CDCAN REPORT 068-2007

* Will Hear Testimony on Several Regional Center Budget Issues
* Developmental Centers Mental Health Professionals Also On Agenda

SACRAMENTO - The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Assemblymember Patty Berg is set to meet on May 9, Wednesday afternoon, at 1:30 PM at the State Capitol, Room 444 [always check the notices posted in Capitol elevators to verify room as sometimes hearing rooms can change], covering most of the budget issues impacting regional centers and at least one issue impacting developmental centers under the Department of Developmental Services not heard during the April 11th hearing. The subcommittee will also take action, but not take any further public testimony, on issues about Agnews Developmental Center and the outpatient clinic and health related issues that the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veteran Affairs approved yesterday (May 7).

Will Hear and Take Public Testimony on Regional Center Issues Not Heard April 11th

The Assembly subcommittee however will take testimony on those issues it has not yet previously heard - including those budget issues impacting community-based services and supports funded by the 21 non-profit regional centers under the Department of Developmental Services. In addition the subcommittee will also likely hear the issue of Developmental Centers mental health professionals. Three other departments are also on the agenda covering open issues that the subcommittee has not yet taken up - though none of those appear to be subjects that have direct and signficant impact to people with disabilities and seniors.

[Note: see CDCAN Alert on this hearing and also for copy of the hearing agenda - not yet available - go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us]
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veteran Affairs held its hearing on regional center and developmental center budget issues on April 9 and a follow-up to the Agnews Developmental Center issues on May 7 (see separate CDCAN report for details on this hearing)

Next Steps
* ADDITIONAL HEARINGS - Both houses will be holding additional budget subcommittee hearings after the Governor's proposed budget revisions are released, to review and hear public testimony on any new proposals or changes - and to also take final actions on all issues that have been held "open" The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veteran Affairs has set May 22 as the date they will hear new issues in the Governor's budget relating to health issues - while it is not yet certain when the Assembly subcommittee will hold its hearings.
* GOVERNOR'S MAY BUDGET REVISIONS - With the State's budget situation uncertain - and possibly improving if revenues continue to increase beyond what is expected, policymakers and advocates are waiting for the release by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, scheduled for May 14, of his proposed changes and revisions to the proposed state budget for 2007-2008, referred to as the "May Revision" or the "May Revise".
The State budget year begins July 1 every year and ends on June 30 (different from the federal budget year which begins October 1 and ends the following September 30).

April 11th Assembly Subcommittee Hearing Ran Out Of Time for Other Issues To Be Heard May 9th
* The April 11th hearing by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee was able to hear all of the issues impacting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) including voting to reject 4-0 (with both Republicans abstaining) the Governor's proposal to freeze State funding for In-Home Supportive Services wages and benefits (with some exceptions) - an action that the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health, Human Services, Labor and Veteran Affairs also approved on April 19, voting 2-1 (with Republican Cogdill voting to oppose).
* The Assembly hearing on the 11th also heard an update on the closure of Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose and the progress of the transition of people from Agnews into community settings, including the capacity of health related services and supports.
* The subcommittee heard testimony from over 45 advocates, family members who have family members residing at Agnews Developmental Center. The Assembly subcommittee adopted Senate Budget Subcommittee's budget related legislative language regarding addressing health services and supports and the concerns raised by family members. * But the combination of the issues and testimony raised during the In-Home Supportive Services portion of hearing, and the large numbers who testified on the Agnews closure - the hearing ran out of time, with subcommittee chair Patty Berg saying they would continue the other items in a hearing sometime in May.

Agenda for May 9th Assembly Subcommittee Hearing
Though not finalized - and subject to change, the agenda for the subcommittee hearing will likely cover first budget issues under the Department of Developmental Services, followed by budget issues under the Department of Child Support Services, Department of Social Services and Department of Rehabilitation - no details yet available what "open" issues in those departments will be heard.
The Department of Developmental Services budget issues scheduled to be heard. Please note it is not necessarily listed in the same order that will be in the final agenda, and it is subject to change and not final: [Note: A copy of agenda when it is finalized and released will be posted on the CDCAN website and sent out at www.cdcan.us]

Department of Developmental Services (Budget Item 4300)

1. Agnews Developmental Center outpatient clinic and health issues (actions taken by Senate on May 7) note: action item only - no public testimony
2. Community Services Program and Purchase of Service [CDCAN Note refers to regional center funded services]
3. Rate Reform and Cost Containment for Regional Center funded services
4. Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DD and CN) Proposed Bundled Rate
5. Technical Correction to the Governor's Proposed Budget (funding shift change - notice or letter from Governor's Department of Finance)
6. Salary Enhancements for Mental Health professional in Developmental Centers (notice or letter from Governor's Department of Finance)

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MANY THANKS to Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, Parents Helping Parents, Arriba, Strategies To Empower People, Parents Helping Parents, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, and hundreds of individuals.