COMMONVEAItfH OF PENNSYIVANIA HOUSE OP REPARATIVES COMMOTBE ON APPROPRIATIONS

In reI Budget Request - 1983 - 1984 Pittsburgh Block Grant Hearing » * * Verbatim report of hearing held in Conference Boon #1* Allegheny County Court House, Pittcburgh, Pennsylvania, on TCiuriday, March 2&, 1983 lOiOO A.M. HOT. MAX PIEVSKY, CHAIRMAN Hon. Kurt Zwikl, vice*Chairman Hon* Joseph M. Hoeffel, III, Secretary Hon. H. William DeWeeee, Chairman Subcommittee on Capital Budget Hon. Jamea CI. Mclntyre, Chairman Subcommittee Health and Welfare Hon* Halph Pratt, Chairman Subcommittee en Education MEMBERS OP COMMITTEE. C^.Ay^RC^RIATICWS Hon. Mary Ann Arty Hon* Joeeph 0. Manmlllar Hon. Gibson Armstrong Hon. Richard A* McClatchy Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone Hon* Oerald F. McMonegle Hon. Italo 8. Cappabianca Hon* George Misctvioh {ton* Brian D. Clark Hon* Nicholas B. Moehlmann Hon. Roy W. Cornell Hon, Howard P. Mowery* Jr. Hon. Ronald R« Cowell Hon* Frank Piatella Hon* Alphonao Deal Hon* George F» Pott, Jr. Hon* Dwlght Evans Hon, Camel Sirianni Hon. Stephen Frelnd Hon* William J* Stewart Hon. Allen KUkovlch Eon* Ted stuban Hon* Joseph Levi* III Hon* Edward A* Wiggins Hon* Stephen E« Levin Hon, Peter R« Vroon Reported byt Nancy J* 4taelman, KFK

Uorotntj I I .• I^alone |treet (—Iummelrtown, Penntqlvania 11036 AISO PRESENT! i| ii i mi nw^ ^■nnufWH

Staff Bill Diogeey Staff Representative ThomaB A. Michlovic Douglas Knapp Staff Representative David J* Mayemlk

INDEX «*• fl» «■» MM ■» Page Honorable Leonard C. Staleey 5 Judge, Allegheny County Keren Kelly 17 Association of Retarded Citizens of Pennsylvania Br, Jerry Kokalis "'2 American Tecnmcal ineviwce Marty Friday 50 Beverly Childress 55 Women's Shelter and Center of Greater Pittsburgh Nancy Karp 5& Armstrong counxy Mary Alice Babusci 107 Executive Director, center for victims oi vioxem. Drxste Ignore Patton 111 Shelter Coordinator, The Alice Paul House Kathy Haluefea 107 Women's Resource Center !££££ (Continued) ?*JS,? Kathleen P. Klelnmann 124 Three Rlvere Center for Independent Living Joni Rablnowltz 133 fublic Policy Advocate Bey Webb 148 National /iOBOCiation of Socxei uontere Eileen ChoeKeltcn. 162 President* open Doom for the Handicapped Pittsburgh Chapter Jatoefi Knox 171 Director* Allegheny County Department of Planning David Uigle 172 Program Coordinator, Allegheny County Handicap Program Ken Eemcoy 19*K Representative of the Drug end Alcohol Abutsc Field Reverend Vincent bright 206 VJllllam H. Heyei 209 Martha H, Gervey 205 Peniu&vanla Advieory Commieeion to the United states Commission en Civil Righto Carol Mitchell 2.hb Director* Verland Center Don Qoughler 25* won volley tieaxxh ond ire ouncil CHAIRMAN DeWEESE; Judge Staisey has asked to have five minutes on our agenda. So, Karen Kelly of the Association of Retarded Citizens of Pennsylvania will please he ready at 10(05 roughly. We are going to try to askk everyone to share four, five, six, seven minutes with ue in a rather informal way and then we'd like to ask a fee questions* There is an inherent constraint as far as the tine parameter and we would be very grateful if you would try to keep within that time span. My name is Bill DeWeeee. For the record, I'm from Greene County. I would like for the other Members of the House including George Mleeevlch from Allegheny County to please introduce themselves and then we'll ask the Judge to make his remarks, REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLAj State Representative Frank Plstella from the City, of Pittsburgh, 21st Legislative District * MR. WitEYi. Dick Wiley, Staff of the Appropria­ tions Committee* REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Allen Kukovich, Representative from Westmoreland County. REPRESENTATIVE COWELLt Ron Cowell from Allegheny County. REPRESENTATIVE CIARKj Brian Clark from Allegheny County. MR, KNAPP: Douglas Khapp, Staff, Appropriations Committee* MR. DiOGSEYi Bill Diogsey, Staff, Appropriations , CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: So, we have some Democrats. I'm sure some Republicans will tee around later. Bill represents them on their staff. Judge, will you please commence• JUDGE 8TAISEY8 Thank you very much, Representative DeVeeae. At the very outset, I went to thank you and the Members of the House for a unanimous vote which you gave to a Bill that was submitted to you laet year which made it possible for deaf persons and thoB© hard of hearing to have interpreters before any administrative agency of the state. We have another-Bill which we will send you this year having to do with allowing deaf persons to have interpreters in the civil courts of Pennsylvania. That is purely an oversight. Nowhere in the code is provision made for that. It Is made in the criminal courts. This is symptomatic and typical of what has been happening to those of us who are handicapped. Legislation is passed and for some reason or other we are not computed into that legi6la- tlon. let iso eay very briefly that the greatest handi­ cap that a handicapped person has la not the handicap but it's rather the negative perception and attitude which the public has toward the handicap. How, this is not condemna­ tory of the public at all. On the contrary, it's become a part of our culture* People have been very generous and very kind to us except that we have historically played a certain role in society. If you depart from the norm, then you are to be treated differently* There is a price to be paid for that difference. However, In 1981 when the United Nations instituted the International Year of Disabled Persons and then In 1982 when we organized the National Year of Disabled Persons and your House unanimously sponsored end passed both of those resolutions for which we are deeply grateful, a tremendous change has come across this country. There are new partnerships being formed. There Is participa­ tion* There is a new awareness among people that among us in this people 35 million disabled persons exists, people who are physically, mentally and emotionally disabled, Impaired and handicapped. I myself refer to them as handicapped because that's what X have been called ell my life and X think you ought to meet the issue On and not concern yourself with semantics. As a result of the international Year end the National Year of Disabled Per8one, it's become apparent that this idea that you equate disability with inability is wholly incorrect, and one of the great Injustices of otir time. The new awareness and the more sophistication of our people is beginning to sweep this aside. The second thing that has happened, there has been in the last ten years a tremendous explosion in bio- medicine , in new technology* in imaginative rehabilitation, and In targeted training, I wish I had the time just to tell you some of the things that are happening that are compensated for the losses that are occasioned by handicaps. when you come down to the physically handicapped person, really wo are ordinary people with extraordinary possibilities like the rest of you. The only difference is that we have sustained a loss. With the new bio-medicine, technology, rehabilitation and training that has exploded In the last ten years, we are now possible to compensate for those losses. Juet a few examples. Out at the School for Blind Children, for example, we have a Kure-Weil (phonetic) machine which Xerox has Juat taken OVQT. This machine you can place a book on it, press a button and it says left page

' and you press another button and It says top line, press another button and It says ready to read. And the voice attachment on the hook reads It to you* We now have voice- activated wheelchairs and there is a whole host *- we have optieons for blind people, for example, that you can actually read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning If you so choose, $o> the fact of. the loss of vision is now being compensated for by the new technology. TfJhat does this mean? This moans that we are now able to compete in private industry and to take our place as productive citizens. The third thing that has happened is employers , during the International Year, became aware of the fact that people in their service during the period of their service are becoming disabled and handicapped. They feel an obligation to them and consequently they have Instituted rehabilitiation programs in^house and this experience has taught them that there is at least two ways of doing anything, These people can remain in the plant. They retain their expeitence and the company benefits from it. From that has come an awareness now that handicapped people can be accepted into industry and this ie not only the physically handicapped but also those who are mentally retarded* IBM runs courses across this country, some 16 areas hove It. Ve are going to get It here in Pittsburgh pretty soon, lest year they trained 400 handicapped people* They placed 80 percent of those people. Dupont did a study recently with their 2700 handicapped people and discovered that the handicapped are in the 9&id percentile of productivity, in the 90th percentile of attendance, and the 85th percentile as far as lost-time accidents are concerned. There has been this idea if you hire a handicapped person, he Is prone to accidents; If you hire a handicapped perron, your insurance rates go up. All of those barriers, all of the misconceptions are beginning to fall to the wayeide and employers are beginning to realize that handicapped people are very loyal employees. They are good on attendance. They have high productivity and, above all, they are long-term employees, not because we are special people but because wo don't have the options the rest of you do. If we have a Job, we hang onto it because the probabilities of getting another Job are fairly remote in the time we live in. The other thing that has happened is that there is a new awareness, fi new assertiveness on behalf of handicapped people. When I was a liftle boy at the School for Blind Children, we were taught if you can't see, you can use your bands. Now, that is unthinkable. It also has occurred to people, to the educators, that we can also use our heeds. Consequently, what has happened now, handicapped people today do not dwell on the fact of the lose hut rather they say to themselves the question is no longer what have I lost hut what do X have left and what can X do with It and we have discovered that there le so much that can be done. We have discovered that we represent the Lord's beet effort and that all of us have abilities and talents we have never dreamed of and the fact of handicapped gives you the occasion to make that search for those abilities and talents,. I Just this morning, there are four youngsters In the Post- Gazette that are going to Mount* Lebanon. X think three of them ore deaf and they are making remarkable progress. The Smaller Manufacturers Magatslne has a whole page of handicapped people who are being employed and the heading says we should employ more handicapped. Right now at this very moment over at Bell Telephone, Alcoa, Mellon Bank, there are people In wheelchairs, there are blind people, there are deaf people who are running computers and so forth and I can put It very simply to you. Gentlemen, of what consequence le It If you are a lawyer, whether you practice out of a wheelchair or whether you practice out of a swivel chair. The quest ten la the quality of the product. Here*a a resource that has been overlooked. Here Id a resource that society, because of its misconceptions, has been Imposed on It for so many centuries, we have been paying a terrible price for it and It's wholly unnecessary. Handicapped people can be made productive and that's why it's so Important now that at this critical moment when we are really on the edge of breakthroughs that you aee that we get the money for special education} that We get it for rehabilitation and the other programs that some of the others are going to address themselves to* United Nations this year for the first time in its history and for the first time for any group has declared this to be the decade of the disabled, from 1983 to 1993• Joint Resolution 39 is pending before the Houce and senate. That should be passed in the next two months. We will be sending you a resolution to pass. This Is the first time that any group has been singled out for this purpose. Ask yourself the good question why. Some people say that we who are handicapped represent a minority. I don't think so. X think we are part of the rest of the population and I think that we are people who, for one reason or another, have some deficiency. But if we are a minority, then we BT^ the most democratic minority that has ever been put together because within our ranks we have representatives from every other minority, from children to elderly people, from blacks to women* You name it and why is it, because handicaps don't discriminate* £he only difference between us and the rest of you is one word, chance, and the other question that is crossing people's minds now is who is next. We know demo*- graphlcally by 1990 one person in every third family in that broader circle is going to nave somebody who is handicapped. Therefore, it*© urgently necessary now that we use the new knowledge that we have gained in rehabilitation and training, that we apply this new technology and that we indemnify them against the losses that are occasioned to the individual, to the family and to society by keeping handicapped people in an unproductive position* Figures are very difficult to come by. However, the National Office of Disabilities tells us that for every dollar that is put into rehabilitation, $8 returns to society. However, the Office of the Management of the Budget, Mr. Stockton's office, seems to suggest that their figures indicate that $10*4a goes back to society and you can understand why. If a handicapped person receives special education, rehabilitation, he's trained and goes to work and he becomes a taxpayer and a contributor. Also, those fundB that would normally be used to maintain him are no longer necessary and conseciuently it's a double dip. This is the highest pay-off program that we have today in my judgment, the money that you invest in the handicapped. And with the change in the economy and the transition that we are making, the blue collar jobs are moving to the background and the matter of brawn is not the first thing you call upon. Therefore, with the new technology and the now service Industries and so forth* we who are handicapped ere no longer at a disadvantage. Ail we need ie special education and we need the training and we need the rehabilitation. Burger King is making quite a thing of this* They &TB hiring many mentally retarded people who are participating and very effectively so* In fact, we are so enthused about this and our statistics are so accurate because we hove been gathering them from all over the country, that we don't discount even the multiply handicapped as being people who can participate In this economy. In other words, what I am saying to you is don't cut the appropriations. This is one area where there Is a big pay-back to society, This is one area that touches more people In this Commonwealth than any other program that you have because it touches not only the handicapped person but also his family end this is an area where, as I have

— 1 indicated tp you, there la a big pay-off and, therefore, in the days to come you are going to he astounded how handicapped people are going to participate. Employer* today don't care if you are Mr, America or if you are an olympian. They want to Know what is your productivity factor. The handicapped are proving that we do have such a factor. So* I want to thank you very much for the time you have given me and above all for being so responsive to all of the legislation we have forwarded to you and I hope 1 have given you some insight as to the enthusiasm that we have that we know now, we know now you don' t have to have two good legs, two good eyes , two good ears in order to participate in this society. That kind of distinction is so wrong and it's so uncalled for to let this hidden resource of handicapped people to go to waste. Thank you very much. CHAlHMAft DeWEESEs Judge, thank you for setting the tenor and giving us some specifics. Ron Cowell has one quick question and we will move on. BJf REPRESENTATIVE CGUELL (To Judge Staisey) * Q Judge, you have always been a very effective, a very vigorous advocate for all handicapped people. m an era of tight dollars at the state and federal level, however, it is not unusual for circumstances to arise where effectively handicapped persons are forced to compete with one another In terms of types of handicaps for the available dollars . We eeem to be witnessing such a situation In our Office of Vocational Rehabilitation In the state office. We are told that as a result of some fect eral mandates tied to some new state policies that perhaps are predicated on the new federal policy, services are being decreased for non- severely disabled so that more dollars can be made available for those with severe disabilities, A Yes. Q Do you have an observation about that? The concern that we are generally hearing is from the non- severely disabled, of course, A I don't think It's a two-value orientation. Some of the information that comes out of OVR Is not as accurate as it ought to be. tfe Just had a study and I was In charge of the task force on employment while other* were assigned to some five other task forces . The OVR inder Oeorge Lowe has come to the conclusion that a priority has to be given to the severely handicapped, What they do In the OVR, they rely on statistics. For example, if they help a person In homemaking, then they call that a placementf That is not a placement. Or if they get a guy e pair of glasses, that's a placement. That is not a placement and eo forth* What we are trying to do ie to get away from the fact of statistics and we euggeeted In our report that employment la the answer, For example, the lady who is the personnel officer for Allegheny Jjudlum told us at our meeting, she. said each week I have somebody coming from one minority or another asking me why aren*t you employing more of our people. I have yet to have anybody come to my office and ask me to hire the handicapped and our recommendation for the OVR wae that they are too much of a government agency expecting the handicapped to come to them. They are the ones who should create the bridge from the rehabilitation to the employment offices. 55iey are the ones who should find the Jobs and they are the ones who ought to help ua get the Jobs. For example, we know now, Ron, that if you matched the abilities of a handicapped person with the requirements of the Job* then there is no handicap and in ;my opinion and I say it publicly, OVR has done a lousy Job, Q We could t.Aiif fihnut it all day and perhaps we111 take another day to do that but would you please share, perhaps through my office; sharfe with the members of the committee a copy of the report from your task force? I think that would be helpful? A Absolutely. Q Thank you very much. Thank you for being with us, A It's not that kind of © choice. The people with very minor handicaps* they are going to find their way into the economy* It's the severely handicapped that -- you see, Juot one final point. The difficulty is now the people yoi have here have literally committed their Uivea, many of them without charge for the handicapped, okay. We have profess­ ionals In the field and the truth of the matter le they 4uat don't have confidence In ua, A lot of our counselors don't believe that we can dp anything and, therefore, we are limited by their limitationc and not by otsr possibilities. Q Thank you, Judge. CHAIRMAN DeWEESEj Thank you very much, eir» Karen KeXJy for the Association of Retarded Citizens of Pennsylvania* If you'll paes around your prepared statement* It's up to,you the way you wturfc to share your time with us but many of us, after four or five weeks of hearings, would appreciate some degree of informality* Summarize whet you have there and talk to us and let us ask you some questions rather than have ten or 50 people come in here and read five or ten pages each but you are the boss* NEBS. KELLYs Mine is only four and I'll try to summarize lt» CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: All right. You ere the boss. (The following is the prepared statement of Karen Kelly t) I am Keren Kelly, let Vice President of the Association for Jletarded Citi&ons, Pennsylvania, I represent 55 ARC County Chapters and 13>000 ABC members. The hearing today is being held to air different groups1 and individuals• opinions of the block grant concept. fortunately, we have managed to keep mental retardation appropriations out of block grants In Washington and Harrisburg,, and we will continue our fight to ensure that funds for retardation services have categorical appropria­ tions. If retardation services were incorporated in a large federal grant to the states, retarded people would find themselves competing with others in need, state and local government officials would have the responsibility of deciding just who is needy and if a singular group representing a class of needy people was stronger than » another group, they could walk away with the financial resources. Thic is not good government. "shouldn't funding be based on need and not the pergonal preference of someone In control? "This year the Governor la considering an adult cervices block grant that would combine mental health, mental retardation, child welfare, end aging programs into one appropriation to three or four counties on a trial basis . In other words, the Governor is attempting an experiment , an experiment the ARC will not tolerate. All of these programs are important too vital to compete against each other for money to sustain them* "We understand that to attempt this pilot appropriation the Governor will have to seek permission, from the legislature, Vfhen and If that time comes, the ARC will strongly oppose the passage of any block grant experiment that Involves funds for this state's retarded population. "ify- second point today is to urge you to encourage better use of federal Title 19 monies for retardation services. Presently, almost all of these dollars are used to fund largo state institutions. "The Governor has requested $298,325*000 to fund state owned and operated mental retardation centers in 1J3O3- 84. There are three eourqes of funding for these institutions -- state funds, federal medicaid funds and funds from collections from families and clients for their share of institutional costs. wm 1983-84, the Governor projects that the state's expensive mental retardation institutions will be operating at 9^ percent capacity. This is disturbing to the Association for Retarded Citizens, If many of these retarded citizens were served in the community, there would he considerable saving of tax dollars. H3h the past, the federal government restricted use of medicaid monies to institutional care, which encourage I states to institutionalize people. (Community services are 100 percent state and county funded.) But since 1981 the feds have permitted states to seek a waiver of certain medicaid requirements to prevent mentally retarded people from unnecessary institutionalization. Pennsylvania has not really moved on this opportunity to bring retarded people hack into the mainstream of society and save precious tax dollars at the same time. Why? Because federal medicaid money 1B allotted to states on the basis of a match. Because the federal dollar has been capped , the only way to take advantage of the medicaid waiver would be to create more community services and reduce the institutional population thereby serving more people in a more appropriate setting for the tfeme dollar "Pennsylvania has not shown a commitment to moving people out of our Btate canters and actually Increased the population of existing state centers last year at store. expense to the Commonwealth. The Chester County Mental Health^lentnl Retardation office estimated In October 1£82 that It was spending an average of $71.58 per client, per day for community homes, while the dally cost of keeping someone at Chester County1s Pennhurst Center was $!8o per day. 2nat is a savings of over $108 per day or $39*^2Q p©*" person, per year. "To give you son. Idea of the expense of state centers versus community residential facilities, the state estimates it will spend $298,325,000 in 1983-84 to keep 6,789 people in mental retardation institutions. Community residential services will cost $134,176,000 In 1983-84 to serve 7*356 people. Tn other words, It will cost the state $l64,149,000 more to servo 567 fewer people. "This is the first time federal money has been made available for community proGJ'&ws to keep people in their natural homes, in community residences, or to get them out of institutions. Tie urge the legislature to help us in this effort to encourage DFW to request an expanded medicaid waiver and. follow the lead of 34 other states like Colorado which says the waiver will save Colorado taxpayers ^ million "The state hae submitted what it terms a pilot waiver for $^.2 million that will eerve only 200 people in 1983-8c* One hundred forty of these individuals will be from pennhuret end will help the state meet court orders by moving these individuals to the community. Fifty people from venango County's Polk center will be moved to the community under the Pennsylvania waiver request and ten people on Allegheny County waiting lists for residential services will be placed. However, this is the only waiver request the Commonwealth has submitted — this is too little and almost too late. "The Governor is projecting almost n& new residential placements in 1983-8^> even though there are thousands of people on waiting lists for such services . The only placements projected are the 250 placements under the medicaid waiver. We are already serving the 200 people from Polk end Pennhuret included in the waiver. Only the ten people from Allegheny County will be new to the residential services system, a veritable gap in services versus need, "If we ere not going to expand residential placements, the State of Pennsylvania must be prepared to support people in their natural homes (92*576). Keeping someone at homo eaves the state millions of dollars since It avoids costly institutional find residential placement. "The Community Based Service system at the county level will see a minute increase of $3.^ million in this upcoming fiscal year and wiHl serve very few additional people even though hundreds await services. It has been estimated by the Office of Mental Retardation that 10,000 mentally retarded Pennsylvanlane, immediately in need of services, will go unserved throurh 1987-88. "The medicaid waiver,, if sought on a massive basis by this state's Department of "Public Welfare, could be a boon to community services, and it would mean bringing more retarded people out of costly institutions and using the money to support them and others on waiting lists for community Services. When I say community services, I mean respite care, wbich gives families much needed breaks or a vacation, which without this service, they are unable to take; In-home occupational and physical therapyj recreation and socialization services; infant stimulation to help babies Ttvlth disabilities achieve their full potential; vocational rehabilitation, to prepare retarded workers for eventual placement in competitive employment? snA a variety of day programs for retarded citizens. n$e urge you as Representatives to encourage this state's Wolfare Department to work with ue to develop an effective medicaid waiver that will serve thousands of retarded people In the community. Thank you ladies and Gentlemen. If you would like more information from the ARC, Pennsylvania on block grants or the medicaid waiver, we urce you to contact our office in Ilarrlehurc, 1500 IT. Second Street, Harriebure, PA 17102, (717) 23^- medicaid funds could only bo used for large facilities called intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded funding stream. Uovoral years ago, under the Republican administration, this was changed and states could ask. for a waiver of regulations so that those monies could be used in the community. T/e have been pressuring the Commonwealth for years to do this. Thev have nott All lthi means si that tho came federal dollars could be used to provide community services which are far more appropriate at a far less cost. Let me use an Allegheny County comparison here. Last year we closed Marcy Center here in Allegheny County that served over 150 people. It was a state Institution. We moved them into the community at far less per diem, picked up and served another 120 community people who are in line waiting for services and saved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania $8 million. This woe without the waiver. With the waiver, in other words, able to move more federal dollars into the community,* we would have saved considerably more. Finally this year the Department of Public Welfare has asked for a small waive** and this io primarily, to be honest* from pressure from the courts in the Pennhurst suit because they were.ordered by the Judge to place Pennhurst residents, the large institution in eastern Pennsylvania, into the community. So, they are asking for a,very ehiall waiver in order to do this. Allegheny County 1B included in this in order to also move 50 residents out of Polk Center bock here into Allegheny County* She only little gift we get on this for us, the 93,000.1 want to remind you of our families who have our child in the community, ie ton people will be served from Allegheny County by this waiver. This ie far too little and almost ten late. What i*m asking is that you pressure as much as you can or'influence the Department of Public Welfare, the Office of Mental Retardation, the Deputy Secretary, the new Secretary, Mr. Cohen, that this is an excellent way to use the same amount of money we are spending now to serve a far larger number of people including day programs. Judge Staisey commented on the need for vocational training. Allegheny ABC, the Association of Retarded Citizens, our local chapter, has placed ovor 30 people into full-time employment including a young woman out in the hall I asked this morning for directions, to be honest, to the ladies room because I already knew where this room was who is a retarded person and has been trained by our system* Another person* Marge Brooder, and they don't mind me using their names, Who came from Polk Center, had lived there 18 years , is now living independently In the community. I could go on and on with this type. VQ have waiting lists -- the Governor's budget here, you have all gone through pages of it. There ore 10,000 retarded individuals waiting for service in the Commonwealth, In the projections through '87 and '88, they don't plan to eervo any more '87-'88, there are 10,000 waiting. I don't need to inform you the savings and in cori dollars- or the difference between somebody being at pennhui.f.t at $180 a day to someone who is working in the conaiunlty, whet those costs are both In state and federal dollars. So, I'm urging that there be more, not only that we ask for more money for a- federal waiver so that more people can be served in the community, a better use of dollars, but that there be an increase in the Governor's budget for community services. tJhen you look at the dollar, there are 14,000 people, and I'm including group homes in this, who are served by residential services at an average cost of $17,000 a year including group home numbers. We who keep our child nt home receivo an average of $203 e year in cervices, Unless some of us got more, those, our children, are going to have to moved Into a more expensive, whether it's in the community or in an Institution, Pleese help us, the vast majority, to keep our children at home and be trained so that they can be worthwhile citizens. 1 would like to comment just a second on the liability regs that went Into effect on March U, This is money that families must pay for ecrvlcee that their child receives from the Commonwealth. A family with an average gross income of $30,000 a year;, gross, after all deductions, for community services must pay almost $500 a month under the new regulations. It will almost wipe out the middle class if they must pay these types of money for services for their children. They simply obviously cannot offord it, I'm going.to open myself up for questions, CHAIRMAN DeWEESEj Ai Kukovich, Westmoreland County. BY REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH (To Mrs. Kelly): 0 I think most of us here are aware of your expertise in the field. As a matter of fact, you might be able to help us with some things that I'm really not clear on. On page two whenever you mentioned about the adult services block grant, I was totally unaware that the Governor was considering that sort of combination of some of the progress* Do you have.any idea toy whet process he's going to attempt to do that? A Ho, I. don't. Have you ever asked me a question. before that I couldn't answer? I don't know what process or which counties he's going to pick. Re's picking as a trial experiment about, three or four counties and going to block the aging, children and mental health and mental retardation • Q Do you have any.idea what his time frame is going to be for that? Is he going to incorporate that within the budget process? A Yes. I understand it's within this budget. If it's successful, it would expand outward and you can imagine with retarded citizens trying to compete with aging and who has the most need or children. Q So, your recommendation to this committee would be for us to monitor that and try to prevent that from happening? A Yes, first of all, try to prevent it from happening and we are going to put pressure on ourselves to try to.prevent it from happening, yes. Q If you could, if you get any more information, maybe if you eouM 1st our office know. A X would be glad to do that. I think our state office has more information, on it* I'll sand it to you* Q A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to question Acting Secretary Baxter and Jennifer Bouse (phonetic) and at that point I brought up the issue of -the medicaid waiver which I agree with you and feel that It appears that the state has totally fallen down oh their attempt to generate revenues, Jennifer House was very non»cosnittal end frankly she didn't give a very good response as to why they weren't proceeding; She s&d they were but they weren't active because they have to go clow. She never explained the rationale and from your testimony, it seems to make fiscal sense* A Ubirty-four states are doing it and Colorado, for example, has already saved $4 million and it*s a much lower population and that's e significant savings. Q I'm still at a total loss as to what rationale this department has for not aggressively seeking that waiver, A I have been discussing this with then including Helen 0 'Bannon for about three years and I am at a total loss myself, I have nsver received an answer that made sense to me on why they weren't proceeding with this* Shis service cen be used also for In-home care for families that have children like myself that would need respite, baby­ sitting relief, that type of services and, as I say, it's being done in 5^ other states and I haven't heard of any state that was r.ot satisfied, vjith having gone ahead with It. % Gkey.. OlU.imm: DeVflEESE: George Klscevich. BY BErSEGEI^rr/2 LIISCETICE: (Zo Mrs, Kelly): Q I'-TS, Kelly, what does your organization do for autistic children? A For autistic children, primarily I can speak best end at the local level. I'm former local president. >:e have en early intervention program that is quite large. l\e do a lot of evaluation also. In the evaluation process> if we can determine that child is not retarded, cerebral palsy, is probably very definitely autistic, is not retarded, we refer it to UCP or an appropriate. If there is no service to provide then with an inautisnt at the Infant level.there is not, we servo them and we also work with the autistic society. I'm fanillsr with thea in trying to develop services together and .strongly supported their new group hone. Xft's relatively new. it's about three blocks from ny home. Q There certainly hasn't been much legislation or much dene for the autistic child. A Okay. That, fits light In very veil because, as you knew, Senator How*™*- n» friend from Backs County, has through a lot of activities, now cozaalttees are working on a rewrite of the '66 Act. The Senate committees are working and that may be broadened to a developmental disabilities act which would include autism, cerebral, palsy, etc. Z personally think that is good, is very good* because someone who is physically handicapped or autistic now does not have mandated services from the state. But the only way that that could work is appropriate funding, If it's going to be expanded to autism, cerebral palsy, etc., funds would have to be appropriated with that. I think it's a real opportunity in the rewrite of this Act to Include those other large people who are really unserved in many areas.. Q The only problem with that is the government acts pretty slowly and this has been a long time coming. I was wondering if there is something your agency is doing to hasten the activities? A The only thing we 6re doing, as I say, is working on the BD expansion from retardation. I won't include with additional funding. As the State President of the Associs- tion for Retarded Citizens next year, I would not want all of a sudden the B13.1 to be written and serve eight more groups and no additional appropriations. That wouldn 't do my group that I represent the test. Q Has your, association come upon some of the problems with the community String arrangement? As it grows, so does the fraud and people know how to beat the system? A very much so. Q Like, for example, in the eastern part of the state, there was a $97,000 house bought had aaunas and swimming pools and three people were living in this arrange­ ment, A I can only speak mostly for Allegheny County. We have 19 providers of group homes. There has never been a problem here. We monitor, the Association of Retarded Citizens monitors those. The county has monitors and the regional and we watch the county and regional audits and we send reports out. There have been times with larger facilities that my association has asked the Auditor General to audit when we have felt there Is a problem. There Is presently one going on right now. Q Maybe they should have more frequent audits? A I think they should. Q Especially when it's a contractor handling it, A x think there should -be very careful, not cnly program audits, but financial audits and I Bay when we feel it's important, we have asked for them and they have responded to our call. Q You alee say in your statement that the Governor is projecting almost no new placements in residential community living* He's, at the same time, wanting to close Institutions. A That who wants? Q The Governor. A Ho. There has been an increase In the population In institutions. Q I'm sure there has been an increase hut l*m saying he wants to close institutions, Hbodville was one of them. A That's a mental health institution * HO closed Harey here in Alleghany County which served a little over 150 people. However, the population at state Institutions has increased which has a very high per diem which was my point on the waiver. If they were placed in the coamunity for the same dollar, you could serve more and more appropriately. We have not noticed that he, if you are tmiXUr with the Fennhuret 0ttlt that we ere in litigation with him OB, that has gone slowly en 4tt»t trying to follow court ere***' and putting tennhurst people lata the community and that was a court order to the Commonwealth. CHAIBMAH DeWEESE: I'd like to wake certain that those in the audience and those here on the committee are aware of the fact that the prinary purpose of thi» hearing 1m to talk about the allocation of dollars relative to the federal block grants and we would like to keep it to federal block grants. Frank Pifltella, BY BEPBESEHTATIVE FISTELIA (To Mrs. Kelly): Q With situations that occur such as mercy where your organisation is attempting to place people from institutions into OA'a, has the state followed through with an appropriate level of funding for those CIA's? A In the Mercy situation, there was excellent cooperation between the Department of Public Welfare, GKR, and the county administrators and the providers end us. It was extremely successful. As I said, we had IS or 19 providers working to do this in Allegheny County. It was appropriately funded and it has been carefully monitored end I will give a compliment to the regional office of Mental Retardation, that they have been monitoring unannounced all those placements. Re monitor unannounced but they have been coming In unannounced. Sometimes providers don't like it, She ones that don't like it are usually the ones who have the highest service level. I really compliment OMR for doing that and it has been extremely successful, Q so that the Department of Welfare* in passing the money through, does, try to maintain an appropriate or increased level of funding? A It was ah increased level of services and a more appropriate service at less dollar actually. Q Cne other question.. In your experience In doing your research dealing with 3** other states that have opted into the waiver, on the overall funding level, is there any discernible pattern that you can tell us about, Increased services, less costs, increased services, more costs? A I read some studies on that. It was about a year old. They came out of HS that it's somewhat less cost* We ere serving the severely multiply handicapped. Sometimes it's the same costs. I have to remind you.that Bennhurst is $180 a day. It depends on — we are severely multiply handicapped appropriately around $100 a day in the community. In the states, depending on their wealth, cost of homes are different state by state. All states have found it successful in saving seme dollars; Some have saved a lot more than others. AH states have served more people by the use of the w«fese? and more important, I think, is the impact In the home cere, providing that* They hive discoureeced and kept people, to1a . home which .means minimal dollars to the system, both state and federal. Q Theni there is- -■*. A I have heard of no state that it costs more. Q Then everybody- is in a position A And served lees. Q Of providing more services and they are saving. The degree of money they are saving depends on the wealth of the state, the system, etc.? A Right. Q Thank you. C&AXHMAK DeWEESE: Ron Cowell. BST REPRESEHTATIVE COWELL (To Mrs. Kelly): Q Two questions. The 10,000 people who are going to have unserved needs, where are they, at home? A Yes, they are at home. Q Okay* And at this point receiving no services? A That*s ri^it. There are 93*000. people living at home. There Ave 10,000 — last year there were 200,000 living at home. The Governor's budget changed their percentage number* by the way, if you read last year's budget. It vent down by half of how many retarded people there are in Pennsylvania which la interesting. But there are !'&,'000 — Q Makes the problem up here to be leas* A Heart year I hope it doesn't go down to 50,000 and keep going;. Q That's an easy way of solving the problem. A Right. There are 93,000 people living either independently or at hone with their families. Ten thousand, we know, are on waiting lists or have shown a need for service. Many of those, the other* are working independently, semi-independently. They are my child who is going to school. He's not In need of service. I need baby-sitting, a few things like that, but I'm not on anybody's list. There are thousands of us not on anybody's list that could use some small home services. Q 5$r last question. You mentioned early inter­ vention when responding to George's question. I think you know of my interest in that issue. I had a chance to raise it previously during these appropriations hearings when department folks came before us. Prom your point of view, could you summarise for. us what you see happening with early intervention progress and X would remind my colleagues those ere programs of assistance for infants and handicapped infants and pre~school children? A According to the Governor's budget., there are 49*000. children waiting for early intervention and pre­ school cervices in the Commonwealth and the funding has been decreased. It's in serious Jeopardy. It's, a tremendously stupid use of where to cut. Study after study after study have shown if a child, you talk to me about autism, if e child shows some sort of problem at birth or soon after and is given services from birth onward, the pay-off is tremendous. A good example are BOTOX Syndrome children, X think we all toot? who they are. Years ago we thought they were capable of practically nothing and X used to run an early Intervention program by the way In Kerr York. It's one of my favorite subjects, since these have been in operation around ten years9 we now don't even know the. potential of Down Syndrome because we are constantly amazed at what they are doing now at eight years old and nine years old. She one on Sesame Street that speaks seven, counts to ten In seven languages. I don't know if ycu've seen that. It is probably cne of the most idiotic uses or place to cut dollars in early Intervention, It impact* on, of course, all handicapped , CHAIRMAN DeWEESEi Karen , we have one more interrogator from Horth Braddock, Pennsylvania, Tom Mienlovlc. BJf REPRESEKTAT1VE MICHIXJVIC (T6 Mrs. Kelly)J Q Karen, you mentioned the $500 a month coat because ©f recent regulation* or regulatory changes. Have you noticed any drop-off in institutionalization because that? Hes people started moving A Shere are new institutional rata «. yo , and I met a woman who la auppoeeaiy retarded up x wa8 65 yeara ©2« and geta a suary by working in p who, her pay waa cut too and all of a auoaen ah QUl buy her paintwork and crocheting things and xning They went into effect on March **, the community egul t 80 far these families haven t gotten their 03.li.8. , will 1>e next month that the phone* win be jingling wall. At the providera meeting this month in AI gnany County where there &v^ numerous ones* the provxaera, me them tho?e didn't know yet that there nsa been new c y regfi. In the county it was a Chuck Petera meeting and *o we will not aee the impaet of that. Your phonea win DO ringing off the hook fcy thew^y wnen those --it wm take couple of months before the bills atart coming 1&. Instead of paying $100 a. month, they ere now paying $500. That's when you feel the Impact , Q Thank you* CHAIRMAN DeWEESEi Thank you very much. Or. Jerry Kokalie. Jerry is from the American Tecnmcal institute * Welcome. DR. KQKAUBi njianic you, i«r. Deweese an of the Appropriations Cowaittee, Thank you o xx g to oay a few words on behalf of southwestern Pennsylvan* region. First, I a nice to say a few worde abou n grants. As I understand them, this is where ail p og are collapsed Into one block grant and the example n a8 educational programs in the 19&1 Jsaucationai. Conso Improvement Act was made Into one DIOCK grant* ix run 1985, Eighty percent went to local level and «VJ pe the state* BUT HESRESKNTATIVE COWELL (To Dr. Ko&allB) * Q Sir, are we talking specifically shout the education block grant? There are a bunch of different block grants* A Bight now I am ljui I Intend to address more than that. Q Okay, fine. A Why have them? The idea behind IPresident Reagan'e block grant is, of course, that all programs will be consolidated. There will he lees staff end the paperwork will he a great deal lees. So, we should reduce them by SO percent end that will not affect the programs but some concerns are, one concern that the new Vocational and Educational Adult Educational Bill before Congress, the reduction Is listed as ho percent, from $734 million to $500 million. The Rand Corporation recently completed a etudy that there was no savings and no significant reduction by reducing the total amount of money that is allocated to education * Another immediate concern is that maybe states are disturbed by the fact that whatever department doles out, the block grants5 the General Accounting Department has full auditing responsibility and authority and, therefore, we may not have a free rein. I'll come back to that after I make a few observations, One is duet last Saturday, March 19th, there were 3*030 individuals formed a line next door to take part In 170 part-time Jobs from May to October. These are not, as the Post Gazette eays, the new poor but they are what we would call the structurally unemployed and that's why I drew those. A few years ago those without skills would be at the hot torn lino, the largest base line In the pyramid meaning that's where all of the Jobs were, As you got skilled, there were fewer and fewer Jobs* That's not true today. Today the bottom base, If you have no skill, there are no Jobs, very few Jobs. As you get skills, it opens up into a lopsided hexagon which 1G my artistic foult rather than the way it was meant to be. Of course., it does come down again and at the top rather than one person, there ore more than one involved, i'he two ideas are the basis of which new training and retraining arc considered to be quite important In order to get psopXc back into the tax-paying rolls. TWhat do we do about it? We have had many buildings in the last few years, skyscrapers in the greater Pittsburgh area and, in fact, ell throughout this region but they are almost all complete, maybe 99 percent complete. There is still some road construction, bridge construction, bills but one-third of all construction is new housing and that is lumber, glass, cement and, of course, all of the trades. That'ft one area that ought to be looked at for training and retraining. And the last point is that we probably will not see in our lifetime western Pennsylvania, the heavy metals and Industrial giant again* The structurally unemployed, the retraining of the new poor aa well as the training of the new crop of people that will he coming of age and getting into the workforce should go into service industries , career areas that should take up some of the educational in the block grants. Specifically, we can talk about high technology hut high technology is not going to bring about a lot of jobs. It's going to bring about a lot of Jobs for lower level technicians and that's where the training should go into. It doesn't take too many to make a robot and not too many people to yun them, not too many high technology or engineerIng. individuals but It does take technical people to maintain thorn and keep them going. X guess I do have one more comment and that is to compare slightly what has gone on Just with Reagan and, of course, in 1933 when Roosevelt came into office, in his inaugural» he said we have nothing to fear but fear itself and we must act now and in 100 days he brought all kinds of work about* Reagan is doing Just the opposite. They both cut budgets and they cut departments. Reagan is seeming to say that government should not be big and should not take on the responsibility of all of the Jobs and If he is to do so, then we have some concerns. The one la maybe full and mandatory, there should be a full and mandatory pase-through of funds to the local government. The recognition of traditional federal local funding so the programs are not stopped in the middle but there Is an easy transition and welfare programs, I believe, ought to be handled by the federal government with some going into block grants and there should be, -<• I think that's sufficient. CHAIRMAN DeVJEESE: Gentlemen, Ron. BY BEFRESENTATIVE COVJELL (To Dr. Kokalls) : Q, Your initial remaries seemed to bo critical of tho federal policies relating to the educational block grant in particular. Have you had a chance to share those observations with our Congressmen who are really responsible for that decision-making? A No> I have not. Q Okay. In a very friendly way I would suggest that you share that. ft© have the dubious task of trying to live with the decisions that are made at the federal level and trying to distribute the block grant dollars that are ultimately provided by the federal government. We recognise the same ramificationD that you have suggested though. We have this ability to make some decisions but in doing that ox in giving us that ability, the feds tended to give us a lot lees money also and that's why we tend to have people coming to these meetings arguing that the block grant dollars ought to be Bpent on A rather than & or C rather than D but that's the purpose of these hearings. One final question, The thrust of your remarks seem to focus on the need for training A That's right , Q Are there particular block grant funds that we have available now that you would suggest that we utilise for training purposes? A JJo* 1 really Just wanted to get it into the record. Q, Pine, thank you. CHAIRMAN DeVJEESE: Brian Clark. BY REPRESENTATIVE CLARK (To Dr. Kokalis): Q You referred to the high technology jobs, the robots and things, and that the repair people would be where the jobs were. Bo you feel that they would be adequate to replace the industrial jobs that we are losing or do we have to look for other sources in addition? A We have to look at other sources. That's a good point. Bit I also think that those Jobs will be adequate if we can do the same thing In the western Pennsylvania area that they have done at Medio* (phonetic) Park and the University of Michigan and Minneapolis and also in Group 128 in Boaton. We have to do something in this area to build those Industries. Q The way I understand the high technology market is that they "bring in the robots to reduce the dependence on the labor force and, you know, we are an industrial base here. That's why "When there is any recovery in the economy* we l g behind because the high industries always lag benxnd. na I am interested in, you know, we are hearing now th th is a rocovery but we are going to lag at least two ye behind and we may not recover. What specific Indu v you think we can move to? A We have to get into the eieexroni s, industry and other service industries that win come p because of the cluster of new technology that s coming Some of the new technologies haven H even been axe cove yet. We don't know where all the Jobs are, mere is only one school that has robotics that is producing any amoun people and it»s in Detroit because that s where asixomooiie* ere and that seems to be a natural, I don t think we sho make that mistake of trying to concentrate all of our ef in that area but the fall-out from that will come abou , In fact, w© do bring In high technology such as the Benjamin Franklin Foundation is trying to do and other state organiza­ tions but i think.they ere looking s"k too high of technology. I think Camegie Mellon and fcitt have gotten Into that. Perm State is looking at it from another standpoint, how do vie retrain people* the fall-out from that. Q W&r concern is are we going to he able to retrain the people that we have unemployed, the steelworkers, the laborers ? A They arc very trainable and very anxious. They are as good a* student as the veterans used to be when that Bill first canto out, very anxious and very good students. Q Do you feel that the new technology will lend themselves to these technical types of jobs that we can retrain them for? A Yes, on a lower level. Q Okay, See, I'm reading the book, Megatrends (phonetic) right now and I don't know whether you are familiar with it but in there they quote 60 percent of the workforce working in the information society now, trading information, and I wonder if we can adapt to that? A We can because v;e are doing it in the elementary schools In the Pittsburgh ar6a, of trying to give every student a computer. We ore training computer drafting at the particular school I am with with a lot of laid*off steol~ workers and they are doing exceptionally well. Q Thank you very much. A Thank you, Mr. Chairman. CHAIRMAN DoI'JEESEj Jerry, thank you very much. Charlie Lucao from the Southwest Pennsylvania Community Action Association, Is Charlie Lucac here? (No response.) CHAIRMAN DeWEESEj Marty Friday and Beverly Childress from the Women's Sheltor and Center of Greater Pittsburgh. I was going to try to bring them both up and share testimony and wo can have questions and answers at the same time. Ladies and gentlemen, since some of you are now, we have fortuitously been able to catch up on our schedule. It's eleven o'clock and Beverly Childress is scheduled for eleven ofclock. So, we'd like for Marty Friday end Beverly Childress to shore three, four, five, six minutes with us and then we will ask you some questions and we will combine both if that's okay with you* MS, FRIDAY: Yes. V?e had one other person who was going to testify from Armstrong County. CHAIRMAN DeWEESEs ttas that on our *- MS. FRIDAYs It should be on your schedule. CHAIRMAN DeVJEESEs What's the name? MSt FRIDAY: Nancy Karp. Not on your agenda? CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: No, but I'm one of the more loose people relative to these kinds of things. If she's here, 'welcome. MS. FRIDAYj We were going to start with me, go to Nancy and then Beverly, CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: I'm only going to request •• this, of course, is not binding;, hut I'm going to request that nobody does a whole lot of readings that we do a whole lot of talking and sharing. You can read a little bit or you can read the whole thing but we'd rather talk. tlhat'fl all I have to e&y, MB. FRIDAY! I'll start any time. I'm the Executive Director of the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. It's a shelter for battered women end their children In Allegheny County and I'd Ilke to describe a few facts about our services, mention the other domestic violence programs that are here today, and describe what has suddenly occurred with our 7itle XX funding, answer any questions you might have. Very quickly the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh Is one of the oldest end largest domestic violence programs in the country, lest ye&T we sheltered 575 women and children and turned away 585 due to lack of space. We had over 10,000 calls in crisis counseling related to domestic violence, There was a 58 percent increase in our eervicea in January of '83 over January of '82 which certainly says something about the economic climate we're in as you well know. Allegheny County and surrounding counties have developed a network of services for domestic violence. So that we are the major shelter. The other services feed into us. They have safe homes programs or counseling or hotlines, *ihis is part of a state­ wide plan which was developed under Act 157 which, I think, you should all he familiar with. The Women's Center and Shelter receives a third of its funding from government sources, a third from United Way and a third from private sources. All of the domestic violence programs receives more than government funding by intention, nevertheless, the I'itle XX funds are the backbone of all of our programs* statewide domestic violence shelters have extremely low service costs. It's an average of $17 a day for shelter and an average of $8,05 an hour for counseling. We keep them low because we have over 170,000 hours of volunteer service• If you compared that to any other residential or counseling programs, those costs are extremely low* So, If tripled the amount it costs us, it would still be cost effective, What happened and what I hope everyone knows by the time we leave today, what happened to our Title XX funding is that when the Governor's budget was put together, what used to be under social cervices, the domestic violence and rape crisis money, it was lumped under there and it didn't show as a separate line item, This year it shows as a separate line Item, So, at firtft glance, it looks as if we had zero in, ,8lr'82> zero .In •S2"'oS and sot over one million in '83-'84 which looks like great for them, thoy got money that they never had. That's not true. It's actually a hh percent cut. Forty-four percent is astronomical. It's something -- the impact -- B5T REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH (po MS, Friday) 8 Q Excuse me, would you mind If I interrupted. I don't want to disrupt anything but we had received some information recently that the roughly $800,000 that would be cut would be restored. Just last evening I talked to Karen Paris from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, We have a copy of that letter. I believe Brian Baxter has contacted the Appropriations Committee, X think it's important that all of your remarks are on the record but I wanted everybody to know all of the domestic violence and rape crisis people, that we should te able to restore that money. During the previous hearings when wo had the Cabinet Secretaries in front of us in Barrieburg, they were rather severely reprimanded for that subterfuge end they got the message and it appears that wo might be able to avoid that problem. I wanted to make sure that everybody here ie aware of that* A This was prepared before yesterday afternoon's events and -- Q Right. 1 think it s Important that your exai^em n la on the record, I just wanted you to proceed to Interject that. A Thank you. I think una p impact on our programs for "ohe ou what a 44 percent cut wouia do w un prog not be able to bring women and cnx the night or on weekends and domesti. nine to five, The one other point* and I think maybe tins is now clear too, is Act 157 money has provided, allowed us to develop a network of services, roughly what we already n ve to a degree It) Allegheny County, statewide and It only started and It was not meant to replace Title XX. It was meant to supplement, fund things that we could not do under Title XX funding* Probably since you have a copy of this and we have yesterday's news, I could turn over to Beverly who wants to give you a Short statement as a recipient of services and what they mean to her. MS. CHILDRESSj Being that I'm a former shelter person, I wrote this little thing. To whom It may concern! Please don*t eut funds of domestic violence and rape crisis centers because if it wasn't for the trained staff I cam*? to know at o, women *s 6helter, ay ydughttrs sad X would have been lost. They gently taught jao to beSleve In myself five years ago and that I was somebody. How, I'm a strong woman involved in my community and church. Also, my daughters have grown strong and are involved in things like Junior Achievement and Bethecda Drill Team, Qao's on the school newspaper; the other's becoming very c©od at typing find shorthand and is an A student, X could QO on but I'll &id by saying that if funde are cut., I feel violence and suicide will rise because women will have nowhere to turn without shelters* That's it. MS. ICARPt I think I will take five minutes of your time to basically reed e prepared statement by Victims of Domestic Violence and Volunteer*. 1 em a volunteer with a newly funded agency called HAVIN, Helping Abuse Victims in Need, and in January, 1983, we received our first funding. This funding has enabled us, in this short time, to provide dramatically Increased servicea to victims of domestic violence in Armstrong County. $hiB $mall amount has enabled us to pay a part-time salary for our part-time Director and she ie paid for 20 hours a week when she works 6*0 or 80 hours a week along with volunteers who put in, some of us that many hours. In order to maintain our present level of services, we have to continue the present level of funding* It ia $7500. That*s what we work on. Because our program is the only direct service available to vietlmB trapped in abusive relationships, losses or cuts in our funding would be losses or cuts in our program. X will skip the part explaining what 44 percent budget cut would do to us. CHAIRMAN DeWBESEl No. MS, KAKPs Okay. 1*11 read what they have prepared. She 44 percent budget cut in Title XX funds will mean that HAVIN along with other new programs across this state would receive no funding at all in fiscal year *83-'84. Our community support is stretched to the limit due to poor economic conditions in our county. Our county's unemployment rat* officially is 32*9 which is the highest unemployment rate of any county in the state which places additional stress upon already unstable families and results in an increase in the frequency and the severity of the domestic violence. Wot only is paid staff and community support stretched to the limit hut our pool of volunteers is dwindling because women often have to work outside of the home because their spouses are out of Jobs. Those who don't work outside the home don't have transportation because we are so rural, we have no taxi service, and those that do have automobiles in Armstrong County can't afford the gas to get In to town to help us* Alternative resources for victims are shrinking or disappearing altogether because stricter eligibility requirements for support services for women in need are prohibiting; our victims from escaping their abusive relation­ ships, fcome people ask why do women stay. Many women stay in violent relationships because they simply neve nowhere else to go. 'ifaey have no means of supporting themselves if they go. 'Iheee conditions are enough to drive a battered woman right back Into that qua&i security of the violent but familiar home which provides food and shelter for her and for her children. HAV1N and other domestic violence progr&ras offer the only alternative to these victims. Our safe home system will "be the oily emergency shelter available In Armstrong County in 1ife<*threatening situations and we cen provide counseling and advocacy to encourage these victims to make decisions* carry out the options available to them* This is the part I like, When I can talk about how cost effective our services are, the cost of other residential programs in Armstrong County including room and board is presently $90 a day. It will cost HAVXN nothing in direct costs as volunteers provide all of our safe homes and food will be through the Salvation Army food bank. The average cost of counseling by therapists with bachelor's degrees in Armstrong County is 035 an hour. HAVTW, it costs HAV1N $2 an hour for master's degree counselors because meet of the people are volunteers. No other, service provider in Armstrong County can come near duplicating the professional quality service that wo.demand at such a- low cost. However, to maintain even these services, we must retain at least our present level of funding.: Juet this year the Surgeon General of the United states declared that violence Is the number one public health problem in our country. Studies of violence have shewn that the groat majority of crimes are committed by individuals who were witness to violence ac they grew up or who were victlaw of violence as they were growing up. Violence begets violence. The violent family teaches approval for the use of violence; Therefore, if society seeks to reduce the incidence of violent crimes, the only logical point to break this terrible cycle of violence is in the domestic situation itself* So,, we think that eince domestic violence projects are the only ones which deal BOlely and directly with violence in the home, that it surely makes Eoiirio to spend a few thousand dollars today to fund these programs in order to save the millions of dollars tomorrow that will have to be spent on prisons. We know that the legislators in the state hove been hearing the screaming over the years since 1979* e*1^ "khe screaming is getting louder and we hope and we feel that you will not turn adsaf ear to our screams. Thank you. CHAIRMAN DeWBESIS: Ron Cowell. I&H&S£NTATIVE COTOEXj Yes, two general questions, one for Beverly in particular, I guess. Beverly, in your prepared remarks you note alternative resources for victims are also shrinking or disappearing ~- Ifm sorry, Nancy — shrinking or disappearing altogether. Stricter eligibility requirements basically preclude women from using some of those services. Could you elaborate on that? T-/hat kinds of flewices have bean available which are now shrinking; or for which Many women not* find themselves Ineligible becauao of the tightening eligibility requirements ? MS. FRIDAY? I think they were talking about the WIC programs and the food stamp programs and general — that wasn't my part of the testimony. But I think they are talking about welfare, unemployment. REpRKSENTATlVE COWELL: Can you put any numbers on that kind of thing? Through your center experience or through other research* ore there numbers that you can attach to that? MS* FRIDAY J Attach to what? REpRESEtTATIVE COWEIXs $he number of women or percentage of women who are now finding themselves Ineligible for other services or women who were once eligible and now find themselves ineligible. Have you been able to document that? MS. FRIDAYS Tlhat we have documented, it*e differently. The way we have documented it across the state and it's not something thftt I could submit, is that occasionally people are not coming to shelters at the time you would expect them to and when, yea Investigate or talk to them over the phone, they are too afraid that there la no job or there la no — we had one that was In the paper who was murdered lest week, last month, who we had been talking with en the phone and she did get protection from abuse and she did all of the stuff, She was afraid to leave her house because she was leaving everything she ever had and she'd have zu>3>b. We aen go to the Individual once but we would have to prepare better statistics for what you want, I think we probably could, REPRESENTATIVE GOKEli; I would note In response to your pies that we not turn a deaf ear, I think that every legislator around the table here today played a very active role In espousing Act 157 lest year and it remain* a continuing concern. In that regard, I want to ask a question about a concern we have heard expressed in prior years. At the risk of having lota of people In the room want to answer this, If somebody has a different opinion, raise your hand, but, Marty, I would ask you, we heard that there were lots of concerns on a statewide basis about the manner In which decisions were made to distribute funds that were available under Title XX at one time or perhaps potentially under 157* We haven't heard that recently. Eas that Issue been satisfactorily resolved? MS, HEEBAYt I'm a good one to ask. I'm on the contracts committee of what was catted the Title XX comeittee of the Eterapylv&niA Coalition which is originally whew this money cane through. That'* been changed, probably all of you know* maybe you don't know, that there is now a higher group that does the allocations. The major — we haven't had complaints in the past two years. The major concern is that there Is not enough money to go around.. 33* Pittsburgh Shelter at one point received $250,000 a year from Title XX. He are now down to $120,000 limit. The manner of allocation, if you taow of any complaints In the past two years, we don't I happen to be on that committee. FJ5PHESEHTATIVS COH&XX: Ho. That's why I asked. The complaints have net been present recently and apparently nobody disagrees with what you M saying. MS. FRIDAY! Except for the fact there Is never enough* REFRESBSTATTVE COSELLi 3h tens of equity, In terms of attributing what is available, that seems to be resolved* Okay. Thank you. CH&XRKAff DeWEESE: Frank Pis tell©. IffiPJUSSEHTATTVE PISTEIXAs So that we understand what had occurred* tine money for the domestic violence and rape crisis programs previously under Title XX were palled oat at * separate line item end funded at considerably leas than what had been rolled Into Title XX monies before* That'll basically what occurred? MS. FRIDAY: Yea. EEPRESEEITATIVE H3STBHA: I would only like to sake a brief editorial comment and comment on what Bepreaenta ■ iive Bukovich said. You and I have discussed this problem before. I have received a large amount of correspondence from all parts of the atate including individuals associated with businesa that obviously are concerned about this particular issue and ity Impact on their employees and personnel. I feel comfortable in knowing that Representative Xukovich is monitoring and working very hard to try to addrea i the issue but I would leave a caveat to that statement that he made today and that is that I would not alack off your effort to carry this message to the other members of the General Assembly. This ia my first time on the Appropriation B Committee host I have seen situations occur in the 11th hour during the eourse of budget debates and discussions where something might fall between the cracks conceivably. So, the message I would leave you with is continue pursuing the edequat* funding, whether It toeI n the form at a particular line item or within Title XX but don't give up until the budget is signed tor the Governor with what you want in. it* Okay. MS. FRUJAYs Thank you. CHAIRMAN DeWBESE: I don't think anybody else has any — REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: I do. CHAIRMAN DeWEEEE: Oh, I'm sorry. George Mlecevlch. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: Marty, you're asking for the restoration of the ^3 percent that was cut in the budget. Why are you asking for the ^3 percent restoration? That realistically is enough money? MS. FRIDAY: That was an invitation. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: Are you just saying that so that you'll take the 43 percent rather than nothing? MS. FRIDAY: That's it. Probably traditionally women have settled for less than they need by habit. No, it's not enough. It's nowhere near enough. We had a sample of our large program and the small new program so that our 120,000 Bounds like an awful lot to Armstrong County. It's not enough. I mean the volume of people we have, the four staff we lost last year with funding cuts, it's not. enough. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: Suppose that your budget was not cut, what would you be asking for per Be? MS. FRIDAY: The entire allocation? REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: Yes. MS. FRIDAY: At least a 20 to 25 percent Increase would still not fund the new programs that are waiting. We're in a big dilemma of keeping stable the programs that exist, the. backbone of Title XX, and there are new programs who are Just starting and the need is there. Even 20 to 25 percent would not be enough with these low costs that you heard about, The volunteer part is — we ..have volunteers here today who do do the direct service. Now, as 6oon as I walk out, someone is going to say why didn't you say 50 percent, Marty* I'm trying to be rational and reasonable. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: I was concerned as to why you were only 86klng for reinstatement of the 43 percent. With the high rate of unemployment we have had in the Hon Valley, has this added to your burden? MS. FRIDAY: Yes, it definitely has. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: And you can actually relate to ■-- MS. FRIDAY: That we can relate to. That we do talk about, the newspapers call us about nationwide but Men Valley Is worse than the nation, yes. REPRESENTATIVE MlSCEVTCH: AH the programs that you have, they ere all in your opinion successful? You .sort of monitor them as a group? MS. FRIDAY; Yes. Ve have a statewide monitoring system where there is a monitor that goes from place to place Many of us are helped by United Way. That's another kind of monitoring system. The newer program, you have to be a program three .years before you can become a part of the United Vsy. So, we are internally evaluated and submit enormous, if you know anything about Title XX, I'm sure you do, we are always submitting endless reports on the service we do, the amount of people. REPRESENTATIVE MlSCEVTCH: The.reason I'm asking you this question is something that might work In Pittsburgh might not necessarily work in Harrisburg or Philadelphia because of the different: situations. MS. FRIDAY: That is one of the, — that's why we had a rural representative. Their transportation costs and their transportation problems are much worse than ours. We are trying to have no woman further away than 50 miles from a shelter across the state. People can get to ours by bus, by police, and so on. It's much harder across the state. Those programs tend to cost more per person too. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: One comment. I'd like to say that your group has done a tremendous Job of lobbying. I must have received over 1500 letters and cards and you did a tremendous Job In that respect and I can substantiate yesterday before I left.Harrisburg, I had a call In my office that the Title XX money was-to be restored but It wasn't a memo or a letter. It was only a phone call which people deny at times. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: George, we do have a copy of the letter. If Brian Baxter doesn't get them out next week, I'll make sure my office makes copies available. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: I had not received a letter. I did get confirmation by phone but I'm not too happy about a confirmation by phone. Thank.you very much. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: Tom Mlchlovic. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC:: Thank you. Kind of following up what George asked, assess the need. Do you have any notion if these figures are correct or accurate from the Women's Shelter of Pittsburgh, you are turning away about half of the people that would be your clients. Is "feat generally true throughout the state or throughout this region? Do you have any idea? MS. FRIDAY: Yes. It varies again from — Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are the biggest counties. There is only one actual domestic violence shelter in Pittsburgh. We are moving which I mentioned. Community support for a new building* we expect we are going to be able to just about house current volume but the volume goes up. The volume goes up every year.. Yes, it's true across the state and it varies from the small. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Are you saying then it is true that this is kind of accurate for the state? You are addressing about half of the need right now? MS. FRIDAY: Yes. Of course, I should have said about 50 percent more. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: Thank you very much* (The following is the packet of prepared material presented by Ms. Friday, Ms. Kerp and Ms. Childress:) "I'm Marty Friday, Executive Director of the Women *s Center and Shelter, a shelter for battered women and their children In the eastern section of Allegheny County. "We don't announce our exact address for obvious reasons. nI would like to describe a few facts about our services, mention the other Domestic Violence programs represented here, describe what has suddenly occurred with our Title XX funding, answe* any questions you may have and then turn, our testimony over to Nancy Karp of Armstrong County. "ftC&S is one of the oldest and..largest domestic violence programs in the U. S.. in .1982', WC&S sheltered 575 women and children and turned away 585 due :to lack of space. We handled over 4,000 crisis:calls on our 2^-hour hotline helping women not in shelter to get to the police, the hospital, courts, etc. "We handled over 10,000 other calls related to domestic violence. "There was a 58 percent increase in our services in January of 1983 over January of 1982. We are all aware of the stress of this economic climate and the stress that folio is for years end years, after a period like this. "We provide service 2& hours/day 36*5 days/year. "Ve supply shelter and related transportation, counseling, child care food, clothes, and assistance with medical, legal, housing and economic, and educational needs. "Allegheny County and surrounding counties have developed a network of services. Here today are representa­ tives, of domestic violence programs in McKeesport, New Kensington, the. North Hills, South Hills, Armstrong County, and Westmoreland County. The other Allegheny. County programs provide safe homes and counseling primarily. Safe homes are short term emergency stays in private homes which feed Into our program for longer term stays. We work with each other, refer to each other and complement each other. "WC&S will move August 1,. 19&3, to a larger permanent building so women and children will not be turned away as they have been. We have raised $9^7,000 from the community for capital costs. This is a moving testimony to community support, for the cause of battered women, however, capital costs are much more, attractive to funders. The cost of every day operating, of our services is why we are here today. As a large urban program WC&S receives approximately one-third of operating income from United Way, one-third from government and one-third from the private sector. Other programs use a variety of funding streams, but Title XX funds are our backbone. "Title XX funds are vital to both big city programs which have such a huge volume of service and smaller programs and non-urban areas who have many fewer sourceB for fundralslng. None of our programs are totally dependent on government funds, by intention. We all raise supplementary funds in creative ways. "Statewide* domestic violence shelters have extremely low service costs. "Average of $17*00/dsy for shelter' "Average of $8.05/hour counseling which Includes 24 hour hotlines. Individual and group counseling, court accompaniment, and Information and referral. "We keep costs low by extensive use of volunteers -- statewide over 170,000 hours of direct service were provided by volunteers in 1982. "These services would be cost effective at triple the pricej easily verifiable by comparing costs with other residential or counseling programs. "At this point I must remind you we are talking about saving lives, women's and children's and men'B also and providing victim services* ''I'd like to outline what has happened to the 1983/84 Title XX funding for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Programs. "I have a handout which will illustrate this point. The pencilled In figures are provided by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "In I98I/B2 and 1982/83 Title XX funds for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis programs were lumped under

: other services, such as social services. "In 1983/84 Domestic Violence.and Rape Crisis Programs became separate line items with no funds shown allocated for 1981/82 and 1982/B3. It looks: like we received new money of $1,170,000. In fact, this ultimately will represent a 44 percent cut In funds. "■Hie Impact on our programs will toe overwhelming. rails will wipe out, totally eliminate new programs, deny funds to new, as yet unfunded programs and drastically curtail. services in bigger, older programs. "WCStS would have to eliminate counselors and child care. Utilities would overwhelm us. Ve couldn't provide 24 hour service. We couldn't bring women and children In in the dead of night or on the weekends. As you can imagine domestic violence does not stay on 9:00-5:00 schedule. "In 1982 the State legislators passed Act 157 to provide funding to domestic violence and rape crisis services> A statewide plan.for a network of services (operations which are linked statewide and utilise the feeder system I described before in Allegheny County) was submitted and approved by the Department of Public Welfare. Services which are necessary but not allowed under Title XX are to be funded from Act 157.. "we have been assured by many legislators that Act 157. wee meant to supplement Title XX — NOT to replace it, "we can't possibly Implement the statewide plan with e. Uh.percent cut. We can't maintain the. services we have with a 44 percent, cut.' "We are aware that the new federal monies may be available for Title XX as pert of a "Jobs Mil" package. The conditions of the economy are directly related to women, particularly battered women* who have fewer and., fewer resources available in times of crisis. The link between the "economic stress" legislative package and the needs of continuing services for battered women Is one of putting federal dollars where they will be most useful and needed. "tie urge you to restore Title XX funding for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Programs to its 1988/83 level. Thank you* (Chart and Fact Sheet presented by Marty Friday are Included In original transcript only, as pages Ik and 75.) "To Whom it May Concern: "I am an attorney in private, practice and am alBo on the Board.of Directors of the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Inc. I also serve as the Corporate Secretary for the organization and do considerable volunteer work with the Shelter. "I fully support the Women's Center and Shelter and believe wholeheartedly in the benefit and. necessity of the services rendered to battered women. In today's difficult economic times, the services provided are crucial and offer some women and children the only refuge and direction possible. "Since these are difficult times economically, the public sector has been stretched to its limit as have corporate donors. Further cutbacks are severely felt and result in the loss of necessary services- to women and children who have no place else to turn. "Because of the absolute necessity of the services provided and. the necessity for continued funding for these services, I urge and request that the Governor restore the funding for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Centers to the level of 1962-83. Additional cutbacks are devastating to the Women's Center and Shelter; "Thank you for your attention in this matter. "Sincerely, "Christine Gale Corporate Secretary and Board Director for the Women's. Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Inc.*1

"Gentlemen: "it would, indeed, be a disservice to this community if the Women's Shelter is not refunded to its limit. "As you know, violent crime occurs meet among men and women in a marital or other close relationship. In most instances, it is the woman who is the victim. "iti these perilous times of sharp economic decline and rising unemployment, fuseB. are. getting dangerousl r short. This lis a time when a viable women's Shelter is needed. "Again, let me say that the women's Shelter provides a valuable to this community. I hope nothing happens to tarnish that.. > "Very truly yours, "Dennis Schatsman, District Justice? "Bill Schorner* Acting Director Allegheny County Police Academy West Ridge Drive, North Park Allison Park, PA 15101 "Dear Mr. Schomer: "I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your recent letter concerning domestic violence funding under Title XX. "it is extremely unfortunate.that, the Governor's budget included slashes In a number of areas, particularly that of domestic violence and rape crisis. You may be assured that I am supportive of restoring the necessary funding to these programs; however, given the current makeup for the General Assembly, it is going to be extremely difficult to provide the necessary funds for this program. "Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns. "Sincerely, "James A. Romanelli Senator, 43rd District" "Ma. Martha Friday, Executive Director t?omen*e Canter and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh P. 0. Box 9024 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224 "Dear Ms. Friday: "As District Attorney of Allegheny County, t folly support the tubmen's Center and Shelter. I appreciate the necessity of the support and assistance that, the Center furnishes to battered women in Allegheny County. Your organisation provides an extremely important and vital service In offering women and children * temporary residence when domestic violence occurs. It offers women a much needed alternative. "Sincerely* Boh Colvllle District Attorney"

"TO *JHCM IT MAY COffCEIOTs "The Women's Center of the Forth Hills has made great progress in making women aware that help Is now avail­ able to them when It Is needed. "Since Its inception in 1979, volunteers (Through a hot line) have continuously provided supportive and referral services for women in crisis. In this regard, the center has had the wholehearted cooperation of police officers, magistrates, and all church and civic groups. "I feel it is imperative that funding for domestic violence' and rape crisis centers (Title 20) he restored to the 1982-83 level so. that these vital services may he continued. "Sincerely, Edward M. Early, State Senator, 4oth Dist."

"Ms. Martha Friday Women's Center and Shelter 6l6 N. Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 "Dear Ms. Friday: "Thank you for contacting me regarding the cut in funding for domestic violence. "Unfortunately, I cannot he of assistance to you as this matter does not fall under the purview of a United States Senator. "I wish that I could help you, but I simply cannot. Although this la a state matter, I have written to members of the House Appropriations Committee Indicating my concern with the cut in domestic violence funding. Sincerely, Arlen Specter

"Ms. Martha Friday Executive Director Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, 2hc. 616 N. Highland Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Dear Ms. Friday? "On behalf of the Urban league of Pittsburgh, Inc. 1 support your efforts to have Title XX funds for domestic violence and rape crisis services restored to their 196S/83 level. As your own client statistics show, the demand for victim's services has drastically increased over the past year. I believe that a 43 percent cut in funding at this time cannot be justified* "Staff of our Housing Counseling Services programs, Who work mostly closely with your clients and staff, attest to the excellent work you are doing* As advocates for minorities, the poor end disadvantaged , the Urban League applauds your efforts to provide help and advocacy for so many who clearly fall into those categories. Again, X support your efforts to restore Title XX funding, in order that you can continue your excellent work. "Sincerely, Arthur J. Edmunds Executive Director"

"Copy of verbal testimony from: Melinda Mull Khapperiberger, Director HAVIN, Inc. Helping Abuse Victims in Need PO Box 189 Kittanning, FA 16201 Office telephone; 412/543-1180 "Honorable Members of the House Appropriations Committee s "In January, 1983, we received our first funding from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence for our domestic violence program, HAVIN. This funding has enabled us, in this short time, to provide dramatically Increased services to victims of domestic violence In Armstrong County* Funding has provided a salary for me as a part-time director, and operating expense monies, enabling us to have e twenty-four hour crisis hotline and a Safe Home system in effect by May 1, 1983. We have made contacts In the community and published a monthly newsletter, which has greatly Increased awareness In our county about the problem of domestic violence. Although X am paid for twenty hours a week, the need Is such that I work closer to sixty hours, along with dedicated volunteers, some of whom have put In almost os many hours as I have. "She M percent budget cut In Title XX funds will mean that HAVpJ^ along with other new programs across the state, will receive no funding at all In Fiscal Year 83/84. Our community support Is stretched to the limit due to poor economic conditions in our county. Our unemployment rate is currently 28.9 percent, the highest in the state, placing additional stress upon already unstable families and resulting in an increase in both the frequency and severity of abuse. "Not only is paid etaff and community support stretched to the limit, but our pool of volunteers Is dwindling because women often have to work to support families where their spouses are out of jobs. Those who don't work outside the home often do not have transportation, and central Armstrong County has no text service* Even if potential volunteers have cars, many can no longer afford gas money to travel Into town. "Alternative resources for victims are also shrink­ ing or disappearing altogether* Stricter eligibility require­ ments for support services for women in need are prohibiting victims from escaping abusive relationships. "Many women stay in violent relationships because they simply have nowhere else to go, and no means of supporting themselves if they do leave. If the woman has children, the urgency of the situation is greatly increased. These conditions are enough to drive a battered woman back to the quasi-security of a violent, but familiar home that provides food and shelter for her and for her children. HAVIN offers the only alternative to these victims, as our Safe Home system will be the only emergency shelter available In life-threatening situations, and can provide counseling and victims advocacy to help victims make and carry out the

' —. options available to them. "Because our program is the only direct service available to victims trapped in abusive relationships, loss* or even cuts, in our funding would curtail the services we offer, and be devastating to Armstrong County as a whole* Abuse not only causes serious physical and psychological harm, and even death, to the victims, but affects the future, as family violence breeds violence In succeeding generations. Richard Oelles studied violence in American families -- his research shows that people who as children observed their parents engaging In physical violence were much more likely to enter into violent relationships with their own spouses. Oelles concluded, "The (violent) family teaches approval for the use of violence."1 We must provide an alternative to this cycle of violence. "The services we provide are extremely cost- effective. The cost of other residential programs in Armstrong County* Including room and board, is presently $90*00 per dayj it will cost HAVIN nothing in direct cost* as volunteers will provide Safe Homee, and food provisions have been arranged through our Salvation Army food bank* The average cost of counseling by bachelor's degree therapists costs $33*00 per hour; it is presently Costing HAVIN about $2.00 per hour by master's degree counselors. Ho other service providers In Anastrong County can come near dupli­ cating the professional quality services we demand for such a low cost, However, to maintain even those services, we must retain at least our present level of funding frost the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence• "Erin Pizzey, an English family souse program activist, wrote a book about domestic violence entitled, "Scream Quietly or the Neighbors Will Hear."8 Since 1979, legislators In the State of Pennsylvania have shown that they have heard the screaming. Ihe need for domestic violence services in Fiscal Year 83/84 is greater than ever. The screaming is louder — we urge you not to turn a deaf ear. "1, Gelles, Richard. The violent home. Beverly Hills s Sage, 19?2, p. 171. WS» Piasey, Erin. Scream quietly or the neighbors wi^Ll hear, London ? If Books, 197^."

"To whom it may concern: X wish to express strong opposition to the proposed Title XX funding cuts for domestic violence and rape crisis programs. In an age of an overburdened criminal justice system and overcrowded jails and at a time when taxpayers* dollars are being stretched to the limit, it is extremely shortsighted to cut hack on funding for domestic violence programs* "Studies have shown that the great majority of violent crimes are committed by individuals who either witnessed or were the victims of violence in their parent's homes. Therefore, if one of societies' goals le the reduction of violent crime the logical point of focus is the domestic situation* There are no other programs which deal solely and directly with violence within the family and the cost effectiveness of these programs is remarkable. Surely, It makes sense to spend a few thousand dollars to fund domestic violence programs today In order to save millions that otherwise must be spent for prisons tomorrow. wAlberta Beardsley"

"Dear Concerned, ^Wie concern about domestic violence is not a new concern. For many years our small rural medical center has seen the physical and emotional trauma'caused by domestic violence* For many years, attempts to deal with abuse were frustrating because of community factors. Armstrong County runs an unemployment rate of 20 percent, has major housing problems, barely maintains a MHMR program, has a high rate of Illiteracy and has one of the largest gaps of population caught between the poverty level and helped by Welfare. "When a domestic violence program, Hewing Abuse Victims In Need, was finally funded in January of 1983 wo had hope, help and alteratives. In their first three months of operation they have received over 20 Hotline calls. Women have been made aware of tihe protection-frcan-abuse orders, legal aid services, co-operation with the local police, community housing, and drug end alcohol programs that are available. They now have a phone number to call where someone will listen and give support. "She new concern about domestic violence is funding cuts« Can our program that is so minimally funded survive a budget cut? What can we do with lees than the $7*000 we received to serve the entire county on a 24 hour a day basis for this six months period? Our funding must be increased to meet the growing need. Do not cut funding for domestic violence. "Sincerely*, Denise Carrotw "Tos pa, House Appropriation* Committee "Fromi lynn A* Sibley a44 Ridge Ave. Klttanning, Pa. 16201 "Date : fttareh2a > 1983 "Ret Title XX Allocations to Domestic violence Programs "I am very concerned about the 43 percent cute In Title XX funds for Domestic Violence Programs proposed In the Governor's fiscal year 1983*84 budget. "X am a volunteer working with H.A.V.I.N. (Helping Abuse Victims In Need) In Armstrong County* Our aim la to aid victims of domestic violence In ae many ways as wo can* We have established a hotline with crisis intervention, referral awl Information services; have had co&munlty education programs on dose6tlc violence 1 and have held training programs for volunteer workers. This year for the first time, we received some Title xx funding that has become very Important to us as with it we were able to hire a part-time director. Because of this, we are looking forward In the very near future to expanding our services to include better and more frequent training and community education programs, victim advocacy, and Safe-Homes for sheltering victims. "We are the only agency In the county that provides these services in the area of domestic violence. The need for these was documented four years ago when we began H.A,v,i.Nt*e formation end hae grown even greater with the poor economic condition and high unemployment in our county* We handle several calls monthly on our hotline and the people who call ere extremely grateful that we are there. People who are victims of domestic violence often feel alone and trapped, as If they have nowhere to turn. Because of H.A.V.I.N., there is some help for them in Armstrong County. "If the Title XX funding is cut, our program will no longer be funded. Our services would have to be cut as we could not maintain our present level or continue expanding services v?ithout our paid director and other advantages that came with the funding. I see this as extremely tragic at a time when H.A.V.I.N, is finally able to grow and is really becoming recognised for its value to the community. Whether or not It is a problem people care to talk about, domestic violence exists — in greater proportions than we can ever really know. Its victims need somewhere to turn and programs like H.A.V.I.8. are all they have upon whiclj to depend• I hope that you will reconsider the budget cuts and move in a manner that will allow us to maintain our services for these victims. "Respectfully, Xjynn A. Sibley"

"TOJ MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE "Dear Members: "I am a concerned citizen of Armstrong County end have recently become aware that the 44 percent budget cute in Title XX allocations to domestic violence programs will result in my local domestic program, HAVDT, going totally unfunded in Fiscal Veer 1983-1984. "I feel that there is a great need for this program la Armstrong County* Due to the increasing amount of unemployment, abused victims need somewhere to turn for help In stressful situations. Many people have nowhere to turn for help if they need or want it. Many just need someone to listen to them. HAVIN is needed to educate Armstrong County and let them know how wide-spread abuse is. "I urge you to restore the full amount to domestic violence programs* If that amount saves just one life, I feel it is money well spent. "Sincerely, "Susan £. Crooks 172 Summit Avenue KIttarming, PA 16201"

"To? Pa. House Appropriations Committee Prom: Gloria Winger 1333 Church Road* Ford City, Pa. 16226 fie: Title XX Allocations to Domestic Violence Programs "Dear Committee Members> Please restore the allocations to domestic violence programs. As a volunteer on e hotline, I have had calls from women who greatly needed the services of our local program, HAVIN. Without funding, we can't even afford a 2^ hour phone system to make this hotline possible. "This program is very coBt-effective because of the hours volunteered by concerned women end men. We are willing and able to give time, but HAVIN needs grant money to exist. Please let us help people vho have no one else to turn to4 Please reallocate Title SO money to domestic violence programs." "Helping Abuse Victims In Need HAVIN p. 0. BOX 3&9 Kittannlng, PA 16201 "March S3, 1963 Sexual assault 18 the fastest rising r e America. The victim of sexual assault has sp ci J. must be met. Research documents that the psy g B to rape and incest victims is severe and ong- g» society has an obligation to help meet victims of sexual aeeault. Kape, incest, an are unfortunately not unKnown u± January of lyo3, HAVIN surveye v determine the need fo p contacted our local p x p agencies to assess the need for sexual acsault services in Armstrong County. ey, adult victims and 59 child victims of sexual assault needed services last ye »ts "HAVIN and Pittsburgh Action Against Rap* have joined together in a project designed to begin offering sexual assault services in Armstrong County. We began this project on February 15th and have already had four rape victims and several of their family members referred to us. "In our community , we know that we need to provide services to theBe victims. If the proposed budget cuts are allowed to stand, we will be unable to provide the services that our community needs. "Betsy Smith Sexual Assault Coordinator" (Petitions presented by Marty Friday are Included In the original traneoript only, pages 95 through 10M.) (The hearing recessed at 11*22 A.M. and reconvened at 1U30 A.M.) CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: ladies and gentlemen, the hearing will now come back to order. Representative Kukovich from Westmoreland County wanted to insert something at this time in the hearing for the record and I'll let Allen have the floor for a few minutes. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Norma Friedman, the Executive Director of the Women's Services of Westmoreland County is here and I would like to place into the record her statement and I'll pass copies around to the members and we can proceed with our regular schedule. (The following is the prepared statement of Ms. Friedman:) "Women's Services of Westmoreland County, Inc. is an organization for victims of sexual assault, incest and domestic violence to receive counseling, emotional support, advocacy, end shelter. Services offered are: 24-hour Hot­ line, crisis and on-going counseling, accompaniment through medical and legal procedures, temporary shelter, support groups for victims, counseling for family members, community education, police training and sensitive awareness programs for students of all grade levels. All of the above-mentioned services are provided by paid staff, as well as trained volunteers. In 1982* t^he following number of victims were served 3 "6*17 victims of domestic violence "l43 women were sheltered l60- children were sheltered " 82 adult victims of sexual assault 37 child sexual abuse victims '1- am pleased that Governor Thomburgh has recommended to restore Title XX funding for 1983-8M to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence to the current year level, These services are very much needed in our community as indicated by the number of calls to our Hotline and the number of referrals from other providers. Women's Services Is a recognized and integral component of the helping network in this country. Often, people will approach me after a community education program and confide that they wish these services had been available years ago when they were experiencing problems due to sexual assault or domestic violence. There is a much greater recognition of the problems faced by victims and the need to have special services available to them. "It is my hope that members of the legislature will support cervices to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence by maintaining the level of Title XX funds at the current year level. "Norma Friedman, Executive Director"

CHAIRMAN DoWBESE: Mary Alice Bobusci, Lenore Patton ana Kathy Heluska, Center for Victims of Violent Crime. MS. BABUSCI: Kathy was goinc to give a (statement on behalf of the Coalition and then I would do Allegheny County end Lenore, Indiana. CHAIRMAN DeWFJKSEt Fine. MS. HALUSKA: I'm the Director of the Women's Resource Center which is a Rape Crisis Center in Uniontown serving Payette and most of Greene County. I also serve as the Western Regional Representative to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. The Coalition is pleased that the Governor has recommended to restore the Title XX funding for 1983-84 to the Coalitions, both Rape and Domestic Violence, to the current your level. This funding is essential if the Coalition is to continue to extend services statewide to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. We hope that we have the continued support of the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and all of the legislature on this matter. We appreciate your support In this hearing today in listening to the testimony of the Rape Crisis Centers and Domestic Violence programs throughout the state. MS, BABUSCI: I passed around a statement before. 1*ll skip my name. I am here today with others representing victim service programs from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butlerj Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland CountieB. However, I want to specifically describe the programs providing sexual assault services to victims in Allegheny County. There is a center for victims of violent crime located in downtown Pittsburgh. We provide sexual assault services. We assist families in homicide cases, providing court advocacy, and we provide assistance to senior citizens who have been victims of crime. Pittsburg!\ Action Against Rape is located in Oakland. It provides services to sexual assault victims and chiefly to -- the majority of their victims are children. You will not hear from any of our clients who are your constituents. If we have been effective in helping them get beyond the nightmare of their assault and gain control of their lives, they wonft be retelling their stories and letters to you. In 1972 rape victims services were founded through volunteer efforts as LEAA monies were available. The first grant in Pennsylvonie was made to an Allegheny County Rape Crisis Center. Both centers that I represent here today were funded through LEAA. We grew to provide victim services to a constantly expanding group of children and adults in need. This source of funding wae replaced by Title XX end preventive health block grents, Local fund-raising efforte have had to expand to include privato, public, corporate contributions, And the thousands of volunteer hours have helped meet seven days a week 2*k»hour needs. In 1982 the enactment of Act 157 provided an additional state revenue source through a $10 fine charged in all criminal convictions in Pennsylvania, This marked the first point In a decade when Allegheny County sexual assault services could obtain federal and Btste revenue to meet at least 60 percent of budget. The following summary details professional services provided in 1982 end that^ an attach­ ment that I add. In 1982 both programs saw 2,335 clients. This Included 35,642 hours of service. Our unit cost for this program is $8.50 per hour of service that we provided* These included police, medical and court accompaniment, crisis intervention counseling, 24-hour hotlines, long-term counseling and support, legal advocacy, in-service training for hospital, police and other mental health and social service personnel, volunteer training sessions of 40 hours in compliance with Act 169, and 87^ prevention programs presented through Allegheny County for groups that include Pittsburgh Public Schools, Allegheny Intermediate Unit Schools, PTAte, churches, synagogues, and other youth groups, proprietary schools, college campuses, senior citizen dwellings and community crime prevention groups among othere. We encourage the Members of the House Appropria­ tions Committee and all Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate to affirm the Governor's recent reinstatement of funding to fiscal year '82-'83 levels. Please consider that the decade of development of services to individuals and families would be disastrously affected by any funding restriction which may occur in the debate over fiscal year '82-*84 budget. This year my center's youngest client was 24 months old and the oldest was Bh years old. I would rue Qtny cuts which would force me to choose who would get counsel and support between these two people, CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: Ignore. MS. pATTONi First, I'd like to thank this committee for holding these hearings, for listening to us, I think thet none of us are so naive that we don't recognize that perhaps the actions of yesterday on the part of the Governor and the Department of We la re might not be a part because of what you people are doing by going around the state and talking to people who &TQ concerned. I represent the Alice l^ul House which is a dual center. We provide services for domestic violence and rape victims. Our program is relatively new. We have only been In operation since July 1st. This year we are working with a very small start-up grant. We have $5300 and we're providing with that services for rape victims Including advocacy accompaniment, counseling and community education, Our request for funding is for next year is going to be $19,000 which Is almost four times what it is this year. We feel it's a pretty modest budget* We represent a county with a population of 92,000 residents. We have a university with 12,000 students In our service area. If we were faced with a kO percent cut In the requested funding for next year, that would mean that we would be able to employ Just one part-time person half-time and we'd have "to concentrate all of* our efforts on providing direct service, emergency service, to sexual assault victims* That would mean that our counseling, education outreach programs would really have to he abandoned. We would be providing a minimum amount of service. If the 4o percent cut in funds meant 40 percent of this year's funds, then we would Just close down our program because that will leave us an annual budget of $3200 and you can imagine how far that would go. We would not be able to provide any rape services with that. In Indiano County the police estimate that 80 percent at this point of all sexual assaults go unreported. Nobody is sure how many rapes we have. Nobody is sure how many rapes there are on the campus ot IUP because most rape victims Just don't seek counseling or help. Part of the reason they don't, we believe and the police believe, is because they don't know what is available to them. They don't know what they can do and they don't know how to report the rape or what's going to happen to them when they do. We believe that the community education component part of our program is essential if we are going to do anything to combat rape in Indiana County. The residents of our county need to be aware of services that are available They need to know what to do to prevent rape and they need to Know what to do If they are assaulted, The information now isn't provided by anyone else and doesn't look like It will he. If we don't provide lt> they won't have It, (The following are two prepared statements presented oh behalf of The Alice Paul House:) "The Alice Paul House has provided a full range of services to victims of domestic violence In Indiana County since March 1, 3.9^2. Since that time, we have received more than 1,000 calls on our hotline, provided crisis or on-coing counseling to 36O clients, and sheltered 133 women and children for 450 days. In addition, we have provided accompaniment and advocacy for our clients when nececsory, and some community education. win addition to the services described above, it has become Increasingly evident that the Alice Paul House needs to provide services not presently a part of the shelter program. "We. currently have more requests for agency speakers than we can fill with our present staff. Schools, church groups, service organizations, women's clubs and university organizations are requesting educational programs from us . m addition, other social service agencies in the county, as well as state and local police and inagistrates, have.asked us to provide in-service programs, to their staffs* In order to provide such needed services, we need to hire a half-time educational/-outreach coordinator who would also. provide liaison with community, university, and other agenciec and the legal system. Mother need that has become obvious to us is that of a counseling program for children of domestic violence victims. Since our shelter opened, we have seen 68 children of both resident and non~resident clients. Those innocent victims of dmily violence are at least as much in need of counseling services as ore the violence victims themselves. Many clients have expressed the dec ire for counseling for their children* We have seen and heard the bewilderment, hostility, sadness and anger expressed by children who have stayed In our shelter and have felt frustrated in our ability to help them. We need to hire a half-time children^ program coordinator to develop and carry out a program of individual and group counseling for children of domestic violence clients. "A ho percent decrease in funding to the Alice Paul House would mean that we could not provide the proposed new and necessary services, but would, in fact, have to curtail services already provided. VJe would bo forced to cut our staff from four full-time and two part-time employees to two full-time people. Bscause the counselor would have to assume some clerical duties, she could not serve as many clients as she is now counseling. In addition, since our crisis Intervention counselor's position would be discontinues, the counselor and shelter coordinator would have to provide crisis services In addition to their other duties. Since the part-time night manager positions could not be funded, it would be necessary to fill those positions with volunteers, a very difficult, if not impossible, task. "The Pennsylvania State Legislature passed Act 157 in an attempt to provide stable funding for domestic violence programs. To withdraw Title XX funds, and in eo doing decrease funding for those same programs, Is to defeat the purpose of Act 157. We urge the Appropriations Committee to restore the funds that have been cut from the domestic violence budget and provide reasonable funding for fiscal year 1983-84. "Statement prepared for the House Appropriations Committee by: "Lenore Patten Shelter Coordinator The Alice Paul House P. 0. Box 417 Indiana, PA 15701"

"If anyone would like to see a balanced Balance Sheet from the Alice Paul House, I can't prepare one. "The explanation is very simple. The Assets outweigh The Liabilities --to such an extent that a qualified C.P.A* could not do the Job. "How can X be BO sure of what I am saying? "First-hand experience. Throe different times in three months, the Alice Paul House sheltered me, cared for me, and guided mo with deep concern when l v/as hurting physically and emotionally. There was no one or no place to which I could turn. Qie has to experience what it Is like to be so totally alone and frightened before you can understand and appreciate what a jiace like Alice Paul House does and means to such a person. "What kind of price tag would you put on possibly saving one's life, giving one back their self-esteem and dignity, and a chance to start a new life? "Without an Alice Paul House I dread to think of the many lives that would be forced down a one-way street with no place to turn around. "Testimony fro» a concerned Alice Paul House resident to the HOUBO Appropriations Committee

CHAIRMAN DoWEESEj Queetipne? REHi2SEtf!2?ATIVE MICIILV'/XC'r I asked the earlier witness how much of the problem they feel they are addressing* I'll ask you the eame question* »o you think your workload le half of whet you're currently meeting? Do you have any feel for that? tic* 8ATT0IT: m Indiana County, wo are scratching the surface, X would say for avery person wo see there are 25 we don't BOO hut we're not.' and pert of tho problem with eny new program is getting your message out, letting people know you are there. Cfl&IItfMW.De'lflSESSs Kothy* would you feel tho same way? MS. HAi.USKAt He have been ih existence in Fayette county for about seven years and each year the number of victims that we see Increases by anywhere from 25 to 50 percent over the previous year and I don t think that that many more people are baing raped. I think that that many more people are coming for help, reporting it. MS. BABUSCI: That's generally the trend that we see. Actually, in the pest six menthe Pittsburgh Action Against Rape has had a 23 percent increase in the caseload end the Center for Victims has had a ^5 percent increase in their caseload for sexual assault* That's not counting homicide. So, it really isn't the complete picture« REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVlCt You are Just starting to scratch the surface of the problem. MS, BABUSCIs And we have been there ten years. MS, PATTON: In Indiana County the state police had 11 rapes reported to them leet year. Of those 11» only four of the people went through with pressing charges, when I asked the Police Lieutenant what percentage of the actual rapes he felt that was, he eaid maybe 20. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Do you encourage your clients to press charges or do you feel that's better left to them? MS. BABUSGX: That's a decision that they make. one thing I would say, that In Allegheny County we have a very high prosecution rate for rapes because most of the clients who go through with prosecution have accompaniment all through the trial, through the hearings, through police line-ups* through every phase of that* In fact, 75 percent of Ety program Is in court accompaniment time and the direct result from the District Attorney's office has been to UE all of the tine. The preparation of the witnesses and the accompaniment and getting them used to the setting is what provides for the success of the prosecution rate which is one of the highest in the. country. ItftFKESENTATIV?! KJT5C0VICH : If- I can interrupt to answer your question. National statistics show that there is a correlation between the existence of rape crisis centers and increase? prosecutions. Ho, obviously the counseling and everything is n help in that area too. MS. HABtFSCI; Because a prosecution is a dramatic . thine; to go through find is a part of the counseling and dealing with the trauma. That's what we're Involved in. RTirftF«S£!NTATIVF. MISOSVICH: I Just went to ask one question. VJhen were.you informed and how were you informed that this money was restored to the budget7 MS. PATTON: I cot a phone call at four o'clock froia Karen Paris who is the Director of Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape who said she hed rooeived a phone call. Today I got a copy of B. letter signed by the Governor. That's all I have. REPRESENTATIVE MX.ICKVICIIj May I see it, please? MS. PATTON: Didn't he talk to you? CHAIBMAN DeVJEESE; He didn't send eny Republicans here to talk to us. You know, I have more than a tincture of humor when I react to that hut 1 think it's still something that should he noted. There is not one member of the minority party here today. Mf>. BABUSCI: I think it's important too that in the whole process of deliberation that it be kept in mind that the programs are at this point operating at the minimal level at this current level of funding and many will shut down, iitJpnFiSKKTATIVE MISCEVTCH: In how much time are you aayins they will shut down? M5. BABl/SCI: Tf they heve 40 percent cuts, there ore many programs,, both rape crisis and domestic violence — REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH: But you are not in any danger now thai; the funds have been restored? MS. MBUSCl! ProvidinR that that approval comes from the House and the Senate* REPRESENTATIVE MTSCEVTCH: I don't see that you have any problem with that. You probably weuH have gotten it anyway* If the Governor hadn't restored it, we would have put It back Into the budget. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: We'll see what comes out of the Conference Committee. Frank's point earlier was well taken. We'll believe It when we see it. Keep, the pressure on. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE; Ron Cowell. REPRESENTATIVE COTJELL: While we are on that subject, I haven't road the lotter but I guess In e somewhat cynical way I need to applaud the Governor for deciding to agree to what he felt what the legislature was probably going to do anyway in response to the very effective message you have delivered in recent weeks. It's nice that he is doing this. We appreciate that kind of leadership. Ignore , I would ask you a question referring back to some conversation* we had two years ago and again I refer to the question I asked Marty 13 oo r2 minutes sgoo You uere ene eo fhe eolks who expressed to me two years ago concern about distribution of money. You were reflecting n point of view of aomebody involved in a new group just trying to get started. Has that issue been resolved satisfactorily to your point of view^ MS. EATTOIT: Yes, I think so. With Act 157 money,, it was more money to share, to spread around, and that was © great help to new programs* As Marty said, it's not enough. Even the 43 percent restored is not enough and none of us will get what we need to operate our programs. I think we all know that. But it certainly * the problem, I think, I was concerned ©bout two years ago doesn't exist any more. REHlESENTATrvE COWELLi Okay, fine. MS. BABUSCt: It's a problem that exists In the) state too. "When we have the 84-zo of the program that we have and Just a massive number of clients to serve, in Allegheny County in the past six months we have had to put people on a waiting list for crisis intervention counseling which is almost a contradiction. REPRESENTATIVE COWELL: That is a contradiction in tanas, crisis and waiting lists. MS. BABUSCIl YeB. REPRESENTATIVE C0WBLL: How many people are on a waiting list? MS. BABUSCI: It doesn t exist at all times but we have had to have a waiting list where there is no counseling time that is available to them and it s gone up to a dozen at a time. As I indicated, In a year s time it was 2,335 clients we served. REPJ^SENTATIVE coivELL: in a time sense? MS. BA3USCI: How long? JUSFRESENTATIVE COWELLj Yes. MS. BABUSCI: NO longer than two days but in some cases that's a real dramatic period of time. REt>RESEM!ATiyE MISCEVIOH; Do these people get an Interview, at least an interview, the waiting list people? MS. BABD8C1: Oh, yea, yes. REPRESENTATIVE MXSCEVICH t They do get an interview ? MS„ BAHJSClt' They ere seen, Wo one waits at a hospital because that is a priority hut .if somebody calls and says that they want to see a counselor because they have been raped and they have this problem end they have to talk to somebody, in many cases they are uniting up to two days to see a counselor. CHAIRMAN DeWSiESEs Lenore, what was your projected budget for this coming year, $19,000? MS. PATTONj $19*000. That would allow US to have one full-time position, some supporting administrative time and operating expenses. CHAIRMAN DeWEESEt Sometimes I'm a little bit off the wall with my observations but 1 just thought a para­ trooper from Fort Brag down In $1 Salvador probably would be paid about $19,000 to teach El fJalvadorien teenagers how to Jump out of airplanes and you are talking about en organize* tion that would take care of the whole county in Indiana County . I wa« asked earlier today If some of the reason we are here is because the federal administration has made a commitment to sa exceptionally high level of spending for military build-up and that percolates down to our level end down and down and down and down. When I have heard everybody from Judge Stniaey to yourself, I can't help but make a 30- second editorial comment and then I'll hush and we'll go to the next person. It Just seems on Abomination that we have such priorities at the federal and state level and the fact that the incumbent Governor has seen fit to embrace that kind of policy, End of statement. I'll probably have one more this a:Ctornoon. Tho next witness is Kathy Klelnmann. Kathy is e representative for the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living- After Kathy's testimony ^ we are going to hear from Joni Rabinow/it.7 and thGn we am going to break for lunch, MR. KXKUTMANU: AB Btoted, I'm a member of the Three Rivers Center for independent Living, Our agency is mandated to assist Individuals with disabilities by providing Information and referral and to work through barriers to Independent living that create unnecessary dependence on others. Attendant cere is the issue I have come to talk to you about today because that is the key issue for severely disabled Individuals and yet there are no subsidized attendant care services in the Stat© of Pennsylvania and that*B why we are concerned, that this program be created. An attendant care program would provide a personal aide to assist an Individual, a severely disabled Individual* with the basic activities of daily living such as bathing, dress­ ing, grooming; toilet care, possibly some homemaklng activities. The provision of attendant care would make many severely disabled individuals a functional member of society in his home, wjoi'k or community life and would certainly avoid Institutionalization for many people. Advocates of tho attendant care services are fully aware of the cost effectiveness of any program that is proposed in these economic times, We feel that this is one of those programs. It ic significantly less expensive to pay an attendant by tho hour than it is to pay for nursing home services or nursing services which amount to 11 to $15>000 a year in a nursing home or £0 to $26,000 a year in a state institution. Ity own particular specialty within our agency, Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, is to locate appropriate housing for the disabled. Many times the package that I have to put together includes arrangements for attendant care which, like I said before, does not exist unless that person can pay for it out of his own pocket* I have seen, many young» energetic severely disabled people resort to nursing home care and this should not be, With effort I can sometimes find appropriate housing for a disabled Individual so that only 30 percent of his income has to go for the housing but when you have a check of only $280, there is not enough left over to pay for an attendant even if all you need is two hours a day. The money is 3ust not there and thore is ho other subsidy there to help them. For the second year in' a row a Bill has been proposed to both Houses of the legislature* This Bill would provide for attendant care for a select group ages 18 to 60. Because of the response from the public and the response from the legislature, TJ6 polieve that tins year we have a chance 01 passing it. £his is going to be the year. me oaiy question remains is where the appropriations come from. Other states that have implemented a program of this nature have used funds from Title xix or Title xx, m this state we don t have a program that has fully accepted the responsibility of providing comprehensive services for disabled people in general, tec have fragmented service* We have 0:Pflce of Vocational Rehabilitiation. We have SSI but there is no complete package that would work on the housing needs and the attendant care need* of the disabled and we've come to you to ask that delivery of these services he planned In a rational manner and that they include an attendant care program and attendant care appropriations. COfilSMAH 2e'»322&'£: Allen Zukovich. ?J232SIS?7ATrV3 K&;0VX2H: 5athy, Hepreaentetive Hbeffel and ayeelf and Representative Ocwell and Representa­ tive Piatella a.ro sponsors or an attendant care bill end Z notice my friend Dave 2ngle back there and we have talked about attendant care a number of tines. I think in the bill we don't specifically address whether the .Title XIX or Title XX funds come in. It's obvious that it would be cost effective and wo think we would save Q lot or money* We have not been able to get a specific dollar amount of the savings and I'm not clear from your testimony where you think from block grants you feel we would be able to draw money for such a program. IIS. 3L2I3K&HK: I'm not clear either. I'm hoping there is money in there for serving; disabled people and that these monies will be used to set up a comprehensive program that will have some component for attendant care. B3*2ESE^ATIVE KDiCOTICH: Uould It be fair to say that you see somewhere within the Title XX monies you think we could use some of those funds for an attendant care progran? MS. EHSEIMAHN: z believe it could start there. KEPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Okay. lhank you. CHAIRMAN DelfflESE: Frank Pistella. B2PSESENTATIVE PIST3LIA: • Thank you, Mr. Chairman. . Kathy, my question is kind of along the. line of what Allen mentioned. Are there certain' services that are provided that you feel money could be set aside all different programs? I get the impression that handicapped people, during the course of going through the different programs you mentioned, are getting a little bit from everywhere? MS. KCGIHMAIEJ: Tee, and then there axe gaps. REPRESENTATIVE FZSTEHA: And ycu are looking to trying to get a portion of that little bit set aside for something else? MS. t±£jm~i£Mi For a'program that doesn't exist, yes. S^FKESEHTATIVE PISTEILA: Iftiat would you feel, being a representative of the community, that would be directly benefitted from this? Ehat do you think that program should contain? MS. KIEINMAfttf: Hell, I think we have to have a coordination of services where one person is responsible for Tfrt^aff- sort that all of the services and individual needs are delivered* Bight new X dm*t see that happening. X think asyfee out of the bleak grants a program could be set up to do that* HEESESEIHfciriVE EES333SLA* So* V& trying t© get a handle on this because everybody autejaaticelly cringes when­ ever you tall: about sosethlns they consider to be a MW program with o Halted amount a? laoney and I'n trying to get a handle on If what you ere loosing at is soaething that could be arrived at by the us© of money available or samethtai; to supplement it. KEKtESSHSATIVE 2OTVICH: Would you «ind If I Interested something. 3f I recall, tdiea I was at St. Frencii Hospital sons months ago to talk about this, we had sow projections* Sane of the individuals who are institutional­ ised at the oost of 100, $120 a day — that's accurate, isn#t it? MS. KUsnBJAaH* Yes. aSFK2SE8*EA2IVE SvKGTlCHt we have projections that under an attendant care program Use cost could bo as Ion as $30 a day, Shose are people who could be reaeved frost institutions vfcere we at9 paying 100 Some dollars and go Into a program at $30 or around thst figure a day. So, it would is very ©est effective apart from, being humane. You might want to correct that* US. 5LEIHMAHH: That's absolutely true. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: My point was that the legislation, and I know because I wae at the same meeting end co-sponsored it, deals with funding mechanisms set up by private insurance providers and what you are talking about now is something that is either going to work la conjunction with that or supplement it In some fashion and that** where I was trying to get at. MS. KLEIHMANM: I'm not clear on how it would fit In. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA; Okay. Could you possibly, through your organization's effort, provide us with some hard data about the number of clients, where they are, how much money is involved in their getting a certain service V MS. KLEINHANN: We could get a handle on It locally but I don't think we could get it on a state basis. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: Is there any type of network that is set up statewide that could do that? MS. KLEDMANN: I think your medical assistance people would be the best people to do a program like that because they have a handle on the home health and they know who they are not serving, who needs services that are not of a medical nature which la the services we are talking about. HBFRSB&S2MC1VB tUKOVICHi With leave of the committee, there la an organisation, a statewide organization of the physically handicapped which ve could get an address on end contact them* 3hey might' he able to help too, HEiBESENTATrvE KEBCEVICH: Allen, isn't there e lot of people being taken cere off at home, say maybe like the wife is having a problem end she is being taken care of by her husband or her children anil 7011 can't get those numbers unless the people would actually call you. MS* KIEIHMAHHi m some eases, people are satiafied with that arrangement but there ere other cases where it's not working, where somebody is really under a lot of strain. KEERESERTATTVE HISCElVXCH* Bell, then Ksthy, those arrangements work until thj» people reach a certain point that they can no longer eefee with it. Then, they start screaming for help. Vhen rou don't have the money budgeted for that type of help, rou axe really — MS. KX£2HMAHKi Vhenl all other: systems fail, long- term care is the only answer, nursing hone, institutionaliza­ tion. REPRESENTATIVE MISCEVICH* Do the visiting nurses help you at ail? MS, KIKtiSlMANNt They can go In as long as there is a medical problem that a doctor la supervising. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOViCs I don't have a questiOl , Kathy. 1 have a comment that I would like to have put on the record* I think what we have to do in the future Is assure that the monies go to the person inieed, If we begin discussions of Closing, for example, closing Woodville Hospital on saving ten or $12 million, we better make sure that those ten or $12 million are put to that need and not put it back into the general fund, I asked Kathryn McKenna that very question when they were considering that proposal. As you know, that proposal is no longer viable but at any rate whatever, in closings that we make of institutions, we still have to make sure that we keep the money in the community and provide more folks with the ability to cope. REPRESENTATIVE COWELLs Kathy , you recall the argument lest year about this earne time about adult service? MS, SXEHJMANNt I wasn't Involved at that point. REPRESENTATIVE COWEttLj Okay, My question will be Irrelevant then, I'll wait for somebody else. MS, KHCINMANNs You'll have other speakers on this. REPRESENTATIVE COWELLs Thank you very much. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: Joni Rablnowitz, then lunch. ME. RABiWOWITZ; I'm from the Hunger Action Coalition from Pittsburgh. We serve Allegheny County end I'm eorry that I didn't get on the calendar hut X .lust found out about the hearing today. I'm here to request that the state make specifie Inclusion in the community services block grant for anti- hunger , food, and nutrition work, We concur with the request made before this committee last week by Jim Stephenson, from Pennsylvania Coalition on Food and Nutrition that five percent of the CSBG money should be earmarked specifically for food and nutrition work* I want to briefly describe the work of Hunger Action Coalition and the extent of the need •*• as we have been able to determine it »- in Allegheny County. Some of the figures discussed below are from an initial etudy put together by Health and welfare Planning Aesociation. This study Is still in process and, as you can Imagine, the figureu are always changing. Hunger Action Coalition started in 1977, following a study which showed that 48,000 people in Allegheny County had gone hungry at least once in the previous year. In 1982, using the eama criteria, our research staff estimated that 100*000 people would go hungry at least one time in the county that year. Hunger Action was formed to develop an approach to the problem of hunger which would combine emergency food assistance* education about the issues related to food and nutrition* and long-*range wont to reform the systems which cause poverty and hunger, Presently we have four program areas. One provides emergency food assistance to hungry people. Another gives technical assistance to pantries and maintains a referral network among pantries throughout the etointy. A third program assists people in determining whether they ere eligible for food stamps* and helps them if they experience problem* with the food stamp/welfare office. Our public policy program does education and work around reforms in the systems which create poverty and hunger, Hunger Action Coalition was (also responsible for the formation of the Pittsburgh Community Pood Bank which* in January of this year* spun off Into lits own organisation. Our working relationship with the Food Bank continues to be close and mutually supportive. In 3.982, half of our $100,000 budget came from C8A, our major dingle eource of funding until that time, Since then, we have had to rely on private contributions and grants, with the exception of a email $500 grant from CAP laet year. like all social services, food and nutrition programs ere feeing deeply affected lay the economic crleie and the outbacks at all levels of government* Just at the time when the people need help from the government the moat, the government ia pulling out* X want to give some figures from our local area here , to dramatize the extent of the problem of rapidly increacing need* combined with shrinking resources, Ae we know, unemployment has experienced a steady increase over the past several years, and in the Pittsburgh area it doubled between 1980 end 1983* The number of new claims doubles every six months, and state statistics show that unemployment in Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh SMBA is rising at a faster rate than in Pennsylvania on the average. As of January, we had 81,000 persons in Allegheny County and 152,000 in the Pittsburgh S1-2SA, who were actively aeetdng jobs and unable to find them* in 19S0 the county unemploy­ ment rate was 1.0 percent lower than in the state, while in 1933 it was ,8 percent higher. The Pittsburgh SMSA experienced even a more dramatic Increase — from .5 percent lower to 2*9 percent higher between 1980-83. A brief summary of state data also reveals that of the 120,322 individuals on food stamps, 38,321 are also receiving general assistance, of the 133*277 county residents, receiving some form of medical assistance, 116,433 are also receiving general, eflsistance. Hie number of people receiving food stamps over the past year has not changed much. This is because, despite the increased need and Increased unemployment, stricter regulations in the food stamps have forced many people off the food stamp roles. On a national level, It's estimated that these new regulation! are resulting In one million people losing their food stamp benefits. This problem is further compounded by Act 75 which was recently passed by the state, tinder this Act, by the end of this month, 20,000 residents of Allegheny County who are receiving general assistance will be cut off the roles, most of them with no prospects for work, or eligibility for other income. Along with other organizetlone, we are protesting this inhumanity to the people that are in the most need. We believe this 1B a statement by the Iftorriburgh Administration -- at a time when people most need support end assistance -*» that we don't care about your suffering. If you can't find a job it's your own fault. And we won't provide you any assistance through these hard times. We can't stand by and watch our government do this. Another Indicator of need Is the ever-Increasing requests for food and other emergency assistance from a wide variety of agencies. Changer Action just one small program saw en Increase of from 1,041 families, 3,565 people in January to June 1§82 to 1,^97 families, 5,310 people in June to December 1982. This is a 50 percent increase. Yet the program still has the same one phone line for emergency food and one staff person that it always had. Hunger Action now has 85 pantries in its network throughout the county. Many more pantries have formed on their own and are operating independently. Our food stamp screening program counsels an overage of 90 clients per month. The Pittsburgh Community Pood Bank, in 19$2, distributed over 2,750,000 pounds of food to agencies serving 25,000 families in the Pittsburgh area and three satellite centers in Erie* Oreenaburg, and Johnstown, compared to 80,000-100,000 pounds of food distributed in 1981. The Food Bank has more than 219 agencies who depend on it for food, end the waiting list (or new member* it several months long. She Salvation Amy reporta that their delivery of food service* increased 63 percent in December, 1982, It's estimated that aa many as 4O,000 families are being served be local union pantries* luihercn Service Society's Meal- cn-\vheele programs, elderly feeding programs administered by AAA, the Catholic Diocese, Bed Cross, Family and Chlldrens* Services» as well aa publically funded agencies have all experienced increased demanda for emergency services over the past six months* 3he Red Cross; has increased its expenditures for emergency financial assistance by one-third in the past nine months* They find a growing number of requests from veterans who are unemployed, and changes in the welfare and food sta^p procodures which make previously eligible people now ineligible* Increasing infant mortality rates are another v&ry serious indication of the level of need* A study1 done in January by 2?RAC, Pood Research and Action Center, in Washington* D.C showed that, for the firet time in a century, there were significant increases in the infant mortality rates In seven states in which unemployment and economic distrees were great* In Pittsburgh, there was no change in the overall infant mortality rate, although the rate for whlto Infante rose. Many health professionals are attributing this alarming rite in Infant mortality rate to malnourlshment on the part of mothers and Infante. She WIC program, a federal program which provides high-protein food for pregnant women and their infanta, only serves about one~fourth, nationally, of those who are eligible. How, with the increasing needs, WIC programs are facing cutbacks because iheir funding Is not being increased accordingly. WIC has been able to maintain Its funding but It has increased needs. So, in effect and there is Inflation -•» so, In effect, it's needing to cut back. The results are low birth rates end high Infant mortality rates. These situations should not exist In a nation as rich In resources as ours. But they do, and people are suffering, through no fault of their own, when they have to chose between heating and eating. Pood is the most basic necessity of life. If the stomach is empty, all other needs become secondary. Poroom$ reason, the" Thomburgh Administration has reneged oh the state s previous commitment o provme funds specificaixy for fooa and nutrition. We are araid that lr Such money is not earmarked, many of the programs across the state which are hanging on by their fingernails, will have to completely shut down, And many more people will literally starve to death. !The private sector has stated many times that thei cannot fulfill the need previously filled by the government. The states and local governments must take on the responsi­ bilities previously taken by "Washington. We are asking you to recognize the need of Pennsylvania s hungry people, and to act now. CHAIRMAN DeWEESlEi Allen. HEPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Joni, I have one or two questions. I want to make a etateaent and ask you to corroborate it or disagree with it. The way I understand, under the federal Community Services Administration, before we got into the block grant concept, there was a large amount of money coming down, 770 some thousand, In '8l there was like $684,280 that came down for anti-hunger programs and was targeted to about nine projects throughout the state and it affected about 15 statewide counties. Now, the way I under­ stand it , there will be no money now under the block, community services block grant controlled by DCA. There will be no mohey earmarked for any of those anti-hunger programs. is that right? MS. RABINOWITZ: That' s my understanding and I think what that means Is basically that it'a up to the locale to decide how they are going to spend it and we feel that the staid needs to specifically -* there is no specific section that says anti-hunger work in that. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVTCHj Ih essence, the Department of Community Affaire, the community services block grant, has totally deprioritized the whole hunger movement in the etate? MS. RAHENOWITZ? Absolutely, REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: That's what I wanted to know. CHAIRMAN DeWEESEs Tom and then Ron. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Joni, you mentioned some statifitics about the number of people in Allegheny County that were going hungry. How do you evaluate that? Is going hungry someone who doesn't have a meal for a whole day or what specifically do you mean when you cite this? MS# RABIN0WIT2J The criteria that was uaed in the Initial study that was done in '77 fcyth e University of Pittsburgh was people who went without food for one day and had no money to buy it. That's what the criterion was that was used, REPRESENTATIVE- MICHLOVIC t Could you repeat the statistics In Allegheny County? HS. RABINOWlTZj Weil, they said In »77 there were 48,000 people In that as e result of that study. By arithmetic, our research people figured out that In 1982 there would he 100,000 people in that category. REPRESENTATIVE MIClHX)VICl So, that if as an arithmetical. REPRESENTATIVE COWEIX? Early in your statement you endorsed Stephenson's comments before the committee last week. I wont to note more specifically what that is. That was a request for at least five percent of the community services block grant monies to he earmarked for nutrition programs? MS. RAKCNOWITZ: For anti-hunger and nutrition programs . REPRESENTATIVE COVJELL5 There ere $14 million In that block grant. So, you are asking for a minimum of $700,000? MS. RABINOWITZ: That's correct. REPRESENTATIVE CO'ELLt That would he for the administration of the program©? MS. RABINOWITZ: Well, first of all, statewide we are asking for that. You understand that? REPRESENTATIVE COWELLj Yes. MS. RABINOWITZ; I think that the opacifies of It hasn't been -- I mean If you're asking for a statewide proposal for $750,000, I think as it stands right now, that's open. I mean we «— REPRESENTATIVE COWEI£j That la very much related to the issue. We earmark $700,000, we're going to have certainly our colleagues around the state ask how le the money going to Too distributed. What would be the basis for distribution* MS. RABINOWITZ: Okay, Many groups feel -- there are two ways of getting food to hungry people basically. There are three ways. One is you give away surplus food and, of course, everybody has found they are giving away surplus food and you can't do that for free. There are a lot of costs involved In that. The second way Is you buy food which soma groups are doing and store and more of that need Is becoming obvious. Another way is to take donations from Individuals which ie very, very small, drop In the bucket, compared to what we need. And another way is to give people money to buy food which is basically what food stamps did and that gave people the freedom to go out and buy whatever they needed In terms of food. Now, any one of the programs like that need administration and I don't wont to lead you astray to say that we want $750*000 to buy food because that, you knowj if you buy food, you need eome kind of way to distribute it and to train and administer say volunteer programs which we have a lot of volunteers. All of the agencies do, of course. So, I guess what X am saying is I can't answer what specifically the breakdown for the $?50»000 would be in terms of the different aspects of program but it would be used in the way that would get the most food to the most people and we would be happy to sit down with you and discuss a specific proposal. REPRESENTATIVE COWELLj I think we ought to be prepared to address that because inevitably it will come up, If we aBk for the inclusion of 700 or a million or any sum in there, we are going to get into a debate about how it's going to be distributed and is it going to be used for salaries or overhead or food. That would be a very legltimatB part of the debate. MS. RABINOWITZ: Hunger Action's basic approach, I think, and this came out of the '70's when this wap a popular thing, We like to develop programs that are self- sufficient, self-help types of programs. So that we like to be able to provide assistance to groups, you know, to solve their own problems In the community. So, we put a strong emphasis, for Instance, on decentralizing and helping groups develop pantries, food pantries, in their own neighborhoods and giving them support in terms of money or staff or volunteers or space or whatever it is so that they con actually deal with the problem in their own community. I mean that's the type of approach that Hunger Action takes and there are different ways around the state that different kinds of approaches that different organizations use. REPRESENTATIVE COWElXs One other, question. If we succeed in having specific funds earmarked for this purpose, how can we avoid local community action agencies telling you and your peers around the state, your problems are already taken care of, you're getting money in that line item so we're not going to provide you with any of the local agency funds? MS. KAHENoVUTZ: I don't know statewide what people are getting from CAP'e. As I said, we got $500 from CAP last year In Pittsburgh and it was a huge struggle and it took many, many hours of work to. do that* REPKESENTATIVE CQftEXI*: Are you suggesting there ujay not be a whole lot to lose even if they adopt XXIAZ attitude? MS, RABINOWXTzj whet I would like to see frankly-; I think what we would like to see is statewide food end nutrition activities being independently funded eg e statewide, as a separate statewide type of organization aside from CAP* a because we don*t want to see the programs that the CAP'S are doing around the state not happen but we also feel food and nutrition is such a crucial issue that it needs to have an administrator* REPRESENTATIVE COWELLj Vfeil, if we take it away from them, there are only $14 million in the pot and di we take it away, that leaves 13.3. it's got to come out of there* MS* RABINOWITZt I'm not saying it Should come out of the military bill or — REPRESENTATIVE COVJELLt What do we do with the $14 million? MS. RABINOVJITZJ Our suggestion is that there is eon. organisation with a track record, a state organization with a track record in doing anti-hunger work, for that agency to be able to set Itself up to administer and be accountable for $700,000 throughout the state. I don't see why that agency as well as a CAP or any other agency can't be set up to distribute that money. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Quite 8 few people In community action agencies received money which they didn't request and the anti-hunger then wee totally defunded. There was no balance and I would soy community action agencies might have more than they need. REPRESENTATIVE COWELJL: That's all. Thank you, Joni. REPRESENTATIVE PISTEXLA: "My only comment was on what Ron Cowell was pursuing and what Allen touched on. Are there any organizations currently on line to provide the service so,that it's conceivable that an increase In funding does not necessarily tio in with administrative costs? MS. RABINOWITZ: The Pennsylvania Coalition for Pood and Nutrition Is a statewide coalition and, as I said, I'm sure in terms of whatever kinds of accountability and reporting and that kind of thing, they are well able to administer this money, I'm sure that could be arranged* That's their Job. They eto food and nutrition. They don't have money. They are a statewide group. They have what, $3,000 from a church body. That's about it for a whole state. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE; Thank you very much. The hearing will recommence at 1:15 right here. (The hearing recessed at 12?30 P.M. and reconvened at U20 P.M.) CHAIRMAN DeWEESEt My name 1B Bill Dewaese from Greene County and we are going to continue to take teatimony today about the allocation of dollars relative to the block grants. The record that we are trying to establish will help ue In our appropriations deliberation* and although the room la not packed with people and media, ue are hopeful that the foots and figures that we ere able to share today will help ue be more responsible later on In the spring when the final budget is prepared. The first person to come and offer some testimony, is Bay Webb of the National Association of Social Workers. Ray, would you mind sitting over there toward the stenographer so that the folks in the back can Just have a little bit more of a give and take with the witness. Please share five, eight minutes and then we will have a few questions or however you want to do It. We have ten or 15 minutes here, Welcome to the hearing. Go ahead. MR. WEBB: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committeer my name Is Raymond R* Webb, Jr. i am here today representing the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers ao its block grant chairperson end as the Executive Director of Allegheny Bast Mental Health/l3diital Retardation Center, located in Wllklnshurg, an agency which has been receiving a United StateB Public Health Service Federal Operations Grant, but which was, during this fiscal year, converted to a block grant. I thank you 00 very much for permitting me to be on your agenda, First, let me commend you for having these hearings . It is may understanding that the federal statutes regarding block grants require public hearings for only certs Im block grants not alii I would encourage you to accept testimony on ail of the block grants* Secondly, your legislative oversight function is absolutely vital. 3n uoy opinion you must continue to be the checks and balances so necessary to assure adequate planning, allocations and evaluations of the block grant programs In Pennsylvania, In this regard 1 would ask that you require of the various departments that appropriation bills include a detailed line item budget BO that it is possible to track the expenditures of federal fwids . I would also ask that you require that substantial amendments to expenditure plans be subject to legislative and public review. Last, you should require annual or oven bi-annual oversight hearings which would require the departments to include performance review based on needs aoeoesmont, goals and priorities and expenditure plans. Again, I would reinforce that I believe this responsibility should rest with your level of government and with your committee. Time today does not perait me to go into the details about the kinds of information which I think you should request of the various departments charged with the administration of the block grants . Ae a summary* however, you should require expenditure plans, actual use reports, audit and evaluations to include both fiscal and program audl/S, In addition, you should require recordkeeping requirements end public access to public documents, public hearings, citisei}'c participation, administrative costs and procedures, standards-end an understanding of the target groups affected, servietts; provided and eligibility requirements. I would respectfully request that I be permitted to send to you, Mr. Chairfc&n., a detailed explanation of each of these issues . I would note that the National Association of Social Workers opposed the formation of block grants. However* when the omnibus reconciliation legislation was passed, our association pleaded In public hearings and in other communication to the Pennsylvania Administration that adequate time be taken in order to phase-in Pennsylvania's block grant program. The federal legielation provided for a phased in schedule, however, Pennsylvania elected not to do that and was one of the first to Jump on the block grants bandwagon. I believe that our fears around precipitous Implementation were Initially realized, Provider agencies who were the recipients of block grants found that their allocations were dramatically out and there was tremendous confusion. One agency which 1 am familiar, waited months to receive their first check on the block grants and even longer times to receive their first check. Clearly, by this time, some of that confusion has been cleared but many uncertainties continue to exist. !The current situation denotes several problems. First, in my capacity as chairperson of the block grant committee^ I should be in a position to be aware of all that le occurring around block grant planning and allocations within Pennsylvania. It goes without saying that, I can only become knowledgeable about this if, in fact, reports are made available from the various departments charged with block grant implementation. I find this Simply is not the case. 1 do not believe, that our fjroup is atypical of many of the watchdog groups throughout Pennsylvania, dere eimply is not sufficient information being provided.either to concerned groups or to the general public. I certainly hope you as legislators arc better Informed on this matter than we are. Secondly, our opposition to block grant* la the first place was because w« were fearful of «a inequitable distribution of United resources, We were concerned that there would be great variations between Btatea around services provided, eligibility requirements, standards of care ami etc. The current lack of information provides us no basis on which to make a Judgment on our premise in Pennsylvania* Third, we were concerned that block grant funds would be used to supplant state and local funds. Again, It has been difficult for us to determine whether this is In fact the esas, however, Pennaylvania continues to move toward restricted eligibility requirements, plans to put caps on certain programs and, of course, ever-decreasing funds available. Permit me for a moment to speak to you about my own personal experiences as the Executive Director of a community mental health and mental retardation center. As X Indicated earlier, our agency was In receipt of a federal operations grant* This current *3a~'83 fiscal year, that grant was assumed by the state under the alcohol, drug, mental health block grant. For this year our grant wee eut from $1.1 million to $900*000 of which $100,000 was available for phase-down ecsta. Thus, from an operational standpoint for this current; fiscal year I have an $800,000 block grant. It Is ray understanding that for the forthcoming fiscal year I can expect lees than the 800,000 but even at this Btage I do not know the amount. In the implementation of the mental health portion of this particular block grant the Department of Public Welfare simply appropriated the money to the county as it does with its other mental health and mental retardation funds, it was noted at the federal level that one of the valuer of block granting was that regulatory requirements could be dropped or at least lessened. And in fact, those requirements were dropped to the states* 3h our situation, however, we found the federal regulations far lees comprehensive, rigid and conflicting. Thus, we found ourselves in a position of not only receiving less money but requiring substantially more time, energy and effort to administer lees funds. Under our federal grant we could request federal reimbursement for our expenses and receive that money within'three days. Under the current system which requires us to receive reimbursement from the county, we can ,1 expect to wait at least a month and in a number of instances two and three months. Our biggest concern about the block grant funding for our particular program Is; the dramatic change In service priorities and target populations. The federal government truly attempted to provide funds for a comprehensive mental health program including services such as Inpatient emergency, outpatient partial hospitalisation, consultation/education, residential and research and evaluation. Clearly the federal Government reinforced the original 1962 legislation under John Kennedy which celled for e bold new approach to the treating of the mentally disabled. Gentlemen, that is no longer the CBB© in Pennsylvania with block grant funding, it is tjttite clear that this adminis­ tration's agenda relates to the treatment of the chronically montally ill and more specifically those persons coming out o:* our state mental institutions . Our ogoncy is a dramatic ©sample of this very significant change. Eighteen months ago our agency had 18 full-time staff treating children and adults on an outpatient basis whose diagnosis was that of acute emotional or mental illneco. Today, our agency has two full-time equivalence treating acutely ill persons. Eighteen months ago our budget for consultation and educational services was nearly a quarter of a million dollars, "BSf festive July 1 of this year that budget will be $54,000. Eighteen months ago our budget for research and evaluation was nearly $85*000» Today that budget Is aero. At this time and for the foreseeable future It is In my opinion a sham to say that Allegheny East Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center ie providing comprehensive services to the community predicated upon the needs of that communlty. It ie safe to say that Allegheny East is at the current time nothing; more than a lar^e after-cara and chronic care facility meeting the needs of only that population group. For our agency.) gentlemen, that has been quite a turnaround and I need not tell you it has boon quite demoralizing* It does, however, accurately reflect hot; block grant funds can be used for sincle purposes reflecting the priorities of the administration not the priorities of the community. Lost, and I realize that this is perhaps a bit premature, X would ask that you seriously consider any effortu made on the part of the administration to provide block grants to the counties. I ask for this consideration based upon, the same reasons why as c mowber of a professional aosociation we opposed the original formation of block grants , I can predict substantial problems in the equitable distribu­ tion of resources from county to county. I can also predict that you> as legislators, will lose much of your oversight responsibility if block grants to the counties occur* Once again, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to appear before you and I aineerely hopo that my testimony hae been helpful to you, again I would respectfully request permission to provide for you more detailed lnformation on thla matter. Thank you ao vary much. CHAIRMAN DeMEBSEj 3Pine. I think you should supply that Information to Max tlovsky who Is Chairman. I am a Subcommittee Chairman and hie 8toff quite bluntly.will do the onalyais. Those of ue who arc obviously Inundated with sheaves of paper are sometimes loath to admit that we don't read It all but I will admit that 1 don't read it all, I want to cay that this is a pretty substantive presentation that you hove nade and ack one or two questions but t*11 allow members of the coMilttee to proceed, Tom Mlchlovic. REHflSSENTATIVE MiCHLQVlOj Thank you, tfar. Chairman. Ray , you mentioned in your, test5,mony on the last page here that you're not meeting the priorities of the community or you * re not meeting the need In the community. Do you have any idea of the level of need you are attending* what are you handling;, 50 percent, 70 percent? Do you have any idea of that? MR. WEBBt I suspect in terras of dust number* of calls we get &xi& number© wo nro turning away, we are not meeting, If you are looking at the total community Including the chronically mentally ill, 1 don't think we are meeting 20 percent of the community, We're sending out of ourajjency an average of about 35 people a week thet vie simply cannot treat. .Aftaln> not because we don't have the capacity or the ability to do that but our funds now, all of the public dollar© thPt ve pre getting are not oniJy leee but also highly categorised &tid they ore categorized for the chronically mentally 111. Tt's o population croup that obviously needs much help. Don't get in© wrong* but T'm simply Baying that as an agency very jnuch committed to community mental health and meeting needa of the community,, we are doing far less of a job now than we were IB months a^o. wvRv&vmfl.Trr memwnct AA righth Kith reepeef; to the Increased workload and the administration and dealing with regulations, ore you indicating that those regulations are coming from the state level or primarily the county level? ffi\, TJEBB: Both inereastnn regulations, more narrowly defnned, more rigid, more particulartf coming from the Department of Public Welfare published in the Pennsyl* vania Bulletin, 'Shose then come to the county level and the county then adds its set of regulations on top of it end it ~- I could have brought you what we have from the county called monitoring manuals end these manuals are for each progrsan element and, gentlemen, those monitoring manuals are that tUnick (indicating) on each program element in the agency, they are done -- we're monitored at least semi-annually and sometimes quarterly. County staff are in my office every week on one issue or another. When we dealt directly with the federal Government, the feds come in once a year for three days and everything else WOG done via reports around carefully measured criteria. You knew what the name of the game was and you better perform. If you didn't perform, you lost your money. *'-Ts don't hove criteria like that. We don't have measurable kinds of things now. Okay. That's a tremendous problem for everyone concerned, not Just the agency but for the community, the taxpayer and for the legislators. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Thank you. MR. WEBB: Which is the reason I was asking for standards, measurable standards, and I think you gentlemen have a right frankly to insist upon those. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Thank you. REPRESENTATIVE COIJELL: Ray, I'll ask a question while the Chairman is in the back there. For the benefit of my colleagues, I would note that Ray's agency services moat of my legislative district and I have a chance to serve on hie Board of Directors of Allegheny East VSR/MR. So, 1 ew Intimately familiar with the problem that he addresses. I think we need to keep in mind that Agencies like Allegheny East are nredlcatfcd on the Community Mental Health/Cental Retardation Act of f66. This np:ency is still community based but in terms of the ability to provide services to the total community which was the purpose of that piece of legislation that our predecornors enacted 17 years ago, that ability has been severely diminished by the cut in money and some of the regulatory chances that we have seen come out of Harrisbur^,, not Washington, but Hnrrisburg. We heard about middle income families basically being eliminated from the commun?,ty wontal health system. Those rege have effectively done that. Ray., you made mention near the end of your remarks about ue beinp; very cautious about permitting any block grants to counties. Are you speaking about that rumored experiment or pilot program that we had discussed earlier this morning where we ore told the administration wants to ta.se c look, at a pilot program 3JX four or five counties and combine mental health monies and adult services and a number of other monies for a block grant? MR. WEBBt I think it's a forerunner. I realize that It le noted In the Governor's budget a« a pilot kind of thing. I've also been told by some sources that I think are fairly knowledgeable that although it is a pilot kind of thine, it is, In fact, going to occur and that is the plan, if you will, for the future, to move that direction. Again, I'm sorry, gentlemen. I.think it's a sham, I Just don't feel that responeibllity for less and lees money ought to be getting passed on down to people. TJhere in the hell is it going to end? Are wo going to end up with the Borough of Ullkinsburg having a block grant? The Borough of Wilkinsburg ie no more concerned about social services, health services to people. They hove never been in that buslnoss . I suggest to you that perhaps the counties uro not that concerned, They haven't been In that business except for the homes and hospitals historically, child welfare agencies which run fairly Independently and I renlly believe that I'm hired to do a job, I'm hired to assume responsibility. I think the State Legislators are elected to assume responsibility and ought not to relinquish that, not let that fall down through. I'm sorry if I take that prerogative to say that to you* gentlemen. I realize that might have stepped out of bounds a bit. REPRESENTATIVE C0W3LL: Thank'you, Ray. CHAIRMAN DeWEBSEi I'm always out of bounds. Any other questions of Ray? (No response.) CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: , have ene© The eack oo Information that you have talked about, could you amplify that statement? MR, WEBB: Simply can t find anything about what la occurring., how much monies have been appropriated to where • what the providers are, what is the result. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE: You m&Qn. from maividual cabinet fsecretaries and their BTaiiB? MR. WEBB: Yes, right. Prom zne secretan a, from the various departments that have the responsibiii y o administering the DIoOK grants. mere doesn t se m y report. I m sorry. I could be remiss in my responsibili eB and I acknowledge that but can you thinic of any — o y know of any reports that say here IB how xne DAOGk gran money was spent here. Here is what we am wixn it, CHAIRMAN DeW&EIBE: You wouia know more a DO T. X than most of us, or at least than I wouia know. hat UAO like and I haven t done this very much so I don t fe x. oo guilty. If you could have two or three agencies vn t you feel have been especially bad at getting Information owe relative to their block grants, I'd like you to forward a paragraph or two on each of those agencies when you forward your additional information, the most grievoue examples, Send those to Chairman Pievsky'e office. I will try to bounce somebody hround on.gofmo floor debate or something. IHt. TJEBB: Be happy to do that. CIJATIJMAH DelJEE£0E: You can keep that on the record. Okay. '.Chht's all, Thank you very kindly, air. Eileen Chackelton, Eileen representf: Open Doors for the Handicapped, Fiitsburgh Chapter. Do you have a statement that you would like to '-•* MB. EHACKELTONj "'/os, I do have a statement I'd like to make. 7. don't hove enough copies for all but I have several. CHAIKMAN DeWEESE: As long as you have one for the record, I-1&. fSHACKELTOSI: I do, CHAIRMAH Dol.TSESE: Fine. MS. fJHACKEI/TON: I'll give her the original but I'd like to read from it. fthy, T oleo thank you very much for the honor to be here today to present this. I am a consumer, J. am representing, V'm here on behalf of myself and Open Doors for the Handicapped, Pittsburch Chapter. Pittsburgh Chapter, Open Doors for the Handicappei was founded 26 years ago to promote the dignity and indepen* dence of the physically handicapped person in all areas of Miring, including housing, employment,, transportation, culturel. events and so forth. In fact, the nationwide architectural barrier movement started her? in Pittsburgh with our group. Ue hay© made progress but we still have a long way to go. History wafe made with the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. t:ith the palace of this Act, the. physically handicapped were promised that they would not be discriminated against in the expenditure of public funds. This promise has not been kept. As the economy went from bad to worse, the physically handicapped v.''re red-pencilled out by "both the Roagan and Thomburgh Administration. For instancej, historically if n person needed a wheelchair anywhere .in Pennsylvania, we have always been directed to Co to our local office of vocational rehabilitation. Not so any more. tChorn is no longer a centre! place in Pennsylvania where a person can apply for a wheelchair, A working physically handicapped person must pass an unrealistic low means test. A wheelchair at today's prices can cost as much as a used automobile and take up to five years to pay for. All of Pennsylvania's public atftiTB announcement that urge handicapped individuals to visit their local OVR for help In obtaining a wheelchair are in error . The rest of ur play hawkshaw detective and search with a magnifying glass through the.maze of organizations and maybe we will find one that will accept our application for a wheelchair. It is very frustrating, If money.from these block grants funds would help, then they should be given to OVR so that we have a place to so to apply for a needed wheelchair. As it is now i, the OVR is directed not to give wheelchairs to people who are not work oriented an advisee the President on matters relating to the handicapped. Most importantly, this council develops policies for the national Institute on Handicapped Research and directs interagency efforts to resolve the unmet needs of disabled persons, in the federal system, specific individuals ere designated in each depart­ ment to he Equal Opportunity Specialists end assist handi* capped persons in asserting their rights. 3h many states, these Equal Opportunity specialists flre concentrated into one office which Is specifically charged with representing the disabled as advocates in public and government matters* Both New York and Maryland are currently using the council/ advocate model with some success* states with offices for the handicapped are better able to provide long-term community based care for disabled persons* With few exceptions, long-term care In Pennsylvania is available only In skilled nursing facilities» intermediate care facilities, and personal care hoarding homes* Although personal care boarding homes are a form of community based care, a study dene by Action Housing of Pittsburgh documents that over 86 percent of the residents of these homes are over 65. Unfortunately, a number of personal care homes only admit ambulatory residents. A young person In their early 90f a and wheelchair bound is Ill-suited for placement in these facilities. Young adults must be able to Interact with the community and their peers. Ihe logical alternative to the boarding homes is home-based non-skilled nursing care* better known as Personal Attendant Care. She provision of these attendant* will allow severely disabled persons to live by themselves or with friends and family in the community. Currently, House Bill fro* i£2, Attendant Care for Disabled Persons, is being considered by the Health and Welfare Committee of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives* This Bill will provide, attendant cere in Pennsylvania. Community-based care for the physically disabled has been an Issue for many years* Ih 1976, the Governor's office created local organisations to sponsor workshops and elect <5b legates to the 1976 Governor's Conference on Handicapped Persons. One of the major issues at the conference wee the need of attendant care. 2h 1977 and 1978, follow-up studies reported no visible efforts had been taken, Over a dozen other states currently have some form of this legislation. How these efforts relate to Pennsylvania, is unknown. Many physically disabled persons, if attendant care were available, could live end manage their own affaire, For many of these people, we ere already paying their hills to live in nursing homes and intermediate care facilities* If House Bill No. 122 were passed, some of these persons could possibly work and be contributing tax­ payers. £hi« care is considered an urgent need by many disabled persons and many rehabilitation professionals, other states, notably California, fund part of their attendant care program from the Social service Block Grant* If House Bill 152 is passed, funding must be provided and set aside. It is imperative to implement this legislation* Other health care entitlements, Title XVIII and XIX would provide significant funds to support this program, if the Welfare Department applies and receives waivers from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services• A delay in funding could force alert, active and contributing members of society to live inappropriately separated from their peers. A 1981 report by the Human Services Research Institute for the Developmental Disability Planning Council made 17 recommendations concerning programs needed by the handicapped to the Department of Public Welfare. These recommendations strongly support the issues presented by this testimony. The Allegheny County Legislative Program for 1983~1984 tofcen these recommendation* to heart and respect­ fully requests that four bills be developed to get disabled persons physically through doors and become contributors in the planning process. (The following is the prepared testimony presented by Mr* Khooc and Mr. Engles) ^ronRffl I "REPORT ON THE HABILITATIOM SERVICES OBJECTIVE Prepared for? Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council Prepared by* Human Services Research Inctitute 1SO Milk Street, Eighth Floor Boston* Massachusetts 02109 "Project Staff; Valerie J. Bradley, Project Director Mary Ann Allard Kristin Koff Michele Reday Elinor Gollay, Consultant Emily Ayere Cravedi Paul Nurczynski November 30, 1981 "BUl#lARY OO FEY YECGMWfBATIONS "Recommendation No. 1: The PenneyIvanie Developmental Disabilities Council end its planning and advisory functions should "be authorized in state statute, The Statute should include the Council's existing policy and planning functions end should clearly specify lines of authority to other etete agencies, the Governor, and the state legis'lature. "Recommendation Ho. 2$ The 1966 Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act should be amended to include specific reference to those persona suffering from autieim who have functional limitations similar to mentally retarded persons . In addition, the special needs of multiply handi­ capped mentally retarded persons who are currently eligible for services under the Act should be specifically highlighted. "Recommendation No. 3 : The Council should recommend that the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and specifically the independent Living Program, provide the focal point for a statewide emphesie on the needs of severely physically impaired, mentally alert individuals. The recent focus on independent living together with other administra­ tive changes suggest that the agency may provide a fresh approach and the momentum necessary to provide a new emphasis on the problems facing these individuals. "Recommendation No. 4: Since there are a number of possible organizational entities at the local level that could address the needs of severely physically handicapped adults , the Council should work with whatever state unit is selected to represent this target group in reviewing and suggesting potential local options. "Recommendation No. 5 : The Developmental Disabilities Council together with other appropriate state agencies should develop a comprehensive housing strategy that provides both short and long range actions to meet the needs of developmentally disabled persons. State and local level entitles should be designated to oversee the organiza­ tion and implementation of housing programs benefiting disabled persons. "Recommendation Mo. 6: As a short range objective, the Council should continue to seek a line item appropriation for the DD/C1A program, In the long term, the DD/Cfft program should be Incorporated into ©n overall housing or residential services strategy developed through an interagency planning group. "Recommendation No. 7* The Developmental Disabilities Council together with other interested public and private organizations should seek to Implement two primary funding strategies regarding attendant or personal care services for severely disabled persons. First, an additional state supplement to the federal SSI payment should be pursued through the legislature and second, personal care should be incorporated either in the new Medicaid waivers for community based services or as an optional service under the existing Medicaid program. Recommendation No. 8; The Council should encourage DPW officials to seek a waiver under the new Title XIX regulations permitting community based services to focus part of the waiver on in-home support services such as respite care for eligible developmentally disabled persons. "Recommendation No. JM The Council must work with both the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and urban and rural transit authorities to ensure that (1) existing specially adapted vehicles are being fully utilized for handicapped persons and (2) transit authorities are attempting to provide accessible transportation services if none.are currently available. The Council should also work with BennDO? in developing a strategy to Identify private firms that would be willing to provide accessible transportation services. "GUFPIEMENTAFvV RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation No. 10: The Council should recommend to the Domiciliary Care Program director within the Department of Aging that a representative of the severely physically impaired, mentally alert population be included on all placement teams. Staff or consumers associated with an independent living center or other local service programs should be considered. Recommendation No. 11: The Council should continue to work with OMR to ensure that all development ally disabled persons who are eligible for ICF/&R services will bo served In the long term. Recommendation No. 12: The Council should assist In the development of a needs assessment of the major unmet needs of severely sensory impaired persons and should work to expand the capacity of providers currently delivering services to this group. Recommendation No, 13: The Council should play an active role in identifying the recreation needs of developmentslly disabled persons and should work with existing generic providers to expand services. "Recommendation No. l4t The Council should work with the Pennsylvania Health Data Center to make relevant data on incidence available for planning purposes, to share such data with key agencies, and to develop a means of identifying high risk infante, "Recommendation No. 15* Key agencies concerned about planning and coordinating services to handicapped personB should establish an interagency data committee to explore specific ways in which data can be made more compatible and can be shared (in aggregate form) among the agencies. "Recommendation No. l6t The Council should work with the Staff of the Department of Community Affairs and the Governor's Special Grant (CETA) program to seek ways of expanding available vocational and habllltatlve services for developmentally disabled persons. "Recommendation No* 17s The Council should take the following steps to expand the availability and adequacy of psychiatric services for emotionally disturbed mentally retarded persons! disseminate Information on psychiatric services to mentally retarded persons} fund demonstration programs in rural areas; end work with the Office of Medical

i Assistance to expand the Medicaid coverage for this target group.

"MEMBERS OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY J "It is with great expectations for the upcoming General Assembly session that we submit to you the 1983-84 Allegheny County Legislative Program. For over a decade, it has been the biannual tradition In Allegheny County that the Board of Commissioners research and compile a listing of legislative wants and needs to be requested of our County Delegation and the legislature as a whole. "Much has changed over the last few years; one of the most significant changes being the reduction in the size of our County Legislative Delegation due to population losseB. However, we still maintain the second largest County Delegation in the General Assembly, with members who have gained the respect of their legislative colleagues. For example, five of our legislators have been elected to positions of leadership in either the Senate or House for the next session. This provides a unique opportunity for the residents of our County in that our Representatives and Senators will have significant iraput into the setting of the legislative agenda for the next two years, MIn attempting to react to this opportunity, we have gathered Information with regard to a variety of legislative Initiatives to present for your consideration. In our previouB legislative programs, we have included recommendations which would either provide appropriations to County Government or make adjustments in statutory law to make the County more effective in dealing with our constituents, Cf course, items of this sort are still vitalljr important and make up the bulk of our recommendations. However, in order to respond to the difficult economic times we are currently experiencing or Issues of great concern to our citizens outside the formalized government structure, we have included proposals which we believe should be adopted to enhance the economic or physical cdndition of our constituents. The following pages include recommendations for programs to assist families in making their monthly mortgage payments and suggestions to assist the life style of those among us who are handicapped, Although these topics are not traditionally included in our legislative program, we feel that they are of sufficient urgency to be brought to your attention, "HANDICAPPED 1I&ISLATIVE PROPOSALS SITUATION The United States Congress, In the Rehabilitation ■AcT; of 1973,* hae defined a nandicapped person as any person who* (1) has a physical or mental Impairment which substantially limits one or more life activities, (2) has a record of such impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. The United Nations established 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons. This action focused the attention of the world on the ever-present problems which afflict a significant sector of our citizens. Various demographic studies, based on U, S. Census statistics, reveal that 12,000,000 people (14$ of the population) in our Country are disabled. It also discloses that of this group, over 620,000 between the ages of 16 and 64 live in Pennsylvania. These studies show that disabled individuals are less educated and have lower incomes than the general population; in Pennsylvania, 188,000 disabled individuals have incomes below poverty level. About 70$ of the general population will be disabled temporarily, that is six months or more during their lifetime, and many Individuals, have a handicapped person In their immediate family or circle of friends. Disabilities for even the moot healthy of our population is only an accident or an illness away. "RECOJ3MEICQATION Cooperation between the executive and leglslativo branches of government and the disabled will improve th© life style of the handicapped and make them less dependent on society. Therefore» we urge the General .Assembly to consider the recommendations on the following paces in order to develop a more meaningful partnership between state govern­ ment, local government end the handicapped. It is our hope that the following recommendations will be the basis for new legislation to improve the lives of the handicapped txnxl make them more nearly self-sufficient, "HANDICAFFKD I--p!ElJNCYl>VAWX/\ COUNCIL ON THE HANDICAPPED "SITUATION Within the state government of Pennsylvania, there are at least seven cabinet level departments that service the needs of the disabled. (Education, Transporta­ tion, Labor & Industry, Welfare, Environmental Resources, Community Affairs, Health); Unfortunately, these departments do not necessarily confer with one another on their individual policies that involve the handicapped person. Some state departments refer disabled persona to other state agencies without evaluating those services delivered. "The need for coordinated policy is evidenced also by the fact no specific official or agency had been designated to ensure compliance by the state of Pennsylvania with Section 50k of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 until the Welfare Department was forced by Federal court orde r to survey and develop a plan to comply with this statute within a limited time frame (90 days). Other state facilities may face a similar problem unless there is demonstrated leadership in organizing and developing a comprehensive plan. "RECOMMENDATION "In order to at;sure delivery of adequate services to the disabled in the state, a Governor's Advisory Commission should be established with a legislative mandate to evaluate, coordinate and plan service delivery for the disabled. To deal with these problems on a federal level, Congress has created the National Council on the Handicapped. One of the principal activities of the Hational Council has been to "review and evaluate on a continuing basis all policies, programs and activities concerning the handicapped individuals and persons with developmental disabilities conducted or assisted by federal departments and agencies. Also Included In these reviews are programs established or assisted under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The development of a similar council is needed on a state level because Pennsylvania Is the primary service provider of rehabilitation programs, health benefits, social services, emergency assistance , education and income maintenance programs. In addition, a proposal to establish such a council has been recommended by the National Governor')! Association. It is our belief that this Commission could function effectively within the Department of Administration or the Governor's Committee on Human Resources. However, the legislative mandate is important in that it will establish a public policy to Insure that the disabled have a specific and continuing voice within the state government. "HANDICAPPED II—TASK FORCE "SITUATION "in Pennsylvania, many disabled persons are Jiving under inappropriate conditions for a variety of reasons, and many are institutionalized because of a lack of attendant care or accessible housing. Although the federal government is adopting policies intended to deinstitution­ alize the mentally ill, the mentally retarded and the physically handicapped, there hae never been an adequate study evaluating the availability of all the needed services to ensure e meaningful life style for these individuals in the community or institutions. "Community Service policies are currently determined by ell levels of government (Federal, State, and Local) as well as by private, non-profit organizations and various commercial establishments, It has been demonstrated in other states that disabled individuals can live in the community at a lower cost then in an institution. However, we must be prepared to service these individuals in a manner that will not adversely effect their health and well-being. "RUC OMMKNDATIOft "A task force should be formed to study and evaluate the services end policies needed to promote successful community living, "This task force should include members of the executive end legislative branches, as well os various service providers and the disabled themselves. The final report of this body could become the basis of the legislative and executive initiative to form pennsjUvania into a state where all citizens have a quality life style. "liAIJDICAPPED III--ACCESGII3ILITY LAWS "SITUATION The State Accessibility Code wail adopted toy the General Aesemb3y in 1965 to provide disabled individuals ready access to public buildings and placed the State of Pennsylvania in the forefront of securing rights of access for disabled persons. However, the existing statute has failed to take into account changes due to advances in technology or the social environment. For example, many of the disabled of Pennsylvania hove not taken advantage of the programs offered by County Boards of Aesistance, Mental Health/Mental Rotardation Boards and the like, because their location was inecceasiblo to the handicapped. This hec resulted in individuals being Inadequately serviced by these agencies because they remain unaware of the many services provided. "Adoption of a standard code, similar to the Building Officials and Code Administrators Model Regulations, would allow for cintinuol change in technology. This Building Code has been adopted by many municipalities and stateB across the nation, including the City of Pittsburgh. However, to make this code effective, enforcement provisions must be included in the legislation . For example, twenty- eight states have statewide building and accessibility standards, with twenty-seven states having specific enforce­ ment provisions permitting them to withhold or deny an occupation permit based on accessibility, m addition, thirteen of these states have civil or criminal fines for violations. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state with an accessibility code than does have established enforce­ ment provisions* 1'RECOMMENDATION "The Pennsylvania accessibility code needs to be reviewed, updated and amended to reflect the new federal accessibility criteria, the changing needs of our disabled population and the need for continued enforcement And revision. "Pennsylvania should adopt the Building Officials and Code Administrators regulations with adequate enforcement provisions as the state accessibility standard. Such a change would be acceptable by architects, disabled Individual)J and the general public. H3h addition, affirmative action programs should be Initiated for the handicapped by various local boards. Legislation should be enacted appointing disabled persons to these agencies so that they will be better able to identify and service their clients. "HANDICAPPED IV--HOUSING UCGISLATION "SITUATION "Both rural and urban areas within Pennsylvania face severe shortages of accessible housing.. In Allegheny County, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission has estimated an 8,000-unit deficit of accessible housing for all disabled individuals (including the deaf, the retarded, the mentally ill and the wheelchair bound). Many disabled persons currently live in inadequate quarters, or are institutionalized because no accessible housing ie available. To date, most of the accessible housing has been built under the HUD Section 202 Housing Program for the Elderly and Handicapped. However, these housing projects are not available to disabled persons with families or children. In addition, many disabled persons do not desire to live in these projects because they are segregated from the mainstream of society. Since housing starts are down and as federal housing programs are being cut back, it becomes more important that the State of Pennsylvania encourage the construction of accessible housing to moot the needs of its disabled citizens. "RECOMMENDATION wWa urge the adoption of legislation simile** to the eurrent statute in the State of North Carolina which requires five percent of all newly constructed residential housing to be accessible to the disabled, and that the builder of such housing be given » $550 tar credit for each new or remodeled accessible unit. This tax credit should be used as an incentive to cover the minimal cost due to minor structural changes required. Xt is important that the General Assembly recognise that one person In five has some functional limitation, and one person in 20 is severely disabled. In Allegheny County alone, there are over 80,000 severely disabled individualss and the changes required, such as lowering a counter or shelf, will quickly make an apartment accessible," CHAIRMAN DeWEESEj Questions? Ron Cowell. REPRESENTATIVE C(MFlX*t,t X would ,}ust observe on your last point as the concepts that you speak of in terms of development of those four bills are — MR. ENGIE: Tt'S ft start. REPRESENTATIVE OOTUSII.! We ore in the process of trying to translate that to legislation. We will be checking back with you before those biXte are circulated among members of the county delegation and our colleagues from around the state for your comment. But we hope to have that sometime during the month of April. CHAIRMAN DeWEESE; Thank you very much, air. Did next individual is Mr. Ken Ramsey, Representative of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Field. MR. RAMSEYj My name is Ken Ramsey. I have been employed in the Drug and Alcohol field for the past 15 years. I am a member of the Drug and Alcohol Advisory Task Force of the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs. I am also the Executive Director of Gatewajr Rehabilitation Center. Gateway ia an inpatient, 38-day, treatment center for people age 18 and over who have drug and/or alcohol- related problems . It is located in Beaver County and is a private, non-profit corporation which was opened in 1972. Although Gateway accepts patients from throughout the United State*, the majority of its patients come from western Pennsylvania, primarily Allegheny County, Approximately 15 percent of Gateway's revenue is derived from fee-for-service reimbursement from public funds. These public funds consist of a small percentage from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the balance is from available state/ county drug and alcohol funds. I very much appreciate the opportunity to present testimony at this hearing today. A great deal has "been accomplished in the drug and alcohol field over the laBt 20 years. Beginning in the early 1960's with the State Health Department sponsored outpatient drug and alcohol programs, thrpugh the leadership of the Covernor's Council on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism beginning in tho early. '70*85 and now to the Health Depart­ ments Office of Drug a,nd Alcohol Programs, a strong network of drug and alcohol services has been established. The creation and maintenance of this system of drug and alcohol prevention, Intervention and treatment services can be attributed, in large part, to the sensitivity, Interest and support of the legislature. Thousands of individuals and families received treatment and many school systems initiated prevention programs. New treatment programs were established.which were accessible to everyone throughout the Commonwealth, I not only want to rocognize the efforts of the legislature on behalf of the drw? and alcohol field, but to express my appreciation and the appreciation of the field for those efforts. Through those efforts Pennsylvania Was able to take a leadership role in the development of comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services. I'd like now to ehare some of my observations of the impact of recent events particularly unemployment and funding cutbacks to the field and to this system of service* which we all have worked eo hard to achieve. TheBe events threaten to stop, and perhaps reverse, the progress which we have made, In spite of the tremendous etridee made by the drug and alcohol treatment ond prevention field, thfc problems of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction continue to be major social concerns. ue are all too familiar with the statistic* on the influence of drug and alcohol on crime, accidents, Job loss, loss of millions of dollars to Industry and countless families beinG destroyed. One~half of all homicides end one-third of ell suicides arc alcohol-related. Twenty to 25 percent of all hospitalized persons have a slgnifleant alcohol problem. Of 15,000 Pennsylvania students surveyed in 1981, 35 percent of oil 12th graders surveyed reported drinking at least once per week. Twenty-seven percent reported being drunk once per week. Sixty-eight Americans die per day In. outo accidents caused by drunk drivers. A Fonnsylvania study completed in 1979 revealed'that 64 percent of the 43,000 offenders Studied indicated that their criminal offense was drug and/or alcohol- related. Efforts of treatment and prevention professionals have resulted in some achievements. The younger age groups represent the largest portion of patients admitted to treat­ ment programs, These prevention/Intervention projects are noting positive results. ^Ehe recently enacted drunk driver legislation was an attempt to deal with another aspect of this problem. However, more must be done and additional fundii are needed* 5the drug end alcohol problem la intensified and complicated by the economic circumstances which sharply increased the unemployment rate. The Incidence of drug and alcohol use and abuse during times of unemployment increases tremendously. Directly related to thlt is an alarming increase in domestic violence, child abuee and family stress. These problems are costly to all elements of society. They create a chain reaction of problems which strain the established systems of support, treatment and correction. All of these problems increase the workload and/ therefore, the costs of the criminal justice system, the courts, various social service agencies, the Welfare Department and health care facilities. 'The unfortunate and sad aspects of this situation are that as the incidence of drug and alcohol SDUB« and these related problems increase, there 1B a corresponding decrease In the individual's ability to receive the necessary help because of the loss of benefits resulting from unemploy­ ment. This, coupled with insufficient public funds, has made treatment services unavailable to those in most need* You am aware that the medical assistance program does not cover inpatient rehabilitation for drug and alcohol problems In Pennsylvania. The availability of public funds for a broad range of drug and alcohol services, although adequate In the past, has ovor the past year or two decreased* For example, at Gateway the amount of public funds available to provide treatment services at our facility for people unable to otherwise pay has remained constant over the past three years , The costs to deliver these services have increased significantly. Indeed, some counties have completely eliminated funds for residential treatment cervices. Such action, based upon purely financial motives, simply reduces the availability of a wide variety of services to the alcoholic and drug addict, and therefore, reduces the likeli­ hood of success in our attempts to combat this problem. However, it is recognised that as funds become tighter administrators must make very difficult decisions about the spread oil* available funds. At Gateway, we receive calls dally from unemployed steelworkers of their families who are seeking treatment for drug and/or alcohol problems. However, we must reject most of these requests since public funds are not available to pay for such care* Vie also find that outpatient clinica have waiting lists as long as two months in some cases. This makes It all but Impossible to offer follow-up treatment for patients discharged from Gateway. Continued treatment following an Intensive short-term residential approach is essential to assure a greater probability of treatment success. ?he long visiting lists for outpatient treatment have resulted in another problem, Patients with drug end alcohol-related problems frequently give up trying to obtain treatment If they have to wait for appointments for up to two months. It is important that the drug addict or alcohol!: receive treatment at the time that he or she recognizes the need and seeks help. Waiting lists only intensify the problems noted earlier. Such waiting lists are destructive to any attempt at successful intervention and treatment. Clearly, I em suggesting that additional funds be made available to the drug and alcohol treatment field. .Adequate funds must be provided to cover the Increasing demand for services, particularly by the unemployed* No component of the drug and alcohol service delivery system, for example, residential care, should be eliminated purely on a financial basis. The availability of additional funds to provide timely, appropriate 'end comprehensive tireatment services to the drug and/or alcohol abuser should prove, in the long run, to be cost effective in that it should reduce the strain on other systems of care o1* control as I mentioned earlier. We, In the field, expoct to be held accountable for our efforts, particularly those that involve the expenditure of public funds. Vie will evaluate our programs, strengthen our weaknesses and continue strong attempts to establish cost containment and cost effective operations. V/e will explore and encourage the consolidation of services and work very hard to establish regionalized service delivery systems. We will see that duplication of services, under- utilization of services and inefficient/ineffective programs are eliminated. Together, you, the legislators , and we, the professionals in the field, can help combat the problems of drug and alcohol abuse. Thank you again for this opportunity to appear at this hearing. I'll be happy to anewer any questions which you may have, KliHitiSliiMTATIViS KUivOVICII: Thank you, Mr. Ramsey. Does anybody have any questions? Prank. KKpiiiiiiiliTA'TIVlS' VIS'I-tiLLA: Very briefly, Mr, Hamsey. Vihen you Indicated that you have to turn people away page five, we must reject most of these requests because public funds are not available to pay for such care. Is that simply a decision that is reached by part of your administration that you don't have the funds available or are you following eowe wore etringent guidelines in recent years that would prohibit? Hft. KAME&Y; Ho* 'xliose are very hard decisions that we have had to make. Last year we absorbed over $50,000 ill. providing treatment to patients who were not able to afford it themselves and this year that figure will be even higher. But we reach a limit 'where1 we feel that we can't continue: to operate 11' we opened our doors completely, So, we established some internal guidelines for that purpose. nWFKiilwEMTATIVE FISTEILA; About how many people do you turn away? MR. RAMSEY: in the course of a year, it's very difficult to determine, I,don't know if we keep accurate statistics on that. I would say five to ten people per month minimum. REPRESENTATIVE FISTELLA: Anywhere from 60 to 120 a year? MR* RAMSEY: Minivaum and also there are many poople who do not have funds who realize that it is difficult to get into a program such as Gateway so they don't follow through with a call,, We do hear about those cases but they don't make a direct contact. So, I think wo can add probably another factor to that figure that I mentioned. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: Thank you. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Representative I'lichlovic. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVTC: Mr. Ramsey , one of the alternatives to providing public monies is through the use of third party payments, insert insurance coverage providing outpatient care for drug and alcohol abuse. 1 have been o prime sponsor on legislation and soon will be introducing legislation that does that. Are you making an effort to ~- one of my problems as a sponsor, of that effort is I cannot convincs the business community that It is in their beet Interests, their beet cost interests, to go ©long With that program. Do you have any kind of ■ advocacy efforta to convince them that it'e really cheaper to treat the problems in an outpatient basis? MR. RAMSEY: We do. Of course, we very much favor legislation to mandate drug and alcohol coverage for residential and outpatient core. Part of our efforts involve working' with unions' and companies and helping thenr establish employee assistance programs and develop coverage, insurance coverage, for treatment services. Five years ago at Gateway, maybe six years ago at this point, about 25 percent of the patients coming through Gateway were covered by some form of third party insurance. At this point, It's about 80 to 85 percent of the patient©. So, through our efforts we have been able to turn that around quite significantly end we are continuing along those lines. REPRESENTATIVE MICHLOVIC: Just another note, comment. There has been a battle on that ldnd of legislation between the D and A people and the Mental Health people and I for one have wanted a more comprehensive approach which includes mental health and I think those battles have to cease for anything to be successful. MR* RAMSEY; We in the mental health field and drug and alcohol have to cooperate along those lines. We all want coverage and I think moat of us agree with a need for comprehensive coverage. KEriiliSEWTATIVK M1CHLOVICs Shank you* Ki^RiSSMWATlvK KUKOVXCII: Representative Mayernlk from Allegheny County has joined us. This Is Ken Ramsey, Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Representative MiEcevich has some questions. Kii^KKSKKTAl'IYE iMXSC&VTCli ; Mr. Kamsey, the Blues insurance, do ihey pay as a third party payee because of a contractual agreement with unions or is this -- MR. RAMSEY: Yes. Blue Cross will cover services in a facility such as Gateway depending upon the contract they have with the company. Usually, a company, through efforts of a labor union, builds in a clause for drug and alcohol rehabilitation coverage. Approximately 50 percent of our patients are covered by Blue Cross plana. JffiPKCSEfTATtVl! MX&CEVICH: Snat's like through the steel mills ? MK, BAMSEY: Primarily through the steelworkers, yes. RiiPKiifcJENiA'iTVE KUKQtflCH: Anything else? (No. response.)

' —— ■———— 1 REPRESENTATIVE. KUKCVTCH; Thank you. Next we are going to have the Pennsylvania Advisory Commission to the United States Commission'on Civil Rights, Reverend Enright, William Hayes and Martha G-arvey. Is there any particular order you would like to proceed in? MO. GARVEY: Yes. I will go first; Vty name is Martha Garvey,, arid I am Vice Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee to the U. S. Commission of Civil Rights. Vlith me today are 7ather -Vincent Knright and William Hayes, members of the Advisory Committee who have both served several terms. As you may know, the Commission is a six-member, bi- • partisan factfinding body headquartered in Washington, D»C. ^r law, the Commission supports State Advisory Committees in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. All committee members arc volunteers, and the 2H members, who make up the committee serving Pennsylvania, come from throughout the Commonwealth. J-lke Mr. Hayes, I am from the Pittsburgh area, and Father Bnri^ht is from Erie. On just one prior occasion has our committee been represented in hearings sponsored by "Che House of Representa­ tives. That was in May 1980, when we urged support of the proposed U. S* Constitutional amendment that would give voting representation In the Congress, to the residents of the District of Columbia. We wore pleased to receive your Invitation to appear today to address the question of civil rights compliance in the use of federal block grant funda coming into the Commonwealth. Before 1 speak, however, Father Enright will mention some of the questions often raised about block grant programs and their impact on the poor, many of whom are among the disadvantaged groups such as minorities, women, the handicapped, and the aging whose status we are called upon to monitor. After Father Enright, Mr. Hayes will also pose a few questions about what block grant funding may hold for Native Americana in general and American Indians here in Pennsylvania in particular; FATHER ENRIGHT: In addition to being a member of the Pennsylvania Advisory Commission, a group for the United States Civil Rights Commission, I had a Job in Erie that directs myself to Justice and rights and also in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. I m also the convener of a 90""perso.'1 ^ a 90**facility coalition for human dignity of human service agencies. I d like to address the idea of the block grants and their discriminatory or non-discriminatory aspect by introducing the thought even when civil rights issues are viewed in the narrower context of a need to prevent discrimination In the use of funds however they are allocated» both the admin let rat Ion'8 proposals and the final block grants are willfully deficient. They simply boilerplate.civil rights language.without any consideration of the particular enforcement mechanisms needed when funds are distributed through block grants. That's the basic overall idea of. whet T*d like to speak to you about. Contained within the block grants themselves there is an unspoken hidden but very real discriminatory process. The block grants affect the poor, the really poor, and among the really poor are high percentages of women, minorities> the handicapped and the aged. 1*11 give you an example of some of the block grants and how they would perhaps be cut and then point out that they are persons to whom they seem to be directed most particularly. Overall as far as the food stamps are concerned several million families living below the poverty line would have their food stamps cut in the new 1983 budget. This on top of the losses In food purchasing that would affect all food stamp families as a result of a six-month delay in food stamp cost of food adjustments. That would affect, I'm sure, a greet many women and aging persons. Child nutrition will have a 28 percent funding reduction. low income housing will not only be lessened, It will fall to a minus 23 billion in fiscal year 1984. Negative budget authority means that reels Ions would mere than cancel but the need fbr any new appropriation] u Employment and training programs would be reduced 16 percent. They would get minority nd the young, especially minority young men and women. Lbto income energy assistance will be eux 34 percent and that will affect a great many aging people especially the working poor. Title 1 compensatory education programs for disadvantaged cnildren will be reduced five percent. Legal services is intended to be.wiped out completely. For the legal services, 1 think, helps a great many women with small cases that need to be adjudicated. Bill will be talking about the Native American problems but Indian education will be cut from $318 million in fiscal year 1983 to $230 million in fiscal year 1984. There will be a great many cuts for other programs for the elderly. Now, it seems to me that we have in the block grants then a process that is going to hand on to you the necessity in this state, the necessity of cutting these programs and trying somehow or another if you can to raise the money for them or face the unpleasant task of saying we can't help you. That's about the impact that is going to be en these lessened block grants, Now, talking about the second issue then of the discriminatory pert of it is the mechanisms that are Bet up to enforce the requirements for fairness and non­ discriminatory practices on the federal.level will not be able to be achieved on the state level. First oo aall ,ur Human Relatione Commission deals just with oases at the present time not with class action suits so to speak, not with oversight duties, hot with planning. ,A the county level, I come from Erie County. We do not have a county Human Relations Commission. There would be no mechanism set up for caring for that. At the city level in Erie 1 was a charter member of our Erie Human Relations Commission years ago and we not only have trouble doing our work, we have trouble staying alive. Every three years or so they tried to run the Human Relations Commission out of business. So, there is not set up the process by which discrimination against minorities, women, handicapped and the aging will, In fact, be combated. MR* HAYES: ifr name is William Hayes and I had questions concerning Native American participation and inclusion in the block grant process. The main question would be what provisions will be made to include Native Americans in the block grants or to insure our inclusion in both the planning and the funding process of the block grants, This question must be asked In view of the fact that the majority of Indian people do not live on federal reservations Over half of the population are urban and' rural, Pennaylvanio has 9> ^59 Indian people In the State of Pennsylvania and we do not, contrary to popular belief, receive .funding from the BIA and our main funding source through Health' and Human Services in tjcshington under AHA, Administration for Native Americans, has "been cut and wo, the Indian people in Pennsylvania,,i id oot tave eeservations sut tw ed oave eommunity organization*} called Indian. Centers and v;e provide social service and culture and education for the people and historically Indian people have been left out of the etate'e funding procoss, including this state, and my question was how would we bo included; how would Native American people be included in the block grant funding process and thi0 is important because the federal Guidelines of the block grant process makes provisions for federal Indian reservations which I mentioned are lees th^n half of the population. There has been no provisions that we have seen that mentions urban and rural Indians. And this is a critical factor because, as T. mentioned before, the funding for urban end rural Indians does not come from the Bureau of Indian Affaire which a lot of people think. Uo aro mainly left to fetid for ourselves, the native Americans, through other agencies and if you have a question on why aren't Indian people served through the other mechanisms, it's documented historical fact that Indian people who have lived in the cities for genera** tions are usually overlooked* The majority fall through the cracks as opposed to a minority of our population falling through the cracks* Many agencies are under the mis* impression that Indian people receive service from the BIA when they go to a social service agency, They are told well, the government takes care of you. That's not true. So, therefore, a lot of people e|ft denied services because of ignorance of the system. Hjr other question would be if we are included in the block grant funding process, how would that process cover our disbursed population. From what I understand, the block grant process will be funded, funding will be based on populations in certain catchment areas and the Indian communities in Pennsylvania are disbursed and fell under more than one catchment area. So, if that funding for a community is based on one particular catchment area, you know, that community will be underfunded thereby undereerving the people. Does anyone have any answers to the basic question howwd would be Included? REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHi First of all, up to this point, the block grants, especially as they refer to civil rights In the state, I don't think hao been addressed at all. Some of us In the General Assembly have been concerned since the Inception of block grants. We have had no Input whatsoever. I'm submitting to you that what we are trying to do new by receiving your testimony le for us to get a handle on that and try to do something about it* At this point, we would be offering you conjecture on how we would deal with that, x would like to maybe turn it around. I think some of us might have a few questions, X have read some information from the National Urban League and a coalition on block grants that has been doing a study focusing on civil rights and one thing has to be clear. The Federal Civil Rights laws, according to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act which recreated block grants, do apply to block grants. That's clear. X don't think that point has ever been made in this state* X guess X would ask you would it be of help if the Governor, If somebody from the executive branch, perhaps the Secretary of the Human Resources Committen, would make a public statement or have It placed on the record that, just to affirm that the Federal Civil Rights Laws should be applied here? IIS* GARVEY: We are In the process of beginning a review of how this will apply In the caee of block grants and have contacted the Governor about meeting with high level people end that, It seems to use, would plug right In* A statement of that sort might plug In as we proceed. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVTCHs You are saying at least that's a first step. REPRESEHTATIVE COWELL: I have read through your testimony here and you mentioned a letter to the Governor. Did you get a response from the Governor? MS. GARVEY: Not as of this date. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVTCH: Father Enrlght commented on the Human Relations Commission and a 26 percent cut In their personnel, I think at the hearings we had recently dealing with the Governor's office, the Human Relations Commission falls under that. They had said that they probably needed about nine more people roughly to maintain the complement but they are probably going to be cut six. Now, In your view I assume that the Human Relations Commission Is the state agency which should be monitoring the effects and Impacts of block grants on civil rights, is that -- MS. GARVEY: I don't know that we would Insist that there should be an agency* As the way things aTQ constructed now, that Is the only agency and over the years, it'e continually eroded. There had been a proposal which I unfortunately don't know who to attribute to that a percentage of each of the block grants or the money for each of the blocl: grants, specific block grants, might be used to support the efforts of the Hunan Relations Commission* REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHj So, In light of that, the National Urban League study of some states Including Pennsylvania, it did say that although the agency is well Intentloned, they aimply don't have the personnel or rhe clout to back it up. MSt GARVEYJ Exactly. REPRESENTATIVE KtiKOVICH: let me ask you a couple of questions about specific legislation that might be helpful If we had state statutes that specified the types of discrim­ ination which should be prohibited pursuant to block grant implementation, would you be supportive of that? I mean is that the kind of thing that you think we need In the state? FATHER ENRIGHTJ i would believe so. You see, what might happen ifi that these federal regulations might be assumed to be all that needs to be done. I think there is a lot more that needs to be done. As you say, we have to make it a matter of our own statutory law in Pennsylvania. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHt There is a practical problem too. I think the way the federal law reads is that block grants can't be used in such a manner that they would discriminate. The problem then becomes how do you trace ultimately who receives the block grant funding and then when we reach Mr* Hayes1 problem, how do we know who is receiving it and thus who's being discriminated against. What about some sort of legislative action that would provide that mechanism for tracing? Earlier, before you had testified, some witnesses testified about the problems of getting information and finding out where the How of money was going. Can you respond to that? MS. GARVEYi Well, I think any kind of monitoring effort requires a flow of information end any mechanism that could be set up to assure that flow would certainly aid but I may not be replying specifically* REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHs At least, you would like to see some legislation that would set up some sort of mechanism, whether it's within the Human Relations Commission or what, to trace that money that, because actually that is the only way we would know what the discriminatory impacts would be? FATHER EHRlGHTj Right now it says in the matter of accountability, it does not require the Involvement of state legislatures In asseasing the needs* setting priorities or evaluating performance* Xt does not do that now* Xt does not provide en assurance that citizens will have access to the information they need to monitor and assess the state's plan or performance and thirdly, It does not provide for any evaluation of performance by local citizens or the federal government. They Just throw it at us, or the federal government, or In some cases even the state government* This is an area that you singled out that needs a lot of thought and help. It's a very critical area. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Ideallstlcally What would you like to Bee us do to even have the ability to respond to the questions that Mr, Hayes posed? FATHER ENRIOHTj Well, don't you think that — I think in the first place, let's use what we have. I think, fund a state Human Relations Commleelon with the mandate that they toe the overseeing body that would take care of making sure that the civil rights of the people were respected and kept. Then, there could be under that certain things set up, for example, the contract supervisory powers of certain federal government agencies over contracts to make sure there is no discrimination in federal contracts that are awarded to entrepreneurs, something like that, whatever is necessary. But I think start with the Human Relations commission and then give that whatever structure and whatever resources are necessary to follc-w up on this particular thing - MS, GARVEYt The structure is critical because the Human Relations Commission has seemed to he forced into a position of dealing only on a case by case basis. If any­ thing, this global Is going to have to involve -* REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHt Do you know of any other states that have adopted that kind of a structure? MS, GARVEYj No, This study has some comments on it end recommendations which is really about all we are In the business to do. I'm not sure that there haven't been, FATHER ENRIOHT: I know one site as a negative case. The Human Relations Commission In Texas is constantly fighting for its life. It's ineffective entirely and it's one of the richest states in the union. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHr Thank you. Do we have any other questions? Representative Piste 11a. REPRESENTATIVE plSTELLA: I have a question for Mr, Hayes. So I understand the problem that you have, you ere saying that only certain Native American Indian councils are able to provide certain services but the mainstream of funding from the federal government comes In through the Bureau of American Indians and that that's geared primarily toward the reservation Indians, those primarily out in the western part of the country? MB* HAYESj Right* And the majority of Indian people both urban and rural live in all of the various states of this country and the block; grant proceae guidelines have been set up only making provisions for dealing with the reservation group . So, when the states get their money, if there Is no mechanism or Inclusion of Native Americana in the funding and the planning process, we would be totally overlooked , REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLAj Are there funds avail­ able on the federal level to address the urban-rural American Indians and Pennsylvania has not gone after It? MR. HAYES: The University of Pennsylvania has gone after Indlan education money for one of their doctorJal programs. As far as the Indian communities that are in Pennsylvania, no, we have not received any Indian education money. That's one of the other agencies you were talking about. We haven't received anything, none of the centers in the state have. I mentioned the only other agency that deals with health and human services is ANA under HHS and that was cut. So, block grant funding Is one of the few resources we have left now and if we're not included in that process, you know, we will be totally overlooked and the people will suffer, REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLAj Jty point, In addition to the fact that you mentioned that money is being cut and put Into block grants, there is money available, is that correct, but Pennsylvania has not gone after it? I don't want to put words In your mouth, What I'm trying to estab­ lish is if there is, in fact, federal money that could be channeled into the state, that is one thing. If the federal government does not provide the mioney at all, no matter how we deal with the regulations, it wouldn't help. So, I was trying to find out if there was money available and we never put it down as a legislative priority to go after it. MR. HAYES: Only in the education area. We know that's there, that the state has gotten it through the university. REPRESENTATIVE HSTEIIAj So, there is some limited money th#re we could go after? MR. HAYESs Yes. But the block grants are supposed to serve ell groups end with this new money,, since all our other sources have been cut drastically or eliminated, that leaves us only the block grants at this point. So, it's Important that we are included, REPRESENTATIVE PISIEELLAs Father Enright, you quote a statement, paragraph two, page two of your presenta­ tion, made by Homer Floyd, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relatione Commission which ataten, "the federal government is trying to get out of the civil rights business." Mr, Floyd then goes on according to your statement, "without additional funding, in the context of a workforce which hae been cut by 26 percent over the past five years.n Did Mr. Floyd explain at all about the cuts with the Hunan Relatione Commission? MS, GAHVEYs How do you mean did he explain? REPRESENTATIVE pisTELLAi 'What happened? Who cut the money? w&o It the federal government? Waa it the state? MB, GARVEYJ I have to pass on that. I presume it would have to be the state* MR. DIOGSEY: They have never In the last eight years got undercutted any money. They should at least be holding steady, MS. GARVEY g You need to distinguish between appropriation and workforce, don't you? REPRESENTATIVE KOKOVICHs The Governor's proposal this time cuts, X think, six people out of the Human Relations Commission complement whenever they said they needed something like nine moree REPRESE1?TATIVE PISTELLA: According to the state­ ment hew tor Father Enrightj, it 86ydM while the Commonwealth does have © piece in em agency theoretically able to take up the slack, according to Mr. Floyd, that egency, the FHRC, is hearing this new responsibility, *without additional funding, in the context of a workforce which has been cut by 26 percon*; over the past five years.1" 1 was wondering if Mr. Floyd went on to explain who did the cutting . MS, GARVEY: What are our choices? REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA : The federal government, number onej the Governor, legislature, none of the above, or all of the above. MS. GARVEY: How about all of the above. I suspect the reference was to cuts «- I better not say. Can we find out and get that back to you? Because I could make a guess but It might be an uneducated guess* REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: Because none of the last four budgets that we have voted on had any input at all from the General Assembly. Any funding that had been set up within that budget was done entirely by the Governor. MS, GARVEY: That's what I wanted to say but I wasn't sure it was factual. REPRESENTATIVE PISTEUAl That leaves out 0. I wanted that for the record because X have been In touch with people about the problems that the Human Relations Commission faces, not Just the issues that have been brought up by Mr. Hayes but with other areas; discrimination in housing, some of the very, very basic human rights issues and they are. worried that more responsibility often comes hand in hand with less staff to do the work which is a very back-handed way of addressing the whole human relations issue. MS, GARVLYs if x could address that, not as a member of this group but in other aopects of my life which involve the Human Relations Commission,, that has been my experience, load on responsibility and decrease the funding, X wonder if x might pull out of what this testimony is s question in terms of how you all know whether the state is in compliance. Are you saying you don't have access to that? REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVXCHs No. We're happy that you raised the point. I think it was raised by Mr, Webb and a few other people, that there really is no accountability and that's one of the things we'd like to do in the House, is to try to cojme up with some mechanism or some structure to provide that kind of thing. Any other questions or comments? MS, GARVEY; Has this been discussed at ail In your other hearings? Has this Issue been raised? PEPRESEHTATIVE KUKOViCHj The civil rights issue? MS. GARVEY» The compliance, REPRESEIiTATIVE KUKOVICH s Not really, no, MS* GARVEYt We appreciate doubly the opportunity to address it then. REHSESENTATIVE KUKOVSCHt Thank you "very much. (The following ie the prepared materials of Father Enright and Mr. Hayes:) "Two weeks ago, our committee convened In Philadelphia and discussed such questions among ourselves and particularly how the Commonwealth may be structured to meet its compliance obligations while disbursing the block grant funds it already receives. Our Interest was heightened by the realization that $20.8 billion may be packaged lit Washington into new Vegablock grants", which would more than quadruple the $*K5 billion distributed to the states as part of th. present block grant pr.gram. Even were al1 $30.8 billion to be channeled back to the states in the form of megablock grants , this is happening at a time in which the funding support fax many domestic programs is declining or even disappearing* "Moreover, Homer Floyd, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, stated in a special address to our committee last October, "The Federal government is trying to get out of the Civil Rights business* She Federal equivalent of 'divestiture * is the mechanism of block grante**' 'While the Commonwealth does have in place an agency theoretically able to take up the slack, according to Mr. Floyd, that agency, the 1?HHC, is bearing this new responsibility "without additional funding, in the context of a work fore© which has been cut by 26 percent over the past five years." "A monograph just submitted to our commission by the Nebraska Advisory Committee on March 4th of this year touched upon the same kind of problem. Apparently, state and local civil rights agencies in Nebraska, which can carry out enforcement for some federally funded programs, "did not believe their governing bodies would agree to any additional deferral arrangements unless Federal financial assistance was provided to pay the administrative costs of additional responsibilities and training needs. "Our concern was further heightened upon reviewing another recent report to our commission on enforcement in block grant funding in five states in the southwest. As can bd seen in The New wave of Federalism * Block Grant Dig anl Civil Rights in the Southwest Region, coplee of which I am distributing for the record, our counterpart committees serving the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas ere "• . , extremely concerned that the enforcement of civil righte laws and antl-die crimination provisions under the block grants at the fedral level appear to be Inadequate

• * • and that ". , ■ • with few exceptions, moBt of the states within the Southwestern Region lack on effective central agency to handle civil rights complaints resulting from the block grant programs being administered by the state. . . and finally that "» . » decisions . . . aVQ being made with little input from those populations me-st effected--the elderly, the handicapped, minorities, and women with dependent children. Mof course, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not a southwestern state and, to our knowledge, no one has completed an outside, in-depth review of block grant Implementation and its impact on civil rights here In the Commonwealth, indeed, we would be interested to learn whether anyone has made comments or Inquiries about civil rights enforcement during this or any earlier round of hearings sponsored toy the House Appropriations Committee. "in any case, last year, the U. S, General Acounting Office published Early Observations on Block Grant Implementation, a report to the Congress by the Comptroller General. As recipients of that report, you may recall that Pennsylvania was one of the 13 states visited by the GAO, and statements about developments in the Commonwealth appear in more than a dozen places in that 57**pfi&fc document, "However, with one possible exception, GAO statements specifically about Pennsylvania do not touch upon the area of civil rights, or "nondiacrimination statutes,n as the GAO refers to civil rights provisions. The possible exception appears in a section in which the GAO notes a comment made by the First Deputy Attorney General of the Commonwealth. According to the GAO, the First Deputy Attorney General said that federal guidance on the applicability of "crosscutting requirements," like the nondiscrimination statutes, could help Pennsylvania identify potential problems and thereby avoid lawsuits and related costs* "Whether or not the First Deputy Attorney General had in mind the civil rights provisions, the GAO report also observed that in general "states have been provided little guidance on the applicability ef federal crosecuttlng requirements.' On the same subject, our counterpart committees in the southwest believe thatt the implementing regulations promulgated by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services , U. S. Depart­ ment of Education, and the U. s, Department of Housing and Urban Development, do not provide specific instructions dealing with civil rights requirements, nor do they establish a clear system for monitoring and enforcing compliance with Q these requirements. "With Buch issues in mind, our committee recently decided to prepare a report similar to ohe one on the south­ west states. Just ten days ago, arairperson Joseph Fieher of our committee wrote to Governor Thornburgh to seek a meeting with the cabinet-lovel or senior official responsible for overall management of the Commonwealth's block grant program. We are naturally interested in also meeting with key compliance officers charged with assisting the Governor in meeting the Commonwealth's obligations in the area of civiL rights. A copy of our letter to the Governor is attached to my testimony. "Let me mention that we had earlier been in touch with the Governor on block grant matters when quest!one arose last October about the local channels for delivering federal funds for community legal services, While that issue has apparently been favorably resolved, other questions arise such as what will be the fate of local community action agencies when community services block grant monies ere distributed in the new fiscal year? Also attached ie the three-page Minimum, Standard! i Checklist, which was devised by our five counterpart committens in the Southwestern Region. Ue shall be using this checklist as we conduct our review. For example, we hope to receive a copy of the Commonwealth's plan, describing how the Commonwealth is living up to the assurances now required for the block grants already being used, We will be seeking to determine whether the Commonwealth's civil rights enforcement agency is adequately funded and staffed. We would want to review the outside audits that are supposed to be conducted periodically. In terms of the Legislature, we would be Interested in knowing the full scope of your citizen participation process in which we ourselves are even now engaged. We are obviously witness to one phase of that process * But eventually we would appreciate knowing, for example, Just how comments you receive are used to modify existing plans or shape plane for any new block grants* In terms of civil rights, it also would be important to know how the legislature apprises Itself of the status of compliance here in Pennsylvania. By way of illustration, does this subcommittee or the full House Appropriations Committee knot-} whether the Commonwealth Is in full compliance today ? "Let me close by stating that our Advisory Committee fully appreciates the opportunity of being represented during these hearings. what we hope to have accomplished thus far is te Inform you of our Interest and our own review, and, of equal importance, to alert you to the need to ensure that the provisions for compliance are duly adhered to. Moreover, we appreciate the unique opportunity you have afforded us to initiate our research effort. -Any review of block grant funding clearly involves a review of the state legislature's activities in the block grant program. "To the extent that your activities and those of the Administration in Harrisburg result In a well-monitored and faithfully enforced program in terms of civil rights, to that extent will the rights of minorities, women, the aged, and the disabled in Pennsylvania best be protected, "•'■Stacey M, Kean, General Revenue Sharings Current Status of the Program, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, March 10, 1983, p* ^. See also Dale Mezsacappa, Some Merit Pound in 'New Federalism, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 2, 1983 , p. **-A. "^Homer c. Floyd, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Human Relatione Commiesion, Presentation . . . Before Pennsylvania Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, Oct. 20, 1982, p. 8. "■^John Hope, III, Acting Staff Director, U. S. Commission on Civil Rights, Nebraska Advisory Committee Monograph, Nebraska Human Rights Agencies, March 4, lyo3, pp. 1-2 , Arkansas, XiOulBiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas Advisory Committees to the U. s. Commission on Civil Rights, 51ie Rev; Uave of Federalism: Block Granting and Civil Rights, in the Southwest Region, (hereafter crced as Five-State Report), Jan. 1y^3» PP. ii-lil.

It should he noted that the Coalition on JALOCK Grants and Human Needs, based in Washington, D.C., is completing a monograph on the results of recent visits to

14 states including Pennsylvania . ?his monograph on DIOCK grant funding, it; being done under contract to the U. , Commission on Civil Rights and win serve as another guide for the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee during the conduct of its study. Charles A. Bowcher, Comptroller General of the United States, Early Observations on Block Grant Implementa­ tion, (hereafter cited as OAO Report), Aug. 24, 1982, p. 42. "7GA0 Report, p. 42. ^?ivo-Stato Report, pp, li-iii."

March 14, 1983 Honorable Richard L. Thomburgh Governor Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 222 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 'TDear Governor Thomburgh: Last week, the Pennfiylvania Advisory Committee to the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights convened a planning session devoted to a review of several upcoming study topics. One such topic deals with the status of block grant funding, "Ae you are well aware, through various acts and regulations, but particularly in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of l$81, responsibility for the administration of many federal programs and services was conferred upon the states in the form of block grants. The "New Federalism Act of 1983/ proposed by the Administration end currently before Congress, envisions adding four "mega-block grants" totalling over $20 billion annually to the nine existing block grants. "As part of its responsibility for monitoring Federal actions In terms of developments in civil rights at the state level, our Committee desires to learn more concerning the administration of the block grants in Pennsylvania. In this way, the Committee hopes to gain en understanding of current and projected policy and planning in this area, particularly regarding the guidelines for civil rights compliance in the Commonwealth. We would very much appreciate having an opportunity for representatives of the Committee to meet with the Cabinet-level or senior official in your administration responsible for overall management of the block grant program. We are confident that you share our desire that the legislative and regulatory provisions developed to protect the rights of all our residents will not be weakened or lost as new block grant responsibilities are assumed by the Commonwealth. Because of the urgency of our concetti* we request that the meeting be arranged through your office at the earliest possible opportunity. "Sincerely, "JOSEPH FISHER, Chairperson Itennsylvenia Advisory Commiitee ttect Edward Rutledge Regional director

"*£HR NEW WWE OT 'EDKRALX^H

HTJQGR GB^Wl^fO A^O CXVTT* RTftJVTjl TfJ THE BGKJTIfl'lEST REGIOM WtA report prepered by the Arkfnsas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tex*».e Advisory Conjmitteea to the thited JStrttee Commission on Civil Ili^ht'* "Attributions 3*he f 5nA5ng0 and reeomendationB contained in this report. pre those of the AiflsanrsOBJ I*>uisiana, New Mexico* Oklahoma end ^exne Advisory Committees to the United States Cosmirrion on Civil Rlghta and, PB euch, ere not attributable to the Cotapiiseion. This report hn« bean prepared by the State Advisory ftarfflftittees for rubrclfislon to the Comraifleien in fomulatinr; its recommendationa to the President end the Congress, "Rlfht of Reaponees I-ri»r to the publication of a report, the State Advieory nowsnittees offer to ^11 individuala or organizations that mny be defamed, degraded, or incriminated by any material contained In the report an opportunity to respond In 'writing to Buch material. All response* have been incorporated, appended, or otherwise reflected in the publication. Additional opportunities for review and comment by affected agencies and institutions have also been provided and are included in the Appendix of this report. "MINIMUM STANDAIIDG CHECKLIST Introduction At each of the block grant consultatione, participants stressed the need to assure nondiscriminatory implementation of block grant programming. The idea was subsequently adopted by the five Southwestern Advisory Committeos and the following checklist was developed to provide assistance to State ond local officials, community organizations, and private citizens In evaluating current procedures used to operate and administer block grant programs. "moments of the Checklist The checklist consists of three major categories. These arej Administrative Procedures, Civil Rights Compliance/&nforcement, and Evaluation/Monitoring, Uhder each category are a number of elements which suggest key points to be considered in implementing block grant programs at both the 3tato and local levels. The elements consist of legal requirements, policy considerations, critical activities, and responsibilities that should be taken into consideration in administering programs funded under the bloek grants. "Using the Checklist The checklist is designed to serve as a guide for State officials and private citizens for evaluating how the pertinent governmental entity is carrying out its responsi­ bilities with regard to block grants. In this sense, it is designed to suggest ideas of what to look for in evaluating the procedures being used to implement block grants. It can also be used oe a means for holding State and local officials accountable. "Public officials will also find this checklist useful as a meena for evaluating their own procedures. For example, State officials could determine whether or not the procedures currently incorporated in the State's block grant effort are adequate. Moreover, it provides a succinct outlinj of the ma^or legal requirements and policy considerations thv; should be kept in mind to ensure that programs funded through block grants are administered in a nondiscriminatory manner. At the seme time, it must be stressed that the checklist is not all inclusive. Rather, the recommendations included in this checklist are designed to focus in on some important specifIc needs and requirements. "Minimum Standards Checklist I, Administrative Procedures A. fttate Responsibilities X, Legal Requirements a, State must make an annual submission for each block grant prior to receiving, funds. o* The chief executive on leer c* each t>tate shall prepare a plan Which contains provisions describing how the State will carry out the assurancea agreed to, c. Chief executive officer of each State must certify that State agree© to comply with Federally required assurances. "d. Audits must be conducted e~very two years by an independent entity• e. Grants must be operated in a nondiscrimina* tory manner. "2, Policy Consideration "a. Clear slsftement of the requirements State had to fulfill to get funds from Federal Government for each block grant. "b. Clear articulation of the funding formula developed and used by the State to make grants to its recipients; some indication aleo should be provided by the State es to what measures it ha* taken or will take to insure equitable distribution of funds (i.e., prevent discrimination). c. Clearly.identify eligibility requirements that must be mot by service providers to be eligible for grame. d. Clearly identify eligibility requirements that must be jact by beneficiaries of services. e. Clear articulation of policymaking and decisionmaking; processes with rocpect to the implementation of the block grant programs. f. Provide information to public on who is responsible for administering each block grant. g. Provide information to public on who is to make decisions for the State in the implementation of block grants. h. Publicize what agency or Individual is responsible for the development of the plans/submissions for each block grant. i. State should articulate a needs assessment process so that service providore and organizations can use the same format, 3. Other Possible State Activities a. state should provide technical assistance to service providers In westing statutory end administrative requirement*. These may IncludeJ "(1) Neada assessment Information on population? "(ft) An evaluation of language, cultural, racial differences in service delivery; "(!?) Information on alternative methode of service delivery; (*!) Information on progmmminc; approaches utilized effectively previously. "b., rtote ahould iscne policy declaration! on whnt service providers on? required to do. Thee* should Include: "(1) Contracts Include nondincrimination clause. "(#) Rtote nWe to terminate funda for non­ compliance . "(3) T-ubliclsse who is to coordinate on the State level th^ accountability of the service provisos, "c, fitrte should aarticulate monitoring policies and procedures that uil! be used, end Identify agency (las) that vrilU be reeponsiblo.. d, Develop moiling Ust of interested minority3 handicap, women's* senior citizens* organizations to receive information on block p;rant programs. "4. Responsibility of* Service Providers "a. Develop and publicize requirements for those receiving services, b. Clearly' state a policy of nondiscrimination In providing services. e. Have p procedure to receive and handle complaints. d. lioutlntily report to Lr.ate on nature of complaints received and their resolution or status. o. Hove a system of data collection of racial, ethnic,, sox, ogo, handicap, religion statistics. lj. Citizen Participation

ci. feufc.ru j lA-^al Acquj.r t-mtsii^s (1) State must prepare proposed spending plane and make theia uvallable for public comment well in advance of submission deadline. (2) Legislature must conduct hearings on the proposed use and distribution of i'lmas• b. Recommended State lolicy (1) Plans a. Publicise how, where, and v;hen plans prepared by £>totu will be available. b. How end when will comments to plans be received ? "c. How will comments be acknowledged? "d. How will consents be used to revise and/ox* modify plans? e. Prior consultation of citizens before development of plane. "f. Develop effective mechanisms fox* plan dissemination at State and local level, wp;, provide for the availability of copies of plane and/or reading areas for citizens. "h. Address and phone number of contact person should be lifted and made available. n(2) Hearings "a. Publicize policy of State as to type (legislative, State agencies, or governor) and number of public hearings to be held on each block grant. "b. Publicize the format that hearings will follow• "c. Publicize how citizen input will be received. "d. Articulate how input will be used. tte„ Assure adequate notice. Notices should includes (1) purpose of hearing? (ii) time and location of hearing (ill) media publicity that reaches affected citizens (e.g., minority media). "f. Assure accessibility of location, (handi­ capped and minorities). g. Assure geographic decentralization of hearing sites. h, Make allowances for fact that users of cervices are not always effective 1jn making their needs known. ■ XI. CIVIL RIGHTS COi'iPIIANCE/EMPORCrE^lEWT V. Federal Requirement "l. All block grants are to be implemented in nondiscriminatory manner. Tt. State must ci/;n assurances of nondiscrimina­ tion, P. Recommended State Activities 1. Enactment of nondiscrimination and affirmative action statutes and executive orders. "?. Clear articulation of policy of non­ discrimination In implementation of block grants. 3. Develop State enforcement mechanism for nondiscrimination. These should include at least the following components or elements; a. separate enforcement entity b. adequate fundinft/staff "c, sanctions "d. data collection and reporting system e. Independence f» reports directly to Governor "**, Cicar identification of rights of Individual! ! to complain if thoy believe they have been discriminated against, "5. Clear identificction of procedures for filing conplannts (complainants should know how to go about filing). These procedures should include: "a. clearly spelled out deadlines. "L. format required (written/oral). "c. what; complaint must Include. "6. Develppmont and identification of clear procedures for investigating and remedying complaints (including specifying time, frames for complaint processing). "7. Development mid clear articulation of sanctions to ho employed in correcting violations of statutory requirements. "8. Set of procedures/criteria for State (inde­ pendent) compliance reviews. "Ill. EVALUTTIOn/tOHIITORIHG r-. Federal Requirements "1. Audits must be conducted every two years by • an Independent entity. "2, Grants are to be Implemented In a non- • discriminatcry uiannor . "U. He commended State Activities' '1. Develop criteria to use to evaluate the effectiveness of cervieo providers and State agencies In servicing; clients. "r:. Conduct Independent evaluation of State programs (oudit). "3. Publicize program evaluation criteria to be used in aL;see&in{;i effectivenof.T of programe. "h. Conduct independent audit and make results public. "5. Develop and utilize tanctions for non­ compliance . "6. Arsons accountability of State agencies or officials for each block (jrent (roles and areas of responeibillty). "7, Development and clear articulation of data collection/reporting; requirements applicable to fund recipients; cleuv articulation of how State will use data in evaluating effectiveness. "8. Involve public in evaluation/monitoring process."

RHi'RBJjiil'ITA'i.'iW'i KUKOVICH: Our next witness Is Carol Mitchell, thu Director of the Verland Center. MS. MITCHELL: My name ie Carol Mitchell and I'm not her© to address block grant funding per $e but I am here by invitation to address a specific problem with relmburaemen'; by the Department of Public Welfare to private intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded in Pennsylvania. 1 am the Kxecutive Director of The Verland Foundation, incorporated, a private, non-profit intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, located in Ohio Township. our operating costs are funded entirely by the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Program. I have been associated with treatment of the mentally retarded for about 20 years, and have worked in both the public and private sector's, incjuding eight and a half years at liestQi-s\ Center in Canoneburg;, Vferlond's resldent£ are profoundly retarded with an average IQ of 10 and generally suffer from multiple physical and mental handicaps. Beginning In September of 1979 the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Health Systems Agency of Southwestern Pennsylvania approved the design of Verland's program and our capital costB. Since our inception as an Intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded in January of 1981, our "budgets have "been approved, 100 percent, by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. For fiscal year ending June 30, 1982, the Department of Public Welfare itself, after six months of investigation and administrative review, agreed it was necessary to increasJ Verland's annual budget in axceos of 20 percent in recognition of the special noeds of the Verland residents. Notwithstanding our 19/fa capital costs, and the very special needs of our residents, for the current fiscal year the cost of maintaining a child at Verland for one day is only about six percent higher than the cost of maintaining an average resident at Western Center, the local state owned and operated ICF/MR. On June 19., 198^, the Department of public Welfare proposed regulations in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which, if adopted, would have* reduced Verland*s funding approximately $110,000 per month below our actual costs per month, previously approved by the same department. We would have been bankrupt within five months. As a result, we would have defaulted on more than $5 million worth of municipal bonds, Issued'by our local industrial development authority and widely held by the citizens of this Commonwealth, Moreover, our Tf children would have been committed to Western Center or other state operated facilities, such as lolk, with a substantial decrease in the quality of their care, and with little or no reduction in cost to the Commonwealth. The Department of Public Welfare has withdrawn last summer's proposed regulations and intends to issue revised proposals in the next month or so. Based upon our discussions with the. department over' the last six months, we fully expect the newest proposals to bankrupt Verland. As if this was not enough, the Department of Public Welfare has recently taken the position that certain regulations previously applied only to nursing homes, should now be retroactively applied to facilities for the mentally retarded. These regulations were originally adopted for the purpose of limiting the capital costs of hew nursing home facilities, not facilities for the mentally retarded. If applied to Verland for the current fiscal year, our funding would be reduced toy approximately $441,000, end Verland's residents would once again, be forced into state facilities with no reduction in expense for this care. Tie admit that the Department' has a difficult goal* It has been charged with the responsibility of reducing costs, fairily and equitdly, of a system which services a complex and diverse constituency, However, the Department's proposals to date fail to account for the marked differences in the basic costs of operating existing private intermediate care facilities for the. mentally retarded which have at least the following fundamental differences: 1. Some have no capital costs, operating in old, fully depreciated facilities. But some, having recently been constructed, have, high capital costs. 2. Some serve the miBly retarded who are eelf- preserving. Others serve the profoundly retarded with multiple physical handicaps, who, by Federal end State Lav, require more intensive care end more sophisticated, and thus, expensive facilities. 3. Some serve retarded in traditional institu­ tional settings, while some, such as Verland, with the active encouragement of the Department of Public Welfare through its Office of Mental Retardation, serve the retarded In small community like settings, another factor contributing to higher costs. We propose that the legislature impose a moratorium on the adoption of any new regulations the effect of which would be to decrease reimbursement to existing private Intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded below that level, already approved as resonable by the'department. In the absence of such a moratorium, legislature should at least require the department to freeze the current level of reimbursement for each existing facilities. During the period in which such a freeze or moratorium is in effect, the problem could be studied by a task force charged with the responsibility of reporting directly to this committee. We note, for example that PARR, the Pennsylvania Association of Residences for the Retarded, has submitted a formal rate reimbursement proposal to the department which certainly deserves further study. If'neither a moratorium nor a freeze is possible, gentlemen, the effect, quite simply, will be to shut down private facilities such as Verlend and force our residents to be committed to state operated facilities such as Western Center, with no meaningful reduction in coat. Thank you for Inviting me to present Verland'a position regarding any new. -Department of Public Welfare reimbursement regulations which would 8iter the funding of intermediate care facilities for the mentally 'retarded. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Ms. Mitchell, can you tell us what the new: regulations ere and within what time frame they will be promulgated? ME. MITCHELL: He were informed at a meeting In Harrlsburg on June 7, 1982, that three weeks later,, on July 1st, 1982, that the funding for the existing, private Intermediate care facilities in Verland's case would be reduced in half, reduced from whatever the existing level was to a median of $88.70. This regulation Was not going to be epplied to state centers which operate under the same regulations, state and federal. If you are an Intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded. They1 just would have had a devastating effect and expected us in three weeks

REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: That has not been done? MS. MITCHELL: They have been deferred. Our state association as well as many concerned and interested parties* parents, lobbied end tried to get the regulations deferred and we were successful. They have been deferred twice but we nave been informed that the department does intend to promulgate regulations which would, substantially have the sane effect. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: So* you see that on the horizon. You don't know exactly when and that's why you are calling for ua for some sort of a moratorium? MS. MITCHELL: Yes. REPRESENTATIVE COWELL: We spoke oh the phone yesterday and I think; most of the members of the delegation, and maybe some do not mow, but most know that you have Invited us to a meeting at your facility on April 22. We'll be meeting there. In the meantime* I asked Steve Roscow who is one of the analysts from this committee to contact you. I don't know if he got to you yet or not. I spoke to him right after our t&ephone conversation. I asked him to put together some background information also from his point of view that would be provided to us in the next couple of weeks. There will be some additional homework being done before we meet with you in April. MS. MITCHELL: We would appreciate it very much. I think, our biggest concern is that with the budget perhaps going to be passed in the time before the department might announce new regulations, there is a line Item referring to the private sector, an average cost of $68,35 per day and we are all afraid that It means the same thing as it did, $88,70. If that doesn't represent a range of rates, that it probably represents a flat rate and I think the position of the private providers 1B, and it certainly is Verlend's, that it would be much better to have the problem addressed before the budget is passed. REPRESENTATIVE COWELLJ Dick, are you f&&lil6>T with that line item? MR, WILEYs No. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVTCH: Representative Plate11a REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA) How much do you receive from the state? MS* MITCHELL; We receive $166.65 per day as our per diem at this moment. Our actual operating coats are coming in lower at about $157. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLAJ Do you have a total? MS. MITCHELL: Of about 4; 5 million. The net coat to the department would be about $4.4 million. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLAI And it's all on a per diem basis? MS. MITCHELL: Yes, It 18, REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: You had indicated that the proposed regulation that had been discussed would have gone from 166 to -- MS. MITCHELLS It would have been a median of $88,70 and facilities would be grandfathered in who were over the median one year at 20 percent increase which would have been $105* So, we were expected to reduce our costs in three weeks from $158 down to $105 with no change in the regulations with respect to the care that we are mandated to give. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA : Do you have any Idea what that figure would have equalled in relationship to the 166 being h*k and the new regulations being what? MS, MITCHELLS I think we would have lost about a million and a half. REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA j Twenty-five percent immediately ? MS, MITCHELL: Yes. And the worst part would be, of course, would be that the following year, fiscal '84, your rate would have been $88.70 plus whatever the cost of living so that the crunch would really come the second year because you would have to go lower again. But the level of cere and the mandated requirements would still be the same, REPRESENTATIVE PISTELLA: Thank you. I have no further questions. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVlCHt Representative Meyernik. REPRESENTATIVE MAYERNIKt Yes, I asked Carol to come here today. Verland Center is my district end I have visited it. The proposed regulations that she speaks of would drastically cut their budget and eventually lead them into bankruptcy. She is faced with the problem of providing the same service with the same type of people and salary yet cutting back on the money they are giving them. We definitely have a problem here and that's why I asked her to come to try to express it to this committee. Hopefully, all of you here will be able to attend the meeting at Verland which is not only for Verland but for other MH/fclR programs. There will be correspondence to you about that. REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Could we go off-the- record for a second? (An off-the*»record discussion was held.) REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVlCHt Are there any other questions ? (No response.) REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVlCHt Thank you very much. It's not on your agenda but we do have one other person, Don Goughler from the Mon Valley. MR. GOUGHLER; I wanted to present a few brief comments that In some cases summarize what's already been said here* I think we need to keep in mind that the block grants are the reaction to the lack of control of social service funding that were established by people who come into political power at a certain point In time. The opposite thing i6 categorical programs which occurred because people clammered for them for years. Now, I think the impact of block grants is pretty clearly spelled out by the group that has been here. They are speaking about the categories of needs, Social services focus on category of need. Die whole key thing, end it's kind of nuts, that we spend years talking about providing services to people who have a specific need. You can see it, you can touch It. And then we initiate a type of administra­ tion that packages all of those needs together* It lacks focus. It's discriminatory and it's undemocratic. Now, it will work sometimes and if you are careful with it, you can make it work. If you are a real good administrator, you can take a block grant program and you can do as much or more for people as you can with five categorical programs but you have to be a pretty brilliant administrator. The fact of life Is that a person's ability to receive a service should not have to depend on the brilliance of a local administrator, Counties have not ever proven to be the most effective seat for delivering human services or for assuring Individual rightsp civil rights. I would suggest that with the basis of the comments we have had today> that It's very important that the legislature try to prevent any attempts which you will hear about soon and which your first speaker alluded to to take certain broad categories of services such as aging, children and youth, mental health, mental retardation, and create an adult services block grant, I know there is an adult services block grant but It's not that broad. Take even more specific services like you have heard about today and create a block grant that packs them all together and totally loses focus on the specific needs that ere brought before you* That's an extemporaneous presentation and I regret the lack of specifics in that. It's an important point about the block grant program. Thank you, MB* DIOGSEY: Who do you represent? MR, OOUGHIER; I«m with the Mon Valley Health and Welfare Council. We are a non-profit corporation that develops end plans human services in about 20 different categories. We work out of Moneasen end we have contracts throughout western Pennsylvania . REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICH: Don, what you might want to do is if you want to put some of those specifics in a memorandum and forward them to Chairmen Pieveky** office. Does anybody have any questions? (No response.) REPRESENTATIVE KUKOVICHt Thank you very much and we are adjourned* (The hearing terminated at 3:07 P.M.)

I hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence taken by m before the House ©f Representatives, Commiitee on Approprrations, are fully and accurately indicated in my notej and that this is a true and correct transcript of same.

Nancy J. ^tijeljAan* RER/hc