Thursday, June 03, 2021 10:19 AM

Updates CA Budget Decisions Today!

CA Budget: The proposed budget is being voted on today in the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees ~ more information. There will not be a Conference Committee to work out any differences. All comments after these hearings need to be directed to the Governor.

There are many good things in the proposed budget. For Early Start:

Approves the Governor’s May Revision proposal to eliminate the suspension of the Provider Supplemental Rate Increase and lift the implementation of the Uniform Holiday Schedule resulting in a cost of $173.7 million General Fund in 2022-23 and $309.6 million ongoing General Fund.
Approves funding to, starting in 2021-22, incrementally implement the 2019 Rate Study models for each service code for which a rate increase is still outstanding to meet the requirements of the study and provide a 2.5 percent increase for those rate codes that would not receive it under this phased-in implementation. Funding to support this effort is included at $217 million General Fund in 2021-22, $494 million General Fund in 2022- 23, and $847 million General Fund in 2023-24 and on-going. Additional language is in the trailer bill.
Approves $3 million General Fund in 2021-22 and on-going to support codification of critical directives for Regional Centers that were borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic and that are being elevated as access-enabling services that support best practice and equity toward better outcomes for persons served and their families. These include regional center approvals of health and safety waivers, remote services and virtual meetings, and remote Early Start services at the request of the family.
Approves the Governor’s May Revision proposal for $2.2 million General Fund in 2021- 22 to create a differential for bilingual service provider staff. Beginning in 2023-24, ongoing costs increase to $6.5 million General Fund.
Approves the Governor’s May Revision proposal for $23.8 million ongoing General Fund to provide children aging out of Early Start provisional Lanterman service eligibility up to age five.
Approves funding of $61.8 million General Fund in 2021-22 and on-going to enhance service coordinator ratios at the 21 Regional Centers. This includes placeholder trailer bill language to effectuate these changes.

Special Education: Provides ongoing special education funding to increase the statewide base rate for the special education formula and fund special education services for children ages 3-5 years old. In addition, one-time funds of over $1 billion are provided to invest in increased support for special education learning loss and increasing support for inclusive practices. * Lanterman Coalition

Hearings:
June 2 Wed. (after closing of floor) Assembly Budget Agenda
Listen and Comment 877-692-8957
Access Code: 2426237
Watch: https://www.assembly.ca.
Contact:
Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol, Room 6026
Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Office Phone: (916) 319-2099
COMMITTEE EMAIL: [email protected]
COMMITTEE WEBPAGE: https://abgt.assembly.ca.gov/committeehome

June 2 Wed. (after floor adjournment) Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
Listen/watch - https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar
Comment Number: 877- 226-8152
Access Code: 8182817
Contact:State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
State Capitol, Room 5019
Sacramento, CA 95814
Committee Office Phone: (916) 651-4103
Committee Office Fax: (916) 668-7004
Committee Email: [email protected]
Committee Webpage: https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/

DDS Extension of Directives as of June 1
Extension of Early Start Services

Resources:
Racism Creates Inequities in Maternal and Child Health, Even Before Birth

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