April 10, 2023
Minutes
Minutes
Attendees via Zoom: Abby Stivers, Alina Smith, Alli Vercoe, Andy Taranko, Becca Emmons, Betsy Hopkins, Bonnie-Jean Brooks, Bonnie Robinson, Brenda Smith, Carol Snyder, Chris Call, Darla Chafin, David Cowing, Debbie Dionne, Diane Boas, Jamie Whitehouse, JC Edelberg, Jennifer Putnam, Julianne Zaharis, Kathy Rickards, Kim Humphrey, Lane Simsarian, Laura Cordes, Libby Stone-Sterling, Liz Hansen, Lorraine DeFreitas, Margaret Cardoza, Mark Kemmerle, Misty Marston, Nancy Peavy, RJ Adler, Robin Levesque, Shelley Zielinski, Staci Converse, Stacy Lamontagne, Teresa Barrows, Vickey Merrill, Cullen Ryan, and a few people who didn’t identify themselves and/or left prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speaker: Laura Cordes, Executive Director, Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). meacsp.org Topic: Priorities and key bills related to the system of care for people with ID/DD in the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Cullen: Today I am pleased to welcome Laura Cordes, Executive Director of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). Laura will be providing an overview of Priorities and key bills related to the system of care for people with ID/DD in the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature. It has been an unusually hectic legislative session thus far, and it’s only likely to get busier as it progresses. I was just looking at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee docket for this week and I can’t recall a week where they have ever been this busy. There are a ton of bills being considered this session and a lot is going on. Laura, I really appreciate you taking time to inform this group and keep us apprised of what’s going on and what’s to come; thank you!
Laura Cordes – Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP): Thank you for having me! MACSP is an association of organizations that provide support and services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Autism and Brain Injuries in Maine. MACSP provides leadership on behalf of its member organizations and those they serve through advocacy, education, and collaborative working partnerships at all levels of government and throughout the community.
As this group knows, I created a Google doc to support the MCHQS' interest in monitoring and engaging in bills of interest in the 131st Legislature. The doc contains updated lists of key committees and their members, and a table for Coalition members to track bills (click here for more information). It is open to all members to edit and update. I will continue to add to and update the bill list and update this group as we move forward throughout the session.
I’ll go through my presentation, then review the Google Doc. Thankfully so many of you around the table have been working and partnering with stakeholders including the provider community to make a lot of changes to support the workforce and expand services, both of which are included in numerous bills being considered this Legislative Session.
One aspect that is different this year is that committees are accepting testimony on bills up until the start of the Work Session.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Laura provided in-depth information on the following topics – please see the presentation for more information:
LD 35, An Act to Establish Adult Protective Services Training Requirements for Professionals Mandated to Report Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation to Enhance Protection of Incapacitated and Dependent Adults – This bill had a public hearing on 3/15 in front of the HHS Committee. It was voted Ought to Pass as Amended out of Committee.
LD 449 An Act to Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to License Home-based and Community-based Services for Persons with an Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder or a Related Condition or an Acquired Brain Injury and Define Autism Spectrum Disorder – This bill had a public hearing on 3/16, and a Work Session on 3/22 in front of the HHS Committee. It was voted Ought to Pass as Amended out of Committee.
LD 1250, An Act Regarding Paying Providers Sufficiently, Maintaining Short Waiting Lists and Creating a Cause of Action for Aggrieved Persons in the System of Care for Clients with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism – This bill has a Public Hearing today, 4/10 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
This bill amends the law governing the system of care for clients with intellectual disabilities or autism by:
LD 1238, An Act to Require Reporting on the Percentage of Approved Care Being Delivered to Individuals – This bill has a Public Hearing today, 4/10 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 659, An Act to Promote Seamless and Flexible Home and Community Supports Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Autism. A Public Hearing was held on 3/20 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
LD 464, An Act to Eliminate Waiting Lists for Community-based Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Brain Injury or Other Related Conditions – A Public Hearing was held on 3/20 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
LD 473, Resolve, to Expand the Eligibility for and Increase the Number of Applied Behavioral Analysis Services Authorized by the MaineCare Program – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 346, An Act to Clarify the Requirements for Family Caregivers – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 874, An Act to Address the Shortage of Direct Care Workers for Children with Disabilities in Maine – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 744, Resolve, to Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to Perform Rate Studies and Rate Determinations for Providers of Certain Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Public Hearing is being held on Thursday, 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 825, An Act Relating to Transportation Services for MaineCare Members with Multiple Disabilities – A Public Hearing is being held on Wednesday, 4/12 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 1106, An Act to Improve the Transition to Adult Services for Children with Intellectual Disabilities – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
LD 1041, An Act to Ensure Dental Insurance Coverage for Certain Adults with Disabilities – A Public Hearing was held on 4/4 in front of the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/12 at 1:30pm.
LD 1037, An Act to Fund Competitive Wages for Direct Support Professionals for Persons with Disabilities – No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
LD 1003, An Act to Increase Access to Behavioral Health Services for Children and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 1339, Resolve, to Establish the Task Force to Study Forming the Maine Commission on Disabilities – This bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, 4/18 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 393, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 33: Rules Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Education – A Public Hearing was held on 4/6 in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 948, An Act to Create a Liaison Position Between the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services on Early Childhood Education Matters – This bill has a Public Hearing on 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 1309, An Act to Clarify Requirements for Payment of Tuition for Children with Disabilities by the Department of Education's Child Development Services System – This bill has a Public Hearing on 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 1528, Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program and Convene a Work Group Regarding the Provision of Services by the Child Development Services System – No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
LD 1466, An Act to Fund Adult Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder Services by Eliminating Certain Tax Funding from the Maine Clean Election Fund – Referred to Veteran and Legal Affairs Committee. No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
LD 1521, An Act to Support the Essential Support Workforce by Promoting Enhanced Reimbursement and Benefits and Encouraging Information Sharing – Referred to HHS Committee. No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
Cullen: This is amazing! Thank you for putting this together in one place and walking through all of these bills. I appreciate all of the care and attention you put into this; very well done!
Discussion:
-It was stated that this was fantastic. It is very difficult to keep everything in order, especially when it seems things are changing by the day. It was asked if Laura could reiterate how Work Sessions operate, as usually people are not allowed to speak unless they are called upon to do so.
Laura: Generally, yes. Work Sessions are not hearings. It’s a chance for the staff to summarize the bill, the testimony, bringing back answers to the questions that were raised during the Public Hearing, and gather more data to make their decision. Sometimes people with key information are asked by Committee Members to speak at Work Sessions.
-Regarding LD 1003, it was asked if there has been a legal analysis of that amendment. It was stated that the amendment appears to go against the HCBS Settings Rule.
Laura: I’m not aware of that being done, though it came up in the Public Hearing and was a compelling argument. It was a confluence of behavioral health and residential which is very different from group homes and HCBS. They’re very different systems with different standards.
Laura: I wanted to remind people that in the Google Doc, there are a lot of very helpful links, including the Legislature’s webpage and the Testimony Submission webpage. Please feel free to add things to the Google Doc. or reach out to me with any questions!
Cullen: I think this Google Doc. Is very informative and user friendly, making all of this really important information easily accessible. Thank you!
This is obviously a very busy Legislative Session. We will continue to keep this group apprised as bills continue to make their way through the Legislature, so please be on the lookout for action alerts. We will continue to be called upon over the next couple of months for our expertise so please raise your voice when the opportunity arises. Since the Coalition’s inception, I’ve witnessed numerous parents and family members testify on bills telling their stories and the powerful impact it has on Legislators. I would encourage everyone in this group to keep raising their voices and telling their stories as it is that exact type of advocacy that truly helps Legislators make good decisions for the system of care for people with ID/DD in Maine. Our collective voice is very powerful.
Thank you again for all of this information, Laura, and for all your work and advocacy in the Legislature this session. Well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board: mainedsoab.org
Bonnie-Jean Brooks: As many of you know, Mark Kemmerle recently resigned as Executive Director of the MDSOAB. He agreed to stay on until we could find someone to fill the position. The Board decided to appoint an Interim Executive Director to allow sufficient time to fill the position permanently. I am currently serving as the Interim Executive Director.
The MDSOAB is required to hold public forums to solicit input on the service system for people with ID/DD. For the past few years those forums have been held during regularly scheduled Coalition meetings. The 2023 MDSOAB Annual Forum will be held in two parts at the May and June Coalition meetings.
Additionally, I wanted to let you all know that we wanted to make a formal, special time for community members to provide feedback to the MDSOAB. We will be setting aside time on each agenda for this purpose. You can contact Cullen or myself to find out how you can participate in this portion of meetings.
Cullen: Thank you, Bonnie. We’re very lucky to have you in this role with your many years of expertise!
(Bonnie was congratulated by the group for her new role.)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: A lot of our work recently has been responding to and preparing for Public Hearings and Work Sessions. The Department receives a lot of questions at Public Hearings. In between the hearings and Work Sessions we put together answers to all of those questions. We happen to have a number of Public Hearings and Work Sessions this week so we’re quite busy!
Bonnie-Jean: At the last MDSOAB meeting there was a presentation around the highs and lows around community case management. One question was if there is a definition for “related field” when it comes to the qualifications for a Community Case Manager.
Betsy: I don’t know that off the top of my head, but I’ll look into this and circle back.
Cullen: Thank you for this update and for being here today, Betsy!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: I’ll provide a few updates from Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CHBS):
Cullen: Thank you very much, Teresa!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling: There are a ton of training opportunities right now, with either no cost or very low costs. We have a number of things planned for the summer. There are a lot of opportunities around summer work experience. We’re also running a series of virtual job clubs. We are continuing our Step-Up Program with the University of Maine for people looking at going to college. It’s shaping up to be two weeks on campus and three weeks virtual; people could select one option or both. There will be college bus tours again this year at the end of June. We’re launching a statewide intake unit, as we’re getting a lot of online applications and we think this will really help to serve people in a timelier manner, better meet people’s needs, and free up counselors in the field to do more with individuals.
-A self-advocate asked if there are any updates on Accessibility Coordinator projects.
Libby: I’d be happy to bring that information to a future meeting!
Cullen: Thank you for those exciting updates, Libby!
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed – No updates.
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
Nancy Peavy: The last meeting of the school year is on 5/5 and will include Diane Luce with Maine Medical Center presenting on benefits counseling. The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and broader information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email me ([email protected]).
-A self-advocate asked if there is a similar group for other areas of the state.
Nancy: SMACT has been in existence for many years, well before the days of Zoom. Though we could theoretically go statewide, as many of our presentation topics apply to everyone. However, a lot of work goes into this so I would need a few people to help coordinate! I’ll certainly put this to our Advisory Committee.
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Staci Converse: We are really refocusing on outreach on our DD team. Staff are out meeting people, hearing from them, and sharing information about our services. Each year DRM has a Disability Pride Day that happens in Mill Park, Augusta; this year it’s being held on 7/21 from 11am-3pm. We are holding a Disability Pride design contest and encourage people to submit a design for our 2023 Disability Pride Banner. The selected art will also become our 2024 Disability Pride t-shirt and will be featured on DRM promotional material for Disability Pride. Second and third place prizes will also be awarded (click here for more information). We are looking for artwork that demonstrates what Disability Pride means to you!
Bonnie-Jean: As a reminder to everyone that voting season will be here before you know it. There are a lot of terrific resources on the DRM website about voting.
-A self-advocate stated that support staff assisting people with the voting process ought to appear neutral and not in any way influence the person voting.
LD 924 Task Force Update: No Update.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
State Legislature Update – No additional updates
Other Business:
Community Connect: Upcoming Community Connect events:
The next meeting will be on Monday, May 8, 2023, 12-2pm, via Zoom*.
Featured Speakers: Bonnie Jean Brooks, Interim Executive Director, Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board (MDSOAB). Topic: 2023 MDSOAB Annual Forum (part 1 of 2). And,
Carrie Hobbs Guiden, SEO of Chapters and Community at The Arc. Topic: An overview of federal policy, storytelling as a tool for advocacy, and supported decision-making.
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2023 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speaker: Laura Cordes, Executive Director, Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). meacsp.org Topic: Priorities and key bills related to the system of care for people with ID/DD in the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Cullen: Today I am pleased to welcome Laura Cordes, Executive Director of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). Laura will be providing an overview of Priorities and key bills related to the system of care for people with ID/DD in the First Regular Session of the 131st Legislature. It has been an unusually hectic legislative session thus far, and it’s only likely to get busier as it progresses. I was just looking at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee docket for this week and I can’t recall a week where they have ever been this busy. There are a ton of bills being considered this session and a lot is going on. Laura, I really appreciate you taking time to inform this group and keep us apprised of what’s going on and what’s to come; thank you!
Laura Cordes – Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP): Thank you for having me! MACSP is an association of organizations that provide support and services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Autism and Brain Injuries in Maine. MACSP provides leadership on behalf of its member organizations and those they serve through advocacy, education, and collaborative working partnerships at all levels of government and throughout the community.
As this group knows, I created a Google doc to support the MCHQS' interest in monitoring and engaging in bills of interest in the 131st Legislature. The doc contains updated lists of key committees and their members, and a table for Coalition members to track bills (click here for more information). It is open to all members to edit and update. I will continue to add to and update the bill list and update this group as we move forward throughout the session.
I’ll go through my presentation, then review the Google Doc. Thankfully so many of you around the table have been working and partnering with stakeholders including the provider community to make a lot of changes to support the workforce and expand services, both of which are included in numerous bills being considered this Legislative Session.
One aspect that is different this year is that committees are accepting testimony on bills up until the start of the Work Session.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Laura provided in-depth information on the following topics – please see the presentation for more information:
- LD 258, the Governor’s Biennial Budget, LD 424, the “continuing services” Majority budget which was signed by the Governor, and the upcoming Governor’s Change Package that will likely include the new initiatives that the Governor’s Biennial Budget originally contained but was not included in the Majority Budget. The Change Package is unlikely to have additional Public Hearings.
- Approximately 1575 of 2100 bills have been printed and have LD numbers.
- MCHQS Bills of Interest Page
- The bills are partially in the order in which Public Hearings/Work Sessions were held/are scheduled.
- More information on each of the bills below, and additional bills not listed, is available in the Google Doc.
LD 35, An Act to Establish Adult Protective Services Training Requirements for Professionals Mandated to Report Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation to Enhance Protection of Incapacitated and Dependent Adults – This bill had a public hearing on 3/15 in front of the HHS Committee. It was voted Ought to Pass as Amended out of Committee.
LD 449 An Act to Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to License Home-based and Community-based Services for Persons with an Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder or a Related Condition or an Acquired Brain Injury and Define Autism Spectrum Disorder – This bill had a public hearing on 3/16, and a Work Session on 3/22 in front of the HHS Committee. It was voted Ought to Pass as Amended out of Committee.
LD 1250, An Act Regarding Paying Providers Sufficiently, Maintaining Short Waiting Lists and Creating a Cause of Action for Aggrieved Persons in the System of Care for Clients with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism – This bill has a Public Hearing today, 4/10 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
This bill amends the law governing the system of care for clients with intellectual disabilities or autism by:
- Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to pay providers of services and supports sufficiently to ensure that persons with intellectual disabilities, autism, brain injury or other related conditions receive the same level of care as the general population.
- Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that waiting lists under the system are sufficiently short to provide the same level of care as received by the general population. And
- Creating a cause of action for persons aggrieved by violations by the Department of Health and Human Services in performing the department’s responsibilities under the system.
LD 1238, An Act to Require Reporting on the Percentage of Approved Care Being Delivered to Individuals – This bill has a Public Hearing today, 4/10 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 659, An Act to Promote Seamless and Flexible Home and Community Supports Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Autism. A Public Hearing was held on 3/20 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
- Laura: MACSP testified “neither for nor against” this bill as there are many unknowns. Not having a lot defined makes it very difficult to know how it will play out in reality.
LD 464, An Act to Eliminate Waiting Lists for Community-based Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Brain Injury or Other Related Conditions – A Public Hearing was held on 3/20 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
LD 473, Resolve, to Expand the Eligibility for and Increase the Number of Applied Behavioral Analysis Services Authorized by the MaineCare Program – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
- Laura: This bill would expand these hours substantially, providing more flexibility to use more specialists in plans.
LD 346, An Act to Clarify the Requirements for Family Caregivers – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 874, An Act to Address the Shortage of Direct Care Workers for Children with Disabilities in Maine – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
LD 744, Resolve, to Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to Perform Rate Studies and Rate Determinations for Providers of Certain Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Public Hearing is being held on Thursday, 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
- Laura: This is a MACSP bill which would direct the Department to conduct rate studies and rate determinations for home and community benefits and support services for members of the MaineCare program with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. Under the current system rates are looked at every 5 years. We have been behind on this rate due to the change in the way in which the rates were established. This is playing a role in the workforce crisis for these services. We’re not asking for a specific rate for this, but just for the Department to review this in an open, transparent way that includes broad stakeholder involvement.
- It was asked what was meant by a “MACSP bill”. It was stated that it was a topic which was of important interest to MACSP and as such it sought out a Legislator to introduce the bill.
LD 825, An Act Relating to Transportation Services for MaineCare Members with Multiple Disabilities – A Public Hearing is being held on Wednesday, 4/12 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 1106, An Act to Improve the Transition to Adult Services for Children with Intellectual Disabilities – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/11 at 2pm.
- Laura: This bill would establish a liaison team within the Department to provide education and outreach services to children with ID/DD to improve transitions.
LD 1041, An Act to Ensure Dental Insurance Coverage for Certain Adults with Disabilities – A Public Hearing was held on 4/4 in front of the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/12 at 1:30pm.
LD 1037, An Act to Fund Competitive Wages for Direct Support Professionals for Persons with Disabilities – No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
- Laura: This bill would set rates for DSPs at 157% of the state’s minimum wage.
LD 1003, An Act to Increase Access to Behavioral Health Services for Children and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism – A Public Hearing was held on 3/29 in front of the Health and Human Services Committee. A Work Session is scheduled for 4/13 at 2pm.
- Laura: This bill was amended by the Sponsor prior to the Public Hearing and that amendment would establish “no eject/no reject” policies – terminology that I’m not a fan of but is what was used. There were a lot of folks in support of the bill but opposed to this particular amendment. This was certainly well-intended however issues remain.
LD 1339, Resolve, to Establish the Task Force to Study Forming the Maine Commission on Disabilities – This bill is scheduled for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, 4/18 at 1pm in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
- Laura: This bill would establish the Task Force to Study Forming the Maine Commission on Disabilities. The task force would be directed to study the formation of a statewide commission on disabilities and the consolidation of services for persons with or at risk for disabilities. The task force must, no later than December 6, 2023, submit a report, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, which may introduce legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
LD 393, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 33: Rules Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Education – A Public Hearing was held on 4/6 in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 948, An Act to Create a Liaison Position Between the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services on Early Childhood Education Matters – This bill has a Public Hearing on 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 1309, An Act to Clarify Requirements for Payment of Tuition for Children with Disabilities by the Department of Education's Child Development Services System – This bill has a Public Hearing on 4/13 at 1pm in front of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
- Laura: We have seen about 600 kids being supported in special purpose preschools. Our ability to reach children when they’re young makes it more likely that they’re able to enter kindergarten in the public school system. This is where early intervention and support is critical. We haven’t had CDS payments on the preschool side which has led to closings. Through this bill, funding would be provided to CDS to have an appropriate daily rate for special purpose pre-k programs to get more people on waiting lists the educational support they need and deserve.
LD 1528, Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program and Convene a Work Group Regarding the Provision of Services by the Child Development Services System – No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
- Laura: This would create a pilot program for about 31 different schools to begin to transition those services from CDS to the school administrative units.
LD 1466, An Act to Fund Adult Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder Services by Eliminating Certain Tax Funding from the Maine Clean Election Fund – Referred to Veteran and Legal Affairs Committee. No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
- This bill eliminates the requirement that $3,000,000 of the sales and use tax and income tax revenues that are credited to the General Fund be deposited in the Maine Clean Election Fund. Instead, the bill provides that the $3,000,000 be used to eliminate the waiting list for services for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.
LD 1521, An Act to Support the Essential Support Workforce by Promoting Enhanced Reimbursement and Benefits and Encouraging Information Sharing – Referred to HHS Committee. No Public Hearings or Work Sessions have been scheduled for this bill.
- This bill implements a number of initiatives for essential support workers and in-home care workers. It establishes provider registries, waives background check fees for essential support workers and makes those background checks portable, establishes an enhanced service coordination benefit and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the feasibility of providing health insurance or subsidies for insurance to essential support workers.
Cullen: This is amazing! Thank you for putting this together in one place and walking through all of these bills. I appreciate all of the care and attention you put into this; very well done!
Discussion:
-It was stated that this was fantastic. It is very difficult to keep everything in order, especially when it seems things are changing by the day. It was asked if Laura could reiterate how Work Sessions operate, as usually people are not allowed to speak unless they are called upon to do so.
Laura: Generally, yes. Work Sessions are not hearings. It’s a chance for the staff to summarize the bill, the testimony, bringing back answers to the questions that were raised during the Public Hearing, and gather more data to make their decision. Sometimes people with key information are asked by Committee Members to speak at Work Sessions.
-Regarding LD 1003, it was asked if there has been a legal analysis of that amendment. It was stated that the amendment appears to go against the HCBS Settings Rule.
Laura: I’m not aware of that being done, though it came up in the Public Hearing and was a compelling argument. It was a confluence of behavioral health and residential which is very different from group homes and HCBS. They’re very different systems with different standards.
Laura: I wanted to remind people that in the Google Doc, there are a lot of very helpful links, including the Legislature’s webpage and the Testimony Submission webpage. Please feel free to add things to the Google Doc. or reach out to me with any questions!
Cullen: I think this Google Doc. Is very informative and user friendly, making all of this really important information easily accessible. Thank you!
This is obviously a very busy Legislative Session. We will continue to keep this group apprised as bills continue to make their way through the Legislature, so please be on the lookout for action alerts. We will continue to be called upon over the next couple of months for our expertise so please raise your voice when the opportunity arises. Since the Coalition’s inception, I’ve witnessed numerous parents and family members testify on bills telling their stories and the powerful impact it has on Legislators. I would encourage everyone in this group to keep raising their voices and telling their stories as it is that exact type of advocacy that truly helps Legislators make good decisions for the system of care for people with ID/DD in Maine. Our collective voice is very powerful.
Thank you again for all of this information, Laura, and for all your work and advocacy in the Legislature this session. Well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board: mainedsoab.org
Bonnie-Jean Brooks: As many of you know, Mark Kemmerle recently resigned as Executive Director of the MDSOAB. He agreed to stay on until we could find someone to fill the position. The Board decided to appoint an Interim Executive Director to allow sufficient time to fill the position permanently. I am currently serving as the Interim Executive Director.
The MDSOAB is required to hold public forums to solicit input on the service system for people with ID/DD. For the past few years those forums have been held during regularly scheduled Coalition meetings. The 2023 MDSOAB Annual Forum will be held in two parts at the May and June Coalition meetings.
Additionally, I wanted to let you all know that we wanted to make a formal, special time for community members to provide feedback to the MDSOAB. We will be setting aside time on each agenda for this purpose. You can contact Cullen or myself to find out how you can participate in this portion of meetings.
Cullen: Thank you, Bonnie. We’re very lucky to have you in this role with your many years of expertise!
(Bonnie was congratulated by the group for her new role.)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: A lot of our work recently has been responding to and preparing for Public Hearings and Work Sessions. The Department receives a lot of questions at Public Hearings. In between the hearings and Work Sessions we put together answers to all of those questions. We happen to have a number of Public Hearings and Work Sessions this week so we’re quite busy!
- Lifespan Stakeholder Advisory Group: Starting in January 2023 through the spring, OADS is meeting with the Lifespan Stakeholder Advisory Group. The advisory group meets twice a month from January to June 2023. This group’s work will culminate in a concept paper on the Lifespan project, for people to see and respond to, hopefully in June of this year. This work has been very interesting, and it’s been very helpful to receive feedback from the group. For up to date information on the work that is going on regarding our Lifespan project, including links to the Advisory Group Meeting Presentations, you can go to our website: HCBS Lifespan Project | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov). Additionally, you can send questions, comments, or feedback to: [email protected].
- Chapter 5 Behavioral Management Stakeholder Advisory Group: Maine State Agency Rules Title 14-197 Chapter 5, “Regulations Governing Behavioral Support, Modification and Management for People with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism in Maine” govern emergency interventions and the procedural steps that must be taken prior to the implementation of planned behavioral interventions. This Stakeholder Advisory Group is looking at the process for supporting individuals with behavioral health support needs. The current process could use updating to say the least. The Stakeholder group is looking at best practice models in other states and will make recommendations to OADS on how we could improve this process.
Bonnie-Jean: At the last MDSOAB meeting there was a presentation around the highs and lows around community case management. One question was if there is a definition for “related field” when it comes to the qualifications for a Community Case Manager.
Betsy: I don’t know that off the top of my head, but I’ll look into this and circle back.
Cullen: Thank you for this update and for being here today, Betsy!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: I’ll provide a few updates from Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CHBS):
- We are excited that three (3) Transitional Liaisons have been hired, and started today, 4/10. One more is being interviewed. Shelley has developed a training plan for the new staff. Two of the positions will be within OCFS and two within OADS, but all will be cross-trained and working together.
- We are continuing to work closely with OADS and Stakeholders on the Lifespan project.
- The Employment First collaboration between state departments is being resurrected.
- There is active work being done on the creation of the transition online hub where individuals, parents, guardians, schools, guardians, etc. will be able to find transition resources. Other states models are being looked at for this as well.
Cullen: Thank you very much, Teresa!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling: There are a ton of training opportunities right now, with either no cost or very low costs. We have a number of things planned for the summer. There are a lot of opportunities around summer work experience. We’re also running a series of virtual job clubs. We are continuing our Step-Up Program with the University of Maine for people looking at going to college. It’s shaping up to be two weeks on campus and three weeks virtual; people could select one option or both. There will be college bus tours again this year at the end of June. We’re launching a statewide intake unit, as we’re getting a lot of online applications and we think this will really help to serve people in a timelier manner, better meet people’s needs, and free up counselors in the field to do more with individuals.
-A self-advocate asked if there are any updates on Accessibility Coordinator projects.
Libby: I’d be happy to bring that information to a future meeting!
Cullen: Thank you for those exciting updates, Libby!
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed – No updates.
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
Nancy Peavy: The last meeting of the school year is on 5/5 and will include Diane Luce with Maine Medical Center presenting on benefits counseling. The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and broader information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email me ([email protected]).
-A self-advocate asked if there is a similar group for other areas of the state.
Nancy: SMACT has been in existence for many years, well before the days of Zoom. Though we could theoretically go statewide, as many of our presentation topics apply to everyone. However, a lot of work goes into this so I would need a few people to help coordinate! I’ll certainly put this to our Advisory Committee.
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Staci Converse: We are really refocusing on outreach on our DD team. Staff are out meeting people, hearing from them, and sharing information about our services. Each year DRM has a Disability Pride Day that happens in Mill Park, Augusta; this year it’s being held on 7/21 from 11am-3pm. We are holding a Disability Pride design contest and encourage people to submit a design for our 2023 Disability Pride Banner. The selected art will also become our 2024 Disability Pride t-shirt and will be featured on DRM promotional material for Disability Pride. Second and third place prizes will also be awarded (click here for more information). We are looking for artwork that demonstrates what Disability Pride means to you!
Bonnie-Jean: As a reminder to everyone that voting season will be here before you know it. There are a lot of terrific resources on the DRM website about voting.
-A self-advocate stated that support staff assisting people with the voting process ought to appear neutral and not in any way influence the person voting.
LD 924 Task Force Update: No Update.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
- President Biden’s FY 24 Budget: President Biden unveiled a topline summary of his FY 24 budget request on Thursday, 3/9. The budget makes important investments in a range of areas, including in children, support for workers, housing affordability, education, and core government functions. The President’s budget priorities, which sets the blueprint for the FY 24 appropriations and budget process. The President’s budget request calls for increased funding for affordable housing using two approaches:
- Funding HUD programs at $73.3 billion, or approximately $1.1 billion – or 1.6% – more than the FY23-enacted level.
- $32.7 billion to renew all existing housing vouchers and to expand assistance to an additional 50,000 households through increased funding and another 130,000 households through program reserves, among other things.
- Senate Appropriations Committee Begins work on FY 24 budget process: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, led by Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME), held its first full committee meeting on 3/2 to begin planning a path towards a fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget agreement.
- FY 24 Budget: Per NLIHC, there are reports suggesting that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has committed to slashing federal spending by capping FY 24 appropriations at FY 22 levels. In response to this Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Committee on Appropriations, sent letters to several federal agencies on 1/19 requesting information about the impacts of budget cuts on crucial federal programs, including affordable housing.
- S 680 DASH Act – Reintroduced by Senator Wyden on 3/7, the DASH Act would make a generational investment to tackle the housing affordability crisis, among various other things. The DASH Act would make stable, safe, and decent housing available for all by greatly increasing the production of deeply affordable housing by investing in effective, efficient existing programs and reforming the tax code to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to weather the economic fallout from the pandemic, as well as establish a Renter's Tax Credit and Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit (MIHTC).
- Farm Bill & SNAP Reauthorization – According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Congress is currently preparing to reauthorize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the pending farm bill. However, there are bills/proposals from House Republicans that would harm SNAP participants by taking benefits away from people who can’t prove monthly that they meet or are exempt from new work requirements. One bill, from House Agriculture Committee member Dusty Johnson and more than 20 other House Republicans, would dramatically expand SNAP’s existing work requirements, putting more than 10 million people — including millions of children — in states nationwide at risk of losing at least some of their food benefits. That includes about 6 million people who would potentially be newly subject to the time limit and at risk of losing SNAP, and about 4 million children who live in families that could have their SNAP benefits reduced, harming the entire household.
State Legislature Update – No additional updates
Other Business:
Community Connect: Upcoming Community Connect events:
- Community Connect is offering an online training: Digital Storytelling Workshop with Anne Aronson. The workshop will be held over four Sunday mornings from 8:30am-12:30pm on 4/16, 4/23, 4/30 and 5/14. Click here for more information.
The next meeting will be on Monday, May 8, 2023, 12-2pm, via Zoom*.
Featured Speakers: Bonnie Jean Brooks, Interim Executive Director, Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board (MDSOAB). Topic: 2023 MDSOAB Annual Forum (part 1 of 2). And,
Carrie Hobbs Guiden, SEO of Chapters and Community at The Arc. Topic: An overview of federal policy, storytelling as a tool for advocacy, and supported decision-making.
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2023 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].