| Registration for 2019 FVCA Health Summit & Legislative Day now live!
Please register at https://fvca2019.eventbrite.com.
March 10-12, 2019, Holiday Inn, 300 J Street, Sacramento, CA
FREE for families, $50 suggested donation for professionals.
Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot!
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| Whole Child Model Phase II Underway!
Phase II of the Whole Child Model (including Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, and Yolo Counties) began January 1, 2019. What is the Whole Child Model?
If your child is covered by both California Children’s Services (CCS) and Medi-Cal, their CCS benefits will now be administered differently. This means that Partnership HealthPlan (your Medi-Cal managed care plan) will now authorize and pay for services related to your child’s CCS-qualifying condition. This includes things like appointments, services, and treatments with your child’s specialists, prescription medications, and durable medical equipment (DME).
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| Family Voices of California is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Mercado as our new Family Engagement Manager Prior to joining FVCA, Elizabeth spent several years as a Parent Organizer and Program Director for the California Charter Schools Association where she trained and organized families to advocate for their children at the local and statewide levels. Elizabeth brings to FVCA her deep commitment to family advocacy, and her ability to empower families to affect positive systems change. As Family Engagement Manager, Elizabeth will work closely with Project Leadership graduates throughout the state to identify leadership and advocacy opportunities, and link families with those opportunities. Elizabeth will also be able to expand expand our ability to mentor and support Spanish-Speaking Project Leadership graduates.
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| State Budget Proposal includes funding for programs and services for CSHCN
Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2019-2020 budget, which included numerous proposals relevant to families of Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and those serving them. Below are a few highlights: General Healthcare Proposals
- $3.2 billion for supplemental payments and rate increases for physicians, dentists, home health, pediatric day health services, and other services
- Restoration of the 7% across the board In Home Support Services (IHSS) hour reduction
- A state individual mandate for Californians to have health insurance, negating the federal repeal of the individual mandate
- Expansion of Covered California premium subsidies to improve health care affordability
- Transfer Medi-Cal managed care pharmacy services to a fee-for-service system allowing the state to negotiate prices for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Currently, Medi-Cal managed care plans negotiate drug prices separately
- Expansion of Medi-Cal to cover undocumented young adults to age 26
- Establishment of a CA Surgeon General to address the root causes of CA health challenges and inequities
Mental Health Proposals - $50 million to increase training for mental health workforce programs
- $25 million for prevention and early intervention demonstration projects
Regional Center Services Proposals
The Governor mentioned the regional center provider rate study saying it would be a future issue for consideration. FVCA is working with the Lanterman Coalition to support an across the board, ongoing increase in funding Developmental Disability services. - An increase of $506.2 for caseload adjustments, operations, and purchase of services
- $76 million to reflect the estimated cost of the minimum wage increase for service providers
- $5.3 million to expand acute crisis and mobile crisis services
- $8.1 million for departmental headquarter reorganization
- $5.4 million to reduce caseworker caseload ratios for consumers with specialized medical and behavioral needs
- The Governor DID NOT propose to eliminate the 14 day statewide uniform holiday (mandatory furlough) schedule
Early Childhood and Special Education Proposals - $576 million to expand special education services in districts with a high concentration of students receiving services
- $750 million to address barriers to full-day kindergarten for students receiving special education services
- Funding for universal preschool for all income-eligible 4-year-olds
- $500 million to build child care infrastructure
- $45 million for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screenings for Medi-Cal recipients
- $60 million for increased developmental screenings for children
This is the Governor's initial proposal. He will issue a revision in May based on tax revenues, legislative activities, departmental and independent analyses, and public engagement. The budget must be accompanied by an itemized Budget Bill, and approved by the Legislature by June 15. Sources/Resources for Additional Information
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Education scholarships and support for children/youth living with Epilepsy through different organizations and individuals:
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2nd Annual Transition Age Youth Conference
Tuesday, February 26, 2019, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Sacramento, CA. Register here. 2019 California School-Based Health Conference: Advancing Wellness & Best Practices for the Future
May 9-10, 2019, Redondo Beach, CA. Register here.
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Project Coordinator position for the National Center for Family Professional Partnership (NCFPP), an MCHB funded Family Voices project
To apply, submit a cover letter briefly summarizing your interest in, and qualifications for, the position; your resume; and three references to Bev Baker, bbaker@familyvoices.org and Will Simpson, wsimpson@familyvoices.org. Children’s Defense Fund: Legislative Director in California
The job description is attached and is also available here. Have you had challenges receiving mental health care? Share your story!
Jocelyn Wiener, a reporter with CALmatters, is developing a story regarding issues with parity enforcement (the requirement that mental illnesses be served at the same level as any other physical illness) in CA. Jocelyn would like to speak with individuals living with mental health challenges, their family members, and/or service providers who have struggled to receive/provide mental health care through insurance providers. Get in contact with Jocelyn at jocelynwiener@gmail.com or through her website at jocelynwiener.com.
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Webinars:
National PLACE & Family Voices Present: Legislative Victories in Challenging Times Webinar
Thursday, January 24, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM PST. Register here.
Building Capacity to Include People Who Have Disabilities
Wednesday, January 30, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST. Register here.
ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts
Thursday, January 31, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST. Register here.
Starting and Sustaining a Youth Advisory Board, Part 1: Youth Voice
Wednesday, February 27, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST. Register here.
Meetings:
Epilepsy Community Fair
Saturday, February 2, 2019, Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Click here for more information.
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Parent Survey: Most Valuable Components of a Medical Home
A new issue brief from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health reports on a statewide survey of parents in California who responded to questions about which of these medical home components they most value, and how satisfied they are with the care their child receives.
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