|
Testimony on Behalf of Centers for Independent Living Questions for State Candidates for the 2006 Elections!
|
SILC
MEMBERS
OFFICERS MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO
MEMBERS ADMINISTRATION |
New
SILC
Members Appointed
By Morgan Talbot
Governor Rick Perry has appointed six new members to the State Independent Living Council. The new members are Sue Pennington Ford of Bedford, Robert Hawkins of Bellmead, Kristen Elizabeth Jones of Houston, Donald Landry of Groves, Tracey Michol of Kingwood, and Scotty Sherrill of Nacogdoches.
Members who were reappointed are Paula Margeson, Marcia Ingram, and Morgan Talbot. Hold over members are Michelle Crain and Dennis Borel. The new members bring the membership of the Council up to eleven and will enable Chairman Margeson to reconstitute committees for specific projects such as development of the SPIL for the next three years and for the myriad other activities of the Council.
“VIVA la Independencia”
By Ted Thayer
The Seventh Annual Independent Living Conference was held at the Camino Real Hotel in El Paso on March 6-7, 2006. Attended by approximately 200 consumers, care givers, and professionals, the conference was arguably the most successful yet. It included numerous presentations concerning issues of interest to the disability community, exhibits, an awards banquet, entertainment by a comedian with a disability, and a serenade by a Mariachi band. Particular thanks go to the VOLAR Center of Independent Living, without whose assistance the conference could not have achieved the success it enjoyed.
Testimony On Behalf Of
Centers for Independent Living
By Morgan Talbot
Woodie Johnston, Executive Director of VAIL, Morgan Talbot, Vice Chair of the SILC, and Marcia Ingram, Secretary of the SILC, appeared before the HHSC Fact Finding Hearing in Harlingen on May 17, 2006, and submitted both oral and written testimony.
The testimony from Mr. Johnston centered around the operations of VAIL and the way it integrates with other service groups in the community as well as specific activities sponsored by grants and related activities. Marcia Ingram’s testimony had to do with the function of independent living centers and, in particular, with the centers’ role in relocation of persons from nursing homes to the community. She noted that Texas leads the nation in relocations from institutional settings. She also explained that less than six percent of those relocated return to institutional settings.
Morgan Talbot talked about the function of the State Independent Living Council generally and about projects for the continuation of services for youth with disabilities after they finish high school or college.
In addition, written information was submitted to the group headed by Commissioner Hawkins, who then asked questions from each of the presenters concerning the issues raised.
More Testimony
By Morgan Talbot
The State Representatives and Senators from the lower Rio Grande Valley were invited to a meeting at the VAIL offices in McAllen on May 25, 2006, where they heard a presentation concerning the activities of the VAIL center. In addition, Vice Chair Morgan Talbot and Secretary Marcia Ingram presented information concerning the SILC's interest in additional funding for centers in Texas as well as the creation of new centers in unserved areas.
Invitees included Senator Eddie Lucio from Brownsville, Senator Juan Hinojosa from McAllen, and four State Representatives from the area. They were given information concerning what centers for independent living do generally and, in particular, what the VAIL center does in the South Texas area.
Questions for
State Candidates for the 2006 Elections!
By Dennis Borel
It’s an election year and a great opportunity for the community of people with disabilities to raise some very serious questions to candidates for the Texas House, Texas Senate and Texas Governor. If you don’t, who will? Get out to candidate speeches, forums and appearances. Forget about kissing babies; let’s get these candidates to talk about what really matters. Add your own questions, whatever, just ask, ask, ask! Honor the great words of Justin Dart, “Get into politics as if your life depended on it. It does!”
- In 2005, the Legislature appropriated funds to reduce the
waiting list for community services for people with disabilities. Would
you support a request to support continued reductions in 2007?
- Personal care attendants who provide community services to
people with disabilities have low pay and little benefits. These attendants
allow a person to stay in their own home, saving the State millions of
dollars compared to institutional care. Will you support an increase
in pay to at least $10 per hour for attendants?
- The State of Texas claims it is immune from the ADA. Do you
believe Texas should guarantee the basic civil right of freedom from
discrimination based on disability through legislation?
- With one in five Texans lacking reliable access to a car, would
you support directing more of the state’s transportation funding
to public transportation?
- Will you support continued protection under the Texas Election
Code for accessibility for voters with disabilities?
- Texas centers for independent living are community-based organizations that help people with disabilities live independently in their own homes. These centers are under-funded. Would you support an appropriation of $5 million in critical assistance to centers serving 21 communities?
SILCBriefs
By Paula Margeson
Texas IL Delegation Goes To Washington
 |
The Texas delegation at the NCIL conference in Washington, D.C. |
During May, representatives from the SILC and eight independent living centers in Texas attended the annual conference of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), held in
Washington D.C. While there, they participated in informative plenary and workshop sessions, networked with staff from centers and SILC’s around the country, took part in a march to the Capitol, and visited with Texas lawmakers to present the IL position on pending legislative actions. CIL’s represented included: Lubbock, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, and El Paso.
Previewed at the conference was a moving DVD developed by ADAPT presenting interviews of individuals with disabilities, who shared their personal experiences of being confined in nursing facilities and regaining their status as members of the community.
Well Done Texas CILs
According to annual 704 reports submitted for 2005, independent living centers in Texas served 8,264 persons with disabilities: – 344 of whom were assisted to relocate from institutions back to the community; – 343 were aided to avoid institutionalization; – 1,643 were successful in achieving their self-advocacy and self-empowerment goals; – 186 received help to address communication needs; – 335 were provided with mobility or transportation assistance; – 684 gained access to community services; – 1,393 obtained educational goals; – 1,374 were aided to meet vocational objectives; – 453 attained help to address self-care needs; – 350 received support to access information and technology; – 714 reached their personal resource management goals; and – 2,300 acquired other services to enhance independence.
Texas Leads States In Money Follows The Person
In September 2003, Texas launched its “Money Follows the Person Initiative” which provides individuals with disabilities residing in nursing facilities the option to move into the community and retain financial support. Through March of ‘06, 10,711 people have chosen this option. Of these, nearly 7.5% were ninety or older, (including 10, who were one hundred) and 11% were under forty-four years of age. Sixty-five percent were female and 64% were white (not of Hispanic origin). Almost all received Medicaid waiver services. Of those relocating back into the community, 22% live alone, 47% live with family, 2% live with other persons, and the remainder reside in group homes or assisted living facilities. Experts estimate that Texas saves between 20 and 35% of the costs previously required to maintain these same individuals in nursing facilities.
Access Across America Makes Progress
On May 15, ADAPT representatives met with HUD Secretary Jackson, three of his Assistant Secretaries and several other key HUD staff. Discussion centered on Access Across America, a campaign to dedicate rental assistance vouchers for people with disabilities, who are leaving institutions including emergency shelters. The vouchers will be allocated to local organizations that are helping such individuals with relocation or to Public Housing Authorities working closely with community agencies engaged in transition/ integration. Secretary Jackson agreed to:
- Send
a Directive encouraging Housing Authorities to make people living in
institutions including shelters, regardless of age, a preference at the
local levels.
- Host
a meeting with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, (CMS),
and disability advocates to promote inter-agency cooperation; and,
- Meet with ADAPT three times per year to discuss progress on ACCESS ACROSS AMERICA and other issues such as the modification program that could be used to retrofit existing units for greater accessibility.
More Victory On The Housing Front
Sen. Brian A. Joyce, Mass., introduced a successful amendment to the Senate budget that included $1M additional funds to keep the Alternative Housing Voucher Program in line with funding from prior years. The program was established in 1995 to provide housing for persons with disabilities who would otherwise be living in nursing homes or shelters and had the capacity to assist 800 individuals. Originally the program received a $4M budget allocation but was reduced in FY/02. Skyrocketing housing costs require over $5.5M to fund vouchers for 800 individuals in today’s market. “Increasing funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program saves us money in the long run. Not only is providing permanent residential housing the most compassionate option, but it is often significantly less expensive than nursing homes or short-term emergency care,” Joyce said. The Medicaid cost of serving individuals with disabilities in nursing facilities ranges from $56,000 to $87,000 per year as opposed to $7,000 a year for community placement through the Alternative Housing Voucher Program.