The 2007 legislative session is over.  It was a busy session for CDRC and its friends.  We will be giving a brief overview of the legislation that CDRC has been following.  We will also be discussing other topics such as the Money Follows the Person Demonstration and much more.

 

Legislation update

 

In last month’s newsletter we told you about HB 970 - Rosewood Transition Plan, This legislation has been renamed the Rosewood Center - Plan for Residents - There have been amendments (changes) added to the bill, which calls for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to develop a plan by the end of this year.  The plan must develop a way to a) serve each Rosewood Resident in the most integrated setting with a timeline of transitioning, (b) recommend for each resident:  services in the most integrated settings appropriate for the resident; the cost of providing those services and settings; and a timetable for making the transition (c) include recommendations for permanent State employees working at the Rosewood Center, including: other employment opportunities with the State, and (d) discuss other uses for the Rosewood property.  This bill PASSED on the final day of the session, now the Governor will be signing this piece of legislation into law.

 

Another bill that CDRC has been updating you on is, SB 302/HB 325 - Money Follows the Individual – State Residential Center.  This bill passed with amendments. The bill requires the Department to write a report that discusses 1) An update on communications between the Department and CMS, (the federal government), related to the federal Money Follows the Person Demonstration (MFPD) 2) Information on funding received from CMS under MFPD and 3) The number of individuals moved out of institutional settings under MFPD.

 

HB 1358 – Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Developmental Disability - Freedom of Choice

Money Follows the Person Grant  (MFP)

 

The Department of Mental Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH) held the second stakeholders meeting on MFP in late April.  They talked about the delay in hiring a project director due to the state's hiring freeze.  They hope that someone will be in place by summer.  One of the major discussions of the meeting was about the new MFP Advisory Committee that is being formed.  There will be about 15-20 people on the committee.  The Advisory Committee will work on many details that need to be developed during this first step.  The Advisory Committee meetings will be public, (open meetings).  The Department talked about wanting people on the Advisory Committee who represent more than one organization because of the number of groups who will want to be represented: for example, Developmental Disability, Mental Health. Etc.

The first task of the Advisory Committee is to draft the Operational Protocol that will then need to be approved by the Centers for Medicare / Medicaid Services (CMS) before real work begins.  The protocols (way the program will work) would cover the day to day workings, as well as systems change work.  The Advisory Committee would be charged with making decisions on the details of the protocol and working as a resource on protocols and projects that already exist in the state.  CDRC, along with POG and ADAPT will be applying for a position to sit on this important committee.

 

Olmstead Focused Training

 

ATTENTION: The Cross Disability Rights Coalition (CDRC) is hosting a 2 day training for 50 individuals (advocates) around the Olmstead Supreme Court decision.  Our first training date is scheduled for June 16TH.  That days training will consist of a morning session on LEGISLATIVE SKILLS with guest speaker Henry Bogdan, of Maryland nonprofits, and a legislator TBA (To Be Announced later).  Then we will serve lunch.  The afternoon’s session will be on OLMSTEAD. The guest speaker for this session, TBA.  Then we will have a wrap-up of the day’s activities.

 

The second training date is scheduled for July 14th.  That days training will consist of a morning session on PUBLIC SPEAKING, the guest speaker for this session will be Susan Ellsworth of Toastmasters (Toastmasters is an organization that teaches their members how to become better public speakers).  Susan has agreed to present at the training to teach us how to become better public speakers.  The afternoon’s session will be on ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY and how to use it to advocate. Our guest speaker on Assistive Technology will be the one and only Michael Dalto.  Michael is the Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Assistance program.  He is the guru on Assistive Technology.  At the end of the day there will again be a review of the day.  Everybody is welcomed to be a part of these 2 days of training.  We have enclosed an application form.  If you are interested in attending the trainings, please fill out the application form, and mail it in ASAP.  We encourage you to register for both because they will be related.

 

ListServe

 

CDRC now has a new LISTSERVE.  You can subscribe to it by e-mailing:

THECDRC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  You’ll be able to post your questions on the ListServe and they will be answered, plus you will receive e-mails regarding action alerts and MUCH MORE.  If you have a problem joining, you can e-mail Kenny @ Kenny@thecdrc.org he will be glad to help you join.

 

Little John

 

Finally, a big CDRC announcement!! CONGRATULATIONS to CDRC’s friend and Co-Leader John Sorensen.  John will be leaving CDRC and will be taking a position with the Centers for Medicare / Medicaid Services (CMS) beginning in late May/early June.  John will be working in the long-term care office on Money Follows, Real Choice, and other federal programs to help rebalance Medicaid/Medicare spending and helping to FREE OUR PEOPLE.  This is a GREAT opportunity for John.  We wish him well, but CDRC will miss his strong leadership and his powerful voice.  John will continue as a member of CDRC.  Good luck John!!!!

 

There will be NO CDRC meeting in May. The next CDRC meeting will be in July. C U then.