Fair Shake Network Legislative Priorities for 2008

The Fair Shake Network will monitor all legislation introduced and will take positions and action to protect services and civil rights for people with disabilities. For more information: email Fair Shake.

Living and Working in the Community

The Fair Shake Network supports legislation, funding, and revisions to policies and practices to make widespread changes to the long-term care support systems to reduce West Virginia's reliance on institutional care. These changes must be accompanied by the development and expansion of community-based long-term care options, enabling people with disabilities to fully participate in their communities. Changes should include but not be limited to:

• Adoption of the concepts and ideals of Money Follows the Person and Self-Determination
• Elimination of barriers or mechanisms (whether in state law, the Medicaid State Plan, the State budget, or otherwise) that prevent or restrict the flexible use of Medicaid funds to enable eligible individuals to receive support for appropriate and necessary long- term care services in the settings of their choice
• Full implementation of the West Virginia Olmstead Plan as endorsed and signed by Governor Manchin
• Development of new programs and/or expansion of existing programs such as:
  • Medicaid Waivers
  • Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services
  • Independent Living Services, and
  • other Home and Community-Based Services and Supports
• Implementation of Rebalancing of funding and services: to increase the use of home and community-based long-term care services; to move people currently residing in institutions back into their communities; and to emphasize home and community-based services rather than institutional placement

The Fair Shake Network is adamantly opposed to budget cuts that will adversely affect the lives of people with disabilities by further reducing the limited services and supports they now receive. Budget cuts and program revisions have reached a point where the vital mission of programs that serve people with disabilities is being dramatically affected. Programs affecting people with disabilities should be protected from budget cuts and the Fair Shake Network urges the Legislature and the Executive Branch to invest in people with disabilities and their invaluable contributions to West Virginia.

More about Fair Shake

The Fair Shake Network is an association of West Virginians dedicated to a "fair shake" for people with disabilities and to the belief that diversity makes our communities stronger.

The Fair Shake Network has a vision that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in their community and realize their dreams.

The mission of the Fair Shake Network is to educate policymakers and the public about the concerns of people with disabilities to ensure an effective voice in the development of public policy.

The Fair Shake Network receives funding through grants from the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, other grants, and through dues and contributions.

Fair Shake Network
P.O. Box 354
Institute, WV 25112-0354
304-766-0061
1-800-497-4746
TTY/TDD: 304-766-4624
Fax: 304-766-4721
email: wvfsn@suddenlinkmail.com
Web Site: www.fairshake.org

www.mtstcil.org