August 2016 Highlights & Hot Topics

• A Message from our Executive Director

• Public Policy Update

• NCCDD Seeks Nominations for Advocacy and Leadership Awards

• NCCDD Adopts Five Year Plan

• NCCDD Announces RFA for Supported Living Initiative

• Council Member Spotlight: Brian Dooley Appointed to NC Council

  Download a pdf of the August newsletter here.

A Message from Our Executive Director

August has been a busy month! The kids are back in school, marking the unofficial end of summer; Team USA athletes made us proud in the 2016 Olympics in Rio; and NCCDD has put the final touches on the new Five Year Plan (2017-2021) which was approved by the members for submission to the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). We have now submitted the plan and look forward to where this will lead! In reflecting back on the development of the plan, this has been a two year journey and included our members, staff, network partners and stakeholders across NC. Our plan captures the important outcomes communicated to us by individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, family members, advocates and other stakeholders. We are very excited and optimistic about all that we can achieve together over the next five years!

The statement “it takes a village” is something that we truly believe as we consider the opportunities and work ahead. Our efforts will have much greater impact through collaboration. We also must take the time to recognize and celebrate the successes that we have achieved in creating more opportunity, awareness and greater responsiveness. This takes the actions of many, however it is also true that certain individuals take on greater leadership to make things happen or to create change. Self-advocates, advocates and professionals are working everyday to make NC more inclusive and integrated for people with I/DD. Let’s honor these individuals by nominating them for the NCCDD Advocacy and Leadership Awards, which house the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and the Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Distinguished Service Award. The deadline to submit is September 26, 2016.

Advocacy Development is one of NCCDD’s Five Year Plan goals, and one of the biggest forms of advocacy is the disability voice: voting. This year, over 35 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote in the upcoming election, and this voice should be represented. The deadline to register to vote is October 11, so if you haven’t already, register to vote and have your voice heard at the polls!

And lastly, we want to convey our sincerest thanks to NCCDD Council Members Lourdes Fernandez and Crystal Foreman, who both dedicated eight years of service to the Council. Their service and dedication to the disability community and our Council is immeasurable.

Chris Egan
Executive Director

Public Policy Update

NCCDD’s public policy team continues to deliver local, state and federal updates on public policy that affects people with I/DD. Highlights of these updates include:

Budget

Governor’s Task Force Reserve Fund – The initial recommendation from the Task Force was for $30 million to address several areas of need. One of those was case management for children with I/DD and complex needs. The final budget allocates $10 million recurring funds and $10 million non-recurring funds.These funds will be put in a reserve and spent with approval of Office of State Budget and Management. It is not clear how it will be allocated, so it may or may not address I/DD needs. Most likely these funds will be directed to mental health/substance use disabilities (MH/SUD).

Single Stream Funding (state dollars) -- Provides a partial restoration ($30 million) for current year. Remember that the cuts were $110 million last year and $152 million this year, so this restoration is a small percentage of the cut. It allows for up to $30 million next year if there is a surplus in the Medicaid budget. Both of these are non-recurring.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Funding – Allocation of $2.37 million non-recurring for funds for the Brain Injury Association of NC, residential supports and supports for individual consumer needs.This continues funding that was allocated last year and is in addition to the pilot TBI waiver in the Alliance Behavioral Health area.

Innovations Waiver Slots – Allocation of $2.6 million recurring funding to add 250 new slots. This was not in the Senate or House budget and was a last minute addition to the budget.

Increase CAP/C nursing rates – Allocation of $2.3 million recurring to increase nursing rates in the CAP/C program.

Studies:

Strategic Plan for Behavioral Health Services – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is directed to conduct a statewide assessment of behavioral health services, including identifying the role, responsibilities and accountability of LME/MCOs. This report is due to the Health and Human Services Legislative Oversight Committee and the Medicaid and Health Choice Legislative Oversight Committee by January 1, 2018. This is an opportunity for input into the system.

Study of Innovations Waiver to Address Waitlist and Federal Changes – The Medicaid and Health Choice Legislative Oversight Committee is directed to study and report to General Assembly by January 1, 2017 on strategies for reducing the waitlist as well as single stream funding and federal mandates that affect Innovations services. This is short turn-around but a great opportunity to highlight the gaps in the I/DD system of support.

Study of Medicaid Rates for Residential Services -- This requires DHHS to study how adequate Medicaid rates are for residential services. The report goes to the Legislative Oversight Committee (LOC).

Legislation

Guardianship bill -- HB 817 AN ACT ENACTING THE UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT OF 2016. By passing HB 817, North Carolina has joined a growing number of other states in enacting a Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA). This law aims to provide clear direction to the courts, attorneys, guardians and individuals about the proper jurisdiction for guardianship proceedings between states.

NC General Assembly Caucus

A bicameral, bipartisan I/DD Caucus was created to act as a legislative think tank, to encourage cross-committee collaboration, and to facilitate dialogue to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in North Carolina. Currently, 15 Representatives and three Senators have joined the Caucus, including the Council’s Representative Verla Insko and Senator Tommy Tucker. Co-chairs for the Caucus include Representatives Jean Farmer-Butterfield and Marilyn Avila and Senator Tamara Barringer. Chris Egan joined other I/DD thought leaders from The Arc and First in Families to provide background information and thank members for their ongoing commitment to I/DD.

State updates
CAP/C -- The NC Division of Medical Assistance is holding listening sessions on its proposed budget limits and reduction in respite funds in regard to its Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C). A CAP/C Work Group, with a cross-section of stakeholders as members, was established early July. Work Group meetings are open to the public. Click here for remaining listening sessions.

Every Student Succeeds Act -- The Department of Public Instruction continues to draft its implementation plan for the most current reauthorization of the Early and Secondary Education Act. Information on the federal law, state implementation efforts and webinars can be found here.

The 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application, also known as Medicaid Reform -- North Carolina submitted its application on June 1. Over the next 18 months or so, CMS will review the application and discuss the reform plan in detail with the Department of Health and Human Services. Over the next three to four years, the NC Department of Health and Human Services will work closely with people who receive Medicaid services and their families, and with those that provide Medicaid and NC Health Choice services (such as doctors and hospitals) to build the new Medicaid health care system. In the meantime, the Medicaid program will continue as usual, and beneficiaries will receive care the same way they do now.

Voting Laws -- At the end of July, the Federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a lower court’s ruling to uphold NC’s voting laws enacted in 2013. The latest court decision reinstates same-day voter registration, early voting, out-of-precinct voting and early registration for high school students. It also ends the Voter ID requirement. However, Governor McCrory is seeking a decision from the Supreme Court to overturn the 4th Circuit decision.

ABLE Accounts -- The state of North Carolina continues its efforts to start its ABLE program. Currently, only four states (Florida, Nebraska, Ohio and Tennessee) have launched ABLE Accounts.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) regulation implementation -- The state continues to convene a work group. Draft tools are being reviewed by a variety of stakeholders.

NCCDD Seeks Nominations for Advocacy and Leadership Awards

NCCDD recognizes that the progress of disability rights is not complete or possible without tireless advocates and professionals who are working to make North Carolina a more inclusive and integrated community.

Formerly called the Hefner/Riddle Awards, the Council renamed this important event the Advocacy and Leadership Awards to highlight two of the most important qualities that the namesakes presented and continue to present in their work for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Jack B. Hefner served the State of North Carolina as a member of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) from 1982 until his passing in 1994. As a father to a son with intellectual disabilities, "Big Jack" was willing to do whatever it took to enhance the quality of life for North Carolinians affected by disability. Jack B. Hefner's leadership inspired a generation of advocates and people with I/DD to work forcefully.

Helen C. "Holly" Riddle served as the Executive Director for the NCCDD for 23 years. Through her professionalism, innovation and tireless dedication to look beyond the barriers and focus on creative solutions, she led the journey to make North Carolina a state where inclusion and full participation are possible for all citizens. This award is the highest recognition given by the NCCDD to those professionals who have made lasting contributions towards improving opportunities, breaking down barriers and promoting increased quality of life for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Just like Jack and Holly, NCCDD wants to recognize self-advocates and professionals who are passionately working to make North Carolina and more inclusive and integrated place for people with I/DD.

Nominations for the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Award for Distinguished Service are now open. Please nominate and share in your network to recognize those individuals that are making an impact across this community by clicking here or copying and pasting the URL: http://bit.ly/AdvocacyLeadershipAwards

NCCDD Adopts Five Year Plan

“Your Five Year Plan is important to the Department of Health and Human Services. It shows how everyone connects to the work being done and how all of the work feeds into DHHS’ goals for its Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities program,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Sherry Bradsher. 

NCCDD’s Five Year Plan was adopted during its August 2016 Council meeting, and the new plan emphasizes three important goals that were determined through by gathering a great deal of input from individuals with I/DD and family members and stakeholders.

The new plan has three main goals:

• GOAL 1: By 2021, increase financial security through asset development for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
• GOAL 2: By 2021, increase community living for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
• GOAL 3: By 2021, increase advocacy for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Chris Egan, executive director of NCCDD, explains the plan is what will drive the work of the Council for the next five years. The plan is constantly evolving and will be updated each year. “It is meant to be a living process and will evolve as we do,” Egan added.

“The plan is so well done and so understandable. We truly appreciate our relationship with Chris [Egan] and his team, and we thank you [members] for your work,” Bradsher added.

Steve Strom, NCCD Systems Change Manager, said they will report at the November Council meeting on the Five Year Plan’s collective impact in the areas of common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication and organizational support of all participating agencies.

To read the Five Year Plan’s complete goals and objectives, click here.

NCCDD Requests Applications for Supported Living: Making The Difference Intiative

Under its second goal to increase community living for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in its Five Year Plan, NCCDD is seeking applications for the Supported Living: Making The Difference initiative. The grant is aligned with the goal's objective of: More individuals with I/DD will choose where and with whom to live in their community and will have transportation options to support community living and employment.

A Bidder's Workshop and informational conference call will be held on September 14, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EDT). You can RSVP by e-mail at [email protected] by September 13, 2016.

For more details and how to apply, visit http://nccdd.org/news-media/blog/54-initiatives/428-nccdd-announces-rfa-for-support-living-initiative.html.

Council Member Spotlight: Brian Dooley Appointed to NC Council

Bryan Dooley, the newest Council Member of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, brings with him a plethora of enthusiasm for self and community advocacy for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Living in Lewisville, NC, Dooley, who has cerebral palsy, began advocating from a young age and participated in the Youth Leadership Forum and numerous youth groups, including the National Youth Leadership Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). A graduate of Guilford College, Dooley won numerous leadership awards and scholarships, wrote for The Guilfordian and worked as a diversity coordinator while earning a degree in history.

Currently, Dooley writes blogs and social media posts for Lipfert Law Group, and in addition, he writes a blog for The Huffington Post titled “Observations From Below.” He serves on the board of The Adaptables Center for Independent Living in Winston-Salem and also serves on the Disability Rights NC Board.

Dooley completed NCCDD’s Partners in Policymaking program in 2014 and actively participates in the Advancing Strong Leaders in Developmental Disabilities initiative, the NC Post-Secondary Education Alliance, Disability Rights NC and speaks at numerous educational and disability advocacy events. Dooley is honored and excited to accept the invitation to become a NCCDD Council Member.

“One of the things I'd like to help with is collaboration between agencies. I sit on many boards, and I would like them all to come together and work on the same goals,” Dooley said. “A big [goal] for me is education. I've advocated for my local school system to push Senate Bill 753, to teach disability history/education in all the schools.”

SB753 was introduced in the 2007 NC Legislative Assembly and proposed to declare October as Disability History and Awareness Month. The bill was passed and requires local school boards to provide instruction on disability history and awareness.

In navigating the challenges of post-secondary education, Dooley is passionate to help other youth in the community achieve their educational goals. To do this, he is a member of the NC Postsecondary Education Alliance, which advocates for such programs as Beyond Academics, which helps people with disabilities to attend college and have a higher education experience.

During his time on NCCDD, employment is another issue that Dooley is passionate about and hopes to address. “In my opinion, there are a lot of other programs designed to help people with disabilities, but all the programs need to collaborate more,” he adds. “People with disabilities need to think about the transition out of school so that they can take the best classes geared towards jobs that fit. We could also ask for more internships to be available.”

Despite the fact employment was one of the main goals of Americans with Disabilities Act, the unemployment rate for people with disability is still unacceptably high compared to people without disabilities. Dooley’s belief is that economic security leads to many other aspects of living such as affordable housing, improved health and higher levels of community inclusion.

Dooley adds, “I spend most of my waking hours working on disability rights related activities. The same passion and commitment I have brought to blogging, attending meetings or helping young people with disabilities, I'm happy to bring the same to NCCDD and make a difference for the State’s I/DD community.”

Dooley’s writings can be found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/bryan-dooley

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