June 2018: Highlights and Hot Topics
A Message from NCCDD Chair Alex McArthur and Executive Director Chris Egan:
June is a month that includes a lot of transition! As we transition from spring to summer, June also brings us to the end of the school year. Often, this is also a time of year where a vacation or time-off can be slipped in! From a business standpoint, it is also the end of the fiscal year for the state and we are nearing the end of the short session of the NC General Assembly. A significant event that happened in June was the passage of the NC Department of Health and Human Services plan for transition to managed care, and in this edition of Highlights and Hot Topics, we will spend time reviewing this legislative action and other policy developments happening here and at the federal level. And while all of this has been happening, the NCCDD has been busy as well!
First, a reminder that we need your help and input to provide comment on our Five-Year Plan. Now in our second year of our Five-Year Plan, we continue seeking your feedback and want to remind you to share this opportunity within your networks about the NCCDD’s three primary focus areas of financial asset building, community living, and advocacy development. We invite and encourage you to review the Five-Year Plan and its goals, and share your comments by June 30th: https://nccdd.org/the-council/five-year-plan.html
We also really need your help in seeking and submitting nominations for our awards that are given in November! Every November at our annual meeting, the Council honors the significant contributions made by advocates who are working passionately to change attitudes and support greater choices for a more inclusive North Carolina. The nominations for the 2018 Advocacy and Leadership Awards are officially open!
The awards include the longstanding Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Distinguished Service Award. Additionally, the Council has launched the North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award to recognize self-advocacy leadership within the State. You can learn more about these important awards and you can access the nomination forms by going to our website. Please submit your nominations, and let’s recognize some deserving champions!
We also want to bring your attention to the official launch of the anticipated photography lookbook that showcases the stories and images of individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD) who are employed in competitive and integrated workplaces across North Carolina. One Workforce: Inclusive Employment in North Carolina tells the stories of 30 different individuals from the mountains to the coast who are working and living in the community. Learn more about this great project below and be sure to read their stories.
As we look ahead at the next few months, July 26th marks the 28th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Look for information on NCCDD’s website about a daily ADA blog and a list of ADA celebrations occurring throughout our State.
In August, NCCDD hits the road as the Council will hold its quarterly meeting in Asheville, NC! We are hosting an evening reception on August 8, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel-Downtown and we hope you all will join us. This is a great way to meet our Council members, learn about NCCDD initiatives, and share with us what you would like to see in your communities. The details are available below, and RSVP by July 25, 2018! We are looking forward to seeing you all.
Alex McArthur Chris Egan
Chair Executive Director
Federal Policy
Rescission of 2018 Appropriated Funds Failed
In May, President Trump requested Congress take back over $15 billion in already allocated 2018 spending through a process known as rescission. To accomplish this, both the House and Senate would need to pass a bill by a simple majority. The House passed a bill which would take more than $7 billion from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Senate failed to pass a similar bill, in part, because Senators Richard Burr (NC) and Susan Collins (ME) voted no. Therefore, President Trump’s request will not move forward.
Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, provides food assistance to qualifying families and individuals, including an estimated 11 million individuals with disabilities. SNAP must be reauthorized by the end of September to maintain this critical support. In its second attempt, the House passed its version of what’s known as The Farm Bill which includes SNAP reauthorization. The House version includes increased work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries and reduces actual dollars spent on food. The Senate continues to work in a more bipartisan fashion; its final bill has not yet been voted on.
2019 Budget Proposal
The House continues to work on its spending blueprint for the coming fiscal year. This plan includes cutting nearly $6 trillion over 10 years by suggesting significant cuts to critical programs:
- Repealing the Affordable Care Act
- Cutting and capping the Medicaid program which puts optional services like waiver programs at risk
- Including work requirements in programs like Medicaid and SNAP
- Cuts to Medicare through privatization
- Reducing non defense discretionary spending (programs like Education, Employment, Housing, Transportation, etc.) by more than $40 billion while increasing defense spending
The proposal also includes “reconciliation instructions” which has been used a number of times to attempt massive cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act through a fast tracked and simple majority vote in the Senate. For reconciliation instructions to be a vehicle in funding cuts, the Senate would have to pass the same budget blueprint. To date, the Senate has not produced that blueprint.
State Policy
Budget
Single Stream Funding (state dollars that flow through the LME/MCOs) - There were additional cuts to single stream funding, which cut annual allocations by an additional $438,042 and cut one-time funding by $16,583,635. This is a $17.02 million reduction from what was originally planned for FY2018-19, making a total reduction of $36.44 million annually and $71.2 million in one-time funds in FY2018-19. The budget specifies how those cuts will be distributed among all seven LME/MCOs. This budget also orders the LME-MCOs to maintain the same level of service provision as FY2014-15.
LME/MCO Solvency Ranges - The budget requires the Department of Health and Human Services to calculate solvency ranges for each LME/MCO and compare these to the cash balances. The Department is required to submit quarterly reports to the legislature detailing the solvency ranges and cash balances, and any areas of correction or adjustment.
Innovations Slots - There were no additional Innovations Slots included in the budget.
NC Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (NC APSE) – Of the funds appropriated to the Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse (MHDDSA), $125,000 in recurring funds is allocated to NC APSE to develop and implement training programs on the provision of evidence-based supported employment services. The trainings are to be available statewide and available to employers, service providers, and other stakeholders.
Other funding related to I/DD – This year’s budget included several allocations to local agencies and some of these are related to I/DD:
- Provides $50,000 in one-time funding to Triangle Down Syndrome Network of Raleigh
- Provides $25,000 in one-time funding to The Arc of Union/Cabarrus County
- Provides $50,000 in one-time funding to ReNu Life, a rehabilitation center for people recovering from traumatic brain injuries
- Provides $50,000 in one-time funding to GiGi’s Playhouse, a recreation and education center for people of all ages with Down syndrome
- Provides $500,000 in one-time funding for Holy Angels, a center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Provides $50,000 in one-time funding to Reality Ministries, a faith-based resource center for teens with developmental disabilities
Several of these agencies presented to the Legislative Research Committee on Supported Employment during this past session. While these allocations may address some specific local areas of need, NCCDD will continue to educate about the importance of supporting allocations that create systems change and promote inclusion.
Legislation
- SB 768 – This bill updates the general statutes of North Carolina with people first language by changing the phrase "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" in certain sections and to make other people first language amendments and technical amendments in those sections, as recommended by the general statutes commission. This effort began last year and we are glad to see it finalized this session.
- HB 403 – This is the bill related to Medicaid transformation that was needed to allow the Department of Health and Human Services to move forward with its proposed plan. As a reminder, the transformation involves moving into a managed care, integrated care environment which means that physical health services, prescription drugs, long-term services and supports, and behavioral health services will be managed together by Prepaid Health Plans (PHP). There will be four statewide PHPs operated by Commercial Plans and up to 12 PHPs operated by Provider-Led Entities. There will be two types of plans: Standard Plan for the majority of Medicaid recipients and Tailored Plan for people with a serious mental illness, severe substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, or developmental disability. This bill allows the Department to move forward with issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Standard Plan and requires a detailed plan for implementation of Behaviorial Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Tailored Plan. The Tailored Plan will be implemented a year after the Standard Plans begin and will be operated by the LME/MCOs for four years. The Plan for Implementation of Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Tailored Plan was due on June 22nd so that has just come out. NCCDD staff is currently reviewing.
EveryBody Works NC - NCCDD Launches Disability Employment Lookbook
One Workforce: Inclusive Employment in North Carolina, a disability employment lookbook launched by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), aims to bring attention on how employment in a competitive and integrated workplace provides a pathway to independence and financial benefits for people with disabilities.
Highlighting 30 people from across the State, One Workforce gives an intimate account through stories and photographs showcasing each person’s talents, determination, initiative and work ethic in their chosen field of employment. Through authentic stories, the lookbook documents how employment enhances the lives of people with disabilities and benefits society.
“Our hope is that this lookbook will help eradicate stereotypes of people with disabilities,” said Kay McMillan, One Workforce’s creative director. “Furthermore, we hope that it will bring about a more inclusive workforce where employment provides a life of independence, an opportunity to acquire wealth and control over one’s life.” This change is needed, as individuals with disabilities often face many barriers to have a chance to prove their capabilities in a workplace.
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), there currently is a 48-point national employment gap between working people with disabilities and those without disabilities. In North Carolina, that gap is 45 points and 40% of businesses can’t find the talent to meet their workforce needs.
Chris Egan, executive director of NCCDD, said, “Businesses today are emphasizing diversity and inclusion as a matter of policy and their best hiring practices, which includes hiring people with disabilities. Many have seen increases in productivity, declines in absenteeism, less turnover and enhanced company culture. By showing the value and benefits of an inclusive workplace, we can create awareness of this untapped pool of talent not only in North Carolina, but across the country.”
The lookbook is a part of NCCDD’s EveryBody Works NC campaign. The campaign kicked off in 2017 and aims to increase awareness of the untapped pool of talent found in the disability community and to create more job opportunities for people with disabilities. The campaign is a collaboration of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), the North Carolina Business Leadership Network (NCBLN) and North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (NCVR) to promote and support inclusive workforce strategies. Additionally, One Workforce features online resources for people with disabilities who are looking for employment, training opportunities and job placement services.
To read the stories and learn more about One Workforce, visit https://lookbook.nccdd.org/
NCCDD Seeks Public Comment on Five-Year Plan
Every five years, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities develops a Five-Year Plan that reflects a comprehensive review of major service systems and issues in North Carolina. The plan guides the Council as to how staff and fiscal resources are allocated and is developed in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act).
The Council has been and continues to seek the public’s comments/feedback on its Five-Year Plan. Review the Five Year Plan and its goals, and provide your comments by June 30, 2018.
The Five-Year Plan (2017-2021) was adopted by the Council and was approved by the U.S. Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). Implementation began on October 1, 2016, and has been well underway. It outlines goals, objectives and specific activities that will be implemented to bring about change across the State for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
To review and submit your comments, visit https://nccdd.org/the-council/five-year-plan.html
Nominations now open for 2018 Advocacy and Leadership Awards
The Council is seeking nominees from across the State for the 2018 Advocacy and Leadership Awards! Hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), the awards include the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and the Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Distinguished Service Award.
This year, the Council has added a new award to recognize self-advocates across the State: The North Carolina Leadership Achievement Award. This award aims to recognize an outstanding North Carolina self-advocate whose work has improved the quality of life for people with I/DD.
The Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award recognizes individuals, family members or volunteers who are advocating and building a better North Carolina for people with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award recognizes professionals who have made lasting contributions towards improving opportunities, breaking down barriers and promoting increased quality of life for people with I/DD.
The deadline to apply is August 1, 2018. The winners will be announced on November 7, 2018 at the NCCDD Quarterly Meeting in Cary, NC.
To learn more and apply, visit https://nccdd.org/the-council/advocacy-and-leadership-awards.html
Meet and Mingle with NCCDD in Asheville!
Come meet and mingle with the members of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities! This reception is our way to meet and connect with the Asheville-area communities and also provide a way for the residents to learn about the NCCDD and all of the ways in which we are impacting the state, including the Asheville area.
Event Name: An Evening with NCCDD
Location: Renaissance Hotel, 31 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC, 28801
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM EST
Food: Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. For sharing dietary needs, accommodation requests or other relevant information, please click "Contact Us" on the right sidebar upon completing registration for the event.
RSVP by JULY 25, 2018
RSVP for An Evening with NCCDD
RFA Open for Employment Collaborative
A Request for Applications (RFA) is the way the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) asks for proposals for initiatives that will help the Council achieve the goals outlined in its Five-Year State Plan. NCCDD is seeking applicants for its NC Employment Collaborative initiative. For more information and how to apply for the NC Employment Collaborative initiative, visit https://nccdd.org/rfa-general-application-information-q-as-and-bidders-workshop-links