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Calendar of Events
NCARF Annual Training Conference
September 29-October1, 2010 |
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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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Implications of Managed Care in the DD Sector
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Here are a couple of documents related to managed care and IDD. The first is almost 50 pages (I have not reviewed it yet), and the second is 14 (this one is a fairly objective review, and compares results in 4 states. On pages 8 and 9 are strength and weakness summaries, as well as a how states should proceed section on page 9--as you review it, you will see that NC has done few, if any, of those things in public view and with public input.
--Chris Kiricoples |
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NCARF Updated Legislative Agenda
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Advocate for DD Services Section Chief at the Division Level
The Developmental Disabilities Service Consortium, as well as most provider associations (such as NCARF) and private non-profit agencies, believe that the Division of MH/DD/SA should appoint a Section Chief for Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities services. At the present time, the Division's focus seems to be consumed by CABHA and Managed Care Waiver initiatives, other mental health and substance abuse issues, with little attention to DD Services and issues. We need a voice at the Division level who recognizes that the predominant 'medical model' or 'recovery model' is not best practice for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD).
Advocate for Implementation of Appropriate IDD funding, to include IPRS and CAP-MR/DD Tiers/Bands
The nationally recognized best practice for persons with IDD is a lifetime support model with on-going habilitation as needed. State IPRS funding for individuals, in the form of a monthly or annual support grant, would remedy the medical model's flaws for effective IDD supports delivery. Funding bands within the CAP-MR/DD Waiver would allow for necessary individualized community supports. Any individual with IDD who qualifies for Medicaid can now qualify for the CAP-MR/DD waiver without the need to meet ICF/MR eligibility standards. States now have the authority to gradually expand enrollment in their CAP-MR/DD waivers.
Promote Employment First and the CAET (Community Activity and Employment Transitions) concept and recommendations
NCARF's leadership heavily participated on a state sponsored Employment Work Group, with the goal of defining best practice day program and employment service alternatives for adults with IDD. This effort produced the CAET service concept, which included service opportunities for 1) School to Work Transition, 2) Day Program alternatives for people with multiple and/or complex needs, 3) Senior Services (recreation and leisure opportunities, similar to what anyone else would select in retirement) for the aging IDD population, and 4) a full range of employment opportunities which include Affirmative Businesses, consumer-owned Micro-Enterprises, Supported Employment, and Long Term Vocational Supports. The CAET concept emphasized informed consumer choice and a person-centered approach, and was presented to the Division of MH/DD/SA Services Executive Leadership Team which accepted it as a 'best practice concept' in January of 2006. However, CAET was never cost-found, nor was it converted to an official service definition. Several of our members are practicing CAET (after negotiating a rate with their respective LME) but NCARF believes the concept should be standardized and available statewide.
Support the Governor's Recommendation to restore MH/DD/SA Funds!
During the past year, Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services sustained deep funding cuts due to a $40 million reduction in the State's support of these services. Thousands of people have lost or had their services drastically reduced...Governor Perdue has recommended that these funds---and service delivery for this vulnerable population---be restored.
NCARF supports the Arc of NC position on managed care model
The MH/DD/SAS service delivery system should NOT be converted to a managed care model. Efforts to do so should stop immediately! If this is not possible, and the State persists in converting to managed care, then all IDD services should be exempt. At the present time, of those states that use a Managed Care model, 90% exclude IDD services.
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1915 b/c Medicaid Waiver Expansion Plans for Mental Health, Develomental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
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Services Tracking and Outcomes Reporting
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Hello fellow NCARF members,
I am interested in hearing how you are tracking the services you are providing and what you are using for outcome reporting. Please shoot me a quick email today at acamacho@deci.org and I will compile the results and share them with you in the next newsletter.
If you are using a purchased system, please tell me the name and provider (if different from the system name).
Let me know how you like your system or also let me know if you know of other systems that work well.
Thanks.
Alicia Camacho
DECI Executive Vice President
NCARF President 2009-2011
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Web Tool Helps Employers Understand Disability Laws
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the availability of a new tool to help America's employers ensure their employment policies and practices do not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities.
The interactive, online Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor helps employers quickly determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their business or organization and their responsibilities under them. To do this, it asks users to answer a few relevant questions and then generates a customized list of federal disability nondiscrimination laws that likely apply, along with easy-to-understand information about employers' responsibilities under each of them.
The Disability Nondiscrimination Advisor is one of a series of elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors developed by DOL to help employers and employees understand federal employment laws. To access it, visit the elaws Web site. To learn more about DOL's efforts to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy Web site.
Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor |
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Implementation Update #72
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Weekly Briefing - The Budget, the budget, the budget
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What to know about the most important matter confronting the General Assembly as it reconvenes next week
By Rob Schofield
It's really not accurate to say that state lawmakers will return to Raleigh next Wednesday. In truth, many, if not most, members of the General Assembly have been in and out of the Capital City for months to attend a variety of study and review committees.
Even more significantly, legislative leaders from both houses have been holing up in less public places for several weeks in an ongoing effort to get a head start on the process of putting together a bill to adjust the two-year budget passed last summer. Indeed, Senate leaders have expressed a desire to pass their version of the budget bill by May 20 - a mere eight days after the start of the "short session."
Laying aside whether this kind of expedited and behind the scenes work makes for good government (it doesn't, even if it may be good politics), it's clear that thinking and caring people need to get up to speed quickly if they're going to effectively monitor the budget-making process and have an impact on the outcome.
Here then (with help from the N.C Budget and Tax Center), are five key things that progressives ought to know (and maybe even say) about the budget in the coming days and weeks as state lawmakers move swiftly "get in and get out" of Raleigh: [Read more...] http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2010/05/05/the-budget-the-budget-the-budget/
The Weekly Briefing is available on your smart phone. Visit www.ncpolicywatch.com for the latest news, commentaries and special features. Join the policy debate at The Progressive Pulse blog. |
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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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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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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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