The Arc of the South Shore

As Budget Moves to Senate, Priorities for The Arc, ADDP Remain Underfunded

arcsouthshore — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:13:13 +0000

M. Rasbold-Gabbard - The Arc of Massachusetts posted on May 02, 2011 13:49

With the passage of the state budget in the House of Representatives last week, our community saw positive developments towards restoring services. Noteworthy additions include:

Partial restoration of Respite/Family Support Services cut in the House 1 budget
Partial funding of Turning 22 Day/Employment Services
Additional funding of waiver services within the Autism Division of DDS
Clarifying language to line item 7061-0012 carrying out the Governor’s and Legislature’s intent regarding the DESE/DDS residential placement prevention program;
Support of the Commonwealth’s Olmstead Community Integration program.

Yet even with this additional support, many of these programs remain woefully underfunded. A comparison of the budgets from FY 2006 and FY 2011 shows that, among other programs, funding levels have either remained steady or declined for:

Day/Employment Programs,
Respite/Family Supports, and
Turning 22

THE NUMBERS

We ask that the Senate restore funding to these critical DDS and MassHealth services. In light of the effective decrease in funding over the past five years, the restoration of funds will not constitute a boon to these programs. Rather it will provide sufficient funding for these programs to serve only a portion of worthy and eligible individuals and families. Requests are outlined below, followed by a chart of funding levels and a description of each program.

Turning 22 (5920-5000) is funded at $5 million, but with 708 students, it requires $8 million total for 2012 and line item language for 2013 to annualize at $19.9 million
Family Support (5920-3000) has been cut to $41 million. It should be funded at the FY 2011 level of $46 million.
Employment funding (5920-2025) for 2011 Turning 22 students requires an additional $1.7 million for $126 million total.
Community Residential Supports (5920-2000) requires an additional $7.75 million for $759.55 million total.
Day Habilitation services funded through MassHealth (4000-0700) are slated for a cut of $5 Million. We ask that $5 million be added for this service and an additional $5 Million maintain AFC or adult foster (family) care. Both programs are reimbursable with 50% in federal funds.

Line Item	Description	FY11 Final (incl. FMAP)	FY12 Governor’s	FY12 House	Request for FY12 Senate Ways/Means
DDS
5920-2000	Community Residential Supports	$728,047,384	$751,797,120	$751,797,120	$759,549,620
5920-2025	Day/Employment Programs	$123,267,971	$123,267,971	$124,267,971	$125,969,796
5920-3000	Respite/Family Support	$46,521,184	$32,592,372	$41,004,298	$46,521,184
5920-5000	Turning 22	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$8,000,000
Non DDS
4000-0700	MassHealth Day Habilitation		$2,026,206,633.00	$2,026,206,633	$2,031,206,633

THE PROGRAMS

The different line items for DDS and MassHealth serve different constituents based on need and family circumstances. Together they comprise a safety net. Highly valued by the federal government, Massachusetts receives 50% federal FMAP reimbursement for almost all of these services.

Turning 22 helps students who need adult services make the cross-over from special education. The $5M is not adequate for year 1 and annualization requires $19.9M. Young people with disabilities who graduate from special education programs across the state may simply drop off the public “radar screen”, and then they AND their families face a nightmarish test of survival and uncertainty. There is no transfer of dollars from local cities or towns or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Allocate $8M for T22 and language for $19.9M for 2013.

Family Support/Respite services are for adults and children. In recent years most children have lost use of this program due to cuts. For those with loved ones at home it is an essential support and very cost-effective. In addition to respite or in-home assistance, staff at family support centers provide training, help with planning and give referrals for community resources that can complement public services. Thousands of people are at risk of losing family support services and day supports this year. A reduction of more than 10% on top of the $10 million cut in 2010 mean that families who have an adult son or daughter living at home or those with children who need assistance will have little if any help. Our request addresses only this year’s remaining $5.5 million cut.

The Day/Employment account is utilized by adults who continue to live at home or transitioned through Community First. For those at home, services funded through this line are the main supports an adult receives from the state. It typically gives parents a break for the day or allows them to work. An additional $1.7 million is needed for FY’11 Turning 22 students.

Implementing Community First: this requires the DDS residential line items along with DDS employment/day or MassHealth day habilitation for clinical services. These line items also assist adults who have lived their entire lives with their biological families. There are two community residential line items, one of which utilizes providers or “purchase of service” and one which uses state employees. DDS residential is short $7.75 million for 2012 Rolland (Nurs. Home); day habilitation requires $5M additional in the 4000-0700 account to avoid a nearly 4% cut.

Day Hab Rate Victory May Be Short Lived

arcsouthshore — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:11:02 +0000

Governor withdraws rate cut for FY 11, but HWM FY 12 Budget fails to fund

Less than two weeks ago disability advocates were expressing gratitude to the Governor and legislators for canceling proposed FY 11 Mass Health rate cuts for Day Habilitation and Adult Foster Care programs, it appears that the battle is far from over since the House Ways & Means Budget did not include this restoration in its budget report.

Thus the relief of early April may not be carried forth into the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2011, unless the House votes to increase Mass Health funding to prevent the $5 million cut to Day Hab programs and the $5 million cut to AFC programs.

Disability advocates had hoped for a better outcome in the FY 12 HWM budget, noting that State House News press reports in late March reported that HWM Chairman Brian Dempsey had been in talks with Administration officials to cancel the planned FY 11 rate cuts. (The State House News story also noted that Sen. Pat Jehlen had urged SWM Chair Steve Brewer to also support revoking the Mass Health cuts.) Some hoped that those talks were a hint of how the HWM budget would treat the issue in the FY 12 budget.

Hundreds of consumers, family members, direct support professionals and advocates had protested the cuts at February public hearings expressing concern that:

Day Hab programs serve many people with complex health and behavioral challenges.
funding cuts will reduce essential staff that assist participants with toileting, feeding and repositioning
funding cuts will endanger the health and safety of day hab program participants.

Rep. Jim Dwyer (D-Woburn) is sponsoring Amendment 365 to forestall the proposed Day Hab cut for the FY 12 budget.

Disability advocates are hoping that the compelling testimony that convinced state decision makers to cancel the FY 11 rate cuts will convince either the House or Senate to fully restore the Day Hab and AFC accounts.

Hundreds Board Buses; Over $230,000 Raised to Benefit People with Disabilites

arcsouthshore — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:23:27 +0000

APRIL 11 – All Aboard The Arc! rode its way to success on Sunday. Six hundred riders from eight regions of the state

Team Disco light's up the stage!

(Merrimac Valley, Cape Cod, Pioneer Valley, Central Mass., Norfolk County, Middlesex County, South Shore and Greater Brockton) raised more than $230,000 to increase awareness of The Arc, an organization that provides support and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Massachusetts.

The money raised was a collaborative effort, drawing on the grass-roots support of individuals as well as corporate sponsors. To earn seats on the buses, riders had to collect a minimum of $600; several businesses, through their donations, paid for the buses, refreshments and other costs associated with the event.

Team Disco!

The fundraiser was unique in utilizing a caravan of buses to transport people with disabilities and their families, donors and other supporters to the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Worcester for a central rally celebrating the abilities of people with disabilities.

Among those addressing the audience were: U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass.; and former New England Patriots linebacker Steve Nelson and former Baltimore Colts and Boston College lineman Dan Sullivan, who spoke movingly about being a parent of a child with a disability. Jane Boulet Caplice, of the statewide committee, and self-advocate Karen Norton, of the South Norfolk County Arc also addressed the audience.

Another celebrity participating in the event was longtime TV personality Rex Trailer, whose “wagon train” effort in 1961 served as an inspiration

Rex Trailer and Arc of Massachusetts Executive Director Leo Sarkissian

for the All Aboard! bus journey. That year, Trailer, at the time the host of the popular children’s TV program “Boomtown,” led a caravan of horse-drawn wagons from Greenfield to the State House in Boston to highlight the important advocacy work performed by The Arc on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.

Team Disco!

Joining in the festivities were musicians, dancers and other performers from throughout the disability community, including the Rainbow Players from Empowerment Through the Arts; the South Shore Conservatory Community Voices; The Arc of the South Shore’s dance troupe, Team Disco; and pianist Melissa Sullivan of Newton.

Dan Rea, host of “NightSide” on WBZ radio, served as the master of ceremonies, rousing the audience and guiding them

Master of Ceremonies, Dan Rea

through the program of speakers and performers.

Team Disco, from The Arc of the South Shore closed the event to a standing ovation. Their performance featured dance routines to smash disco hits of the 70’s including YMCA and Macho Man, by the Village People, as well as Abba’s Dancing Queen, Donna Summer’s Dancing Queen and Its Raining Men, by The Weather Girls.

“The support shown by the All Aboard! participants today and our sponsors will help us to keep on keeping on with our work, which is especially challenging these days in the face of reductions in publicly funded programs for people with disabilities,” said Leo Sarkissian, The Arc of Massachusetts’ executive director, as the event drew to a close. “We look forward to enlisting still more donors to get on the bus with us next year so that we can continue to give voice to the needs of the people we serve.”

New England Patriot great Steve Nelson

For nearly 60 years, The Arc of Massachusetts, which now boasts 19 chapters across the state, has advocated for and assisted tens of thousands of children and adults statewide who have autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The efforts of The Arc have helped build inclusive communities for people with disabilities where they can find personal fulfillment in their schools, workplaces and residences.

In today’s fiscal environment events such as All Aboard the Arc! Become even more important, the need for additional funds and awareness rise as available government funding decreases. This decrease seriously hampers the ability of organizations like The Arc to continue to provide top quality programs and advocacy for our most vulnerable citizens. Those who wish to support the work of The Arc of the South Shore can visit www.arcsouthshore.org and make a gift online or contact The Arc directly at their N. Weymouth office.

The Arc of the South Shore would like to thank some of the generous sponsors who helped to make the event a success including Towne & Co. Architects, Roche Brothers, EMD Serono, S-Bank, and Margarita’s.

Closure Long Overdue

arcsouthshore — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:01:40 +0000

Please don’t slow down “Community First” with institution language in the budget. Last year’s language will delay closure efforts. As we reported above, Fernald is costing $1.3 Million per month. Imagine the impact that is having on difficult budget deliberations. Imagine the impact on families in need.

Massachusetts still has 6 institutions: Templeton, Glavin, Monson, Fernald, Hogan and Wrentham while 11 other states have none (Michigan and Indiana just closed their last ones in the past 16 months.) Due to historical delays, at Federal court and sometimes in the legislature, we are spending dollars on a number of institutions that are not needed. Today’s delays are based on

The Arc State House/Policy page has a sub-page on “policy debates” (go to arcmass.org) and the link to Fernald closing has much information. But here are a few facts to help:

Most of the New England states have closed its institutions, one other state has one institution
Research shows the trends toward community settings is past debate, see pages 16 & 43 here.
Research supports better outcomes in community settings over institutions See here
Despite legal settlements, Massachusetts actually stalled behind other states between 2004-2006 in community I/DD services investment; we declined 2.8 percent when adjusted for inflation; while the country as a whole saw 3 percent growthduring that same period! (data from David Braddock, Richard Hemp, Mary C. Rizzolo, “The State of the States in Developmental Disabilities 2008.” Department of Psychiatry and Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. The University of Colorado).

“The nation’s census of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities

living in state-operated institutions has declined steadily from the peak of about 195,000 persons in 1967, to 38,299 today. Forty states have closed or scheduled the closure of one or more of their institutions. Indiana, along with nine other states and D.C.–Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia–now operate no state-operated I/DD institutions”. [Michigan added to this list in 2010]. (Executive Summary of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services in Indiana. By David Braddock, Ph.D. and Richard Hemp, M.A.)

Today we need the legislature fully behind us and avoiding any language that restricts Community First movement. Please support Community First and community services!

As House Ways and Means Releases its Budget

arcsouthshore — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:59:19 +0000

As we go to press today, we face devastating community cuts. We can’t give up on disability supports and services in the midst of a difficult economy. As a legislator we ask you not to give up on us and we ask our families and friends to keep up the outreach. Your stories are what informs neighbors as well as decision makers.

Unemployment combined with the nation’s first universal health care law has real costs – no one should be surprised by this fact. No one is to blame for it but let’s not destroy disability programs, all programs, because of it. We are not asking for great expansion, just meeting children’s and adults’ human needs.

In light of this, please support “Community First”. It works for those in the community and we continue to demonstrate that it works for those once in the institutions. Do not renew or include restrictive language in favor of institutions in this budget (see related story).

This year we see what the delays have cost us in a supplemental budget -keeping Fernald open for a handful of people costs $1.3 Million per month! The present delay is due to legitimate appeal rights that each person has through DALA (Div. of Administrative Law Appeals). Two decisions have been rendered thus far both in favor of the Commonwealth.

Imagine what $1.3 Million per month at Fernald buys:

12 months would fund the Family Support cut
12 months would almost address MassHealth shortfalls
so on…

We can’t give up on disability supports/services. The numbers below are in reference to the Gov’s budget. We focus on the following:

DDS Family Support/Respite, $13.9 Million in reductions (over 30% of the account, 5920-3000)
MassHealth cuts totaling $15 Million that would slash into day habilitation (day clinical services), adult foster care (efficient in home and out of home assistance) and day health- 4000-0007 ($15million in additional $$)
DDS residential supports delaying the exit of adults from nursing homes to the community (part of Rolland legal settlement) $7.75 M needed in 5920-2000
The family preservation program of DESE-DDS which requires language in 7061-0012 (DESE account) to insure at least $6.5 M is spent on this program
DDS Employment supports for those who were served in T22 this year, need $2.7 M in 5920-2025, and
Turning 22 for 2012 requires-$8 Million (plus $3 M) and annualization language of $19.9 for FY’2013, 5920-5000

And it doesn’t stop with these, there are other disability and related lines needing restoration.

These supports help individuals with disabilities at different ages, in different situations. There is no one constituency. So we are not asking you to help John who may be 2 years old and refuse to assist Rachel who turns 22 this year and needs support.

Remember that the 38,000 constituents who are served through DDS and the long term MassHealth services have no where else to go to be served. There is no local program or school opening its doors to them, but they are all part of our families, our friends and our communities. Let’s not leave them behind.

Please – Keep the Promise of Community!

Sarkissian: With state help, autistic man thrives – Framingham, MA – The MetroWest Daily News

arcsouthshore — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:04:11 +0000

WALTHAM —

I’d like to introduce Peter Rutledge of Waltham, a gregarious young man of 23 whose autism has not held him back from being the engaging person he is and living the productive and meaningful life he has chosen for himself.

His story illustrates how the love of family, the support of community and the work of organizations like The Arc of Massachusetts can bring enjoyment and fulfillment for Peter and others like him, instead of rejection and isolation that were once the fate of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

College sweethearts Beth and Hugh Rutledge married shortly after graduation in June 1978; their son Peter was born in 1987. Three months after his birth, the family went to live in Japan where Hugh Rutledge pursued his interest in education.

As Peter was nearing age 2, his parents observed some troubling signs in his development: He was losing the few words he had learned and he had stopped making eye contact. A psychologist associated with the Tokyo International Learning Community, a group of Americans dealing with family members with developmental disabilities, diagnosed Peter as having autism.

Autism is one of many intellectual and developmental disabilities that are the focus of The Arc of Massachusetts, which is engaged in an ongoing effort to transform that attention into action, be it advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities or delivery of services to better their lives.

When Peter was 4-1/2, the Rutledge family returned to the United States and settled in Waltham, not only because it is the city where Beth’s parents were living but also because Massachusetts had developed a reputation for the quality of its programs and services for children with disabilities like Peter’s.

His educational experience is a prime example. The Waltham School Department, which at that time could not accommodate students with severe autism, recommended the League School in nearby Newton (the school later moved to Walpole) and paid Peter’s tuition. There he learned skills that remain with him to this day.

A physically strong young man of 23, Peter has also proven himself as a swimmer and walker. He loves to listen to “happy music” on his iPod, his mother says, and his ability with crayons and paper has earned his artwork a place on greeting cards created by the Park Street Church in Boston, where his parents are members and where he participates in a Friendship Bible Study class.

Since he graduated from the League School in December 2009, Peter has been participating in a day-hab program at the WCI (an acronym for work, community and independence) in Waltham. He is also employed there, earning a modest income for the office work he performs and for his assistance with custodial duties.

Many of these supports are publicly funded through state programs whose future is threatened by a revenue shortfall that could sharply curtail funding for the programs and jeopardize the well-being of Peter Rutledge and the other 180,000 men, women and children in Massachusetts who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. These individuals depend heavily on these programs, not only for basic needs, such as education and employment, but also for life-sustaining services, such as housing and health care.

We at The Arc and at its 19 chapters statewide are determined to preserve these programs, and we have already begun to make our position known to legislators and Gov. Deval Patrick as the start of the new fiscal year approaches. We call on you to join us in that effort so that Peter and the many others like him can continue to flourish and demonstrate their abilities in spite of their disabilities.

Leo V. Sarkissian is executive director of The Arc of Massachusetts in Waltham.

Arc collaborates with area organizations to bring parents up to speed on new ARICA law

arcsouthshore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:22:38 +0000

Braintree SEPAC

(Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

and

BANDS

(Braintree Autism Network for our Daughters and Sons)

in collaboration with

The First Early Intervention Program

The Arc of the South Shore

Presents

Autism Insurance update for Parents

Join us to learn how to determine if your health insurance plan falls under ARICA (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism) what treatments may be covered, and how education services are affected.

Guest Speakers: Amy Weinstock, Chairperson, Insurance Committee Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) and Judith Ursitti, Regional Director, State Advocacy Relations for Autism Speaks.

Tuesday April 5, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Thayer Public Library 798 Washington Street, Braintree

Cost: FREE

Amy Weinstock and Judith Ursitti were instrumental in the passage of the recently enacted ARICA (An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism). Beginning in January 2011 ARICA requires health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Join us to learn how to determine if your health insurance plan falls under ARICA, what treatments may be covered, and how education services are affected.

Contact: rmeisel@arcsouthshore.org, bandstogether@ymail.com, or barten@comcast.net

with any questions.

FY 2012 Budget Battle: The Public Speaks on March 4 Ways and Means Hearing, Statehouse, Boston, Gardner Auditorium

arcsouthshore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:49:37 +0000

Next week is a BIG Week. On the 2nd we hope we have a large turnout to visit legislators and convey a strong message on behalf of our community. March 4 will be an important day as well. There will be a public hearing held by the Ways and Means Committee of the legislature, on the subject of the FY 2012 budget for the human services agencies that provide the lifeline of supports to our friends and family members.

If you pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, or log onto your computer browser, you will quickly see news about the polarization of people and interest groups across the country as states try to grapple with serious budget shortfalls. In many cases, the anger and frustration of good people are being misguided toward cuts that would hurt the most vulnerable among us.

Let’s work together to form panels for testimony. We need people to testify about individual and family struggles, challenges and victories.

Here are some details about the budget situation. Let’s see if we can recruit people who match up with the issues. . This is the hour we need to come together. Thank you.

· Family Support/Respite services are for adults and children. In recent years most children have lost use of this program due to cuts. For those with loved ones at home it is an essential support and very cost-effective. In addition to respite or in-home assistance, staff at family support centers provide training, help with planning and give referrals for community resources that can complement public services. Cut: Thousands of people are at risk of losing family support services and day supports this year. A reduction of more than one-third on top of the $10M cut in 2010 mean that families who have an adult son or daughter living at home or those with children who need assistance will have little if any help. Our request addresses this year’s $14M cut in House 1 and includes $4M cut in 2010.

· Implementing Community First: this requires the DDS residential line items along with DDS employment/day or MassHealth day habilitation for clinical services. These line items also assist adults who have lived their entire lives with their biological families. There are two community residential line items, one of which utilizes providers or “purchase of service” and one which uses state employees. Cuts: DDS residential is short $7.75M for 2012 Rolland (Nurs. Home); funding in residential is for Community First and students Turning 22 and requires $31.9M; day habilitation requires $5M additional in “4000-“ accounts to avoid a nearly 4% cut.

· DESE-DDS and autism services are for children; the former helps a child or teen stay with his biological family through the age of 22 years (or until late teens), while the autism account helps the family address a child’s behaviors and related conditions at an early age. Cut: DESE needs $8M and language in 7061-0012. Our request is $1.5M above the Governor’s request and reflects historical spending.

· The day/employment and transportation accounts are utilized by adults who continue to live at home or transitioned through Community First. For those at home, these services are the main supports an adult receives from the state. It typically gives parents a break for the day or allows them to work. $2.7M is needed for FY’11 Turning 22 students.

· Adult Foster Care (AFC) is a growing alternative to residential programs. It allows adults to move in with other adults or families and share their lives. It is the most cost effective residential option although it requires supplemental funding from DDS for individuals with higher needs for assistance. The AFC program also has an option for families who have an adult family member living with them. The modest family stipend allows for respite, transportation and social activities. We need to restore $4M to 4000 accounts for AFC.

· Turning 22 helps students who need adult services make the cross-over from special education. The $5M is not adequate for year 1 and annualization requires $19.9M. Young people with disabilities who graduate from special education programs across the state may simply drop off the public “radar screen”, and then they AND their families face a nightmarish test of survival and uncertainty. There is no transfer of dollars from local cities or towns or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Allocate $8M for T22 and language for $19.9M for 2013.

After Six Decades, Disability Group Shakes Things Up

arcsouthshore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:42:46 +0000

By MICHELLE DIAMENT (www.disabilityscoop.com)

It’s the nation’s largest developmental disability advocacy organization and after 60 years The Arc is getting a new look and feel.

The group debuted a new orange and yellow logo and the tagline “achieve with us” as part of a national branding campaign launched Tuesday in tandem with many local chapters of the organization.

The identity shift is intended to further the organization’s efforts to promote inclusion and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to officials at The Arc.

“There is tremendous energy and buzz as we begin to implement The Arc’s new brand identity,” said Mohan Mehra, president of The Arc. “This will help raise public awareness of The Arc and translate to greater support at both the local and national levels.”

The group has more than 140,000 members and 700 chapters across the country.

New Brand Identity for The Arc

arcsouthshore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:14:06 +0000

It’s Here! New Brand Identity for The Arc

The Arc is proud to unveil an exciting new identity along with renewed energy and dedication to the movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You’ll find a dynamic new logo and look for our publications – a freshly redesigned Empower magazine will be arriving in your mailbox soon! – Website, social media profiles and more with a bold color combination of orange and yellow and a new design for how our name is represented. This logo is one part of a larger brand identity used by us and The Arc’s national office along with other affiliated chapters across the country. We are working hard to make sure this new brand becomes widely recognized and promoted on a national level as well as in communities across the country. Increased prominence will help The Arc grow our recognition legislatively, increase much needed financial support, add newly engaged volunteers and improve the ease with which everyone will be able to identify with our mission to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new identity was developed over the course of a year with professional brand consultants and a dedicated team of individuals from The Arc nationally who understand our needs and goals.

The visual elements of the brand, along with the name “The Arc”, represent the energetic efforts of those of us who promote and protect the civil rights of and provide the services and support needed by people with I/DD and their families across the arc of their lifetimes. This new identity will take us forward and command the kind of respect and recognition on a national basis that our organization deserves. We invite you to contact us to get more information about the new brand, the availability of new logos and artwork for those who work with us and how you can support us into the future. Visit info with your thoughts.