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House Bill 1366 - School Violence Prevention Act

Background:
The North Carolina House will hold a critical vote on House Bill 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act, as early as this Wednesday, July 2.

As you may remember, last year the House passed this important bill to address bullying, but the Senate stripped out critical language that addresses bullying based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and other categories. We know this language is needed to make sure our most vulnerable students are fully protected.

This week the House will be voting on whether to accept or reject the Senate's weakened version of this legislation.

We need your help to ensure that House votes not to concur with the Senate, so a conference committee can work to pass the strongest possible bill. Please, take a moment right now to email your legislator.

Take Action:
Email or Call Your Representative Today.

Find your Representative.

Tell Them:
-To vote NOT to concur with the Senate version of HB 1366: School Violence Prevention Act so that a conference committee can ensure that we have the strongest possible law to address the epidemic of bullying in our schools.

-Research has demonstrated that including this language makes students feel safer, and makes teachers and school staff more likely to intervene.

Why Enumeration of Categories is important to Students with Disabilities:
Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected category for students with disabilities.

This legislation will support students with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool. Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their right to be protected from bullying and harassment.

Enumeration of protected categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.

Just to remind you how important this legislation is we are sharing this reflection from a North Carolina Youth Leadership Network member and advocate:

“Being a person living a life with a disability can be difficult especially if the disability is visible. A person who does not walk straight or does not speak clearly is a target for bullies in the education system. As a student in their junior year of high school, people would think there would be an understanding and the teasing would decease but that is not the situation.”

Federal Update: CMS Moratorium

Today President Bush signed he Emergency War Supplemental Appropriation bill. Included in the supplemental appropriation bill includes a one year moratorium on six Medicaid regulations and extends unemployment benefits, veteran’s education benefits and provides relief for states affected by the most recent weather related disasters. The six Medicaid regulations included in this bill are the rehabilitiation option, school based administration/transportation and case management rules.

Monday Hot Topics: Hot Policy Topics This Week

North Carolina

Budget:
This weekend the media highlighted a major showdown regarding the budget. The House and Senate leaders are still working on the details of compromise on the budget. At the same time Governor’s Easley office advised the legislators that there is a projected $70 million shortfall for the next fiscal year. The media was reporting on Sunday some strong words between Governor Mike Easley and leadership in the legislature.  

July 1 starts the new fiscal year. There will be no need for a continuing resolution. Currently we are operating under the two year fiscal budget passed last summer.

So the real question is what happens now? Well, negotiations are continuing this week between the House and Senate. Looks like they will settle their differences and then check in with the Governor.  

This could get really interesting. Check out WRAL: Easley: Budget please 'falling on deaf ears'

Bills:
Last week two important bills passed the House and Senate. House Bill 12 Students with Disabilities and Special Education Changes, passed the Senate with a vote of 47 in favor 0 opposing. This bill, which passed the House last year, implements a recommendation of the House Select Committee on Education of Students with Disabilities. It restores a protection for students who have not yet been identified as needing special education services, but whose behavior clearly indicates the need for such services. This bill will now head over to the House chamber for concurrence. We are expecting to see this legislation on the Governor’s desk for his signature within the next week.

Also last week, the Senate and the House passed their Autism Committee Recommendation bill. Included in this legislation is the removal of the 18 year old age limit on the Silver Alert system. This is important for parents of children with Autism or other cognitive disabilities. Currently the Silver Alert system is only available for individuals who are over the age of 18.
We expect to see this bill in House and Senate health committees this week.
The Arc of North Carolina is continuing to support both of these bills.

Dispatch from the GA: Senate Health Committee Passes Autism Committee Report

The Senate Health Committee gave a favorable report to the Autism Committee Report today.

This legislation includes an important provision that would eliminate the age requirement to issue a Silver Alert. Currently you must be over the age of 18 and have dementia or other cognitive impairment for a Silver Alert to be issued if a person is missing.
This bill would remove that age limit.

Some children with autism and other cognitive disabilities may have a tendency to walk away from home. In our state there is no alert system that would be activated to assist in finding these children. Senate Bill 1892 would offer parents and guardians a way of alerting their communities that a child is missing.

This bill will be voted on by the full Senate later this week. The House Health committee passed a similar bill last week.

Dispatch from the GA: Senate Education Committee Passes HB 12

The Senate Education Committee gave a favorable report today to HB 12 Students with Disabilities and Special Education Changes. House Bill 12 implements a recommendation of the House Select Committee on Education of Students with Disabilities.

It restores a protection for students who have not yet been identified as needing special education services, but whose behavior clearly indicates the need for such services.

In the committee meeting today Representative Rick Glazier (D) and Representative Laura Wiley (R) spoke passionately about the need to identify and protect a small group of students who are falling through the gaps. Representative Wiley gave the example of a child who was identified as a disruptive student. The student would "act up" in the classroom and faced multiple disciplinary actions during their academic career. This student was placed in a pull out class taught by Representative Wiley. During a test period the student's behavior became disruptive. When asked why are you acting this way? The student responded "I don't know". Turns out this child had tourettes and was never properly identified. This is the student who would be helped by this bill.

HB 12 will now go to the Senate floor for a vote.

We congratulate Representative Rick Glazier on his leadership and dedication to children with disabilities. This legislation will go a long way to helping the children who all to often exist in the margins and are not helped by the system.

NC Legislative Update-Bills of Interest Today-Senate

Senate Education/Public Instruction will take up HB 12 Students Ineligible for Special Education/Protection and HB 15 Textbooks and Assignments on Short-Term Suspension. Both of these bills are supported by The Arc of North Carolina.
HB 12 Students Ineligible for Special Education/Protection protects unidentified, eligible students with disabilities from long-term suspensions when schools fail to identify them and their performance and behavior clearly established the need for such services.
HB 15 Textbooks and Assignments on Short-Term Suspension will permit students with disabilities to take home their textbooks while they are on short term suspension.

This committee meeting will take place at 10:00am in room 544 LOB.


Senate Health Care will be taking up SB 1892 Austism Committee Recommendations. The Arc of North Carolina also supports this legislation. SB 1892 includes three sections. The first would remove the age restrictions on the state's Silver Alert system. This would permit parents with autistic children and children with cognitive disabilities to access a state wide alert system if their child goes missing.

This committee meeting will take place at 11:00 am in room 544 LOB.

Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

The budget will be on the minds of all of our advocates and elected officials as we start off this week.

So let's get to it!  Today Monday, June 23rd the Health and Human Services conferees will meet in room 643 LOB to hash out the differences in the money report and the special provisions. 

Here is a quick look at the rest of the week:

Monday, June 23rd

5:00pm  House Education Committee

HB 388: Tax Credit for Children with Special Needs.

This bill would provide a tax credit to families of children with special needs who have had to place their children in private school or are homeschooling their children.  To qualify the child must have been enrolled for a year in the public school system and have an IEP.  There is no income eligibility requirement for this tax credit.  Last year 4,050 students with disabilities dropped out of high school, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Tuesday, June 24th

Several bills of interest today.  

10:00am House Judiciary 1   Room 1228

Senate Bill 1860 Amend Child Abuse/Child Fatality Task Force.  This bill passed the Senate and will now be taken up by the House. This will increase the penalties for knowingly and willingly harming a child.

10:00am Senate Judiciary 1  Room 1027

Senate Bill 2063 Jessica's Law/GPS Monitoring

This is the second bill to address the issue of child endangerment and sex offender registry.

Special NC Legislative Update: The Budget

The House and Senate are now in the process of negotiating the differences between their budget proposals.  There are some significant differences. 

In the Health and Human Services budget one significant difference is the CAP/MR-DD Tier 1 Support Waiver spending limits.  The House budget special provision set the spending limit at $20,000.00.  The Senate set this tier at $15,000.00.   The national average for this support waiver is $20,000.  Advocates, parents, people with developmental disabilities and LMEs have all supported the creation of these tier waivers and have supported the $20,000 dollar spending limit on the first tier.  We will continue to follow the debate on this issue.

It is looking more and more like the budget conferees will wrap up their work by Monday, June 23rd.  The legislators are on track to finalize the budget and put it on the Governor's desk by this coming Friday.

NC Legislative Update: Senate Budget Vote Day 1

Today the Senate voted on their budget proposal. The vote was 33 in favor and 16 opposed with one person absent. The budget total is $21.4 billion.  The next vote will be on Thursday with conference committees ready to gear up next week. 

Read more about it:

Dan Kane, Senate Passes Preliminary Budget.

Dispatch from the GA: Senate Budget Update Live!

Senate Health and Human Services Appropriation subcommittee review is completed.  The Senate is now heading to finish the remainder of the presentations.

After all presentations are completed there will be a time for discussion and questions.  There will also be amendments presented.

Senator Dannelly announced at 10:00 a.m. that the deadline for submitting amendments had concluded.  No new amendments would be accepted after 10:00 a.m.

Dispatch from the GA: Senate Budget Update Live!

Senator William Purcell and Senator Doug Berger are reviewing the HHS Senate Appropriation Subcommittee proposals right now.

Dispatch from the GA: Senate Budget Update Live!

The Senate is going over their full budget proposal right now in room 643 LOB.  Want to listen on line? Head over to the NC General Assembly website.

Here is the agenda for today:

Education

Health and Human Services

Natural and Economic Resources

Justice and Public Safety

General Government

Transportation

Salaries and Benefits

Statewide Reserves

Capital

General Fund Availability/General Provisions

Right now Senator Malone and Senator A.B. Swindell are reviewing for the full committee the Education budget as proposed by the appropriation subcommittee.

NC Legislative Update: Senate Budget

Yesterday, the Senate began to unveil their budget proposal.  Some major differences emerged during the day. 

The Senate increased funding of More at Four to $41 million.  This is still $4 million short of the Governor's request but a significant increase from the House budget. The Senate went with the Governor's recommendation to reduce Medicaid reimbursement by 75%, the House in contrast only did a 50% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates.  The Senate did put in place a one time $36 million toward Community Support for people with mental illness.  This one time investment was designed to give a financial infusion to a troubled program and give the Department and Division time to implement a more stabilizing solution. 

Teacher's and state employees received a raise in line with what the House had proposed. 3% for teaches and for state employees a 2.75% or $1,000 raise depending on which is greater.

Today Senate Base Budget Appropriations will receive the budget and possible amendments.  The goal of the House and Senate is to have the budget signed by the Governor by July 1.  Just in time for the new fiscal year.  

It is looking like this session will end right around the 4th of July holiday!

Additional Information:

Check out Dan Kane's take on the budget. Senate, House Differ on State Budget Details

Dispatch from the GA: Senate HHS Appropriations

The budget has been released.  Here is a quick money report from the Senate on our legislative budget requests.

CAP/MR-DD Waiver Funding: We requested $10 million.  The House appropriated $8.2 million and the Senate has appropriated $8.2 million.

START Crisis Model for Developmental Disabilities:  We supported the start up of this crisis service model for people with developmental disabilities.  The House appropriated

$3,239,688 recurring and $204,459 non recurring for 9 START Crisis Model teams that would be locally based.  The Senate appropriated $1,737,250 recurring and $138,993 non recurring to fund 6 START crisis models.  The teams would be state employees.

Respite Beds for Developmental Disabilities: Both the House and the Senate appropriated $903,375 recurring and $177,617 non recurring funding for 12 respite beds for people with developmental disabilities across the state.

Medically Fragile Children:  Both the House and the Senate have appropriated $70,000 non recurring funding and $290,000 in block grant funding for Tender Healthcare.  This non-profit organization serves children who are medically fragile.

Housing 400 Initiative: The House and the Senate both provided $1 million in recurring funding for operational cost subsidy and $7 million in non-recurring funding for home construction.

Early Intervention for Autism: The Senate appropriated $1,875,000 recurring for early intervention for Autism.  This is an increase of $575,000 from the House budget that appropriated $1,300,000 for early intervention.

Autism Awareness and Education Video: This is a new item that was not included in the House budget.  It comes out of the Autism Task Force.  The Senate has appropriated $30,000 non recurring for TEACH to develop videos for autism education and awareness for public officials and judicial branch officials.  

Supportive Series for HUD 811 Projects:  The House and the Senate both appropriated $129,331 recurring and $155,000 non  recurring. This money is direct support dollars to residents of independent housing units in Wake, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Buncombe counties. This request was part of our legislative funding requests.

Traumatic Brain Injury Services: Both the House and the Senate appropriated $1 million for traumatic brain injury.

Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program.

Both the House and the Senate appropriated $200,000 in non recurring funding for this program.

We will update the special provisions later in the day.  We extend our gratitude to the Senate leadership for understanding the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

North Carolina

Budget:
The Senate will release its budget this week. The process begins on Monday, June 16 at 3:00pm with Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee. At 4:00pm the Education Appropriation Subcommittee will roll out its budget. The full Senate will vote on the budget Wednesday and Thursday of this week. We will update this site with information regarding the budget.
There are going to be significant differences between the House and Senate budget. Some of the rumored differences are teacher’s raises and UNC expansion funding for incoming Freshmen.
Even with these differences, it is still possible that we will have a final budget signed by the Governor by July 1st.

Check out this take on the budget: NC Senate Wants More Education Spending.

Bills Of Interest:
A few things we are tracking in the House and Senate this week. All of them are in the Education subcommittees.

House Education Subcommittee
On Tuesday, June 17 2008 this subcommittee will take up two bills that affect students with disabilities.  

HB 2288 Continue Dropout Prevention Commission.
The Dropout Prevention Commission worked during the past session break to address the reasons that student dropout of high school. This legislation would authorize this commission to continue its work.

HB 2306 IET Team and Homebound Instruction Changes.
This bill makes one change to last years law. It removes “the head of the student’s IEP team” and replaces it with “the designee or designees of the student’s IEP team”
Wednesday, June 18

Senate Education Committee
On Wednesday, June 18, 2008 this committee will take up HB 12  Students Ineligible for Special Education Protection. This bill passed the House in last years long session.
This bill protects unidentified, eligible students with disabilities from long-term suspensions when schools fail to identify them and their performance and behavior clearly established the need for such services. We expect to see a committee substitute for this bill. We will update this blog with the changes. HB12 is on The Arc of North Carolina’s Legislative Agenda.

NC Legislative Update: Friday Wrap Up

North Carolina Budget:

Looks like the Senate is ready to roll out their budget.  On Monday, June 16 the appropriation subcommittee will unveil their budgets.  On Thursday we were hearing rumors of a $20 million dollar cut to the Health and Human Services budget. We will update on where that cut was once we see the budget.

It is also looking like the Senate is trying to increase the teacher pay raise to 5%.  The House had included a little over 3% pay raise in their budget for a teacher pay raise.  

Senate Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee will be meeting on Monday, June 16th at 3:00pm in room 643 of the Legislative Office Building to roll out their budget.  We will be blogging live from the meeting. You can also listen on line by going to the NC Legislature's website.

Bills:

Medical Release of Ill or Disabled Inmates.

This week Governor Mike Easley signed this bill into law.  As discussed earlier in this blog, this law would permit non violent prisoners who become terminally ill or permanently disabled to be paroled, per the parole commissions recommendation.

Autism Committee Recommendations. House Bill 2553

This bill includes removing the current age restrictions for the Silver Alert System.  This legislation came out of the Autism Committee Report.  Currently the Silver Alert System can only be activated if a person is 18 years or older, is missing and has a cognitive impairment or has dementia.  If this law passes the Silver Alert System will require no age limit for activation.

This bill was taken up by the House Health Committee on Wednesday, June 11th.  The bill received a favorable report from the committee and has been referred to appropriations.

A Quick Look At Next Week:

On Wednesday, June 18th House Bill 12: Students Ineligible for Special Education Protection will be taken up by the Senate Education Committee. There will be a committee substitute for this bill.  This bill protects unidentified, eligible students with disabilities from long-term suspensions when schools fail to identify them and their performance and behavior clearly established the need for such services.

Action Alert: Call These Senators Today!

Background:
The House has passed their budget and it is now in the Senate. We were very pleased with the $8.2 million dollar funding for new CAP/MR-DD slots. We need to let Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee members and Senate Appropriation members know how important this funding is to people with developmental disabilities and their families.
New CAP Tier 1 Support Waiver Slots in the House budget are currently set at a spending limit of 20,000 (twenty thousand). We need the Senate to support this spending limit. At this time the Senate is considering $15,000.00 spending limit. This would be a disaster for families on the waiting list. National and State data indicate that $20,000 (twenty thousand) is that appropriate spending limit for this tier.

Take Action:
We need you to call or email these members on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Tell Them:
To support the House budget. $8.2 million dollars will open over one thousand support waiver slots. These slots will begin to address the needs for people with developmental disabilities currently on our waiting list.

To support the $20 thousand spending limits on CAP/MR-DD Support Waiver Tier 1.
This spending limit is supported by Division of Health and Human Services, Local Management Entitites (LMEs), advocacy groups, provider organizations, people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Who to Call:
Senate Health and Human Service Appropriations
Senator Doug Berger 919.715.8363 Dougb@ncleg.net
Senator William Purcell 919.733.5953 Williamp@ncleg.net

Senate Appropriations
Senator Charles Albertson 919.733.5705 Charliea@ncleg.net
Senator Charlie Dannelly 919.733.5955 Charlied@ncleg.net
Senator Linda Garrou 919.733.5620 Lindag@ncleg.net

NC Legislative Update: The Senate Budget

This week has been off to a quick start.  The Senate received the budget and set to work on it.  The Senate Appropriation chairs have been meeting with Senate Appropriation Subcommittee chairs to work out the nuances of both the money report and the special provisions.  

Late this afternoon we heard a rumor that the budget process may be slowing down ever so slightly.  There is a discussion happening regarding teacher raises and UNC's requests regarding enrollment funding.  

One additional rumor puts the roll out of the budget for next week.  We will keep you informed as things continue to move forward in this very complicated process.

NC Legislative Update: Details From the House Budget

This week the major news at the General Assembly was the House passing its budget.  The budget comes in at $21.3 billion dollars.  It reflects a 3 percent increase in state spending annually.  Two sections of the budget that have a considerable impact on the people with developmental disabilities and their families is the Health and Human Services budget and the Education budget.  Here is a detailed break down of the funding provided by this budget.

Health and Human Services:

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Education
$100,000 Recurring
Provides funding for the North Carolina T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood Project.

Medically Fragile Children’s Program
$70,000 Non Recurring
Funding of this program provides services for the child care component of pediatric day treatment center for medically fragile children. In addition this program will receive an additional $290,000 from the SSBG Block Grant. This was a new appropriation that had not been funded in the previous draft proposal. Total appropriation $360,000.

CAP/MR-DD Tiered Slots
$8,232,411 Recurring
This funding will provide for additional Community Alternatives Program slots for people with developmental disabilities.

Mental Health Screening and Assessments in Adult Care Homes
$198,846 Recurring
$1,905,648 Non Recurring
Provides funding to implement a mental health screening program for residents of adult care homes.

Money Follows the Person Administrative Funding
$59,186 Recurring
Provides funding for two positions and operating expenses to implement the federal Money Follows the Person grant.

NC Health Choice Expansion
$10,387,650
Provides funding to expand the NC Health Choice program to support an additional 10,683 children, for a total of 133,036 children. This is SCHIP.

START Crisis Model for Developmental Disabilities
$3,239,688 Recurring and $204, 459 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for 9 Developmental Disabilities Systemic Therapeutic Assessment, Respite, and Treatment Crisis Model teams. These teams will operate under a regionally-purchased, locally-hosted model and will be supported by $1 million in Medicaid reciepts.

Respite Beds for Developmental Disabilities
$903, 375 Recurring and $177,617 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for start-up and ongoing support of 12 respite beds for individuals with developmental disabilities across the state.

Housing 400 Initiative-Housing Trust Fund
$7,000,000 Non Recurring
The funding for the Housing 400 Initiative increased in the final budget from $4,000,000. This funding provides for the financing of additional independent and supportive living apartments for people with disabilities. $2,000,000 of this funding is redirected from the Mental Health Trust Fund.

Housing 400 Initiative-Operating Cost Subsidy
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding provides the operating cost for the independent-and supportive living apartments. It provides for the deep affordability that is needed for people with disabilities receiving Supplement Security Incomes.

Early Intervention for Autism
$1,300,000 Non Recurring
This appropriation is a reduction from the original $2,000,000. This funding supports three model programs of early intervention for autism across the state. These programs serve children with autism from birth through age 10.

Supportive Services for HUD 811 Projects
$129,331 Recurring and $155,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide on-going operation and start –up expenses to support 6 two-bedroom and 19 one-bedroom apartments financed through HUD. These units are located in Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Rowan County and Buncombe County. Direct services dollars are the key to a successful transition to independent living options for the residents of these units.

Traumatic Brain Injury Services
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding is directed to TBI services.

Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program
$200,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide support to Beyond Academics, a non-degree university-based programs for students with developmental disabilities.

Education:

Children with Disabilities
$6,200,000 Recurring
This funding will be allotted to Les to support special education and related services for students with identified disabilities. This funding will increase the per student funded rate to $3,386.84 per student.

Dropout Prevention Grants
$15,000,000 Non Recurring
This appropriation provides for a second year of funding for a grant program that distributes funding on a competitive basis to support innovative LEA programs that address dropout prevention.

More at Four
$23,000,000 Non Recurring
This funding will expand the More at Four program by 4,184 slots in 2008-2009 and increase the average per slot amount by 3%. The increase will result in 32,829 total available More at Four slots.

Positive Behavior Support
$90,000 Recurring
Provides funding to support an additional position for the Positive Behavior Support initiative, an effort to improve the environment for all students by establishing and reinforcing clear behavioral expectations throughout the school building and school day.

Funds for Class-Size Reduction
$19,750,000
General Assembly directs the Director of the Budget to transfer sufficient funding from the Education Lottery Reserve Fund to maintain K-3 student/teacher ratios at 18:1.

Bills that Moved This Week:

The budget was not the only thing happening at the General Assembly this week. There were multiple committee meetings and floor votes in the Senate and House.

One bill that we have been tracking is SB 1840 Medical Release for Ill and Disabled Inmates.  This bill directs the Department of Correction and the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission to provide for medical release of no-risk inmates who are either permanently and totally disabled, terminally ill, or geriatric. This bill passed both chambers and is now awaiting the Governor's signature.

Friday Wrap Up: The Budget Moves to the Senate

On Thursday the House received bipartisan support on their $21.3 billion dollar budget. The final vote was 104 in favor of the budget with 10 in opposition. The budget increases state spending on an annual basis by only 3.3 percent. The bill does include a teacher pay increase of 3 percent and a state employee pay increase of 2.75 percent.

The Health and Human Services budget included $8.2 million dollars to fund new CAP/MR-DD slots. The budget addresses the need for crisis services for people with developmental disabilities by appropriating $3.4 million towards the START Crisis Model and an additional $903 thousand toward respite beds for people with developmental disabilities.

Housing for people with developmental disabilities was also a priority for the Health and Human Service budget. The Housing 400 Initiative saw an increase in funding from $4 million dollars to $7 million dollars in the final budget. There was also an additional investment of $1 million dollars in recurring funding for operating subsidies for the Housing 400 independent living units.

The Education budget included $6.2 million dollars for children with disabilities, this funding increases the per student funding amount. There was also an investment of $19 million dollars to reduce class size.  

The Senate has already started work on their budget. This week the Senate Appropriation subcommittees for General Government, Education, and Health and Human Services met to review appropriation bills. Rumor has it that the Senate budget will be set to be rolled out on Thursday of this coming week.

We will keep you informed as the budget train continues to steam down the track!

Dispatch from the GA: Senate HHS Appropriations

Senate Health and Human Services Appropriation is meeting right now to hear appropriation bills.  The Arc of North Carolina just presented on the reason to fund direct service dollars to people with developmental disabilities in independent supportive housing in Wake, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Buncombe counties. The funding would serve 31 people living in these apartments.  The second presentation was a funding request for Tender Healthcare.  This is a day care center in Raleigh which serves children who are medically fragile.  Senator Walter Dalton just spoke to the need to fund Tier 1 CAP/MR-DD slots.  It is expected that all of these bills will pass out of committee today.  These bills will then be considered as the Senate puts together its budget.

Dispatch from the GA: House Budget Update and Senate Appropriations

The train has definitely pulled out of the station and is on its way down the track.  The House is right now hearing amendments during the third and final reading of the House budget. At some point there will be a final vote and the budget will be sent over to the House.

Meanwhile, the Senate has started appropriation committee meetings.  Yesterday was Senate Education Appropriations.  Today is Health and Human Services, General Government,and Information Technology.  Appropriations committees are hearing directly from the bill sponsors regarding the need to fund the programs that are detailed in the appropriation bills.  Many of the bills listed today in the Health and Human Services Appropriation Committee are programs that have received funding in the House budget.

More later.....

NC Legislative Update: The Budget Is Vote On

Today the full House took up the budget on the House floor.  Out of all the bills that will be debated and voted on this session, the budget is the longest and by far the most complicated and most contested legislation during the short session.

After a marathon session last evening. Today's gathering started at 2:00 p.m. and was finished by 6:00 p.m. The rules require that the budget be voted on in two separate days.  So, today was not yet the end of the debate nor the end of the myriad of amendments. The actual end to this first process on the House side will be tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

So, here is the vote. 114 Representatives were present today. Ayes: 102  Noes: 12 Excused Absent: 3 and Excused Vote: 1.

Included in this budget is $8.2 million dollars for new Community Alternative Program Waiver Slots (CAP) MR/DD.  This is a wonderful achievement that could not have happened without the voices and actions of many advocates around our State.  

We will be posting a complete recap of the budget on Friday.

Election 2008: Democratic Primary Update

In North Carolina we have all be focused on the House budget process. In Montana and South Dakota the focus was on the final Democratic Presidential Primary. CNN and MSNBC are reporting that Senator Barak Obama has won Montana and Senator Hillary Clinton has won South Dakota.

CNN is also projecting that Senator Obama has hit the "magic number" by securing enough delegates to become the first African-American Presidential nominee.

Dispatch from the GA: Bugdet Amendments Over on to Wednesday

After a marathon session of amendments that ended close to 9:00 pm, the House budget moved another step closer to passage.

House is set to convene tomorrow at 2:00 pm to vote on the budget. Final vote will be on Wednesday and then it will head over to the Senate.

We will have a full report on the final budget proposal tomorrow.

Dispatch from the GA: House Budget Work Still Going

Representative Beverly Earle offered an amendment to the CAP/MR-DD Tier Waiver Special Provision.  The amendment raised the funding limit on the Tier 1 support waiver from $15,000 to $20,000.  The amendment was supported by LMEs, multiple advocacy groups, and the developmental disability community.  After a spirited discussion, this amendment passed. 

We are very thankful for the leadership of Representative Beverly Earle and her advocacy for this amendment.

Dispatch from the GA: House Budget Keeps Moving

We are into the amendment part of the day now.  There are close to 100 amendments that are filed and will be moving to through the process.  So far there have been no amendments related to HHS (Health and Human Services).

Dispatch from the GA: It is House Budget Day!

Today is the day!! The full House is gathered right now in room 643 of the Legislative Office Building reviewing the full House budget.  Right now we are reviewing the Health and Human Services budget special provisions and money report.

It should be a fun  and long day!  We will keep you informed as the day goes on.  

Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

North Carolina

Budget:
Last week all of the appropriation subcommittees in the House completed their budgets and voted on their recommendations. The full House budget is expected to come out this week. Looking at the current calendar we are guessing it will be in full House appropriations on Wednesday.

Legislation:

Senate
On Tuesday the Senate Committee on Judiciary II will be taking up SB 1860: Amend Child Abuse. This legislation comes out of the Child Fatality Task Force and would increase the penalty for willful abuse of a child. A willful act of reckless disregard with a child would become a Class E felony if it results in serious bodily injury to the child. The House takes up the same bill on Wednesday in the House Committee on Children, Youth and Families. 

On Wednesday the Senate Committee on Health Care will take up SB 1686: Smoke-Free State and Local Building Grounds. This bill require that the grounds within a certain distance of state-owned or operated buildings be smoke free.  This bill comes out of the Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Mental Health & Youth Services will take up SB 1610: Recommendations of MH/DD/SA Oversight Committee.  

House
On Tuesday the House Committee on Children, Youth and Families will take up HB 2338 Hospital Report Child Injuries. This bill would change the way hospitals report child injuries that may be in the physician's professional judgement the result of non-accidental trauma.

Calendar

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

HOUSE:
10:00 a.m. House Committee On Judiciary III, 1425 LB.
HB 2163 (McLawhorn) PITT CO. SHERIFF/ACCESS DHHS DRUG DATA BASE
HB 2390 (Bordsen) RAISE CEILING ON PERSONAL PROP. SALE/GUARDIAN
HB 2391 (Bordsen) NO AUTO. REVOKE/DRIV. LIC./INCOMPETENT PERSON
HB 2492 (Justus) AMEND RELEASE OF JUVENILE ESCAPE INFO

SENATE:
10:00 a.m. Senate Committee On Judiciary II, 1124 LB.
SB 1860 (Allran) AMEND CHILD ABUSE/CHILD FATALITY TASK FORCE

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

HOUSE:
12:00 p.m. House Committee On Children, Youth and Families, 1425 LB.
HB 2338 (Clary) HOSPITAL REPORT CHILD INJURIES
HB 2339 (Clary) AMEND CHILD ABUSE/CHILD FATALITY TASK FORCE
HB 2340 (Earle) TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN OPEN BED OF VEHICLE
HB 2379 (Barnhart) GUARDIANSHIP STUDY

SENATE:
11:00 a.m. Senate Committee On Health Care, 544 LOB.
SB 1662 (Rand) DISAPPROVE NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS RULE
SB 1686 (Purcell) SMOKE-FREE STATE AND LOCAL BLDG. GROUNDS
SB 1733 (Purcell) HOSPITAL REPORT CHILD INJURIES
SB 1770 (Nesbitt) EXPAND MEDICAL EXAMINER JURISDICTION/FUNDS

12:00 p.m. Senate Committee On Mental Health & Youth Services, 414 LOB.
SB 1610 (Nesbitt) RECOMMENDATIONS OF MH/DD/SA OVERSIGHT COMM

Election 2008: Democratic Primary Puerto Rico

CNN and MSNBC are reporting that Senator Hillary Clinton has won the Puerto Rico Primary.  The next two Democratic Primaries are scheduled for this coming Tuesday.  This very long primary race comes to a conclusion on Tuesday night with all fifty states having a say on who will lead the Democratic party in November.

Once all the numbers from today are in we will update the delegate count.

Election 2008: Florida and Michigan Delegates Will Go to Denver for Democratic Party Convention

There was not a Democratic Presidential Primary today. No one was lining up at their polling places to cast a vote but votes were a major topic this evening. 

The Democratic National Committee met in Washington, DC today to decide the fate of votes in the Florida and Michigan Primaries. After the shouting and rhetoric were over here is the decision. 100% of the delegation from Florida and Michigan will be seated at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. Each delegate will be able to cast ½ a vote at the convention.  

The second decision made today was how to actually split the delegates between the remaining Democratic Party candidates.

Michigan Delegates: 69 to Clinton and 59 to Obama. Quick background, in Michigan there was only one Democratic candidate on the ballot, Hillary Clinton. This compromise came from the Michigan Democratic Party.

Florida Delegates: 105 to Clinton and 67 for Obama. Quick background, all the candidates were included on the primary ballot in this state.  

With this decision we now have a new final “Magic” number to get the nomination, 2,118. According to the Associated Press here is the current total per Democratic Candidate: Obama 2,052 and Clinton 1,877.

The next primary is in Puerto Rico tomorrow. Then we move to the final “super” Tuesday with primaries for the Democrats in Montana and South Dakota. The Republicans end with their last primary in New Mexico.

Check out what CNN and MSNBC has to say about today’s developments.

Hot Policy Topics: Friday Wrap Up

Budget:
Budget, budget, budget. This week was all about the budget. On Thursday a majority of House Appropriation subcommittees voted on their budgets. The Health and Human Services budget is detailed in the NC Legislative Update.  

What else is happening:
But it is not all about the budget. There are several bills that have been followed that affect people with disabilities. One of interest is Senate Bill 1480 Medical Release for Ill and Disabled Inmates. This legislation moved a step closer to the Governor’s desk by emerging favorably from conference committee. Senator Tony Rand has championed this bill through both chambers. The legislation would permit no-risk inmates who are either permanently and or totally disabled, terminally ill, or geriatric early release if approved through the parole commission. There will be a release plan created for the inmate that will include a full check to ensure that there is health care available through either private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid prior to the release.  (SB 1480 Medical Release for Ill and Disabled Inmates)

Another interesting bill just popped up on my radar. Senator Dorsett has filed a bill that would permit free parking for people with handicap placards in government owned parking lots. This is an interesting way to address the on the road parking situation that surrounds government buildings in down town Raleigh. Check out the bill,  SB 1922 Free Parking for Handicapped/Govt"t Parking.

Did We Mention The Budget?
And now back to the budget. Looks like all those rumors about a July 1 target for session to end may be true. The House seems to have their budget ready to hit the House floor on Wednesday. That would mean one week until the Senate begins their work on the budget. Short session is actually looking like a “Short” session. Summer vacation may be just a few weeks away.

NC Legislative Update: The Budget HHS and Education

At the General Assembly today the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Education voted on their final budget requests for fiscal year 2008-2009.

The House Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee and the House Education Appropriation Subcommittee met today and voted unanimously to approve their final budgets.
There were a few adjustments in the Health and Human Services budget, specifically in the Housing 400 Initiative.

Here is a breakdown of the approved budget requests from these two committees.

Health and Human Services:

CAP/MR-DD Tiered Slots
$8,232,411 Recurring
This funding will provide for additional Community Alternatives Program slots for people with developmental disabilities.

START Crisis Model for Developmental Disabilities
$3,239,688 Recurring and $204, 459 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for 9 Developmental Disabilities Systemic Therapeutic Assessment, Respite, and Treatment Crisis Model teams.  

Respite Beds for Developmental Disabilities
$903, 375 Recurring and $177,617 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for start-up and ongoing support of 12 respite beds for individuals with developmental disabilities across the state.

Housing 400 Initiative-Housing Trust Fund
$7,000,000 Non Recurring
The funding for the Housing 400 Initiative increased in the final budget from $4,000,000. This funding provides for the financing of additional independent and supportive living apartments for people with disabilities. $2,000,000 of this funding is redirected from the Mental Health Trust Fund.

Housing 400 Initiative-Operating Cost Subsidy
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding provides the operating cost for the independent-and supportive living apartments. It provides for the deep affordability that is needed for people with disabilities receiving Supplement Security Incomes.

Early Intervention for Autism
$1,300,000 Non Recurring
This appropriation is a reduction from the original $2,000,000. This funding supports three model programs of early intervention for autism across the state. These programs serve children with autism from birth through age 10.

Supportive Services for HUD 811 Projects
$129,331 Recurring and $155,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide on-going operation and start –up expenses to support 6 two-bedroom and 19 one-bedroom apartments financed through HUD. These units are located in Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Rowan County and Buncombe County. Direct services dollars are the key to a successful transition to independent living options for the residents of these units.

Traumatic Brain Injury Services
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding is directed to TBI services.

Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program
$200,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide support to Beyond Academics, a non-degree university-based programs for students with developmental disabilities.  

Medically Fragile Children’s Program
$70,000 Non Recurring
Funding of this program provides services for the child care component of pediatric day treatment center for medically fragile children. In addition this program will receive an additional $290,000 from the SSBG Block Grant. This was a new appropriation that had not been funded in the previous draft proposal.

Education:

Children with Disabilities
$6,200,000 Recurring
This funding will be allotted to Les to support special education and related services for students with identified disabilities. This funding will increase the per student funded rate to $3,386.84 per student.

Dropout Prevention Grants
$15,000,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for a second year of grants to drop out prevention programs.

More at Four
$23,000,000 Non Recurring
This funding will expand the More at Four program by 4,184 slots in 2008-2009 and increase the average per slot amount by 3%. This was a new addition in this final budget.  

More Budget News:

In addition to the budget there were a few specific Special Provisions that we should highlight.

First in Health and Human Services ,it looks like out state may finally implement the long awaited Ticket to Work Program. Thanks to advocates across the disability spectrum a significant change was made to the Special Provision regarding Ticket To Work. In the first draft we were looking at maybe up to a year or more delay to implementation. As of this approved budget, implementation of Ticket to Work Program is set for July 1,2008, “whether or not the new MMIS is operational”.

Second, we would like to update you on progress regarding dropout rates and students with disabilities. This year in North Carolina 4,050 students with disabilities dropped out of high schools. In the final Education budget there is a special provision that begins the process of addressing what is happening in high school to children with disabilities. The provision requires the Department of Public Instruction to analyze the participation rates of students with disabilities in Learn and Earn Early College High Schools, Redesigned high Schools, the North Carolina Virtual Public School, and North Carolina public high schools that are on block schedules. In the analysis the Department is being requested to consider enrollment, graduation, and dropout rates for students with disabilities in these different programs.

So What Is Next?

The budget will now head to the full House Appropriations on Tuesday. We expect to see the House vote on the final budget on Wednesday. The Senate will begin their budget process the week after that.  It is looking like session this year will actually be a "short session".

The Arc of North Carolina and advocates across our State applaud the leadership of these two committees and the leadership of the House Appropriation Committee on addressing the needs of people and children with developmental disabilities by funding initiatives in health care, housing and education.

Tuesday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

North Carolina:

This week is going to be a short but busy week at the General Assembly. The budget meetings are still taking place and the focus has now shifted to special provisions. The House is going to have subcommittee appropriation meetings again this Thursday. It looks like the full budget will be printed over the weekend and will be ready on Tuesday of next week.  

Wednesday May 28, 2008

11:00 a.m. House Committee on Aging, 1425 LB
HB 2324 (Farmer-Butterfield) Statewide Aging Study: This bill will create a five-year statewide study of the state’s readiness to respond to the growing aging demographic in our state. There is growing concern around aging parent of aging children with developmental disabilities. This topic of preparedness on how to address this issue came up in both the Aging committee and the MH/DD/SA Legislative Oversight Committee.

11:00 a.m. House Committee on Transportation, 1228 LB
No set agenda yet for this committee but there are rumors regarding a transportation bond.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

8:30 a.m. House Appropriations Education, 421 LOB
House Appropriations will release it’s final budget numbers at this meeting. In the previous money report there was $6.2 million for children with special needs in our schools. We will be monitoring this meting and will report any changes.

8:30 a.m. House Appropriations Health and Human Services, 643 LOB
House Appropriations met previously and released it’s draft money/budget report. Included in that report was $8.2 million for CAP/MR-DD slots and slightly under $300,000 for Direct Service Dollars for several HUD 811 independent living projects in our state. We are monitoring this committee and will report any changes on Thursday.


Federal:

Appropriations/Medicaid:
The Senate approved a $165 billion war supplemental spending bill which included a one year moratorium on seven Medicaid regulations (including the rehab option, case management and school based administration/transportation rules). The moratorium was part of a domestic spending amendment which passed by a 75-22 vote. The House passed a different supplemental appropriations bill previously which also included a one year moratorium on the seven Medicaid regulations. These bills need to be reconciled as the major differences on issues such as troop withdrawal from Iraq and levels of domestic discretionary funding.

Social Security:
The Social Security Administration published final regulations on the Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency program on May 20. While advocates are now reviewing the new regulations, initial reactions are that the regulations will mean some major improvements in the program. The final regulations can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10879.pdf. SSA will be posting a side-by-side table comparing selected provisions in the New Ticket rules with the old and other resources on its site: www.ssa.gov/work.  

In North Carolina a special provision has been drafted that will delay implementation of Ticket To Work for up to 36 months as we wait for MMIS to come on line. This delay is a concern in the advocacy community. A letter has been sent to House and Senate Health and Human Services committee members addressing concerns regarding the delay of implementation of the program.

Transportation:
On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up H.R. 6003, a bill to reauthorize Amtrak. The bill authorizes funding to help Amtrak pay for the work needed to bring the train stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Senate passed its bill last fall without the ADA funding, but with a request for an updated plan on how Amtrak plans to comply with the ADA.

The Blog Takes Memorial Day Off.

The blog will not be updated on Monday.  We are taking time off to honor all those who serve our nation.  Have a good Memorial Day weekend and we will be back on Tuesday.

NC Legislative Update: Friday Wrap Up

Budget:

This week we got the first look at where the House budget may be heading. All House appropriation subcommittees have been meeting jointly with their Senate peers.  After a full day of budget roll outs on Wednesday the General Assembly packed up and headed to Greensboro on Thursday.  It is looking like we will see a full House budget the middle of next week.  For more on the budget scroll down and check out the budget recap.

Check out Chris Fitzsimon's Wednesday Fitzsimon File. 

Coalition Rally Day:

The Coalition Rally Day rocked! Great turn out by advocates with developmental disabilities, their families and friends.  

Gary Robertson with the Associated Press wrote a good review of the days activities. Read it here.

Bills We Are Watching:

Bills that have nothing to do with appropriation requests are also being filed.  We are currently tracking a few bills that are coming out of the Dropout Commission.  This commission met during the session break.  This year we had 4,050 students with disabilities drop out of high school.  House Bill 2356 came out of the dropout commission.  This legislation will study the participation and dropout rates of students with disabilities in learn and earn early college high schools, redesigned high schools, and the North Carolina Virtual Public School.

NC Legislative Update: The Budget

This week the House Appropriation Subcommittees rolled out their budget requests. The final House budget is due this coming week.  

Here is the breakdown of the money report from the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and Education.

Health and Human Services:

Local Crisis System Response System: This will include the Governor's recommendation for funding for the START Model.       $30,334,290 Recurring    $5,904,459 Non recurring

Housing 400 Initiative-Operating Cost Subsidy  $1,000,000 Recurring

Housing 400 Initiative- Housing Trust Fund       $4,000,000 Non Recurring

CAP-MR/DD Tiered Slots             $8,232,411  Recurring

Early Intervention for Autism      $2,000,000  Recurring

Supportive Services for HUD 811 Projects       $129,311 Recurring   $155,000  Non Recurring

Traumatic Brain Injury Services   $1,000,000  Recurring

Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program  $200,000  Recurring

Education:

Children With Disabilities/Increase to LEAs  (Raises funding to $3,386.50 per student)

$6,200,000 Recurring

Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding  $5,000,000  Recurring

Dropout Prevention Grants       $10,000,000  Non Recurring

Julia's Musings: DD Community Has A Good Day

Wednesday, May 21 was The Coalition Rally Day at the General Assembly. People with developmental disabilities, their families and their friends made their presence known with office visits to their local legislators. They asked their Representatives and Senators to support funding for new CAP/MR-DD Waiver slots and to continue to fund the Housing 400 Initiative, which provides real housing options for people with disabilities. People with developmental disabilities, their families and friends left the state house knowing that their legislators understand their needs and are actively addressing those needs through wise budget recommendations.

The morning started out with excellent news from the House Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee. The Governor’s budget provided no funding to open new CAP/MR-DD Waiver slots for the over 4,000 families waiting for this critical service, but the appropriation subcommittee did see the need. They received your emails, your calls, and heard your stories. They request $8.2 million dollars in funding to open new CAP/MR-DD waiver slots. This funding will open over 1,000 slots.

The members of the House Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee also understood the need for our state to continue developing affordable and accessible housing options for people with disabilities. The Housing 400 Initiative is recognized nationally as a model for creating real housing choice for people with disabilities. The current budget request included $4 million dollars toward new home development and $1 million in rental/operational assistance.

The House HHS Appropriation Subcommittee was not the only group to roll out their budget request. The House Education Subcommittee also recognized an oversight in the Governor’s budget. The Governor did not propose an increase in funding for children with special needs in our public schools. The Education Appropriation Subcommittee however did see a need for increased educational funding for children with disabilities and proposed $6.2 million dollars, which would increase funding to $3,368.50 dollars per student.

The Arc of North Carolina greatly appreciates the leadership of our elected leaders who worked so hard on these important funding recommendations. The final House budget will be released early next week.

The Arc of North Carolina Legislative Agenda

The Arc of North Carolina advocates for and with families and people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. We believe that the following legislative agenda promotes our goals of advocacy, inclusion, and access to the communities we live in.

Health and Human Services:

SB 1794 and HB 2361 Funds for CAP/MR-DD Slots

To increase funding by $10 million dollars to open new Tier 1/Support Waiver CAP/MR-DD Slots.  This funding will open 1,440 new slots and will reduce the current wait for this critical service.

Coalition Budget:

The Arc of North Carolina supports fully the budget proposals put forth by The Coalition.

Housing 400 Initiative:

The Housing 400 Initiative provides affordable and accessible housing options for people with developmental disabilities.  We fully support the request by the Housing Finance Agency of $10 million dollars in recurring funding to this critical and nationally recognized program.

Education:

Funding for Special Needs Programs:

The Arc of North Carolina supports the efforts of Representative Glazier and Representative Lucas on securing needed increased funding for special needs programs in our public schools.

HB 12: Students Ineligible for Special Education Protection
This bill protects a narrow group of students with disabilities who are entitled to special education services and protections under the law.

HB 1366: School Violence Prevention Act.
This legislation would direct the School Board on creating a bullying policy that addresses the causes of bullying, identifies the most vulnerable school populations to bullying and assists in creating a safe school environment.

HB 388: Tax Credit for Special Needs Children.

This bill will offer a credit to families that have children with special needs that are either home schooled or are in private school.  This bill speaks to our continued advocacy efforts for all parents of children with special needs.  

Social Justice:

SB 334: Fair Housing Act Amendment.
This legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis or receipt of housing assistance. Many people with disabilities receive housing assistance. This legislation if passed would assist in opening more housing opportunities to the disability community.

HB 1711: Establish Paid Sick Leave:
Only 58 percent of workers in North Carolina have paid sick days. This legislation would ensure a minimum paid sick day standard in North Carolina. This standard would save $8.11 per worker per week. Ideally paid sick days would cover time off to care for ill children. Nationally 30 percent of workers have paid sick days for staying home with an ill child.

Higher Education:

SB 1498: Study Disabled Access to UNC Facilities.
This bill would direct the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina study the accessibility of its facilities to people with severe physical disabilities seeking basic access to higher education within the state university system.  

Housing:

Housing Trust Fund/Housing 400 Initiative.
The Housing 400 Initiative has been the most successful program to come out of Mental Health/Developmental Disability/Substance Abuse Reform. This program receives its funding from the Housing Trust Fund. The Arc of North Carolina has been working with the NC Housing Coalition to stress the importance of affordable housing options for people with developmental and cognitive disabilities. We support the appropriation of $10 million to the Housing Trust Fund and $10 million to the Housing 400 Initiative.

Coalition Rally Day!!

Today is THE COALITION Rally Day! If you are in Raleigh or near Raleigh we invite you to join us!

THE COALITION (formerly Coalition 2001) represents individuals and organizations statewide, that advocate for persons needing services and supports for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases. Since 1991, The Coalition has recommended a budget to the North Carolina General Assembly. Each year during the Legislative session, The Coalition sponsors several advocacy events to bring local advocates to Raleigh to speak with their state legislators. We strongly encourage you to make appointments with your legislators well in advance of the day.

Advocate for better funding for mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services

Rally at NOON!
Across the street from the Legislative Building , Jones St.

v Parking available at State Fair Grounds (Gate 9) with bus services to Legislative Building beginning at 8:30 am and running to 2 pm

v Registration will open at 8AM on the back portico of the Legislative Building : Participants can get information on the day’s legislative committee meetings, the current budget proposal and begin visits with legislators.

v Trainings will take place at 9, 10 and 11 AM in the Legislative Building Auditorium (third floor): Short trainings will be held on effective ways to communicate your message to Legislators. Volunteers will also be on hand in the auditorium from 8:30 to 12:30 with tips and techniques for making the most of your legislative visit.

v Afternoon, start of Session: Attend the House and Senate sessions – The Coalition members in the gallery will be recognized.

v Popcorn will be available on the portico at 11 am!

The Coalition encourages your participation in this event to advocate for funding for mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services. For more information on the event, please contact Erin McLaughlin at 919-981-0740 x507 or emclaughlin@mha-nc.org

CARPOOL INFORMATION

To meet others also interested in this event and to find individuals to carpool, please go to the link listed: http://movement.meetup.com/64/

PARKING INFORMATION

Thanks to the generosity of RHA Howell, we will have a bus and two vans that will make a circle from 8:30 am to 2 pm from the State Fairgrounds location to the Legislative Building and back to the Fairgrounds. WE ARE URGING THAT THIS BE AN AREA WHERE PERSONS DRIVING A BUS, VAN OR CAR WITH PASSENGERS CAN COME TO PARK. You will need to take your passengers directly to the Legislative Building and then come back to park the vehicle.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE THE PARKING AND VAN SERVICES, PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY AND PLEASE PARK ONLY IN THE AREA NOTED BELOW.

Directions to Parking –
Take Wade Avenue toward I-40. Get off at the Blue Ridge Roadexit (the one you would take to go to the NC Museum of Art or the State Fair). At the top of the ramp coming from downtown Raleigh turn left onto Blue Ridge Road. Coming from the west
(I-40, exit 289 to put you on Wade Avenue) turn right onto
Blue Ridge Road. Take Blue Ridge up to Trinity Road– several blocks. Turn right onto Trinity Road. Take a left at the oak trees into the Gate 9 access road, then turn right and park in the area immediately adjacent to the oak trees. A Coalition volunteer will be in the parking area. You are parking in the Lower Bunn Field – a satellite area of the Fairgrounds.

REMINDER - WE SUGGEST THAT IF YOU ARE BRINGING A BUS OR BRINGING A GROUP IN A CAR OR VAN – that the driver of the vehicle take the passengers directly to the Legislative Building and drop them of. Then the driver of the vehicle drive to the State Fairgrounds, park the vehicle and return to the Legislative Building by bus.


FOR PERSONS IN WHEELCHAIRS - please note that we will have limited transportation with wheelchair accessibility so it is suggested that those in a wheelchair be dropped off directly at the front of the Legislative Building and that drivers of those vehicles use the shuttle service after parking their cars/vans at the Fairgrounds.

Dispatch from the GA: The Subcommittees Roll Out their Budgets

Budget meetings with the big appropriation chairs continued well into the night last evening.  612, the budget room, was a buzz with activity as staff and legislators worked on the numbers.  Rumor has it that today is the day that the subcommittee will roll out their individual budget proposals.

Here is the breakdown:  

8:30 a.m. the following subcommittee will meet in the Legislative Office Building.

8:30-10:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY (Joint) 415 LOB
8:30-10:45 AM APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES(Joint) 643 LOB
8:30 AM APPROPRIATIONS / Justice and Public Safety (Joint) 415 LOB
8:30 AM SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES ON EDUCATION / HIGHER EDUCATION AND EDUCATION / PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (Senate) 421 LOB
8:30 AM APPROPRIATIONS / Education (Joint) 421 LOB
8:30 AM APPROPRIATIONS / Health and Human Services (Joint) 643 LOB
9:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION (Joint) 1228 LB
9:00 AM APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATURAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES (Joint) 423 LOB

Once we know the numbers for Health and Humans Services and Education we will post them here.

Julia's Musings: Chris Fitzsimon on the Budget

On Monday, Chris Fitzsimon the director of NC Policy Watch wrote about the current budget cycle.  It is clear to us here at the blog that the Governor's budget and the proposals from numerous legislative committee are not on the same page.  Chris gives us a good look at those stark differences.  From education for students with special needs to the need for funding to increase CAP/MR-DD Waiver Slots, Fitzsimon breaks it all down for us with a clear and reasonable voice.  Hopefully everyone is listening.

Read the Fitzsimon File: Behind the Budget Headlines.

Monday Quick Hits: Hot Policy Topics for This Week

North Carolina:

It is all about the budget this week. With tight deadlines to complete subcommittee budget reports, the majority of meetings scheduled deal only with appropriations.

Monday, May 19, 2008

12:00pm House and Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Joint meeting with Senate. 425 LOB

Discussion continues this week on the budget in Health and Human Services. There are big discrepancies between what the Governor would like to see happen and what this committee would like to see happen.  There are also a number of appropriation bills that have not yet been filed and that are up for discussion.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

8:30am House and Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, 1425 LB

Funding for the Housing Trust Fund rests with this specific committees recommendations.  The Housing Finance Agency along with multiple organizations, including The Arc of North Carolina are lobbying for $20 million in recurring funding for this fund.  The Housing Trust Fund allows organization to receive brick and mortar grants to create affordable housing options for the homeless, aged, people with disabilities and people with substance abuse or mental illness.

8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. House Committee On Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, 643 LOB.

House Committee On Judiciary I, 1228 LB.
SB 1480 (Rand) MEDICAL RELEASE FOR ILL AND DISABLED INMATES

This bill was discussed in great detail during last years session.  Our state does not yet have guidelines that would permit the release of non violent criminals that are seriously ill or disabled after their incarceration.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

8:30 a.m. House Committee On Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, 421 LOB.

8:30 a.m. House and Senate Committee On Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, 643 LOB.

.
8:30a.m. Senate Committee on Appropriations on Education/Higher Education and Education/Public Instruction, 421 LOB.


Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Legislature is in Greensboro.

NC Legislative Update: Friday Wrap Up

On Tuesday, May 13th State legislators headed back to Jones Street to begin the 2008 Legislative short session. The building was all a buzz between returning legislators and lobbyists the session was off to a fast start. This week and during the next few weeks it is all going to be about the budget.  

Press Conference Comments:

Representative Paul Stam during a Republican press conference on Tuesday, May 13 responded to a question about funding mental health services by pointing out that people with developmental disabilities were overlooked in the Governor’s budget. This was followed up by Senator Phil Berger speaking out this week for more training and recruitment of special education teachers. The Arc of North Carolina appreciates these two leaders support of families and people with developmental disabilities.

The Budget:

The Governor got the ball rolling on Monday when he presented his budget proposal. The Governor’s budget includes $68 million for Mental Health Services. Of that proposal is $4 million toward the START Crisis Model for people with developmental disabilities.
In Education the Governor’s proposal contains $12.5 billion for education from pre-K programs through University programs. The Governor’s budget did not include any additional funding for children with disabilities. During the 2007 academic year our State had 4,050 students with disabilities drop out of our high schools.

Health and Human Services Joint Appropriation Subcommittee:

There were two Health and Human Services Subcommittee meetings this week. The first took place on Wednesday, May 14 with Secretary Dempsey Benton presenting the DHHS budget proposal.

Secretary Benton presented the Crisis Service plan that is being put forth by the Division. For people with developmental disabilities, the long awaited funding proposal for START Model crisis program was presented. This will include nine (9) developmental disability teams linked to treatment facilities and 24 respite beds for people with developmental disabilities that will be housed at group homes instead of institutions.

On Thursday, May 15 the HHS Joint Subcommittee met again. This time it was legislative staff breaking down the Governor’s budget proposal. Representative Bob England chaired this meeting. Representative England let all the members know that the budget was on the fast track. After reviewing the line items budget requests Representative England opened the floor to committee members. Representative Beverly Earle requested that staff flag all expansion items in the Governor’s budget. Representative Earle continued by stating that, “It has come to my attention that there is no funding in this budget for new CAP/MR-DD Tier 1 slots.” Representative England followed up this comment by stating that, “There is an appropriation bill that addresses this funding request for CAP slots”. Both Representative England and Earle are primary sponsors on this appropriation bill. (Check out who else is supporting this bill-Action Alert)

At the end of the committee meeting it was announced that a joint committee appropriation report needs to ready for the big appropriation chairs by Wednesday, May 21, 2008. We are definitely in a sprint!

Education Appropriation Subcommittee:

The Governor’s budget proposal did not include any expansion in funding for children with special needs. In fact it shows a 2 million dollar reduction based on adjusted head count of children with special needs. There was also no funding to address the drop out situation in our State.

The good news is that the Governor’s budget was not received well by the committee members. In addition there are already several appropriation bills that will address the needs of special education students in our State. The majority of these bills are coming out of the Education Oversight Committee and the Dropout Study Commission.

Again leadership in the General Assembly have stepped up to address the critical need for increased funding for children with special needs. On Monday, May 19, 2008 two bills will be introduced in the House. The first is to raise the funding cap for special needs children from the current 12.5% to 12.75%. The second would be to increase supplemental funding for children with disabilities to $3,450.81 per child.

Action Alerts:

The Arc of North Carolina issued an action alert on Friday regarding the Senate and House Appropriation bill for funding for new CAP/MR-DD Slots.

ACTION ALERT: Funding for CAP/MR-DD Slots! Call or Email Today!

Action Alert: Funding for New CAP/MR-DD Slots

The budget is moving quickly and the Health and Human Services Joint Appropriation Committee needs to hear from you today.

Background: 
There are over 4,000 families waiting access critical services through CAP/MR-DD slots. The Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Joint Legislative Oversight Committee and the Governor’s Budget ignored the needs of these families by not proposing any funding for new slots. Your concerns and your needs are not being overlooked by leaders in the General Assembly many are taking action to help correct this oversight. Representative Maggie Jeffus, Representative Martha Alexander, Representative Bob England, Representative Beverly Earle, Senator Doug Berger and Senator Walter Dalton are primary supporters for an appropriation bill requesting ten million dollars ($10,000,000) be appropriated in this budget towards new CAP/MR-DD slots.

TAKE ACTION TODAY:

TELL THEM THANK YOU:
Call and or e-mail the following Representatives and Senators and say Thank You for supporting funding for new CAP/MR-DD Slots. Tell them how important these new slots will be for the more than 4,000 families who are waiting for a CAP slot.

Representative Beverly Earle 919.715.2530 Beverlye@ncleg.net
Representative Bob England 919.733.5749 Bobe@ncleg.net
Representative Jeff Barnhart 919.715.2009 jeffba@ncleg.net
Representative Wil Neumann 919.733.5868 Wiln@ncleg.net
Senator Doug Berger 919.715.8363 Dougb@ncleg.net
Senator William Purcell 919.733.5953 Williamp@ncleg.net

ASK THEM TO PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BILL:

The following members serve on the HHS appropriations committee and have not yet signed on the bill. If they represent you it is particularly important for them to hear from you today or Monday.

Representative Verla Insko 919.733.7208 Verlai@ncleg.net
Representative Debbie Clary 919.715.2002 Debbiec@ncleg.net
Representative Linda Coleman 919.733.5974 Lindac@ncleg.net
Representative William Brisson 919.733.5772 Williambr@ncleg.net
Representative Charles Thomas 919.715.3012 charlest@ncleg.net
Senator Harris Blake 919.733.4809 Harrisb@ncleg.net
Senator Charlie Dannelly 919.733.5955 Charlied@ncleg.net
Senator James Forrester 919.715.3050 Jamesf@ncleg.net
Senator Steve Goss 919.733.5743 Steveg@ncleg.net

Tell Them:

-Please support this bill.

-CAP/MR-DD slots permit families and persons with developmental disabilities who qualify for this program to receive critical support services.

-Without an investment by the General Assembly there will be NO new CAP/MR-DD Slots for the over 4,000 people and families waiting for services in our State.

If you do not know who your legislator is or how to reach them you can go the General Assembly web site.

NC Legislative Update: House HHS and Education Appropriation Meet Today

Two House Appropriation Committees that directly affect children, adults with disabilities and their families will meet today.

House Health and Human Services will meet at 10:00am in room 643 of the Legislative Office Building. The Department of Health and Human Services will present the Governor's Health and Human Services budget.  The Governor's budget proposed $68 million in Mental Health Services.  Of that proposal is $4 million  to provide needed funding for the START Model, crisis services for people with developmental disabilities.

Also at 10:00am in room 421 of the Legislative Office Building the Governor's Office will present their Education Budget.  In reviewing the budget we found a $2million dollar reduction based on adjusted head count for children with special needs.  There was no additional funding for Exceptional Children programs in the Governor's Budget.

We will provide an update on these two meeting later in the day.

Election 2008: West Virginia Goes to Clinton

How is this for a very short primary night, MSNBC has called West Virginia for Hillary Clinton. 

Now it is on to Oregon, Puerto Rico, Montana, South Dakota and Kentucky.

Election 2008: Presidential Primary West Virginia

The Race for the White House moved to West Virginia today with the Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barak Obama continuing the fight to secure the Democratic Party nomination for President.  

We will update you tonight with the results from this primary.

A Message from the Blog Team!

Greetings everyone and welcome to the North Carolina General Assembly 2008 Legislative Short Session.  The legislators are back and policy decisions are underway.

During the session, if we have something cool to report we will be posting quick updates.  We call this quickie update Dispatches from the GA.  The first one just went up regarding a press conference that was held this morning by the minority leadership.

Enjoy this new way to keep up to date with all things on Jones St.

Dispatch from the GA: Minority Leader in the House Speaks Out for Children With Developmental Disabilities

During a news conference this morning, Minority Leader of the House Representative Paul Stam was asked a question regarding the Governor's funding request for Mental Health Services in our State.  In reply to the reporter's question Representative Stam stated that the Governor's budget did not include any funding for children with developmental disabilities.

We appreciate Representative Stam addressing the need for funding for new CAP slots for children with developmental disabilities.  

North Carolina General Assembly Gets Going Today!

The long anticipated start to the legislative short session begins today at 12:00 p.m.

With a tight budget (only a $150 million surplus) and it being an election year (very few controversial bills emerging) this session is shaping up to be a sprint to the finish.

Some of the major budget issues this session will be teacher's raises, transportation/infrastructure needs, and mental health services funding.  Currently both the Governor's budget and the leaders in the General Assembly are focused on addressing the same issues.  However, the appropriation requests are very different.  The Governor has in his budget $68 million for mental health services, primarily aimed at crisis services.  The MH/DD/SA Legislative Oversight Committee proposed $42 million for mental health services.

Both proposals address the creation of in community START Model teams for crisis services for people with developmental disabilities.  However, neither proposal address the crisis in accessing CAP/MR-DD Slots for children with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of North Carolina Policy Blog will be in the building all session keeping you up to date on the progress of the budget and other policy issues.  The Arc of North Carolina will be rolling out its Short Session Policy Agenda later today.