"The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia""The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia"Home > Advocacy in Action > West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council 2006 Legislative Priorities
The Council will advocate against the further development of segregated educational settings. The Council will support legislation that ensures equal opportunities for students with developmental disabilities to be educated in regular education classrooms, in their home school, and in other inclusive educational settings that reflect the following principles:
The Council will monitor the FY 2007 school aid funding formula for public schools and other funding for higher education services for students with developmental disabilities.
The Council will monitor the West Virginia Department of Education's implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and any State legislation pertaining to the Act.
It is estimated that 32,524 West Virginia citizens have a developmental disability. People with developmental disabilities are an untapped pool for those seeking employees; less than 25% of working age people with developmental disabilities are employed; less than 7% of working age people with significant developmental disabilities are employed.
The Council supports legislation that ensures integrated employment for people with developmental disabilities, emphasizes full time and part time employment, and reflects the following principles:
Supported Employment enables people with developmental disabilities to work, pay taxes, and contribute to society. It focuses on a person's abilities and provides the supports the individual needs to be successful on a long-term basis.
Within the Division of Rehabilitation Services: The Council supports an increased appropriation in the Supported Employment Extended Services line item.
Within the Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities: The Council supports the maintenance of the current (FY 2006) funding level for supported employment.
The Council will advocate against the further development of segregated, congregate service settings. The Council will support legislation that ensures adequate funding for services that support people with developmental disabilities to live in their own homes and neighborhoods and reflects the following principles:
The Council will advocate for full implementation of the WV Olmstead Plan as approved by the Governor in October 2005. This is WV's plan to carry out the Olmstead decision rendered by the US Supreme Court in June 1999. The decision mandates that people with disabilities have the right to state administered services, programs, and activities "in the most integrated settings." People with disabilities are to be given the opportunity to leave nursing homes, long term care facilities, ICFs/MR and other group homes and to be supported to live integrated lives in communities around the State.
The Council will continue to advocate for the restoration of and increases in State and Federal funding necessary to maintain or enhance critical support services that allow people with developmental disabilities to live, work, and play in the community. Of particular concern are the following programs and initiatives:
The Council will further advocate that individuals and families who rely on these funding sources gain greater control over the design and delivery of the related services. The Council supports the re-direction of Medicaid and other funding sources that give individuals with developmental disabilities authority over dollars to be used for their support. The Council will advocate for adequate supports for those who continue to wait for services.
The Council supports legislation that strengthens safeguards for people with developmental disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid MR/DD Waiver, Aged and Disabled Waiver, and other relevant publicly funded community supports. People with developmental disabilities must be protected from abuse and have access to essential services and supports.
The Council supports WV MiCASSA, which would provide people with developmental disabilities self-directed home and community based personal assistance services and supports in their home communities.
The Council will continue to advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families to have access to a comprehensive health care system that provides the most appropriate, effective, quality services. The Council supports legislation that promotes a healthier environment, ensures better access to quality health care, and reflects the following principles:
The Council is concerned about the very lives of people who are generally perceived to have a lower social status, particularly those who have developmental disabilities and the elderly. Therefore, we uphold the principle of applying excellent standards of care for such people. We reject limitations of treatment policies directed at people with impairments. Further, the Council does not support any legislation that seeks to hasten death by medical professionals who would be in a position to judge the value of a person's life by invoking "quality of life" concerns.
The Council will support efforts to allow families (including families of children with developmental disabilities) to gain access to health insurance coverage through a buy-in to SCHIP.
The Council supports an interim study on ceiling benefits for those currently enrolled in the SCHIP. There is concern that some children who have disabilities or serious illnesses are reaching the maximum amount of benefits and are no longer eligible for SCHIP or any other health care benefits.
The Council supports legislation that would mandate a uniform health care screening tool for all children in WV when being assessed for their health care needs.
The Council will support improvements to the WV Medication Administration by Unlicensed Personnel Act and the associated Rules so that people with developmental disabilities can receive the supports they need to keep them safe and healthy while increasing flexibility in the self-administration/direction of medications.
The WV Developmental Disabilities Council is a 32 member organization that was established by an Executive Order of the Governor on March 6, 1972. The Council is authorized and funded by the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 106-402). It is administratively supported by the WV Department of Health and Human Resources.
The Council's mission is to assure that West Virginians with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they need to achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion into the community of their choice. It does this in four major ways:
Over 60% of the Council is comprised of citizens with developmental disabilities and family members of people with developmental disabilities. These members are appointed by the Governor and serve four-year terms. The remaining members represent State and private organizations concerned with the provision of services to people with developmental disabilities.
The Council is subdivided into six committees: Community Living, Education, Employment, Executive, Nominating, and System Coordination/Community Education. Each of these committees is responsible for:
The West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC) was founded to assure that West Virginia citizens with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports, and other forms of assistance they need to exercise self-determination and achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in the community.
For more information on the WVDDC please call 304-558-0416 or visit: www.wvddc.org.
Posted: February 6, 2006
www.mtstcil.org
