Weekly Update - November 8, 2010

Have a good week!

Massachusetts survived the Red Tide.   We offer our congratulation to Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Tim Murray.  The team of Democrats ran a positive, issue-oriented campaign that resonated with voters.  The Baker campaign's overly simplistic "cut waste", fire 5000 workers, and get the economy moving again didn't resonate, particularly with people with disabilities.

Can we expect change?  So far the Governor hasn't tipped his hand.  As we made it clear here a couple of weeks ago, the move away from Olmstead towards modifying the medical service delivery model seems to be the plan for the future.  Yes, the administration has applied for a Money Follows the Person grant and the Affordable Care Act will likely offer a few more incentives for changing the institutional vs. community funding imbalance.  Time will tell to see if there are changes in personnel to bring more hope of community-based priorities growing in importance again.

Change in the Legislature is no big deal!  The Republicans picked up a few more House seats.  Ho hum.  They're still Republicans.  Otherwise, we can expect both houses to continue with the tight leadership that allows very little legislation to advance regardless of whether there are costs associated with it or not.

On a sad note we lost two Leaders.  Rep. Barbara L'Italian, D-North Andover, lost her bid for a fourth term and Rep. Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk lost his bid for a third term. 

Barbara, Vice-Chair of House Ways and Means, was an ardent champion of disabilities issues starting with autism where she was successful this year in getting autism services included as an insurance benefit.  In 2009 she worked hard to get MCDHH funding increased and had worked closely with the DPC and the Arc on many fronts.

Steve was an independent thinker, something that's lacking at the State House.  He took an interest in our legislation to get personal care services approved for 60 days upon discharge from hospitals.  Last year Steve was an intelligent voice pointing out the economic folly of casinos.

There will be some changes in leadership this year.  Barbara rose to her position quickly but there are at least 155 others willing and waiting.  It's pretty clear that their will be a new House Chair of Health Care Finance.  And of course, in the Senate, the big plum is Senate Ways and Means Chair.  Stay tooned for more fun and follies from Beacon Hill.

Committee for the Legal Rights of the Disabled:  Thursday, November 18 from 10 - 12 at Suffolk Law School, Room 277.

Finalize CLRD's legislative priorities

Discuss the McDonough decision*

*please don't ask us what it is

The first Money Follows the Person (MFP) Working Group meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 12^th from 1 PM - 3 PM on the 21^st Floor of One Ashburton Place in Boston. 

Although it is not required that you RSVP, it is appreciated.

The meeting discussion will focus on the transition process, as well as, services that are needed by individuals seeking to transition to the community.  Specific questions for discussion are posted on the dedicated Money Follows the Person website at www.mass.gov/hhs/communityfirst.   

Reasonable accommodations will be made for participants upon request and travel costs and stipends will be available for consumer participants.  Participation is open to everyone who is interested in participating.  Please send requests for reasonable accommodations to Wendy.Trafton@state.ma.us.

In addition to participating in the MFP Working Group, organizations and individuals can provide input to specific questions related to the Draft Operational Protocol through the MFP website. 

All MFP documents and a schedule of meetings will be posted on the Community First website located at www.mass.gov/hhs/communityfirst.  The second meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 3^rd from 2 PM - 4 PM at UMass Medical School at 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 in the France Conference Room. 

Tuesday, November 9, 6-8 PM, in the second floor meeting  room of Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA  02169.  

Quincy's Commission on Disabilities will  host Ashley McDonough from the Massachusetts Commission Against  Discrimination.   Ms. McDonough will present a presentation on  ADA Title II issues,   difficulties promoting awareness of ADA,  anti-discrimination  legislation, and the issue of bullying, to which people with  disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

Please send your RSVP to Faye at reedqcod@aol.com, so that we know  which accommodations are most appropriate and know how many copies  of materials to provide.

I hope you can join us!

Faye C. Reed Chair,

Quincy Commission on Disabilities