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NCARF Headquarters
Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone
919-863-9486
Email
Nicole Shore
Association Executive
Michelle Eggleston
Membership Coordinator
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NCARF Annual Leadership Forum Recap | |
NCARF President, Alicia Camacho and speaker, Dave Richard |
Golf Champions: The OE Shredders |
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State Seeks Input for Vocational Rehabilitation Plan From Clients, Families, Public |
RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) and the N.C. State Rehabilitation Council are seeking public input to help update the state plan for the delivery of VR services. The annually updated plan will become effective Oct. 1.
Those who may find the meetings of interest are people who receive VR services and their families, individuals who work in human services programs or advocacy groups for people with disabilities, and employers. The 2010 State Plan may be viewed online via the VR homepage, http://dvr.dhhs.state.nc.us/.
Three regional meetings are scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates, at the listed locations:
· May 10, Henderson VR Unit Office, Conference Room, 10
Medical court, Henderson.
· May 11, New Bern VR Unit Office, 2832 Neuse Blvd., New Bern.
· May 17, Charlotte VR Unit Office, Conference Room, Executive
Center Drive, Suite 101, Charlotte. The topics of discussion may include strategies to improve outreach to minority populations and individuals with the most significant disabilities; priorities that individuals with disabilities would like the public VR program to address; eliminating barriers to participation of individuals with disabilities in the VR program and the state's supported employment program; the responsiveness of VR services to its consumers; and improving school transition services to individuals with disabilities. The scheduled locations are accessible to people with disabilities. Attendeesmay registerto speak upon arrival at the meetings or in advance by calling Patsy Owens at (919) 855-3527. Speakers are encouraged to bring a written copy of their comments. People who are unable to attend one of the meetings may provide input by sending written comments by June 1 to: Phil Protz, 2801 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2801, Attn: Planning Unit-State Plan Comments. Comments may also be e-mailed to dvr.m.stateplan@dhhs.nc.gov or faxed to: State Plan Comments at (919)715-1050. Sign-language interpreters will be present at the hearings. If you plan to attend and need other accommodations, please contact Ms. Owens at (919) 855-3527 by April 22. For additional information, contactPhil Protz at (919) 855-3567 or e-mail Phil.Protz@dhhs.nc.gov |
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Quality Work Environment Clearinghouse | |
During the past year, NISH has been working with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled and a number of AbilityOne nonprofit agencies to launch the Quality Work Environment (QWE) Initiative.
As part of that effort, AbilityOne nonprofit agencies submitted material that identified practices that enhanced the quality of the work environment for their employees.
The Institute has now begun to put both the best practices and the QWE Guidelines in its Solutions and Technology Clearinghouse. The assistive technologies and solutions in the Clearinghouse all contribute to a Quality Work Environment.
In addition to being able to retrieve articles in the Clearinghouse by line of business, type of disability supported, etc., visitors will also learn how those practices contribute to a Quality Work Environment.
Contact Dorothy Firsching to provide information including photos or video illustrating your practices or assistive technology in use. We will feature the best in the newsletter and on the Institute website. |
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Employment First from APSE |
Report from APSE on the Employment First movement. This movement seeks to provide integrated and community-based employment for people with disabilities. Employment First is about raising expectations. Without higher expectations, individuals with disabilities and their families often settle for programs or services that do not encourage them to participate fully in the mainstream of community life.
http://www.apse.org/docs/Revised%20Employment%20First%20paper%20709%5B1%5D.pdf
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Quick Reference Assessment Guide
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Perdue Proposes $19 Billion Budget
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2010
Gov. Bev Perdue proposed a $19 billion state budget today that cuts nearly
$1 billion in spending by eliminating 600 jobs, mostly vacant, and cutting
spending 5 to 7 percent for departments outside of education.
Perdue said her budget proposal reflects the fact that although the economy
is improving, a full recovery will take some time.
"This budget helps us set the table for the new normal," Perdue told
reporters.
Read the story at http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/04/20/445959/perdue-proposes-19-billion-budget.html?storylink=misearch
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NC State Budget Recommended Adjustments
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Colleagues
Governor Perdue released her 2010-11 budget proposal this morning. Thanks to the strong advocacy of Secretary Lanier Cansler, there are recommendations for restoring the $40M in community service funds cut last year and $12M to continue expansion of local inpatient capacity. He has worked very hard in a very difficult economic climate to have this happen.
I know that others who work more with the numbers than I do will be doing more detailed analysis. I only glanced at the DMA portion. Here is a link to the document.
Look at pgs 18-19 - general narrative on DHHS
DMA begins on pg 133
DMH/DD/SA begins on page 149
Sally
http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/files/pdf_files/2010_budget.pdf
Sally R. Cameron, Executive Director
NC Psychological Association
1004 Dresser Court, Suite 106
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-872-1005 phone
919-872-0805 fax
ncpasally@mindspring.com
www.ncpsychology.org
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CAP MR/DD Self-Direction Provider Survey
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CAP MR/DD Self-Direction Provider Survey
***** PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE NOT PROVIDING CAP MR/DD SERVICES, THIS SURVEY DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU*****
"The NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, together with the NC Division of Medical Assistance, are completing the work for a new Waiver option called Self-Direction. Once this work is done, people can begin to use the Self-Direction option that is available through the North Carolina Supports Waiver. You are receiving this survey because your organization has previously been identified as providing services and supports funded through CAP MR/DD.
The NC Division of MH/DD/SAS would appreciate your taking the time to complete this survey in order to obtain information directly from you regarding the services that you provide through CAP MR/DD. Your time in completing this survey is valued. This on-line survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. If you are not a provider of CAP MR/DD funded services, please disregard this survey.
Survey Link: http://www.unc.edu/depts/ddti/sd-survey.html "
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NCARF Revised 2010 Legislative Agenda and Talking Points
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In light of the Governor's recommendation to restore MH/DD/SA funds, I think we need to revise the "Do No Further Harm" bullet. I touched base with Dave Richard, and he too feels that we should directly endorse the Governor's proposal. The attached is the revised version.
Chris Kiricoples
NCARF Legislative Committee |
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Rehabilitation Facility Director
(Goldsboro, NC- Wayne County) $44,670 - $73,833
This position's primary purpose is to provide management and leadership for the Eastern Regional Vocational Rehabilitation Facility (ERVRF). The selected candidate will: work cooperatively with the local school system, Magnolia Place (contracted residential facility), Wayne Community College, and other community partners; manage the facility evaluation and 11 training programs which are developed and implemented to meet the counselors' and clients' needs in order to prepare the clients for employment; be responsible for ensuring safety regulations, wage and hour regulations and CARF standards at the facility; hire and supervise a staff of 24 diverse individuals including development and monitoring of Performance Management Plan system; and work in conjunction with Magnolia Place to ensure that clients have a clean and safe residential environment. Thorough knowledge of Rehab VR Casework Policy and Procedures, CARF Accreditation, wage and hour regulations, contract bidding for procurement, and budgeting and contracts. Thorough knowledge of community labor market and industries in order to create community based work experience. Knowledge of mental health issues, the deaf and hard of hearing, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities. MS in rehab counseling or closely related field and 3 yrs exp as a rehab counselor II with 2 yrs exp in supervising rehab services preferred.
RequiresMS in rehab counseling or rehab psychology and 2 yrs exp in rehab counseling or a voc rehab svcs program with at least 1 yr exp in supervision, preferably of a rehab svcs program; BA degree in rehab counseling and 4 yrs exp in rehab counseling or a voc rehab svs program with 1 yr of supervision or coordination of a voc rehab svcs program; or an equiv.
To Apply: Please submit a State Application for Employment (PD-107) to the HR Office indicated on this vacancy announcement and do include the specific position title and position number. Resumes will be accepted as supplemental information. Applications must be received by our HR Office by 5p.m. on the closing date. Job postings and the State application can also be found at public libraries, local ESC offices, DHHS HR Offices, or the Office of State Personnel web site at: http://www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/gnrlinfo.htm
For any questions or more information, feel free to contact Voc Rehab- HR at 919-855-3517. You may also find this job announcement under the Human Services category at http://www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/. Please refer to position number # 60055211. Position's advertisement will close on 4/30/10. Applications are to be mailed to 2801 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2801 and/or faxed to 919-855-6863.
DHHS selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Drug tests and criminal record check will be conducted for selected candidates of positions which supervise or provide direct care.
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PBH Discusses Mental Health Impact of Health Care Bill
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By David Bodenheimer
The Dispatch
Published: Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 8:21 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 8:21 p.m.
A regional mental health organization held a briefing in Davidson County to discuss changes to the health care system and how it will impact patients, providers and overall mental health service.
With recent national healthcare reform signed in to law last month by President Barack Obama, an additional 32 million Americans are expected to be covered under the law.
PBH, (formerly Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare) presented information to concerned residents about what that means for the mental health system on a local and state level.
"The bill passed probably about a month ago, it was not expected to pass, it was a big surprise," said PBH Chief Operations Officer Pam Shipman.
"People weren't really prepared with analysis. Regardless, there is some really good stuff in it for the people we serve who have mental health needs, substance abuse treatment needs and developmental disabilities."
Shipman said the North Carolina Medicaid population could increase by about 50 percent, which means an additional 800,000 residents would be eligible to receive Medicaid.
Medicaid is a federal program that helps provide health insurance for low income individuals and families that otherwise could not afford the cost of health care. Medicaid is also partially funded by states.
To be eligible for Medicaid in North Carolina, a resident must be a United States citizen. Medicaid also covers children, seniors and people with disabilities.
"Going forward, in January of 2014, it's really going to be more income-based," said Shipman. "You really don't have to fit in to one of those categories to receive Medicaid. That's particularly important for us, for example, a lot of single men who need treatment don't have Medicaid and don't have insurance. A lot of the substance abuse population that we need to take care of don't have insurance and don't have Medicaid. So this would be a very important funding source for providers and for people who need treatment and can't get it now."
An important question now becomes funding. State funding has been flat in the mental health system for years, according to Shipman.
"There have not been inflationary increases on state funding since 1991," said Shipman. "So it has really been difficult as you can imagine for funding to keep up with demand and needs. Last year the General Assembly was forced to reduce state funding to the mental health system because of the budget shortfall. But 48 out of 50 states are in that situation."
With PBH losing roughly $7 million in the last three years due to budget cuts, Shipman said keeping up with patient demand has been nearly impossible.
"That's a serious deficit, it's had a huge impact on our services," said Shipman.
Currently, Medicaid funds count for 70 percent of PBH's budget.
"That's only going to go up, with the increase of Medicaid eligibility, up to 133 percent of (the) poverty (income level.) So when you look at that, the state funding is getting smaller and smaller. State funding is not going to be a major part of our future."
With that outlook, Shipman and PBH hope to treat more of the people who need their services.
"The good thing for us is that most of the people that we work with now that don't have insurance will have insurance," said Shipman. "And that is something that is so important because there is so many people that are unemployed who maybe didn't have great insurance before but now don't have any insurance. This is a good thing for our system."
David Bodenheimer can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or david.bodenheimer@the-dispatch.com.
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PLEASE JOIN US!!
Tuesday, June 1st:
The Coalition Legislative Advocacy Day
& Popcorn Rally!
ADVOCATE FOR BETTER FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES & ADDICTIVE DISEASE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
at the ...
COALITION RALLY - June 1 at NOON!
Behind the Legislative Building on Jones St.
Parking available at State Fair Grounds (Gate 9) with bus services to Legislative Building.
Registration will open at 8 am on the back portico of the Legislative Building. Participants can get information on the day's legislative committee meetings, the current budget proposal and begin visits with legislators.
Advocacy Trainings will take place in the Legislative Building Auditorium (third floor). Beginning at 9AM, short trainings will be held on ways to effectively communicate your message to Legislators. Volunteers will also be on hand in the auditorium with tips & techniques for making the most of your legislative visit.
Popcorn will be available on the portico beginning at 11 am! Please note that lunch will NOT be provided - popcorn will be served as refreshments.
The Coalition encourages your participation in this event to advocate for funding for mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services. For more information on the event, please contact Elizabeth Cloud at ncpaelizabeth@mindspring.com or Erin McLaughlin at emclaughlin@mha-nc.org. |
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Governance Policies
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NCARF is gathering Board of Directors and Organizational Governance Policies for member reference. We'd love to have your contributions. Please send the policies to Michelle Eggleston, meggleston@firstpointresources.com. We'll post them at www.ncarf.com in the members only area. Please send exactly how you would like them posted. If you have questions, please let us know. |
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News to Share?
Please send any news you wish to include in the weekly updates to
NCARF Staff
***The information in the NCARF Weekly Update is presented for informational purposes. Unless expressly stated, opinions may not be the opinion of NCARF as an organization. Inclusion of information in the Weekly Update is not meant to imply endorsement by NCARF or its member organizations. NCARF cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information that is passed along from various outside sources. |
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