, in his teaching and writing, and during organizational consultations, Dr. Gardner argues that the measurement of quality must move from compliance with organizational process to facilitating person-centered outcomes for people. In 2004, The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) honored Dr. Gardner with the National Leadership Award, a prestigious honor given annually to an individual who has proven to be an exceptional leader in human services.

For more information on AFP, visit www.allianceforfullparticipation.org, or call 301-706-6252.

Join the Alliance for Full Participation Facebook group and fan page.

About the Alliance for Full Participation
The AFP is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of 13 national nonprofit organizations in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities:

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD);
American Network of Community Options and Resources Foundation (ANCOR);
APSE: The Network on Employment;
The Arc of the United States;
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD);
Autism Society of America (ASA);
The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL);
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation;
National Association of Councils on Development Disabilities (NACDD);
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP);
NISH;
The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS);
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE); and
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).

Each of these organizations represents distinct stakeholders within the developmental disabilities community, yet all are united in their commitment to the successful inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into mainstream American life. By bringing together the many voices within these organizations and throughout the developmental disabilities community, the Alliance for Full Participation is dedicated to making the vision of full participation a reality.

Conference on April 17-18, Opening New Worlds for People with Disabilities

Please share this information. The conference is designed to help parents of children with special needs and also encourage churches to open their hearts and doors to people with disabilities. Thank you!

View the conference flyer by clicking here.

For more information on Developmental Disabilities Ministries, click here.

A How to Guide to Social Inclusion: An Asset Based Community Development Workshop on June 2 and 3

As part of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Real Communities initiative we are pleased to announce that Mike Green and Bruce Anderson, internationally renowned speakers and authors on the issue of social inclusion will deliver a workshop in Atlanta on June 2-3 *A How to Guide to Social Inclusion: An Asset Based Community Development Workshop.* To register for this conference, click here.
Space is limited. There is no fee for people with disabilities and scholarships are available. Please contact Eric Jacobson if you have any questions:

Eric E. Jacobson
Executive Director
Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
(404) 657-2126
www.gcdd.org

Educational Material about Breast Health Care for Women with ID

The North Carolina Office on Disability and Health at UNC-Chapel Hill recently developed a pamphlet, "Breast Health Care: Easy to Read, Easy to Understand". This educational material was developed with generous funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

"Breast Health" teaches women with intellectual disabilities about the importance of breast care and cancer screening. It provides low reading level text and illustrations on how to follow the recommended steps to breast health.

The pamphlet covers risk factors, cancer screening, breast self-exam, and living a healthy lifestyle.

If you would like to order FREE copies, contact Pam Dickens at: (919)966-0871 or email: dickens@mail.fpg.unc.edu