Action Alert: "Stop The Gang of Six"

Action Alert: Stop The Gang of Six!

Now is the time to fight for your rights! August 2nd is just days away and Congress must hear our voices. Your representatives are preparing to dismantle The CLASS Act community living services and supports. We must stop them.

The “Gang of Six” is a bipartisan group of senators who have proposed to repeal this important program, which provides seniors and people with disabilities with services that offer them the freedom to live and work in their communities. Currently, there are approximately 12 million Americans who require long-term supports and services. We ask you, our grassroots advocates, to make sure your representatives know there is a human face connected to these proposed budget cuts.

The “Gang of Six” presented an immediate $500 billion “down payment” on the deficit. This would also affect other areas of the healthcare law, including Social Security and Medicare. The plan to cut entitlement funds would be devastating to many of our brothers and sisters in the disability community.

This elimination of CLASS funds does not reduce the deficit. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that over the next ten years, CLASS will reduce federal deficits by $83 billion. This proposed legislation also calls for a “curb on the growth” of Social Security benefits, while our aging population is increasing rapidly each year.

This is a call to action to the NCIL family! Your representatives at the state and federal level must understand the importance of the CLASS Act and Medicaid funding in the lives of persons with disabilities. Your voice and the voices of your family members, friends, co-workers and community are critical.

You Can Make a Difference

Tell your senators and representatives not to support the “Gang of Six” proposals to cut entitlement funds (Medicaid) and repeal The CLASS Act. Both programs provide seniors and persons with disabilities the ability to live and work in their own communities.

Then get your family, friends, co-workers and other community members to call in as well!

Contacting Your Legislators

Online: Find a senator or representative in your state and click on their contact form to submit your letter. In your letter, identify yourself as a constituent and urge your senator / representative: “Please do not support the repeal of The CLASS Act and do not cut Medicaid funds. These cuts would be devastating to my community.”

Phone: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators’ and / or representative’s office, or use the links above to find their direct phone number.

Once connected, ask to speak with an office aide who handles budget and finance and / or healthcare issues. Give your name and identify yourself as a constituent.

Tell the aide to “Please tell Senator / Representative [NAME] that I do not want [him / her] to support the repeal of The CLASS Act or cuts to Medicaid funding.”

DOJ and Enforcement of Integration Mandate in ADA/Olmstead.

Date: Monday, July 11, 2011, 9:36 AM

DOJ and Enforcement of Integration Mandate in ADA/Olmstead. Information Bulletin # 334  (7/2011).In recognition of the 12th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, the United States Department of Justice issued an extremely important and comprehensive "Statement on Enforcement of the Integration Mandate" of the ADA and Olmstead.This is DOJ's "technical assistance guide." All advocates should download it and use it in your advocacy efforts. Quote it in your briefs in Court. Quote it in your meetings with government officials.  Cite it in your letters to the editor and opinion editorials. This document represents the official position of the highest law enforcement agency in the country. http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/q&a_olmstead.htmThis Information Bulletin is intended only to wet your appetite. Pleaseread the entire document.  We'll summarily quote as much as possible. In theoriginal, there are 18 questions. We've added (arbitrarily) emphases.DOJ stated:  The "goal of the integration mandate to provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to live their lives like individuals without disability has yet to be fully realized. Many people who could and want to live, work and receive services in integrated settings are still waiting for the promise of Olmstead to be fulfilled."1.  What is the most integrated setting?"Integrated settings are those that provide opportunities to live, work, and receive services in the greater community, like individuals without disabilities. Integrated settings are located in mainstream society; offer access to community activities and opportunities at times, frequencies and with persons of an individual's choosing; provide the opportunity to interact with nondisabled persons to the fullest extent possible. Segregated settings include, but are not limited to: congregate settings populated exclusively or primarily with individuals with disabilities."2.  When is the ADA's integration mandate implicated?Anytime a "public entity administers its programs in a manner that results in unjustified segregation" whether by operating segregating programs, or financing them in private facilities, or "funding choices or service implementation practices that promotes or relies upon the segregation in private facilities or programs."3.  What factors are relevant in determining whether an individual does notoppose an integrated setting?"Public entities must take affirmative steps to remedy this history of segregation and prejudice in order to insure that individuals have an opportunity to make an informed choice.  Such steps include providing information about the benefits of integrated settings, facilitating visits in such settings, and offering opportunities to meet with individuals with disabilities living in integrated settings.4.  Does ADA apply to persons at serious risk of segregation?"Yes. People need not wait unit the harm of institutionalization or segregation occurs or is imminent." Persons can show such risk "if a public entity's failure to provide community services or its cut to such services will likely cause a decline in health, safety, or welfare that would lead to the individual's eventual placement in an institution or segregation."5.  May the ADA require a State to provide additional services than are    provided in their Medicaid program?"A state's obligations under the ADA are independent from the requirements of the Medicaid program. The ADA may require states to provide services beyond what a state currently provides under Medicaid."  "Caps do not exempt state from serving additional people in the community by seeking a modification of a waiver to remove the cap."6.  Can budget cuts violate the ADA?"Yes, budgets cuts can violate ADA when significant funding cuts to community services create a risk of institutionalization or segregationb&. In making budget cuts, public entities have a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid placing individuals at risk of institutionalization or segregation including making exceptions to the service reductions or to provide alternative services to individuals who would be forced into institutions as a result of such cuts."7.  What budgetary resources are relevant?"All money the public entity allots, spends, receives, or could receive if it applied for available federal funding to provide services.  All relevant costs, not simply those funded by the single agency that operates or funds the segregated or integrated settings."8.  What about an Olmstead Plan?It must do more than provide vague assurances of future.  Must contain concrete and reliable commitments to expand integrated opportunities.  Must include commitments for each group of persons who are unnecessarily segregated. Must address the needless segregation of the group at issue in the case.9.  What about budgetary shortages?"Even in times of budgetary constraints, public entities can often reasonably modify their programs by re-allocating funding from expensive segregated settings to cost-effective integrated settings.  Whether the public entity has sought additional federal resources available to support the provision of services in integaated settings, such as Medicaid, MFP and federal housing vouchers.Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continuesBack issues of other Information Bulletins are available online athttp://www.stevegoldada.comwith a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my bloglocated at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call215-627-7100

Fall 2011 Legislative Advocacy Trainings Announcement

Legislative Advocacy Trainings Announcement

Please click here to see a flyer announcing our 2011 Fall Advocacy Trainings.

The Essentials of Legislative Advocacy is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th and 12th from 8:30-3:00 at the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT  06106.  There will be a tour of the Capitol and LOB as well as a box lunch.  A Spanish interpreter will be present for this class.  Please click here for an Essentials registration form.

Legislative Leadership Training will be held on Thursday, December 1st and 8th from 8:30 - 3:00 at the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT  06106.  Lunch will be provided.  Please click here for a Leadership registration form.

The fee for each two-day training is $20 (Total cost of $40 to attend both the Essentials and Leadership trainings).  Scholarships as well as transportation and family care reimbursement is available with preapproval (as funding permits).  We don't want cost to be a barrier for anyone who would like to attend.

Please contact Maura or Cheri at 1-800-215-3021 or 860-882-0236 or by email at ktpassistant@namict.org or keepthepromise@namict.org with any questions.

We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

BESB Merger into the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services effective July 1, 2011

Subject: BESB Merger into the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services effective July 1, 2011

 

On June 13, 2011 Governor Malloy signed Public Act 11-44 “An Act Concerning the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services and Implementation of Provisions of the Budget Concerning Human Services and Public Health”.  Through this legislation there is created a Bureau of Rehabilitative Services within the Department of Social Services for administrative purposes only.  This new Bureau will be created through the merger of the following agencies:

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services,

The Board of Education and Services for the Blind ( BESB ), and

The Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (CDHI).

 

In addition, to the merger of the identified agencies, the following programs are also included in the merger:

The Department of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) driver training program for individuals with disabilities; and

The Workers’ Rehabilitation Services (WRS) program of the Worker's Compensation Commission. 

 

The transfer of the agencies and programs into the new BRS is effective July 1, 2011.

 

As a service provider for one of the agencies or programs to be merged into the new BRS, please be advised that although the effective date of the merger is July 1, 2011, current operations and services will remain in effect until otherwise notified.  As described in the Public Act, while agencies and programs will be merged, the intent of the merger is to continue to provide services in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes.  For now, operations and services should remain in place unless you are specifically notified otherwise.     

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Sigman

BESB Acting Executive Director

 

 

 

--

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Discussion with Author Randye Kaye

Fellowship Place is hosting:

The 8th Annual Dr. Albert J. Solnit Memorial Lecture:


A Discussion with Author Randye Kaye





Thursday, June 9th - 7:00 to 9:30 PM.


Whitney Humanities Center, New Haven, CT.



Join us for a conversation with Author Randye Kaye, based on her book:

Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of schizophrenia to Hope

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

CDAC February - March 2011 Bulletin

Need help with Income Tax Prep?

Disability Advocacy in Bridgeport

New ADA regulations

plus much more...

We post the bulletin to our website in a variety of formats. For your convenience, the latest CDAC bulletin is attached in PDF format, but if your mail system removed or altered the attachment in any way, you can always access it on our website at: http://www.ct-dac.org/bulletin.htm in a variety of different formats. NOTE: AOL customers will need to access the file from the website as AOL is making the PDF attachment invalid and you will NOT be able to access it. 

PLEASE NOTE: Let us know if you have any problems accessing our information by sending your comments to us at announce@ct-dac.org.  Please specify what problems you encountered and if you have any suggestions to help improve our communication.

 

CCADV 2011 Spring Newsletter

SPRING 2011    CCADV's td411.org website and APP CCADV will be releasing its teen dating website and APP for the iphone and android phone within the  next month. The APP is the first of its kind in the country, and will include the following sections:   * Ur relationship & u - Relationship Quiz, Why does it happen?, Readin' the signs, and Technology & u.   * Helpin' u out - Know ur rights, Takin' the next steps, & self care.   * Do ur part - Speak up, Get involved, & Find out more!   * Interactive/Fun - Videos, Music, and Stories!   The micro website - td411.org - that accompanies the app is being reviewed by local high school students for their feedback. "We want to make sure the teens find the APP/website useful, so they can either use it for themselves or refer it to a friend. If anyone asks about teen dating relationships,  the response now is 'there's an App for that.'" - Macklin Xu   The APP will have a soft launch on March 31and be released on April 15th. td411.org will also be available on March 31. Look for the APP downloadable on www.ctcadv.org, our Facebook fan page, and Twitter account! Capitol News   Guided by our mission of changing the social conditions that perpetuate violence, CCADV works closely with our membership, state advocacy groups, and legislators to draft legislation and to organize for policy change.   Each year, we develop a domestic violence legislative agenda to present to our elected officials for their support.     CCADV continues to work with the Speaker's Task Force Against Domestic Violence to implement reforms to Connecticut's domestic violence laws.   Among this year's  recommendations from the Task Force are changes to insure that when defendants in criminal cases are required to surrender their weapons, they must be given to someone residing outside their home; to train judicial staff who cover docket courts and for judges covering temporary restraining order hearings; and to make victims of domestic violence eligible for restitution.     Representative Mae Flexer, Chair of the Speaker's Task Force on Domestic Violence presents the Task Force recommendations.     The Speakers Task Force presented their full set of recommendations on March 28, 2011. CCADV is in support of their recommendations and has chosen three issues to focus on this session:   1.     Domestic violence funding:  CCADV is recommending that the General Assembly support the Governor's budget proposal for domestic violence funding.  Governor  Malloy's budget holds funds steady based upon last year's allocation.   2.     Bail/Bond of domestic violence offenders: CCADV is recommending that when bail/bond is set in domestic violence cases, 1) no bail bond be set without charging the premium rate as approved by the Insurance Commissioner and 2) a 35% down payment must be made when the offender is entering into a payment plan with a surety bail bond agent.   When offenders are able bail/bond out by paying less than the premium rate to a bail bond agent or by providing no down payment in a payment plan arrangement, victims are left with a false sense of security because they are led to believe that the offender would be incarcerated.        3.     Teen Dating Protocols for Schools: CCADV is recommending the amendment of the definition of bullying (CGS 10-222d) to include teen dating violence. If teen dating violence is included in the definition of bullying, CCADV can work with school systems to  develop  policies and procedures to address  teen dating violence which will include provisions on reporting, investigation, notification, and intervention. The policies can also include provisions for addressing teen dating violence outside of the school setting if it has a direct and negative impact on a student's academic performance or safety in school. Let's Prevent Domestic Violence Before It Happens   Last year, CCADV began the process of rethinking our reasons for  being. Acknowledging that even though we have improved services for survivors, we have not been able to stop intimate partner violence from occurring.    CCADV believes that if we want a society free of domestic violence, we need to prevent it before it happens. After long hours of discussion, changes were made to our mission and vision and consequently a primary prevention component was included in our strategic plan for the next five years.     We believe that to end intimate partner violence we need to go beyond intervening to change individual behaviors. We must focus on building communities that promote healthy relationships, equality and respect for our children and grandchildren. We need to begin working to change those social beliefs and practices that condone domestic violence now.   We have engaged with the Center of Disease Control (CDC) through the DELTA PREP project,. DELTA PREP seeks to increase the coalition's capacity to prevent intimate partner violence. Through the participation in DELTA PREP, all staff at CCADV have been trained in primary prevention. We have also engaged the community educators of our member programs and started to increase their capacity by providing them with intensive training on primary preventive.  In the next six months, CCADV and its members will increase their understanding of community organizing, anti-oppression work, project planning and evaluation among other issues to develop a strong and sustainable primary prevention initiative. We have just started and we know that this path is going to be long and challenging but essential if we really want to eliminate domestic violence.    National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Press Conference   The Stamford Government Center was filled on February 8, 2011 with more than 200 students, elected officials, organizations/non profits and supporters for the National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Press Conference. In the audience, high school students from Stamford, Greenwich, and Brien McMahon held up signs and banners to show their support in ending teen dating violence. Elected officials present included Michael Pavia, the mayor of Stamford, Richard Moccia , the mayor of Norwalk, Peter Tesei, the first selectman of Greenwich and State Representative Gerald Fox.  Kiley Young of the Office of the Child Advocate, Karen Brown of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, and Stamford police were also there.   The goal of the event was to raise public awareness and further establish a social change campaign. "We need a chorus of voices to create change [...] with a future free of abuse," said Lindsay Swatland, Mayor Youth Leadership Council and keynote presenter. "Teen dating violence is after all a persistent issue that affects everyone in the United States."   Nationally: 10% teens surveyed were in a physical abusive dating relationship last year 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been physically hurt by their partner 65% teens report that a partner checked up on him/her 10-30 times per day via phone 35% young women who report partner violence also report coercion or birth control sabotage   In Connecticut: 10% teens surveyed were in a physically abusive dating relationship last year 17% teens were in an emotionally/verbally abusive dating relationship last year 74% teens surveyed in Fairfield County believe verbal abuse is a serious issue among their peers who are in a dating relationship    "It's not a cliché. Violence in any form is not acceptable. [Everyone should be] united to stop all forms of violence" - Mayor Richard Moccia.   Volume 11 Issue 1 In This Issue Capitol News Primary Prevention Initiative National TDV Conference Get the Tax Credits You Deserve Upcoming Events    Got free time and want to do some good? Consider volunteering! Have an extra car taking up precious garage space? Lend it to Cars4Causes!   You've Been Working Hard - Now Get the Tax Credits You Deserve!   Families in Connecticut: Whether or not you owe income tax, you could get thousands of dollars in tax credits. You could qualify for:   Up to $2,100      Up to $5,666     Up to $1,000   per child from the federal Child Tax Credit.   Up to $800  from the Making Work Pay Credit, if you haven't already received it in your take-home pay. More families than ever are eligible for these credits this year. To get these credits, you must file a tax return.   Find out where you can get FREE help with your taxes by calling the IRS toll-free at (800) TAX-1040 or (800) 829-1040. National Women's Law Center Tax Credits Outreach Campaign, 2011 Tax Filing Season IF YOU BELIEVE IN OUR CAUSE     The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) is working to create a Connecticut where domestic violence no longer exists. If you share this vision, please consider making a donation to CCADV.  Your support will help us continue our efforts to raise awareness about this pervasive problem and provide resources to domestic violence advocates across your community.  Make a tax deductible contribution to CCADV by check to: Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence 90 Pitkin Street East Hartford, CT 06108 Upcoming Events   March 9 - April 2: Uplifting Art: A community art show     Reception for the Women's    Center  of SE CT  March 23       5:30pm-7:30pm        190 State Street            New London               March 19          Bowl-a -Thon Brought to you by the Women's Center in SE CT 1:00-5:00 pm   Holiday Bowl, Groton     March 31  td411.org goes online April 9 Domestic Violence Workshop Hartford First Church   of the Nazarene 932 Capital Avenue   Hartford, CT 06106 9:00 am-12:00 pm    For more info contact Kai_Kai71@hotmail.com   April 10  "Parenting in the Age of Tiger Mom" Hartford Public Library   500 Main Street Hartford  2:00-4:00 pm For more info: sneha@sneha.org April 21 An Evening of   Hope & Healing    Waterbury UCONN Campus Room 113-116 6:30-7:30pm.   For more info contact 203-753-3613   May 6  9th Annual 'Shelter from the Storm' Matrix Corporate Center 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury  6:00 - 10:00 pm Purchase tickets or donate by calling (203) 731-5200 May 12 2nd Annual   Light the Way Breakfast Mystic Hilton Mystic Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) 90 Pitkin Street East Hartford, CT 06108  (860) 282-7899 www.ctcadv.org

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

National Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE)

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) there are free services that can you prepare for, find and keep employment. Register for this National Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinar for young adults ages 18-24, which will take place on March 23, 2011 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. (EDT). The webinar will present information about the Ticket to Work program, the Student Earned Income Exclusion and other work incentives. WISE events are also being held around the country. Find a seminar near you.

For more information visit https://www.disability.gov/benefits/working_while_receiving_benefits/help_going_back_to_work.

FCC Launches Online Survey to Learn About Emergency Calling by Individuals with Disabilities - Deadline April 24

Disability.gov Accessibility Update:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an online national survey (also in Spanish) of individuals with disabilities to determine the most effective and efficient technologies and ways to access emergency services. The survey asks questions to help figure out the best ways for Americans with disabilities to call and get help from 9-1-1 services. Comment deadline is April 24, 2011.

For more information visit https://www.disability.gov/technology/accessible_technology.

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