The June 2010 revenue forecast press release is now available on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council's web page HERE
You can also retrieve a copy of our Revenue Review meeting handouts.
Color, best for viewing
Grayscale, best for printing
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Funding for Employment Services to HS Grads
Funding for Employment Services to High School Transition Graduates
Due to additional funding from the legislature, employment services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities are available for all young adults who meet eligibility requirements.
Information on who is eligible and how to get started is in our latest bulletin,.
Go to IFBT website to read the bulletin
For information on this and other important topics, visit:
http://www.informingfamilies.org/
Due to additional funding from the legislature, employment services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities are available for all young adults who meet eligibility requirements.
Information on who is eligible and how to get started is in our latest bulletin,.
Go to IFBT website to read the bulletin
For information on this and other important topics, visit:
http://www.informingfamilies.org/
2010 Primary Candidates Who Have Filed
Click HERE to view the 2010 Primary Candidates who have filed.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Voice Unheard
A thought provoking Poem by one of our own wonderful Siblings was posted on Autism Speaks blog
The Voice Unheard
I scream
I cry
I bang
You still don’t understand
The words won’t form for me to speak
But alas I have much to say
If only there was a way
A way for you to hear me
From behind the prison bars
The children on the streets stare
Like illuminating eyes in the night
I appear not to care
As they ponder over the sight
Of me walking on my toes
And screaming without no cause
To them I’m an alien
If only they could understand
There’s more than meets the eye with me
I’m not just some freak
If they could only see
I can’t help what I am or how I act
There’s much more under the surface
A truth waiting to be found
I’m not going to die
But that doesn’t make things alright
My mind, my body
Don’t work like they should
I’m trapped
A prisoner
No one’s knows how it happens
Why I can’t talk to you
It’s something in my brain
That went askew
There are others like me that can talk
But their case is different than mine
See we are all very different
Even with the same infected mind
In my case, I’m severe
I can’t talk
Only scream and yell
I bang walls and slam doors
And windows in cars
My senses aren’t like yours
My sense of feeling is off
I bang my head down on a table
Just to be sure it’s still there
Autism isn’t like cancer
There’s no cure
Or solution found
Only drugs and medication
To try and calm us down
But I am lucky to have a family
That loves me so much
They make sure I’m taken care of
And do everything they must
So next time you see me on the street
Or others of the same fate
Think of all we go through
Just to get through each day
Autism has a voice
If you take time to listen
You will hear
This “In Their Own Words” essay is by 15-year-old Emily Church. Emily’s 12-year-old brother has autism and she wrote this poem for a high school English class. “The Voice Unheard” is written from the point of view of her brother explaining his actions.
If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to editors@autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
The Voice Unheard
I scream
I cry
I bang
You still don’t understand
The words won’t form for me to speak
But alas I have much to say
If only there was a way
A way for you to hear me
From behind the prison bars
The children on the streets stare
Like illuminating eyes in the night
I appear not to care
As they ponder over the sight
Of me walking on my toes
And screaming without no cause
To them I’m an alien
If only they could understand
There’s more than meets the eye with me
I’m not just some freak
If they could only see
I can’t help what I am or how I act
There’s much more under the surface
A truth waiting to be found
I’m not going to die
But that doesn’t make things alright
My mind, my body
Don’t work like they should
I’m trapped
A prisoner
No one’s knows how it happens
Why I can’t talk to you
It’s something in my brain
That went askew
There are others like me that can talk
But their case is different than mine
See we are all very different
Even with the same infected mind
In my case, I’m severe
I can’t talk
Only scream and yell
I bang walls and slam doors
And windows in cars
My senses aren’t like yours
My sense of feeling is off
I bang my head down on a table
Just to be sure it’s still there
Autism isn’t like cancer
There’s no cure
Or solution found
Only drugs and medication
To try and calm us down
But I am lucky to have a family
That loves me so much
They make sure I’m taken care of
And do everything they must
So next time you see me on the street
Or others of the same fate
Think of all we go through
Just to get through each day
Autism has a voice
If you take time to listen
You will hear
This “In Their Own Words” essay is by 15-year-old Emily Church. Emily’s 12-year-old brother has autism and she wrote this poem for a high school English class. “The Voice Unheard” is written from the point of view of her brother explaining his actions.
If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to editors@autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Medicaid Action Alert
Huge Medicaid Cuts are Still at Stake
Take Action!
Make sure your Senator(s) continue to support extending the increase in the federal share of Medicaid
The clock is ticking on extending the increase in the federal government's share of Medicaid (known as the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP)). When the Senate returns next week they are likely to debate a tax extender bill that must include FMAP when it goes to the floor for a vote. This may be the last opportunity this year to vote to extend FMAP. Advocates must make their voices heard.
Without swift enactment of a six-month FMAP extension, states will be forced to make very deep cuts in programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.
The Senate must pass the FMAP extension soon.
You are receiving this alert because one or both of you Senators was among the 62 Senators that voted for the FMAP extension recently. Each of these Senators needs to be thanked for their past support. We must also urge each Senator to do all they can to make sure the FMAP extension is in the tax extender bill when it comes to the floor next week.
Even though your Senator has supported it in the past, some Senators have raised concerns about the growing federal deficit and the cost of the extenders bill. WE CANNOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT YOUR SENATOR WILL VOTE FOR THE FMAP EXTENSION AGAIN.
Take Action
Please call your Senator's office THIS WEEK. Call TOLL FREE - 1-877-442-6801. Sample talking points are provided when you click on the "Take Action" link.
What to say:
• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to thank Senator _________________for the past support of the FMAP extension and urge that s/he do everything possible to ensure that it is in the tax extender bill when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote.
• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase contained in the bill, we will lose vital services.
Please call; do not email. The reality is that staff on Capitol Hill rarely read constituent email anymore. There is just too much of it to keep track of. The best measures they have about what constituents need are telephone calls or personal visits.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
Take Action!
Make sure your Senator(s) continue to support extending the increase in the federal share of Medicaid
The clock is ticking on extending the increase in the federal government's share of Medicaid (known as the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP)). When the Senate returns next week they are likely to debate a tax extender bill that must include FMAP when it goes to the floor for a vote. This may be the last opportunity this year to vote to extend FMAP. Advocates must make their voices heard.
Without swift enactment of a six-month FMAP extension, states will be forced to make very deep cuts in programs, including home and community based services, supported employment, dental care and even basic health care.
The Senate must pass the FMAP extension soon.
You are receiving this alert because one or both of you Senators was among the 62 Senators that voted for the FMAP extension recently. Each of these Senators needs to be thanked for their past support. We must also urge each Senator to do all they can to make sure the FMAP extension is in the tax extender bill when it comes to the floor next week.
Even though your Senator has supported it in the past, some Senators have raised concerns about the growing federal deficit and the cost of the extenders bill. WE CANNOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT YOUR SENATOR WILL VOTE FOR THE FMAP EXTENSION AGAIN.
Take Action
Please call your Senator's office THIS WEEK. Call TOLL FREE - 1-877-442-6801. Sample talking points are provided when you click on the "Take Action" link.
What to say:
• May I please speak to the staff person who covers health?
• I am calling to thank Senator _________________for the past support of the FMAP extension and urge that s/he do everything possible to ensure that it is in the tax extender bill when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote.
• People with disabilities depend on Medicaid for their very survival. Without an extension of the Medicaid FMAP increase contained in the bill, we will lose vital services.
Please call; do not email. The reality is that staff on Capitol Hill rarely read constituent email anymore. There is just too much of it to keep track of. The best measures they have about what constituents need are telephone calls or personal visits.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Disability Policy Seminar Fact Sheets
http://disabilitypolicyseminar.org/
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Gov. Gregoire signs supplemental budget
Gov. Gregoire signs supplemental budget
For Immediate Release: May 4, 2010
OLYMPIA – Gov Chris Gregoire today signed a supplemental budget that funds critical state programs while implementing new reform measures to streamline and reduce state government.
“This budget is a fair mix of cuts and revenue that ensures our most vulnerable receive the services they need, our young learners get the education required to be successful and productive, and our communities remain safe and protected,” Gregoire said. “Despite our difficult economic times – we managed to protect many core services that Washingtonians value, and at the same time reduce and streamline state government. That’s something to be proud of.”
Despite a $2.8 billion dollar deficit, Gregoire applauded state lawmakers for developing a budget that maintains several critical state programs, including the state’s Basic Health and State Need Grant programs. The budget also addresses several of the governor’s priorities, including job creation and reform.
“This budget includes significant strategies to put people back to work,” Gregoire said. “We have the potential to create more than 70,000 jobs over the next five years with this budget through tax incentives, green building enhancements and rural construction projects. Additionally – this budget goes a long way to reforming the way state government works – and I applaud the Legislature for that. They had the courage to reduce state spending by eliminating nearly 70 boards and commissions, close institutions and consolidate programs and agencies to increase efficiency.”
Gregoire vetoed some sections of the budget – including the provisions that would have put the Insurance Commissioner in the red and stripped the Life Sciences Discovery Fund of funding. Gregoire also vetoed 26 of the 52 reports assigned through legislation to the Executive Branch. Combined with vetoes to the Legislature’s revenue package -- the state’s ending fund balance is now expected to be approximately $453 million.
Overall, the state’s $2.8 billion deficit was filled by a combination of $747 million in cuts, $618 million in federal funding and $757 million in new revenue. This is on top of actions the state took to solve the $9 billion shortfall the state faced last year, which included $4.4 billion in cuts.
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1488&newsType=1
Sections vetoed by the Governor:
Section 129, page 35, lines 19-20, Office of Financial Management, Change to Fiscal Year 2011 General Fund-State Appropriation
The reduction to the Fiscal Year 2011 appropriation is vetoed in order to retain sufficient funds to conduct two critical budget-related studies: an independent assessment of placements in residential habilitation centers in Section 129(6) and an analysis and strategic business plan for the Consolidated State Data Center and Office in Section 129(7). Insufficient funds were provided to prepare a valuable study, and no new funds were provided for the Data Center study. The agency will still implement all administrative reductions assumed in the budget as passed, and the additional spending authority will be used to accomplish the new work assigned to the agency. For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 129, lines 19-20.
Section 129(6), page 38, Office of Financial Management
The $200,000 appropriation for this study is divided between two fiscal years so the Office of Financial Management will not be able to use half of the money, making it impossible to satisfactorily complete the review as envisioned. Therefore, I am vetoing section 129(6). In order to assess the status of people who currently live in residential habilitation centers, I am directing the Department of Social and Health Services to conduct assessments in a similar manner as is done for people in community residential programs. The assessments shall include interviews with all residential habilitation center residents or guardians of residents to determine the optimum setting for these individuals and shall include the option and choice to remain in a residential habilitation center. The Office of Financial Management shall contract with an independent consultant to review the assessments and determine whether there are funded options available in the community for residential habilitation center residents who indicate an interest in moving to a community placement and whether appropriate services and resources in the community exist or can be developed to provide adequate care for people with developmental disabilities. The consultant shall provide a report to me and the Legislature by December 1, 2010. For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 129(6).
Section 205(1)(m), page 88, Department of Social and Health Services, County Employment Funding
This proviso prohibits the Department of Social and Health Services from reducing expenditures for contracts with counties for employment assistance for people with developmental disabilities. This restriction limits the Department’s ability to manage necessary budget reductions. Therefore, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(m).
Section 205(1)(n), page 88, Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Program, Agency Provider Savings and Hourly Rates
The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to report on the fiscal impact of Chapter 571, Laws of 2009 (Substitute House Bill 2361) and the relative hourly costs of agency providers and individual providers. However, no funding is provided for this purpose. Therefore, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(n).
Section 205(1)(o), pages 88-89, Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Program, Workgroup on Administrative Burdens for the Homecare Industry
The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to convene a new work group to address administrative burdens on the homecare industry and to report on its findings. However, no funding is provided. Therefore, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(o).
Section 205(1)(p), page 89, Department of Social and Health Services, Report on Placements for Residential Clients
This proviso requires a quarterly report on all placements for residential clients in the community protection and expanded community programs in the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Because of the cost involved, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(p) and am directing the Department of Social and Health Services to continue providing the quarterly reports, which cover only new residential clients added to the programs in the current biennium.
Section 205(1)(r), page 89, Department of Social and Health Services, Self-Advocate Support
This proviso directs the Department of Social and Health Services to spend an additional $100,000 to provide instruction in self-advocacy to families of individuals with developmental disabilities. In these difficult economic times, it is not prudent to expand services. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(r).
Section 205(1)(s), pages 89-90, Department of Social and Health Services, Community Support
The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to spend an additional $100,000 for parent-to-parent networks and community support groups for people with developmental disabilities. In a time when we are reducing other valuable core services of state government, we cannot afford to expand these services. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 205(1)(s).
Section 206(20), page 97, Department of Social and Health Services Aging and Adult Services Program, Agency Provider Savings and Hourly Rates
The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to report on the fiscal impact of Chapter 571, Laws of 2009 (Substitute House Bill 2361) and the relative hourly costs of agency providers and individual providers. However, no funding is provided. Therefore, I have vetoed Section 206(20).
Section 212(7), pages 121-122, Department of Social and Health Services, Autism Health Coverage Study
The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to report, in collaboration with the Health Care Authority, on the fiscal impact of state-purchased health care to cover autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and treatment for individuals younger than 21 years. This is not the time to engage in new studies to assess the expansion of state-paid services, no matter how worthy. Therefore, I have vetoed Section 212(7).
http://www.governor.wa.gov/billaction/2010/veto/6444.pdf
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