MMMemo

Please help support the Monday Morning Memo and all the other publications and projects of The Arc movement. Your $25 annual membership contribution entitles you to full membership in the local chapter, The Arc of California and The Arc of the United States. Send your check to 1225 8^th Street, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95814 Attn: “Membership” or sign up online and we’ll bill you.

In the previous MMM we published a note bidding farewell to our long time friends at ARCA who recently left, Bob Baldo, retirement and Ahn Nguyen and welcomed the new director Eileen Richey. Here’s the press release information the association posted:

The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) is pleased to announce that Eileen Richey assumed the role of Executive Director on January 7, 2012. The association represents the independent, nonprofit agencies providing advocacy, clinical assessment, and coordination of services to California’s 260,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Richey worked for ARCA to expand employment access for people with developmental disabilities. Previously she was Assistant Director and Deputy Director of the state Department of Developmental Services. Eileen Richey has also, among other work, been a consultant for Davis-Deshaies and William Mercer, was the Executive Director of Area Board X in Los Angeles County, and was the Executive Director of CAUSE. The position was previously held by Bob Baldo, retiring after a 16 year tenure serving as the Executive Director of the Association.

We’ll be meeting with the leadership of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals at 11:30 am to discuss increasing membership and helping DSPs create their own professional organization. To learn more about the NADSP visit our website at: https://www.nadsp.org/

We’ll be meeting with ARCA as part of our ongoing outreach to our partners in the advocacy community.

We’ll be meeting with our legal counsel for an update on the latest developments on our lawsuit against the state challenging the process and existence of the rate cuts to the community providers. For more information on this case visit our webpage on the Lawsuit: http://www.thearcca.org/66.html

The California Health Benefit Exchange Board is submitting comments due by today for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) Bulletin on Essential Health Benefits. These comments were developed by a working group of the Exchange and state departments engaged in health care reform implementation. The comments were reviewed during the last meeting – all information regarding the work of the exchange can be found at: www.hbex.ca.gov.

We’ll be meeting with the California Supported Living Network as part of our ongoing outreach to our partners in the advocacy community.

We’ll be participating in the coordination efforts of the advocacy work of organizations working to sustain the sate’s In-Home Supportive Services for people with disabilities and seniors.

We’ll be participating in the planning of the upcoming conference for Family Voices in California. This is the 10th Annual Family Voices of California Health Summit and Legislative Day in Sacramento from March 13 – 14, 2012. The summit focuses on “Identifying key California budget issues and how they affect children with special health care needs.” To learn more visit: http://familyvoicesofca.org/

The Lanterman Coalition will be meeting in Sacramento to discuss follow-up on upcoming budget committee and stakeholder committee forums and policy implications. The Lanterman Coalition consists of the 14 major stakeholders in California’s community based developmental services system: The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, Autism Society of California, California Alliance for Inclusive Communities, California Disability Services Association, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, California Supported Living Network, Disability Rights California, Family Resource Center Network of California, People First of California, and Service Employees International Union, Cal-TASH, and Easter Seals. To learn more visit our page at: http://www.thearcca.org/53.html

We’ll be participating in the California Collaborative for Long Term Supports and Services chaired by Jack Haley of the Government Action and Communication Institute (GACI) at the AARP offices in Sacramento. The CCLTSS will meet with staff of the leadership policy makers in the capitol to discuss items impacting the supports and services important for people with disabilities and seniors.

We’ll be participating with the directors of the state chapters of The Arc in the 15 states participating in the Dual eligibles pilot in a pre-meeting in preparation of our upcoming meeting with Obama administration officials focused on how the pilots impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Monday Jan 30, 2012
The following bills will be heard on the Senate floor in third reading

SB 764 (Steinberg D) Developmental services: telehealth systems program. Position: Watch Subject: Autism

(a message from Peter Harbage Consultant on the Medi-Medi Dual Eligibles Pilot Projects)…

DHCS released today the final Request for Solutions (RFS) for the Dual Eligibles Demonstration Project. As described in the memo from Director Toby Douglas, the Department appreciated and carefully considered all 300-plus pages of comments from 55 organizations and individuals. To support transparency, the Department released a red-lined version that shows the changes between the draft and final versions. All those documents are posted online, but also as a courtesy, we attached the following:

RFS responses are due by Friday, February 24, 2012 to the Medi-Cal Procurement Office. Detailed submission instructions are included in the document.

There will be an Applicants' Teleconference from 2 pm to 4 pm Monday, February 6, 2011. Register here to receive call-in and pin numbers for that conference. The purpose of this teleconference is to answer applicants' questions. After their questions have been answered, DHCS staff and contractors will take some questions from the public at-large. We will send more details about this teleconference next week.

We also wanted to call your attention to a new document from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that provides initial guidance for health plans interested in participating in the capitated payment demonstration model. Notably, health plans must submit to CMS a notice of intent to apply by April 2, 2012. You can download that document here.

The Department will continue seeking stakeholder input on many aspects of the Demonstration Proposal due to CMS by April, as well as ongoing policy and implementation issues. More information on this process will be available in the near future. Your ongoing participation in this process is invaluable to the Department's goals of building a more coordinated care delivery system. As always, find updates at www.CalDuals.org and follow us on Twitter @CalDuals.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected vote on H.R. 1173, a bill to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program. The CLASS program was created to help pay for services and supports to help working adults maintain independence in the community. It is vital for you to contact your representative today and let him/her know that you oppose a repeal of CLASS before they vote.

What Will Happen if CLASS is Repealed?
If CLASS is repealed, Congress will continue to ignore the real and growing crisis of long term services and supports. Medicaid will continue to take on the load of long term service needs for most Americans, leaving hundreds of thousands on waiting lists. People with disabilities will continue to have few options to live in the community. Average home and community-based care now costs over $21,000 per year. Few Americans have insurance to cover these costs. Only 3% have private long term care insurance and the majority are forced to impoverish themselves to qualify for Medicaid. It had been decades since Congress dealt seriously with long term services and supports when it passed the CLASS program. Do you really want to wait another generation?

What Can I Do to Help?
Alert your friends, family, and colleagues that this vote is happening.   Call your Representatives toll-free at 866-898-2624 to let them know that the CLASS Act is the only framework that exists in the law to help fix how we pay for long term services and supports. To find your representative click here. Now is the time to make your voices heard!

What to Say:
•    I urge Representative _______________ not to repeal the CLASS Act.
•    It is the only framework that exists to help fix how we pay for long-term services and supports.

Public Policy Conference in Sacramento, Monday February 27, 2012, by The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy in California REGISTER HERE (Schedule Subject to Change)
Registration	8:30 am
Introductions/Overview Tony Anderson Executive Director The Arc California and Director of the Collaboration for The Arc UCP in California	8:45 am
National Policy Update Marty Ford, The Director of Public Policy for The Arc United States	9:00 am
Autism Insurance SB 171 & Other Policy Issues Senator Darrell Steinberg	9:30 am
2011 Legislator of the Year Senator Mark de Saulnier	9:45 am
Department of Developmental Services Update Terri Delgadillo, Director Department of Developmental Services (Not Confirmed)	10:15 am
Prevention, Autism & Other Policy Issues Assemblymember Jim Beall	10:45 am
The Current State Budget Status Scott Graves, California Budget Project	11:00 am
Advocacy Matters Marty Omoto	12:00 pm
Lunch	12:30 pm
Prevention Luncheon Hosted by Shirley Dove, Prevention Chair & featuring Peter Leibert	1:00 pm
Break Out #1:	1:30 pm
In-Home Support Services Deborah Doctor, Lobbyist Disability Rights California
Mental Health David Reister, Director of the Collaborative of Regional Center and Mental Health Directors
Break Out #2:	2:00 pm
LTSS/Olmstead Jack Haley, California Coalition for Long Term Supports and Services
Work Dwight Hansen, Lobbyist CA Disability Services Association
Break Out #3:	2:30 pm
Trusts/Conservatorship/Able Act Stephen Dale, JD
Criminal Justice Teresa Anderson and Lieutenant Marquez, Los Angeles Special Victims Unit

Break Out #4:	3:00 pm
Family Resource Centers: Prevention Program (Debbie Sarmento Not Confirmed)
Adult Education and Community Colleges Tim Hornbecker and Will Francis (Not Confirmed)
Keeping The Lanterman Promise Report Jim Stream	3:30 pm
The New World of Healthcare???	4:00 pm
Open Forum – Led by Greg deGiere	4:30 pm
Reception – Sponsored (The Arc San Diego, Miller United, Essential Learning)	5:00 pm
Special IPP Training/Dinner Keeping the Lanterman Promise	6:30 pm

The Arc California Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Make your plans to attend the 2012 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. April 23-25 and take advantage of special early registration and hotel rates until March 20. This event is the biggest and best opportunity for advocates to advance the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But this year it is even more important to make your mark in Washington as we approach a pivotal presidential election in November. This unique platform offers you the opportunity to come together with other advocates, learn about the issues, and speak with your elected officials about what is important to you. Get the best rates and availability for the event at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Washington, D.C. and find out more about this year’s program at www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org.

National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) 2012 Mid-Year Conference & Directors Forum, "Smart Solutions through Technology and Leadership Practices" in Sacramento, California. “As state service delivery systems for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families continue to adapt to rapid changes in the state and federal environment, leaders must be nimble in moving forward with solutions that are cost efficient, person centered and achieve good outcomes. Come learn about what service delivery trends indicate and where the system is headed. The conference will also provide opportunities to gain knowledge on transformational technology and strategies to apply these new technologies in the community. Finally, the conference will highlight states with experience in providing cost efficient services and supports paired with consumer self-direction. For more information about the conference and to register online, please see the 2012 Mid-Year Conference web page http://www.nasddds.org/Meetings/2012MidYearConference/index.shtml. If you have any questions regarding program content, please email Barbara Brent or call (703) 896-0043.

The budget requires a reduction of $200 million in state general fund in 2012-13, with the Department of Developmental Services engaging with stakeholders to discuss reduction proposals. This may include extending the 4.25 percent reduction to provider and regional center operations, reductions in the developmental center budget, and other potential savings options including reduced expenditures associated with recently enacted legislation that would require insurance companies to cover Autism related behavioral services4. Additionally, the Governor’s budget makes the specific adjustments below:

--Reduces $14.4 million state general fund for Developmental Centers in 2012-13 as a result of a revised population estimate (specifically a reduction of 230 residents).

--Reduces $32 million general fund in 2011-12 and $2.9 million general fund in 2012-13 because of changes and delayed implementation which reduce the amount of backfill needed by regional centers. The largest amount of this adjustment is the elimination of the Adult Day Health Care program reduction. Because of DRC’s settlement of that case, all regional center consumers are presumptively eligible for that service.

--Provides increases to Regional Centers of $5.9 million state general fund in 2011-12 and an increase of $115.2 million general fund in 2012-13 because of a revised case load adjustment.

--Provides an additional $108.4 million state general fund in 2012-13 because the 4.25-percent provider and regional center operations payment reduction will expire on June 30, 2012. As noted above, DDS has the option of extending this rate reduction to meet the $200 million budget reduction.

--Increases by $50 million state general fund in 2012-13 to backfill for the one-time use of Proposition 10 funding for services to consumers age 0-5 years.

…http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/legislature/Budget/BudgetSummary2012final.pdf

The Arc of California posts job announcements in the Career Ladder section every week because we would like to contribute to steering quality candidates to professional positions that support people with disabilities and we are trying to communicate to Direct Support Professionals and People with Disabilities that there is a real “career ladder” in their chosen profession.

The UCLA Tarjan Center is currently seeking a Project Director to coordinate and implement a new federally funded Project of National Significance, the California Employment Consortium for Youth and Young Adults with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities.

The purpose of this project is to establish a state level interagency workgroup that fosters systems transformation through public policy, removal of systemic barriers, statewide training and professional

development, local implementation of transition and employment strategies, and dissemination of best practices that lead to competitive integrated employment for youth and young adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Key Responsibilities: The Project Director will be responsible for the day-to-day administration, leadership, coordination, and reporting for all aspects of the project. Responsibilities include the coordination of the work and activities of the state interagency team, planning for statewide professional development and training; administration, and oversight of selected local employment coalitions; development of a new web site; and research and evaluation activities. Ensures collaboration – builds collaboration amongst state team by establishing, communicating and reinforcing culture of collaboration and teamwork across organizational boundaries. This position requires frequent meetings, teleconferences, presentations, workshops and travel. The Project Director will supervise and oversee the Program Representative and graduate student assistants. The Project Director reports to the Director of the Tarjan Center at UCLA.

-Master’s degree required, doctorate preferred in rehabilitation, special education, public administration, social work, or human services related field.

-A minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience in the provision of technical assistance; process facilitation, consensus building, and implementing systems change initiatives in vocational services, transition or employment with individuals with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities.

-Demonstrated experience in a project management capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution.

-Experience at working both independently and in a team oriented, collaborative environment is essential.

-Makes sound decisions: recognizes the broad, systemic implications of problems and issues. Preferred Experience: -Grant writing and reviewer experience. -Bilingual – Spanish.

-Direct and manage project from beginning to end, including timelines, milestones and deliverables.

-Effectively communicate project scope, goals, expectations and deliverables to state team and associated stakeholders.

-Oversee any workgroups/subcommittees established to carry out project activities.

-Ability to work independently and manage a complex project with multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.

-Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited research or standardization exists.

-Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans.

-Compose and deliver progress reports and other deliverables to requested agencies and funders.

-Excellent verbal communication skills to interact and build rapport, including the ability to engage and lead groups in training and consultative services.

-Excellent written communication skills for developing technical assistance materials and report writing.

-Ability to work effectively with racially, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals.

-Ability to travel regularly within California, and occasional travel outside of California.

-Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize Microsoft Office and variety of web-based software programs and internet technology (i.e., email, searches, webinars).

Send Resume and Cover Letter Attention To: Olivia Raynor, Ph.D., Director, oraynor@mednet.ulca.edu; or fax 310-794-1143, For more information about the Tarjan Center see www.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action employer. The University undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans.