Council’s Grassroots Advocacy

What is it and Whyis it Important?

LaCAN

Grassroots Advocacy Network 10 Regional Teams Advocates for Community and

Family Supports

LaCAN Advocacy Results

Community and Family Support System (1989, Act 378)

12,000 people with waiver slots

2,000 receive Flexible Family Fund

3,000 receive state funded supports in their own homes

LaCAN is also responsible for

Act 481 of 2007which established the

NOW Trust Fundcreating a funding source for

NOW slots

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment. As with all children, children with developmental disabilities need families and family relationships to develop to their fullest potential.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Cont’d.

Adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and to live in typical homes and communities where they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.

State of the State

Home and Community-Based

Services

Developmental Centers…From 9 to 1 in 7 years

Privatized Northlake Northwest Acadiana Leesville

Closed Northeast Bayou Columbia Metropolitan

Pinecrest census at 399

Louisiana Ranks First!Louisiana has the highest number of people per capita living in ICFs/DD in the country.*

107 of every 100,000 Louisianans live

in an ICF/DD 

28 per 100,000 is the national

average!

* As of June 30, 2010 MFP 3

Community and Family Supports

Waivers Individual and Family Support Flexible Family Funds

New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)

Provides comprehensive supports for people with developmental disabilities

to live independently or with their families

NOW Recipients receive services based on need

Most cost effective and better quality of life than congregate care

New Opportunities Waiver vs. Residential Costs Average annual costs:

NOW Recipient New: $45,149Current: $52,310

Resident of ICF/DD:

(1-8 bed) $58,035 - $73,109

(33+ bed) $47,486 - $58,914

New Opportunities Waiver

Waiver waiting list:

9,600+ Average length of

wait for NOW:

8+ years NOW slots currently

funded:

8,664 NOW slots cut by

legislature last year:

168

Flexible Family Fund Resources cover extraordinary costs

for families of children with the most severe disabilities

Families Supported (FY12): 1,961

Waiting List: 6,628 State General Fund Program

Program is in danger of elimination!

Individual/Family Support Critical lifeline of support Avoids out-of-home placement Safety net as families of individuals with

extreme needs wait for other services Flexible and immediate access No menu of services

Program has been reduced drastically in some regions of the state due to budget cuts. It is in danger of additional cuts!

It Matters Where You Live

Individuals/Families across the state do not have access to the same level of Individual and Family Support

Budget cuts have disproportionately affected districts and authorities

Individual and Family Support has been drastically reduced in many areas of the state

2013 per Capita Total Budget by Human Services Districts and Authorities

MHSDCAHSD

SCLHSAAAHSD

FPHSAJPHSA

$-

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

$60.00

$70.00

$80.00

$90.00 Other Funding

State General Fund

March2005

August2012 Change

Percentage Change

MHSD (1) $ 1,298,137 $ 1,054,495 $ (243,642) -19%

CAHSD (2) $ 1,057,601$ 440,974

$ (616,627) -58%

Region 3 / SCHSA* $ 751,050 $ 674,741 $ (76,309) -10%

Region 4 / AAHSD* $ 1,131,824 $ 579,082* $ (552,742) -49%

Region 5 $ 503,135 $ 494,808 $ (8,327) -2%

Region 6 $ 653,219 $ 632,040 $ (21,179) -3%Region 7 $ 805,739 $ 835,506 $ 29,767 4%Region 8 $ 789,444 $ 756,600 $ (32,844) -4%

FPHSA (9) $ 762,462 $ 261,067 $ (501,395) -66%

JPHSA (10) $ 1,500,000* $ 475,832 $ (1,024,168) -68%       

Districts and Authorities

$ 6,501,074 $ 3,486,191 $ (1,990,715) -46%

OCDD Regional Offices

$ 2,751,537 $ 2,718,954 $ (32,583) -1%

Individual and Family Supports Budgets

MHSD (1

)

CAHSD (2)

SCHSA (3)

AAHSA (4)

Region

5

Region

6

Region

7

Region

8

FPHSA (9)

JPHSA (1

0) $-

$0.50

$1.00

$1.50

$2.00

$2.50

$3.00

IFS

Bud

get

per

capi

ta

Per Capita Individual and Family Support Budgets by Region (SFY13)

MHSD (1

)

CAHSD (2)

SCHSA (3)

AAHSA (4)

Region

5

Region

6

Region

7

Region

8

FPHSA (9)

JPHSA (1

0)-0.02%

0.00%

0.02%

0.04%

0.06%

0.08%

0.10%

0.12%P

erc

en

t o

f P

op

ula

tion

Se

rve

d

Percent of Population Served (SFY 2012) Individual and Family Support by Region

Shift to Local Control

By July 1, 2013 decentralization will be completed in all regions

All remaining regions will become districts/authorities

Employment Services

Since 2009 Louisiana has given up almost

$89 million in federal Vocational Rehabilitation funding

Over $18.4 million for FY12 alone

2,821 individuals on waiting list Limited to those with the most significant

disabilities

La. Rehabilitation Services

Match is nearly a $4 to $1 For every dollar the state

invests in Vocational Rehabilitation services, there is an estimated $9 return to Louisiana

Other states get funds Louisiana does not use

LaCAN’s 2013 Legislative Agenda

368 NOW Slots: End the Wait! Protect & Restore Funding for

Individual and Family Support Protect Flexible Family Funds Access Full Vocational

Rehabilitation Grant Funds

LaTEACH(Louisiana Together Educating All Children)

A statewide grassroots advocacy network created for the purpose of systems change.

Modeled after LaCAN in 2004 Over 1,300 members strong!

9 Regional Teams Throughout Louisiana

LaTEACH’s Mission

LaTEACH promotes appropriate, inclusive education for all students.

We work to make parents, educators, the general public, and state leadership informed and supportive of research based and effective practices being used appropriately for each student.

LaTEACH Advocacy Results

Act 328 of 2011 regulated the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities in Louisiana schools.

Louisiana Alternate Assessment 2 (LAA-2) recognized as an exit exam to meet requirements for graduation (2008).

Representation on Governor’s Commission for High School Redesign

State of the State

Education

Parental Options Vouchers to Private Schools Charter Schools Course Choice

School enrollment is competitive and no longer based on where a child lives

Traditional Public School Systems still serve students based on their geographic residence

Parental Options have fragmented responsibility for educating students

Parental Options?

In the movement of creating parental options many parents of children with the most significant disabilities are finding themselves with more and more restricted options.

Parental Options are NOT Inclusive

AdmissionsPercentage of Students with Disabilities:

Traditional Public Schools 12%

Charter Schools 8%

Private Schools 3%

Services

Charter Schools vs. LEAsPercentage of Percentage of

Charter Schools Traditional Districts (LEAs)

NOT Serving Students NOT Serving Students

With Significant DisabilitiesWith Significant Disabilities

Autism 59% 1%

Emotional Disturbance 44% 1%

Multiple Disabilities 91% 4%

Orthopedic Impairment 75% 3%

Traumatic Brain Injury 84% 20%

Visual Impairment 84% 16%

Data from 2009 Special Education Profile (most recent data available). 

School Accountability SystemDis-incentivizes Inclusion School performance scores result in

highest of stakes – school takeover Schools have high incentive to not include

students who: Tend not to produce high academic scores Do not make ‘enough’ academic progress Require “more than typical” amount of support

and use of resources

Result: More magnet programs, selective recruiting and ‘counseling out’ students

Charter School Law Intent: Serve At-Risk Students

The intent of the Charter School Law is to serve at-risk students – including students with disabilities

Unfortunately there are no standards that require charter schools to serve a representative portion of students with disabilities

Segregated Schools/Settings

Schools serving specific disabilities Charter Schools serving select

populations Draft legislation would further expand

segregation La. Special Education Center

Transitioned overage residents out Advertised to fill the beds

LaTEACH ‘s 2013Advocacy Agenda

Guarantee Equal Access and Services

Prevent the Formation of Segregated Schools

Legislative Visits

Regional Teams What is the DD Council Council’s Legislative Agenda Fact Sheets