9th Disability Rights Townhall Telemeeting Set for 4/30 10 AM With Focus On Updates from Budget Hearings and Next Steps on IHSS, Regional Centers, Medi-Cal Reform and other Proposed Cuts by Gov

SACRAMENTO  -  The next Disability Rights Townhall Telemeeting - the 9th held since December 12, is scheduled for April 30, Friday morning from 10:00 AM to 12 noon and will focus on updates from the recent budget hearings on the Governor's proposals that impact people with developmental and other disabilities and seniors.  The townhall telemeeting will also share next steps on the major proposed cuts including in-home supportive services (including latest on proposed federal waiver for IHSS "Residual Program", Medi-Cal redesign/reform, proposed cuts to community-based services for children and adults with developmental disabilities funded through regional center, parental/family share of cost for regional center services, cuts to SSI/SSP, and more.  Next steps include direct action events on May 14 (date of May Revision to the proposed budget by the Governor, and also massive voter registration drive).

The Disability Rights and Issues Townhall Telemeetings, organized by the California Disability Community Action Network, was first started on December 12, and attracted over 100 people with disabilities, families, community organizations, workers and other advocates who were located at over 13 sites across California connected by conference call lines.  The last telemeeting was held on March 22.
* That first telemeeting featured officials from the Department of Developmental Services to receive more input from families on the proposed plan for a parental share of cost plan for regional center services for children with developmental disabilities between the ages of 3 and 17.   Since that first Townhall Telemeeting, subsequent townhall telemeetings attracted over 35 sites with over 300 persons total, and  featured Assemblywoman Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, Seante Budget Committee staff, the Legislative Analyst, the Director and Deputy Director of the Department of Developmental Services.  Subsequent Townhall Telemeetings have involved  more people and locations and diverse organizations including perhaps a half a dozen independent living centers, several regional centers, community organizations ranging from UCP to Easter Seals, Protection and Advocacy, People First groups, provider groups for the deaf, for the blind and others, groups representing people with traumatic brain injuries, family resource centers, even groups of families and people with disabilities gathered at several homes in Northern, Southern and Central California.

DATES OF THE TOWNHALL TELEMEETINGS
Note: please note date changes (telemeetings shifted from just Mondays to Fridays and Thursdays due to Legislative floor sessions on Mondays):
04/30/04 (Fri) 10:00 AM [will focus on outcome of the April budget hearings and next steps]
05/17/04 (Mon) 1:00 PM   [this telemeeting will focus on Governor's May revision of budget]
06/04/04 (Fri) 10:00 AM   [will focus on status of budget - also legislation and next steps]
07/08/04 (Thu) 1:00 PM   [will focus on status of budget, legislation and next steps]

WHAT IS A TOWNHALL "TELEMEETING"?
* According to CDCAN, this is a new effort to reach out to communities who are doing tremendous things for people with disabilities -  and to connect each of them via a conference call line. Travel costs and time make it difficult make it difficult for people with disabilities, families, community organization, direct care and other workers to attend meetings in
any one location in the state.
*  Instead of individuals calling in on individual lines, the Townhall Telemeeting requires that individuals must go to a specific location (such as a meeting room, conference room or even a large living room in someone's home) to join at least 6 other people interested in these issues. The interaction locally is as important as interaction across the state.
* This approach, according to organizers also allows  increased efforts to connect with more diverse communities across the state who are involved in these same issues, helping to promote what organizers say is "true inclusion" of communities across the state.
* The purpose, according to CDCAN, is to mobilize and help empower more and more people in communities across the state with information, to discuss and agree on strategy and next steps to take action to promote and defend the rights of people with disabilities - and to take constructive positive steps toward real reforms and changes.  The townhall telemeetings are meant to be another tool to help build a permanent statewide community-based advocacy force - linking people with developmental and other disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, the blind, the deaf and others, families, community organizations, advocates, direct care (including IHSS) and other workers, regional centers, unions, independent living centers, family resource centers, area boards and other groups.

HOW CAN A PERSON OR SITE PARTICIPATE?
* Any organization or person can host a site, providing they can gather at least 6 other persons for the townhall telemeeting and have access to a speaker phone.  Future calls will have a simultaneous web-based link so sites can view power point presentations, and other information.  See  CDCAN website at www.cdcan.org  and click under "townhall telemeetings"
* Go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.org and click under "townhall telemeetings".  Or send email to martyomoto@rcip.com  with "TOWNHALL TELEMEETING" on the subject line. Include your name, the location name that is hosting a site (can also be a residence), the specific street address, city, zip code, and phone number, email address.
* You will be sent phone number/pass code and other information a day before the telemeeting.