Protest to FL cuts in services - Million Disabled March 4/13/2011

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Protest to cuts in services

The Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition, Inc., in cooperation with the Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance announces the MILLION DISABLED MARCH on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at around 10:00am in protest to cuts in services through the Med Waiver and other supports.

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The Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition, Inc., in cooperation with the Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance announces the MILLION DISABLED MARCH on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at around 10:00am in protest to cuts in services through the Med Waiver and other supports.

FLAwsome! Calls on the Greater Tallahassee & Big Bend community to join it and its partners across the state in demanding that services be restored.

Tallahassee, FL, April 6, 2011: The Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition, Inc., a Florida Non-Profit Corporation founded and run by autism self- and parent- advocates, is organizing the Tallahassee portion of the ‘MILLION DISABLED MARCH and RALLY’ to protest the drastic cuts made and being made in the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver provided through Medicaid.

The ‘MILLION DISABLED MARCH and RALLY is an event planned and organized by the Florida Self-Advocacy Alliance (FSAA), an partnership of individual disability self-advocates and self-advocate-led organizations throughout the state created to provide one independent voice and a united front for persons with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

Jarl , an individual with Asperger Disorder/PDD, an autism spectrum disorder – and thus a natural disability self-advocate – is founder, president and chair of the Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition (also known as ‘FLAwsome!) and a founding member of the FSAA. Called upon to plan and prepare the Tallahassee portion of the statewide event, he rose to the challenge.

“The Florida Legislature, of course, is currently in session, writing the state budget for the next fiscal year. They are having to make hard decisions about how much money will go to what and what won’t be funded,†Jarl said, adding: “However, we feel that some of the figures being bandied around represent decreases compared to the current and past years that are too great – greater than what is needed to make up for projected state revenue shortfalls.â€

“In addition,†Jarl continued. “The Governor recently made so-called ‘emergency cuts’ to the current budget, decreasing current funding to the Waiver and other programs. Jarl questions whether he has the authority to do so.

“Already, Floridians who depend on the services this funding provides are feeling the pinch, as personal care, transportation and other necessary services are cut back,†Jarl said. “Yet, the governor seems to think that both the thousands receiving the waiver AND those on the already ever-lengthening waitlist of those eligible, but not currently receiving such funded service can all be accommodated.

“Many people seem to think that the Governor and the Legislature are getting rid of waste, as if the Waiver recipients were getting state-provided caviar and their service providers are making a killing off the fees they charge.†Shaking his head, Jarl added: “The only waste that is occurring is the waste of lives – people who are, can and should be productive, contributing members of society, but will not be.â€

Jarl also added: “In addition to the impact on recipients, their soon-to-be overburdened families and communities is the impact on the providers. These are people, often self-employed, or running a small nonprofit, already at the bare minimum of earnings on which to live themselves. He noted: “Many of them came with their clients to the Capitol last Wednesday,†referring to the ‘“Rally in Tally’ that occurred then. “We vented our anger, listened to speakers who articulated our frustration and then went to the Governor’s office to express our feeling as directly as possible,†Jarl said, adding: “It was very impromptu, last-minute, but the governor managed to be out-of-town.â€

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps low-income individuals or families pay for the costs associated with long-term medical and custodial care, provided they qualify. Although largely funded by the federal government, Medicaid is run by the state where coverage may vary.

The Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver afford States the flexibility to develop and implement creative alternatives to placing Medicaid-eligible individuals in hospitals, nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation. The HCBS waiver program recognizes that many individuals at risk of being placed in these facilities can be cared for in their homes and communities, preserving their independence and ties to family and friends at a cost no higher than that of institutional care.

Jarl says that next Wednesday’s event is not so much about trying to catch at the Capitol as to both keep reminding officials of their responsibilities as well as to inform and remind people all across the state of what is going on.

“It’s a statewide event; there are similar marches and rallies going all over Florida. We encourage people to come out and participate – and to join us in the ongoing struggle.

Jarl also noted that even those, such as himself, who are not eligible for the Waiver, are being impacted by cuts to services. “I have autism,†he says, with a grin, “but I don’t have the right kind of autism. However, there are cuts that affect me and many, many others.â€

Jarl points to the Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARDs) across the state, including the office here in Tallahassee, associated with Florida State University.

“The CARD affiliated with University of Central Florida lost the lease on its space, due to the fact that at best, funding that neither fell nor rose over the years did not keep up with costs.†He paused, frowning, before adding: “It can only get worse, no matter what.â€

Jarl asks everyone who can to join himself and others before 11:00am in the courtyard between the First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of North Street and East Park Avenue and its Education Building, downtown. “We will move up to the corner and cross the street, then march on the sidewalk up to the Capitol, where will rally underneath the eyes of our legislators and, perhaps, governor.â€

“Everyone is welcome to join us, he adds. To contact Jarl for more information, call or email jarlkjackson@.... Jarl K. , President and Chair, The Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition, Inc. ---FLAwesome!Organizer, Florida Supports CARD110 North Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301jarlkjackson@...

http://www.orgsites.com/fl/tallahassee_autism_support_coalition/index.htmlhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_TASC_Discussion_ForumWe are also on Facebook. Search: Tallahassee Autism Support Coalition, Inc.And on Blogger. http://tasc-connect.blogspot.com/