July 7, 2008
School Violence Prevention Act
Please
Take Action - Call Your North Carolina State Senator Today!
Ask Them To Appoint
Conferees for House Bill 1366 School Violence Prevention Act- The Bullying
Bill.
Background:
House Bill 1366, The Bullying Bill passed the House last year with a list of
enumerated categories. The categories include race, religion, gender, and
disabilities. The categories were included in this legislation to address the
groups of students who are most vulnerable to bullying. The list reflects the
findings of national reports on bullying.
The Senate passed a
similar bill last session but without the categories.
Last week the House voted
60 to 56 to not concur with the Senate bill. The bills must now go to
conference.
Tell Them:
- This legislation needs
to go to a conference committee.
- Ask them to speak to
Senate leadership and request that conferees be appointed to discuss this
bill.
- Research has
demonstrated that including enumerated categories makes students feel safer,
and makes teachers and school staff more likely to intervene.
How to find your
Senator:
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
Or call 919-733-7928
Thank you for your advocacy!
Julia Leggett, Policy Coordinator
The Arc of NC
jleggett@arcnc.org
July 1, 2008
Action Needed
School Violence Prevention Act
Take Action - Please Call or E-mail Your Representative
Today House Bill 1366 - School Violence Prevention Act
Background: The North Carolina House will hold a
critical vote on House Bill 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act, as early
as this Wednesday, July 2. As you may remember, last year the House passed this
important bill to address bullying, but the Senate stripped out critical
language that addresses bullying based on race, religion, disability, sexual
orientation, and other categories. We know this language is needed to make sure
our most vulnerable students are fully protected.
This week the House will be voting on whether to accept or
reject the Senate's weakened version of this legislation.
We need your help to ensure that House votes NOT to concur
with the Senate so a conference committee can work to pass the strongest
possible bill. Please, take a moment right now to e-mail your legislator. Take
Action! E-mail or Call Your Representative Today. Here is how to find your
Representative
http://www.ncleg.net/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
Tell Them: To vote NOT to concur with the
Senate version of HB 1366: School Violence Prevention Act so that a conference
committee can ensure that we have the strongest possible law to address the
epidemic of bullying in our schools.
Research has demonstrated that including this language
makes students feel safer, and makes teachers and school staff more likely to
intervene.
Why Enumeration (listing) of Categories is important to
Students with Disabilities: Seventy-eight students with disabilities, who
gathered in Raleigh during the summer of 2006, discussed their experiences
dealing with bullying and harassment while attending school. These young leaders
recognized the importance of creating legislation that would create a protected
category for students with disabilities. This legislation will support students
with disabilities by utilizing the protected categories as a self-advocacy tool.
Students with disabilities will be able to look to this legislation as their
right to be protected from bullying and harassment. Enumeration of protected
categories is a clear sign that all students, regardless of differences in
characteristics, appearance, or ability are valued and deserve protection.
Just to remind you how important this legislation is we
are sharing this reflection from a North Carolina Youth Leadership Network
member and advocate: "Being a person living a life with a disability can be
difficult especially if the disability is visible. A person who does not walk
straight or does not speak clearly is a target for bullies in the education
system. As a student in their junior year of high school, people would think
there would be an understanding and the teasing would decease but that is not
the situation."
Please take the time to call or e-mail your representative
today. Students with disabilities should be protected from bullying!
Thank you for your advocacy!
Julia Leggett, Policy Coordinator The Arc of NC
May 29, 2008
NC Legislative Update: The Budget
At the General Assembly today, the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Health
and Human Services and the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Education voted
on their final budget requests for fiscal year 2008-2009.
The House Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittee and the House
Education Appropriation Subcommittee met today and voted unanimously to approve
their final budgets.
There were a few adjustments in the Health and Human Services budget,
specifically in Community Supports.
Here is a breakdown of the approved budget requests from these two committees.
Health and Human Services
CAP/MR-DD Tiered Waiver Slots
$8,232,411 Recurring
This funding will provide for additional Community Alternatives Waiver
Program slots for people with developmental disabilities.
START Crisis Model for Developmental Disabilities
$3,239,688 Recurring and $204, 459 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for 9 Developmental Disabilities Systemic
Therapeutic Assessment, Respite, and Treatment Crisis Model teams.
Respite Beds for Developmental Disabilities
$903, 375 Recurring and $177,617 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for start-up and ongoing support of 12 respite
beds for individuals with developmental disabilities across the state.
Housing 400 Initiative-Housing Trust Fund
$7,000,000 Non Recurring
The funding for the Housing 400 Initiative increased in the final budget
from $4,000,000. This funding provides for the financing of additional
independent and supportive living apartments for people with disabilities.
$2,000,000 of this funding is redirected from the Mental Health Trust Fund.
Housing 400 Initiative-Operating Cost Subsidy
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding provides the operating cost for the independent-and supportive
living apartments. It provides for the deep affordability that is needed for
people with disabilities receiving Supplement Security Incomes.
Early Intervention for Autism
$1,300,000 Non Recurring
This appropriation is a reduction from the original $2,000,000. This
funding supports three model programs of early intervention for autism across
the state. These programs serve children with autism from birth through age 10.
Supportive Services for HUD 811 Projects
$129,331 Recurring and $155,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide on-going operation and start-up expenses to
support 6 two-bedroom and 19 one-bedroom apartments financed through HUD. These
units are located in Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Rowan County and Buncombe
County. Direct services dollars are the key to a successful transition to
independent living options for the residents of these units.
Traumatic Brain Injury Services
$1,000,000 Recurring
This funding is directed to TBI services.
Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program
$200,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide support to Beyond Academics, a non-degree
university-based program for students with developmental disabilities.
Medically Fragile Children's Program
$70,000 Non Recurring
Funding of this program provides services for the child care component of
pediatric day treatment center for medically fragile children. In addition this
program will receive an additional $290,000 from the SSBG Block Grant. This was
a new appropriation that had not been funded in the previous draft proposal.
Education
Children with Disabilities
$6,200,000 Recurring
This funding will be allotted to LEAs (school districts) to support special
education and related services for students with identified disabilities. This
funding will increase the per student funded rate to $3,386.84 per student.
Dropout Prevention Grants
$15,000,000 Non Recurring
This funding will provide for a second year of grants to drop out prevention
programs.
More at Four
$23,000,000 Non Recurring
This funding will expand the More at Four program by 4,184 slots in
2008-2009 and increase the average per slot amount by 3%. This was a new
addition in this final budget.
More from the Budget
In addition to the budget there were a few specific Special Provisions that we
should highlight.
First in Health and Human Services, it looks like our state may finally
implement the long awaited Ticket to Work Program. Thanks to advocates across
the disability spectrum, a significant change was made to the Special Provision
regarding Ticket To Work. In the first draft we were looking at maybe up to a
year or more delay to implementation. As of this approved budget,
implementation of Ticket to Work Program is set for July 1, 2008, "whether or
not the new MMIS is operational.”
Second, we would like to update you on progress regarding dropout rates and
students with disabilities. This year in North Carolina 4,050 students with
disabilities dropped out of high schools. In the final Education budget there
is a special provision that begins the process of addressing what is happening
in high school to children with disabilities. The provision requires the
Department of Public Instruction to analyze the participation rates of students
with disabilities in Learn and Earn Early College High Schools, Redesigned High
Schools, the North Carolina Virtual Public School, and North Carolina public
high schools that are on block schedules. In the analysis the Department is
being requested to consider enrollment, graduation, and dropout rates for
students with disabilities in these different programs.
What Is Next?
The budget will now head to the full House Appropriations on Tuesday. We expect
to see the House vote on the final budget on Wednesday. The Senate will receive
the budget by the end of the week and begin a review. We expect the Senate to
work as quickly as the House did.
Future Legislative Action Alerts
Right now we are not asking for calls or emails to be sent to
legislators. We will be contacting you within the week to advise on future
legislative calls and emails.
The Arc of North Carolina and advocates across our State applaud the leadership
of these two committees and the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee
on addressing the needs of people and children with developmental disabilities
by funding initiatives in health care, housing and education.
Thank you again for all of your advocacy and as always, feel free to call The
Arc of NC with any questions at 1-800-662-8706
May 23, 2008
NC Legislative Update: The Budget
This week the
House Appropriation Subcommittees rolled out their budget requests. The final
House budget is due this coming week. Here is the breakdown of the money report
from the House Appropriation Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and
Education.
Health
and Human Services
Local Crisis System Response System:
This will include the Governor's recommendation for funding for the START
Model.
$30,334,290
Recurring, $5,904,459 459 Non Recurring
Housing 400 Initiative:
Housing 400
Initiative-Operating Cost Subsidy $1,000,000 Recurring
Housing 400
Initiative-Housing Trust Fund $4,000,000 Non Recurring
CAP-MR/DD Waiver Tiered Slots
$8,232,411 Recurring
Early Intervention for Autism
$2,000,000 Recurring
Supportive Services for HUD 811 Projects
$129,311
Recurring
$155,000 Non
Recurring
Traumatic Brain Injury Services
$1,000,000 Recurring
Beyond Academics: Intellectual Disability Transition Program
$200,000 Recurring
Education
Children With Disabilities/Increase to LEAs
(Raises funding to $3,386.50 per student) $6,200,000 Recurring
Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding
$5,000,000 Recurring
Dropout Prevention Grants
$10,000,000 Non Recurring
This is a really good
start for this session. On Monday, we anticipate learning more on how these
proposals are received in the full House of Representatives. For now we are not
asking for additional calls or e-mails. Expect a new alert from us on Tuesday or
Wednesday with recommendations on future actions.
Thanks for all of your
advocacy and we hope you have a nice holiday weekend.
The Arc of North Carolina
May 7, 2008
E-Alert
The Coalition Rally Day on May 21
Save the Date!
Please
Make Plans to Attend The Coalition Legislative Advocacy Day & Popcorn Rally in
Raleigh on May 21!
THE COALITION (formerly Coalition 2001) represents individuals and organizations
statewide that advocate for people needing services and supports for mental
health, developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases.
Since 1991, The Coalition has recommended a
budget to the North Carolina General Assembly. Each year during the Legislative
session, The Coalition sponsors several advocacy events to bring local advocates
to Raleigh to speak with their state legislators. We strongly encourage you to
make appointments with your legislators well in advance of the day.
Advocate for better funding for developmental
disability, mental health, and addictive disease services.
Registration will open at
8:00 AM on the portico of the Legislative Building.
Rally at NOON in
front of the Legislative Building, Jones St.
Afternoon
start of General Assembly Session: There will be introductions of
Coalition members, participants can assemble in both the House and Senate
galleries.
Popcorn will be available on the portico during
the day!
For
Directions and a map of Raleigh,
you can go to the The General Assembly webpage
at:
www.ncga.state.nc.us/help/directions.html
The Coalition encourages
your participation in this event to advocate for funding for mental health,
developmental disability and addictive disease services. For more information on
the event, please contact Erin McLaughlin at 919-981-0740 ext. 507 or
emclaughlin@mha-nc.org
As always, feel free to
contact The Arc of NC with any questions at:
1-800-662-8706 or e-mail lguzman@arcnc.org.
Thanks and we look forward
to seeing you there!
April 25, 2008
MH/DD/SAS Updates
Read The Legislative Oversight Committee on MH/DD/SAS Report
April 21, 2008
MH/DD/SAS Updates
Read D. Benton's Recommendations
February 29, 2008
Breaking News!
New State MH/DD/SAS Leadership is Announced
New Leadership Team Set for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and
Substance Abuse Services
RALEIGH- N.C.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton today announced
a new leadership team for the N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental
Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS). The division will be
led by two co-directors, one in charge of clinical activities and the other
handling administrative duties.
Mike Lancaster, M.D., who has been DMH/DD/SAS clinical policy chief since
June 2004, and Leza Wainwright, who has been DMH/DD/SAS deputy director since
December 2003, will fill the new roles.
"This is a large division with a complex mission," said
Benton. "It is clear that we need to have strong, focused
leadership on both the clinical and the administrative sides of the operation.
These two professionals are uniquely qualified to fill those roles. I don’t
think any one individual would have the skill set to give both the clinical and
administrative functions the attention they deserve at this time."
Dr. Lancaster will provide guidance on clinical policy throughout the entire
public mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse services
system. Lancaster, who has more than 25 years clinical experience as a
Board-certified Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, will work with
clinical staff to ensure that quality services are delivered consistently across
the system.
Wainwright will focus her attention on day-to-day administrative operations
of the division, including overseeing budgeting, personnel and relationships
with the local management entities that manage community service delivery.
The N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance
Abuse Services oversees delivery of services to over 315,000 people a year and
has an annual budget of $2.3 billion. It is by far the largest division in DHHS,
accounting for almost 12,000 of the department’s 19,000 employees. The Division
also oversees four regional psychiatric hospitals, four developmental
disabilities centers, three substance abuse treatment centers, a specialty
nursing facility for consumers with mental illness, a specialty nursing facility
for consumers with developmental disabilities and two residential facilities for
children with emotional disturbances.
Public Affairs Office
101 Blair Drive,
Raleigh, NC
27603
(919)733-9190
FAX (919)733-7447
Debbie Crane
Director
Keep up-to-date on
issues important to the disability community on The Arc of NC's Blog:
www.thearcnc.blogspot.com
February 22, 2008
Breaking News!
State MH/DD/SAS Director Retires
On February 22, 2008 Mike Moseley,
State MH/DD/SAS Director, announced his retirement.
Press Release
North Carolina Action Alerts