UPDATE ON iBUDGET INPUT

[Guest guest]

Manythanks to all of you who are taking the time to send your comments to APD and the legislators regarding the iBudget implementation. Over 150 people have responded but there are 30,000 people receiving services andmany are expected to receive a 40% cut. This is so very important!These are life changing decisions affecting our most vulnerable. Everyone should weigh in on this, including family members and service providers. It only takes a minute, HERE IS THE LINK. It's so easy. I encourage you to do so immediately. Tomorrow is the deadline for input. Thank you for taking action. FYI If it helps, the comments I submitted are below:Developmentally Disabled people and advocates were lured into a process of creating the iBudget with promises of choice and flexibility. Unfortunately this effort was compromised with the application of an inconsistent and invalid algorithm and the indiscriminate identificationof 'core services'. This negates the choice and flexibility that was originally intended in the iBudget. More importantly, if applied almost half of all consumers will lose 40% of their budgets. This creates chaos, and tumult in the lives of those who can least tolerate it. It will only make their lives more difficult adding stress and anxiety, increasing their behaviors just as the tiers, and all the other continual changes have. In addition, taking out $100 million for extraordinary needs is proof of the inaccuracy and that implementation will not be successful.It will trigger appeals which will nullify the expected savings, just asthe tiers did.Bottom line is that the system will never stabilize as long as the funding allocations are inadequate. Most importantly, if these cuts are implemented, the unintended consequences will cost much more than properly funding the current needs. Over 50% of consumers will be placed in group homes, costing the state much more, and 54% of their caregivers will be forced to quit their jobs in order to stay home and care for them. Please stop this constant madness and address the realityof the needs of this population with adequate funding to insure their safety and well being. They cannot care for themselves, through no fault of their own, and it is our moral obligation to provide a safe, meaningful life for them. K. Goldstein Goldstein Consulting, Inc.Education - Health & Human Services - State & Local Government - Business215 West College Avenue, Suite 411, Tallahassee, FL 323062645 Executive Park Drive, Suite 153, Weston, FL 33331@...The information contained in this transmission and any attachments may contain privileged and confidential information. It is intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. To: deniseslist From: deniseslist@...Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:14:05 -0800Subject: Nice letter from Sen Montford re iBudget Comments ----- Forwarded Message ----- To: ' Karp' Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 3:28 PM Subject: RE: iBudget Comments Hi ! It's good to hear from you and thanks for your email. Also, I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts regarding funding for developmentally disabled services. I too am concerned about funding for this wonderful program and believe we must help and protect those who are most vulnerable in this state. In addition, I commit that I will be on the lookout for funding issues relating to developmental disability funding and will vote to ensure we maintain proper funding. Thanks again for your email and thanks for your help in the fight.Bill Bill MontfordState Senator â–ª 6th District 208 Senate Office Building404 South Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1100Phone: Fax: Please Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are considered to be public records and will be made available to the public and the media upon request. Your e-mail messages may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure. From: Karp Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:43 PMTo: MONTFORD.BILL.WEBSubject: iBudget Comments Dear Senator Montford,Clearly, the latest incarnation of the iBudget is going to be a disaster for the developmentally disabled currently receiving services under the DD Medicaid Waiver. Choice and self-direction are vital to this population, however both these would be eliminated, or at best severely restricted, if currentproposal stands. Most of all, our budgets have already sustained several cuts recently, any more will severely impact qualify of life, certainly for my own 17 year old autistic child, as well as for the majority of those affected. Please do not use the iBudget process to cut our services. We need the legislature to step up and fund services for the developmentally disabled. KarpCoral Springsdeniseslist@...