Sign Arc NC's Online Petition!

Change.org|Free Online Petitions

In 2011, the NC General Assembly passed House Bill 916 (now SL 2011-246). It mandates that North Carolina’s Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse (MHDDSA) system of care convert to a Managed Care System by January of 2013. The shift happens in stages, with many areas of our state already affected. While The Arc has concerns about managed care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we understand the state will convert to this system.

A major issue with the new design is the replacement of independent Case Management with Care Coordination provided by the Managed Care Organization (MCO). Though we understand that Case Management as it currently exists will not be available in Managed Care sites, we believe individuals should have someone not working for the MCO responsible for writing their person centered plan and to assist them in finding the appropriate service providers. Otherwise, a conflict of interest exists.

In addition to the need for independent care coordination,

In an effort to make NC’s system more responsive, The Arc is recommending a modest set of changes to members of the General Assembly. These changes would establish independent care coordinators not working for the MCO to assist in writing Person Centered Plans and to help find the appropriate services providers. Additionally, it would require that Innovations Medicaid Waiver Slots be portable, and that where a person first received Medicaid not become a barrier for services.

These changes will have no impact on the budget that the NC House and Senate are currently working on and will not cause cost increases in future years. MCOs may have to change the way they organize Care Coordination, but with careful planning that involves qualified agencies, families, and consumers, we believe the cost to MCOs will be minimal.

It is important to note that our proposal does not restore Case Management, but rather builds upon the option that is already available in the law- Care Coordination. Our proposal requires MCOs to contract these functions for people not on the Innovations Medicaid Waiver and assures that people on Innovations have the option for an Independent Care Coordinator.

Many members of the General Assembly want to help with this plan but they need to hear from their constituents.

Please sign our petition today!

Child & Family Advocacy Day at the NCGA 5/17

“Much of the social change in America had its origin in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit lobbying is the right thing to do. It’s about empowering individuals to make their collective voices heard on a wide range of human concerns.”

--Bob Smucker, Founder

Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest

Child & Family Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly

May 17, 2012

Register now and join forces with United Way's, volunteers, Action for Children, business leaders and agency partners to create real lasting change. The day will include training on key issues, special guest speakers and an opportunity to visit with legislators. Register Now. 

Registration closes Friday, May 11, 2012.

Overview of the Day:

• 10:00 a.m. Issue Briefing at the Museum of History
• 11:00 a.m. Rally Event
• Legislative Visits
• Afternoon: Gallery Recognition - House / Senate

Steps to Participation: 

1. Decide to participate and RSVP so that we know to expect you.
2. Invite your agency partners, business leaders, family members and volunteers to join you for a day of action and advocacy. And make sure they RSVP using the link above.
3. Contact your legislators using our template as a guide to request an appointment with them while you are in Raleigh on May 17.
4. Check out the United Way's Facebook page to see why United Way should come and advocate on May 17. Representative Rick Glazier says, “United Way advocates bring a lot to the legislature.” See Representative Glazier's short video.
5. Representative Diane Parfitt tells you how to prepare for a successful day at the legislature. 
6. Also see advocacy tips online on our Facebook page and on the registration site. 

RSVP Now

Questions, suggestions? Call, email etc.

Jill K. Cox/ Government Relations and Communications Director United Way of North Carolina875 Walnut Street, STE 150B; Cary, North C 27511919-834-5200/ cell 919-215-4341/ jcox@unitedwaync.org

Advocay Day & Popcorn Rally; Raleigh

Download flier.

In text:

THE MHDDSAS COALITION OF NORTH CAROLINA INVITES YOU TO OUR ANNUAL ADVOCACY DAY & POPCORN RALLY

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

ADVOCATE FOR SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH,
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES & ADDICTIVE DISEASE

THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING IN RALEIGH

16 WEST JONES STREET, RALEIGH, NC 27601

Registration will open at 8:00 am on the back portico of the Legislative Building. Participants can get information on the day’s legislative committee meetings, the current budget proposal and begin visits with legislators.

Advocacy Trainings will take place in the Legislative Building Auditorium (third floor). Beginning at 9:00 am, short trainings will be held on ways to effectively communicate your message to Legislators. Volunteers will be in the auditorium with tips & techniques for making the most of your legislative visit.

Popcorn will be available on the portico beginning at 11:00 am!

(Please note that lunch will NOT be provided.)

RALLY – at 12:00 pm on Bicentennial Mall on Jones Street, across from the Legislative Building.

PARKING: Passengers in vehicles of any kind must be dropped off at the LEGISLATIVE BUILDING and park in other locations. Directions & parking information can be found on the website for the General Assembly.

Visit www.thecoalitionnc.org for more information.

The Coalition encourages you to participate in this event as we advocate for funding for mental health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services!

Additional Message from the Arc NC

Earlier today, you should have received a Policy Partners email outlining why North Carolina Should Slow Down Managed Care Implementation. It will take the combined efforts of our members and allies to get the General Assembly and the Administration to listen. That's why we are asking you to:

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

We need you to tell your story to the decision makers in state government about how changing to a Managed Care system has affected you or will affect you, making sure to tell them:

• North Carolina needs to Slow Down Managed Care Implementation Until They Get It Right!
   
• Restore Case Management to People With Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities!
   
• Require that Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) prove that they are prepared to manage the new system effectively before they can move forward

Who Should I Contact, Where Should I Go?

Who to Contact:

• Your NC legislators (both your NC Senator & Representative) Click here to see who represents you, or contact Ben Akroyd at The Arc of NC for help (bakroyd@arcnc.org, 919.500.8382)
• Acting Secretary of DHHS Albert Delia (919.855.4800, al.delia@dhhs.nc.gov)
• Your friends, family, and neighbors! Ask them to reach out to NC's decision makers as well!

Events to Attend:

• Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for Health and Human Services

  Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 9:30 am
  Room 643 of the NC Legislative Office Building (Across from the Legislative Building)
  330 N Salisbury Street
  Raleigh, NC 27603

• The Coalition Rally at the NC Legislative Building (flyer posted here)
  

  Tuesday, May 22, 2012
  8:00 am - Registration on the back portico of the Legislative Building
  9:00 am - Advocacy Training in the Legislative Building Auditorium (third floor)
  12:00 noon - Rally at 12 noon on Bicentennial Mall on Jones Street, across from the Legislative Building 

• The DHHS Waiver Advisory Committee
  (Sign up to speak ahead of time by calling Kathy Nichols with DMA at 919-855-4289 or Ken Marsh with DMHDDSAS at 919-715-1294)

  May 22, 2012 from 1-3:00 pm
  NCSU McKimmon Center
  1101 Gorman Street
  Raleigh, NC 27603

Thank you for your continued advocacy! We are facing some of the biggest changes to the I/DD system in over forty years, and your help is needed now more than ever!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact Ben Akroyd at bakroyd@arcnc.org or 919.500.8382.

Rally in Raleigh: 5/22 Mark Your Calendars!

The Arc of North Carolina 
07 May 2012

The Rally in Raleigh: The Coalition Advocacy Day

Managed Care Issues Make Rally Especially Important On Tuesday May 22, The Coaltion will have its Annual Advocacy Day & Popcorn Rally at the NC Legislative Building in Raleigh. The implications of the current Managed Care implementation schedule make it especially important for self-advocates and their families to attend! The Coalition is an alliance of over 40 Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse organizations of which The Arc of NC has long been a part.  Details on the Rally coming soon. Sign up for The Arc of NC's newsletter. Policy Partners is The Arc of North Carolina's biweekly email newsletter. It covers developmental disability policy on the federal, state, and occasionally local level. Its also a great way to learn about events The Arc is having in your area!

Arc NC message : Slow Managed Care

The Arc of North Carolina
May 7, 2012

NC should slow down Managed Care Implementation

Cost of overly rapid tranistion being paid by those with I/DD in NC The Arc of NC believes the state of North Carolina must slow the implementation of the 1915(bc) combination waiver in order to avoid serious transition issues and unintended consequences due to unreasonable implementation timelines, and to revise plans in the design of the Managed Care Waiver. The Arc raised significant concerns about the managed care model during the last legislative session. In good faith, we have attempted to work with the state to implement this model and to point out where it does not work. Our good faith efforts resulted in little action from the State and a continued rush to implement a system that could harm people with developmental disabilities and their families.  For example: Despite language allowing for the provision of care coordination by independent agencies, no MCO has chosen to implement this option; individuals and families are losing their case management and their independent voice  Individuals cross walking from CAP to the Innovations waiver are having service changes that are not in the best interest of the individual Medicaid “county of origin” is causing serious implementation issues Payment and authorization systems are not working as intended Community Guide is not available for the people who need it now (since they no longer have a Case Manager) There is little coordination between the service and the medical side of Medicaid How guardianship will be provided has yet to be resolved   - Click to Read More -   Sign up for The Arc of NC's newsletter. Policy Partners is The Arc of North Carolina's biweekly email newsletter. It covers developmental disability policy on the federal, state, and occasionally local level. Its also a great way to learn about events The Arc is having in your area!

Action Request from MARC

Message from Noel Watts of the Marketing Association for Rehabilitation Centers

May 3, 2012

Time for all to Speak Up:

Members of the Marketing Association for Rehabilitation Centers (MARC), the North Carolina Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (NCARF) and the Arc of North Carolina are making a concerted effort with the General Assembly to impact the timeline for statewide implementation of the 1915 bc Medicaid Waiver. We are asking that the following crucial issues be resolved before moving forward with the Waiver's implementation schedule:

1. Implement a statewide IT system
2. Implement a statewide system of guidelines and procedures for services and administration
3. Clarify CAP Innovations Slot portability and County of Origin
4. Restore Targeted Case Management
5. Implement LOC review of cost shifting of administrative costs to providers and moving private sector jobs into the public sector
6. Insist that DHHS develop a program model for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities that are habilitative with support services rather than a Medical Rehabilitation Model.

Currently, a debate is rising in the NC House and Senate about critical service issues with LME/MCO's and the need to solve these issues prior to moving forward with the plan. Other healthcare provider groups and associations are also communicating their frustrations to members of the General Assembly.

It is our hope that private providers and consumers will, over the coming two weeks, contact all of your legislators and let them know about your issues, concerns, and first hand experiences with the Innovations Waiver and LME/MCO organizations.

In addition to contacting your respective Legislators, please copy your messages to: 

Senator Jim Davis  

Jim.Davis@ncleg.net 

Senator Ralph Hise

Rahph.Hise@ncleg.net

Remember that this is the Short Session thus causing a narrow window for communication. Please send your messages or make your personal phone calls as soon as you can.

Thanks,
Noel Watts
President and CEO
MARC, Inc.

http://www.marcinc.com/