Wednesday, May 22, 2013

California Health and Human Services to Establish Task Force for State Developmental Centers

The following announcement was made today in Sacramento:

California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Diana S. Dooley today announced she will establish a Task Force on the Future of the Developmental Centers.  The Task Force will include a cross-section of consumers, family members, regional centers, consumer advocates, community service providers, organized labor, and the Department of Developmental Services.

The Task Force will be charged to develop a Master Plan that addresses the service needs of all developmental center residents, the fiscal and budget implications of the declining population, the aging infrastructure, staffing, and resource constraints, the availability of community resources to meet the specialized needs of residents now living in the developmental centers, a timeline for future closures and the statutory and regulatory changes that may be needed to ensure the delivery of  cost-effective, integrated, quality services for this special population.

The challenges facing the residents of the state developmental centers are not new and not easily solved. Until the landmark Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act was adopted in 1969 to establish community-based alternatives, the only care option available to families of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities was state-operated hospitals. Since then, federal and state legal mandates have contributed to the deinstitutionalization of more than 10,000 former developmental center residents and made significant investments in community-based resources.  Today, California operates four large, old developmental centers and one small community facility serving a total of 1,510 residents with a budget of $545 million.

Last year, this Administration sponsored legislation, which placed a moratorium on new admissions to the developmental centers, required all residents to be assessed to determine if community services are available to meet their needs, and prioritized resources to reduce state and local institutionalization.  As the combination of this admission moratorium, legal mandates, and investments in community-based services are decreasing the developmental center population by approximately 200 residents per year, continued operation of four large institutions is increasingly inefficient and cost prohibitive.

Secretary Dooley said in announcing the establishment of the Task Force, “The health and safety of citizens served by the developmental disabilities service system is a high priority for California therefore we must provide services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the most integrated setting available to meet their needs and to avoid unnecessary institutionalization.”

The Secretary will make appointments to the task force by June 1, 2013 and will convene the first meeting by June 15.  The Task Force will complete its work by November 15 and produce a written Master Plan that addresses:

1.    The effective and efficient delivery of integrated services to meet the specialty needs of developmental center residents; and

2.    The fiscal implications of developmental center operations, including the cost of resident care and services, maintenance of aging infrastructure, and utilization of existing resources.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Governor Brown Releases Budget Revisions -- No New Reductions to DDS

Citing an uncertain revenue and economic picture in the coming years, Governor Brown released his proposed revisions to his 2013-2014 State Budget on Wednesday of this week, which he characterized as “prudent” and “…one that responds to our educational and health challenges”.

"This budget builds a solid foundation for California's future by investing in our schools, continuing to pay down our debts and establishing a prudent reserve," said Governor Brown. "But California's fiscal stability will be short-lived unless we continue to exercise the discipline that got us out of the we inherited."

While his budget revisions reflect about $2.8 billion in higher revenues than expected, the Governor repeatedly emphasized the need “…to find right balance between spending and holding the line” in a time of uncertainty – not only in the State’s economic picture – but the impact of the national and world economies that impacts California revenues.  In addition, Brown Administration officials repeatedly said that the higher revenue projections can be misleading because the money is already allocated – or is off-set by lower projected revenues in future budget years.

In response to a reporter’s question about various advocates pushing for restoration of funding of various previously cut services and programs, and whether the Governor would favor such action, he replied “No.”  

The Governor noted that the Democratic legislative leadership – Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Democrat – Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker John Perez (Democrat – Los Angeles) both have taken positions supporting a strong budget “rainy day” reserve and restraint in new spending.

But when asked about pressure from Democratic rank and file members in the Legislature about restoring funding for several previously cut services, the Governor said flatly that “…they [rank and file legislators] can push but I can push back. At the end of the day they need a Governor’s signature.”

With respect to DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES:

NO NEW REDUCTIONS: No new reductions in State general funding – but does reflect reduction federal funding for the State’s early intervention program (see below).

SONOMA DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER:
-          The Governor’s May 14th budge revision includes an increase of $344,000 ($241,000 of that State general funds), for the current 2012-2013 State Budget year that ends June 30, 2013, and another $2.5 million ($1.7 million of that State general funds) for the upcoming 2013-2014 State Budget year, to reflect anticipated costs related to the “Sonoma Developmental Center Improvement Program Plan” that requires the State to contract with an independent consultant review experts to develop an action plan to bring 4 of the 10 intermediate care units in the facility into compliance with federal Medicaid requirements.
-          Provisional budget bill language (meaning language in the actual budget bill rather than a trailer bill) would authorize up to $10 million in additional funding to address the costs necessary to implement this action plan.
-          The Governor’s May 14th budget revision includes increases of $7.4 million (State general funds) for the current 2012-2013 State Budget year and another $15.7 million in State general funds for the upcoming 2013-2014 State Budget year to replace the lost federal matching Medicaid funds for those units in the Sonoma facility. 

1.25% PAYMENT CUT SUNSET: Governor’s May14th budget revisions still includes the end of the 1.25% payment reduction to most regional center providers and regional center operations, scheduled to “sunset” (end) on June 30, 2013.  However the Governor’s May 14th budget revision contains no proposals for restoration of funding of previously cut programs or services.

EARLY START FEDERAL FUNDING REDUCTION:
-          The Governor’s May 14th budget revisions does reflect reduced allocation of federal funding and the larger impact of the loss of funding impacted by the federal “sequester” totaling about $4.5 million in federal money for the State’s early intervention program – called Early Start.  The reduction in federal money for this program will be spread across the Early Start budget to reduce the impact, including cuts in funding to the Department of Developmental Services headquarters, overhead for the Interagency Coordinating Council that is composed of all state agencies – including the Department of Developmental Services, Education and Social Services – and public community representatives and others who provide advice and input on the program; and reduction in funding to the consulting organization – WestEd – who provide staffing for the council.
-          Brown Administration officials say the reduction in federal funds will be spread across the program, including Department of Developmental Services, the lead state agency for Early Start, but the impact to the actual delivery of services is being addressed with $613,000 in additional State general funds to the program’s IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part C grant for regional centers “purchase of services” that funds those early intervention services.

LANTERMAN DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER: Governor’s budget revisions continues closure process of Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona that began in the fall of 2010 though does not propose additional closures of the other remaining centers at this point.  The Legislative budget subcommittees last week both passed budget trailer bill language that would anticipate closure of the facility – based on the Department of Developmental Services own milestones – of the fall of 2014 and not later than the end of December 2014.  While that language is not part of the Governor’s May 14th budget revisions, it is likely to be a part of the final budget that is passed and enacted in June.

---

This information was provided in the latest California Disability Community Actiion Network (CDCAN) Report.

CDCAN Reports go out to over 65,000 people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, people with MS, Alzheimer's and other disorders, veterans with disabilities and mental health needs, families, workers, community organizations, facilities and advocacy groups including those in the Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, American Indian, Indian, African-American communities; policymakers, and others across the State.

Sign up for these free reports by going to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us

CDCAN and Marty Omoto
1500 West El Camino Avenue Suite 499
Sacramento, CA 95833                                    
Phone: 916-757-9549

Sonoma Valley Footrace & Festival Returns to SDC this Saturday

It's that time of year again, when the annual Sonoma Valley Footrace & Festival comes to the beautiful Sonoma Developmental Center campus. The festival is this coming Saturday, May 18, 2013, with the races beginning at 9 a.m. (Get there early if you're running!) and festivities continuing into the afternoon. It's always a good time -- and the perfect time of year to enjoy the SDC grounds.

There are two races: A 5K run/walk and an advanced 10K run. The 10K is a challenging run both on- and off-road, passing lakes and woods in the hills above the Center. For a less challenging run or walk, the 5K course also winds through the beautiful grounds of SDC on mostly level pavement. Both races start promptly at 9 a.m.

The after-race Festival, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., features some of the area’s best wine and beer and may well be the most economical tasting event in Sonoma Valley. The family-friendly festival also features a car show, food vendors, carnival games and attractions, a kids’ fun run, and live music.

Race registration fees vary by age, from $20 to $30, with $5 off for early purchase. Anyone interested in the footrace, the festival, or to volunteer at the event should contact Becky Zyskowski at 938-6713. Visit the Sonoma Valley Footrace & Festival web page for complete details.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Next PHA General Meeting is this coming Saturday, May 11

The Parent Hospital Association (PHA) holds general membership meetings every other month on the second Saturday -- and the next one is coming up this Saturday, May 11th, from 10 a.m. to noon.

PHA General Meetings are held on the second Saturday of alternate months
at 10 a.m. in McDougall Hall (blue building), on the SDC campus.

March and April are two of the most event-filled months for PHA because of our annual legislative meeting and yearly fundraiser. Well, the dust has settled from both of those events and it's a good time to get together before summer plans scatter us to the winds. If you can come this Saturday, please plan to attend. It's a great opportunity to visit your loved one at the Center and your PHA friends.

Kathleen will be updating us on recent events in Sacramento, and there is sure to be a report about the fundraiser, along with follow-up on the legislative session.

If you missed the legislative meeting, the minutes are included in the most recent Gazette, which you can download from this website. Click on the Resources tab, then scroll down a few inches to The Eldridge Gazette section. All available back issues are listed. Click on the link for a pdf copy.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Tim's Place - a "Feel Good" Story for a Wednesday

It's not always easy to tell the stories of the folks who live at Sonoma Developmental Center. SDC residents do have stories -- some of them every bit as inspirational as Tim's, a young developmentally disabled man who runs his own restaurant where hugs come with every meal.



Have a great rest of your week -- and remember to give someone you meet a hug!
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