CDCAN REPORT: Disability-Senior Rights (May 20, 2021)
Proposed Budget Trailer Bill Language on Self Determination, Competitive Employment/Paid Internships Released.
(MAY 20, 2021) STATE CAPITOL UPDATE
NEW: SELF DETERMINATION PROGRAM AND COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE PAYMENTS & INTERNSHIP PAYMENTS & ELIMINATION OF SUNSETS OF REGIONAL CENTER PROVIDER SUPPLEMENTAL RATE INCREASES & UNIFORM HOLIDAY SCHEDULE REDUCTION PROPOSED BUDGET TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE RELEASED
COMING UP: MAY 24TH (MON) 2:00 - 3:30 PM: DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES (DS) TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER BRIEFING ON GOVERNOR'S "MAY REVISE" PROPOSED 2021-2022 STATE BUDGET PLAN
Four new proposed budget trailer bill languages from the Newsom Administration were released late yesterday covering Self Determination Program Supports;
Elimination of suspensions of Regional Center funded service provider supplemental rate increases (that will make the rate increases permanent) & elimination of the Uniform Holiday Schedule reduction; Competitive, Integrated Employment Incentive Payments and Paid Internship Development; and STAR Home DGS Lease Exemption for Homes in Progress. Links to the new proposed budget trailer bill language - along with previously released proposed language impacting developmental services, are listed below by CDCAN.
As previously reported by CDCAN, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is scheduled to hold on May 24th, Monday at 2:00 - 3:30 PM (Pacific Time), a Zoom meeting and call of the Developmental Services (DS) Task Force with "community stakeholders" for a briefing of Governor Newsom's May Revise proposed 2021-2022 State Budget plan presented in Spanish with live English translation. People must register in advance (see below for links). This briefing is the same presentation as held on May 19th (presented in English with live Spanish and ASL translation).
Also today Thursday (May 20th) is what is likely one of the final hearings for the 2021-2022 State Budget by the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services, at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time) or upon adjournment of the State Senate floor session, at the State Capitol in Room 4203, with a focus on the Governor's May Revise proposals impacting the Department of Developmental Services, California Department of Aging - and also health issues. A two-part agenda was released late last night. See below for details and links to watch the hearing Livestream (or later) and also a phone number to make public comments.
As reported last week by CDCAN, Governor Gavin Newsom released his highly anticipated proposed budget revisions to his proposed 2021-2022 State Budget that he originally released January 10th, that included more details on his massive and sweeping $100 billion "California Comeback Plan".
Some major highlights impacting health and human services impacting IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) and also regional center funded services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families:
IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS): Governor's May Revise proposes to permanently eliminate the existing 7% across-the-board reduction to all IHSS recipients (that has been on hold and not implemented for the last several years - but the reduction still exists).
MEDI-CAL PROVIDERS: Governor's May Revise proposes to eliminate (and make permanent) the sunsets of the Medi-Cal Proposition 56 supplemental payment increases.
SSI/SSP (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME/STATE SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT): The Governor's May Revise proposes a one-time increase to bring the state part of the grant (SSP) to the level it was in 2011 for individuals (but not couples). The one-time increase also applies to the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
REGIONAL CENTERS (DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES): Governor's May Revise proposes to permanently eliminate the sunset (ending date) of the existing supplemental rate increases and sunset that delayed implementation of a reduction known as the "uniform holiday schedule" (that the Governor originally proposed in January to extend to December 31, 2022). The Governor's May Revise proposal would make the supplemental rate increases permanent - and eliminates the uniform holiday schedule reduction. Among other major proposals by the Governor include a significant proposal that authorizes provisional eligibility for Lanterman Act services for children ages 3 to 4 years.
Both the State Senate and Assembly are reviewing the proposed budget revisions and the rest of the Governor's proposed budget package in a final round of hearings beginning next week, before the final floor vote on the budget plan on June 15th. In the coming days and weeks leading up to the final floor vote, the Governor and Democratic Legislative leaders will continue and finalize budget negotiations to settle on priorities to include in the final budget.
DETAILS (AND LINKS) TO MAY 20TH SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEARING - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES MAY REVISE BUDGET ISSUES (AND POSSIBLY OTHER DEPARTMENTS)WHEN: MAY 20, 2021 - THURSDAY ***TODAY***
TIME: 10:00 AM (Pacific Time) or upon adjournment of Senate floor session
WHO: SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE #3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WHERE: STATE CAPITOL - Room 4203
WHAT: BUDGET HEARING - MAY REVISE BUDGET ISSUES
SUBJECTS: Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and also California Department of Aging (all in Part A of the agenda covering human services) and health issues in Part B.
HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN OR MAKE COMMENTS DURING THE HEARING:
There are several ways to view, participate and make comments during (and after) the hearing. The Legislature does NOT use Zoom (or Webex) for their hearings - but use their own livestreaming application - to view their hearings. However to make a public comment DURING the hearing, individuals must either call-in on the public comment line or appear in person (which the committees discourage due to COVID-19). People can also submit written comments directly to the committee or just a call-in line to just listen in.
TO VIEW THE HEARING LIVE - LIVESTREAM LINK: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar
Step 1: Scroll down to "Committee Hearings"
Step 2: Scroll down to "Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee"
Step 3: Click on "Watch Hearing" for livestream video or "Listen" if you want audio only
Note: to make public comments please see below to make public comments by phone.
LISTEN TO HEARING BY CALL-IN LINE - AND TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS BY PHONE:
PHONE NUMBER - TO LISTEN & TO MAKE COMMENTS: 877-226-8152 (for May 20th) (AT&T Teleconference service)
PHONE NUMBER - ACCESS CODE: 818 2817 (for May 20th)
Instructions to make public comments by phone - according to the Senate:
1. Call the toll free number and enter the access code
2. You will enter the ‘waiting room’ where you can listen to hearing but will be muted
3. Mute the device (computer, tablet or smart phone) if you are also watching the hearing
4. Listen to the hearing using the phone - the chair will announce when comments will be taken
5. When prompted for your position dial 1-0 (one time only)
6. Be patient and an operator will give you a line number, there can be a short wait
7. Once you receive your line number, you are now in the queue
8. Wait in the queue, the moderator will call your line number and unmute you
9. You are now ready to address the committee (say your first and last name)
For further detailed instructions on using the teleconference service, please visit the committee webpage http://www.senate.ca.gov/committees
ATTENDING HEARING IN PERSON: According to the Senate: "We strongly discourage in person attendance, but individuals wishing to attend the hearing in person are advised that we must balance the opportunity for the public to participate in the legislative process, with the critical need to protect public
health. As such, we are required to strictly enforce the physical distancing guidelines mandated by state and local public health officials. Consistent with the Governor’s mandate, face coverings are REQUIRED for entry into the Capitol, including while attending committee hearings. Those who attend in person will be required to follow directions from the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
RECORDED VIDEO OF HEARING TO VIEW LATER (usually posted for download within a day or so) - scroll down to hearing date :https://www.senate.ca.gov/media-archive
OTHER WAYS TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS - IN PERSON: State Capitol does allow people to attend hearings (if held in-person) but under very strict physical distancing guidelines
PUBLIC COMMENTS - IN WRITING: According to the State Senate, written comments or testimony can be provided directly to the committee or subcommittee directly to the subcommittee office (by mail) or by email to: SBUD.Committee@senate.ca.gov
HEARING DOCUMENTS
NEW AGENDA - PART A - HUMAN SERVICES - PDF Document (14 pages):
https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/sites/sbud.senate.ca.gov/files/05.20.21_MR%20PART%20A%20Agenda_DDS_CDA_CSD_DOR.pdf
NEW AGENDA - PART B - HEALTH - PDF Document (41 pages):
https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/sites/sbud.senate.ca.gov/files/05.20.2021-Part%20B-%20MAY%20REVISION%20%28CHHSA%20EMSA%20DHCS%29.pdf
FOR MORE INFORMATION - COMMITTEE INFORMATION
COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE ADDRESS:
State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
State Capitol, Room 5019
Sacramento, CA 95814
Committee Office Phone: (916) 651-4103
Committee Office Fax: (916) 668-7004
Committee Email: SBUD.Committee@senate.ca.gov
Committee Webpage: https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/
