1804 votes got the Developmental Disability waitlist funding issue into the 2nd round of voting at Change.org. But where are the votes of the other 298,196 parents, professionals, self-advocates, providers, grandparents and friends of an estimated 300,000 individuals with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities on waiting lists?



It is CRITICAL that you distribute this email widely to your email and other contacts, all listservs to which you belong and all membership organizations, and that you ask them to include this sentence in THEIR emails about this important endeavor, so this message pyramids out. Don't forget friends, relatives, support folks and others.

VOTE NOW - AGAIN - to End Waiting Lists If you didn't vote the first time, vote now.

NEW ROUND OF VOTING BEGINS MONDAY, JANUARY 5 TO ASK FOR FULL FUNDING FOR MEDICAID WAIVERS - AND TO CREATE PORTABILITY OF SERVICES

VOTE NOW (starting Monday, January 5, 2009) - OR VOTE AGAIN IF YOU DID BEFORE!


http://www.change.org/ideas/view/fully_fund_medicaid_waivers_for_the_developmentally_disabled


1804 people voted to help fully fund the medicaid waiver program in the first round of voting on Ideas for America on Change.org. This level of voting put us in the top 3 of the health care category, which has given us a place in the final voting process to be one of the Top 10 Ideas for America.

It is time to vote again - or vote for the first time if you didn't vote before. All votes from round one have been deleted - you must return to vote again. Go to the link above to vote.

The proposal is for funding for those with developmental disabilities to be included in the economic stimulus package that will soon be developed by the Obama administration. Funding medicaid waivers creates jobs while helping those who need the supports.

Important Note: Make CERTAIN your vote registers. You must click on the number to the left of the title that says "VOTE" under it in order to have your vote actually count. Once you have done that, it will say "VOTED". Registering on the site and entering a comment DOES NOT count as a vote! We lost about 1/3 of our votes in the last round this way!

If we make it to the Top 10, Change.org will:


On January 16th, Change.org will co-host an event at the National Press Club in Washington, DC to announce the top 10 rated ideas and our plans for supporting the formation of a national advocacy campaign behind each idea in collaboration with our nonprofit partners. The top 10 ideas will also be presented to President Obama on inauguration day.

It is CRITICAL distribute this email widely to your contacts, email lists, listservs, friends, relatives and all membership organizations.

Last day of voting: January 15.

To stay involved in the waiting list issue: contact -email- stating "Keep me informed about the wait list issues"

Come join us at the annual Legislative Day at the Capitol on March 18th 2009 from 10am to 2 pm hosted by The Arc of Florida, the oldest statewide association advocating for people with disabilities.
We will have several hundred member agencies, parents, volunteers, and self-advocates attending the event from all over the state. Awards will be given to legislators who most supported our mission in the 2008 session. There will also be special entertainment and an opportunity for you to welcome and encourage our group in our efforts to demonstrate our value and to communicate our goals for this session.

Revised Legislative Platform as of 12-18-2008
Legislative Platform 2009 v122908

Revised Legislative Talking Points as of 12-29-2008
Legislative Talking Points 2009 v122908

Please read the attached policies regarding rebasing. They answer many of the questions that people have asked.


Rebasing Information

Our Summer 2008 Newsletter, The Advocate, is now available for download.


The Advocate Summer 2008

As the economy deteriorates, states find themselves under increasing fiscal pressure. Some states, like Florida, may be tempted to trim their Medicaid programs to help balance their budgets; but this is exactly the wrong thing to do.

You can show your state officials that cutting Medicaid is a big mistake if you use a revised and updated Medicaid calculator by Families USA: The Voice for Health Care Consumers.

Florida Medicaid Calculator

Supported Employment/Supported Independent Living Coach - Full time/35 hours, Volusia County, Full benefits after 90 day probation period, Bachelor Degree or 4 years related experience with developmental disabilities. Apply in person at: 100 Jimmy Huger Circle, Daytona Beach, FL 32117; or Fax (386) 274-1222 Attn: Gail Irvine, Administrative Assistant; or email resume to: -email-

General Responsibilities of Supported Independent Living Coach: Provide training, assistance and coordination in areas of support for housing and self-maintenance. General Responsibilities of Supported Employment Coach: Assist individuals to maintain competitive employment.

BACKGROUND
In 2007, the Florida Legislature amended section 393.0661, Florida Statutes to implement a four-tiered waiver system to serve clients with developmental disabilities in the DD and Family and Supported Living Waivers. APD published a set of proposed rules to implement the tiers and held a public hearing on April 24, 2008. Four waiver recipients, Southern Legal Counsel and the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities filed a challenge to the proposed rules. The legal challenge is ongoing and scheduled for trial in June. APD nevertheless issued policies and informational letters to proceed with the tier assignments. APD sent out “informational letters” to waiver recipients. By the end of May, APD planned to send affected waiver recipients a notice letter setting out the tier assignment. According to APD, the tier assignments would take effect on July 1, 2008. Support coordinators were instructed to assist waiver recipients to “reprioritize” the services and submit new support plans with reduced services to meet the tier caps by the middle of June.

EFFECT OF THE CHALLENGE TO THE PROPOSED RULES
Until an Administrative Law Judge rules on the validity of the proposed rules, the rules cannot come into effect. On May 14, 2008, APD advised that it would delay tier implementation “until further notice” as a result of the Rule challenge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW
At this time, waiver recipients may have received informational letters. YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. The informational letters are not a notice of tier assignment.

YOUR RIGHTS
When and if you receive a Notice of Tier Assignment, you have the right:
• TO CHALLENGE YOUR TIER ASSIGNMENT
• TO REFUSE TO CHANGE YOUR SUPPORT PLAN TO REDUCE YOUR SERVICES
• TO REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING and
• TO HAVE YOUR SERVICES CONTINUE IF YOU REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING WITHIN 10 DAYS.

This document can also be downloaded:
TIER PLACEMENTS