I want to talk about the danger to community services for those with a developmental disability during this Legislative session. The current political landscape does not look promising for community services as the Legislature struggles to close a projected shortfall for the coming two years.
During the legislative session three budget proposals are created, the Governor's, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Although these proposals will differ slightly from one another, we can be sure that there will be significant cuts offered in the discretionary spending areas of the budget. Services for developmental disabilities are in this area of the budget. I have seen the proposal for the Governors supplemental budget and though some of them may change for the better, we cannot count on it.
Currently the Governor proposes the elimination of all medication coverage for persons on Medicaid, with the exception of those provided within a medical facility. If this is allowed to stand, persons with developmental disabilites who do not have the resources to pay for the everyday medication that allows them to function and reside in the community, would no longer have medication available to them.
All dental care, with the exception of emergency pain control, would be eliminated. This could mean that unless a tooth is pulled, there is essentially no treatment and if the patient needs pain medication after leaving the dental office it will not be available, because it would be an outpatient medication.
Eyeglasses would be eliminated.
These are just three of the programs currently scheduled for elimination. Others are proposed for reductions in funding from 2% to 50% depending on the program.
Although this is not an accurate figure, if say you had 120 hours of family support service available to you, it could be reduced to 80 hours.
Providers of Residential Services would receive enough of a cut that their ability to hire and retain employees will be seriously impaired. Case managers working with the unserved will be eliminated. Job placement services for those leaving school will no longer exist.
For all of us, and the ones who need service, this may well be our Alamo.
Now is the time for all good persons to heed the call to arms to prevent the loss of services that those who came before us fought so hard to attain and to keep them from slipping into the abyss of the closet.
Now is the time to heed the call Stalin gave to his Commanders when the Germans were twenty miles from Moscow. The message was simple, "not one step back".
I am asking that each of you join me in the upcoming battle to preserve meaningful services in the community for those with a developmental disability and I ask you for one simple thing, ten minutes of your time to contact your representatives in Olympia on this issue. I further ask that you coordinate your effort through The Arc so that the message will remain in front of our Legislators throughout the session.
Some of you will be thinking that there will be enough others to carry the load or let the good intention of calling fade like a distant memory. At this point in the history of Community Services I cannot over stress the importance of your involvement.
For those of you who do not think you have the skill to articulate the message, I would say you only have to look at a stammering child asking you for something to realize that although the words are not perfect and the child is stammering, the message comes through loud and clear.
I ask this Chapter to take on the task of coordination and to ensure you have the information needed to make the call.
If you are a person with a developmental disability, a parent, a friend or perhaps a service provider, tell how these draconian cuts will affect you or the ones you care about.
Ten minutes of your time is not a great deal to request and that ten minutes you spend may well be the factor that saves a service or for that matter many services.
Even if it looks like we are not going to be totally successful, we might just be able to accomplish what those at the Alamo did and give those who follow a greater chance to prevail.
I want to thank each and every one of you for listening. I hope that each of you has a joyous holiday season and until we meet again may God forever hold you in the palm of his hand.
By Lew Isham
Lew Isham has been a member of The Arc of Kitsap County for over thirty years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Arc of Washington State.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Make your vote an informed one!
The Advocacy Partnership Project, a program of The Arc of Washington State, puts the power of change into the hands of people with developmental disabilities and their families. One of the goals of the project is to provide the information to make informed decisions to self advocates, their family and friends, providers who serve them and interested community members. Toward that goal, The Arc created a short questionnaire and emailed it to candidates running for the state legislature. We have compiled the responses received, by district, for advocates to review and make informed choices on election day. If you are unsure what district you live in, go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx and enter your address.
Each response contains the candidates name and email address (when available) so that if no response was returned, you can email your questions to the candidate personally or ask for additional information on responses submitted. Your vote is your power! Make sure you are informed when you mark your ballot!
Here’s a link to the questionnaire online: http://www.arcwa.org/2010_Leg_Questionaire.htm
Each response contains the candidates name and email address (when available) so that if no response was returned, you can email your questions to the candidate personally or ask for additional information on responses submitted. Your vote is your power! Make sure you are informed when you mark your ballot!
Here’s a link to the questionnaire online: http://www.arcwa.org/2010_Leg_Questionaire.htm
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Critical Budget Action Needed!
H.R. 4213, originally named the "American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act" has now been renamed the "Unemployment Compensation Extension Act." It originally included a 6 month extension of the FMAP (Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage) increase. The FMAP extension was removed and the bill is now moving forward just addressing unemployment benefits.
Most services that individuals with developmental disabilities receive from our state are paid for by state funds and FMAP funds. Because of the recession, states were granted a temporary increase in the FMAP percentage they received. HR 4213 was supposed to extend that increase for another 6 months. Because it appeared it would pass, our state built last year's budget on the assumption we would receive that extra funding.
If Congress does not approve the FMAP funding by the Aug. 9 recess, the Governor has said that she would have no choice but to make across-the-board cuts of 4 to 5 percent to make up for the $480 million dollars shortfall. This means many services would be cut or eliminated.
Time is of the essence! Call your Senators today and ask them to fight to get the extension of the FMAP increase put back into HR 4213. The Senate will likely vote on this bill later this week, then it moves on to the House. We hope Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell will push to include this before it is voted on.
Act now by phone and email at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA
UPDATE: The Senate passed HR 4213 on July 21, 2010 WITHOUT including the FMAP extension. Senator Murray continues to work with the House to get it included in the bill on the House floor. Calls and emails needed now to your Representative, calls are best as they are counted by issue. Follow the link above to act.
UPDATE: HR 4213 passed both House on July 22, 2010 without FMAP extension. Not giving up, Congress is in session until August 9th.
Most services that individuals with developmental disabilities receive from our state are paid for by state funds and FMAP funds. Because of the recession, states were granted a temporary increase in the FMAP percentage they received. HR 4213 was supposed to extend that increase for another 6 months. Because it appeared it would pass, our state built last year's budget on the assumption we would receive that extra funding.
If Congress does not approve the FMAP funding by the Aug. 9 recess, the Governor has said that she would have no choice but to make across-the-board cuts of 4 to 5 percent to make up for the $480 million dollars shortfall. This means many services would be cut or eliminated.
Time is of the essence! Call your Senators today and ask them to fight to get the extension of the FMAP increase put back into HR 4213. The Senate will likely vote on this bill later this week, then it moves on to the House. We hope Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell will push to include this before it is voted on.
Act now by phone and email at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA
UPDATE: The Senate passed HR 4213 on July 21, 2010 WITHOUT including the FMAP extension. Senator Murray continues to work with the House to get it included in the bill on the House floor. Calls and emails needed now to your Representative, calls are best as they are counted by issue. Follow the link above to act.
UPDATE: HR 4213 passed both House on July 22, 2010 without FMAP extension. Not giving up, Congress is in session until August 9th.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Got any money saving ideas?
This year is shaping up to be another difficult budget time for our state legislature. We are looking at another $3 billion dollar shortfall this biennium. Since 2008 our state has had to figure out how to deal with a $12 billion shortfall, $5.1 billion of which was filled by cuts to services and progams,$3.6 billion from federal funds, $1.7 billion transferred funds, $.8 billion from new revenue, $.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund and an ending fund balance of $.25 billion.
The recession is just part of the reason. More people are needing services like Medicaid, health care costs are rising, the prison population is growing, more children are enrolling in public schools and there are increasing state employee pension obligations. We lost $7.8 billion in expected state revenues because of low consumer spending, home values and sales dropped as well as other factors.
Our economy is improving, but at a very slow rate. It will take a few years before we can rebound from this. Currently our state's revenue is comprised 44.7% from taxes, 27.6% from federal grants, 24.7% from charges and miscellaneous revenues and 3% from licenses, permits and fees.
Governor Gregoire is approaching this upcoming budget using Priorities Of Government (POG). This budget process starts with a zero-base new budget. Each piece of the budget will be looked at as to whether it should be in the state's budget based on several criteria in three categories:
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Is the activity an essential service?
2. Does state government have to perform the activity or can it be provided by others?
3. Can the activity be eliminated or delayed in recessionary times?
4. Does the activity need to be paid for with state general funds? Should users pay a portion of the cost?
5. Are there federal funds or other fund sources available to support this activity?
EFFICIENCY
6. Are there more cost-effective, efficient ways to do the activity?
PERFORMANCE
7. Can the activity be the subject of a performance contract?
8. Can the activity be the subject of a performance incentive?
Governor Gregoire is seeking public input on the budget. She has arranged to hold four public meetings in Tacoma, Everett, Vancouver and Spokane to ask for suggestions on ideas citizens may have regarding areas where money could be saved or work done more cost-effectively. The public is invited to share ideas at transformwabudget.ideascale.com.
Once an idea is posted on the web site, citizens can vote whether they support that idea or not. The ideas with the most votes rise to the top, which will help the Governor as she creates this next budget. Some ideas are fairly broad, such as welfare reform. Others are specific, such as not requiring a front license plate.
Be involved! If you have an idea, submit it. You could help save a program important to you with your suggestion of how to do it more efficiently or by suggesting somewhere to cut spending not needed right now.
Developmental Disability advocates are drafting efficiency ideas to present to members of the Governor's Committee on Transforming Washington’s Budget. If you have ideas that will help preserve services important to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families let us know. Remember, change is made by those who show up. Let your voice be heard!
The recession is just part of the reason. More people are needing services like Medicaid, health care costs are rising, the prison population is growing, more children are enrolling in public schools and there are increasing state employee pension obligations. We lost $7.8 billion in expected state revenues because of low consumer spending, home values and sales dropped as well as other factors.
Our economy is improving, but at a very slow rate. It will take a few years before we can rebound from this. Currently our state's revenue is comprised 44.7% from taxes, 27.6% from federal grants, 24.7% from charges and miscellaneous revenues and 3% from licenses, permits and fees.
Governor Gregoire is approaching this upcoming budget using Priorities Of Government (POG). This budget process starts with a zero-base new budget. Each piece of the budget will be looked at as to whether it should be in the state's budget based on several criteria in three categories:
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Is the activity an essential service?
2. Does state government have to perform the activity or can it be provided by others?
3. Can the activity be eliminated or delayed in recessionary times?
4. Does the activity need to be paid for with state general funds? Should users pay a portion of the cost?
5. Are there federal funds or other fund sources available to support this activity?
EFFICIENCY
6. Are there more cost-effective, efficient ways to do the activity?
PERFORMANCE
7. Can the activity be the subject of a performance contract?
8. Can the activity be the subject of a performance incentive?
Governor Gregoire is seeking public input on the budget. She has arranged to hold four public meetings in Tacoma, Everett, Vancouver and Spokane to ask for suggestions on ideas citizens may have regarding areas where money could be saved or work done more cost-effectively. The public is invited to share ideas at transformwabudget.ideascale.com.
Once an idea is posted on the web site, citizens can vote whether they support that idea or not. The ideas with the most votes rise to the top, which will help the Governor as she creates this next budget. Some ideas are fairly broad, such as welfare reform. Others are specific, such as not requiring a front license plate.
Be involved! If you have an idea, submit it. You could help save a program important to you with your suggestion of how to do it more efficiently or by suggesting somewhere to cut spending not needed right now.
Developmental Disability advocates are drafting efficiency ideas to present to members of the Governor's Committee on Transforming Washington’s Budget. If you have ideas that will help preserve services important to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families let us know. Remember, change is made by those who show up. Let your voice be heard!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
House Human Services Work Session on Autism
On June 16, 2010 the House Human Services held a work session to examine the current strategies and best practices for diagnosing and providing services for persons with autism and their families and will look at how other states have addressed autism and its increased rate of diagnoses. Presenters included Dr. Wendy Stone, Director of Autism Center, University of Washington; Dr. Charles Cowan, Medical Director Seattle Children's Autism Center; Maria Nardella, MA, RD, CD, Manager, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, Washington Department of Health; Dr. Glenn Tripp, Medical Director, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital; Diana Stadden, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, The Arc of Washington State; and Dawn Sidell, Executive Director, Northwest Autism Center.
TVW has uploaded video of the hearing on their website. You can access it via the links below. Also included is a link to the committee website where a PDF version of all the PowerPoint presentations can be accessed.
Please click here to watch video or paste this url into your browser address bar:
http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?EvId=2010060078
Committee meeting documents are available online:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HS/
The committee was very receptive to the information shared and were very clear that they expect some agency requested legislation regarding autism concerns from the Department of Health for the upcoming legislative session. It is clear that we do not have an accurate way of documenting how many people in Washington State have autism.
The work of the 2005 Caring for Individuals with Autism Task Force was discussed and it was disappointing to report that only one recommendation from the task force had been accomplished, that being the creation of an Autism Guidebook for Washington State. The book is very beneficial and addresses issues from birth through the lifespan, but there is no funding to print more copies of it. Because of the task force work, we were able to receive a grant from the Federal Combating Autism Act and now have an Autism Advisory Council looking at issues surrounding children with autism (it does not look at adult issues).
The Arc of Washington State is compiling possible ideas for legislation that will benefit families with autism. Ideas range from providing specific autism interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to family supports such as Parent to Parent and additional Home and Community Based Services waiver openings. You are encouraged to offer your ideas for legislation in the comments box below.
Diana Stadden
Parent of a 17 year old with autism
Poicy & Advocacy Coordinator
The Arc of Washington State
TVW has uploaded video of the hearing on their website. You can access it via the links below. Also included is a link to the committee website where a PDF version of all the PowerPoint presentations can be accessed.
Please click here to watch video or paste this url into your browser address bar:
http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?EvId=2010060078
Committee meeting documents are available online:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HS/
The committee was very receptive to the information shared and were very clear that they expect some agency requested legislation regarding autism concerns from the Department of Health for the upcoming legislative session. It is clear that we do not have an accurate way of documenting how many people in Washington State have autism.
The work of the 2005 Caring for Individuals with Autism Task Force was discussed and it was disappointing to report that only one recommendation from the task force had been accomplished, that being the creation of an Autism Guidebook for Washington State. The book is very beneficial and addresses issues from birth through the lifespan, but there is no funding to print more copies of it. Because of the task force work, we were able to receive a grant from the Federal Combating Autism Act and now have an Autism Advisory Council looking at issues surrounding children with autism (it does not look at adult issues).
The Arc of Washington State is compiling possible ideas for legislation that will benefit families with autism. Ideas range from providing specific autism interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to family supports such as Parent to Parent and additional Home and Community Based Services waiver openings. You are encouraged to offer your ideas for legislation in the comments box below.
Diana Stadden
Parent of a 17 year old with autism
Poicy & Advocacy Coordinator
The Arc of Washington State
Friday, June 18, 2010
HR 1255 - What is it really about?
The Arc of Washington State recently posted an Action Alert at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA where we encourage you to call and email your congressional leaders.
Here is the summary written by the Congressional Research Service for HR 1255:
"Prohibits any entity that receives funds from the federal government from using them to file a class action lawsuit against an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded on behalf of any facility resident unless the resident (or the resident's legal representative), after receiving notice of the proposed class action lawsuit, has the opportunity to elect not to have the action apply to the resident."
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) opposes this bill and is also encouraging people to contact congressional leaders and ask them to oppose it. The bill is the same one that was brought forward in 2007 (HR 3995) and it died in committee then.
On the surface, this bill would appear to be protecting the individual with a developmental disability. In reality, this bill would greatly limit the ability of protection and advocacy agencies to bring class action lawsuits regarding institutions for people with developmental disabilities. It would allow guardians and other representatives to “opt out” a resident from a class action.
The best interest of the individual with a developmental disability is not always served by the guardian, particularly when some attorneys make money by being the paid guardian for 20, 30 or more people living in institutions. It is less work for these paid guardians to keep their clients in an institution than to have to oversee services provided in the community.
The 2009 Facilities Closure report (one of many) commissioned by our legislature recommended that Washington close all but a few RHC beds by 2019 and convert Lakeland, Fircrest, and Yakima Valley into three small community support centers. Each center would have clinical expertise to support people with autism and their families. These three centers would also retain a small number of beds to honor the state’s commitment to allow people and their families to age-in-place.
The Olmstead Decision in 1999 affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to live in their community and not be required to live in institutional settings. The 'integration mandate' of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public agencies to provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." It is a violation of an individual’s civil rights to institutionalize them because it is easier for the guardian. We must look at what is the least restrictive environment that allows individuals to participate in community activities, be employed and be provided the freedom and opportunities that every other Washingtonian enjoys.
Advocating for full community participation for all,
Diana Stadden
As a follow-up:
I received this clarification from NDRN staffer Eric Beuhlmann responding to the Developmental Disabilities blog criticizing the above blog entry:
“Where the legislation clearly restricts the choice of the individuals with disabilities is where their choice differs from their legal representative. Because the definition of legal representative is pretty broad, it can cover situations where the individual is capable of making their own decisions, but because of the legislation that choice will be overridden by the choice of the legal representative to opt out.”
Additional follow-up:
A letter of opposition to HR 1255 was sent to Barney Frank and signed by organizations of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). This letter is posted on The Arc of Washington's web site at http://www.arcwa.org/news_events.htm
August 19, 20101 update:
ABA passes resolution opposing Barney Frank’s HB 1255
On August 10, 2010 American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates approved a resolution creating a policy in support of the national protection and advocacy system at the ABA Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA. Specifically, their new policy “supports the reauthorization, funding and authority of the Protection and Advocacy System (P&A) and related programs of legally based advocacy services protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and opposes legislation that would place limits on class actions on behalf of persons with disabilities beyond what is required under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.” DisAbility Rights Washington is the Governor designated protection and advocacy system for Washington state.
The resolution is considered timely by disability rights activists because Rep. Barney Frank is currently sponsoring House Bill 1255 which would place a limit on class action lawsuits brought by P&A agencies. HB 1255 is supported by the Voice of the Retarded and other advocates in favor of maintaining large institutional setting for people with developmental disabilities. For more information regarding Rep. Barney Frank’s bill follow the first link below. For more information regarding the ABA House of Delegates follow the second link.
http://www.abanet.org/leadership/house/home.html
Here is the summary written by the Congressional Research Service for HR 1255:
"Prohibits any entity that receives funds from the federal government from using them to file a class action lawsuit against an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded on behalf of any facility resident unless the resident (or the resident's legal representative), after receiving notice of the proposed class action lawsuit, has the opportunity to elect not to have the action apply to the resident."
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) opposes this bill and is also encouraging people to contact congressional leaders and ask them to oppose it. The bill is the same one that was brought forward in 2007 (HR 3995) and it died in committee then.
On the surface, this bill would appear to be protecting the individual with a developmental disability. In reality, this bill would greatly limit the ability of protection and advocacy agencies to bring class action lawsuits regarding institutions for people with developmental disabilities. It would allow guardians and other representatives to “opt out” a resident from a class action.
The best interest of the individual with a developmental disability is not always served by the guardian, particularly when some attorneys make money by being the paid guardian for 20, 30 or more people living in institutions. It is less work for these paid guardians to keep their clients in an institution than to have to oversee services provided in the community.
The 2009 Facilities Closure report (one of many) commissioned by our legislature recommended that Washington close all but a few RHC beds by 2019 and convert Lakeland, Fircrest, and Yakima Valley into three small community support centers. Each center would have clinical expertise to support people with autism and their families. These three centers would also retain a small number of beds to honor the state’s commitment to allow people and their families to age-in-place.
The Olmstead Decision in 1999 affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to live in their community and not be required to live in institutional settings. The 'integration mandate' of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public agencies to provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." It is a violation of an individual’s civil rights to institutionalize them because it is easier for the guardian. We must look at what is the least restrictive environment that allows individuals to participate in community activities, be employed and be provided the freedom and opportunities that every other Washingtonian enjoys.
Advocating for full community participation for all,
Diana Stadden
As a follow-up:
I received this clarification from NDRN staffer Eric Beuhlmann responding to the Developmental Disabilities blog criticizing the above blog entry:
“Where the legislation clearly restricts the choice of the individuals with disabilities is where their choice differs from their legal representative. Because the definition of legal representative is pretty broad, it can cover situations where the individual is capable of making their own decisions, but because of the legislation that choice will be overridden by the choice of the legal representative to opt out.”
Additional follow-up:
A letter of opposition to HR 1255 was sent to Barney Frank and signed by organizations of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). This letter is posted on The Arc of Washington's web site at http://www.arcwa.org/news_events.htm
August 19, 20101 update:
ABA passes resolution opposing Barney Frank’s HB 1255
On August 10, 2010 American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates approved a resolution creating a policy in support of the national protection and advocacy system at the ABA Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA. Specifically, their new policy “supports the reauthorization, funding and authority of the Protection and Advocacy System (P&A) and related programs of legally based advocacy services protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and opposes legislation that would place limits on class actions on behalf of persons with disabilities beyond what is required under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.” DisAbility Rights Washington is the Governor designated protection and advocacy system for Washington state.
The resolution is considered timely by disability rights activists because Rep. Barney Frank is currently sponsoring House Bill 1255 which would place a limit on class action lawsuits brought by P&A agencies. HB 1255 is supported by the Voice of the Retarded and other advocates in favor of maintaining large institutional setting for people with developmental disabilities. For more information regarding Rep. Barney Frank’s bill follow the first link below. For more information regarding the ABA House of Delegates follow the second link.
http://www.abanet.org/leadership/house/home.html
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The "Other" Washington
Last week I attended the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington DC, the "other" Washington. The Arc of the US and five other organizations who advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities sponsored the seminar which wrapped up with a day of visits to congressional leaders in our nation's capitol.
The seminar provided fact sheets on a variety of issues. You can view them at www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org (click the General Info tab, then Attendee resources). You will find other useful information on this site too.
Here in Washington State, self advocates worked very hard and got the Respectful Language bill passed, which replaces the phrase "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" in all state language. In the "other" Washington they call this bill "Modernization of Disability Terminology". It essentially does the same thing at the federal level. There are two identical bills, S. 2781 (Rosa's Law) in the Senate and H.R. 4544 (Elizabeth A. Connelly Act) in the House. Contact your congressional representatives and ask them to support these important bills.
Other issues we discussed with congressional staff included thanking them for Health Care Reform, Long Term Services and Supports Provisions in Health Reform, Employment, Direct Support Workers, the 2011 Budget and Appropriations including continuing the increase in the FMAP, the D.D. Act, Education, the ABLE Act, Housing and Autism. You can learn more about these issues at the web site listed above.
Maria Cantwell was very gracious. She listened intently as Mike Raymond, a self advocate in our group, talked about growing up in Rainier School (one of our state's institutions). With tears in his eyes he told her the reason he hates the "r" word so much is because that is what the staff there would call him all the time. He asked her to please pass the bill like he helped do in our state.
It was a great trip and our group was glad to have the chance to thank congressional leaders for their work on passing the health care bill and to advocate for the programs and services most important to them.
On a final note, while we were in Washington DC our legislature at home finally passed a revenue package and a budget in the last days of the special session. Advocates for developmental disability issues were pleased that the final budget provided the funding for most of the services they were fighting to keep intact. Although the budget has not yet been signed by the Governor (where there is always the possibility she could veto part of it) you can see what was in the final budget the legislature passed as well as the bills that made it through the process at http://www.arcwa.org/leg_session.htm
Next year promises to be another difficult budget year so the time to start preparing is now. Thank you to everyone for your advocacy!
Diana Stadden
The Arc of Washington State
Advocacy Partnership Project
The seminar provided fact sheets on a variety of issues. You can view them at www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org (click the General Info tab, then Attendee resources). You will find other useful information on this site too.
Here in Washington State, self advocates worked very hard and got the Respectful Language bill passed, which replaces the phrase "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" in all state language. In the "other" Washington they call this bill "Modernization of Disability Terminology". It essentially does the same thing at the federal level. There are two identical bills, S. 2781 (Rosa's Law) in the Senate and H.R. 4544 (Elizabeth A. Connelly Act) in the House. Contact your congressional representatives and ask them to support these important bills.
Other issues we discussed with congressional staff included thanking them for Health Care Reform, Long Term Services and Supports Provisions in Health Reform, Employment, Direct Support Workers, the 2011 Budget and Appropriations including continuing the increase in the FMAP, the D.D. Act, Education, the ABLE Act, Housing and Autism. You can learn more about these issues at the web site listed above.
Maria Cantwell was very gracious. She listened intently as Mike Raymond, a self advocate in our group, talked about growing up in Rainier School (one of our state's institutions). With tears in his eyes he told her the reason he hates the "r" word so much is because that is what the staff there would call him all the time. He asked her to please pass the bill like he helped do in our state.
It was a great trip and our group was glad to have the chance to thank congressional leaders for their work on passing the health care bill and to advocate for the programs and services most important to them.
On a final note, while we were in Washington DC our legislature at home finally passed a revenue package and a budget in the last days of the special session. Advocates for developmental disability issues were pleased that the final budget provided the funding for most of the services they were fighting to keep intact. Although the budget has not yet been signed by the Governor (where there is always the possibility she could veto part of it) you can see what was in the final budget the legislature passed as well as the bills that made it through the process at http://www.arcwa.org/leg_session.htm
Next year promises to be another difficult budget year so the time to start preparing is now. Thank you to everyone for your advocacy!
Diana Stadden
The Arc of Washington State
Advocacy Partnership Project
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