Life Works: Supported Living Services

[csln-discuss:9081] CSLN URGENT ACTION ALERT: Budget Subcommittee No. 1 On Health And Human Services Monday, May 18th 1PM! Hi Folks, The first budget committee ...hearing on our budget issues is Monday May 18th at 1PM. Since we are unable to pack a hearing room it's critical that they hear from us by public comment or submitting written comment. Please plan to be on the line to make public comment! They will announce the call in number for public comment during the hearing. If you are unable to be on the line please submit written comment to the email address below. DATE: MAY 18, 2020 - MONDAY TIME: 1:00 PM (or upon adjournment of Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee) to 7:00 PM (Pacific Time) WHO: ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WHERE: STATE CAPITOL - ROOM 4202 WHAT: BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING SUBJECT: Human Services Budget Issues - May ReviseLINK: ( Listen to this hearing http://assembly.ca.gov/listen/4202-audio )If you cannot call into the meeting to provide public comment, we encourage the public to provide written testimony before/during the hearing. Please send your written testimony to: [email protected] Please note that any emails sent to that address are considered public comment and may be read into the record or reprinted. Here are some *draft* talking points that the Path Forward Collaborative has been working on: PRINCIPLES SURROUNDING MAY REVISE BUDGET: MAXIMIZE FEDERAL FUNDING: The budget calls for a savings of $27 million ($40 million ongoing) through maximizing federal funding for eligible services and enrollment of individuals into Medi-Cal. We believe this number could be substantially higher, which could offset many of the proposed cuts. But these savings can only be achieved by breaking down the enrollment barriers that exist at the county level and increasing regional center service coordination to assist families in the bureaucratic process. ENSURE FEDERAL COMPLIANCE: The DDS budget should move the system toward compliance with the federal Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) final rule, which goes into effect in 2022, requires choice and inclusion, and is tied to billions of federal dollars. Now is not the time to be funding closed large congregate work and day programs that pose great health risks and won’t be able to reopen in the same way after the pandemic. Increasing the funding and services that are HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) will pull down more federal dollars. Many services have are not eligible for federal funding because they are not HCBS compliant. In 2022, programs that are not HCBS compliant will receive no federal funds. PRIORITIZE SAFETY: The budget should prioritize funding services that have been truly essential during the pandemic and that prioritize safety, stability, and sustainable lives for Californians with developmental disabilities while emphasizing individual choice and self-determination. These services are particularly necessary to fill in the gap if a person’s IHSS hours sustain a 7% cut. PRESERVE IN-PERSON SERVICES: The budget should maintain the funding levels for in-person services, such as supported living, independent living, respite, personal assistance, tailored day, and supported employment. Cutting rates for these services now will destabilize the supports that ensure the health and safety of people with developmental disabilities.In-person provided services are essential and only can be enhanced by technology. INCREASE CONSUMER CONTROL: The system should permanently expand and regional centers should allow for easy access to participant-directed services and the Self-Determination Program, including Employer of Record (EOR) services that allow participants to direct their daily service activities while agencies ensure employment law compliance MAINTAIN CRITICAL SERVICE COORDINATION: The budget calls for a $30 million (less than 4%) reduction to regional center operations. It is essential that these cuts stay far away from the front-line staff that are providing critical service coordination, identification of generic resources, and other supports for individuals and families. DON’T EXACERBATE RACIAL & ETHNIC DISPARITIES: It is essential that all cuts be viewed with the lens of how they might increase the already substantial disparities that impact racial and ethnic communities. These families rely on supports such as respite and personal assistance and cuts in the rates of these services will have a disproportionate impact on these underserved communities. Fund pilot wrap-around services for individuals living with family members who cannot access their congregate-setting day programs. We need to develop new modes for supporting individuals throughout their day. We also strongly encourage you to make contact with and to urge congress to pass legislation to provide relief to states! The cuts that Governor Newsom has proposed only "trigger" due to lack of federal funding relief. Currently the House has passed the "Heroes Act" but it is not expected to pass the Senate. Tell congress to pass legislation to avoid devastating cuts to Californians with Intellectual and Developmentally Disabilities and the essential services that they rely on! Be well! Thanks for your continued advocacy, -Mark https://abgt.assembly.ca.gov/sub1healthandhumanservices

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The NADSP needs your help! Please take three minutes and watch this video about why we NEED your stories and how we are going to use them. Then contact me to arrange a short interview!

Peyton Goddard's journey with autism has been heartbreaking and joyous. She now advocates for peace through inclusion for all. https://leirighfilms.com/titles/treasure-all Peyton Goddard Elaine Dill Jessica Davidson Frank Forth #TreasureAll #autism #animation