AADD's Capitol Inclusion

Partners Alumni Pilot Groups in Gwinnett and Savannah

2008-07-02T14:22:00.002-04:00

Last month, I approached alumni Jackie McNair, Brian Leighton, and Teresa Brenner to ask them to organize a meeting with Partners alumni in Gwinnett and Savannah. The purpose would be to network with other graduates, collaborate on existing work, and to organize future community projects together. Projects would reflect the values of the Partners program. We are starting with two pilot groups to see if graduates are interested in organizing around issues or projects in their communities.

I just received this notice from Sharon Capers, who is helping Jackie organize the Gwinnett group. I think some of the Gwinnett graduates from the 2008 class were mistakenly left off of the mailing list, so I hope they will see this post. As soon as I know the details of the Savannah event, I will send them out. At this time, the groups are open only to graduates of the Partners in Policymaking program.
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The first meeting of the Gwinnett group:
Five Forks Branch Library on Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 pm.
The library is off Ronald Reagan Pkwy which is convenient to I-85.
The address is: 2780 Five Forks Trickum Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
770-978-5600
Please RSVP to sharoncapers@yahoo.com

I will keep you posted on the activity of these two groups.I am very excited to see what happens when a small group of graduates work together on a focused project in their community. Thanks so much to the organizers for their willingness to start something new and for everyone who continues to be engaged in advocacy.

Let's get started and see where it takes us!

Partner Alumni Speaks at Easter Seals Conference

2008-07-02T14:19:00.000-04:00

Suzanne Harvey sent this to me this morning. South Georgia Alumni, please send this out to those in your area.

Easter Seals- Disability Resource Conference in Valdosta, GA.

1st Annual Easter Seals
Disability Resource Conference

July 11th and 12th, 2008
First Christian Church Fellowship Hall
1905 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, Georgia

Agenda
Friday Evening
4:30 - 5:15PM Registration
5:15 - 6:30 PM Disability History/Social Role Valorization
Short Version
Suzanne Harvey SRV PASSING
Certification Leader

6:30 - 7:00PM Break/Lite Dinner Sandwiches/Chips/Drink

7:00 - 8:30PM Disability Forum Needs Assessment for
Valdosta/Surrounding Counties
Beth English, Director, Easter Seals Southern
Georgia

Saturday
8:15 - 9:00AM Check - In/Registration/
Breakfast
(Sweet/Fruit/Coffee/Tea/Juice/Water)

9:00 - 12N Special Education/IEP's
Jean Estes

12N - 1:15PM Lunch (On your own)

1:15 - 2:30 Regional Boards/Independent Care
Waivers/Medicaid/Unlock the Waiting
List/Easter Seals Funding
Beth English and
MHDDAD Regional Board Director

2:30 - 3:15PM Counseling and Support for
the Family
Susan Bradshaw LMSW

3:15 - 3:30PM Break/Lite Snack

3:30 - 4:30PM Speech Therapy for Children
Susan Miller SLP-CCC

4:30 PM Evaluations for speakers and requests
for future topics of interest

Fee $10 No child care available. No children allowed.

Jon Steinburg from Dynavox Systems will do a morning demonstration and give info on AT items available for children and adults.

To Register or for more information, contact Suzanne Harvey at sgharvey@bellsouth.net or call 229-460-0492.

Directions to the Conference:

Coming from the south, get off at Exit 16 and come East to Oak Street, turn left and come North past Valley, Rogers, Gordon Streets, continue thru the light at Brookwood and continue North to Alden Street where you will turn right. Continue to Patterson Street and First Christian Church is located on the corner of Alden and Patterson. They should park behind the church and come into the Fellowship Hall either up the ramp at the front or through the parking lot door, through the kitchen.

Coming from the north, they should get off at exit 22 and come South past the car dealerships, past Winn Dixie on the right and when they get to Winn Dixie, be sure to take the fork to the right onto Patterson, stay on Patterson South crossing Northside Drive, past Valdosta Junior High on the right, South Georgia Medical Center on the left through the light at Park Avenue (where Park Avenue Methodist Church is) to the next light, which is Alden and the church is at Alden and Patterson. They should park behind the church and come into the Fellowship Hall either up the ramp at the front or through the parking lot door, through the kitchen.

If folks are coming from the Waycross area, they will be coming in on Hwy 84 and will need to turn right onto Ashley when they get to downtown Valdosta and follow past the light at Gordon and the light by the Oak Street Furniture store to the light at Park Avenue, where they should turn left and go about four blocks to Patterson, where they will turn left and go two blocks to Alden and Patterson where the church is.

Justice & Developmental Disabilities Coalition - Meetings Announcement

2008-07-01T07:40:00.000-04:00

Date: Aug 1st
Time:10am to 12noon
Location: AADD
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324

Speaker: Prosecuting Attorney's Council Paula Smith, with the Victim's Advocacy section.

Paula Smith is the Director of Victim-Witness Advocacy with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council. Her program supports the 300+ Victim-Witness Advocates in the 49 judicial circuits and 159 counties of Georgia who serve over 4000 crime victims daily through providing consulting, training, networking and technical support.

Date: Oct 29th
Time: 10am to 12noon
Location: AADD
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324

Speaker: Atlanta Legal Aide’s Sue Jamieson and Talley Wells

Sue Jamieson is the director of the Mental Health and Disability Unit at Atlanta Legal Aid Society. She has influenced state and national approaches to people with developmental disabilities. Sue represented Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, in the Olmstead v. L.C. case.

Talley Wells is a senior attorney with the Mental Health and Disability Rights Project at Atlanta Legal Aid. He has had cases in almost every area of civil legal services litigation, including representing several individuals with developmental disabilities against discriminatory zoning. Outside of legal aid, he is working with his wife and others to start a L'Arche community in Atlanta, which would be a residential faith based community for adults with developmental disabilities.

For more information, please email: dave@aadd.org

Partners In Policymaking Application Deadline is July 7

2008-07-01T07:36:00.000-04:00

Dear Partners:

Happy 4th of July!

I wanted to remind everyone to please call potential Partners to remind them about the deadline for applications. Please follow up with your friends and send them an email or give them a quick call asking them to apply. It really does make a difference for potential applicants to hear from someone that they know. The deadline is July 7th.

I appreciate the phone calls and emails coming from everyone with new applicants. In order to grow leadership and advocacy in the state, we need new people who will commit to join our efforts.

The link to the schedule of dates, application and a two minute video about Partners is below:

http://www.aadd.org/2008/newsite/programs/partners.html

Thank you!

Have a great summer,

Rita

Champions for Children Phase 2 Announcement

2008-06-23T14:18:00.000-04:00

Easter Seals Georgia Coalition was recently awarded the grant for the Champions for Children with Exceptional Needs Initiative. Included in the Coalition are Easter Seals Southern Georgia, Easter Seals North Georgia, Easter Seals West Georgia, Easter Seals East Georgia, Easter Seals Middle Georgia and Parent to Parent of Georgia. The Champions for Children Program is funded by a $4.87 million five-year grant from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. This grant was made possible by a one-time 2006 Georgia Legislature allocation.

The Easter Seals Georgia Coalition is pleased to announce the implementation of the Champions for Children Program in multiple counties beginning July 1, 2008. Click here for the list of counties.

The Champions for Children Program is designed to primarily assist children and families that no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the TEFRA/Katie Beckett Medicaid program. The program will provide direct financial assistance and support services for Georgia’s medically fragile and special needs children and their families. An Easter Seals Champions Coordinator will work directly with families to determine eligibility, identify service needs as described by the family and connect them with resources and services.

For more information click here to access the Champions for Children website.

OUR OPINIONS: Doctor knows best

2008-06-23T10:07:00.000-04:00

'Watershed' ruling keeps the state from limiting vital care sick children receive under Medicaid
By Maureen Downey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/20/08

Because of strokes she suffered while in her mother's womb, 13-year-old Callie Moore of Danielsville has a host of complex medical problems. They include spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, refractory seizure disorder, mental retardation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cortical blindness, dysphagia, bone cartilage disease, scoliosis, kyphosis and restrictive lung disease.

Callie's condition mandates round-the-clock care and treatment. Under federal and state Medicaid regulations and policies, she is entitled to screening, diagnostic and treatment services and, because she is medically fragile, skilled nursing care. Medicaid is a joint federal-state matching program that pays for medical assistance for low-income families and for people who would require institutional care if they were not receiving alternative services at home.

Callie's doctor prescribed 94 hours a week of nursing services, but state officials unilaterally reduced the hours to 84 in 2006. Her mother protested that the state had no right to disregard the doctor's order, and last week a court affirmed that under federal law, a Department of Community Health bureaucrat in an office tower cannot overrule a doctor in determining the level of medical care required by a sick child.

"The state must provide for the amount of skilled nursing care which the plaintiff's treating physician deems necessary to correct or ameliorate her condition," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Thrash.

The decision doesn't only help Callie. Georgia has a shameful record of minimizing the services it allows children under Medicaid, for example, by paring down a doctor's call for twice-weekly physical therapy to once a week. Historically, parents have had to fight for every hour of nursing services.

"The advocacy community is looking at this as watershed stuff," says Pat Nobbie, deputy director of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. "It puts the state on notice that it doesn't have the discretion it thought it had in deciding what services children eligible for Medicaid should have."

"Having a nurse in our home has kept Callie alive," says her mother, Pam Moore. Yet according to Moore, the state has tried to reduce her daughter's nursing hours about 10 times over the last decade.

"This is a very common story," says attorney Joshua Norris of the nonprofit Georgia Advocacy Office, which represented Callie. "In addition to having to go through the day-to-day grind of caring for a child with complex medical issues, there is the constant battle with a bureaucracy that is not focused on the needs of the child."

Despite laws mandating changes in how it treats children on Medicaid, the state has continued to create barriers to kids getting the amount of care they need. Nobbie hopes that this time, the clarity and vigor of Thrash's ruling will force the state to comply. Her advocacy organization is spreading the news of the decision across the state.

"We hope that prescribing physicians will get the word," she said, "and prescribe what they think kids need and stand up for what they prescribed if the kids are denied by the state."

So should the rest of us.

Click here for the article.

Moore v. Medows

2008-06-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Court Rules Georgia Medicaid Agency Must Provide Prescribed Services to Child

A 12-year-old girl from Madison County has won a significant victory in a federal lawsuit against Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health, the state’s Medicaid agency. On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas W. Thrash rejected the Department of Community Health’s claim that it had the discretion to refuse to provide healthcare that had been prescribed by the girl’s treating physician.
The child, known as “Callie” to her friends and family, has many complex medical conditions that require nursing care. Callie is eligible for Medicaid and receives some Medicaid-funded nursing services in her home. Her doctor prescribed 94 hours of private duty nursing care for her, but the Department of Community Health approved only 84 hours of this service.
The Georgia Advocacy Office filed suit on Callie’s behalf to enforce her rights under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment services (“EPSDT”) provisions of the Medicaid Act [42 U.S.C. §1396d(r)]. EPSDT requires states participating in Medicaid to ensure that Medicaid-eligible children under age 21 receive all of the health care services and treatments that their treating physicians determine to be necessary to “correct or ameliorate” any physical or mental illness or condition.
In ruling in Callie’s favor, the federal district court found that states participating in the Medicaid program do not have the discretion to deny funding for treatments and services listed in the Act when prescribed by a treating physician for a Medicaid-eligible child.
Joshua Norris, the director of legal advocacy at the Georgia Advocacy Office, said the decision has implications for the more than 700,000 children in Georgia who are eligible for Medicaid.
“The court is simply making Georgia comply with Congress’ intent that all children who are eligible for Medicaid actually receive the services and treatment that will help them be in the best health possible. This decision affirms that treating physicians, and not the state, should make those decisions and that Georgia’s Medicaid agency must provide children eligible for Medicaid
what the doctors have prescribed for them.”

Walk, Run & Roll, Resource Fair and Silent Auction

2008-06-19T13:32:00.000-04:00

Saturday, June 21, 2008, 9AM-2PM

WHERE: Old Home Depot, 2581 Piedmont Rd, NE., Atlanta, GA (across from the Target, behind Quick Trip (QT) on Sidney Marcus, 3 ½ blocks from Lindbergh Train Station)

RACES:
-Every runner gets a free t-shirt
-Children and adult categories
-2 main divisions: wheels and feet, wheels, power and manual wheelchairs, feet, adult and children
-Prizes for the winners
-Entry and pledges can be brought the morning of the races

Donations may also be sent to:
Long Road Home Campaign
c/o People First of Georgia
755 Commerce Drive, Ste 105
Decatur, Georgia 30030

Make all checks out to People First of Georgia, a 501 c 3, all donations are tax deductible.

For more information contact Kate Gainer (404)657-2125 or Cheri Mitchell (678) 755-6015

Transportation Forum - FRI, JUNE 20th

2008-06-19T13:26:00.000-04:00

Rides for All Georgians
Public Forum on Transportation

When: Friday, June 20, 2008 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Manual Maloof Administration Building and Auditorium
1300 Commerce Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30030

All Welcomed!

Why: To discuss public transportation from the riders’ point of view, your input is needed!!!!!

The Manual Maloof Administration Building and Auditorium is located in walking distance from the Decatur Marta Station.

There will be forums held all over the state. If you do not live in the Atlanta Metro area, please continue to watch for the announcement of when Rides for All Georgians will be in your area!

Plan Seeks More Access for Disabled--Article in the NY Times

2008-06-19T13:21:00.000-04:00

By ROBERT PEAR
Published: June 16, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is about to propose far-reaching new rules that would give people with disabilities greater access to tens of thousands of courtrooms, swimming pools, golf courses, stadiums, theaters, hotels and retail stores.

The proposal would substantially update and rewrite federal standards for enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act, a landmark civil rights law passed with strong bipartisan support in 1990. The new rules would set more stringent requirements in many areas and address some issues for the first time, in an effort to meet the needs of an aging population and growing numbers of disabled war veterans.

More than seven million businesses and all state and local government agencies would be affected. The proposal includes some exemptions for parts of existing buildings, but any new construction or renovations would have to comply.

The new standards would affect everything from the location of light switches to the height of retail service counters, to the use of monkeys as “service animals” for people with disabilities, which would be forbidden.

The White House approved the proposal in May after a five-month review. It is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, with 60 days for public comment. After considering those comments, the government would issue final rules with the force of law.

Already, the proposal is stirring concern. The United States Chamber of Commerce says it would be onerous and costly, while advocates for disabled Americans say it does not go far enough...

Click here to read further.

NOTES FROM THE SENATE

2008-06-19T13:16:00.000-04:00

BY SENATOR JACK HILL,
4th DISTRICT
June 12, 2008

With only one month left in the Fiscal Year, Georgia’s revenues have dropped to a virtual “no-growth” figure that practically guarantees the state will have to use the “Rainy Day” Reserve Fund to balance the books on June 30.
May’s revenues, at -31.1%, showed a sharp drop, but even when held up and matched with April’s sharp increase 34.5% reflect that the state’s revenue growth has slowed to a trickle.
Individual income tax, 50% of state revenues, was at -41.89% or ($607) million compared to May, 07 although April’s individual income tax showed an increase of 96.7% or $464 million. So between the two months, revenues were negative at -$142 million.
Sales tax collections continue to be lethargic and were negative between the two months by $38 million.
The clearest picture of Georgia’s slowing economy comes in examining Year to Date figures. Overall, Revenues (gains this year over last) stand for the first time at a negative 0.1%. So, as of May, we have taken in about $21 million dollars less than the first 11 months of 2007.
Individual income taxes are only $11 million over 2007, July-May or about 0.1%. One year ago, individual income taxes were up 45.4% or $453 million for the eleven months.
The state portion of Sales Taxes YTD is down 0.7% or $37 million. Interestingly, local sales tax collection, the 3% that local governments receive, is up $59 million or 16.4%. Of course local sales taxes include food and would take advantage of higher current food prices.
Corporate taxes are off by $24 million year to date, a decrease of 3.0%.

What a Difference a Year Makes:
One year ago, year to date total revenues were up $1.1 billion or 7.6% and individual income taxes were up 9.9%.
Inside the sales tax categories year to date, all categories are negative except food at a 5.0% increase, miscellaneous services at 1.7% and utilities at 2.1%. The largest decrease is in lumber which dropped 12.9%.
Fuel taxes like prices are a matter of deep concern to all Georgians. Fuel tax revenues do reflect decreasing purchases. Excise taxes, 7 ½ cents per gallon are down $20 million or -4.5% through May. Sales taxes on fuel have increased by $57 million or 13.2% YTD.
Of course June revenues are not accounted for yet but because June of 2007 was such a huge month ($110 million increase, or 7.0%). It is hard to believe June of 2008 can show a very large increase.

What These Numbers Mean:
With the FY08 Budget based on 2.78% growth exclusive of fuel taxes, the state could dip into the $1.5 billion reserve fund by $200 million to $500 million.

What’s Ahead in FY 2009?
With the FY 2009 Budget beginning in July, state leadership will have to act quickly if revenues continue to drag along with no growth. Reducing FY 2009 Budget expenditures would definitely be an option. Combining the year end reserve funds needed with the mid-year education adjustment of $190 million, the Reserve Fund could be decreased to one half or less, before any deficits in the FY 2009 Budget are addressed. Of course, oil prices don’t help our economy recover and are a drag on consumer and business spending.
In the longer term, you have to feel positive about Georgia’s ability to overcome these adversities. The military and civilian growth in Hinesville and Columbus, double digit growth in ports activity, unprecedented construction of warehouse space in Savannah and along I-16, and other commercial and manufacturing construction from the coast inland are all positive developments, indicate a quick recovery.
Additionally, the job announcements associated with the Kia plant in Troup County continue to grow and are at approximately 6,000 jobs at this writing. Obviously the homebuilding industry will be spotty in its recovery, focusing on areas of growth that may start to be affected by commuting distances to jobs.

Jack Hill can be reached at:

234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5038 (phone)
(404) 657-7094 (fax)
E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov
Or Call Toll-Free at 1-800-367-3334 Day or Night
Reidsville office: (912) 557-3811

Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation Public Policy Fellowships

2008-06-11T07:52:00.000-04:00

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking outstanding professionals working in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and outstanding leaders who are parents or family members of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, or how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies. The purpose of the Fellowship is to prepare emerging leaders or experienced professionals to assume leadership in the public policy arena, in their home state and or nationally. The coming year promises to be an exceptional opportunity to participate in the policy development process as we go through both the Presidential and congressional election processes and begin the 111th Congress.

Click here for more information and the application.

The deadline is August 15, 2008.

Please share these announcements broadly with your networks. These are fantastic opportunities to work on Capitol Hill or in a federal agency.

ACTION ALERT: URGE CONGRESS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR FAMILY SUPPORT

2008-06-11T06:56:00.000-04:00

Summary:

Beginning right now and throughout the summer, Congress will be deciding how much money federal programs will receive for the coming year. There are several key programs that provide family supports (see below) but they are seriously underfunded. We need your help to educate Members of Congress about why it is important to provide more money for family support programs.

Action:

Contact members of the House and Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittees. Urge them to provide additional funding for family support programs at the levels recommended below, which are consistent with recommendations from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).

Click for:
Members of Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Members of House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee
You can contact members of Congress by calling the Capitol switchboard:
(202) 224-3124.
You can also click here to send your members of Congress a prepared e-mail message.

Background:

*While over 80% of all long-term services and supports are delivered informally, little funding is provided to support family and other informal caregivers.

*Investing in family support is fiscally wise:
-The economic value of informal caregiving is over $350 billion a year.
-American businesses lose between $17.1 and $33.6 billion annually in lost productivity costs due to family members providing informal supports.
-Respite and other supports contribute to the well-being of caregivers and can reduce undesirable, costly placements in nursing homes and other institutions.

*Funding for key family support programs has not kept pace with growing demands and pressures on families. Three important programs are:
1.National Family Caregiver Support Program:
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) is authorized under Older Americans Act. It is intended to provide a variety of supports to caregivers of older individuals and older caregivers of children and adults with disabilities. Funding for the NFCSP has not kept pace with an aging population and actually received a slight cut last year. It is currently funded at $153.4 million; it is recommended that Congress increase funding to $250 million for FY 09.
2.Lifespan Respite Care Act:
The Lifespan Respite Care Act was signed into law on December 21, 2006.
It is intended to provide competitive grants to assist states in developing statewide respite systems to make quality respite available to family caregivers regardless of age or disability. However, it has not yet received any funding to be implemented. It is recommended that Congress provide funding at the full authorization level of $53.3 million for FY 09.
3.Family Support Program:
Title II of the Developmental Disabilities Act authorizes the Family Support Program to promote and strengthen systems of family support services to families with relatives with developmental disabilities.
Currently, only 21 states receive grants and funding is provided through a different section of the Act. It is recommended that funding for family support be increased from approximately $7.2 million to $17 million for FY09 to allow every state and US territory to receive grants. It is also recommended that this funding be provided through Title II without negatively impacting funding for other initiatives within Projects of National Significance.

YOUR OPINION COUNTS!!

2008-06-04T15:35:00.000-04:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC FORUM AT THE GAO

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO COMMENT ON THE PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS PROGRAM OF THE GEORGIA ADVOCACY OFFICE, INC.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2008
3:00 – 4:00 PM

Georgia Advocacy Office
Conference Room
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430
Decatur, GA 30030

This Public Forum is being hosted in conjunction with a federal site visit by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Mental Health and Human Services.

Each person will have three (3) minutes to present his or her comments.

If you need accommodations due to a disability to participate in the public forum please contact Donna Champion at 404.885.1234, 800.537.2329, or dchampion@thegao. org by June 10th.

If you cannot attend the forum in person, you can provide your comments:
1) by calling in during the forum – 404.885.1234 or 800.537.2329, voice or TDD;
2) by writing to the Georgia Advocacy Office – via email (info@thegao. org) or US Mail (Georgia Advocacy Office, 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430, Decatur, GA 30030) to be received by June 17th;
3) by writing directly to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – via email (Karen.Armstrong@ samhsa.hhs. gov) or US Mail (Karen Armstrong, SAMHSA – Division of Grants Management, Room 7-1091, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857) to be
received by June 17th.

The GAO looks forward to hearing your comments on the work of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program.

Now Taking Applications

2008-06-02T16:38:00.000-04:00

Partners in Policymaking is an innovative leadership training opportunity designed to involve and empower people with developmental disabilities, parents of young children with disabilities and other family members. The Partners program is the most comprehensive educational program on disability issues in Georgia.

How You Will Benefit:
Understand best practices
Connect with national experts
Network with other advocates
Be a part of creating positive change

What You Will Cover:
Community Organizing
Inclusive Education
State/Federal Government
Employment
Housing
History of Disability
Community Building

Who Should apply:
People with developmental disabilities, and parents of children with developmental disabilities, and family members are the primary target groups of the Partners program. We are looking for individuals who are seriously interested in developing their advocacy skills for the benefit of strengthening their families and being a part of local and statewide advocacy efforts.

For more information or to apply online, go to aadd.org contact Rita Young 404-881-9777 ext 220 or rita@aadd.org. The deadline for Applications is July 7, 2008.

To apply online, click below:
http://www.aadd.org/2008/newsite/programs/partners.html

To request a hardcopy of the application or to schedule a phone interview to assist in completing the application, call 404-881-9777 x 220.

Community Conversations

2008-05-28T10:19:00.000-04:00

Department of Community Health
Office of Health Improvement
Georgia Health Equity Initiative

2008 Georgia Health Disparities Report
Community Conversations

What are the OHI Community Conversations?
The Community Conversations is a series of meetings that will be held in various cities throughout Georgia to share information and obtain feedback about the 2008 Health Disparities Report that was released on April 18, 2008. This inaugural report was developed and presented by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Office of Health Improvement and its Minority Health Advisory Council (MHAC).

The report, Health Disparities Report 2008: A County-Level Look at Health Outcomes for Minorities in Georgia, is an account of the health status of Georgia’s minority populations by county. It aims to identify inequality in health care and outcomes, and to encourage action towards health equality for all Georgia.

The report may be accessed at www.dch.georgia.gov. Or you may email: gahealthequity@dch.ga.gov to request a copy.

Who are we talking to?
- Local Government Leaders
- Health Care Providers/Professionals
- Community Organizations
- Chamber Officials
- Business Leaders
- Concerned Citizens
- Others

What are the objectives for the conversations?
1. Does your county understand the issue of health disparities and how it affects the community?
2. What do people think about their county scores and how they fared?
3. Are there reasons for success or failures in their various communities?
4. In what ways can communities address the reduction and elimination of health disparities? Are they interested in forming local health equity coalitions?
5. How can we engage non-healthcare advocates on the issue?

Community Conversations Locations and Dates:
Augusta
May 28
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Good Shepard Baptist Church

Columbus
May 29
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Columbus University

Cordele
June 3
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Cordele Community Club

Albany
June 4
10:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Phoebe NW

Waycross
June 5
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
TBD

Brunswick
June 6
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Southeast GA Health Systems

Fort Valley
June 11
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
FVS- The Pettigrew Center

Athens
June 12
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
TBD

Valdosta
June 19
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Gainesville
June 24
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
DHR-Thompson Bridge Office

Atlanta
TBD
Morehouse NCPC

Educational Conference Sunday, August 3 at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta

2008-05-28T09:54:00.000-04:00

Interfaith Disability Connection (IDC), Shepherd Center and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta will present That All May Worship: Beyond the Ramp on Sunday, August 3 from 12:30-6:00 at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This one-day event will focus on how religious communities can make their services and programs fully accessible to those with disabilities.

The day will begin with lunch and conclude with an interfaith service. Topics will go beyond eliminating physical barriers and discuss creating services and programs in which all members can easily participate. Attendees will be inspired by the keynote speakers, educated by panelists, and motivated to take the message and lessons of the day back to their communities.

Register now by clicking here

For more information, click here: Interfaith Disability Connection or email: idc@bobbydodd.org

Advocacy Alert: Protecting Your Rights to Medical Equipment

2008-05-22T09:15:00.000-04:00

Your Representative Has One Day Left to Sign One-Year Delay Letter.

A letter urging members of Congress to sign on to the delay letter was sent to all members of the House. The letter was authored by Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), David Hobson (R-Ohio), and Jason Altmire (D-Pa.).

SO FAR Representatives Bishop, Gingrey, Johnson, Price and Scott of Georgia have signed this bipartisan letter.

The DEADLINE is today Thursday, May 22, for your U.S. Representative to sign this letter.

Click here for a copy of the letter.

Click here for contact information for Georgia's Congressional Delegation.

Click here for Related information.

Recruiting Advisory Members to the GCDD

2008-05-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is accepting applications from individuals with developmental disabilities and family members to become Advisory Members to the GCDD. Advisory members are not appointed by the Governor to the GCDD but have the same roles and responsibilities as those appointed except they cannot vote on issues presented to the GCDD. Advisory members are valuable to the GCDD in understanding the needs and issues in Georgia. After having served a two-year term, Advisory members are recommended to the Governor to serve as full GCDD members as openings became available. Like appointed members, Advisory members are expected to attend GCDD and committee meetings, take responsibility and follow through on assignments, and open doors to communities that they participate in. Applications are due into the GCDD offices by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 1, 2008.

Click here for the application.

Governor Perdue Signs $21.1 Billion Fiscal Year 2009 Budget

2008-05-15T13:35:00.000-04:00

Office of the Governor

Governor Sonny Perdue today signed into law HB 990 which authorizes Georgia’s $21.1 billion Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) Budget. The FY09 budget year begins July 1, 2008.

“Georgia is a growing, thriving state and this budget provides a sound fiscal plan to sustain that growth over the next year and into the future,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The FY09 budget strikes an important balance between wise investments and prudent cost-saving measures.”

The budget includes funding for several of Governor Perdue’s priorities for the coming year, while maintaining the fiscal discipline necessary given the recent slowing of the growth in the state’s revenue collections. On March 10, 2008, Governor Perdue reduced the FY09 revenue estimate by $245 million in light of slowing revenue projections...

...The FY09 budget also funds measures necessary to allow Georgians to maintain a robust healthcare system. $39.6 million will go towards increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, ambulance services and other healthcare providers. 500 more mental retardation and development disability waiver slots will be available through a $6.2 million appropriation. Nursing homes will receive $17.6 million in reimbursements for capital upgrades. An additional $31.3 million is appropriated to upgrade the state’s mental health facilities and community mental health system...

To read the full press release, click here.

Accepting Applications!

2008-05-15T13:23:00.001-04:00

We are accepting applications for
2008 - 2009 Partners In Policymaking.

Click here for more information.

Click here for the application.

If you have any questions, please email Rita.

Hurricaine Katrina and People with Disabilities

2008-05-14T09:51:00.000-04:00

Please note this is an e-mail received from the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council:

Dear Friends,
I would normally never ask for your advocacy assistance on something for my home state, but I could really use your help. We have been working on an appropriation for Permanent Supportive Housing for people with disabilities displaced by the hurricanes for two years and we're about to lose it. This action will only take 2 - 3 minutes of your time.

A spending bill in the U.S. House of Representatives has omitted critically needed funding for people with disabilities and the elderly who are victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This bill is now expected to come to a vote of the full House this Thursday, May 15. Our coalition leaders are asking people to call Rep. David Obey, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. James Clyburn - the three key national Congressional leaders on this issue -- and urge them to include funding for 3000 Permanent Supportive Housing rent vouchers for people with disabilities affected by the hurricanes in Louisiana! It's quick and easy - one minute per call -- just leave your message; you will not be asked any questions; but your call will have a real impact!

Message
"Please consider including funding for 3000 Permanent Supportive Housing rent vouchers for people with disabilities affected by the hurricanes in Louisiana in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill. They can't wait any longer. Please also consider providing housing funds for Mississippi. Thank you very much."

Here are their phone numbers:
The Hon. David Obey (chair of House Appropriations Committee):
(202)225-3365

The Hon. Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker):
(202) 225-4965

The Hon. James Clyburn (Majority Whip):
(202) 225-3315

If you choose to make the calls, please email me to let me know at swinchel@dhh.la.gov so we can have an idea of how many people are responding.

Thanks so much!!

Sandee Winchell
Executive Director
La. Developmental Disabilities Council
(225) 342-6804
swinchel@dhh.la.gov

Governor Perdue Announces April Revenue Figures

2008-05-12T12:02:00.000-04:00

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of April 2008 (FY08) totaled $1,761,180,000 compared to $1,309,159,000 for April 2007 (FY07), an increase of $452,021,000 or 34.5 percent.

The percentage increase year-to-date for FY08 compared to FY07 is 4.7 percent.

“The dramatic rise in revenues this month is primarily the result of process improvements made by the Department of Revenue, including hiring an outside vendor to help process hundreds of thousands of additional payments when compared to this time last year,” Governor Perdue said. “While this looks like great news for the month of April, we anticipate revenues in the coming months will slow and balance this one month spike.”

Click here for the full report.

Congratulations to the class of 2008!

2008-05-12T11:06:00.001-04:00

AADD is proud to present the 2008 class of Partners in Policymaking. Graduation was held at the Doubletree Club Hotel on Saturday, May 3rd with over 120 guests in attendance.Special thanks to Dottie Adams, Stacey Ramirez, Linda Blackwell, and Ameenah Rasool. Each Partner spoke to the audience on how they will take their Partners experience and help others. This is a class full of pure energy!

The graduates and their specialties or areas of interest are:

Adrianne McCullom, Douglasville: Educator, network builder.
Angie Saylors, Marietta: Passionate; not afraid to ask difficult questions.
Audrey Smith, Flowery Branch: Expert in education law; woman of style.
Ayoca Freeman, Hartwell: Author; supports families getting support.
B.J. Kelley, Lithonia: Realtor; interest in social and recreation opportunities for adults.
Carolyn Wall, Lilburn: Support coordinator; deep caring for others.
Cathy Fletcher, Marietta: Engineer; expert in cochlear implants; self advocate.
Charles "Ray" Washington, Stockbridge: Realtor; interest in lobbying.
Cynthia Branch, Lawrenceville: Member, Gwinnett Navigator Team; works for social justice.
Dave Zilles, Sandy Springs: Award winning advocate; works well with legislators.
Deborah Malone, Rome: Legislative advocacy; worked on HB 540 this session.
Debra Gibson, Snellville: Business owner; interested in learning more about GA budget.
Dianne Edwards-Andrews, Savannah: Connector; runs Navigator Team in Chatham County.
Dorothea D. Cadet, Union City: Heart for ministry; works for Chick-Fil-A.
Elizabeth S. Goodrich, Decatur: Expert in Olmstead; self advocate; works well with facts and stats.
Heather Murray, Augusta: Optimist; strategist; helps with IEP's.
John Edward Dallas, Decatur: Seeking inclusion through bridge building and diversity; GCDD staff.
Judith Steuber, Kennesaw: Mentor, Cobb County; hard working grandmother.
Julie A. Beem, Marietta: Writer; adoption; communication director.
Karen Cook, Rome: Business owner; Navigator Team, Floyd county.
Kathy Harwell, Rome: Retired special education teacher; Navigator Team, Floyd county.
Katrina Watson Washington, Stockbridge: Works for CNN; has fierce determination.
Lisa M. Robinson, Marietta: Job coach; employment is her specialty.
Melinda Smith-Pace, Columbus: Grant writer; Navigator Team leader.
Nancy E.W. Sellers, Atlanta: Dignified; has contacts within civil rights.
Patricia A. Wilson, Hiram: Trainer for nuclear industry; sibling.
Raissa Chandler, Fayetteville: Trainer; wants to be the Clark Howard for disabilities; DMA-6 expert.
Sampaguita Tate, Atlanta: SB10 leader; works well with those in power.
Sandra Humphreys, Rome: Parent to Parent; PLC North GA coordinator.
Sharon Capers, Grayson: ER nurse, expert in DD and Mental Health.
Stephanie Shapiro, Tucker: Works for Focus; believes institutions are not for anyone!

To email a graduate, click on their name. If you wish to contact any of the class members, they ask that you put "Partners" in the subject line so your message will not be filtered out as spam.

More Stories from Central State

2008-05-06T13:24:00.000-04:00

Central State Hospital Tour April 14, 2008
Lisa Robinson, (Mother)

When my classmates and I first entered onto the grounds of Central State, I thought wow this is very huge, so many buildings mostly white in color and houses scatter about the campus grounds.

During this visit I believe it was very well organized and almost like a set to be filmed, with all the right props and rehearsed scenes to be recorded and filmed.

We toured the Allen Building, which house about 170 residents (in all there is about 5000 at the entire facility); all of them require skilled Nursing staff. Each of these residents was diagnosed with Profound/ Severe Mental Retardation and other disability issues. I met several young men and women their ages ranged from six year old to 22 years old…. Joseph who is 22 years old was totally bedridden and required care around the clock and then I met Marcellious who shares a room with John. Marcellious is 16 years old and has cerebral palsy and is severely contracted, he did appear to understand us when we spoke to him, but he did not acknowledge us. I talk about Marcellious because he had a impact on me immediately because I have a son name Marcellious also who is 17 years old and have cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation, you see this could be my son who has be institutionalized for reasons unknown. This made me feel sadden and it also made me want to do something, what I don’t know exactly but for sure I will get a living will so that my son will not have to go to a place like Central Hospital. You see when we use the word hospital it represents a place to make you well and heal you from what is ailing you then you go home to a loving and caring family who will continue to support your every need. This environment was not a nurturing and loving homelike environment, yes there was nursing staff but anything from a loving and caring family member.

I continued the tour with many thoughts on my mind; we were then taken to another unit where residents who have been deemed ready to transition back into the community. There were several different workshops areas where you could learn and perform different work duties. Each work site the resident can earn wages and learn skills that can be used when they re-enter the community. I thought it was a nice facility and area for the residents however it was very structured also with a guard present at all times.

Then there was the Boling Building and the Phoenix Building where the higher functioning people reside. We were informed that the staff ratio is six to one, which is in my opinion that is not adequate staff for folks with different levels of needs and concern.

In one building the rooms were decorated from Bed Bath and beyond or Martha Stewart Home Stores, with all bedding and accessories matching, nice beds and furniture and each room had televisions and other entertainment. Then it was the other unit that I believe that we were not suppose to visit, this unit was unclean, not furnished well, beds looked like children beds (adult men) slept in. They did not have the nice recreation rooms with different games and things to chose, in fact the only entertainment unit did not have any games in it and it was broken. I was very disappointed in this and felt bad for the men. We were told that it was due to funding that this unit did not have the same luxuries and quality that the other unit has, the men shared one shower area and one bath area.

My experience at Central State hospital is that for people who have been lost in the system with no other place to go, it should be a temporary solution. I do understand that children who are medically fragile need medical care, but lets fix this and find a way to get real loving, caring homes for our children, lets stop spending money on buildings and enlarging hospitals like Central to house more people, let us knock down the barriers that is preventing real solutions to this very real issue.

What Is Really Going On At Central State Hospital?
By Cynthia Branch

Milledgeville, GA - Sometimes parents are faced with many emotions including feelings of sadness, not knowing what to do, lost, guilt and insecurity when making life changing decisions. The stress, finances including emotional connotations of what to consider for a love one and a child, has forced many families to face placing their love ones in a group home, assistant living centers, other facilities, institutions for reasons unknown and for reasons involving the health concerns of the caregiver, aging parents or family members. The need for continuous support and services is very evident when the caregiver is no longer able to provide for their love one.

Understanding that some of the decisions may or may not be associated with many choices or options since one of the main driving factor equates to the mighty dollar of what will be spent towards the level of care, accommodations, placement, support and treatment in many cases that involve our love ones...which is really sad and yet very true.

First before sharing what was revealed through close observation, per what was understood after listening to others employed at Central State Hospital and as a concerned mother of a child with multiple disabilities Central State Hospital never be an option in planning for my angel's long term future.

Ahhh...Ahhh..., Central State Hospital and Facilities located in Milledgeville GA is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Atlanta GA. Close observation revealed that on Central State Hospital's mass campus like grounds within some of the facilities/buildings concerns were revealed as follows:

Medically Fragile Facility - Hospital Setting

Adults ranging from 19 to 70+ years old were observed in this hospital section. As you walked through this area, you would see some of the walls and rooms decorated with stars, clouds, bears and etc. which is usually seen in a newborns room or nursery.
Concern... assuming many of the individuals in this area may have cognitive concerns, appear non- verbal and my possibility be visual learners if they are only see this type of newborn environment day after day, year after year without any change, it does not appear their minds will be allowed to grow and develop.

Further observation in this entire section revealed there were no cameras, no monitoring systems anywhere including where the staff or nurses station is. Individuals in this area appeared to have multiply disabilities inclusive of having a tracheotomy, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and remember many of them appeared to be non verbal and non mobile.

If complications should arise during sleeping hours there is a serious level of concern of how lives are saved if the staff is not in the immediate area with the individual or awake...survival appears slim to none because there is no monitoring system.

In the same adult section for the medically fragile there was (1) girl who had been in this area at for an approximately (3) years. She was 6 years old, cute as a button, had the biggest brown eyes, she appeared non verbal, did not giggle, did not smile, had a tracheotomy and AFO's on with no shoes. This adult hospital environment was inappropriate for a child this young, there were no other age appropriate children and no area for children to have fun.

All Men's Adult Facility

The all men's adult facility (dorm setting/building 5 floors) for approximately 60 men with disabilities that were Mild, Moderate and Mild/Moderate Autism.

Observation revealed that the limited staff was mostly women working and caring for this group of men - the ratio was 2 women assigned to approximately 6 to 10 men at a time.

Concerns - no cameras including monitors anywhere, most of the men had their own room if they did not have a roommate. You could if an individual had limited resources and received a little support from a family member , because the location of their room was noticeably different. The rooms did not lock and anyone could enter at any time. 24/7 Interaction with only men....what about those hormones with the number of women their caring for those individuals?

Understanding that many individuals may have been placed at Central State as young as 2 months, became adults there, lived out there lives and with approximately 4000 buried there.... is this another form of being sentence to life on death row without ever being able to smell the roses?

Georgia's aim should be regarding moving children and adults forward.....

1. Moving individuals out of the institutions. Preparing them for the transition which is inclusive of training, daily living skills and providing some form of resources for 3 months that will assist and prepare them upfront.

2. Educating individuals...in school the goal of education for any student is preparation for adult life and for adults preparing them to live on their own with hopes that they will become a contributor to society.

3. Rehabilitation for all individuals should be on the assumption that they can learn and must have the opportunity to do so through training, retraining, supports and assistance that is tailored to the individual involving the appropriate accommodations needed.

4. Unlock the Waiting Lists with more openings. Increase the number of waivers including the supports that is needed for so many individuals and their families.

5. Providing affordable health and dental insurance for caregivers.

6. Allocating the money to families through direct services....allowing families to control the money since many family member are already doing a better job of taking care of their love ones.

DISABILITY MOVEMENT....Georgians must continue to increase awareness, keep paving the way for so many deserving individuals and let life begin for so many outside of isolation.

April 16, 2008

Central State Hospital
Milledgeville, Georgia

As a member of a leadership program called Partners in Policymaking, I was recently given the opportunity to tour Central State Hospital in Milledgeville Georgia. I was very uneasy and scared at first about the decision I had made to attend Central State Hospital because of the things I had heard about the hospital as I was growing up, but then I decided I needed to know exactly what it was like for myself.

I will start by saying, I have a five year old little girl with the diagnosis of Down syndrome who absolutely means the world to me. Besides my relationship with God, she is the reason why I choose to get out of the bed in the morning and start a brand new day. She is the joy and love of my life, and her disability has truly changed me and opened my eyes to a whole new world. I am very grateful God chose me to be her mommy, and she is blessed to have such great families. We have so many hopes and dreams for her and step by step we are achieving them. I am so thankful because Central State Hospital will never be the future plans for my little girl. In fact, Central State Hospital opened my eyes to a world that I couldn’t envision for anyone.

I had no idea so many people whether young or old were abandoned. I thought moms and dads should love unconditionally, care inspite of good and bad times. Next to one of the beds of a young girl, her mother had left a note saying that she wanted to take her daughter’s pain away. I still wonder if it really the parent who was in pain because she did not understand her child was a very special person, and she did not know how to deal with her child’s disability. I feel blessed to understand that we are all equal under God, all having imperfections, but also perfect in his eyes.

After this haunting experience, I want people to know that if my mother had never had faith in me, or believed in me, I wouldn’t be the mother I am today. This belief stands true for all people. We need our families or people that love us in our lives. Since leaving Central State Hospital it has renewed my resolve to be a better listener, to help more people with or without disabilities, and to just try to make this world a better and safer place for all people.

What we sometimes fail to realize is we are all a day away from a car accident, or gun shot wound, or sickness. If God choses us to live and be paralyzed or to use a wheel chair, we will want to be treated with love, dignity and respect. It is the way we make each other feel connected to each other. As Maya Angelou said, “ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”