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 CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
CALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
#197-2011 – DECEMBER 7, 2011 – WEDNESDAY  

One of 10 Other Californians To Be Honored In December 8th Ceremony In Sacramento Hosted by Governor  Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Brown 

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN)  [Last updated 12/07/2011 05:00 PM] -  The late Ed Roberts, revered by people with disabilities and seniors across the nation for his trail blazing work as a disability and civil rights leader, will be one of 10 Californians to be inducted in the California Hall of Fame, in a ceremony hosted by Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Brown on December 8th, 7:00 PM at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street, a few blocks from the State Capitol.  Ed Roberts mother, Zona. is scheduled to be at the ceremony to accept the “Spirit of California” medal that all inductees receive, on behalf of her son.   Read the rest of this entry »


UDW held an AFSCME sponsored Political Candidate Forum November 14th, 2011 in Goleta, CA  Among the candates were:

  • Das Williams, running for State Assembly, 37th District
  • Hannah-Beth Jackson, running for State Senate 19th District
  • Bill Monning, running for State Senate 33rd District
  • Jason Hodge, running for State Senate District 19


See more photos


Jay Hancock Baltimore Sun  
 
 
“…He told a social worker. She expressed concern, but did nothing. But West, a Vietnam vet with muscular dystrophy, kept pushing and pushing, building a giant, accusatory snowball that landed last week — eight years later — on Maxim’s Columbia headquarters…”
 
 
Something didn’t look right. Maxim Healthcare nurses were showing up at Richard West’s house according to one schedule. But Maxim was billing the government according to another.  West complained to the state: The company was charging for hundreds of hours of work it never did. Officials blew him off, he said. He alerted Medicaid, the state and federal program that paid for his care. Nothing happened.  Read Story

 

From the transit workers who get us where we need to go to the firefighters, teachers and caregivers whose work is so much more than a job—Labor Day season is when we say “thanks.”

There are two ways you can say “thanks” to workers this weekend:

  1. Tell us who you heart. I ❤ Wisconsin workers. Who do you ❤? It takes about 15 seconds to let us know who you heart and share it with the world.
  2. Find an event near you. Events are taking place this weekend and beyond. See what’s happening in your area, or add your own event. Read the rest of this entry »

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
#137-2011 – JUNE 28, 2011 – TUESDAY LATE EVENING

LEGISLATURE FINISHES WORK ON ALL BUDGET BILLS - MAIN BUDGET BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR

State Senate and Assembly  Pass on A Majority Vote 7 Budget Related Bills Including 3 Dealing With “Trigger Cuts” In January 2012 If $4 Billion in Additional Revenues Projected in Budget Plan Doesn’t Come Into State Treasury As Hoped For – “Trigger Cuts” If Pulled In January 2012 Would Impact IHSS, Developmental Services, K-12 Education, University of California and California State University systems; Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, AIDS Foundation and Senior Action Network Read the rest of this entry »


CDCAN Report #119-2011, June 8, 2011

 

Full Budget Committees Will Hold Separate Hearings – Seen As Step Before Democratic Legislative Leaders Push For Budget Vote By Next Week Before June 15th State Constitutional Deadline

 

SACRAMENTO, CALIF  (CDCAN)  [Last Updated 06/08/2011  1:10 PM] -  Both the full Senate and Assembly Budget Committees are scheduled to meet today (Wednesday) in separate hearings, both at 3:30 PM, to largely review actions taken late last month by their budget subcommittees – and in the case of the Senate, possibly take some action on some unresolved or new budget items.  The informational hearings today – where no major new actions are expected – is the next step before Legislative Democratic leaders push for a floor vote in the Assembly and State Senate on the 2011-2012 State Budget (and budget related bills – called “budget trailer bills”) next week.  Read the rest of this entry »


UDW member Lee Winzer and Daughter Aaliyah Winzer

On Dec 4th the outreach committee “PEOPLE’S VOICE” Of the Merced Chapter of UDW proudly participated in the Merced City annual Christmas Parade. The theme of this year’s parade was CHRISTMAS WISH.  The outreach committee participates in events in Merced county to show the community who we are and put a face to UDW Homecare Providers Union locally. The committee also participates in a program called “Adopt a Grandparent,” where volunteers visit and spend quality time with  residents in a care home.  They play games, do crafts and other activities in hopes of  improving  the quality of life  for them.  The signs they carried in the parade said – Read the rest of this entry »


This highly informative series of articles by investigative reporter Joseph Shapiro, for National Public Radio, exposes many of the realities of homecare in our nation. Read the rest of this entry »


Los Angeles Times –New rules broaden category of convictions that may disqualify a person from caring for the elderly and disabled through In-Home Supportive Services.

Reporting from Sacramento — The budget package that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Friday restricts violent felons from working in the state’s home healthcare program for the elderly and disabled.

The new rules follow a Times report last month that scores of people convicted of crimes such as rape, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon are permitted to care for some of California’s most vulnerable residents through the In-Home Supportive Services program. The changes take effect in 90 days. Read the rest of this entry »


California Healthline Monday, October 11, 2010
On Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed an $87.5 billion spending plan and used line-item vetoes to cut nearly $1 billion from health programs and other services, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The action came on the 100th day of California’s fiscal year (Dolan/Goldmacher, Los Angeles Times, 10/9). Earlier on Friday, the Senate voted 27-9 to approve the main bill (SB 870) of the budget package after the Assembly voted 54-1 to approve the main bill on Thursday (Hindery/Thompson, San Jose Mercury News, 10/8). Read the rest of this entry »


A Democrat running in a Republican-leaning district, political newcomer Phu Nguyen hopes to sway enough voters to win the seat now held by the first Vietnamese state legislator.

Phu Nguyen is running for the state Assembly district representing Garden Grove, Westminster, Costa Mesa and surrounding areas. An immigrant with little political experience, his campaign is relying on support from the Vietnamese community.After one month at sea, the death of nine children aboard their boat and eight months in a Hong Kong refugee camp, Phu Nguyen’s family finally arrived in America. His parents had only $2 in their pockets when they came to Orange County in 1981, Nguyen says, and today they have a multistate corporation and one of the nicest homes in Huntington Beach.

That quintessential immigrant story inspired Nguyen, 33, to try to improve the lives of people in Vietnam and in America, he said recently. Now the Democrat is running for the California Assembly seat that represents Costa Mesa, Westminster, Garden Grove and surrounding areas.

A political newcomer, Nguyen has held leadership positions in Vietnamese American groups and has vastly expanded his family’s overseas remittance business, he says. But many of his accomplishments are from his time as a student, and he’s been criticized for his lack of government experience.

Read full story in LA Times


I have been raising my nonverbal autistic grandson and his bipolar brother since the one was 2 years old and the latter 5 years old.  My daughter had a breakdown and was not able to deal with them since she has her own disorders to deal with.  My husband and I took turns watching our grandson as he slept very little during those days.  We were like a tag team with one sleeping while the other was watching.  I could no longer keep up my antique and collectible business because I had no one to leave this child with. Read the rest of this entry »


On the 4th of July members and activists from Merced county assisted congressman Cardoza with his appearance in the annual Atwater 4th of July parade. Photo follows… Read the rest of this entry »


Title: Corona Area Informational Meeting (AIM)
Location: Corona Library, 650 S. Main St, Corona, CA
Description: Area Informational Meetings are to update members on political events or local bargaining processes that affect IHSS workers wages & benefits, also community actions, advocacy for clients, and a chance to network with other people in your local neighborhood. AIM’s are open to all providers, clients, family and community supporters Refreshments will be served.

Las Juntas Informativas del Área deben actualizar a miembros en acontecimientos políticos o procesos negociadores locales que afectan salarios de trabajadores IHSS y beneficios, también acciones de comunidad, defensa para clientes, y una posibilidad para conectar a la red con otra gente en su vecindad local. El OBJETIVO está abierto a todos los proveedores, clientes, familia y partidarios de comunidad. Refrescos seran servidos.

Agenda:

New State IHSS Regulations
Advocating for your Client
Recent & Upcoming Events
Agenda:

Reglamentos Nuevos del Estado para IHSS
Abogar por su cliente
Eventos recientes y Próximos

Refreshments will be served / Refrescos seran servidos.
Call for additional information:
Hable para informacion adicional
(866) 417-7300 Toll Free | (951) 786-1300 Office
Start Time: 16:00
Date: 2010-04-01


Title: Lake Elsinore Area Informational Meeting (AIM)
Location: Lake Elsinore Library, 600 W. Graham, Lake Elsinore, CA
Description: Area Informational Meetings are to update members on political events or local bargaining processes that affect IHSS workers wages & benefits, also community actions, advocacy for clients, and a chance to network with other people in your local neighborhood. AIM’s are open to all providers, clients, family and community supporters Refreshments will be served.

Las Juntas Informativas del Área deben actualizar a miembros en acontecimientos políticos o procesos negociadores locales que afectan salarios de trabajadores IHSS y beneficios, también acciones de comunidad, defensa para clientes, y una posibilidad para conectar a la red con otra gente en su vecindad local. El OBJETIVO está abierto a todos los proveedores, clientes, familia y partidarios de comunidad. Refrescos seran servidos.

Agenda:

New State IHSS Regulations
Advocating for your Client
Recent & Upcoming Events
Agenda:

Reglamentos Nuevos del Estado para IHSS
Abogar por su cliente
Eventos recientes y Próximos

Call for additional information:
Hable para informacion adicional
(866) 417-7300 Toll Free | (951) 786-1300 Office
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2010-03-24



The County Welfare Directors Association of California and the California State Association of Counties took the Governor’s op-ed piece in the LA Times on July 3rd, 2009 and dissected it. They found some myths and busted them.

Monterey County Director of Social and Employment Services says there are a lot of contradictions in the request for reform, saying money was cut from the IHSS budget this year, but now more is being spent on trying to investigate fraud cases. Robinson says that money should be put to prevent fraud in the first place, like allowing case managers to spend more time with patients in person.

Read More



UDW Brothers and Sisters,

The UDW advocates with the California State Legislature and Administration on issues of importance to providers and consumers of California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. This report for the first year of the 2009-2010 legislative session focuses on California legislators’ votes on UDW’s priority bills.

The IHSS program provides personal care and domestic services to approximately 450,000 aged, blind or disabled individuals in their own homes. The purpose of the program is to allow these individuals to live safely at home rather than in costly and less desirable out-ofhome placement facilities. IHSS is the largest publicly funded non-medical program in the nation designed to help people with disabilities, the elderly, and blind—and with limited resources—live comfortably at home.

A review of the votes cast provides essential information to hold legislators accountable for their actions on IHSS issues that affect wages and benefits as well as the availability and quality of homecare services. The vote record can tell the entire story of a legislator’s attitude and actions on issues that are important to IHSS providers and consumers. Each year, legislators cast thousands of votes on thousands of proposed laws. There were 3,206 bills introduced in 2009. The Legislature sent the Governor a total of 1,431 bills and the Governor signed 1,087 of those measures. To gauge the accountability and performance of Assembly and Senate members, the UDW has produced this legislative report of votes cast on our sponsored and priority bills in 2009.

In Unity,
Jovan Agee, UDW Political & Legislative Director

Read Full Report


We are relying on you this year, as we have in the past, to save the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, one of the most valuable, life-saving, cost-effective programs in our state. We are writing to you now because, sadly, we already know what Gov. Schwarzenegger will say about IHSS in his State of the State message tomorrow, and in his spending plan on Friday.

Ever since his first weeks in office, the Governor has targeted IHSS for cuts. Last year he proposed throwing more than 400,000 elderly, blind and disabled Californians–90 percent of all IHSS recipients–out of the program. Just last month he threatened to eliminate the program entirely.

You stood with us every year to preserve IHSS because you understand its importance to the more than 450,000 consumers and nearly 400,000 workers who are your constituents. You fought back last winter and spring against the governor’s proposals. But in July, 20 Democratic State Senators and 45 Democratic Assembly Members voted to eliminate or drastically reduce services for more than 100,000 IHSS recipients. In addition, 10 Democratic Senators and 12 Democratic Assembly Members voted to endorse the Governor’s extreme and mean-spirited “anti-fraud” campaign, which will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, despite the absence of any proof that widespread fraud exists in the program.

The 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead decision affirmed the responsibility of states to ensure that people with disabilities, including seniors and children receive care in the most integrated setting. Even this administration acknowledges that the IHSS program keeps people out of more costly and less desirable out-of-home placement in nursing homes or other institutions. Despite that, unless you say no , the future of IHSS will be determined by a Governor who does not support services to keep people with disabilities and seniors living in their own homes.

Unfortunately, we have had to rely on the courts instead of the legislature to stop these illegal, immoral, and penny-wise, pound-foolish cuts designed to weaken and destroy the IHSS program.

This year, we need all of you to do what you know is right – and what you’ve done before: Stand up for the California consumers of IHSS, their families and the workers who provide their much-needed care. We expect you to stand up to the Governor. We expect you to demand that this year’s budget be debated and decided in a process which allows all members of the Legislature, as well as key stakeholders and policy experts, to observe and participate . We expect you to find more equitable funding solutions and policies. We expect you to make decisions on IHSS based on its merits

IHSS is a program with a proven track record of keeping Californians with disabilities and seniors in their own homes and saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in doing so.

It is time for you to be accountable. It is time for you to live up to your party’s platform, which says: “All people with disabilities must be able to sustain quality of life in the least restrictive environment possible and in accessible community settings”; and which promises: “Increased, stable funding and expanded service hours for In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) clients.”

Sincerely,

AARP-California
ACLU of Southern California
California Alliance for Retired Americans ( CARA )
Californians for Disability Rights, Inc. (CDR)
California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN)
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC)
California In-Home Supportive Services Consumer Alliance (CICA)
California Senior Legislature
Disability Rights California
Gray Panthers California
IHSS Public Authority of Marin County
Independent Living Services of Northern California
Marin Center for Independent Living
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Nevada Sierra Regional IHSS Public Authority
Northern California ADAPT
Older Women’s League California (OWL)
Personal Assistance Services Council of Los Angeles County
Quality Homecare Coalition
Resources for Independent Living
San Francisco IHSS Public Authority
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
UDW Homecare Providers Union/AFSCME


1.

FUNCTIONAL INDEX CUTS. These are cuts to consumer’s eligibility or authorized hours based on their Functional Index Score.

This issue is presently under litigation.

V.L. et al v. Wagner

U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken declared that the state cannot go forward with cuts planned last year, because they would result in "substantial harm, damage and injury and likely violate federal law."

This particular injunction relates only to the functional index cuts, and must be considered temporary. Check back for updates.

The state has set up a Toll Free number to help providers that have been cut from the program in error. The number is: (866) 513-5103

2.

SHARE OF COST BUYOUT PROGRAM. This program was eliminated as of October 1, 2009, through enactment of the 2009-10 state budget mandate. See litigation notes below.

  • The state had a program which helped certain clients pay for a “share of cost” of the IHSS services they receive, based on income. This share of cost program was eliminated due to last year’s budget cuts. Client’s that have a share of cost are now responsible for paying the entire share of cost. This can affect the provider’s paycheck, as "share of cost" can be deducted from the homecare worker’s paycheck. If the client has a share of cost, you need to make arrangements to get paid for any deductions from your paycheck.

Under Litigation

The elimination of SHARE OF COST can not be appealed on an individual basis through a hearing; this change in state law has been enacted and the share of cost

buyout has been eliminated at this time.

Nevertheless, litigation challenging the reductions
have been initiated. Rulings so far have not succeeded in bringing about an injunction to stop the cuts.

Northern California ADAPT (Bay Area) ET AL v. Wagner

 

3.

PROVIDER FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. Impacted by litigation. See note below.

  • All new and current providers will be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check (this is already a requirement for registry providers) at their own expense. Current costs vary for each county from $35.00 to $50.00.
  • Currently employed providers will have until July 1, 2010 to complete this requirement as a condition of continued employment. However it should be noted that completing the requirement includes processing by the county, which can take 6 weeks or more due to background checks etc. The computer is set to terminate providers automatically if their requirement is not complete

    and processed by July 1 2010. Current providers therefore should act right away.

  • Any provider who has been convicted within the past 10 years of child or elder abuse or fraud against a government health care or supportive services program will be ineligible to work or receive payment as a provider.

    (this is under litigation, see below)

  • All providers will be required to read and sign the new provider enrollment form, along with completing the orientation process (see below).
  • Provider rights will be established, including an appeals process and a provision allowing providers to access copies of their criminal background checks.



    – Litigation and Important Note —

    It has come to our attention that some counties are asking providers to sign a new form SOC 426 (Provider Enrollment Form) that includes a question about whether the provider “has ever been convicted of a serious crime or misdemeanor.”

    COUNTIES SHOULD NOT BE USING THIS FORM.

    If you are asked to sign a Form 426, which includes the question about whether you have ever been convicted “of a serious crime or misdemeanor" respectfully refuse to sign the document and refer the county official to All County Letter No. 09-78

    More Information and copy of All County Letter (ACL) that pertains to the above issue

    FEBRUARY 17th LETTER (ACL) WITH QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

    FOR IHSS PROVIDERS

    This issue is under litigation.

    See Ellis v. Wagner


4.

REVISED PROVIDER ENROLLMENT FORM.

Impacted by litigation on felonies and misdemeanors.

See note above

  • A revised Provider Enrollment Form must be submitted in-person by all currently employed and new IHSS providers and must include a photocopy made by the county of the original documentation of the provider’s identity.
  • The new form will require the signature of the provider, after having viewed the mandatory provider orientation materials below.
  • The type of form used has been changed due to litigation on the issue of what type of felony or misdemeanor would disqualify a provider. See note above.

5.

MANDATORY PROVIDER ORIENTATION.

  • All currently employed providers must complete a mandatory provider orientation that will include information on IHSS requirements, rules and regulations as well as the consequences of committing fraud in the program and reporting fraud and abuse. Although the law states currently employed providers have until June 30, 2010 to complete this orientation, it is part of the mandated process including background checks (above) that must be completed for each provider by July 1, 2010. Since processing times can take 6 weeks or longer in some counties, currently employed providers need to act immediately.

    -- NOTE –

    Current providers (those already employed under the IHSS program) are NOT required to attend orientation meetings in person.  As a current provider you have the right to receive the orientation materials by mail.

    All providers must still go to their county office to sign and return the acknowledgment form in person, however not all counties are making this option clear.

 

6.

UNNANOUNCED HOME VISITS

  • Social services will be required to make unannounced home visits “as appropriate, in targeted cases” to verify that IHSS services are being provided.
  • No dates for implementation have been announced, and no regulations or policies governing the visits have been

    formalized at this time.

    It has come to our attention that some counties are conducting inappropriate and unregulated home visits, apparently stemming from this new requirement.

    IHSS RECIPIENTS AND PROVIDERS MUST PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR RIGHTS

    A toll free number is available to report any questionable visits:

    1-800-822-6222

    Also you can contact UDW Homecare Providers Union at: 1-800-621-5016


7.

CHANGES TO CLIENT REQUIREMENT,

TIMESHEETS AND PROVIDER NOTFICATIONS

  • Clients will also undergo fingerprinting. effective sometime in 2010.
  • Effective July 2011, timesheets will require both the client and provider fingerprint. Timesheets will include a certification that the information is true and correct. There can be criminal and or civil penalties for intentional deception or misrepresentation.
  • Effective December 2011, providers will receive information on approved duties to be performed for each client.
8.

UPDATE TO THE PROPOSED WAGE CUT TO $9.50 PER HOUR

Currently under litigation.

  • All IHSS providers earning over $9.50 per hour were to have had their wages rolled back to $9.50 on July 1, 2009.

    Currently under litigation

    Martinez et al v. Schwarzenegger et al,

    Dominguez et al v. chwarzenegger et al

    A lawsuit filed on behalf of California IHSS providers has temporarily stopped the implementation of these cuts. Although the injunction is temporary, on March 3 it was upheld by a second judge. The lawsuit is still in the court system and the final outcome is unknown.

  • The newly proposed 2010-2011 state budget additionally includes the provision that all provider’s wages shall be reduced to minimum wage, if the program is not eliminated. At this time it is unknown how litigation and budget mandates will impact provider wages. Check back for updates.
9.

REDUCED FUNDING TO PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

Has been enacted. Litigation in process.

  • Governor Schwarzenegger struck $13 million – 57 percent – in General Fund support for operation of the IHSS Public Authorities. This cut also affects consumers and providers as it may result in delays in screening potential providers for consumers seeking referrals, poorer provider referral for consumers elimination of critical although non-mandated services and training’s, and a loss of oversight as Public Authorities slash hours and staffing.

    Although these cuts have already been enacted, they are presently under litigation.

    See Putz et al v. Schwarzenegger et al

You may have received new enrollment forms (SOC 426) along with updates on the fingerprinting requirement, mandatory provider orientation, and other information in the mail.

Some of this information, which has been sent by the state to the counties, has been confusing, contradictory, incomplete or, in some cases, possibly illegal.

UDW is working with the counties and other organizations representing providers and clients to try to solve these problems.

In the meantime, the new provider enrollment requirements including background checks and fingerprinting are still in place, and have not been stopped by litigation.

YOU SHOULD THEREFORE FILL OUT THE NEW ENROLLMENT FORMS AND RETURN THEM TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR COUNTY.

Although the law states current providers have until July 1, 2010 to comply it can take SIX WEEKS or longer after you have submitted all the documentation, for the county to process background checks etc. The payroll computer is set to terminate any provider that has not been completely processed by July 1, 2010.

IT IS THEREFORE NOW IMPORTANT TO ACT
WITHOUT DELAY.

There is one exception: If you are asked to sign a “Form 426″ which includes the question about whether you have ever been convicted “of a serious crime or misdemeanor” respectfully refuse to sign the document and refer the
county official to All County Letter (ACL) No. 09-78
More information and copy of ACL

LATEST LETTER (ACL) REGARDING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR IHSS PROVIDERS

*Note: Current providers (those who are recognized in the state’s payrolling system from January 1, 2001 to October 31, 2009) are NOT required to attend orientation meetings in person. As a current provider you have the right to receive the orientation materials by mail.  All providers must still go to their county office to sign and return the acknowledgment form in person, however not all counties are making this option clear.

Detail on each specific change to IHSS caused by state budget reductions are listed below.

If you have further questions, contact your local UDW officeor call our toll-free number: 1-800-621-5016.


Last year’s state budget mandated many changes in IHSS including cuts and new eligibility requirements. Not all of these changes have been implemented due to lawsuits brought forth by advocacy groups (including UDW). Detail below.

These lawsuits are still winding their way through the courts and each have separate schedules and hearing dates, but most will takes months or longer to be finalized. Although we are cautiously optimistic, the injunctions stopping cuts to IHSS must be considered temporary and may still be implemented.

This year, the governor’s proposed 2010-11 budget (unveiled January 8) is proposing many of the same cuts. Additionally he is proposing to completely eliminate the IHSS program if the federal government does not produce $6.9 billion in additional funding for California’s budget by July 15, 2010.  If the federal government does provide the requested $6.9 billion in new funds, the Governor is still proposing to cut $77.9 million by reducing state funding for wages at a cap of $8.60 per hour and another $872.6 million through cuts in services to consumers with a functional index score below 4. The reduction of state contribution to wages and functional index based cuts are both issues being presently litigated by the courts.

THIS PROPOSED BUDGET MUST BE STOPPED AND WE NEED YOUR
HELP TO DO SO. GO HERE TO TAKE ACTION ON THE BUDGET .


March 18, 2010. Sacramento

The hearing will be focusing on the “trigger” cuts (the complete elimination of the program if $6.9 billion is not received from the federal government by July 15th).

Public Testimony Will Be Heard

We are asking those members that live near Sacramento to turn out for the hearing if you are able, and if you are not please send a letter to:

Senate Budget Sub-Committee #3
State Capitol, Room 5019
Sacramento, CA 95814
or by fax to (916) 323-8386
email to:  Glenda.Higgins@sen.ca.go

One personal, hand written letter has more impact than hundreds of emails or faxes that are written by political organizations and signed by you.


IHSS Teleconference
March 17th by Department of Social Services

This is a chance for stakeholders to have their voices heard and questions answered.

Department of Social Services has scheduled for Wednesday, March 17th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, a statewide teleconference on the In-Home Supportive Services Program, Integrity and Fraud Prevention Stakeholder Process. The Toll free line is 1-800-700-7414.

Note: the Department of Social Services, due to the likely large number of participants, encourages people to call in prior to the scheduled start time. Persons having any questions about this teleconference should contact Michele Loftin , Manager, Program Integrity and Training Unit at the Department of Social Services at 916-229-3494 or email her atMichele.Loftin@dss.ca.gov

Topic of Phone Meeting: In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Stakeholder Process