December 2014 Advocating for People with Disabilities Since 1949 Change INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Change 1 Mission Statement 1 Knowledge is Key 2 Save the Date For Golf 2 Comment: HCBS Transition Plan 3 RICC 4 Board of Directors 4 Who’s Who at ACA 4 This last year has been challenging and rewarding. As a nonprofit serving people with developmental disabilities we are seeing a decrease in available funding for services, an increase in exploitation of people with disabilities, and unfunded enhanced mandates for community services for people with home and community based waivers. Cuts in funding to the Department of Human Services, Community Supports and Treatment Services, and Social Security are jeopardizing the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities to receive the services and support needed to feel safe and fully included in the communities in which they live. New cases of abuse, negligence, and fraud are brought to our attention weekly in the course of our advocacy. younger generations. It’s too easy to forget the history of state-run institutions, self-contained classrooms, and unprosecuted abuse and neglect of people with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, all of these are on the rise. We need to come together to promote positive change and help one another remember that people with developmental disabilities are entitled to fully included lives in their communities with the supports they need being provided by the laws that were enacted to protect their rights. I am looking forward to 2015 being the year to increase awareness of the rights and needs of people with developmental disabilities. Kathy Homan President/CEO What can we do? We can do what we do best: advocate and encourage advocacy among ACA Mission: To ensure that people with disabilities and their families have choices, opportunities, and the supports they need to be fully included in community life through advocacy and education. We envision a community that fully supports equality, dignity, respect and inclusion for all people. page 2 Advocating for People with Disabilities Since 1949 Knowledge is Key, Our Current Speaker Series! Presented by: Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy (ACA), www.washtenawaca.org (734) 662-1256 and Partners in Personal Assistance (PPA), www.annarborppa.org (734) 214-3890 Limited seating – reservations at one of the above numbers recommended! All workshops are on Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Washtenaw Community College Gunder Myran Building, Room 316 (West end of WCC campus, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.) Free parking; light refreshments served. 2014 February 17 December 9 Sex & Healthy Relationships for Adults with Disabilities Michigan Rehab Services (MRS) and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) 2015 Choosing & Supervising Competent Caregivers April 21 January 20 Housing Options for Seniors and People with Disabilities February 3 What Parents and Providers Need to Know: Starting a Conversation with Youth About Sex & Healthy Relationships 3 Ways to Support Our Work March 24 Social Media – Linking Safely with the Rest of the World May 19 Preventing and Responding to Physical and Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities Please consider becoming a member or making a tax-deductable contribution: By check payable to Washtenaw ACA 1100 N. Main, Suite 205 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 By credit card at washtenawaca.org/support-aca/donate Thank you! Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Remember Washtenaw ACA when you shop online at Amazon. By using this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-6029205 Amazon will donate a small percent of your purchase to ACA! page 3 Advocating for People with Disabilities Since 1949 Michigan Opens Community Comment Period for HCBS Transition Plan Home and community-based services (HCBS) provide opportunities for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community. These programs serve a variety of targeted populations groups, such as people with mental illnesses, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and/or physical disabilities. The final federal Home and Community-Based Services regulations set forth new requirements for several Medicaid authorities under which states may provide home and community-based, long-term services and supports. The regulations enhance the quality of HCBS and provide additional protections to individuals who receive services under these Medicaid authorities. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has issued the final draft of Michigan’s transition plan for implementing these changes and is seeking public comment until December 24, 2014. MDCH has excluded the B Waiver from this transition plan. To read the transition plan visit: Michigan.gov/mdch/ 1. Click on: Health Care Coverage in the left column 2. Click on: Home and Community-Based Services Program Transition (under Spotlight in the center of the webpage) 3. Click on:Michigan's Draft Statewide Transition Plan for Home and CommunityBased Settings in the center of the page to read the plan. 4. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and read through the project documents for additional information. 5. You may submit comments regarding the transition plan by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to: Attention: HCBS Program Transition, Medicaid Policy, Michigan Department of Community Health, P.O. Box 30479, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7979 The Michigan Department of Community Health has not invited any person(s) with disabilities or disability advocates to be part of the transition development team. When an advocacy group asked about this exclusion during the last webinar, an MDCH employee stated “we post information for your reaction”. ACA encourages everyone to review the final draft and submit your comments before the December 24, 2014 deadline. page 4 WACA: Advocating for People with Disabilities Sincewith 1949 Advocating for People Disabilities Since 1949 RICC: Champion for change in our community ACA Provides ongoing support to our local Washtenaw RICC. The Washtenaw th RICC meets on the 4 Tuesday of each month from 2pm-4pm at Select Ride: 2050 Commerce Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. For more information, contact ACA. All are welcome! What does RICC stand for? RICC stands for “Regional Inclusive Community Coalition.” A RICC is a group of people with developmental disabilities, their friends, and family members. Membership is also extended to local advocates, community leaders, and service providers. What do RICCs do? RICCs build community coalitions, sponsor learning opportunities, and provide training and support to rally around issues. RICCs areas of emphasis are typically transportation, education, employment, housing, health, and quality of life. RICCs also help their members learn critical information, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and become stronger advocates. Join the Region One RICCs on Facebook! Region One includes Washtenaw, Wayne, Livingston, Oakland, St. Clair, Jackson, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Monroe, and Macomb counties. Like our page to stay informed and connected: www.facebook.com/RegionOneRICCs Returning Board Members for 2015! Lori Burke, Chair Ken Lessnau, Treasurer Valerie Dockter, Vice Chair Jack Novodoff Welcome New Board Members! Ken Dignan, Secretary Blair Gerdes Rawlin Myers Who’s Who at ACA ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Melissa Epstein Kevin McMahon WASHTENAW A S S O C IA T IO N F O R C O M M U N IT Y ADVOCACY NEW Center 1100 N. Main Suite 205 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Toll Free: 866-662-2726 Office: 734-662-1256 Fax: 734-662-2699 Kathy Homan – President/CEO Christina Oliver – Community Work Incentive Coordinator Jen Gossett - Region One Coordinator Like us on Facebook at: facebook.com/washtenawaca.mi Tracy McClatchey – Educational Advocate Jennifer Reets – Controller Beth Garlock – Office Manager, Family Support Subsidy Coordinator Emily Pasternak – Trusts, Development Coordinator Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy is affiliated with The Arc Michigan and The Arc of the United States and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit us at: www.washtenawaca.org