Announcement: DHHS Community Rehabilitation Programs

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
3001 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-3001 Tel 919-733-7011 • Fax 919-508-0951
Michael F. Easley, Governor Dempsey Benton, Secretary Michael Moseley, Director
November 19, 2007

MEMORANDUM
To: Legislative Oversight Committee Members State Facility Directors Commission for MH/DD/SAS Area Program Directors Consumer/Family Advisory Committee Chairs Area Program Board Chairs State Consumer Family Advisory Committee Chairs DHHS Division Directors Advocacy Organizations and Groups Provider Organizations North Carolina Association of County Commissioners MH/DD/SAS Professional Organizations and Groups County Managers MH/DD/SAS Stakeholder Organizations and Groups County Board Chairs Other MH/DD/SAS Stakeholders North Carolina Council of Community Programs NC Association of Directors of DSS

From: Mike Moseley Re: Communication Bulletin #084

Community Rehabilitation Programs
There have recently been a number of stories in the media regarding the future of Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs), commonly known as Sheltered Workshops. These articles have erroneously created the impression that the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services is planning to discontinue its support of CRPs.
CRPs have a long history of providing individuals with disabilities with developmental skills training, vocational adjustment services, and extended or sheltered employment. The state pays for these services primarily through a service definition known as Adult Developmental Vocational Program, or ADVP. In State Fiscal Year 2006-2007, DMH/DD/SAS spent more than $21 million in state funds on this service.
It is true that we have been working with the industry, consumers and families, and other stakeholders to develop a wider array of employment options for people with disabilities. In a person-centered system, people with disabilities should be supported to have an array of options and to make choices about where they live, work and how they enjoy their leisure time activities. Our goal is for people with disabilities to be able to be fully participating members of their communities. In accordance with nationally-recognized best practices, that includes ensuring adequate opportunities for consumers to be supported in employment in integrated community settings.
It is also true that in some Local Management Entity (LME) catchment areas, LMEs have worked with consumers and families and their CRP providers to implement alternatives to the traditional ADVP service. Those changes have been driven by local circumstances and have been made locally. We are monitoring the impact of those changes on consumers and are encouraged by the preliminary results. However, the state has no plan to discontinue support for CRPs or to eliminate the ADVP service definition unless or until appropriate alternatives are developed for all consumers.

cc: Secretary Dempsey Benton Dan Stewart DMH/DD/SAS Executive Leadership Team DMH/DD/SAS Staff Sharnese Ransome Rich Slipsky Wayne Williams Kaye Holder Kory Goldsmith Andrea Poole Mark Van Sciver Brad Deen Walker Wilson An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer


Read the memorandum on line:http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/announce/commbulletins/commbulletin084crps11-19-07.pdf


Note:
The Arc of North Carolina will be releasing a position statement regarding Community Rehabilitation Programs.