Governor Gregoire has released her proposed budget as required by law. It addresses another big deficit. For individuals with developmental disabilities the proposal did not do as much damage as it could have and actually increased spending for some community services. That is not to say the proposed budget did not have damaging cuts, the hope is we can "buy back" some of those cuts through revenue increases.
Washington State is finally coming to terms with the fact that institutionalization is not the standard of care for people with developmental disabilities. Currently there is no real choice for services, the only entitlement in our state is institutional care.
There have been strong feelings expressed by some parents whose children currently reside in one of the institutions slated for downsizing or closure in the Governor's budget. It is natural for them to be afraid of moving their son or daughter, change is difficult... but it isn't impossible. I have a 16 year old son with autism myself. When he was born I bought a house and it was our home for the first 12 years of his life. Eventually I was unable to climb the stairs in our 3 story home so I sold it and bought a one story rambler. I prepared my son for the move, involving him in how we would decorate his new room and showing him that he would have more room for his beloved Bionicles. He made the move with little problem because he was well prepared beforehand.
Some parents fear moving their child into the community because of prior bad experiences or lack of knowledge of what is really available in the community. I agree that some residential settings may not have the skills to address the needs of a child with significant behavior challenges, but there are are many that do. Children's Residential Services at the Division of Developmental Disabilities has a list of placement options showing 27 current openings, some for respite and some residential. Two new homes recently added are specifically for children with intense behavior challenges. (You can find this list in a group of various charts at http://www.arcwa.org/pdf/2010charts.pdf)
Governor Gregoire recognizes that we can't close institutional settings without increasing community services. In her budget she added some funding to create new Children's State Operated Living Alternatives (state employees from institutions can move to these homes in the community for employment), serve 13 new clients in the Community Protection Program, fund greater utilization of residential services in the community and serve 24 adults with developmental disabilities aging out of other programs. This won't cover all that is needed, but it is a start.
12 states have now closed all institutions for developmental disabilities in their state, two of them, including Oregon, closed the last of theirs this year. They are now serving these individuals successfully in the community. This is a national trend that will continue. You can learn more about Governor Gregoire's plan for reforming how we care for Washingtonians with developmental disabilities at http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/reform/facclosureDDD.pdf
Support and assistance is available to families needing help to transition a loved one from an institution to the community. The Arc of Washington State cares about all individuals and families struggling through this difficult time. Keep in mind, it was parents from The Arc that originally advocated for the creation of institutions in our state because no services at all were available. Times have changed, there are better ways to help our loved one with a developmental disability and The Arc is here to help advocate for individuals and families to have the most inclusive and fulfilling life possible.
Let's begin the new year working together to increase funding for good community services for our loved ones. I know I will be doing that for my son and for so many others.
To a prosperous New Year-
Diana Stadden
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Home Sweet Home by Guest Blogger Joy Caldwell
Home, sweet home. What does this phrase mean to you? What kind of feelings does it stir inside? The feelings and thoughts attached to these words are as unique and different as the person hearing them. Generally though, there is agreement that the word “home” stirs feelings of warmth, welcome, and a sense of belonging in addition to a place of shelter where needs are met in a caring environment versus the word “house” – a physical place of residence providing shelter.
It was with some of these thoughts in mind that I ventured out to visit two of Washington State’s Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC’s) at Fircrest & Rainier in Shoreline & Buckley respectively. Having heard arguments on both sides of the debate – for & against consolidation & closure of these facilities, I wanted to see for myself and form my own opinion. “Are these institutions really home where people live in a place of warmth with a sense of belonging where their needs are met in a caring environment? Or are they institutional houses where people are placed with their basic needs met?”
I was particularly struck by the locations of both of these RHC’s. They are both located in lovely surroundings on large parcels of land, beautifully landscaped in picturesque settings, yet notably secluded and separate from their surrounding cities and communities. Arriving at Fircrest, I couldn’t help but notice the age of the brick buildings, the overwhelming impression - cold and impersonal. Of course the large unsightly food, laundry, and garbage carts located outside the front doors of each cottage confirmed I had indeed arrived at an institution versus a community. Rainier on the other hand reminded me of an army base or prison facility behind the gates and fences with its old-style stark white peeling paint and red Spanish tile roofs, and buildings connected by long covered walkways.
I found the facilities at each campus were clean and maintained, though they felt cold, stark, archaic, and in great need of modern updates both inside and out. I found it peculiar that décor on both campuses looked like thrift store purchases from many years gone by, curled posters, cheaply framed faded prints, outdated curtains hung on barred windows if at all. I appreciate the work that these residents perform: sterilizing used Comcast remotes, shredding documents, thrift store duties, and pouring beautiful paving stones. However, the biggest factor I found lacking was the sense of community. I kept pondering, “How will the community ever be able to appreciate the values of self-determination, independence, inclusion, integration, and productivity for people with developmental disabilities if they’re kept isolated and segregated? When was the last time these adults and youth went on a vacation, went camping, saw a school play, or heard the laughter of a child?”
At Fircrest, each living room is arranged with one shared T.V. and generic “Dr’s Office” chairs set around the sparsely decorated walls of the vinyl floor room. Each child, youth and adult at Fircrest has their own very small bedroom, meagerly furnished with a twin-size bed and dresser. Out of the dozen or more bedrooms I visited there, only a meager few appeared personalized in any way. I thought, “Even college dormitories are more appealing than this”.
To my surprise, I did observe more texture, color and variety when it came to décor and “home-like” comforts in the Rainier cottages, where 8 residents share two warmly decorated living areas per side with more comfortable furnishings, overstuffed chairs and recliners. I noted that some of the Rainier residents also share larger more personalized bedrooms, 2 to a room, comfortably furnished with warm décor. Colorful attractive home-style dinnerware adorned Rainier’s tables while residents ate from standard melamine cafeteria dishes at Fircrest.
I have a daughter with multiple disabilities, similar to many of the residents in these two facilities. When Jessica was born with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, I was given the option to place in her in an institution where she’d be cared for. As I toured the RHC’s, I kept thinking, “Would Jessica be comfortable enough to call one of these cottages home? Would she be happy with the lack of freedom, lack of choices and lack of independence? Is she really safer set apart FROM the community in an institutional house or safer IN a community home?”
I couldn’t help but feel sad and discouraged as I left these properties, wondering if the adults and youth were there willingly or if they’d ever been given a choice. As I pondered the thought of “relaxing and having a cup of tea in the Rainier Cottage”, a wise friend kindly reminded me of the secrets behind these walls – the abuses committed when there is no choice, no freedom, no other option, no way of escape. Are these dear people really at Home Sweet Home or prisoners kept safe inside prettied up institutional houses? My friend is right; I don’t want to drink my cup of tea here either.
As I drove away from these RHC’s, these institutions, these duplex houses, I turned my heart towards the warmth of home. My heart felt lighter as I pondered my daughters, each with her own unique and different abilities - her sense of belonging, her safe place in our home where hugs abound, laughter comes easy, choices are made, freedom is earned and independence is learned. “Home Sweet Home” – the words have never meant more.
Joy Caldwell , Skagit County Parent Coalition Coordinator
(For photos and a more comprehensive perspective of Joy's visit to the RHCs visit http://paulandjgcaldwell.blogspot.com)
As a parent of a child with a disability, Joy Caldwell has been both a formal and informal advocate for families and people with disabilities for the past twelve years. Joy has developed and taught seminars and workshops to the general public, early interventionists, therapists, teachers' assistants, caregivers, support workers, and parents. During her time in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, she served as Chairperson on the Executive Board of Directors for the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society for two years.
It was with some of these thoughts in mind that I ventured out to visit two of Washington State’s Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC’s) at Fircrest & Rainier in Shoreline & Buckley respectively. Having heard arguments on both sides of the debate – for & against consolidation & closure of these facilities, I wanted to see for myself and form my own opinion. “Are these institutions really home where people live in a place of warmth with a sense of belonging where their needs are met in a caring environment? Or are they institutional houses where people are placed with their basic needs met?”
I was particularly struck by the locations of both of these RHC’s. They are both located in lovely surroundings on large parcels of land, beautifully landscaped in picturesque settings, yet notably secluded and separate from their surrounding cities and communities. Arriving at Fircrest, I couldn’t help but notice the age of the brick buildings, the overwhelming impression - cold and impersonal. Of course the large unsightly food, laundry, and garbage carts located outside the front doors of each cottage confirmed I had indeed arrived at an institution versus a community. Rainier on the other hand reminded me of an army base or prison facility behind the gates and fences with its old-style stark white peeling paint and red Spanish tile roofs, and buildings connected by long covered walkways.
I found the facilities at each campus were clean and maintained, though they felt cold, stark, archaic, and in great need of modern updates both inside and out. I found it peculiar that décor on both campuses looked like thrift store purchases from many years gone by, curled posters, cheaply framed faded prints, outdated curtains hung on barred windows if at all. I appreciate the work that these residents perform: sterilizing used Comcast remotes, shredding documents, thrift store duties, and pouring beautiful paving stones. However, the biggest factor I found lacking was the sense of community. I kept pondering, “How will the community ever be able to appreciate the values of self-determination, independence, inclusion, integration, and productivity for people with developmental disabilities if they’re kept isolated and segregated? When was the last time these adults and youth went on a vacation, went camping, saw a school play, or heard the laughter of a child?”
At Fircrest, each living room is arranged with one shared T.V. and generic “Dr’s Office” chairs set around the sparsely decorated walls of the vinyl floor room. Each child, youth and adult at Fircrest has their own very small bedroom, meagerly furnished with a twin-size bed and dresser. Out of the dozen or more bedrooms I visited there, only a meager few appeared personalized in any way. I thought, “Even college dormitories are more appealing than this”.
To my surprise, I did observe more texture, color and variety when it came to décor and “home-like” comforts in the Rainier cottages, where 8 residents share two warmly decorated living areas per side with more comfortable furnishings, overstuffed chairs and recliners. I noted that some of the Rainier residents also share larger more personalized bedrooms, 2 to a room, comfortably furnished with warm décor. Colorful attractive home-style dinnerware adorned Rainier’s tables while residents ate from standard melamine cafeteria dishes at Fircrest.
I have a daughter with multiple disabilities, similar to many of the residents in these two facilities. When Jessica was born with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, I was given the option to place in her in an institution where she’d be cared for. As I toured the RHC’s, I kept thinking, “Would Jessica be comfortable enough to call one of these cottages home? Would she be happy with the lack of freedom, lack of choices and lack of independence? Is she really safer set apart FROM the community in an institutional house or safer IN a community home?”
I couldn’t help but feel sad and discouraged as I left these properties, wondering if the adults and youth were there willingly or if they’d ever been given a choice. As I pondered the thought of “relaxing and having a cup of tea in the Rainier Cottage”, a wise friend kindly reminded me of the secrets behind these walls – the abuses committed when there is no choice, no freedom, no other option, no way of escape. Are these dear people really at Home Sweet Home or prisoners kept safe inside prettied up institutional houses? My friend is right; I don’t want to drink my cup of tea here either.
As I drove away from these RHC’s, these institutions, these duplex houses, I turned my heart towards the warmth of home. My heart felt lighter as I pondered my daughters, each with her own unique and different abilities - her sense of belonging, her safe place in our home where hugs abound, laughter comes easy, choices are made, freedom is earned and independence is learned. “Home Sweet Home” – the words have never meant more.
Joy Caldwell , Skagit County Parent Coalition Coordinator
(For photos and a more comprehensive perspective of Joy's visit to the RHCs visit http://paulandjgcaldwell.blogspot.com)
As a parent of a child with a disability, Joy Caldwell has been both a formal and informal advocate for families and people with disabilities for the past twelve years. Joy has developed and taught seminars and workshops to the general public, early interventionists, therapists, teachers' assistants, caregivers, support workers, and parents. During her time in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, she served as Chairperson on the Executive Board of Directors for the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society for two years.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Another budget shortfall, what will they cut now?
On September 17, 2209 the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released its latest predictions on our state’s budget. According to Dr. Arun Raha, the state’s chief revenue forecaster, he is cautiously saying that “the state’s economy has reached its lowest point and will soon be on the mend.” According to Victor Moore, director for the Office of Financial Management, we are looking at a shortfall of $1 billion or more.
Governor Gregoire’s response is “Although we believe the recession has bottomed out, it will take some time for revenues to recover. I am preparing a supplemental budget request that accounts for the revenue shortfalls we have experienced since May.” State agencies have each been asked to provide her with two budgets, one cutting 5% and a second that cuts 10%. With the Division of Developmental Disabilities already having taken deep cuts in administration and programs such as residential services, supported employment, Medicaid Personal Care and other critical areas for individuals and families with developmental disabilities, where can more be taken from?
This coming legislative session, which starts on January 11, 2010, will be a very short session focused primarily on fixing the budget shortfall. There will be committees looking at possible bills, but it is unlikely that any bill requiring funding will have a chance of making it through. That does not mean we don’t continue to educate legislators about the need for funding services in the community, but our focus will be on retaining current community services and getting policy bills through that can strengthen services in the community, but that don’t have a fiscal note.
Two studies commissioned by the legislature last session are scheduled to submit a report before the next session starts. One has to do with reducing Residential Habilitation Centers (state institutions for people with developmental disabilities) by 250 beds through either consolidation or closure of facilities. The other report is from HB 2078 which will create a screening tool and training for jail and corrections staff when a person with a developmental disability is incarcerated. The legislature will review those reports and may make decisions based on them.
There are some policy issues being considered by advocates that will not have a fiscal note driving them such as the follow-up on respectful language, recommendations for alternatives to guardianship, a DD rights statute and some other legal policy issues.
Our main focus though, will need to be ensuring that no more cuts are made to DD services. One of the ways we can do this is by offering the Governor and legislators efficiencies that will save money without cutting services. We also need to encourage legislators to use any savings or efficiencies in the DD system to “buy back” programs that have already taken cuts. It is especially important not to staff up at the RHCs, which are much more expensive than community services, but to instead build up services in the community.
Much will be riding on your advocacy this next legislative session. Be sure you are signed up on The Arc’s Action Alert Center at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA so that you can stay informed when your voice is needed on specific issues. You can also follow The Arc of Washington State on Twitter by following ArcofWA for action alerts that may change moment by moment. Change is made by those who show up, whether in person, by phone, text or email, just so your voice is heard.
Diana Stadden
Governor Gregoire’s response is “Although we believe the recession has bottomed out, it will take some time for revenues to recover. I am preparing a supplemental budget request that accounts for the revenue shortfalls we have experienced since May.” State agencies have each been asked to provide her with two budgets, one cutting 5% and a second that cuts 10%. With the Division of Developmental Disabilities already having taken deep cuts in administration and programs such as residential services, supported employment, Medicaid Personal Care and other critical areas for individuals and families with developmental disabilities, where can more be taken from?
This coming legislative session, which starts on January 11, 2010, will be a very short session focused primarily on fixing the budget shortfall. There will be committees looking at possible bills, but it is unlikely that any bill requiring funding will have a chance of making it through. That does not mean we don’t continue to educate legislators about the need for funding services in the community, but our focus will be on retaining current community services and getting policy bills through that can strengthen services in the community, but that don’t have a fiscal note.
Two studies commissioned by the legislature last session are scheduled to submit a report before the next session starts. One has to do with reducing Residential Habilitation Centers (state institutions for people with developmental disabilities) by 250 beds through either consolidation or closure of facilities. The other report is from HB 2078 which will create a screening tool and training for jail and corrections staff when a person with a developmental disability is incarcerated. The legislature will review those reports and may make decisions based on them.
There are some policy issues being considered by advocates that will not have a fiscal note driving them such as the follow-up on respectful language, recommendations for alternatives to guardianship, a DD rights statute and some other legal policy issues.
Our main focus though, will need to be ensuring that no more cuts are made to DD services. One of the ways we can do this is by offering the Governor and legislators efficiencies that will save money without cutting services. We also need to encourage legislators to use any savings or efficiencies in the DD system to “buy back” programs that have already taken cuts. It is especially important not to staff up at the RHCs, which are much more expensive than community services, but to instead build up services in the community.
Much will be riding on your advocacy this next legislative session. Be sure you are signed up on The Arc’s Action Alert Center at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA so that you can stay informed when your voice is needed on specific issues. You can also follow The Arc of Washington State on Twitter by following ArcofWA for action alerts that may change moment by moment. Change is made by those who show up, whether in person, by phone, text or email, just so your voice is heard.
Diana Stadden
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Senator Kennedy – Lion of the Senate, Champion for the People
Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, known as Teddy, was the biggest champion for those with disabilities in the United States Congress there ever was. His battle with brain cancer led to his death last week, just a couple of weeks after the passing of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, also a staunch advocate for those with disabilities and creator of Special Olympics.
The youngest of nine children, Senator Kennedy grew up in the shadow of a father who was active politically and in business, his brother Joseph Jr., who died in a plane explosion in WWII, brother John (known as Jack) who became the 35th US President but was assassinated before the end of his first term and brother Robert, who was also active politically and assassinated as he ran for president.
Senator Kennedy’s sister, Rose Marie (known as Rosemary), was considered to have an intellectual disability and her father had her undergo a lobotomy at age 23 hoping to control her mood swings. Instead, it left her incapable of speech and unable to care for herself. She lived in a residential care facility until her death. In 1968 another sister, Eunice, started Special Olympics, created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment, in honor of her sister Rosemary. The senator’s son, Teddy Jr., lost a leg at age 12 because of bone cancer.
Senator Kennedy’s long list of achievements, over 300 bills he sponsored and passed, are highlighted by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Family Opportunity Act (which gives parents the ability to purchase Medicaid coverage for their children even if they are not low-income); the Help America Vote Act, and the No Child Left Behind Act. His fight for the rights and services that benefit people with intellectual disabilities are unmatched by any other member of Congress.
Unfortunately, the health care reform that Senator Kennedy tried so hard to get passed for most of his career has not yet come to pass. We must continue this fight for him, making sure our voices are heard on the importance of having health care reform that includes recognizing that people with disabilities are best served by receiving their services in their community, not in institutions, that there be no penalty for pre-existing conditions, that people receive necessary services regardless of the type of disability, including autism, that it include grants for training professionals on disability issues, standards for accessibility and usability of medical equipment by people with disabilities and that it lowers the cost of premiums and co-pays so that individuals with disabilities can afford to be covered. Stay informed and advocate for health care reform that will honor a man who did so much in his life to care for those most neglected.
Senator Kennedy once quoted President Hubert Humphrey’s “the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life -- the sick, the needy and the handicapped." Society needs to step up and acknowledge those it so often tries to forget.
Keep fighting for what is right-
Diana Stadden
The youngest of nine children, Senator Kennedy grew up in the shadow of a father who was active politically and in business, his brother Joseph Jr., who died in a plane explosion in WWII, brother John (known as Jack) who became the 35th US President but was assassinated before the end of his first term and brother Robert, who was also active politically and assassinated as he ran for president.
Senator Kennedy’s sister, Rose Marie (known as Rosemary), was considered to have an intellectual disability and her father had her undergo a lobotomy at age 23 hoping to control her mood swings. Instead, it left her incapable of speech and unable to care for herself. She lived in a residential care facility until her death. In 1968 another sister, Eunice, started Special Olympics, created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment, in honor of her sister Rosemary. The senator’s son, Teddy Jr., lost a leg at age 12 because of bone cancer.
Senator Kennedy’s long list of achievements, over 300 bills he sponsored and passed, are highlighted by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Family Opportunity Act (which gives parents the ability to purchase Medicaid coverage for their children even if they are not low-income); the Help America Vote Act, and the No Child Left Behind Act. His fight for the rights and services that benefit people with intellectual disabilities are unmatched by any other member of Congress.
Unfortunately, the health care reform that Senator Kennedy tried so hard to get passed for most of his career has not yet come to pass. We must continue this fight for him, making sure our voices are heard on the importance of having health care reform that includes recognizing that people with disabilities are best served by receiving their services in their community, not in institutions, that there be no penalty for pre-existing conditions, that people receive necessary services regardless of the type of disability, including autism, that it include grants for training professionals on disability issues, standards for accessibility and usability of medical equipment by people with disabilities and that it lowers the cost of premiums and co-pays so that individuals with disabilities can afford to be covered. Stay informed and advocate for health care reform that will honor a man who did so much in his life to care for those most neglected.
Senator Kennedy once quoted President Hubert Humphrey’s “the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life -- the sick, the needy and the handicapped." Society needs to step up and acknowledge those it so often tries to forget.
Keep fighting for what is right-
Diana Stadden
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tours for Legislators - Show Them Community
Guest Blogger: Scott Livengood
As most, if not all of you know, our state continues to face budget difficulties in light of the economic downturn. This last legislative session was extremely challenging and ended with significant cuts for services for people with development disabilities, including cuts to vocational services, elimination of some adult day health services, cuts to Medicaid Personal Care hours, a reduction in the benchmark for supported living and group home providers, the holding of vacancies for community residential, and the decision not to close Yakima Valley School – among many other budget decisions. For agencies such as ours, the cuts have been extremely difficult as the reduction in revenue was directly targeted at the funding for wages and benefits for our valued employees who are already paid below a livable wage for direct support positions.
These are extremely hard economic times and the worst may not be over. Recent budget forecasts have shown an additional revenue shortfall that will need to be addressed. In addition, a separate initiative slated for the ballot would mean reduced revenues if passed. With decreased state revenue, the legislature will be going back to the budget to trim additional services. All of this could mean that essential services for people with developmental disabilities will continue to face the devastating impact of budget cuts.
In an effort to make our voice heard and educate legislators of the effects of the recent cuts, CRSA is working to coordinate legislative tours over the next couple of months. Supported living agencies are being designated as the lead in each legislative district and are being provided with contacts from the various coalitions and the vocational providers in the district. The intent is to conduct a coordinated visit with the legislators in each district. By working together, we will be able to show the quality of the services provided, the impact of the recent cuts, and the need to preserve these critical community resources. At these tours, information will be shared via a PowerPoint presentation and a video, as well as tours of homes in order to put a face on the services provided, illustrate the need and un-met need of families and people with developmental disabilities, and show the reality that people with development disabilities are being provided quality services in the community and that all individuals with developmental disabilities should be afforded this same opportunity and right.
The battle is not over. We ask that you get involved and make your voices heard. Please join us in meeting our legislators to advocate for funding for people with developmental disabilities. We need to take this opportunity to get the word out prior to the legislature going back into session, rather than scrambling in January and February to stave off any further cuts. Of course, we will still be working diligently during those months, but it is best to grab this opportunity when legislators actually have more than 15 minutes to meet with us! During these seemingly insurmountable times we must make sure that vital community resources for some of our most vulnerable citizens do not continue to be harmed. Please join us in these efforts!
About our guest blogger: Scott Livengood is the CEO of Alpha Supported Living Services, which is a nonprofit supported living agency providing community residential services for adults with developmental disabilities living in King County. They have been providing supports for 35 years and he is now in his ninth year at the agency. He has worked in the field for over 16 years and previously worked as a certification evaluator contracted with DDD and as a Program Supervisor for another supported living agency in the area. He originally started as a direct support professional, so he is acutely aware of the challenges and rewards of providing direct support for people with developmental disabilities. He previously served as the Chair of the Community Residential Services Association (CRSA), served as the Co-Chair of the Valued Lives Conference, and currently serves as the Legislative Co-Chair for CRSA.
As most, if not all of you know, our state continues to face budget difficulties in light of the economic downturn. This last legislative session was extremely challenging and ended with significant cuts for services for people with development disabilities, including cuts to vocational services, elimination of some adult day health services, cuts to Medicaid Personal Care hours, a reduction in the benchmark for supported living and group home providers, the holding of vacancies for community residential, and the decision not to close Yakima Valley School – among many other budget decisions. For agencies such as ours, the cuts have been extremely difficult as the reduction in revenue was directly targeted at the funding for wages and benefits for our valued employees who are already paid below a livable wage for direct support positions.
These are extremely hard economic times and the worst may not be over. Recent budget forecasts have shown an additional revenue shortfall that will need to be addressed. In addition, a separate initiative slated for the ballot would mean reduced revenues if passed. With decreased state revenue, the legislature will be going back to the budget to trim additional services. All of this could mean that essential services for people with developmental disabilities will continue to face the devastating impact of budget cuts.
In an effort to make our voice heard and educate legislators of the effects of the recent cuts, CRSA is working to coordinate legislative tours over the next couple of months. Supported living agencies are being designated as the lead in each legislative district and are being provided with contacts from the various coalitions and the vocational providers in the district. The intent is to conduct a coordinated visit with the legislators in each district. By working together, we will be able to show the quality of the services provided, the impact of the recent cuts, and the need to preserve these critical community resources. At these tours, information will be shared via a PowerPoint presentation and a video, as well as tours of homes in order to put a face on the services provided, illustrate the need and un-met need of families and people with developmental disabilities, and show the reality that people with development disabilities are being provided quality services in the community and that all individuals with developmental disabilities should be afforded this same opportunity and right.
The battle is not over. We ask that you get involved and make your voices heard. Please join us in meeting our legislators to advocate for funding for people with developmental disabilities. We need to take this opportunity to get the word out prior to the legislature going back into session, rather than scrambling in January and February to stave off any further cuts. Of course, we will still be working diligently during those months, but it is best to grab this opportunity when legislators actually have more than 15 minutes to meet with us! During these seemingly insurmountable times we must make sure that vital community resources for some of our most vulnerable citizens do not continue to be harmed. Please join us in these efforts!
About our guest blogger: Scott Livengood is the CEO of Alpha Supported Living Services, which is a nonprofit supported living agency providing community residential services for adults with developmental disabilities living in King County. They have been providing supports for 35 years and he is now in his ninth year at the agency. He has worked in the field for over 16 years and previously worked as a certification evaluator contracted with DDD and as a Program Supervisor for another supported living agency in the area. He originally started as a direct support professional, so he is acutely aware of the challenges and rewards of providing direct support for people with developmental disabilities. He previously served as the Chair of the Community Residential Services Association (CRSA), served as the Co-Chair of the Valued Lives Conference, and currently serves as the Legislative Co-Chair for CRSA.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Preliminary analysis of Initiative 1033
Guest Blogger - Remy Trupin
The Budget & Policy Center has lots of information on this issue in the form of a PowerPoint, one of our blog posts, or the paper we developed based on our powerpoint. They all can be found on our website or blog: http://www.budgetandpolicy.org/
This is our preliminary analysis of Initiative 1033, a ballot initiative filed by Tim Eyman for the November 2009 ballot. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an organizational position on the initiative.
The basics. Initiative 1033 limits the total growth in revenue each year for state, county, and city general funds. If total revenue (including taxes and fees) for a state or local government grows more quickly than the prescribed limit, property taxes would automatically be reduced. Revenue raised in binding public votes would be exempt.
The key problems with this approach are:
1. It limits the growth in revenue to inflation plus population growth. This limit does not account for the natural increase in the cost of government, which rises faster than inflation in general in part because the services provided by government (particularly health care) have higher-than-average inflation rates.
2. This measure would severely limit the ability of state and local government to make expanded long-term investments in education, transportation, health care, and economic security.
3. During periods of recession, revenue can fall sharply because of decreased economic activity (as we are currently experiencing). The measure would limit the ability of government to return to the previous revenue level because the base would be reset. Because this measure would be enacted during the worst fiscal crisis in memory, this provision would be particularly damaging.
4. Property taxes already have strict limitations on growth and levels. The result of these has been particularly hard on local governments, who have limited ability to raise other taxes.
5. Shifting from the property tax to other tax sources makes our tax system less stable because property taxes are one of the least volatile revenue sources we have.
Similar measures have been disastrous elsewhere. The “Tax-payer Bill of Rights” (TABOR) passed in Colorado in 1992 is a case-study of this type of poor fiscal policy. TABOR amended the state constitution to restrict revenue and expenditure growth to the sum of inflation plus population change and require voter approval to override the revenue or spending limits.
In Colorado, TABOR resulted in far reaching negative consequences including large increases in the number of children who are uninsured (ranking last in the nation in that measure), dropping higher education and K-12 funding so significantly that they now rank as the 49th and 48thlowest state investing in the respective areas. In 2005, voters in Colorado responded to the deterioration of their public structures by suspending the TABOR for 5 years.
What are your thoughts on this Initiative?
About our Guest Blogger:
Remy Trupin is the founding executive director of the Budget & Policy Center. He directs the activities of the Budget & Policy Center with a focus on strategic direction, external connections and state budget analysis. Remy has worked at the federal and state levels for foundations and funders, produced research and conducted direct lobbying.
The Washington State Budget & Policy Center provides credible, independent and accessible information and analyses of state fiscal issues including both revenue and spending policies, with particular attention to the impacts on low and moderate-income persons. Their products inform state fiscal and budget policy debates and contribute to sound decisions that improve the well-being of individuals, communities and the state as a whole.
The Budget & Policy Center has lots of information on this issue in the form of a PowerPoint, one of our blog posts, or the paper we developed based on our powerpoint. They all can be found on our website or blog: http://www.budgetandpolicy.org/
This is our preliminary analysis of Initiative 1033, a ballot initiative filed by Tim Eyman for the November 2009 ballot. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an organizational position on the initiative.
The basics. Initiative 1033 limits the total growth in revenue each year for state, county, and city general funds. If total revenue (including taxes and fees) for a state or local government grows more quickly than the prescribed limit, property taxes would automatically be reduced. Revenue raised in binding public votes would be exempt.
The key problems with this approach are:
1. It limits the growth in revenue to inflation plus population growth. This limit does not account for the natural increase in the cost of government, which rises faster than inflation in general in part because the services provided by government (particularly health care) have higher-than-average inflation rates.
2. This measure would severely limit the ability of state and local government to make expanded long-term investments in education, transportation, health care, and economic security.
3. During periods of recession, revenue can fall sharply because of decreased economic activity (as we are currently experiencing). The measure would limit the ability of government to return to the previous revenue level because the base would be reset. Because this measure would be enacted during the worst fiscal crisis in memory, this provision would be particularly damaging.
4. Property taxes already have strict limitations on growth and levels. The result of these has been particularly hard on local governments, who have limited ability to raise other taxes.
5. Shifting from the property tax to other tax sources makes our tax system less stable because property taxes are one of the least volatile revenue sources we have.
Similar measures have been disastrous elsewhere. The “Tax-payer Bill of Rights” (TABOR) passed in Colorado in 1992 is a case-study of this type of poor fiscal policy. TABOR amended the state constitution to restrict revenue and expenditure growth to the sum of inflation plus population change and require voter approval to override the revenue or spending limits.
In Colorado, TABOR resulted in far reaching negative consequences including large increases in the number of children who are uninsured (ranking last in the nation in that measure), dropping higher education and K-12 funding so significantly that they now rank as the 49th and 48thlowest state investing in the respective areas. In 2005, voters in Colorado responded to the deterioration of their public structures by suspending the TABOR for 5 years.
What are your thoughts on this Initiative?
About our Guest Blogger:
Remy Trupin is the founding executive director of the Budget & Policy Center. He directs the activities of the Budget & Policy Center with a focus on strategic direction, external connections and state budget analysis. Remy has worked at the federal and state levels for foundations and funders, produced research and conducted direct lobbying.
The Washington State Budget & Policy Center provides credible, independent and accessible information and analyses of state fiscal issues including both revenue and spending policies, with particular attention to the impacts on low and moderate-income persons. Their products inform state fiscal and budget policy debates and contribute to sound decisions that improve the well-being of individuals, communities and the state as a whole.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
National Health Care Reform – For Better or Worse?
President Obama campaigned on reforming health care, and true to his word, he is hard at work trying to get it accomplished. But how will people with developmental disabilities fare in this health care reform? First, you must realize that President Obama is not creating the health care plan. Instead he gave Congress three principles and told them to come up with a plan that meets them. He said that the plan must reduce costs, guarantee every American can choose their own plan (including a public option) and ensure quality and affordable health care.
Currently there are three very similar health care bills being worked on in various House committees, but the thought is that the “Affordable Health Choices Act” that just passed out of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee could be the bill that becomes the final plan. (See a mark-up of the bill at http://help.senate.gov/) It appears the bill will help to standardize the benefits and limit costs as well as giving insurance companies some operative guidelines, such as not excluding pre-existing conditions. This is a great aspect for people with life-long disabilities. It should also help bring down co-pays and deductibles.
From what I am reading, it looks like the Community Choice Act (the long term care bill) will not be included in the final health care plan because of the cost. Mental health parity does seem to be included in the plan though, which means mental health treatments will be covered equal to physical treatments. Medicaid will remain an option for those who qualify.
Section 323 of the bill requires that within 9 months of the bill’s passage, standards will be set with technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment and dental exams and procedures so that equipment is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, allowing independent entry and exit as much as possible.
There will be grants to establish community health teams to support a medical home model, something our state has already been implementing. Grants are also provided for family caregiver training to support individuals with disabilities, dental programs targeting people with disabilities as well as developing training curricula for use in health professions, schools and continuing education programs that include working with individuals with disabilities.
Another large concern for families with autism is whether the plan will stop autism insurance discrimination. Some states have already passed bills to fix this problem, but it needs to be included in the national health care reform bill. It was not included in the Senate bill, although the House has been addressing it in their versions. Autism Speaks has rallied a national campaign on this issue.
There have been a lot of fears expressed about the public option that is being discussed, that it would be a centralized, government controlled plan. In reality, it would be a network of choices that are cheaper because more people are enrolled in them. The more people in a group, the more the costs of those who may need high cost care is spread out. For example, if one person requires $1,000,000 in care, his individual insurance would have to cover all $1,000,000. If one million people are in the same plan, that person’s costs could be covered by $1 from each person. This is an advantage to individuals with disabilities that can be fairly expensive to treat, as they are then not shouldering all the cost or being shut out because they are high risk.
It is hard to say exactly what the final plan will look like, as it appears that Congress will not decide anything until at least next fall. Hopefully this explains some of what is being considered. Please let us know if you see other advantages or problems for individuals with developmental disabilities in the health care plans being considered by leaving your input in the comments section of this blog entry.
Stay healthy-
Diana Stadden
Currently there are three very similar health care bills being worked on in various House committees, but the thought is that the “Affordable Health Choices Act” that just passed out of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee could be the bill that becomes the final plan. (See a mark-up of the bill at http://help.senate.gov/) It appears the bill will help to standardize the benefits and limit costs as well as giving insurance companies some operative guidelines, such as not excluding pre-existing conditions. This is a great aspect for people with life-long disabilities. It should also help bring down co-pays and deductibles.
From what I am reading, it looks like the Community Choice Act (the long term care bill) will not be included in the final health care plan because of the cost. Mental health parity does seem to be included in the plan though, which means mental health treatments will be covered equal to physical treatments. Medicaid will remain an option for those who qualify.
Section 323 of the bill requires that within 9 months of the bill’s passage, standards will be set with technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment and dental exams and procedures so that equipment is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, allowing independent entry and exit as much as possible.
There will be grants to establish community health teams to support a medical home model, something our state has already been implementing. Grants are also provided for family caregiver training to support individuals with disabilities, dental programs targeting people with disabilities as well as developing training curricula for use in health professions, schools and continuing education programs that include working with individuals with disabilities.
Another large concern for families with autism is whether the plan will stop autism insurance discrimination. Some states have already passed bills to fix this problem, but it needs to be included in the national health care reform bill. It was not included in the Senate bill, although the House has been addressing it in their versions. Autism Speaks has rallied a national campaign on this issue.
There have been a lot of fears expressed about the public option that is being discussed, that it would be a centralized, government controlled plan. In reality, it would be a network of choices that are cheaper because more people are enrolled in them. The more people in a group, the more the costs of those who may need high cost care is spread out. For example, if one person requires $1,000,000 in care, his individual insurance would have to cover all $1,000,000. If one million people are in the same plan, that person’s costs could be covered by $1 from each person. This is an advantage to individuals with disabilities that can be fairly expensive to treat, as they are then not shouldering all the cost or being shut out because they are high risk.
It is hard to say exactly what the final plan will look like, as it appears that Congress will not decide anything until at least next fall. Hopefully this explains some of what is being considered. Please let us know if you see other advantages or problems for individuals with developmental disabilities in the health care plans being considered by leaving your input in the comments section of this blog entry.
Stay healthy-
Diana Stadden
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
