The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education would like your comments, suggestions, and feedback on the 2017 Amendment to the 2017-2021 State Plan.

Every year the council has an opportunity to revise and update the 5-year state plan. While the goals are the same, this year some of the objectives have been revised based on federal State Plan review comments.

Please complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K93FC7W

The survey needs to be completed by Friday, July 14th, 2017 at 5pm. You may obtain a hard copy of the original 2017-2021 State Plan by visiting: http://dhss.alaska.gov/gcdse/Documents/news/StatePlan2017.pdf or by calling (907) 269-8990 or toll-free within Alaska at (888) 269-8990. If you have any questions about the public comment process or need assistance completing this survey in a different way, please contact Lanny Mommsen at (907) 269-8990, toll-free within Alaska at (888) 269-8990 or via email at Lanny.mommsen@alaska.gov.

Between the CBO report and political tensions in DC, there is a lot of information to sort through regarding the Senate’s health care bill known as “The Better Care Reconciliation Act”. One thing is certain, these changes will affect Alaskans, and these changes will affect families caring for children with special needs. The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education has released a letter they have sent to our representatives containing information specific to Alaska. However, we know facts and numbers only go so far. Whether you are in favor of the bill or opposed, Stone Soup Group encourages families to be a voice and share your stories.

Email Senator Sullivan or call (907) 271-5915 (Anch) / (202)-224-3004 (DC)

Email Senator Murkowski or call (907) 271-3735 (Anch) / (202)-224-6665 (DC)

The conference committee for the budget had their first meeting this week. It was an organizational meeting and no action was taken, but we expect legislators will begin acting soon.

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to send an email, letter, or phone call to the legislators about the budget items (listed below) that matter to you most.

The more legislators hear about a specific budget item, the more they will take notice. Every communication counts! Thank you for taking the time to act!

BUDGET ITEMS 

Front Line Social Workers
Governor’s FY18 Budget: -$225,000 reduction
House: +$4,972,000 increase
Senate: -$886,200 reduction

Impact: The Senate reduction would eliminate six full-time positions responsible for ensuring quality of services, client grievances and appeals, compliance with federal performance improvement plans, foster care payment processing, and other duties. Staffing and resource limitations will also impair the division’s ability to locate and assess relatives for foster care placement. The increase recommended by the House would add 31 positions and improve training that would help OCS serve families better and bring caseloads down to a safer and more manageable level, closer to professional standards.

McLaughlin Youth Center
Governor’s request: +$100,000
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$763,600

Impact: The Senate reduction will result in the closure of the Community Detention Program (an alternative to detention) at both McLaughlin Youth Center and the Mat-Su Youth Facility. In FY 16 the program diverted 183 youth from expensive beds in detention. Community detention serves youth who commit low-level offenses, who are not a serious risk to themselves or others, and who need additional supports, such as case dismissal, diversion, probation, treatment, etc. The program allows youth to come to the facility for the day, attend school and obtain services, such as anger management and drug and alcohol counseling, then go home at night. Without this program, youth moving instead to expensive detention beds could grow by 150-200 per year. McLaughlin Youth Facility is already over capacity, so a new wing will need to be opened to accommodate the additional youth, at a cost of about $1.6 million per year to operate.

Adult Public Assistance (APA)
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Reduces surplus funding in Public Assistance and gives it to OCS front line social workers
Senate: -$3.5 million

Impact: Department projections indicate a reduced APA caseload, resulting in $3.5 million of “excess” funding. The House proposed using $3.3 million of this excess funding to support frontline social workers in OCS. The Senate reduction would eliminate the $3.3 million (not transferred to OCS) and an additional $210,000, for a total of a $3.5 million reduction to the program. APA provides cash assistance to Alaskans in need, whether they are elderly, blind, or disabled, to help them remain independent and in the community.

Behavioral Health Medicaid Services
Governor’s FY18 Budget: +$15.8 million
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$462,000

Impact: Additional Behavioral Health Medicaid funds are needed to ensure the goals of Medicaid reform AND criminal justice reform are met. Both systems rely on timely access to appropriate behavioral health services to avoid more expensive alternatives like hospitalizations and incarceration. Reductions in access to community behavioral health services will result in increased pressure on API, increased utilization of emergency departments, and long waits for treatment. Pre-trial diversion efforts will be affected by limited access to treatment to avoid incarceration.

Parents as Teachers
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$500,000 (in the Early Learning Coordination allocation)

Impact: The Senate cut will eliminate the Alaska Parents as Teachers program to provide parent education and family support services to families of young children in more than 50 communities and villages statewide. Certified parent educators work closely with parents to provide information and tools that promote language development, intellectual growth, social development, and motor skills. Delivery includes home visits and multi-family group activities.

Best Beginnings
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$320,000 (in the Early Learning Coordination allocation)

Impact: The Senate reduction will eliminate Alaska’s Best Beginnings program to serve families across the state in promoting early education and literacy. Best Beginnings is a public-private partnership that focuses on parent engagement and education, community support for early childhood, language and literacy.

Day Habilitation Services
House: No increase
Senate: +$1,486,000 increase

Impact: The Senate recommendation would add funding to increase Day Habilitation services from 8 to 12 hours. Day habilitation services may be provided to assist Alaskans with disabilities to acquire, retain, and improve the self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in home and community-based settings. The services support recipients in increasing their independence; participating in community activities; learning, improving and retaining social skills; and providing a foundation of skills that promote employability.

Medicaid Prescription Drugs
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House:  Same as Governor
Senate:  -$2.9 million

Impact:  The Senate proposal to cut Medicaid Pharmacy services by $2.9 million ($1.9 million in federal funds and $973,500 in state general funds) will result in further cost containment and prioritization of prescription medications, which could affect beneficiary medication regimens, causing negative health consequences and reduced functioning that can affect an individual’s ability to work, go to school, parent, and remain stable in the community.

Public Health Nursing
Governor’s FY18 Budget:  +$500,000 transfer from Public Health Administration
House:  Same as Governor
Senate:  -$1.9 million

Impact:  The Senate reductions will eliminate 11 positions and force the closure of public health centers in Kenai and Kodiak, adding to the recent elimination of 40 positions statewide including the nurses that provided services in Seward, Cordova, Haines, Wrangell, Galena, Fort Yukon, and Delta Junction.  Public health nurses provide community health services, including immunizations, prenatal counseling and postpartum outreach, senior care, well-child exams, TB screening and treatment, school screenings, STD screening, and health education. Community Health Centers cannot bill for the majority of services public health nursing provides, and will not be able to pick up those services.  The result will be a loss of prevention health care in those communities. Public health nurses also work in the community to provide health education, emergency preparedness plans, community health assessments, and more.

Adult Preventative Dental Services
Governor’s FY18 Budget:  No increase, no reduction
House:  Same as Governor
Senate:  -$288,000

Impact:  A 10% reduction in Adult Preventative Dental Medicaid services will result in some beneficiaries going without access to medically necessary dental care, which will result in higher utilization of other services – particularly emergency rooms services for untreated abscesses, pain, and collateral health consequences from poor dental health.

Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API)
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$631,300 cut
ASK: Please support the House recommendation for the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API).
Impact: The Senate reduction would eliminate premium pay for nursing staff. API is already struggling to recruit and maintain staff due to the complexity and acuity of its patient population. Without the financial incentive of premium pay, API will not be able to compete for highly qualified staff – which will affect the health and safety of patients (and staff) in the hospital and increase the risk and cost to the State for workplace injury, inappropriate seclusion and restraint, delayed admissions, and patient complaints.

Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP)
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$3 million
ASK: Please support the House recommendation for Alaska Temporary Assistance Program.
Impact: The Senate’s $3 million reduction, on top of last year’s $7 million reduction, will compound ATAP’s existing deficit and increase the need for a supplemental request in 2018 to avoid a penalty by the federal government for failure to meet its maintenance of effort obligations. If that happens, the federal government will reduce dollar-for-dollar the state’s federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant the following year. The program provides cash assistance and work services to low-income families with children to help with basic needs while they work to become self-sufficient.

Pre-Kindergarten Grants
Governor’s FY18 Budget: No increase, no reduction
House: Same as Governor
Senate: -$2 million
ASK: Please support the House recommendation for Pre-K grants.
Impact: The Senate recommendation would eliminate grant funds for in-school preschool programs that serve low-income families. Pre-K program grantees help children learn social and academic skills needed to be ready for kindergarten, working in classrooms and as outreach to families who prefer in-home care for their preschoolers. Public schools may use grant funds to subcontract with family child care centers, faith-based settings, Head Start programs, and private child care centers to provide these services.

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Contact These Budget Conference Committee Members:
sen.lyman.hoffman@akleg.gov 907-465-4453
sen.anna.mackinnon@akleg.gov 907-465-3777
sen.donny.olson@akleg.gov 907-465-3707
rep.paul.seaton@akleg.gov 907-465-2689
rep.neal.foster@akleg.gov 907-465-3789
rep.lance.pruitt@akleg.gov 907-465-3438

Opportunity to Comment on Draft of ESSA State Plan is Extended to May 28

The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) is seeking public comment on the first draft of the state plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new federal education law. ESSA provides states with greater flexibility than the No Child Left Behind Act it replaces. States must submit plans to the U.S. Department of Education by Sept. 18 to show how they will implement ESSA.

Alaska’s first draft was shaped by over 4,000 stakeholder comments from nearly 1,000 Alaskans at 40-plus meetings conducted across the state over the last year. DEED now is seeking additional public comment to strengthen the first draft, ensuring that the plan takes full advantage of expanded state and local options and addresses the state’s unique educational needs and priorities.

DEED will gather public comment on this first draft through 8 p.m. on May 28. For the public’s convenience, DEED has created eight feedback forms that address the plan’s various sections. Members of the public may comment on the entire plan or only on the sections that interest them. DEED encourages the public to read the plan’s section(s) before commenting. The plan and all eight feedback forms are available at https://education.alaska.gov/akessa/#c3gtabs-stateplan.

There will be opportunities to meet with legislatures across Alaska in February and March! If you are involved with special education this is a good opportunity to let your voice be heard.
Active Surveys: Some legislators are conducting weekly surveys, links in their newsletters
Rep. Matt Claman http://akhouse.org/claman/survey/index.php
Rep. Paul Seaton http://akhouse.org/rep_seaton/survey/

AK-AIMH is seeking motivated and qualified individuals to fill Board of Directors positions in March 2017! There are still three 3-year terms to fill.

• Are you interested in advancing the field of infant and early childhood mental health in the State of Alaska?
• Are you involved in the interdisciplinary practice of infant and early childhood mental health including but not limited to SLP, OT, PT, Early Intervention, Child Care, Medicine and Social Work?

AK-AIMH is looking for dynamic partners to join our Board! Individuals from diverse cultural regions or backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. The successful applicants must be able to commit 10 hours a month to fulfill specified board responsibilities. If you meet this criteria and want to take your passion for infant and children’s mental health to a new level, please download and complete the Board Member Application at akaimh.org/board and send it as an attachment to: akaimhnominations@gmail.com with “Board Position” in the subject line.

The deadline for board nominations is extended to January 20, 2017.

The State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (SVRC) promotes the employment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities and will hold its annual face-to-face meeting on January 10-12, 2017 in Anchorage.

Meeting date, time and Location

• January 10: The meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Anchorage Marriot Downtown conference room at 820 West 7^th
• January 11: The meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Access Alaska conference room at 1217 East 10^th Public testimony will be heard from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m.
• January 12: The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Anchorage Marriot Downtown conference room at 820 West 7^th

How to participate in public testimony

1. Send an email with your testimony to Jason.Caputo@Alaska.gov or a fax to Jason Caputo at 907-465-2856. Your email or fax should include your permission to read it aloud at the public meeting and be sent by 5:00 p.m., January 5, 2017.
2. In-person by coming to Anchorage Access Alaska Conference Room, 1217 East 10th Avenue, Anchorage during the public testimony portion of the meeting on January 11, 2017 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
3. Call in to the meeting on January 11, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Call 1-888-354-0094 and, when prompted, enter the conference code number 2179208 followed by the # sign.

You may hear the meeting in session when you call. We will check the phone line periodically and will put your name on a list if there are other people before you giving testimony.

4. Write a letter with your testimony, and include your permission to read aloud at the public meeting. Mail your testimony with enough time to reach our office by 5:00 p.m., January 5, 2017 and address it to:

Mary Middleton,
SVRC Chairperson
Box 115516
Juneau, AK 99811

Note:

• Emailed, faxed or written testimony received after the above deadlines will be read at a future SVRC quarterly public meeting.
• If you intend to provide your testimony in person or by phone, letting us know in advance will help us better coordinate the public testimony.

The SVRC promotes the employment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities by creating statewide interest in disability issues, encouraging cooperation among individuals, public agencies, private organizations, and businesses, in obtaining assistance for, and education about, people with disabilities. For more information visit www.labor.alaska.gov/svrc/.

The State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals attending the meeting who require special accommodations should call our toll free number 1-800-478-2815 and ask for Jason Caputo or email jason.caputo@alaska.gov. Please contact us in advance and allow enough time so that arrangements for the accommodation can be made.

The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education would like to make known to individuals with disabilities the opportunity to apply to be a page for the Alaska State Legislature for this coming session.

Click here to access the recruitment flyers: one for the House and one for the Senate. It should be noted that the House is considered a busier environment. Pages receive set wages noted in the flyer, but do have to secure their own housing in Juneau for the duration of the session.

Legislative staff are making their selections for pages very soon, so please do not delay in getting your application in for consideration!

The Trust is partnering with the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Alaska Association on Developmental Disabilities, and Senior and Disabilities Services to develop a shared vision to guide systems reform. This webinar is for families and communities on December 9, from 12- 1:30pm or one of our self-advocacy forums on December 7 from 5-6:30pm or December 8 from 12-1:30pm on the 7^th floor of the Frontier building. Click here for more details. For instructions on how to join the webinar, click here.

The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education 2016 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey

The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE) would like your ideas about how well the Council is doing its job. Results from this annual survey let us know how we are doing right now. We need your feedback so that the Council can carry out its mission (creating change that improves the lives of people with disabilities).

YOUR OPINION COUNTS!

The Federal Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) requires that all councils on intellectual and developmental disabilities in the US use the same survey questions each year. In order for this survey to have national validity, the questions must be generic to all councils and specific in terms of what is asked.

This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. To take this survey, please click here:

2016 Stakeholder Feedback Survey

We would appreciate a response by Monday, November 21 at 5 pm AKST.

If you are unable to complete the survey online and would prefer a hard copy, need assistance completing it, or have questions about the survey or any of the Council’s activities, please call the Council toll-free (within Alaska) at 1-888-269-8990, in Anchorage at 269-8990 or email lanny.mommsen@alaska.gov

The Key Campaign will be held on March 2nd and 3rd, 2017.  If you know anyone who has never been or just been once as a self-advocate, parent, or provider, please have them complete the attached 2017 Key Campaign Airfare Scholarship Application from the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education.  The deadline for submitting your application is December 30th, 2016, by 4:30pm.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Ric Nelson at 907-269-8989 or by emailing him at ric.nelson@alaska.gov.

• Key 2017 Travel Scholarship Application and letter.pdf

The Disability Law Center (DLC) needs your help! Your input is vital to steering DLC’s future advocacy efforts. Please take a moment before midnight, August 24, 2016 to share your thoughts by taking this Online Survey.

The results will help the DLC to set our priorities for 2017. As a thank-you for your time and thoughts, at the end of the survey Alaska residents may enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

The Know Your Right to Vote Campaign is dedicated to providing voter education materials and resources to the disability community. When we exercise our right to vote, we have the power to influence the structure and the funding of our community. Tool kit and more information available at the Arc of Anchorage.

Are you interested in being part of the picnic planning process and/or being on the Soupie nomination review committee? If so, Contact Us for more information and meeting times.