CALIFORNIA
DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK (CDCAN)
CAPITOL NEWS REPORT
#018-2005 www.cdcan.us
March 24, 2005 - Thursday
Linking people to disability rights and
unified action
STATE BUDGET UPDATE
* NEXT HEARING ON IHSS SET FOR
APRIL 6th AT CAPITOL
* HEARINGS ON DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES APRIL 11TH & 25TH
* ASSEMBLY HEARING ON SSI/SSP &
IHSS QA SET FOR APR 20TH
* OTHER IMPORTANT HEARINGS SET
ON MENTAL HEALTH, AGING
* OVER THOUSAND EXPECTED TO
ATTEND HEARINGS IN APRIL
SACRAMENTO - Advocates have vowed to
mobilize thousands to fill the hearing rooms at the State Capitol in
Sacramento for the next round of important budget hearings scheduled in
April by both the Senate and Assembly Budget subcommittees in an effort to
force Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to rescind his proposals that would have
the impact of rolling back In-Home Supportive Services worker wages and
benefits back to the state minimum wage; cut grants that help pay for
housing and food for seniors and people with disabilities, and cut funding
for programs impacting children and adults with developmental
disabilities.
Civil Rights Issues Raised & Compliance
With Olmstead Decision
Advocates have raised the issue of rights for
people with disabilities and seniors citing the need for California to
comply with the landmark 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision which
required states to take measures to prevent the "unnecessary
institutionalization" of people with disabilities and seniors. In
addition, advocates are also concerned about the Governor's major
proposed changes to the state's Medicaid program and proposed cuts and
changes in Washington DC covering a wide range of health and human
services that will impact people with disabilities and seniors. [note:
see separate CDCAN Capitol News Report this week for report on hearings on
bills (legislation) and also hearings on regulations impacting people with
disabilities and seniors]
About 1,000 people packed several hearing
rooms on March 17 at the State Capitol for the Senate Budget Subcommittee
hearing on the Governor's proposed cuts to SSI/SSP and to In-Home
Supportive [see CDCAN Capitol News Report Friday for details and
excerpts of some testimonies by people with disabilities and workers.]
Both subcommittees have already held
several hearings on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposals that
impact people with developmental and other disabilities and seniors,
including an informational hearings held in Los Angeles, San Diego and
other parts of the state. Both houses are moving forward with differing
hearing schedules, though no final actions will be taken by either house
until after the Governor releases his revisions to his proposed budget in
mid-May - referred to as the "May Revise".
Several Hearings Set For IHSS, SSI/SSP,
Regional Centers, Agnews Closure, Special Education
All hearing dates and locations are subject
to change. Covered in this report are those budget hearings that cover
the major budget issues that impact children and adults with developmental
and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and other injuries,
seniors people with mental health needs and others. Subjects include
special education, crime and abuse against people with disabilities,
mental health, community services for people with developmental
disabilities, developmental centers, In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP,
and health care (including Medi-Cal).
BUDGET HEARINGS BY SUBJECT
AREA
* The following informational budget hearings
listed in general subject area that have a focus or impact on people with
disabilities and seniors. Please note that all hearing dates and times -
and topics, are subject to change. Not listed are those hearings
scheduled for May where the agenda items are not yet known (or specific).
* No actions are taken at strictly
informational hearings - and no final actions are taken at budget hearings
in March and April and early May. However that is the time for major
public testimony that could influence the Governor and the Legislature
prior to the release of the Governor's revisions to his proposed budget,
in May.
* Final actions on the budget won't take
place until after the Governor releases his revisions to his proposed
budget, in mid-May.
* The new state budget year takes effect July
1, 2005.
COMMUNITY SERVICES: IN-HOME
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
AND SSI/SSP BUDGET ISSUES
Note: the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on
Health and Human Services held their hearing on the SSI/SSP and IHSS
worker wage issue on March 17. They are planning to schedule the issue of
IHSS Quality Assurance possibly in April - though it is not set yet.
APR 6, 2005 - WEDNESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room To Be
Announced
TOPIC: IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WORKER
WAGES
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
Governor's proposal for to reduce State's funding for IHSS wages. A
second hearing by the Assembly on this issue is set for 4/20 on IHSS
Quality Assurance Program.
Priority: VERY HIGH. See CDCAN
Alert and possible rally info.
Who Should Go To This Hearing: People
with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and
other injuries, seniors, people with mental health needs and others, IHSS
workers, IHSS public authorities and advisory committees, community-based
providers and other advocates.
APR 20, 2005 - WEDNESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room 444
TOPIC: IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES &
SSI/SSP, SENIORS
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
IHSS Quality Assurance; Governor's proposal to permanently suspend the
January 2006 SSI/SSP cost of living adjustment (both under the Department
of Social Services) and also budget issues under the Department of Aging.
Priority: VERY HIGH. See CDCAN
Alert and rally info.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children and adults with developmental and other disabilities and their
families, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people
with mental health needs and others, IHSS workers, IHSS public authorities
and advisory committees, community-based providers and other advocates.
COMMUNITY SERVICES - REGIONAL
CENTERS
DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS BUDGET
ISSUES
Note: Going through the normal legislative
process are two bills dealing with the transition plan following the
closure of Agnews Developmental Center dealing with use of state staff
after closure, and changes in licensing of community-based residential
models. No hearings have yet been scheduled for those bills - and the
overall transition plan will be heard in the two budget hearings on April
11th and 25th.
APR 11, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room 4203
TOPIC: DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES -
COMMUNITY-BASED & DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS
What is scheduled: budget hearing on
Governor's proposed cuts and reductions, cost containment measures, and
other proposals impacting community-based (including regional centers)
services, including update on "self directed Medicaid waiver", and
developmental centers under the Department of Developmental Services,
including closure of Agnews Developmental Center.
Priority: VERY HIGH. Most of
the key budget issues - including proposed cuts to regional center funded
services, closure of Agnews Developmental Center (and proposed reduction
to developmental centers) will be heard. Please see CDCAN Alert for rally
regarding this hearing. Likely to be the only Senate hearing where public
testimony will be taken on these issues, prior to the Governor's revisions
to his proposed budget in May. Assembly budget hearing on these issues is
set for 4/25.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children and adults with developmental and other disabilities and their
families, seniors, community-based organizations, direct care and other
workers, regional centers, developmental center and other advocacy groups
and individuals.
APR 25, 2005 - MONDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be
announced
TOPIC: REGIONAL CENTERS, DEVELOPMENTAL
CENTERS
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
Governor's budget proposals impacting funding under the Department of
Developmental Services, including proposed cuts and "cost containment
measures" proposed by the Governor for the 21 regional centers; an update
on the proposed "self directed Medicaid Waiver"; proposals impacting the
state operated developmental centers, including closure plan of Agnews
Developmental Center.
Priority: VERY HIGH. See CDCAN
Alert and rally info.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children and adults with developmental and other disabilities and their
families, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people
with mental health needs and others, direct care workers, community based
providers and other advocates
MAY 2, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room 4203
TOPIC: DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL
SERVICES/MENTAL HEALTH
What is scheduled: budget hearing
specific budget issues under several departments, including the Department
of Developmental Services and the Department of Mental Health and the
Department of Health Services. No details.
Priority: Not known yet - priority
can't be established until the specific budget items that will be on the
agenda are known.
Who Should Go To This Hearing: Not
certain at this point, but likely children and adults with developmental
and other disabilities and their families, seniors, community-based
organizations, direct care and other workers, regional centers,
developmental center and other advocacy groups and individuals..
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING
BUDGET ISSUES
APR 27, 2005 - WEDNESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on
Health and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room To Be
Announced
TOPIC: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
budget issues impacting Community Care Licensing under the Department of
Social Services. Many programs and facilities that serve people with
disabilities and seniors are licensed under Community Care Licensing.
Priority: Important.
Who Should Go To This Hearing: People
with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and
other injuries, seniors, people with mental health needs and others,
community-based providers and other advocates.
MAY 5, 2005 - THURSDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health
and Human Services
Meets upon adjournment of Senate Floor
Session State Capitol - Room 4203
TOPIC: COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
budget issues impacting Community Care Licensing under the Department of
Social Services. Many programs and facilities that serve people with
disabilities and seniors are licensed under Community Care Licensing. In
addition, other budget items from other human service departments could be
scheduled as needed.
Priority: Important
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Advocates for people with developmental and other disabilities, people
with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people with mental
health needs and others, community-based providers and other advocates.
EDUCATION - SPECIAL EDUCATION
BUDGET ISSUES
APR 4, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education
Meets at 1:30 PM OR upon adjournment of
the Senate Floor session State Capitol - Room 113
TOPIC: K-12 EDUCATION & SPECIAL EDUCATION
What is scheduled: hearing for
Department of Education budget issues including federal funds overview;
special education programs including mental health related services, LCI
formula adjustments and special disability adjustment.
Priority: HIGH.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children with special needs and their families, advocates, community-based
organizations and other advocacy groups, etc. While the focus of the
hearing is an overview of K-12 education in general , special education
programs and funding are included on the agenda specifically
covering mental health services, etc. Funding cuts or changes in funding
will have a significant impact to the over 650,000 children with special
needs enrolled in California special education programs.
APR 5, 2005 - TUESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on
Education Finance
10:00 AM State Capitol - Room 444
TOPIC: SPECIAL EDUCATION
What is scheduled: hearing for
Department of Education budget issues relating to special education,
specifically the AB 3632 mandate and other issues.
Priority: HIGH.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children with special needs and their families, advocates, community-based
organizations and other advocacy groups, etc.
APR 26, 2005 - TUESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on
Education Finance
10:00 AM State Capitol - Room 444
TOPIC: EDUCATION
What is scheduled: hearing for
Department of Education budget issues relating to testing, accountability,
No Child Left Behind implementation, Department of Education operations,
Education Audit Appeals Panel/
Priority: Important - will depend on
the specific agenda
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Depending on the specific agenda, this hearing could be of interest for
children with special needs and their families, advocates, community-based
organizations and other advocacy groups, etc.
MAY 2, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education
Meets at 1:30 PM OR upon adjournment of
the Senate Floor session State Capitol - Room 113
TOPIC: STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS
What is scheduled: hearing on several
Department of Education budget issues including state special schools (but
not special education).
Priority: Important
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Children with special needs and their families enrolled in state special
schools (this is different from special education programs), advocates,
community-based organizations and other advocacy groups, etc
MEDI-CAL BUDGET ISSUES
Note: Both houses have held informational
hearings in February and early March on the Governor's proposed Medi-Cal
Redesign and its impact on people with disabilities and seniors. More
hearings on the Redesign proposal are likely when more specific details
are released by the Schwarzenegger Administration. In addition
both houses have held informational
hearings on the potential impact of the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit
program that is scheduled to go into full effect on January 1, 2006 for
those people who are eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare (referred to
as "dual eligible") - many who are people with developmental and other
disabilities and seniors. The issue will have tremendous - but unknown
impact to the state budget next year.
APR 4, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health
and Human Services
Meets at 1:30 PM State Capitol - Room
4203
TOPIC: MEDI-CAL
What is scheduled: budget hearing on
the Medi-Cal program (though specific budget items or issues not yet
scheduled for this hearing). Also budget issues impacting Managed Risk
Medical Insurance Board (under the Department of Health Services).
Priority: Important - though priority
can't be determined until specific issues to be heard are known.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Medi-Cal impacts people with developmental and other disabilities, people
with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people with mental
health needs, community organizations and providers, and other advocacy
groups - though whether people should go to this hearing will depend on
what specific issues are scheduled.
APR 11, 2005 - MONDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
4:00 PM State Capitol - Room To Be
Announced
TOPIC: MEDI-CAL AND DEPT OF AGING (HICAP)
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
Medi-Cal and also Department of Aging's HICAP program.
Priority: Not known yet until specific
agenda is available
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Depending on the specific agenda, likely advocates for seniors, people
with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and
other injuries, seniors, people with mental health needs and others,
direct care workers, and community-based providers and other advocates.
APR 25, 2005 - MONDAY
Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room 4203
TOPIC: MEDI-CAL
What is scheduled: budget hearing on
Medi-Cal program issues - though no specifics on what issues will be on
the agenda.
Priority: Not known yet until agenda
with specific Medi-Cal issues are available.
Who Should Go To This Hearing: Not
certain until agenda is known, but likely advocates for seniors, people
with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and
other injuries, seniors, people with mental health needs and others,
direct care workers, and community-based providers and other advocates.
MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
ISSUES
Note: The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on
Health and Human Services held a hearing on mental health budget issues in
late February.
APR 18, 2005 - MONDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be
announced
TOPIC: MENTAL HEALTH
What is scheduled: Budget issues and
programs funded under the Department of Mental Health
Who Should Go To This Hearing: Not
certain until specific agenda is known, but likely this hearing would be
important for children and adults and their families with mental health
needs, people with disabilities and their families and advocates, mental
health community based organizations, advocacy organizations.
SENIOR OR AGING BUDGET
ISSUES
APR 11, 2005 - MONDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
4:00 PM State Capitol - Room to be
announced
TOPIC: DEPARTMENT OF AGING (HICAP)
ISSUES
What is scheduled: Budget issues and
programs funded under the Department of Aging, but no specific details on
the agenda. Medi-Cal issues (not known yet which) are also on the agenda.
Who Should Go To This Hearing: Not
certain until specific agenda is known, but likely this hearing would be
important for seniors, their families, advocacy groups, people with
disabilities and their families, community groups funded under Department
of Aging, etc.
APR 20, 2005 - WEDNESDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
1:30 PM State Capitol - Room 444
TOPIC: DEPT OF AGING PROGRAMS
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
Department of Aging budget items (not specified), also IHSS Quality
Assurance; Governor's proposal to permanently suspend the January 2006 SSI/SSP
cost of living adjustment (both under the Department of Social Services)
Priority: VERY HIGH. Largely
because of SSI/SSP and IHSS. See CDCAN Alert and rally info.
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Depending on the specific budget items under Department of Aging, seniors
and senior advocacy groups, also (for IHSS and SSI/SSP) children and
adults with developmental and other disabilities and their families,
people with traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people with
mental health needs and others, IHSS workers, IHSS public authorities and
advisory committees, community-based providers and other advocates.
VOCATIONAL AND OTHER
REHABILITATION BUDGET ISSUES
MAY 2, 2005 - MONDAY
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
and Human Services
4:00 PM State Capitol - Room To Be
Announced
TOPIC: DEPT OF REHABILITATION BUDGET ISSUES
What is scheduled: Budget hearing on
budget issues impacting funding under the Department of Rehabilitation.
Priority: IMPORTANT
Who Should Go To This Hearing:
Department of Rehabilitation funds many programs that serve people with
disabilities, the blind and the deaf, including funding for independent
living centers, vocational rehabilitation programs, etc. Though there
isn't major or controversial budget issues proposed by the Governor, this
hearing still should of be of interest to many advocates for people with
developmental and other disabilities and their families, people with
traumatic brain and other injuries, seniors, people with mental health
needs and others, community-based providers and other advocates.
URGENT!
CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT CAN CONTRIBUTE VIA NON-PROFIT
501(c)3 see below
Contributions from people and
organizations is very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going
for the next several months, as we work to establish non-profit status
which we are working on. Your help is needed though to keep the effort
going in 2005. Please make check or money order to: California
Disability Community Action Network (or abbreviate CDCAN) OR, if for tax
deduction purposes, you can make the check out to TTSR (Training Toward
Self Reliance), which is a 501C-3 non-profit organization, and indicate on
check that contribution is for support for "CDCAN". A method to contribute
by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at
www.cdcan.us [new site address]
Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network (see
below for mailing address)
* How To Receive CDCAN Capitol
News Reports and Alerts
The California Disability Community
Action Network is a non-partisan link to thousands of Californians with
developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain and
other injures, seniors and their families, community organizations and
providers, direct care and other workers, and other advocates. These
action alerts and news reports is for all of them. If you would like to
get on this distribution (and conversely, get off of it) please send an
email with that request to:
martyomoto@rcip.com OR sign up via the NEW CDCAN website at
www.cdcan.us Sharing information
is part of our organizing effort. Please feel free to forward or copy
this (attribution is nice). We're all in this together!
* How To Contact CDCAN
Marty Omoto, director/organizer
New WEBSITE address: www.cdcan.us
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814 VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013
FAX number: 916/446-0026
email: martyomoto@rcip.com
