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Budget Is Step in Right Direction

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Budget Is Step in Right Direction Promoting Self Determination, Independence, Productivity, Integration, and Inclusion of People with Disabilities Vol. 14, No. 3 April 2010 Budget is Step in Right Direction For People with DD When Governor Jindal released his 2011 Executive Budget on February 12th, it reflected significant shifts in how Louisiana resources are spent to support individuals with developmental disabilities. Faced with projected revenues that are a billion dollars less than last year, the decision could have been to merely cut services. Historically, cuts have been made to home and community-based services, while the budgets supporting the large developmental centers continued to expand. The 2011 Executive Budget reversed this trend by committing more of Louisiana’s resources to support individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities and made the long-awaited move to reduce the state’s over-reliance on large, segregated and costly developmental centers. Louisiana has been making slow progress toward providing more home and community-based services and reducing the use of institutions. While our state spends more than most states supporting people with developmental disabilities (eighth in the nation), we direct more of these dollars toward institutions than any other state (first in the nation). Unfortunately, this slow movement has left Louisiana with 9,437 people waiting over eight years for home and community-based waiver services – one of the longest waiting lists per capita in the country. Collectively, the changes in the executive budget mark deliberate moves to significantly change the pace – and the strategy - of moving toward a system that reflects best practices. Inside this issue: Developmental Centers Gov’s Budget - DD Services 1, 6 Proposed changes in developmental centers will result in reductions of Gov’s Budget - LT-PCS and EDA 2 over $33 million from the 2010 budget – or a 14.5 percent decrease! Gov’s Budget - MH Services 2 That decrease is reflected in the downsizing and closing of developmental Legislative Advocacy Tips 2 centers. Louisiana’s move toward fewer and smaller developmental DD Council page 3 centers started with the Metropolitan Developmental Center (MDC) closure Human Dev. Center page 4 following Hurricane Katrina. The majority of MDC residents transitioned Advocacy Center page 5 into the community successfully. Bills to Watch 7 The facilities in Thibodaux (Bayou) and Leesville have so few residents Did You Know? 8 they no longer meet the definition for a large intermediate care facility (ICF/ Veterans with Disabilities 8 DD). Unfortunately supporting the maintenance of these large facilities Hands-On Learning 9 only increases the average cost per resident. Kliebert Interview 10, 11 The last remaining residents of the Columbia Developmental Center Laws and Policies 12 transitioned into community settings and the facility is being transferred ASD Issue 13 over to the Office of Juvenile Justice. These results demonstrate Low Incidence Dis. Consortium 14 a successful track record of the state transitioning residents of Steps Forward/Steps Backward 15 developmental centers into community settings. The 2011 budget proposes two significant steps that will be instrumental in expediting Disability Rights Rally 16 the transition of additional residents into (Continued on page 6) 1 t t t t Services for Those at Risk of Nursing Home Placement Threatened The Governor’s budget reflects drastic cuts to programs that support individuals with disabilities putting them at risk of nursing home placement. The Office of Aging and Adult Services’ budget for Long-term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS), which provides home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities is threatened with a $61 million cut, approximately 26% of the LT-PCS budget. This will cause additional cuts in services to many people who have already seen a drastic reduction in their services. Some people will face moving to a nursing home if their hours are further reduced. There is a chance that these cuts could be mitigated if Louisiana receives additional federal funds for Medicaid. At press time (March 24, 2010), it is not clear whether Louisiana will receive these funds or, if the funds are received, whether the money will be used to supplement the budget for LT-PCS services. Also, no additional waiver slots are budgeted for the Elderly and Disabled Adults (EDA) waiver. With 16,000 plus people on the EDA waiver waiting list, people are destined to end up in nursing homes. It’s unfortunate that the commitment to home and community based services evident in the developmental disabilities system did not seem to transfer to the one serving the elderly and those with adult-onset disabilities. Future Uncertain For People with Mental Illness The Governor’s budget proposes reducing state run- individuals being discharged. Resources must not psychiatric facilities by discharging approximately 120 only be invested in community supports and services, civil patients. The TriAngle editorial board supports but also in quality assurance measures to ensure that moving patients to more integrated settings with ap- desired outcomes are being met. propriate community supports and services. Current- ly, Louisiana spends 44% of its mental health budget Community services for people with mental illness on institutional services, a disproportionate amount. have historically been limited, difficult to access, and subject to budget cuts. If comprehensive community- However, the plan for this transition is concerning to based services and supports are not available to mental health advocates. The Department of Health people upon discharge from psychiatric hospitals and P. O. Box 3455, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 and Hospitals (DHH) has indicated that individuals on an ongoing basis as needed, there is little chance 225-342-6804 * 800-450-8108 * www.laddc.org would not be transitioned until adequate community that these individuals will be successfully integrated residential services and supports are available, but into the community. We all hope that DHH can suc- their plan is unclear and seems to be in flux. Proper cessfully put these services in place and that mental planning and development of community resources health advocates and others assist them in doing so. are vital to ensure the safety and well being of the Legislative Advocacy Tips As the 2010 legislative session begins, it’s important that all Louisiana citizens learn how to contact their legislators. Elected officials make decisions that influence your life in big and small ways every day. They are accountable to you and to all voters for the decisions they make. Most elected officials hope to continue to be elected – the best way to ensure this happens is to be responsive to voters. They want to hear what you think. Here are some tips to make your contact successful. • Make sure you are contacting the elected official(s) who can impact your issue. • Make it personal. When you communicate with the elected official, you don’t need to supply statistics or in depth analysis. Let your elected officials know why the issue is important to you and how it will impact your life, your family, or your community. • Be sure to identify yourself as a constituent (someone who lives in the district he/she represents). Politicians prioritize issues that affect potential voters. • If you are aware that an elected official acted to support your cause or position, follow up with a call, letter or email thanking him or her. Elected officials appreciate this, and it will also benefit you if you need their help in the future. To find your legislators’ contact information, visit http://www.legis.state.la.us/, or call the Advocacy Center at 1-800-960-7705, ext 143. 2 3 t t t t t 2009 Annual Report Now Budget Ax Hits Council The Council did not dodge the budget ax that has fallen upon the Available Each year the DD Council publishes state and Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). The Council an Annual Report detailing activities receives an appropriation of state dollars as part of the Community completed the previous year. The and Family Support System that are all contracted out to the Families 2009 report shares outcomes of Helping Families (FHF) Centers and a supported living program in Council initiatives, such as the north Louisiana for individuals with adult on-set disabilities. As part Inclusive Recreation and Positive of the Governor’s across the board mid-year reduction plan, DHH Behavior Support project, the Autism imposed a 9.5% reduction of the Council’s state general funds, Early Intervention Project, Home of equating to a cut of $60,982. The supported living program was Your Own, LaTEACH and LaCAN reduced by $18,007 while the nine FHF contracts were each reduced and provides brief narratives of by $4,775. All individuals served through the supported living the Council’s End the Wait! and program continued receiving essential services. Employment outreach campaigns. Read the annual report online at In FY11 (beginning July 1, 2010) the Council will sustain a state http://www.laddc.org/main/wp-content/ general fund reduction of $86,078. The Office of Adult and Aging uploads/2009-Annual-Report.pdf. If Services will assume the funding and responsibility for the supported you would like to receive a printed living program in FY11. Therefore the nine FHF contracts will receive copy of the report, please contact the entire cut for FY11 – reductions of more than $9,500 of their Derek White at [email protected] or current contract levels (from $55,555 to $46,991). Although these 800-450-8108. cuts are significant, the perseverance and dedication of the FHF Centers will ensure they continue to provide families the resources and support they need. Position Papers Updated At its January meeting, the Council updated its position papers on Segregation of People with Developmental Disabilities, Community Living, Consolidation and Closure P.
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