ACTION on Federal & California Bills

Are you ready to Vote this November? Updates Directives, Announcements, COVID-Resources

Legislation ACTION:

Federal: Right IDEA Act - H.R. 65321/S.3544 - Congress has introduced a bill designed to address the significant gap in federal funding for IDEA Part C and the 619 Preschool Grant Program by creating a 5-year glide path of increases in the authorization levels of these two programs. The bill would support millions of children and their families on the path to independence. Urge your Member of Congress to co-sponsor HERE

CA Legislation: These bills are currently on Governor Newsom's desk awaiting signature this week. You can request he takes ACTION by phoning his office 916 445-2841, check here for other options, Contact Gavin Newsom HERE and share your message.

SB562 - authored by Senator Portantino (D-Burbank) seeks to eliminate barriers to help patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder access more options for Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT). Improved /choices for infants/toddlers with PDD/autism. additional information please check HERE

SB951 - CA Family Leave Act would increase wage replacement rates for PFL + SDI to 90% for lower wage workers by January 1, 2025, making PFL and SDI accessible to all Californians. Specifically, the 90% will apply to workers making 70% or less of the state average weekly wage (for 2022, about $57,000/year). This would be fully funded by removing the contribution ceiling, having all California employees to contribute an equal percentage of their income into the fund. 91 percent of California workers would see no change in their annual contribution. Without your signature, California’s PFL and SDI will drop to providing only 55% of regular wages on January 1, 2023, making California’s payments rates the lowest in the country. This would mean that in order to take PFL, a new mother working security in Alameda would have to survive off of only $442 per week; a farmworker in Fresno who needed leave to care for his sick son would have to get by on only $330 per week. READ HERE

AB32 - Telehealth signed by Governor CLICK HERE

COVID-19 RESOURCES:

Department of Developmental Services releases new Directive - CLICK HERE
LA County of Public Health has an ECE/COVID version of a toolkit available-CLICK HERE

Updates from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Quality Incentive Program Directive - Quality Incentive Program (ca.gov) "Through the collective work of the QIP workgroup, the QIP has six areas of focus: Prevention and Wellness; Employment; Early Intervention; Workforce Capacity; Service Access; and Informed Choice and Satisfaction. Each focus area has one or more quality measure(s) tied to specific desired outcomes, with corresponding performance targets and incentives. Details about the QIP can be found at HERE.
Grant Availability: Due October 25, 2022 The Department of Developmental Services (Department) is now accepting applications from community-based organizations (CBOs) and regional centers for grant funds available in FY 2022-23 to assist in reducing disparities and shifting the developmental services system to attaining improved outcomes for diverse communities. 2022-2023 Grant Details Bidders Conference-PowerPoint
Focus group Recruitment announcement: DDS is forming a first-of-its-kind autism-specific focus group of self-advocates (consumers), with the goal of enhancing the service experiences of children, youth, and adults on the autism spectrum. DDS is looking for youth and adults on the autism spectrum to participate in this new stakeholder focus group. If you are - or know - a self-advocate on the autism spectrum who has experience as a regional center client, please consider a nomination for this workgroup

The new Autism Focus Group will:

Provide recommendations to DDS on policies, services, and supports that impact individuals on the autism spectrum.
The focus group will review information and data, identify areas for evaluation, consider and propose ideas for new models and needed services, and make recommendations on how to reduce barriers to community inclusion.

Nominations must be made by Friday, October 21, 2022

CLICK HERE TO MAKE NOMINATION

Are you Registered to Vote?

Check out the California Voter site..https://registertovote.ca.gov/....remind your colleagues and friends to check their registration. There may be changes due to redistricting, a move, or a name change that require re-registering. Look for Candidate nights to learn about those individuals running for office. CA League of Women's Voters CLICK HERE often hosts such events. Check out the General Information booklet with the ballot propositions for pros and cons.

2022 California General Election Timeline

The last day to register to vote for the November 8, 2022, General Election is October 24, 2022.

All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 8, General Election.

Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots no later than October 10, 2022.

Your General Election ballot will include:

7 Ballot Propositions
Statewide candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Member of State Board of Equalization, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
U.S. Representative in Congress, State Senator, State Assembly Member
Supreme Court Justices, as well as other local candidates and local measures.

Return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail with prepaid postage as long as it's postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 15, 2022, or in-person to a secure ballot drop box, to a voting location or your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022.

We are looking forward to seeing you virtually at the 8th IDA Policy update, January 23, 2023.

REGISTER FOR POLICY EVENT HERE

Regards,
Fran Chasen and Annie Cox, IDA Policy Co-Chairs

Announcements

IDA Blog

Considering the Sibling Experience when Supporting Families in Early Intervention
Read More

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - Early Intervention Services Directive released

The Department of Developmental Services Directive Here announced that the Quality Incentive Program is offering information on how Early Intervention providers can participate in the QIP measure. The Directive covers Eligibility Click Here and Here, Incentive Payment Processing Click Here, Conditions for a Provider to receive Incentive Payments.

The latest plan recognizes the need to have families/children enrolled in Early Start and is offering a fiscal incentive to programs. The plan HERE is different from information shared in the July, 2023 Presentation to the Interagency Coordinating Council and at the January 2024 ICC Meeting.

Steps to listing a program in the Statewide Provider Directory are not included in this Directive.

The QIP email to ask questions, share comments is [email protected]

ACTION NEEDED: Have you contacted your legislators?

Call to ACTION English Click Here in Spanish Here to let them know you are opposed to having a $1B proposed delay in implementing the rate increase to providers rates? Early Intervention providers have not had a rate adjustment. Thanks to The Arc California for offering this easy platform to communicate with legislators.

ACTION Needed to let the Members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 know why they need oppose the Proposed $1B budget delay for Rate Implementation

The Senate Budget SubCommittee #3 on Health and Human Services (Senate.ca.gov/calendar) is meeting on March 21st at 9:30AM at the State Capitol, Sacramento.

"We need you to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion need to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in cut to funding for disability services and supports.

Where Does Early Intervention Stand in the Proposed Governor's Budget 2024-2025?

Governor Newsom released his proposed budget on January 10th. He is suggesting that providers of service through the Department of Developmental Services be prepared for a "delay" in the roll out of the rate model funds. You can have a conversation about what does delay mean .....a cut or not. Basically the funds are not going to be passed along to the providers as promised and planned.

Department of Developmental Services Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services

As mentioned in the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 Budget, the Department of Developmental Services will create a Master Plan with a March 2025 deadline. Yesterday Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the appointed Membership for the Master Plan Committee. Developmental Services Master Plan Stakeholder Committee Appointment (ca.gov) - link to go with Membership for the Master Plan
Their first meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Subcommittees are to be formed to increase input from all communities serving the populations involved with the system.

"The reality is that the developmental services system cannot, nor should it, operate in isolation given the changing needs of the consumers and families we serve today.” said CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This means we must proactively think about how we connect the dots between systems and sectors, while more intentionally integrating developmental services to our work to serve the whole needs of the individual and their families."

The purpose of the Master Plan is, "...since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has grown by 31%, with significant growth among children under the age of 22 who have an Autism diagnosis. Today, over 400,000 Californians receive services and supports through California’s 21 Regional Centers. Individuals who receive services today are more diverse and live longer. They face affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the challenges of accessing services from other systems and sectors to address their physical, social, and behavioral health needs. A 21st century developmental services system must increase its ability to provide culturally responsive services and to strengthen the accountability and standardization of the system so that it is easier for individuals and their families to navigate no matter where they live in California. "

Additional details in the 2/14/24 Press release:

CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services - California Health and Human Services

Early Intervention ACTION Step

In the Governor's proposed budget, he is indicating there should be a "delay" for one year of completing the fiscal roll out that was part of the rate model process.
This "delay" cut of one year of income impacts the ability of families to access services, programs to recruit and maintain adequate staff,etc.
Please take a moment to connect with your legislators about your concerns.

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Reject Delay of $1 Billion to Disability Services (p2a.co)

There are Budget hearings scheduled in the Assembly and the Senate. Input can be sent via email or in person.

You can watch the Assembly hearings here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents.
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 2 ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, February 28
1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 444
Developmental Services and Rehabilitation Programs
The Senate Hearings can be watched here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar.
Additional details to be shared via IDA EBlasts.

IDA Policy Committee