A LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING…

Come listen to local legislators and staff from the NC Budget and Tax Center, NC Justice Center and United Way of NC as they discuss state public policy, implementation of the ARRA funds, and other economic issues.  Here’s the link:

http://www.ncjustice.org/?q=node/404

This is event is free (the RSVP information is available at the above link).

OCTOBER IS A MONTH TO REMEMBER…

This October has been a busy month for promoting awareness of people with disabilities, including our 11^th annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, the Fourth Annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, and the entire month is Disability Awareness Month for all North Carolina schools.  And, just 2 weeks ago, President Obama proclaimed October 2009 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month!  Don’t forget that NC has joined the ranks of states who explicitly forbid bullying of all students, while enumerating categories of students who are particularly vulnerable, including students with disabilities (read the text of the bill here: http://tinyurl.com/yzwbzpf).  Thanks to all those who lobbied their legislators to pass this very necessary bill—among them ASNC’s Parent Advocate Linda Griffin.

How do you know what your school is doing to protect students, including those with disabilities, from bullying?  Here are some questions to ask:

•      What is your school’s policy for bullying or harassing behaviors (is it at least as complete as the state law)?
•       How does your school teach the students to deal with bullying, and what are the consequences for students who harass or bully others?  If there are no programs currently being used to educate students, talk to teachers and other parents (especially the PTA) about starting this process.

Here’s where you can find more information about these important public awareness events: 

www.teensagainstbullying.org

www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org

About President Obama’s declaration:

http://tinyurl.com/ykcgays

           http://tinyurl.com/yblam5a

October is Disability Awareness and History Month in all NC schools:

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/ec/home/sb753.pdf

School Violence Prevention:

http://www.disabilityrightsnc.org/page.php?mode=privateview&pageID=143

For more information, please contact the Parent Advocate for your region (map available here: http://tinyurl.com/yk9xfjo).

CAP-MR/DD Waiver Slots Update

One of the few pieces of good news from the last legislative session, is that some CAP-MR/DD waiver slots were included in this year’s budget.

The state is still working on when these slots will be allocated to the Local Management Entities (LME).

What we know at this point is that the Division of Mental Health/ Developmental Disabilities/ Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS) has posted a chart on their website that shows how many supports and comprehensive waiver slots will be given to your LME, if and when the state allocates these slots.

Click here to view this chart http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/statspublications/reports/caprreportsection.pdf

Click here to read the formula http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/statspublications/reports/capslotallocationformula.pdf

ASNC believes that providing CAP-MR/DD waiver slots must be a state priority. Slots need to be allocated as soon as possible so that people with autism and their families who are waiting for services receive the support that they need.

ASNC will continue to educate and advocate with our state leaders about the vital importance of CAP waiver services to people with autism and their families.

If you are on the CAP–MR/DD waiting list:

Keep your application for CAP-MR/DD services updated with the most current information about your family and your need for services. Stay in touch with your case manager and the Developmental Disabilities Coordinator at your LME. 

Let them know as soon as any family circumstances change that would highlight your need for CAP services. 

Document phone contacts with your LME by also sending a follow up letter. 

Check our ASNC blog regularly for the latest information about when and how these CAP- MR/DD slots will be allocated.

Budget update: Governor Perdue directs $15 million to relieve impact of budget cuts to community services

Yesterday, in a room packed with reporters and supporters, Coalition advocates called for a special session of the General Assembly to address the loss of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, mental health and addictive diseases.

The Autism Society of North Carolina is one of the 42 organizations in the Coalition; organizations that advocate and provide services and support for nearly 340,000 of these NC citizens.

For more information about the press conference, use these links :

• http://www.wral.com/news/video/6208371/
• http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/6212905/

Governor Perdue responded to the Coalition by restoring $15 million dollars to lessen the impact of budget cuts to community services for people with developmental disabilities, mental  health and addictive diseases.

The Autism Society of North Carolina joins with our Coalition partners in applauding the Governor for this important first step.

But we have still have a long and uphill journey ahead- to advocate for the restoration of all the necessary funding for vital community services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Two actions to take today:

Local management entities (LME’s) are now developing plans to restore some services with their portion of this  $15 million for state funded  services.

1. If your services have recently been cut or reduced, contact your case manager  and the developmental disabilities care coordinator at  your LME to update and discuss your current service needs.

2. Contact Governor Beverly Perdue and thank her for this first step in restoring funds for people with autism and developmental disabilities.

• Ask her to call a special session to take the remaining steps needed to restore funding for community services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
• Tell her your story ; the need for  services and the difference they make – or could make- in the life of your family.
• Send the same message to Speaker of the House Joe Hackney and President Pro Tem Marc Basnight
• To help with ASNC’s statewide advocacy, send a copy of your letter to ASNC via email at mmorrell@autismsociety-nc.org

Special thanks to Dave Richard from the Arc of NC for representing people with developmental disabilities at the Coalition press conference.

A Parent’s Perspective

Here is a link to the Eastern Carolina Parent Magazine article written by ASNC Parent Advocate, Patti Stanier.  http://eastcarolinaparent.com/?p=229