| Volume 08 | Issue 30 | July 28, 2008 |
Welcome to Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., published weekly by The Arc of the United States. We will bring to you news of interest to self advocates and their families, volunteers, professionals, and supporters of the disability movement. Please send any comments to mmwdc@thearc.org. You are welcome to reproduce and distribute items from Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., but please credit Monday Morning in Washington, D.C. (The Arc of the United States, 2007).
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities; and influence public policy.
[NOTE: Having trouble reading this newsletter? Read it online.] [Past Issues]
PR Newswire
Article Last Updated: 07/16/2008 08:45:31 AM MDT
Results from Washington, Louisiana, and the Netherlands boost disability field's quest to tie in public funding and individual budgeting with assessment results
WASHINGTON, July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One of the most complex issues in disability services is how to allocate limited resources and fund services equitably to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over the past four years, the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) assessment tool, developed by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), has arguably been the most used within U.S. states attempting to develop funding applications. Now new research by national experts reveals that SIS does yield solid information about individuals with intellectual disabilities, and that the assessment information can be employed to build robust funding methods. The White Paper titled, "Resource Allocation and the Supports Intensity Scale: Four Papers and Approaches" is available for downloading and commenting at www.siswebsite.org.
The Supports Intensity Scale is a unique assessment tool that allows disability professionals to plan services for persons with intellectual disabilities in 85 life areas based on individual needs and goals. Currently, SIS has been adopted by 14 North American states and provinces, and translated into 10 languages.
"Experience to date in using the Supports Intensity Scale in funding applications strongly suggests that SIS results in combination with supplemental information, supports the development of solid funding applications in developmental disability services," say experts Jon Fortune and the late Gary Smith affiliated with the Human Services Research Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Why care about funding community services for people with intellectual disabilities? Fortune and Smith explain, "The interest stems from several factors, including achieving greater equity in funding among individuals, efficient use of limited public dollars, promoting flexibility in the selection of services, and, most recently, affording individuals and families the opportunity to directly manage a prospectively determined individual budget."
Feedback from states using SIS over the past four years shows that the focus of SIS on uniquely measuring support needs as opposed to deficits of a person enables states to build person-centered systems. Jan Morgan of Oregon's Developmental Disabilities office says, "We believe that SIS will help distribute resources fairly and equitably statewide by using the assessment scores to help develop an Individual Budgeted Amount model." Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Washington, and the province of Ontario in Canada have similar interests in using SIS for resource allocation.
As the disability field attempts to tie in public funding for community services and supports to assessment results, studies so far show that the Supports Intensity Scale promises to provide an accurate, equitable, and transparent method to allocate resources to citizens with intellectual disabilities.
Download and post comments: http://www.siswebsite.org/cs/SISwhitepaper/Resourceallocation
SIS quick facts: http://www.siswebsite.org/cs/quickfacts
Purchase SIS: http://bookstore.aaidd.org
Founded in 1876, AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
SOURCE American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
As the economy deteriorates, states find themselves under increasing fiscal pressure. Some may be tempted to trim their Medicaid programs to help balance their budgets—but this is exactly the wrong thing to do.
You can show your state officials that cutting Medicaid is a big mistake if you use our revised and updated Medicaid calculator - http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/medicaid/other/medicaid-calculator/medicaid-calculator-states-map.html. Simply click on your state and use the worksheet to find out how much your state stands to lose in jobs, wages, and business activity.
A new paper by Families USA - http://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/state-budget-cuts-2008.pdf describes how Medicaid fared in state budgeting decisions this year, and how Medicaid cuts harm state economies as well as the people who depend on it.
In tough economic times, the Medicaid program is more essential than ever. We hope you find the Medicaid calculator - http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/medicaid/other/medicaid-calculator/medicaid-calculator-states-map.html a useful tool in your efforts to help preserve it.
Current and past issues of eNotes can be viewed online at http://www.nectac.org/enotes/enotes.asp
KAISER RELEASES ISSUE PAPER ON NEW MEDICAID REGULATIONS
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has published an issue paper entitled Medicaid: Overview and Impact of New Regulations. The paper notes how in recent years, CMS has issued new regulations and guidance to help implement two major pieces of federal legislation: The Medicare Modernization Act and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. In addition, the administration has also proposed major regulatory initiatives that would change long-standing Medicaid policy by regulation rather than legislative action. The paper focuses on six new regulations, including the proposed rule on the Rehabilitation Service Option and the interim final rule on Targeted Case Management, and explains current policy, the proposed regulatory changes as well as the impact and issues with these changes. The issue paper is available at http://www.kff.org/medicaid/upload/7739.pdf.
REFERENCE POINTS:
New Resources on the ADA
UPDATED TA CD ROM FROM THE DOJ
The US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division has issued an updated version of their TA CD ROM. This CD ROM contains Regulations, Technical Assistance Documents and ADA Status Reports. Copies can be ordered online at http://www.ada.gov/cd%20order%20forms/cdrequestform.htm or call the DOJ TA Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY). FROM: DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org)
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU RELEASES ADA FACTS FOR FEATURES
The U.S. Census Bureau released the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Facts for Features, which contains facts to be used for publications for the anniversary of the ADA. The categories include population distribution, specific disabilities, on the job, income and poverty, and education. These facts were drawn from the Americans with Disabilities: 2002 Census Bureau report; for more information go to http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/cb08ff-11.pdf
From: Working for Tomorrow June 2008
REFERENCE POINTS:
JOURNAL OF DISABILITY CULTURE AND LITERATURE
"Breath & Shadow" is a monthly journal of disability culture and literature. A project of AbilityMaine, "Breath & Shadow" is the only online literary journal with a focus on disability. It is also unique in being the sole cross-disability literature and culture magazine written and edited entirely by people with disabilities. In "Breath & Shadow" you will find poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, drama, and other writing that examines the human experience of living with disability. Check it out on-line at: http://www.abilitymaine.org/breath/index.html
REFERENCE POINTS:
Public Policy Fellowship Offers Families Leadership Opportunity
Parents or family members of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities can now apply for an exciting one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington D.C. The individual must have excellent leadership skills and be actively working in some way towards the enhancement of inclusive services and supports for people with disabilities. The goal of the fellowship, which is sponsored by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, is to prepare emerging family advocates for leadership in the area of public policy, both in their home state and nationally. The application deadline is August 15, 2008; more information can be found at http://www.jpkf.org/Fellowship_guidelines/Parent_Fellow_app.html
Texas, One Successful Example of Ending Discrimination by Helping People Move - Information Bulletin # 255 (7/08).
Texas has compiled impressive data regarding its commitment to move people
out of nursing facilities, and its Medicaid expenditures reflect its
efforts.
Between 9/1/2001 and 5/31/2008, Texas implemented its own "Money Follows
the Person," and did not wait for or need the federal program. During
these years, Texas moved 15,626 people out of its nursing homes.
Here are some interesting demographics:
Now let's look at how Texas allocated its Medicaid expenditures:
Big surprise. There is a relationship between how a state spends its money
and whether or not people moved out of nursing facilities.
To determine if your state is truly committed to ending unnecessary
institutionalization of people with disabilities in nursing facilities,
and therefore ending discrimination against people with disabilities, look
at how your state allocates its Medicaid "long-term care" expenditures.
Look at the numbers of persons who moved out of nursing facilities and
returned to the community. After the 1999 Supreme Court decision in
Olmstead, many disability and elderly advocates waited to see how their
states would implement the "integration mandate." Well, it's been nine
years!
Disability and older American advocates:
Since Texas can track this
information, other states probably can and do,too.
In Information Bulletin # 251, we calculated by state the changes in long-term care expenditures from 1999 thru 2006, and we expect to have the
FY 2007 data available soon.
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.
To contact Steve Gold directly,
write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.
Qualified faith-based and other eligible applicants may apply for the Rural Healthcare Services Outreach Grant Program. The purpose of the grant is to encourage the development of new and innovative health care delivery systems in rural communities that lack essential health care services. The emphasis of this grant program is on service delivery through collaboration, requiring the lead applicant organization to form a consortium with at least two additional partners. The community being served must be involved in the development and ongoing operations of the program, to appropriately address the needs of the population.
The program supports projects that demonstrate creative or effective models of outreach and service delivery in rural communities. Applicants may propose projects to address the needs of a wide range of population groups including, but not limited to, low-income populations, the elderly, pregnant women, infants, adolescents, rural minority populations and rural populations with special health care needs. Applicants may propose to deliver many different types of health services. These include primary health care, dental care, mental health services, home health care, emergency care, health promotion and education programs, outpatient day care, and other services not requiring in-patient care. These may be new services being offered in the community or an expansion of existing services.
The application due date is October 16, 2008. Approximately $13,500,000 is expected to be available to make approximately 90 awards. The full program announcement can be found here
https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/DisplayAttachment.asp?ID=CF82F19B-B37D-4B05-A2EE-825F5FDE8D11.
The Quarterly Newsletter of DisabilityInfo.gov
Visit the following link to read the entire newsletter: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=6615
One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project
ADA Training Resource Center on the Americans with Disabilities Act
National Network of ADA Centers - http://www.adacourse.org/courses.php
This site includes links to numerous courses and customized training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability-related issues. Examples include:
Disability Specific Fact Sheets
Maryland WorkForce Promise - http://www.mdworkforcepromise.org/new.html#dafactsheets
Disability specific fact sheets have been developed to serve as quick reference guides on the following disabilities: Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Illness.
Each fact sheet gives a brief description of the disability, accommodations, and resources.
Maryland WorkForce Promise promotes the personal and professional independence of individuals with disabilities by effecting systems change to eliminate barriers to employment. To learn more, access: http://www.mdworkforcepromise.org/index.html.
Money Smart – A Financial Education Program
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - http://www.fdic.gov/moneysmart
Money Smart Adult Financial Education Curriculum - http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/overview.html
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recognizes the importance of financial education, particularly for people with little or no banking experience. That's why they created Money Smart, a training program to help adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships. The Money Smart program may be used by financial institutions and other organizations interested in sponsoring financial education workshops.
It is available in two versions: an instructor-led version and a computer-based instruction (CBI) version. Both versions consist of the same 10 modules.
Some new features include a stand-alone component for instructors: a Guide to Presenting the Money Smart Curriculum. This document presents general information regarding the use of Money Smart, effective adult learning strategies, and discusses how to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
To Order Money Smart
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/order.html
To order a free copy of the Money Smart Program, select the Money Smart Curriculum Online Order Form at: http://www4.fdic.gov/MoneySmartRegister/.
Institute for Community Inclusion National E-News 07/08
Save the Date for the 5th National Organizational Change Forum
ICI is cosponsoring the 5th National Organizational Change Forum on September 24-25 2008 in Kansas City, MO.
This forum is designed to support the development of system change and individual supports that expand community-based employment opportunities and focus resources on integrated customized employment.
It will focus on:
Advocates, persons with disabilities who receive services, employment support providers, state agency personnel and others committed to integrated employment as a primary outcome for individuals receiving government funded support should all attend.
For the agenda visit: http://www.crprcep7.org/latest.htmlContact Darla Wilkerson for more information 816-437-7150 or wilkersond@missouri.edu or use the link provided below.
Hosted by the National O.C. Planning Committee -Debra Martin Luecking, Pat Rogan, David Mank, Darla Wilkerson, John Butterworth, Dale Verstegen
Register Here for the 5th National Organizational Change Forum - https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=628912
International Association for the Scientific Study of intellectual disabilities
IASSID 13th WORLD CONGRESS - Cape Town, South Africa - http://www.iassid.org/iassid/index.php
Please find attached 6 documents associated with IASSID Academy Workshops in
Cape Town, 25th – 30th August 2008
1. Outlines the 5 different pre-conference workshops and where to find further
information on the IASSID Website.
2. Intellectual & Communication: "Persons with intellectual and communication disabilities: Making communication
work."
3. Profound & Multiple: "Persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: The forgotten
citizens of the world."
4. Parents & Parenting: "Parents with intellectual disabilities, their parenting and their children: The
way forward."
5. QOL & Wellbeing: "Quality of life and wellbeing for individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and their families: From Research to Practice."
6. Assessment of Risk & Manageability: "Assessment of risk and Manageability for individuals with intellectual disabilities who offend - the ARMIDILO."
Until Next week
The Arc of the United States,1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650,Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301-565-3842, Fax: 301-565-3843, Email: mmwdc@info.thearc.org, Web: www.thearc.org
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