Articles

CDCAN REPORT #092-2012: May 17th Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearing Agenda on Developmental Services Budget Items Released - No Action Recommended by Staff At This Hearing

chris — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:21:07 +0000

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services released the agenda for its May 17th hearing, that will focus only on the Governor’s budget revisions under the Department of Developmental Services – the state agency that oversees the funding of the 21 non-profit regional centers who coordinate services and supports to over 250,000 eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities and operates four developmental centers and one smaller community facility where just under 1,800 adults with developmental disabilities reside.

File Attachments:

2012-05-17 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Developmental Services - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #091-2012: ANew Schedule of Senate/Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearings - Hearing by Assembly on Developmental Services Set for May 17th 10:30 AM - Senate Subcommittee Will Hear IHSS, Developmental Services on May 22nd

chris — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:23 +0000

The final round of budget subcommittee hearings gets underway in full force next week - but with some hearings scheduled for this week - with the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services releasing this morning a tentative hearing schedule. That schedule includes a hearing by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services, May 17th at 10:30 AM at the State Capitol in Room 4202, on the developmental services budget items including the $200 million proposed savings and cuts in general fund spending.

CDCAN REPORT #090-2012: Final Round of Budget Subcommittee Hearings Begin Next Week Followed by Conference Committee - Deadline to Pass Budget June 15th

chris — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:13:05 +0000

With lawmakers, advocates and others still digesting the details and full potential impact of Governor Brown’s proposed budget revisions released yesterday that includes over $4 billion in new additional cuts, the Legislature’s budget subcommittees will begin their final round of hearings beginning Monday (though the Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education is currently scheduled to meet this Thursday) to take actions on many “open” budget items, hear public comments on new proposals by the Governor. The final round of subcommittee hearings should be finished by the week of May 28th.

CDCAN REPORT #089-2012: Specifics on Proposed $200 Million Cut & Savings in General Fund Spending in Developmental Services Budget Released by Brown Administration in 8 Page Document

chris — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:01 +0000

The Brown Administration released an eight page paper outlining details on how it proposes to achieve $200 million in reductions and savings in State general fund spending under the Department of Developmental Services budget. The Department of Developmental Services budget serves over 250,000 eligible children and adults with developmental disabilities, and also thousands of infants in the State’s Early Start program. The document includes the proposal to implement a 1.25% reduction in payments to regional center operations and most regional center providers to replace the existing 4.25% cut that is still scheduled to expire on June 30, 2012. The proposal also calls for a moratorium on new admissions to developmental centers except under certain circumstances.

File Attachments:

2012-05-14 - Dept of Developmental Services - Proposal to achieve $200 million in state general fund reductions and savings for 2012-2013.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #088-2012: GOVERNOR BUDGET REVISION PROPOSES 1.25% PAYMENT REDUCTION TO REGIONAL CENTER OPS AND MOST PROVIDERS - MORATORIUM ON DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER ADMISSIONS WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS

chris — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:25:23 +0000

Governor Brown’s revised budget proposal calls for implementing a $200 million in State general fund reductions with a partial extension of the existing payment reductions to regional center operations and most regional center providers. The Governor’s plan calls for a 1.25% payment reduction beginning July 1, 2012, instead of the existing 4.25% payment cut. The reduction is less than what many advocates feared given the size the budget hole the State is facing. However the Governor’s proposal now includes the developmental services budget, if voters reject his tax initiative proposal on the November 2012 ballot. The Governor also called for a moratorium on most admissions to developmental centers, with certain exceptions.

CDCAN REPORT #086-2012: CA HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY DOOLEY WILL HOLD PUBLIC CONFERENCE CALL TODAY 3 PM ON GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL WITH DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS

chris — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:02:14 +0000

California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Diana Dooley, joined by department directors who oversee a wide range of services and supports for children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors, the blind, low income families, foster families and others, will hold a conference call today (May 14th) at 3:00 PM to discuss Governor Brown’s budget revision proposal. The call is open to the public.

CDCAN REPORT #085-2012: STATE BUDGET DEFICIT SWELLS TO STAGGERING $16 BILLION SAYS GOVERNOR - WARNS OF MORE DEEP CUTS - URGES PASSAGE IN NOVEMBER OF TAX INITIATIVE

chris — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:20:07 +0000

California’s budget deficit has swelled to a staggering $16 billion from the $9 billion projected in January, according to Governor Jerry Brown. Today Brown warned the growing budget hole will mean “…we will have to go much further and make cuts far greater than I asked at the beginning of the year.” The Governor blamed a combination of a slow economic recovery that has resulted in lower than hoped for tax receipts and because of “…the federal government and the courts have blocked us from making billions in necessary budget reductions.”

CDCAN REPORT #084-2012: Assembly Budget Subcommittee Now Meeting - DDS Says Some Level of 4.25% Regional Center Payment Cut Likely - No Details Available Until Release of Budget Revisions May 14th - Senate Budget Hearing May 10th Agenda Released

chris — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:54:56 +0000

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services, as reported earlier this week, convened this afternoon (May 9th) just after 1:30 PM at the State Capitol in Room 444, covering selected “open” issues, and is now hearing an update on the Governor’s proposed $200 million reduction in State general fund spending to the developmental services 2012-2013 budget and other related issues under the Department of Developmental Services. The subcommittee’s agenda includes a recommendation from subcommittee staff to approve the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Rehabilitation Appeals Board under the Department of Rehabilitation and transfer those functions to an independent hearing agency. The subcommittee is not likely to take action on any major budget issue at this hearing including the major issues impacting developmental services. A copy of the 13 page agenda for the May 9th Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services hearing was sent out yesterday in a CDCAN Report (see www.cdcan.us)

File Attachments:

2012-05-10 - Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Open Issues and Spring Finance Letters - Agenda - Part 1.pdf

2012-05-10 - Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Human Services Open Issues - Agenda - Part 2.pdf

2012-05-09 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Open Issues - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #083-2012: Assembly Budget Subcommittee May 9th Hearing Agenda Released - Focus on Updates from Dept of Developmental Services on Proposed Cuts, SB 962 Homes & Developmental Center Budget Methodology - No Action Expected

chris — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:00:10 +0000

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services will hold its last subcommittee hearing before the release next week of the Governor’s budget revisions, on Wednesday, May 9th at 1:30 PM, at the State Capitol in Room 444, to hear an update on the budget issues impacting the Department of Developmental Services, and take action on several other items the subcommittee previously heard including the Governor’s proposed elimination of the Rehabilitation Appeals Board under the Department of Rehabilitation, automation issues under the Department of Social Services.

File Attachments:

2012-05-09 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Open Issues - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #082-2012: Disability Access Rights Under Unruh Civil Rights Act Focus of Several Bills Today In Assembly Judiciary Committee At 08:30 AM & Senate Judiciary at 1:30 PM

chris — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:55:52 +0000

The issue of disability access rights to public accommodations, including restaurants, hotels, theaters, and stores under the State’s landmark “Unruh Civil Rights Act” is the focus of several key bills in the Assembly Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both hearings will be televised live on CalChannel and streamed live via the CalChannel website. Live audio of both hearings can also be heard through the Legislature’s website.

CDCAN REPORT #081-2012: Assembly Budget Subcommittee Rejects 3-0 Governor's Proposal to Eliminate Funding for Caregiver Resource Centers, Community Treatment Facilities - Rejects Cut to Licensing and Certification of Health & Nursing Facilities

chris — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:55:00 +0000

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services voted 3 to 0 to reject the Governor’s proposal to eliminate State funding for the 11 Caregiver Resource Centers. The subcommittee also voted 3 to 0 today to reject the Governor’s proposal to cut State general funding for the 3 Community Treatment Facilities for children under the Department of Mental Health and rejected a cut $4.5 million for licensing and certification of health and nursing facilities under the Department of Public Health. The panel also voted 3 to 0 to reinstate $300,000 in State general funds for the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN). See report for details.

CDCAN REPORT #080-2012: Governor Will Release Budget Revisions May 14th - Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearing Today at 4 PM on Caregiver Resource Centers, Community Treatment Facilities; Hearing on May 9th Update on DDS Reductions

chris — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:00:16 +0000

In what will likely be a pivotal moment in this year’s budget process, Governor Jerry Brown is scheduled to release his revisions and updated revenue and spending numbers to his proposed 2012-2013 State Budget on May 14th that will likely show the budget shortfall growing worse and hoped for increased revenue numbers falling short of expectations.

Also today, May 7th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, is a public stakeholder meeting and conference call hosted by the Department of Health Care Services on the Reauthorization of AB 1629 dealing with Medicaid funded “quality assurance fees” and the method for setting rates for certain nursing homes. The issue has major impact on the State budget – and people with disabilities and seniors who reside and the people who work in free-standing skilled nursing facilities.

Finally, today, is a hearing by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services focused on three issues under the Department of Mental Health: Caregiver resource centers, community treatment facilities and the California Youth Empowerment Network.

File Attachments:

2012-05-01 - DHCS - Fact Sheet - Eliminate Nursing Home Fee Program Sunset Date - AB 1629.pdf

2012-05-01 - Proposed Budget Trailer Bill Language - Eliminate Nursing Home Fee Program Sunset Date - AB 1629.pdf

2012-05-07 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Health Issues - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #079-2012: Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services Hearing Today 1:30 PM On Governor's Realignment Proposals Dealiong with Child Welfare Services, Mental Health, Alcohol & Drug Programs

chris — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:45:18 +0000

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services will meet today (May 2nd) at 1:30 PM at the State Capitol in Room 437, focusing on several budget issues and items dealing with the Governor’s proposals to “realign” or shift from the State to the counties, certain health and human services programs including child welfare services and mental health services. No action on any of the major budget issues on the agenda will likely be taken during this hearing. A copy of the 54 page agenda, saved as a document pdf file, is attached to this CDCAN Report titled “2012-05-02 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Realignment Child Welfare - Alcohol and Drug Programs - Mental Health.pdf”

File Attachments:

2012-05-02 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Realignment Child Welfare - Alcohol and Drug Programs - Mental Health.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #077-2012: Steinberg Now Author of Disability Access Bill, SB 1186 After April 30th Amendments Gut The Bill - Dutton Primary Co-Author; New Tentative Provisions Would Ban "Demand for Money" But "Right To Cure" Provisions Taken Out

chris — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:00:58 +0000

New amendments approved yesterday (April 30th) on the State Senate floor gutted a controversial bill, SB 1186, introduced by former Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton (Republican – Rancho Cucamonga, 31st State Senate District), that originally proposed new restrictions on people with disabilities right to sue for violations of access to public accommodations under the State’s landmark Unruh Civil Rights Act that would have implemented what is referred to as “right to cure” provisions that gives a specified time period for the business or property owner to respond to the allegations and fix the violations. The amendments include a proposed ban on what is referred to as “demand for money” letters prior to a lawsuit being filed against a business for alleged disability access violations. Another amendment made a change in the primary author from Dutton to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Democrat – Sacramento, 6th State Senate District). Dutton is now the primary co-author.

File Attachments:

2012-04-30 - SB 1186 as amended April 30, 2012 in State Senate.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #078-2012: Disability Access Rights Under State's Landmark Unruh Civil Rights Act Focus of Several Bills Set for Hearing May 8th in Assembly & Senate Judiciary Committees

chris — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:00:38 +0000

Under the shadow of the State’s growing budget shortfall and the possibility of more sweeping reductions, the issue of disability access rights to public accommodations, including restaurants, hotels, theaters, and stores, is the focus of several bills set for hearing next week, on May 8th, in the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees. Both committees are scheduled to meet on the same day – the Assembly at 8 AM and the Senate at 1:30 PM.

CDCAN REPORT #076-2012: Informational Hearing Today 10 AM on Issue of People with Autism & "Fair and Equal Access" to Regional Center Services by Special Senate Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders

chris — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:45:53 +0000

Access to “fair and equal services” to regional center services under the Department of Developmental Services for eligible children and adults with autism spectrum disorders is the focus of a 2 hour informational hearing this morning, from 10:00 AM to 12 noon, by the State Senate Select Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders, at the State Capitol in Room 3191. Brief public comment will be taken after the presentations by several panels. This hearing is scheduled to be televised live (and streamed live on the internet) via CalChannel (see below for details).

File Attachments:

2012-04-30 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - DHCS DMHC OSHPD - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #075-2012: Conference Call This Morning at 10:30 AM Pacific Time (1:30 PM Eastern Time) By Medicare & Mediicaid Officials on Release of Federal Regulations for "Community First Choice Option" Medicaid Program

chris — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:20:22 +0000

Senior officials from the federal Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – the federal agency that oversees nationwide the Medicare and Medicaid (called “Medi-Cal” in California) programs and the new Administration for Community Living agency will hold a public conference call this morning at 10:30 AM Pacific Time (1:30 PM Eastern Time) until 11:30 AM Pacific Time (2:30 PM Eastern Time) on the release of the final federal regulations for the Medicaid Community First Choice Option. [Note correction on time – thanks to Lorreta Stevens). Officials will also provide more information about a new proposed federal rule regarding Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services.

CDCAN REPORT #074-2012: Obama Administration Releases Final Regulations for New Medicaid Program for States Called "Community First Choice Option" - CA Submitted Proposal for Funding December 1st to Cover IHSS

chris — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Obama Administration today announced the release of the long awaited final federal regulations for a new Medicaid program, called the “Community First Choice Option” that will provide states who apply, with a higher federal match to fund community-based programs services and supports for person with disabilities and seniors who would otherwise be placed in a nursing home or similar facility. The announcement was made by the US Department of Health and Human Services earlier today. The regulations were first issued as proposed rules over a year ago for public comment.

CDCAN REPORT #073-2012: Special State Senate Committee on Autism Will Hold April 30th Informational Hearing on Regional Center Services Needed by People with Autism Spectrum Disorders

chris — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:45:07 +0000

With the State facing yet another enormous budget shortfall and the prospect of more deep cuts when the Legislature takes final action on the Governor’s reduction proposals in May, a special State Senate panel on autism spectrum and related disorders headed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Democrat – Sacramento, 6th State Senate District) will hold an informational hearing on April 30th, Monday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon at the State Capitol in Room 3191, focusing on the issue of access to critical services and supports coordinated by the 21 non-profit regional centers under the Department of Developmental Services.

CDCAN REPORT #072-2012: Senate Budget Subcommittee April 26th Hearing Agenda Will Hear Dual Eligibles Demonstration Project Expansion Proposal - Proposal to Integrate Long Term Services - No Action Likely But Brief Public Comment Will Be Taken

chris — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:39:02 +0000

The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services, chaired by Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat – Concord) will meet April 26th, Thursday at 09:30 AM or whenever the State Senate floor session adjourns that morning, at the State Capitol in Room 4203 to review the Governor’s proposals to expand the demonstration project to shift people with disabilities and seniors who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal into Medi-Cal managed care-type plans from 4 counties to 10 counties beginning in January 2013. The 28 page agenda, saved as a document pdf file is attached to this CDCAN Report titled “2012-04-26 - Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services - Health - Agenda.pdf”

File Attachments:

2012-04-26 - Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services- Health - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #071-2012: State of California Seeks Comments from People With Disabilities, Families & Community Advocates & Organizations On Establishment of New Replacement Independent Living Center for East LA - San Gabriel Valley

chris — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:30:00 +0000

The State Independent Living Council working with the Department of Rehabilitation is holding an in-person forum today (April 17th) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the San Gabriel Hilton, 225 West Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776 (hotel phone number is 626-270-2700) to hear from people with disabilities, people with chronic conditions or health issues, family members, advocates and community organizations who provide services or advocacy, in that area regarding the establishment of a new independent living center to replace the agency there that is no longer providing those services. Sign language interpreters and other accommodations will be provided.

CDCAN REPORT #070-2012: Assembly Budget Subcommittee Hearing Wed at 1:30 PM on IHSS, MSSP, Rehab Appeals Board - Subcommittee Staff Recommending Rejection of IHSS Domestic & Related Services Cut - Senate Hearing 10:30 AM on Mental Health - Caregivers

chris — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:35:01 +0000

Two important budget subcommittees are scheduled this week that will focus on important community-based services including:

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) on Wednesday at 1:30 PM at the State Capitol in Room 437 by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, with likely action by the subcommittee to reject the Governor’s proposal to eliminate domestic and related services for IHSS recipients who live in certain “shared living arrangements”
The reorganization of mental health community-based services and a likely action regarding Caregiver Resource Centers, on Thursday at 10:30 AM at the State Capitol in Room 4203 by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

The Senate subcommittee will focus on several issues under the Department of Mental Health including the Governor’s proposal that would have the impact of eliminating the Caregiver Resource Centers, and the Governor’s proposals to implement the realignment or transfer to the counties from the State of Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health services and the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program during the 2012-2013 State Budget year.

File Attachments:

2012-04-11 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health Human Services - Hearing Agenda.pdf

2012-04-12 - Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health Human Services - Hearing Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #069-2011: Statewide Conference Call by Dept of Health Care Services April 10th Tuesday 2 to 3:30 PM on Proposed "Dual Eligible" Demonstration Project Proposal

chris — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:00:52 +0000

The Department of Health Care Services will hold a 90 minute statewide conference call open to interested persons and organizations to review and answer questions regarding a demonstration project proposal, that the Brown Administration will submit next month to the federal government for approval, that seeks to transition people with disabilities and seniors eligible in four counties for both Medicare and Medi-Cal – referred to as “Dual Eligibles” – from “fee for service” health care to Medi-Cal managed care-type plans beginning in January 2013.

CDCAN REPORT #068-2012: Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Hearing Today at 12 Noon On Community Colleges Including Potential Cuts to Over 124,000 Disabled Students - 4 PM Hearing on Dept Mental Health State Hospitals

chris — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:01:25 +0000

The California Legislature returns after a week-long Spring Recess, with several budget subcommittee and policy committee hearings scheduled in the coming days. An important hearing by the Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education on the over-all funding for community colleges including proposed changes to that funding that could mean sweeping reductions to programs serving over 124,000 students with disabilities. Additionally, a hearing by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services focusing on budget issues impacting State Hospitals under the Department of Mental Health. The 30 page hearing agenda is attached to this CDCAN Report.

File Attachments:

2012-04-09 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health Human Services - DMH - State Hospitals - Agenda.pdf

2012-04-09 - Senate Budget Subcommittee Education - Community Colleges - Agenda.pdf

2012-04-10 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance - State Special Schools - School Facilities - Teacher Credentialing - Agenda.pdf

CDCAN REPORT #067-2012: BREAKING NEWS - Attorneys for 37, 000 People with Disabilities & Seniors Who Are Adult Day Health Care Medi-Cal Recipients & Attorneys for Brown Administration Close to Final Agreement To Resolve Alleged Violations

chris — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:15:20 +0000

Disability Rights California, the lead legal advocacy group representing over 37,000 people with disabilities and seniors who are recipients of the Adult Day Health Care Medi-Cal benefit, and attorneys for the Brown Administration are close to a final agreement to resolve allegations raised by DRC the State was in violation of the court approved Settlement Agreement that laid out implementation steps for the elimination of the Adult Day Health Care Medi-Cal benefit and transition of the recipients into a new replacement program or referral to other appropriate long term services and supports. A federal district court approved the original Settlement Agreement regarding Adult Day Health Care in January that settled the lawsuit known as Darling, et al v. Douglas, et al.

File Attachments:

2012-04-03 - US DC CAND - Darling v Douglas - Stipulation and Proposed Order Re Addendum to Settle Agmt.pdf

2012-04-03 - US DC CAND - Darling v Douglas - Stipulation and Proposed Order Re Addendum to Settle Agmt - Exhibit A.pdf