CDCAN Advocacy Without Borders :: One Community

REMEMBERING THAT EVERY LIFE MATTERS: PLEASE REMEMBER & HELP THE PEOPLE OF HAITI American Red Cross: 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) www.redcross.org UNICEF: 1-800-4UNICEF (1-800-486-4233) www.unicefusa.org IMPORTANT HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES HEARINGS & MEETINGS THIS WEEK DEALING WITH IHSS, SSI, MEDI-CAL, ADULT DAY HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, REGIONAL CENTERS, CALWORKS, PROP 10

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Hearing: Governor’s Special Session Budget Reduction Proposals Impacting IHSS, SSI/SSP, CAPI, CalWORKS, Proposition 10 (Children and Families Commission)
• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Hearing: Governor’s Special Session Budget Reduction Proposals Impacting Medi-Cal, Developmental Services, Healthy Families, Mental Health (Proposition 63), Public Health (AIDS Programs)
• Feb 11 – Dept of Social Services IHSS Stakeholder Meeting on IHSS Recipient Fingerprinting Implementation

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 02/08/2010 11:35 PM (Pacific Time)] - Two major public hearings by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services on February 10th and 11th will focus on the Governor’s proposed special session major budget cuts that call for nearly $1 billion in new cuts to Medi-Cal with new proposed “cost containment measures”, proposed elimination of all Medi-Cal funding for Adult Day Health Care Centers, proposed major cuts in eligibility and services and state participation toward wages for the In-Home Supportive Services Program, major cuts proposed for SSI/.SSP individual grants, major proposed cuts to the mental health services act (Proposition 63) and Proposition 10 (children and families first commission). While the issue of extending the existing 3% cut in payments to most regional center providers and 3% reduction in regional center operations will be on the agenda for February 11th, the issue of the proposed closure of Lanterman Developmental Center will not be, since that is not a special session budget proposal. The legislation needed to authorize the closure plan and process won’t be available until sometime after April 1, 2010. Next Steps The Assembly budget subcommittee hearings next week are probably the last opportunity for the public to provide oral testimony on the Governor’s special session budget proposals before the full budget committees – and later the Assembly and State Senate floors decide what to do next. [note: hearings by both the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees will resume probably in early March through early May covering the Governor’s other budget proposals for the 2010-2011 State Budget year that begins July 1, 2010 that do not require action before March 1, 2010. Those hearings have not yet been scheduled] Also This Week – Two Meetings By State Agencies In addition to those key hearings this week are also two important meetings dealing with budget issues or budget related issues, by two state agencies:

• IHSS Stakeholder Meeting – a public In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) stakeholder meeting on February 11th dealing with the development and implementation of fingerprinting for most of the IHSS recipients, as required by 2009-2010 revised State budget passed last July hosted by the Department of Social Services, the state agency that oversees statewide the IHSS program (the meeting can also be accessed by a toll free phone number – see below).
• Department of Developmental Services Budget Advisory Group Meeting – scheduled also for February 11th (not a public meeting) includes representatives of the Assembly and State Senate budget committees, and also Assembly and State Senate human services committees

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Total Members: 27 Democrats (15 members): Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (Chair), Jim Beall, Jr (also chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee and member of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services), Bob Blumenfield, Julia Brownley, Anna M. Caballero, Wilmer Amina Carter, Wes Chesbro (also chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities), Hector De La Torre (also chair of the Assembly Accountability & Administrative Review Committee), Mike Feuer, Edward Hernandez, Jerry Hill (also chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services), Jared Huffman, William Monning, Ira Ruskin, and Sandre Swanson. Republicans (11 members): Assemblymembers Jim Nielsen (Vice Chair), Anthony Adams, Bill Berryhill, Paul Cook, Bill Emmerson, Jean Fuller, Danny Gilmore, Diane Harkey, Kevin Jeffries, Brian Nestande, and Jim Silva Independent (1 member): Assemblymember Juan Arambula Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services Members: Total Members: 7 Democrats (5 members) : Assemblymembers Jerry Hill (Chair); Jim Beall, Jr. (also chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee); Julia Brownley, Hector De La Torre (also chair of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee); and Edward Hernandez (Democratic Alternate Member: Noreen Evans (also chair of the Assembly Budget Committee) Republicans (2): Assemblymember Bill Emmerson; and Brian Nestande (Republican Alternate Member: Jim Nielsen To provide this committee with written testimony or comments, send to the committee office (or provide during the committee hearing): Assembly Budget Committee State Capitol - Room 6026 Sacramento, CA 95814 Committee Office Phone: (916) 319–2099 SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Total Members: 15 Democrats (10 members): Denise Ducheny (Committee Chair), Elaine Alquist (chair of the Senate Health Committee), Mark DeSaulnier, Mark Leno (chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health & Human Services), Carol Liu (chair of the Senate Human Services Committee), Alan Lowenthal (chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee), Gloria Negrete McLeod, Alex Padilla, Joe Simitian and Roderick Wright Republicans (5 members): Robert Dutton (Committee Vice-Chair), Roy Ashburn, Robert Huff, Abel Maldonado, and Mimi Walters Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services Total Members: 3 Democrats (2 members): Senators Mark Leno; and Elaine Alquist (also chair of the Senate Health Committee) Republican (1 member): Senator Roy Ashburn To provide this committee with written testimony or comments, send to the committee office (or provide during the committee hearing): Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Office State Capitol – Room 5019 [different from the committee hearing room] Sacramento, CA 95814 Main committee office phone: (916) 651-4103 Committee FAX number: (916) 323-8386 BUDGET, LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS & OTHER MEETINGS SCHEDULED BY SUBJECT Note: budget committee and subcommittee hearing and other legislative or department meeting dates and times are always subject to last minute changes. This schedule is current as of late MONDAY NIGHT, February 8, 2010. CalWORKS

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing Feb 02 – no action taken.

Children and Families (Proposition 10)

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken.

Developmental Services (regional centers & developmental centers)

• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health & Human Services on Governor’s special session developmental services budget proposals (see below) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Feb 11 – Department of Developmental Services Budget Advisory Group meeting (not a public meeting)
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken.
• Assembly Select Committee on Disabilities informational hearing (“State of Developmental Disabilities”) held informational hearing Feb 2 – no action taken.

Education

• Feb 09 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education ***HIGH***
• Mar 09 – Senate Education Subcommittee on Educational Governance and Accountability
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) held its hearing on the Governor’s special session proposals on Jan. 19.
• Assembly has not yet held or scheduled a budget hearing on this specific issue – expected to release budget hearing schedule 2/1

Healthy Families

• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Feb 11 – Department of Social Services IHSS Stakeholder Meeting (in Sacramento and by toll free phone) ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Assembly Budget Committee & Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 (3rd IHSS Reforms Oversight hearing) held on 1/27 – no action taken
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing on Feb 2nd – no action taken.

Medi-Cal and Long Term Care

• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken
• Senate Human Services/Senate Health Subcommittee on Aging and Long Term Care info hearing on “future of Long Term Care” held on 1/26 – no action taken

Mental Health

• Feb 11 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing 1/26 – no action taken

SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grant program) & CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants)

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services ***HIGH PRIORITY***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee (Governor’s special session budget proposals) held hearing Feb 2nd – no action taken.

Transportation

• Feb 10 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee #5 on Transportation ***HIGH***
• Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee held hearing on Governor’s special session transportation proposals on Jan 21.

BUDGET, LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS & OTHER MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO DATE The following are budget committees and budget related committee hearings scheduled, and is current as of MONDAY NIGHT, February 8, 2010. There are currently no legislative hearings for any bills impacting people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families set for hearing. FEBRUARY 09, 2010 (TUESDAY) ASSEMBLY AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE COMMITTEE AND SENATE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE 1:30 PM – State Capitol – Room 444 Informational Hearing – Subject: Aging and Technology – Examining best practices and new models to promote aging in place. PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain – though if allowed, would be very brief PRIORITY: HIGH CDCAN COMMENT: Though not specifically dealing with the state budget, the issue of long term care is the subject of previous and proposed major budget reductions. ASSEMBLY RULES COMMITTEE 2:30 PM – State Capitol – Room 126 Confirmation Hearing: Governor’s Nominee: State Sen. Abel Maldonado – Lieutenant Governor PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: No PRIORITY: Important CDCAN COMMENT: While not directly part of the budget process, whether Maldonado is confirmed or not as Lieutenant Governor will have major impact on the process because if he is confirmed (or allowed to take office this month without any vote against his confirmation by either house) it will create a vacancy in the State Senate that would not be filled by a special election until after the start of the 2010-2011 State Budget year that begins July 1. If Maldonado is not confirmed – meaning one or both houses controlled by the Democrats reject his nomination, it is hard to see a scenario where he would then be willing to provide the crucial vote to the Democrats to pass a budget. ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #2 ON EDUCATION 09:00 AM - State Capitol – Room 444 Subject: Governor’s special session budget proposal education budget proposals:

• Department of Education
• Community Colleges
• California Student Aid Commission.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Yes – limited, but people can submit comments before, during and after the hearing PRIORITY: HIGH SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 3191 Informational hearing – subject: Governor’s special session budget proposals PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain PRIORITY: Not certain at this time until details of agenda are available FEBRUARY 10, 2010 (WEDNESDAY) ASSEMBLY ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE 09:00 AM – State Capitol – Room 437 Informational Hearing – Subject: State Expenditures PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING : Not certain PRIORITY: Important CDCAN COMMENT: While this committee doesn’t have direct responsibility over the state budget process – the issues it covers does deal with the state budget, and could have impact on how decisions are made on certain budget proposals. SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE 09:30 AM to 12:00 PM – State Capitol – Room 4203 Informational hearing – subject: Governor’s special session budget proposals PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain PRIORITY: Not certain at this time until details of agenda are available ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 1:30 PM – State Capitol – Room 4202 Subject: Governor’s special session budget proposal human services budget proposals:

• California Children and Families Commission (Proposition 10)
• Department of Social Services – including IHSS, SSI/SSP, CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), CalWORKS

PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Yes – limited – though people can submit written comments before, during and after hearing CDCAN COMMENT: Governor’s proposal to change eligibility to IHSS that would mean nearly 90% of the existing numbers of people would lose all services under the program. PRIORITY: VERY HIGH ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #5 ON TRANSPORTATION 4:00 PM - State Capitol – Room 127 Subject: Governor’s special session budget transportation proposals: Department of Transportation (CalTrans) PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Yes – limited, but people can submit comments before, during and after the hearing PRIORITY: HIGH FEBRUARY 11, 2010 (THURSDAY) DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES BUDGET ADVISORY GROUP MEETING 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Note: this is not a public meeting ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #1 ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 1:00 PM - State Capitol – Room 4202 Subject: Governor’s special session budget proposal health budget proposals:

• Department of Health Care Services – including Medi-Cal
• Department of Public Health – including AIDS programs
• Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (Healthy Families)
• Department of Developmental Services (regional centers)
• Department of Mental Health (Proposition 63 Mental Health Services Act)

PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Yes – limited, but people can submit comments before, during and after the hearing CDCAN COMMENT: The Medi-Cal budget issues include proposals for nearly $1 billion in reductions from Medi-Cal “cost containment” and elimination of Adult Day Health Care. The Governor’s proposed closure of Lanterman Developmental Center is not on the agenda for hearing – though the Governor’s special session proposal to extend (beyond June 30, 2010) the 3% reduction in payments to most regional center providers and the 3% cut in regional operations is on the agenda. PRIORITY: VERY HIGH DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS) STAKEHOLDER MEETING 1:30 to 3:30 PM MEETING LOCATION: California Health and Human Services Data Center – Auditorium 9323 Tech Center Drive, Sacramento, CA TOLL FREE LINE (for those not able to come to the meeting location): 1-888- 622-5357 Pass code is 958453 - conference call leader: Randy Shiroi SUBJECT OF MEETING:

• Department of Social Services, the state agency that oversees statewide the IHSS program, is hosting a stakeholder meeting on the issue regarding the development and implementation of the IHSS Fingerprint Imaging (with certain specific exceptions allowed) as required by ABx4 19, (Chapter 17, Statutes of 2009), the budget related bill that added several new IHSS program requirements which included fingerprint imaging of IHSS recipients.
• At the meeting there will be discussion regarding the purpose and goals of the workgroup, overview of the Legislative requirements, roles and responsibilities of the attendees, and scheduling of additional meetings. The agenda and materials for the meeting will be soon issued by the department.

MEETING LOGISTICS:

• Deadline for requesting reasonable accommodation due to a disability was February 8, including requests for people who need the meeting materials provided to you in an alternative format including Braille, large print, computer disk or tape cassette. The contact person at the Department of Social Services is Rena Davis at (916) 229-4000.
• Persons wishing to attend the meeting are asked to RSVP to Rena Davis at Rena.Davis@dss.ca.gov or telephone at (916) 229-4000 by February 8, 2010

PRIORITY: VERY HIGH CDCAN COMMENT: While not part of the direct budget process, the issue of implementation of fingerprinting of IHSS recipients and other new IHSS program requirements were part of the budget agreement in the revised 2009-2010 State Budget passed last July and signed by the Governor. SENATE BUDGET & FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Upon call of the committee chair State Capitol – Room 4203 Informational hearing – subject: Governor’s special session budget proposals PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain PRIORITY: Not certain at this time until details of agenda are available if this hearing is held. MARCH 5, 2010 (FRIDAY) SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM Fresno County Board of Supervisors Chambers Hall of Records – 2281 Tulare Street – Room 301 Fresno, CA Special Oversight Informational Hearing: “How Can California Do A Better Job In Serving the Residents of California Veterans Homes?” PUBLIC TESTIMONY TAKEN AT THIS HEARING: Not certain PRIORITY: Important CDCAN COMMENT: While not a budget committee, the issue of veteran’s homes – operated and staffed by the State is a state budget issue impacting veterans who have mental health needs, disabilities, who may be elderly or have other special needs. MARCH 9, 2010 (TUESDAY) NEW! - SENATE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE EDUCATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY 09:30 AM – State Capitol – Room 3191 Informational Hearing – Subject: K–12 School Governance Reform: Closing the Achievement Gap PRIORITY: Important CDCAN COMMENT: While not specifically connected to the state budget process, this issue does have impact on children with special needs, including over 650,000 students with disabilities, special needs and mental health needs in the state’s special education programs.