Legislative

8% DDS Services Rate Increase: Update

(Summarized from The Arc of California Monday Morning Memo, 5/13/19). Governor Newsom released his revised budget on May 9, outlining a proposed spending plan for California programs and services. Although a recently released draft rate study concluded the Department of Developmental Services system is underfunded by about $1.8 billion, the Governor only proposed an increase of $165 million for the next fiscal year.

The Legislature has until June 15 to review and vote on a final budget to send to back to the Governor, so there is still time to weigh in. Read the rate study, learn more and take action. #KeepThePromise

Sign a petition to let the Governor know the importance of protecting community based care and services.

During the #KeepThePromise call in day on May 9, nearly every legislator received up to 20 calls from constituents supporting an 8% budget increase to ensure people with disabilities can access critical services and supports to live in their communities.

There are numerous bills related to mental health services and treatment, including:

AB 898 (Wicks) – Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis, and Treatment Services, would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to convene a Children’s Behavioral Health Action Team to create a plan to better ensure that Medi-Cal eligible children receive behavioral health survices. Scheduled for hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thu, 5/16.

SB 428 (Pan, Portantino) - School Mental Health Training: Youth Mental Health, would require Youth Mental Health First Aid traing for some school personnel. Scheduled for hearing in the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thu, 5/16.

AB 565 (Maienschein) - Public Health Workforce Planning, would expand the types of health professionals eligible for financial incentives for working in underserved areas. Awaiting hearing in the Senate Committee on Health.

Identify, monitor, and sign up for updates on bills.

Participate

Fri, 5/17 Deadline: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) seeks applicants for the Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Fri, 5/17, 5:30pm-8pm (Coachella): California State Assembly Select Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Hearing. Coachella Public Library - 1500 6th Street, Coachella.

Wed, 5/22, (Sacramento): Mental Health Matters Day - State Capitol, east side.

Thur, 5/23 (Sacramento): Disability Capital Action Day – Cesar Chavez Plaza & the State Capitol.

Thur, 5/23 (Sacramento): DHCS Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Topics include the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, and provision of high quality care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Thur, 6/20, 5:30pm-8pm (San Diego): California State Assembly Select Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Hearing. SDGE Energy Innovation Center, 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego.

Title V CYSHCN Family Survey: Share your experiences with getting services for your child, including California Children's Services (CCS).

Newborn Screening Family Education Survey: Expecting Health seeks information about families' needs and priorities around newborn screening.

The California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations seeks applicants for its Peer Action League of California.

FVCA in Action

FVCA goes to Washington

Family Voices of California joined nearly 300 representatives of Family to Family Health Information Centers, Parent to Parent Centers, and other family resource organizations from throughout the U.S. and its territories at the 2019 Family Voices national Family Leadership Conference and Legislative Day in Washington, DC, May 7-10. Project Leadership Manager Elaine Linn announced FVCA's 2020 expansion of Project Leadership to organizations in regions throughout the U.S. FVCA Project Director Pip Marks and Linn also met with U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (pictured), and staff for U.S. Senators Feinstein and Harris.

Project Leadership Graduates Accepted to
N. California LEND Program

Congratulations to Sacramento area Family Voices of California Project Leadership graduates Cindy Johnson and Kimber Rice for their acceptance to the UC Davis MIND Institute Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) class of 2019-2020. LEND is a graduate and post-graduate level, interdisciplinary leadership and service training program federally funded through HRSA's Maternal Child Health Bureau. Johnson and Rice will join a cohort of visionary leaders working to improve the health, developmental, and behavioral outcomes of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Webinars & Conferences

Mon, 5/20, 11:30am-2pm (Los Angeles): The Perils of QALYs - Addressing Discrimination Against People with Disabilities and Serious Chronic Conditions. Free lunch & policy forum.

Wed, 5/22, 10:30am-11:30am (Webinar: Addressing Medical Complexity.

(Webinars): Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Policy Lab - Behavioral Health Webinar Series.

In the News

Court Settlement to Help Low-Income Children With Complex Medical Needs
Not Just Along For The Ride: Families Are The Engine That Drives Pediatric Home Health Care
Obamas Bringing Disability Rights Film To Netflix
Lifting the Veil of Secrecy in Health Care Prices
New National Network for Advancing Systems of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Resources

An Almost Complete List of Services Used by Families and Children with Special Health Care Needs
Social Security Matters:Five Things Parents and Guardians Can Learn on Our Website
Disability Associated Scholarships and Awards

For more information contact info@familyvoicesofca.org.

www.familyvoicesofca.org

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