TO: NDSC Members and Affiliated Parent Groups 
FROM: Susan Goodman, Director Governmental Affairs, National Down Syndrome Congress
DATE: January 29, 2009

NDSC Governmental Affairs Newsline

House Economic Stimulus Measure Released

Yesterday, on January 28, 2008, the House of Representatives passed its $825 billion economic recovery package, called the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009.” The Senate version of an economic recovery package is expected to be introduced this week. The relevant Senate committees will then begin “marking up” the bills.

The House bill will provide $550 billion for domestic programs. These programs are intended to stimulate the economy and job growth and to assist state and local governments deal with rising deficits. A substantial amount of this new spending will targeted to protect and possibly expand disability services.  Based on numbers disseminated before the bill’s passage, the following amounts were directed towards these services

Medicaid/Adult Services

$87 billion for an increased federal Medicaid match (FMAP)

NDSC has strongly advocated for an increased federal Medicaid match to help the states contend with Medicaid costs. Medicaid is the major source of funding for support services for adults with disabilities to live and work in their community. It also provides funding for support services for many children. These funds, if spent properly, would preserve services and eligibility for individuals who are now receiving services.

Education

$13 billion for IDEA Part B State Grants

When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) over 30 years ago, it was envisioned that the federal government would provide 40% of the funding necessary to provide the services. However, despite efforts by advocates over the years, the federal government share is less than 20%. Although, this amount would not significantly raise this percentage and would not become part of the funding base, it would help states and school districts pay for services. 

$600 million for Part C of IDEA, Early Intervention

These funds would be directed to the Infant and Toddler program under IDEA.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

$4.2 billion total for a onetime $450 (individuals)/$630 (couples) payment to all SSI recipients

Many adults with disabilities are SSI recipients.

While much work remains to be done, Congressional leaders are pushing to adopt a bill by the President's Day recess (Feb. 16 - Feb. 20).  If you would like to see the recommendations of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, please contact susan@ndsccenter.org

Report on Abusive Practices

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) released a report entitled School is Not Supposed to Hurt: Investigative Report on Abusive Restraint and Seclusion in Schools. http://www.ndrn.org/sr/SR-Report.pdf. This document outlines dozens of seclusion or restraint cases that have led to injury or death of students. This issue affects all students with disabilities. Recently, NDSC received an e-mail message from a member addressing the issue of use of seclusion, aversives and restraints in schools who stated:

“It (the use of seclusion, aversives and restraints) is not limited to children who have autism.  Our son who has Down syndrome was placed in seclusion, as a kindergartner, under a behavior intervention plan to modify his behavior.  We will soon be sharing our story.”

In 2004 NDSC was one of the founding members of a group called The Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS) http://capwiz.com/thearc/utr/1/JUSIJQFISV/JZLMJQGJSF/2807736801. http://aprais.tash.org. This organization’s mission is to protect children with significant disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors from abuse in schools, treatment programs and residential facilities. Fourteen national organizations are members.

According to an e-mail just received from the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee, Chairman George Miller (D-CA) has just asked for a Government Accounting Office (GAO) report to investigate cases of abuse and neglect in schools. This was done partly in response to the report that was just issued by NDRN. Congressman Miller also plans to hold a hearing to “address and hopefully end these horrific acts.” Senator Dodd (D-CT), who attended the press conference where the report was released, is also a longtime champion of the issue. For more information on seclusion, aversives and restraints, visit APRAIS  HYPERLINK "http://capwiz.com/thearc/utr/1/JUSIJQFISV/JZLMJQGJSF/2807736801" \o "http://capwiz.com/thearc/utr/1/JUSIJQFISV/JZLMJQGJSF/2807736801" http://aprais.tash.org.

For state-specific laws and information, visit
http://capwiz.com/thearc/utr/1/JUSIJQFISV/HFSNJQGJSG/2807736801
http://www.ndrn.org/srmap.htm.

Free Public Policy Guide

The Kennedy Foundation has published a policy guide that is available on their website. The guide offers an orientation to public policy work with, and on behalf of, individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and their families. The website version, designed for Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellows, is available to anyone new to the field of public policy and intellectual and related disabilities. You can find the guide on the web at http://www.jpkf.org/JPKF-Policy-Guide/index.htm

The Guide provides information and articles about making federal policy, including the federal budget process. It briefly describes key Congressional committees, Executive branch agencies, federal legislation and judicial decisions that are most significant for people with disabilities. 


If you have questions or comments about this Newsline, please contact Susan Goodman at susan@ndsccenter.org.