#039-2007 March 26, 2007 - Monday
To respond to this email, reply to: martyomoto@rcip.com CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
CDCAN TOWNHALL TELEMEETINGS
* MARCH 29th TOWNHALL ON SB 1270 IMPLEMENTATION
* MAJOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES CHANGES
* FINAL REPORT WILL GO TO GOVERNOR & LEGISLATURE
SACRAMENTO - Final proposed recomendations, required by SB 1270 authored by Sen. Wes Chesbro and signed by the Governor last year, could result in major improvements and changes impacting services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities and will be the focus of a CDCAN "Advocacy Without Borders Disability Rights Townhall Telemeeting", scheduled for March 29, Thursday morning from 10:30 AM to 12 noon, and can be accessed by toll free phone lines or by the internet to the public.
The final report will be submitted soon to the Governor and the State Legislature and was developed after two stakeholder meetings in Sacramento attended by well over 100 different individuals and organizations, organized by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, which was specifically charged in SB 1270 to oversee the implementation. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities according to its mission statement, "advocates, promotes and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families." It is made up of appointees of the Governor and representatives of various state agencies.
The
State Council on Developmental Disabilities, chaired by Sascha Bittner [pictured
left in photo last year with California First Lady Maria Shriver] ,
organized with the Area Boards on Developmental Disabilities a series of
community outreach forums to provide an opportunity for people across California
to make comments, ask questions and hear updates on the proposed recommendations
before it goes to the State Legislature and Governor. The CDCAN Townhall
Telemeeting was scheduled as another way for people - who may have restrictions
limiting travel due to money, health or other issues - to participate in the
process. The report covers the following:
1. Expand people's opportunities in social, recreational and volunteer activities
2. Expand work opportunities in the community
3. Help make government jobs more open to people with disabilities
4. Increase the use of creative ideas like vouchers, and self-directed services
5 Look at successful models in California and other states
6. Find ways to help make things work better by making changes to regulations and funding
You can view these recommendations at the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us or the State Council on Developmental Disabilities website at www.scdd.ca.gov
Townhall Will Feature Several Area Board Directors, State Council Director & Regional Center Director
The March 29th CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting will feature several executive directors of Area Boards on Developmental Disabilities, the executive director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the executive director of a regional center:
* Julie Barnes, Executive Director - Area Board 9 on Developmental Disabilities
* Alan Kerzin, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
* Laura Larson, Executive Director, Far Northern Regional Center
* Tom Montesonti, Executive Director - Area Board 1 on Developmental Disabilities
* Roberta Newton, Executive Director - Area Board 10 on Developmental Disabilities
Also (depending on availability due to budget hearings):
* Peggy Collins, consultant to Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Background of SB 1270
* In 2006 the Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 1270 by Senator Wes Chesbro (now retired due to term limits) requiring that the State Council on Developmental Disabilities bring together interested people and groups (called "stakeholders") to look at ways to improve the non-residential services, supports and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
* This group was called the "SB 1270 Workgroup".
* The group, overseen by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, is in the process of finalizing a special report with ideas that will be given to the Governor and the Legislature this year. They have held two meetings so far in Sacramento - one in January and the second in February.
* Former Sen. Chesbro and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and other advocates believe that the final report with recommendations can be used to help lawmakers write better laws. They believe that it can give the Governor and state agencies under him useful information in making future plans.
* In addition, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities says that sections of the final report can be added to the existing State Plan that the Council is required by law to develop.
CALENDAR OF SCHEDULED CDCAN TOWNHALLS
CDCAN's "Advocacy Without Borders Disability Rights Townhall Telemeetings" is a way for people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others, their families, workers, community groups, organizations, government and others to connect to policy makers and other advocates to hear and make comments and ask questions on issues impacting
If you wish to be a speaker on this townhall or future townhalls (see below for different subject areas), please send email to Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com and we'll try to include you (note: anyone can participate as audience members and anyone can ask questions)
YOU CAN ACCESS EITHER BY TOLL FREE PHONE OR FROM YOUR OWN COMPUTER (MUST HAVE HIGH SPEED CONNECTION) See below for details. :
MARCH 29, 2007 (THU) 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
SB 1270 UPDATE ON PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPORTANT
CHANGES TO NON-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
Featuring:
* Julie Barnes, Executive Director - Area Board 9 on Developmental Disabilities
* Alan Kerzin, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
* Laura Larson, Executive Director, Far Northern Regional Center
* Tom Montesonti, Executive Director - Area Board 1 on Developmental Disabilities
* Roberta Newton, Executive Director - Area Board 10 on Developmental Disabilities
Also (depending on availability due to budget hearings):
* Peggy Collins, consultant to Joint Legislative Budget Committee
APRIL 4, 2007 (WED) 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
ACCESSIBLE & AFFORDABLE HOUSING - HUD OFFICIALS
Featuring HUD officials (US Department of Housing & Urban Development)
* Richard Rainey, Director - HUD Region 9 (includes all of California)
* Chuck Hauptman, Director, Region 9 Fair Housing and Opportunity
* Also: Housing NOW, UCP of LA and Ventura Counties, and housing advocates from LA, San Diego and Northern CA and Fresno
Some items to be touched on during the townhall:
* April is "Fair Housing Month" according to HUD, the federal government's lead agency dealing with housing.
* Accessible and affordable housing issues Iincluding Section 8 and public housing issues, opportunities, problems and concerns) impacting people with disabilities, seniors, people with mental health needs, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, people with MS and other disorders, low income support staff and all their families.
* Information about housing authorities that HUD funds and oversees.
* This follows a CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting in February with the director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development and other department officials (who have agreed to do townhalls at least once a quarter and in some cases more often) and also concerns raised in the Bay Area
* Issue of accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others, including low income support workers, families is critical for the rights of people to live in their own communities.
NOTE: if you wish to be a speaker on this townhall or future townhalls (see below for different subject areas), please send email to Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com and we'll try to include you (note: anyone can participate as audience members and anyone can ask questions)
APRIL 5, 2007 (THU) 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
STATE BUDGET UPDATE:
HUMAN SERVICES ISSUES (INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES)
Featuring:
* Nicole Vazquez, Human Services Consultant - Assembly Budget Committee
MORE CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings SOON to be scheduled
* Agnews Developmental Center closure and update - SOON TO BE SCHEDULED!
* Respite Issues - SOON TO BE SCHEDULED!
* Health care reform proposals - impact on people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors
* Supported living services (series) (to be scheduled during April)
* In-Home Supportive Services (to be scheduled in April)
* Employment of people with disabilities
* Update on Federal Budget (for 2007 budget year) including impact on housing
* Special education update and employment update
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FREE CDCAN TOWNHALLS
* People can either go to a site hosting a telemeeting (see CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us for locations) and click on Townhall Telemeetings" and then "Townhall Telemeeting Locations". Important: People should call the site that is listed to make sure that the location is participating in the townhall telemeeting - some locations can only participate on certain dates OR
* People can ALSO participate by dialing in from your own home or work. This is especially helpful for people with disabilities and seniors or their families or workers who have transportation or have other mobility or resource issues that make it difficult to leave their home or work.
To access townhall telemeeting using a phone:
Dial this toll free number for the Townhall Telemeetings
* Dial toll free number: 1-800-608-4143 Note: there is NO passcode.
* Tell the operator you want to join the CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting
* The operator will connect you
OR
To access townhall telemeeting LIVE using your computer
* You can access LIVE, CDCAN telemeetings from your own computer provided it has a high speed internet (DSL, cable) connection AND has internal or external speakers.
NOTE: These instructions are NOT for any guest speakers for the telemeeting or co-moderators and are DIFFERENT from people who want to access the telemeetings using their phone (see above). These instructions are for computer access only: This will be the second townhall telemeeting using the internet live, so some problems could occur as procedures are worked out.
Step ONE (on your computer): Go to website: http://www.800rollcall.com/htm/join.htm
Step TWO (on your computer ) enter Participant Code: 9280931
Step THREE (on your computer): Enter your name (full name is not required)
Step FOUR (on your computer):
* You should see a security warning pop-up. Please click “yes”.
* If you see this on your computer screen "Roll Call - Conference Has Not Started Yet" that means the CDCAN townhall telemeeting has not yet started . You will need to simply click on the “back” button on your browser, wait about 2 minutes and repeat the log in procedure.
If you see the presentation screen you are logged in
* If you get disconnected for some reason, simply log back in.
* Make sure your audio settings on your computer is not on mute.
Asking Questions or Making Comments
* You can "ask" a questions (typing out your question on your computer) We will provide instructions on how to do that during the telemeeting.
* You cannot ask a question orally (using your voice) however if you are accessing the townhall through the computer - you can only ask a question by typing it out.
Note: If you wish to ask a question using your voice, you will need to either disconnect from the internet (or put the audio on mute) and use your phone to dial in (using the dial information above).
FOR ASSISTANCE: If you have difficulties in connecting or would like to request a language line for future telemeetings or have other comments or requests, please call 916/442-8877 at Training Toward Self Reliance (TTSR) and ask for Carla Rogers or call CDCAN at 916/446-0013.