Information on State Budget Hearings

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on the state budget hearings from the ARC of Ohio. Plan to attend if you are able - make your voice heard!

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org2005 ASO Bi-Annual Conference"Reaching Beyond the Horizon - Challenging the Autism Spectrum"Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, 2005 Kingsgate Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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Hearings on the Ohio State Budget have begun. We need you to tell your story and stress the needs of Ohioans with disabilities and their families!

Attached is the entire schedule. Hearings are held in Room 313 of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Get there early and, if possible, submit 25 copies of your testimony in advance to Rep. Jim Hoops, Chair fo the Human Services Subcommittee. This may not be possible for most families outside the Columbus area so at least call prior to the hearing date and tell Representative Hoop's staff that you want on the list of those who will tesitify. (614) 466-3760 Be specific about the day you will testify and what Department Budget.

Keep your testimony to under 3 minutes and remember....make it personal. You are the expert on your family and the needs of your sons/daughters.

All hearings are in the Ohio Statehouse, Room 313

9:00 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2005 Public Testimony on Medicaid Job & Family Services Budget

The budget proposes to eliminate Dental & Vision Services. Talk about how that will affect you and your family.

There is no proposal to increase the number of Home Care Waiver Slots. We need families to testify why we need MORE Home Care Waivers.

The budget proposes to transition the ICF/MR program to Medicaid Waivers. Families should testify as to how this will affect their lives.

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Public Testimony of the Department of Health

We need families to testify on why BCMH (Bureau for Childrent with Medical Handicaps) should not be devastated by massive cuts. Again, tell your story and your needs in 3 minutes or less.

9:00 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2005

No additional IO Waivers have been requested in this budget. Families in need of an IO (Individual Options) Waiver should tell why we need more Medicaid Waivers. Waiting time for the IO Waiver has grown to over 10 years in some counties!

MR/DD needs more funding for Family Support Services and County Board Subsidies so they can continue to provide local services which include FSS and the IO and Level 1 Waivers.

Needs continue to increase among families and no increase in funding is the same as a cut!

Again, tell your personal story. Make it clear that you are speaking on behalf of yourself and your family.

Testimony before the full Finance Committee can be made:

1:30 p.m., March 15, 2005

9:30 a.m., March 16, 2005

9:00 a.m., March 17, 2005