|
NCARF Headquarters
Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone
919-863-9486
Email
Nicole Shore
Association Executive
Michelle Eggleston
Membership Coordinator
| |
|
 |
Information from National APSE |
APSE Executive Board Calls for Phase Out of Sub-Minimum WageThe Executive Board of APSE has issued a statement calling for the complete phase out of sub-minimum wage for all individuals with disabilities by the end of 2014. In calling for phase out of sub-minimum wage, the Executive Board has stressed the importance of undertaking this effort in a way that is carefully thought out, and leads to movement of individuals currently being paid sub-minimum wage into individual, integrated employment opportunities paying minimum wage or higher. Additionally, the Board strongly feels that such an effort must avoid unintended consequences that would not only damage efforts to expand community employment, but result in actual loss of rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to full integration and inclusion in society. APSE's statement has been endorsed by the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), a network of national disability organizations focused entirely on elevating the national consciousness with respect to empowering individuals living with complex intellectual, developmental and cognitive disabilities requiring significant support needs. The full statement along with background information is available on the APSE website at: http://www.apse.org/publications/positions.cfm Laura Owens, Executive Director APSE: The Network on Employment lowens@apse.org |
|
Enable America's Community Celebration of Disability Mentoring Day |
|
You are invited to attend Enable America's Community Celebration of Disability Mentoring Day.
Breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9:00 a.m. To reserve your seat, or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Margaret.Bock@EnableAmerica.org or (813) 222-3212 ext. 1602. RSVP is required for attendance. |
|
NCARF Member Questions |
|
JCI, Inc. would like to know if any member facilities are being charged property tax by their county tax administrator.
Please email all responses to Vicki Shore at vicki@jcindustries.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECI, Inc. would like to know which member organizations have the 14(c) Subminimum Wage Certificate?
|
|
NCARF Member News |
|
|
|
NC Legislative Briefings |
|
NC Legislative Briefings Coming to a Town Near YouAn Overview of the North Carolina State Budget, Economic Forecast, and Issues Affecting Your Community Presented by the North Carolina Justice Center and United Way of North Carolina GET READY FOR 2010 at a legislative briefing by local legislators and staff from the NC Budget & Tax Center, NC Justice Center and United Way of North Carolina. They will discuss top issues in state public policy such as: * Impacts of current economic conditions on working families and the state budget * Updates on key public efforts that support low-income workers and their families, such as the EITC, child-care subsidies, children's health insurance and affordable housing * Discussion of implementation and use of federal economic recovery funds Click here http://www.ncjustice.org/?q=node/404 for more information on dates and locations. November 10 - Fayetteville November 12 - Durham November 16 - Raleigh November 17 - Wilmington November 18 - Rocky Mount November 30 - Hickory December 1 - Asheville December 8 - Triad |
|
Statewide Director's NCARF Addresses |
|
The following information is from the discussions at the NCARF Annual Training Conference with Leza Wainwright from MH/DD/SAS and Linda Harrington from DVRS on October 2.
October 2, 2009
Division of MH/DD/SAS
Leza Wainwright
(see her handout attached)
- Leza reviewed the budget cuts by department
- Developmental Therapies will be trimmed and targeted more specifically
- 20% reduction total across services
- single county LMEs don't have a fund balance
- OPC and some other multiple county LMEs also don't have a fund balance
- the cuts were determined by LME by taking out all dollars that could come from existing fund balances, and then proportionally allocating remaining cuts.
- the Division can't MAKE LMEs spend their fund balances but that is what they are encouraging.
- Leza agreed that LMEs are encouraged to fund quality services and look at services that are ineffective for cuts verses cutting all services across the board - but she also emphasized that this was ENCOURAGEMENT (not mandated)
- In plans that are due to the state by Monday, October 5, the Division asked LMEs to include how they got input from consumers/CFAC and providers in their plan for cuts.
- Re: CAP Tier 1 allocation (680 slots) - will be kinda sorta allocated per capita. For some reason a lot of the current 187 are with OPC. The new allocation will make the total per capita even.
- Comprehensive slots - 125 per capita to all LMEs, then 125 to "catch up" LMEs who are behind
- New rate schedules on DMA website. 5.27% reduction to all CAP MR/DD Waiver Services. GA had figured CAP waiver slots incorrectly and they don't have 12 months to make up the cuts. Therefore the 2.5-3% that they figured for the cuts became 5.27% when actually implemented (cuts taken over 9 months instead of 12).
- Big reduction in DMA personal care - also, can't use state dollars for personal care if denied by Medicaid.
- June 30, 2010 - deadline to end Community Support
- Comprehensive Service Provider - trying to get some consensus of what that will look like for MH and SA. Definitely being promoted for MH and SA. Also submitting service definition for Peer Support in MH and SA. For DD it is even more difficult to do because of idea of firewall between case mgmt and services.
- Reducing Level 3 and 4 group homes - too many in the state (disproportionate to population)
- Consolidating case mgmt - no body likes this
- for folks on CAP MR/DD waiver, median case mgmt is 12 units per month, so they are considering approving 9 units since 12 was median (meaning half were less and half were more)
- New provider enrollment fee for Medicaid - $100 across the board. Not scalable - which means a small provider will pay $100 and someone like Wake Med will also pay only $100.
- Leza pointed out that the General Assembly is very committed to developing the 4 tiers of the CAP waiver. She is REALLY trying to talk them out of it because of the administrative headache. If she can't talk them out of it, the info all has to be submitted to CMA by July 1, 2010 and the earliest implementation would be January 2011 (first being those on comprehensive moved to correct tiers and then going from there)
- We discussed the CAP Eligibility Definition and Leza stated that she checked with NASDDD (www.nasddds.org) and Val Bradley at Human Services Research Institute and she is not finding that our eligibility criteria seems out of wack, but she would definitely like to see other states definitions [aside from Alicia - since this was already one of NCARF's action items, we need to jump on this - Lynne Manning told me she will use her CARF connections to see if she can get some other states information.]
- Senator Rand introducing a bill regarding individuals with DD who sex offend against children. They are considered incapable of trial and currently committed to a state facility but they are not MI. How can we more effectively deal with these individuals?
- LME Medicaid Waivers (PBH Waiver Replication) - the Division would like to try this some place else in the state.
- no ARRA dollars for Human Services (other than the bit for VR)
- Moving forward with movement toward Electronic Health Record
- Leza was surprised to find out from NCARF members about LTVS being not funded or limited to 2 hours per month - she planned to follow up.
October 2, 2009
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Linda Harrington
(her presentation will be on NCARF website soon under members only)
- Linda reviewed her State of the State overhead with numbers from the most recent year end of September 30
- They were very surprised at SE placement numbers in spite of large increase in unemployment across the state
- Overall, more individuals served and just a few hundred less successful closures
- RSA focusing on recovery funds
- NC pulled down entire allotment of Federal Match Dollars (with a lot of support from the Department)
ARRA
- $15M to be obligated by 9/30/2011
- Contracts entered into by 9/30/2010
- got approval Monday from NC OERI for expending funds
- submitted emergency and temporary rules
- recovery dollars have to be something permitted by the rehab act. They want to see use of temporary money to create long lasting results:
infrastructure maintenance
staff development
expansion of employment opportunities
collaborative programs
- very transparent use of dollars, so VR is being very careful about use of the money
- proposed expenditures in 4 categories
- client service-related purchases and time limited policy adjustments
- capital projects
- equipment and software
- purchased services
- RFA is currently with Purchasing and Contracts for approval (once that happens it will be posted in the next two weeks on the DHS website (only available for approved vendors)
- RFAs for provision of innovative and expanded services in 3 areas:
1. Employment, Internships and Placement Opportunities
2. Work-related Transportation Solutions
3. Job Creation Through CRP- affiliated Business Enterprises
- Ed Davis said RFA review team has been tentatively selected, but did not want to further discuss.
Other Plans for ARRA monies
- Eliminate financial needs test from OJT and WA
- Pay for internships (4 months) - may serve individuals not receiving services from CRPs
- Pay 100% of OJT for 6 month duration max (trying to make effective
by 10/15/09)
- Consumers could qualify for both OJT and internship
- typically OJT would be without a job coach
- E-learning software for staff development for both CRPs and VR
- Consultant/Mgr/Support for client small business development
- Training between CRPs and Division Services
VR State Plan
- RSA 09/10 NC State Plan will be posted on the RSA website once it is approved. NC DVRS will post as well once approved.
- all expenditures must be identified in state plan
- DVRS accepts input all year around and encourages us as providers to give our feedback
Other
- 2010 Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment - Complete report due 9/30/2010
- VR had less turnover this year than last year or the year before.
- Ed Davis is working with Steering Committee on how VR can help programs that are struggling. This would be temporary assistance. He would like members of NCARF to email him directly at ed.davis@dhhs.nc.gov with how they propose VR can define a CRP that is struggling in terms of VR programs only. The membership was concerned that organizations who have already made cuts in order to not be struggling (such as cutting pay, reducing hours) should not be penalized because they have been smart financially when others who may not have done these things are now "in trouble" and want VR to come and bail them out. |
|
Coalition & DD Consortium Updates |
|
Coalition meeting in Raleigh October 12 - the Coalition achieved a position in which the goal is for the Governor to call the General Assembly back to Raleigh for a special session on the MH/DD/SAS system.
DD Consortium and the MH/DD/SA Providers Coalition Meeting October 12 - the following items were discussed:
· There was spirited discussion and lots of questions about the statewide use of LME fund balance and Administrative funds....the consensus of the group was that the LME's should be utilizing a higher percentage of fund balance and Administration funds to offset service cuts. By statute, the LME's are allowed to maintain an 8% fund balance in order to manage their month to month expenses....single county LME's do not have a fund balance (it belongs to the host county).
· The Coalition finalized plans for the Press Conference scheduled for October 14th...the goal of the press conference is to make the public aware of the devastating cuts to the MH/DD/SA system, and to ask the Governor to bring the General Assembly back for a special session to review these service cuts.
· Jim Jarrard reported that:
o The Division has reviewed all of the non-single stream LME service reduction plans, and will complete reviews of the single stream LMEs this week.
o The future of the Case Management Service system has not yet been determined as a critical meeting has been rescheduled for next week.
o The Division has not yet allocated any CAP slots to the LME's....Jim did not know when that would happen.
o The Division is 2 months behind on service reimbursements to LMEs, and 3 months behind on Administrative fee reimbursement.
· Jim Swain reported that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will soon be announcing the availability of $2 million in stimulus grants.
· The DD Consortium and the Coalition have committed a total of $9,000 to conduct a statewide study on service cuts to consumers and families, and a study on the impact of cuts on providers and the resulting loss of service capacity and infrastructure.
· Individuals and service providers can document their losses by calling the toll free number of Disability Rights NC, who will take a telephone affidavit of those losses.
Chris Kiricoples,
NCARF Coalition and DD Consortium Representative |
|
News Reports |
|
|
|
Coalition Press Conference 10/14/09 |
|
|
|
Disability Rights North Carolina |
|
DRNC 2010 Targets for Public Comment
This email is sent on behalf of Vicki Smith, Executive Director, Disability Rights NC.
We need your input!
On September 19, 2009, the Board of Directors of Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) adopted its 2010 Targets for public comment.
DRNC's 2010 Targets are focused on the impact of the State Budget cuts to services for people with disabilities. They also reflect the requirements of our federal funders.
The 2010 Targets will focus DRNC's resources for the coming year. The Targets will drive what we do. They will influence which cases we take and who we will provide direct representation to.
To see the complete documentation for the 2010 Targets, please see the attached document or go to our website.
Please let us know what you think by going to the link listed below. If you need accommodations, please call 877-235-4210 and ask for Haydee.
|
|
Fitzsimon File |
|
A timely demand for action
By Chris Fitzsimon
Advocates for people with a mental illness, developmental disability, or an addiction called Wednesday for a special session of the General Assembly to prevent a collapse of the system that is supposed to provide services to some of the most vulnerable people in the state.
It is an extraordinary demand, but these are extraordinary times for people with a mental illness or disability. Dave Richard from the ARC of North Carolina said that the total cuts in funding for services in some communities may be as much as 35-45 percent.
The ARC is a member of the Coalition, a group of 35 advocacy and service organizations that called for the special session. John Tote from the Mental Health Association correctly described the crisis as moral issue and an economic one and predicted that the budget cuts could mean that 10,000-20,000 people who provide services could their jobs.
The cuts could also mean the end of twenty-six year old Kelly Woodall's independence and her academic career. Woodall, who has cerebral palsy, lives at home and is working on her masters degree in clinical psychology.
That may all change because of state budget cuts to Medicaid that could force her into a nursing home to receive the care she needs. Woodall told her story at a Raleigh news conference and said she should be able to live in her own home.
That was the point of mental health reform after all, to treat people in their local communities instead of institutions.
The Coalition's call for a special session made a difference before it was issued. The night before the news conference, Governor Beverly Perdue announced she was shifting $15 million to offset the additional five percent budget cuts to community services made after the General Assembly adjourned.
It's a start but not nearly enough considering the $500 million state lawmakers slashed from services in the budget they passed in August.
The advocates said those cuts are just now beginning to be felt by people like Kelly Woodall. Secretary of Health and Human Services Lanier Cansler says the department has implemented only a third of the budget cuts so far. The other two-thirds will come in the next 90 days.
Even more ominous are some reports that state revenues are coming in below projections, prompting speculation that Perdue might have to order another round of cuts to keep the budget balanced.
That means even less money for community services for people with a disability, mental illness, or addiction. Richard says at that point the system may actually collapse, ending vital services for thousands of people.
The Coalition asked Perdue to require the Department of Commerce to track job losses in the mental health arena, which seems like they least they can do. They also want more emergency funding and a suspension of some costly administrative procedures during the crisis.
Perdue is off to China on an economic development trip, a fact not lost on the mental health advocates, though they were careful not to assign blame for the current problems.
But somebody clearly missed the mark in the General Assembly or the Perdue Administration, either by not realizing the devastation the budget cuts would cause in local communities, or realizing it and simply throwing up their hands and ignoring it.
Either way, people are suffering now and things are about to get worse.
Progressive Pulse Blog
Daily News
House panel begins push on financial overhaul
Raleigh News & Observer
A key House panel moved to tighten rules on previously unregulated financial instruments Wednesday, a long-awaited step toward governing the obscure and complex transactions at the heart of the troubles that befell some of Wall Street's most well-known financial houses.
Appeals court to rule on video poker
Winston-Salem Journal
A North Carolina appeals court is next to decide whether the General Assembly can ban video poker machines while leaving in place an exception for the Cherokee Indians. A three-member panel of the state Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday from attorneys for the state and a video poker machine vendor.
N.C. Medicaid cuts will pinch care providers
Charlotte Observer
North Carolina is trying to squeeze savings out of Medicaid, even as more people than anticipated sign up for coverage under the government health care program for the poor. So far, the cuts primarily mean that doctors, hospitals and providers are being paid less for their services, but state officials and others warn that cuts to medical services and significant job losses in health care could be looming.
The Fitzsimon File 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.
|
|
|
URGENT SURVEY REQUEST LMEs across the state have been provided with information on their reduction in funding as of September 8, 2009. They have been asked to provide the Division with their service's plan by October 5, 2009 for the Division's review. We need to hear from the members of NCARF to find out if your LMEs have already taken action on services or funding reduction and what this has meant to your organization. If you have already had reductions in either funding or services for the 2009/2010 year from your LME, please complete this quick survey, if you have not already done so.
We will re-survey in the next 6 weeks to further assess the impact of budget cuts throughout the state.
|
|
Governance Policies
|
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. |
|
Member Emeritus
|
|
Have someone to suggest for Member Emeritus Status?
Please send Michelle Eggleston, meggleston@firstpointresources.com their name and contact info, NCARF staff will contact them with information on becoming involved with NCARF.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
