SMC Public Forums re MHDDSAS Funding Cuts

But at least LME executives were authorized those salary increases...

From: smc.news@smokymountaincenter.com To: marykshort@aol.com Sent: 7/26/2012 11:31:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight TimeSubj: Community Forums: Funding Cuts for MH/IDD/SA Services   Regional Community Forums: Funding Reductions for Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Services  NC's 2012-2013 State Budget includes major funding reductions for mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability. The reductions are effective July 1, 2012.   The funding reduction for services in Smoky Mountain Center (SMC) counties is $3,482,254.   Get information about our plan to manage these reductions, and the possible impact for you and others in your community.   See dates and locations below, or click to view the event flyer.  Monday, August 6 6:00 p.m. SMC Western Region Administrative Office 44 Bonnie Lane Sylva, NC 28779  Tuesday, August 7 6:00 p.m. SMC Northern Region Administrative Office 895 State Farm Road Suite 400-B Boone, NC 28607  Thursday, August 9 6:00 p.m. Caldwell County Public Library  120 Hospital Avenue Room # 7 Lenoir, NC 28645 For Access to Services, call toll-free: 1-800-849-6127 24 hours a day, 7 days a week      Smoky Mountain Center manages mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and substance abuse services in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Swain, Watauga, and Wilkes counties in North Carolina. www.smokymountaincenter.com  smc.news@smokymountaincenter.com

NC DHHS Press Release re Jim Jarrad

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
For Immediate Release
July 13, 2012
Contact: Julie Henry, 919-855-4840
julie.henry@dhhs.nc.gov

Secretary Delia Selects Jarrard to Lead Division of Mental Health

RALEIGH - N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Al Delia has announced the appointment of Jim Jarrard as acting director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS), effective immediately. Jarrard has been deputy director of the division since October 2010 and worked closely with Division Director Steve Jordan, who was killed last week in a bicycle crash.

“The Department suffered a devastating loss with Steve’s death and we will miss his energy and passion for mental health services and the people we serve,” Delia said. “Jim Jarrard is a knowledgeable and respected leader who I am confident will continue to lead the Division in a positive direction.”

Jarrard has been with the Division of MH/DD/SAS since 1994, serving in a variety of roles. Prior to becoming deputy director, Jarrard was chief of the Resource and Regulatory Management Section, which is responsible for fiscal monitoring, accountability, and regulatory compliance, support of information technology and contracts management. He also served as a team lead for Accountability. Jarrard holds a doctorate in theology and was a pastoral counselor and parish minister before joining the Division.

“Our division is a great model of resiliency for the consumers we serve,” Jarrard said. “We have a duty to keep the focus on our mission to protect the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians. I look forward to continuing our positive and productive relationships with community advocates, partners and providers.”

The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS) provides leadership and support to community partners, providers and local management entities/managed care organizations to deliver prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse disorders in North Carolina.

Death of HHS Director Steve Jordan

It was just last week that my daughter's Case Manager, a dear friend of mine, passed away - followed two days later by my beloved Grandma, a woman who practically raised me and shaped me into the stubborn, strong-willed pain in the butt I am today... then NC icon Andy Griffith (Grandma always loved Andy). --Death has been busy.

This morning I woke to the tragic news of Steve Jordan's untimely death...

I had a great deal of respect for North Carolina's DHHS Director and sincerely liked Steve as a person and professional as I got to know him.

He was the one who responded to my initial letter on behalf of Governor Perdue.

Not long ago, Mr. Jordan told me after I spoke as a parent at the June 8th Behavioral Health and I/DD System Leadership Congress at UNC Chapel Hill with the Jordan Institute for Families that he bet I gave a hell of a closing argument... I told him I bet I would too if I were an attorney.

He was surprised to learn I wasn't; I guess that was quite a compliment.

This is what I had said that day...

Between breaks at the 'summit', I had an opportunity to chat with Mr. Jordan more at length. I told him of the various members of the NC General Assembly I had spoken to and how most were completely unaware of the information I brought to them and admittedly did not have a good understanding of what was going on. I mentioned the CAP I/DD 8M Public Comments to DMA from 2011 and asked if he had ever seen them; he said he had not. I told him my concerns about how parents were not being heard. I mentioned the difficulties families faced just trying to find the time to speak out, write, be heard and told him I idea of hosting a special "meet and greet" at the Museum of Natural Science across the street from the General Assembly - and how museum administrators shared with me that in their experience, members of the General Assembly never commit and just do not show up... Steve told me if I brought a group of parents together, that I had his word that he would come and listen. "They might not like all my answers, but I promise to show up and I promise to listen and do what I can to help."

I believed Steve Jordan to be a man of his word - a trait not as common these days as it should be - and believe he had a sincere desire to bring about a positive change where special populations are supported with dignity to the very best of our capabilities as a state and in a system where everyone had their needs met and no one fell through the cracks, not cashed out as sacrificial lambs.

At that same leadership congress, a meeting of the minds in the field of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse which Steve was instrumental in orchestrating in an effort to bring all stakeholders to the table to bridge the divide and work together, attendees worked all day together brainstorming the key issues and considerations in what a successful system would like. We came together and worked together... At the end of the day, the common ideas, solutions and key concerns were compiled and presented to the large group. In my humble opinion, many of the best ideas regarding consumer and family input and ownership did not make it to the final draft as they appeared to be minority opinions.

Vicki Smith, Director of Disability Rights, NC, stood up in protest and pointed out that the deck was stacked with LME and MCO representatives as indicative of the results. She observed there was not one single DD citizen in the group, only a small handful of 5 or 6 parents, perhaps a few more who were agency provider representatives, DHHS figures and everyone else participating were figure heads (as well as their attorneys) from various Local Management Entities. She said something along the lines of - until consumers and families were fairly represented and heard, we would continue to repeat past mistakes and there would be no success.

And as Vicki spoke, I watched arms begin to cross defensively and felt the room fill up with tention. 

A gentleman near me, a veteran provider, chuckled and shook his head. I inquired, stunned that he wasn't taking this seriously - seeing the critical need to protect the populations he served... He explained, "It's the same shit every time. Every time there is a new and improved system of change we have this same conversation and it just gets worse and worse every time. I'll believe it when I see it."

Another gentleman who had addressed the room earlier on the topic of substance abuse stood and commented that he frequently attended local Town Hall meetings on the Waiver and how he never saw many parents; he said he tried to encourage people to come and speak out but he didn't know why they didn't.

From the other side of the room I blurted out, "I know why and I'll be happy to explain." The microphone was passed to me... I don't recall my exact words, but my message was this:

Unless you live this life every day, you have NO idea what it's like raising, caring for, advocating and providing for a child with profound special needs and disabilities. You may work in the field, you may have special knowledge and insight of challenges and circumstances but you get to go home at the end of the day... We continue to live it every moment of every day. You cannot begin to imagine the undertaking it is just to make a trip to the grocery store with your child alone - carrying a backpack of stuff just in case - and hoping like hell you manage to get even the bare necessities without incident... Let alone packing up medical supplies and stem-toys, special foods and snacks, diapers and a change of clothes, wheelchairs and communication devices and special equipment to drive hours across the state to meet with representatives for 30 minutes without a meltdown or your child soiling their clothes - or sit in a Town Hall meeting for 2 hours with the expectation of being able to concentrate on what's going on... Often, when we do not have coverage - reliable, trustworthy staff to care for our children - we are prisoners in our own lives. 

And yes, EVERY VOICE MUST BE HEARD! If the voice cannot come to the table, then the table MUST go to the voice... Until EVERY VOICE, every stakeholder, has equal ownership in this process, there will be remain a divide and there will be NO mutual success for anyone, least of all our children.

In his closing remarks, the first thing Steve Jordan said was, "Vicki is right."

He then relayed a lesson he learned the hard way from his first peloton (competitive cycling) event when he was "much younger and better looking"... How he had bolted away and left his team behind, rode well and finished in great time alone. His teammates gradually caught up to him behind the finish line as he stood quite pleased with himself and smiling - and said he was glad he still had his helmet on because the team leader came right up to him and hit him over the head, hard, telling him how stupid he was for leaving his team. Did you not realize the team leader asked the 'younger and better looking' Steve Jordan, that we work together and depend on each other to win as a team? Did you not know that when you break away from those who are counting on you, you began to work against us - and we all worked against you?

Amen Steve. Ride on.

Speaking Notes from 6/8 I/DD System Leadership

Earlier last month, June 8th, I attended the NC Behavioral Health and I/DD System Leadership Congress at UNC Chapel Hill with the Jordan Institute for Families and spoke as a consumer parent. 

This leadership "summit" as I like to think of it, was an brilliant idea and effort to bring together all the powers that be in North Carolina's Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services systems for a day of laying aside our egos and finding common ground. Among the rules: "No shame, No blame, and No enemies"...

It is my understanding that the late Steve Jordan, Director of North Carolina's Division of Health and Human Services, was instrumental in manifesting this vision.

Below are my speaking notes from that day...

I'm proud to say there were many tears as I walked away from the microphone, followed by numerous hugs. --Those tears gave me hope... It is our humanity that connects us and without that, we are all lost.

Speaking Notes

When I was invited to participate in this “summit” – a gathering of intelligent minds and caring souls for an active listening dialogue toward a common good, I thought, “What a novel idea!” and so wore today the closest thing I own to bellbottoms! So please pardon my casual appearance; it is my day off. –I understand we’ll be roasting marshmallows afterwards.

Rather than tell MY story, I’m going to do something a bit different. 

I’m going to tell A story…

Could our video guys please dim the lights a little; as low as you can still record?

Thank you.

Most of you raised your hands at the beginning when asked if you knew someone or had someone in your family affected by mental health issues. Most of you are probably parents as well.

Think of these people now: those you know and your own children…

Let’s take just a moment here to STOP… 

I’d like for you each to close your eyes… take a deep breath and imagine, just for a brief instance, that you are not a State Director nor Department Representative, not a Policy-maker nor LME, nor Provider; you’re not an elected official, not a politician, nor even a party affiliate – it’s not that you don’t care what’s going on in the world around you, but your world demands all of your time and energy... 

You are only an expert in what you know: your life, your family, your children.

Imagine that you’re just an average North Carolinian living paycheck to paycheck trying to be the absolute best parent you can be providing for a child you never anticipated; a child you would give your life for just to hear them speak the words, “I love you.” 

You juggle all your time between coordinating and attending appointments with doctors and specialists and therapists, attending IEP, ESY and CNR meetings and a whole host of other acronyms, working to provide for your family, feeling guilty over the lack of “normalcy” and opportunity left over for siblings, researching special education law and medical issues, catching up on missed work, catching up on missed life, neglecting your own needs, networking with other parents searching for answers and sharing resources, learning sign language, physically caring for your special child, giving injections, changing g-tubes and adult diapers, and fighting for their rights – against the school, against the county, against a library that discriminated against your child, against the State who threatens not just their livelihood and quality of existence… but the very ability to LIVE.

You pray, you cry, you curse, you question… and you pray and cry some more.

You stopped thinking long ago about providing a better life for him or her than you once had; you only want what’s right and just and to not have to wake every single morning wondering that which haunts you to your core, “What would happen to my child if something happened to me?”... Just for a second, please imagine, please consider, what if this were your child? 

And this is only a tiny intimate glimpse into one perspective among many, many distinctly unique personal challenges and needs. There are countless more individual lives with different experiences, different abilities and different needs – as different as our own fingerprints.

I maintain – the Human Element is missing. In the shared passion and determination to make a difference, we have lost sight of our reason for being here. THAT is our disconnect. And the human element is what connects us ALL.

We are NOT afraid of change. Our lives ARE change.

What we’re afraid of is FAILURE:

• Of failing the potential and purpose of each and every individual, regardless of need or ability. 
• Of failing Ourselves. 
• Of failing the children who emanate love and spirit unconditionally and at the end of the day, keep it real. 
• Of failing those we love and care far: 
• Who are fragile, 
• Who are in need, 
• Who are struggling to maintain, 
• Who desperately DESIRE to BE, 
• Who are INTENDED to BE. 

We are ALL INTENDED to BE.

Everyone has something to teach… My daughter Isabel is my greatest teacher.

What can we learn from one another? 

We are ALL EXPERTS in OUR OWN LIVES and it IS PERSONAL.

And NONE of us can afford NOT to get this right on this level of magnitude…

How do we fix it?

Thank you.

Crystal J. De la Cruz - Hopper 

Special Mom, DD Advocate, & Concerned NC Citizen 

June 8, 2012 Leadership Congress

Mecklenburg Co. Waiver Extentions

MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Area Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
June 19, 2012
PROVIDER HOT SHEET

 

Link:  http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/AreaMentalHealth/ForProviders/Hot%20Sheets/06192012HotSheet.pdf

 

⇒ CAP I/DD Waiver - The North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance has been notified that the current CAP MR/DD Waiver will be extended beyond the planned 6/28/12 end date. Therefore, implementation of the CAP I/DD Waiver will be delayed until further notification. Targeted Case Managers should advise participants and families of this notice. Updated information is anticipated in the coming week and will be communicated through the Hot Sheet. Please note that this change has no bearing on the scheduled implementation of the Innovations Waiver in January 2013.

 

 

MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Area Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
June 25, 2012
PROVIDER HOT SHEET

 

Link: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/AreaMentalHealth/ForProviders/Hot%20Sheets/06252012HotSheet.pdf

 

⇒ CAP I/DD Waiver - The North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance has been notified that the current CAP MR/DD Waiver will be extended beyond the planned 6/28/12 end date. Therefore, implementation of the CAP I/DD Waiver will be delayed until further notification. Targeted Case Managers should advise participants and families of this notice. Updated information is anticipated in the coming week and will be communicated through the Hot Sheet. Please note that this change has no bearing on the scheduled implementation of the Innovations Waiver in January 2013.

NC DHHS Press Release

From:  Titus, Trina Tue, Jun 19, 2012 at 4:51 PM

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2012

Contact: Chrissy Pearson
919-855-4835 or Chrissy.pearson@dhhs.nc.gov

Secretary Delia Announces Reorganization of State Medicaid, DHHS Leadership Team

State Medicaid office will now report directly to Secretary

Raleigh– North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Al Delia today announced that he is reorganizing the leadership teams that oversee the state’s Medicaid division.

The changes come after careful evaluation of the Department’s management, said Delia, who was named acting secretary in February.

Michael Watson, DHHS chief deputy secretary, will become the new head of the state’s Medicaid office, the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA). That position will be elevated to serve on the Secretary’s executive leadership team. Watson joined the Department in 2009 as an assistant secretary. He is the former CEO for Sandhills Center for MH/DD/SAS, with more than 20 years of experience and leadership in developing and operating mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services on a local and regional level. His salary remains $160,000.

Watson replaces Dr. Craigan Gray, who served as director of DMA since April 2009 at a salary of $270,000.

Beth Melcher, assistant secretary for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services development since August 2010, will become chief deputy secretary. Melcher, a licensed psychologist, is the former president of Recovery Innovations North Carolina. She was clinical director of The Durham Center, and also worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness North Carolina as its executive director and as public policy director. Her salary will be $141,797.

John Dervin, the secretary’s senior policy adviser since March 2012, will step into a newly created role as chief of staff. Dervin previously served as policy adviser for health and human services for Governor Perdue. His salary will remain $84,000.

“After nearly six months in this role, my first priority for strengthening our management team is to elevate the state Medicaid office to play a more prominent role in the Department’s decision-making process,” said Secretary Delia. “Medicaid is not a stand-alone division. It touches not only multiple DHHS divisions but also plays a huge part in shaping the state budget. We need better communications and stronger oversight of this $12 billion program. I believe these changes will accomplish that.”

These staff changes are effective immediately.

###

NCGA JLOC on HHS 5/15 Meeting Agenda

Note for those unable to attend:

Interested stakeholders unable to attend the JLOC HHS meeting (or any other legislative meetings) in Raleigh, may listen in via live Audio Broadcast on the NCGA website. 

In the event you are unable to listen live, the audio recording, as well as agenda and supporting documents, reports, etc. for this meeting will be posted afterward on the JLOC HHS webpage.

Meeting Agenda:

JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGENDA

May 15, 2012

8:30 A.M.; Room 643, Legislative Office Building
Senator Louis Pate, Co-Chair, Presiding      

Personal Care Services and Medicaid I-Waiver Status Update ......... 8:30-9:10
   Albert Delia, Acting Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
   Tara Larson, Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Division of Medical Assistance

Overview of State County Special Assistance and In-Home Special Assistance  .........  9:10-9:35
   Suzanne Merrill, Adult Services Section Chief, Division of Aging and Adult Services
   Curtis Crouch, Section Chief, Cost Accounting/Financial Reporting, DHHS Controller's Office

Institutes of Mental Disease Status Update  .........  9:35-10:10
   Tara Larson, Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Division of Medical Assistance

US DOJ Investigation of Mental Health System Status Update  .........  10:10-10:55
   Emery Milliken, General Counsel, Department of Health and Human Services

Medicaid 1915 b/c Waiver Status Update  .........  10:55-11:30
   Kelly Crosbie, Chief, Behavioral Health Policy Section, Division of Medical Assistance

Report of the Sub-Committee on LME Governance ......... 11:30-11:55
   Representative Nelson Dollar, Subcommittee Chair

DHHS Requested Statutory Changes- Provisional Licensure  ......... 11:55-12:10
   Beth Melcher, Assistant Secretary for MH/DD/SAS Development

JLOC-HHS - Recommended Legislation to the 2012 Regular Session ......... 12:10-12:30
   Committee Chairs

Adjourn.

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!

PBH Documents

 Piedmont Behavioral Health (PBH) documents.

• PBH Press Release and Response to US District Court Judge Louise Flanagan's March 29th ruling for preliminary injunction (DRNC KC et al. v. DHHS and PBH), from PBH Communications Director, Rachel Porter. April 2, 2012.
• PBH Waiver Expansion Frequently Asked Questions. December 19, 2011.
• The PBH Managed Care Experience; A Comparison to Non-Managed Care Local Managed Entities, power point presentation. December 1, 2011.
• PBH Continuous Quality Improvement Program Description, 2011-2012. October 31, 2011.
• The NC NH/DD/SAS Health Plan; PBH Consumer & Family Member Handbook, Fourth Edition, 2010. October 31, 2011.
• The PBH Model; The Provider's Council, by Pam Shipman and Stephen Tomlinson, re: Public Management of a system of care for the delivery of privately operated Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Susbtance Use Services; A real public private partnership. October 5, 2011.
• PBH Press Release and Response to Support Needs Matrix Litigation (e.g. lawsuit filed by Disability Rights NC alleging violations of due process rights). July 15, 2011.
• PBH Finance Communication Bulletin FY-1011-FN-10, Innovations Service Rate Revisions. April 14, 2011.
• The PBH Model, a power point presentation entitled, Public Management of a system of care for the delivery of privately operated Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental DIsabilities and Substance Abuse Services, by Pam Shipman. March 8, 2011.
• PBH Waiver Expansion Advantages. January 11, 2011. 
• PBH 2010 Annual Report.
• PBH Provider Manual, Comprehensive Update. December 22, 2010.
• PBH power point presentation: Medicaid Waivers, PBH Outcomes and Thinking Ahead to 2014; A Presentation for the NC Alliance for the Mentally Ill, by Pam Shipman. September 10, 2010.
• PBH Support Needs Matrix: Words to Know. July, 2010.
• PBH Response to the Position Paper of the Arc of NC entitled, Why People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their Families should support the expansion of the 1915b/c waiver to other LME's in NC. April 29, 2010.
• PBH Myths and Facts Booklet on Innovations Waiver. April, 2010.
• PBH Board Meeting Minutes. January 21, 2010.
• PBH System of Care Collaborative Minutes. January 19, 2010.
• PBH Press Release announcing Transition to State-wide Waiver Plan. January 6, 2010.
• PBH Legislative Agenda Success announcement. July 7, 2008.
• PBH Request for Intent; Innovations Waiver Community Guide Service. January 16, 2008.
• PBH Local Business Plan, 2007; Executive Summary. May 8, 2007.
• PBH NC Quality Assessments and Improvement Strategies. January 1, 2007.

Mental Health Reform 3.0

I recently learned of a talented and very ambitious research journalist and UNC student, Lydia Wilson, who chose (yes, chose) to focus on North Carolina's Medicaid Waiver for her master's thesis. 

In her email below, she states that she's "especially interested in human stories of what this system is and why it matters"... A focus on real people? What a novel idea!

Whether you're a parent, provider or any interested stakeholder affected by the new waiver changes and have a story to share, I encourage you to contact Lydia. If you need an introduction, please contact me via no2nchb916@gmail.com.

Lydia's email:

I've just published "Mental Health Reform 3.0," the multimedia news website about North Carolina's Medicaid reform for which I interviewed you recently (or read your writing, blogging, reporting, etc...). This was started as my Masters thesis for the School of Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. I'm writing to thank you for your time contributing to the reporting and invite your feedback.

The website can be found at http://www.ncmentalhealthreform.com. At its core are four text articles, called "Reform 101," explaining the story of how N.C.'s reforms to the services for people with mental health or substance abuse disorders or intellectual or developmental disabilities came to be and where they're going. You'll also find an interactive timeline of the reforms, a glossary of key terms, graphics explaining certain issues and personal stories of those affected by the policy.

I will continue covering news of North Carolina's Medicaid reform through 2013 at least. So, please do call or email if there's something that is not covered that should be.

I'm especially interested in human stories of what this system is and why it matters. From policy makers to consumers, if you know people who want to share their story, please send them my way.

I hope you'll excuse the formality of this group email. But it's in part because so many people gave so much time, information and perspective. I appreciate your time sharing your story and hope you'll continue to do so.

As a last note, Rose Hoban of North Carolina Health News has been doing an immense amount of reporting about these reforms and the broader context of healthcare and policy in our state. Follow her site for comprehensive journalism, as well: http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/  

What's New in March?

March 2012 events and updates.

• Preliminary Injunction 3/29 Ordered by Federal Justice Flanagan in the Disability Rights NC suit against NC DHHS and PBH; posted on US Case Law page.
• added Updated Service Definitions (02/2012) and new Comparison Grid of Services document (01/2012) to CAP-MR/DD page.
• Second meeting with Dr. Pat Porter in Raleigh, 3/28.
• Met with Dr. Patricia Porter in Chapel Hill, 3/16.
• moved Correspondence page to top tab link Correspondence... (apparently there is too much data for a regular entry post; information truncates upon upload). Correspondence exchanges to date can be found there...
• Updated Correspondence page with responses and replies to date. 
• Sent email to Joint Caucus Leader Rep. Marilyn Avila, 3/15.
• Email sent out today from DHHS Sandy Ellsworth announcing, "CMS has approved the extension of the Comprehensive and Supports CAP-I/DD waivers though June 28."
• Sent follow-up email to Representative Bill Current, 3/14.
• Sent follow-up email to Senator Tommy Tucker, 3/13.
• Attended the 3/13 Joint Legislative Oversight Committee meeting on Health and Human Services downtown Raleigh:
• DHHS Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Tara Larson, announced that Federal funding for Medicaid programs which provide Personal Care Services (PCS) in residential settings for Physically Disabled, Developmentally Disabled, and Elderly recipients is due to end April 30, 2012... And the State has NO PLAN. 
• News article: NC personal care services for thousands may end by Gary D. Robertson - Associated Press on NewsObserver.com; March 13, 2012.
• News article: Medicaid deadline jeopardizes residents of adult care homes by Lynn Bonner - LBONNER@NewsObserver.com

  
  Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/13/1928599/medicaid-deadline-jeopardizes.html#storylink=cpyRead more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/13/1928918/nc-personal-care-services-for.html#storylink=cpy

• Introductions and brief chats with: Senator Tommy Tucker, Representative Bill Current, Senator Fletcher Hartsell, Joint Caucus Leader / Representative Marilyn Avila... and though try as I might, couldn't seem to pin down Representative Nelson Dollar.
• expanded on 916 to Waiver Plan to include more background information on House Bill 916 to State Law to the new statewide Medicaid Waiver plan.
• changed name of About HB 916 header link to 916 to Waiver Plan.
• added page with MHDDSA and legal acronyms and legal terminology: Acronyms, Etc. If you have others to add, please let me know.
• Posted Disability Right NC's Federal Class Action Complaint on behalf of KC et al. against NC DHHS and PBH, filed 07/01/2011 and Memorandum in Support, filed 03/02/2012 to US Case Law page.
• Met with Disability Rights of North Carolina, 3/7. 
• Posted Disability Rights NC's Federal Class Action Complaint  on behalf of Pashby et al. against NC DHHS, filed 05/31/2011, as well as the DRNC Press Release to US Case Law page.
• Received a written response from Commissioner Lewis of the US Administration on Developmental Disabilities; posted in Correspondence, 3/5.
• Called the Office of the Governor to confirm receipt of hard copy letter and inquire of anticipated response date... Was told letter had been forwarded to NC DHHS for response on behalf of Governor Perdue; could not confirm whether or not the Governor herself had actually reviewed letter; requested that the letter be flagged for personal review and stressed the importance, that this is not merely a person letter but a letter that is very personal written on behalf of not only my DD child but the DD community across the State, 3/5.
• created new page Links with links to resources and information websites on everything from DD to government agencies, advocacy, and even Special Education. Please let me know if you have one (or more) to add!

* What's New Main.