8/27/08 Action Alert

[Guest guest]

Dear Families and Friends:

I am sending information on a very important Action Alert from Unlock the Waiting List and Governor Perdue releases reorganization plan for DHR.

Thank you,

Heidi Fernandez

"Knowledge is Power"

1. RIGHT NOW, HELP US ASK DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO SAY NO TO CUTS TO NEW AND EXISTING DD SERViCES, the 3% RATE INCREASE, AND TO DISABILITY TRAINING!

As Unlock informed you in an earlier action alert last week, Governor Perdue has ordered the Department of Human Resources to reduce their current year’s FY09 budget by 6% which translates to $92 million.

DHR’s Board met on August 20th to review the proposed cuts. These cuts could be a permanent step backwards for Georgia. Among other things, the cuts include important funding for unlocking services for persons with disabilities, a much needed 3% rate increase for DD providers, and funding for the disability training of professionals and families.

Georgia has over 6,160 people with developmental disabilities currently on community waiting lists. The waiting lists grow every year by over 1,000 people because individuals and families fall into crisis, or caregivers pass away. Over 700 students age out of the school system every year, needing supports. The multi-year funding plan called for 2,500 services last year, and we received only 500. This year the plan also calls for 2,500, and the current budget proposal includes only the 150 MRWP services we need to meet the requirement of the Money Follows Person initiative.

WE NEED YOUR HELP CONTACTING THE DHR COMMISSIONER AND THE DHR BOARD BY AUGUST 29TH!

RIGHT NOW, ASK THEM TO SAY NO TO CUTS TO NEW AND EXISTING DD SERViCES, the 3% RATE INCREASE, AND TO DISABILITY TRAINING!

TO ACT, GO TO http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html

Dave Blanchard

Unlock the Waiting Lists Campaign

2. STATE OF GEORGIA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Sonny PerdueGOVERNOR

For Immediate Release Contact: Office of Communications

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Governor Perdue releases reorganization plan for DHR

Creates stand alone agency for mental health, addictive disease programs

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue released the findings of the Health and Human Services Task Force, which calls for a new Department of Behavioral Health encompassing the mental health and addictive disease programs currently housed in the Department of Human Resources.

“Since DHR’s creation 35 years ago under Governor Jimmy , our state’s growth and healthcare needs have changed dramatically,” Governor Perdue said. “This restructuring of DHR recognizes those changing needs and puts in place a framework for a more efficient, effective delivery of these critical services.”

In addition to a new department focused solely on behavioral health, the proposed reorganization plan calls for merging the Department of Community Health with the public health and health regulation programs of DHR to make up a reconstituted Department of Health. Current DCH Commissioner Dr. Rhonda Medows would lead the new Department of Health.

The remaining social services under DHR would become the Department of Human Services. Programs included in this department would include Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Child Support. Current DHR Commissioner B.J. will lead the new Department of Human Services.

The proposal calls for legislation to be introduced when the General Assembly convenes next January with the transition to the new agencies occurring on July 1, 2009.

“It has been exciting serving with my fellow legislators and governor’s staff as we look to transform the delivery of health and human services in Georgia,” said Senator Unterman. “This has been a lot of work and there still is a lot of work to do. This is a step in the right direction and I look forward to working closely with the agencies, legislature and advocacy communities on these important changes.”

In addition to Sen. Unterman, three other legislators served on the task force: Sen. Jack Hill, Rep. Ben Harbin and Rep. Mark .

“This is a positive step on the road to correcting our mental and public health systems,” Rep. said. “It is a huge step for this administration to pull these fragile lives out of this larger mix to get them the help and attention they need.”