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Report #164-2007 - November
15, 2007 - Thursday
Developmental Services
* Assembly Human Services Committee Informational Hearing
* Set for Friday November 16 1:30 PM in Campbell (San Jose)
* Focus on Developmental Services/Employment Issues
* Governor Announces Two Appointments to State Council on
DD
* CDCAN Townhall Set for 11/27 on Developmental Services
SACRAMENTO (CDCAN) - With the issues of health care reform and
the growing budget crisis dominating the attention of State policymakers,
the Assembly Human Services Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Jim Beall
(Democrat - San Jose), is scheduled to hold the second of two
informational hearings, Friday afternoon, November 16th, from 1:30 PM
to 5:00 PM at the Campbell Community Center (Roosevelt
Room) in Campbell (near San Jose) on the issue of California's
landmark civil rights act for children and adults with developmental
disabilities - the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act.
[Note: For copy of the agenda, see below or go to the CDCAN website at
www.cdcan.us
also for information on CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting, November 27th,
Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:30 PM featuring Department of Developmental
Services officials including Chief Deputy Director Mark Hutchinson, Deputy
Director Julia Mullen, for an update on developmental services related
issues. Townhall Telemeetings are free and open to anyone and includes
time for questions]
Assemblymember Jim Beall (Democrat - San Jose) who
has an adult step son who has developmental disabilities, said in
October that he and his wife "...know first hand the challenges
involved in caring for someone you love that has developmental
disabilities" and that he wants to "take the Lanterman
Act" into the future and "expand opportunities" for
persons with developmental disabilities.
"The Lanterman Act is now 40 years old. I want
to make sure that the Act is keeping pace with innovations on the
delivery of services" Beall said.
Catherine Blakemore & David Mulvaney Appointed to State
Council on DD
Sarah Steenhausen Now With Department of Developmental Services
In related news, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced yesterday
the appointments of Catherine Blakemore, executive director of Protection
and Advocacy, Inc (PAI), based in Sacramento and David Mulvaney a
parent advocate from San Diego, to the State Council on Developmental
Disabilities (see below for details).
Also in other related news, Sarah Steenhausen, who worked as an Assistant
Secreary with the California Health and Human Services Agency under
Secretary Kim Belshe, announced today she now be taking on a new position
as Assistant Director in the Department of Developmental Services (see
below for details).
October Hearing Focused on Direct Care Workers
The first hearing - held October 24th at the State Capitol, focused on
the issues related to support (direct care) staffing (see October 25
CDCAN Disability News Report covering that hearing - www.cdcan.us).
That hearing also heard recommendations from the California Legislative
Blue Ribbon on Autism Commission and other members of the commission and
commission staff on the recently released report "An Opportunity to
Achieve Real Change for Californians with Autism Spectrum
Disorders".
Policymakers
and advocates say that the "exploding autism
epidemic" is another critical issue confronting not only
developmental services but the State and nation, with a major report on
addressing the crisis.
November 16th Hearing Include State Agency Heads and
Representatives
The November 16th informational hearing will feature several panels on
focusing on the recommendations of SB 1270 that include employment related
issues for persons with developmental disabilities and also will include
time for the general public to provide brief comments at the end of the
hearing. [note: for copy of SB 1270, go to CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us]
Panels include representatives from various state agencies who will focus
on employment for persons with disabilities, including Tony Sauer,
director of the Department of Rehabilitation, Julia Mullen, Deputy
Director of the Department of Developmental Services, Pam Hayes, vice
chair of the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities. Representatives from the State Council on
Developmental Disabilities, including Sascha Bittner, chair, Marcia
Good, vice chair and Alan Kerzin, Executive Director are on the
agenda to talk about the recommendations of SB 1270 and other related
issues [note: see below for announcement by Governor of two appointees to
the State Council on Developmental Disabilities].
Community-based provider organizations, including Hope Services in San
Jose, and regional centers, persons with developmental disabilities and
family members also will be participating on the various panels.
No Actions on Bills or Budget Issues Taken At
Informational Hearings
Informational hearings are frequently held by various
committees of the Legislature throughout the year, but especially when
they are not in session. No official actions are taken in these
hearings and brief testimony is usually taken at the end of the hearings
from the public. To provide testimony during the public testimony
portion, persons usually only need to line up to speak (when called upon
by the chair).
First Informational Hearing
Was held on October 24, 2007 at the State Capitol.
Second of Two Informational Hearings on Lanterman
Act
November 16, 2007 - Friday afternoon 1:30 PM to
5:00 PM
Campbell Community Center - Roosevelt Room
1 West Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA (near San Jose)
Subject: "Taking the Lanterman Act into the
Future: The SB 1270 Report Recommendations – Expanding
Opportunities and Choice for Individuals with Developmental
Disabilities"
Note: see agenda below and also a copy on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us
CA Only State To Have Civil Rights Law for
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
No other state in the nation has a similar law, which
is named after the Republican Assemblymember, Frank Lanterman, who
authored the legislation that was passed in 1969 and signed into law by
then Governor Ronald Reagan.
Over 220,000 children and adults with developmental
disabilities are currently served by the 21 non-profit regional centers
overseen by the Department of Developmental Services.
Thousands of community-based organizations and individuals provide actual
services and supports in the community. Included in the total
number are about 3,000 people with developmental disabilities who reside
in the five state owned and operated developmental centers and also two
other smaller facilities. Included in the total is another 8,900
or so persons with developmental disabilities reside in privately owned
or operated health facilities (skilled nursing facilities and
intermediate care facilities).
According to the most recent data from the Department
of Developmental Services, 86,500 persons (or 42% of the total population
served under the Lanterman Act) are white, followed by 67,000 persons
(32%) who are Hispanic, 20,900 who are African-American (10%), 11,800 who
are Asian-American (6%), 4,165 who are Filipino (2%), Native Americans 822
(0.4%) and Pacific Islanders with 458 persons (0.2%) and others making up
16,359 persons or 8%.
Looming Enormous Budget Shortfalls Raises
Concerns on Lanterman Act
* The second informational hearing is being held at a
time when the Legislative Analyst released a report Wednesday (November
14th) that confirmed that California is facing the most serious budget
crisis since 2003, with a budget shortfall that is projected to grow to
$10 billion by the end of the next budget year for 2008.
* The bad budget news comes when the caseload of
children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and
others continues to grow. That issue however is not directly
addressed in either informational hearing in terms of the budget
shortfall's potential and actual impact on children and adults with
developmental disabilities.
* Advocates fear continuation of budget freezes and the
possibility of new proposals for reductions or other measures that will
result in cutbacks in staffing, services or programs.
AB 203 Report Could Have Major Impact on
Lanterman Act Implementation
* As previously reported, not on the agenda at
either informational hearing is the report that the Department of
Developmental Services is required by AB 203 - a budget related (budget
trailer) bill - to submit to the Assembly and State Senate budget
and Human Services Committees on ways to contain or cap spending
for community-based services and also operational costs.
* The Department of Developmental Services hired a
consultant to draft the report, though the current status or contents of
the report has not been released officially, which was due on October 1,
2007. It is likely that the report will contain options for ways to
control costs and spending for the Governor and Legislature to consider
probably by the time the Governor issues his revisions to his 2008-2009
proposed State Budget in early May.
* In recent years various efforts to expand certain
opportunities including self determination, where a person with
disabilities has more control and choices on their own supports and
services have been promoted and enacted, and expanded federal funding of
critical services including In-Home Supportive Services and certain Medi-Cal
programs.
* But recent governors and legislatures have also
passed proposals that significantly cut funding and imposed freezes for
thousands of community-based services and supports and certain staffing
levels, including those at regional centers.
* Advocates and some policy makers have raised concerns
about the devastating impact of those measures, especially when combined
with reductions and other efforts to contain costs in other areas such as
SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment), In-Home
Supportive Services, the Adoption Assistance Program, Medi-Cal, CalWORKS,
housing and transportation that also impact not only children and adults
with developmental disabilities, but hundreds of thousands more people
with other disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, persons with
traumatic brain and other injuries, persons with MS, Alzheimer's and other
disorders.
* Advocates point to reductions or cost savings
measures in other areas - including special and adult education, community
colleges, employment efforts, affordable and accessible transportation and
housing that have had dramatic impact on children and adults with
disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others.
GOVERNOR
ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO STATE COUNCIL
In other related news,
the Governor announced two appointments on November 14, to the State
Council on Developmental Disabilities.
DAVID MULVANEY, 48, of San Diego, and a registered Republican, appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Mulvaney is the parent of a child with developmental disabilities.
The State Council is established by state and federal laws as an
independent state agency to help ensure that people with
developmental disabilities and their families receive the services
and supports they need. Appointed were:
CATHERINE
BLAKEMORE, 54, of El Dorado Hills, and a registered "decline to
state", appointed to the State Council on Developmental
Disabilities. She has served in a variety of positions with
Protection and Advocacy Inc (PAI) for the past 27 years, currently
serving as PAI's executive director, a position she has held since
1993. Previously held the positions at PAI as legal services
director from 1987 to 1993 and managing attorney from 1980 to 1987.
Prior to joining PAI,
served from 1978 to 1980 as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid
Foundation of Los Angeles and held the same position from 1977 to
1978 at the Western Law Center for Disability Rights from
1977.
Blakemore is a member
of the National Disability Rights Network; Foundation for
Advocacy, Conservatorships and Trusts; United Advocates for
Children of California; and the State Bar Committee on Legal
Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
State Senate
confirmation required: NO
Compensation:
$100 per diem
DAVID MULVANEY, 48, of San Diego, and a registered Republican, appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Mulvaney is the parent of a child with developmental disabilities.
Since 2005, Mulvaney has been a partner in Community Housing
Group, a firm specializing in local affordable workforce housing
development. Previously served as a loan officer for CitiMortgage
in 2005 and held the same position at GMAC Mortgage from 2003 to
2005 and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage from 2001 to 2003.
Mulvaney currently serves on the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Board of Directors and is past chair of the Disabled Services
Advisory Council for San Diego City Parks & Recreation.
State Senate confirmation required: NO
Compensation: $100 per diem.
SARAH STEENHAUSEN NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT DDS
In other related news, it was announced today (November 15) that
Sarah Steenhausen, formerly an Assistant Secretary with the
California Health and Human Services Agency, has taken a
new position at the Department of Developmental Services as the
Assistant Director for Strategic Planning.
Steenhausen, who just returned from maternity leave, previously
worked at the California Health and Human Services Agency under
Secretary Kim Belshe. She now will work under Terri
Delgadillo, director of the Department of Developmental
Services, in developing, directing and overseeing the
Department's activities related to the implementation of the
landmark 1999 US Supreme Court "Olmstead Decision"
which required the states to take steps to avoid the
"unjustified institionalization" of persons with
disabilities and seniors.
In her new role at the Department of Developmental Services,
Steenhausen says she will continue to be involved with the
California Health and Human Services Agency's Olmstead Advisory
Committee, the California Community CHOICES and other Olmstead related
projects.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work with the Olmstead
Advisory Committee, the Alzheimer’s Advisory Committee, and
other Agency Olmstead efforts" Steenhausen said.
Steenhausen
Steenhausen's work with the California Health and Human Services
Agency, including the Olmstead Advisory Committee, won
widespread praise and respect from disability and senior
advocates, policymakers and others.
COPY OF
AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 16th INFORMATIONAL HEARING
(you can also go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us to obtain an official copy of this agenda).
ASSEMBLY
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr., Chair
AGENDA
Informational Hearing
Friday, November 16, 2007
1:30 - 5:00 PM
City of Campbell – Community Center
1 W. Campbell Avenue, Roosevelt Room
Campbell, CA 95008
Taking the Lanterman Act into the Future:
The SB 1270 Report Recommendations – Expanding Opportunities and Choice
for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
1:30 -1:45 PM - Welcome and Opening Remarks
Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr., Chair
1:45 - 2:15 PM - The SB 1270 Process and Report Recommendations
* Sascha Bittner, Chair, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
* Alan Kerzin, Executive Director, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
* Liz
Lyons, Board President, North LA Regional Center; South California Outreach
Self-Advocate Leader, People First of CA
2:15 - 3:00 PM – Consumer Preferences in Employment Services
* Monique Harris, Oakland
* Willie West, Ukiah
* Laurie Hoirup, Sacramento
* Tom Frambro, Pasadena
* Cindy White, Petaluma
* Michael Cooke, President, People First of California (resides in Red Bluff)
* Marcia
Good, Vice Chair, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Parent, Los
Angeles
3:00 - 3:45 PM – Setting a Course for Fully Integrated Community
Employment
* Dale Dutton, D3 Associates, Parent
* Ray Jensen, Division Director, King County Department of Community and Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Division
* Bryon
McDonald, Program and Policy Manager, California Work Incentives
Initiatives, World Institute on Disability
3:45 - 4:30 PM – Supporting Integrated Employment: The Roles
for the State, Regional Centers, and Providers
* Pamela Hayes, Ph.D., Vice Chair, Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
* Anthony "Tony" Sauer, Director, California Department of Rehabilitation
* Julia Mullen, Deputy Director, California Department of Developmental Services
* Santi J. Rogers, Executive Director, San Andreas Regional Center
* Joe
Campbell, Ed.D., Executive Director, HOPE Services, San Jose
4:30 - 4:45 PM – Post Secondary Education Options: A New
Vision
* Olivia
Raynor, Ph.D., Co-Director, Tarjan Center, UCLA
4:45 - 5:15 PM – Public Testimony
Please: Contributions
Urgently Needed!
Advocacy Without
Borders
Advocacy Without Borders: Connecting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Traumatic Brain & other injuries, People with MS & other health needs, including People of color, different languages, cultures, Families, Workers, Providers, & Organizations to Rights & Unified Action. This report - and the CDCAN townhalls, and other events and projects are for all of them and for promoting advocacy without borders toward unified action. We are one community.
To respond to this report reply to: Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN "Advocacy Without Borders Townhall Telemeetings" which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):
CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
or go to the CDCAN website at and click on "DONATE TO CDCAN" to contribute using credit card via Paypal.
The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD.
MANY THANKS to Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, 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 (STEP), Alta California Regional Center, Harbor Regional Center, Tri-Counites Regional Center, 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, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California.
Advocacy Without Borders: Connecting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Traumatic Brain & other injuries, People with MS & other health needs, including People of color, different languages, cultures, Families, Workers, Providers, & Organizations to Rights & Unified Action. This report - and the CDCAN townhalls, and other events and projects are for all of them and for promoting advocacy without borders toward unified action. We are one community.
To respond to this report reply to: Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN "Advocacy Without Borders Townhall Telemeetings" which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):
CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
or go to the CDCAN website at and click on "DONATE TO CDCAN" to contribute using credit card via Paypal.
The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD.
MANY THANKS to Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, 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 (STEP), Alta California Regional Center, Harbor Regional Center, Tri-Counites Regional Center, 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, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California.