IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our for more information.


Subscribe for e-mail updates
Print This Page Rate This Page Suggest a Link E-mail This Page HELP Find a Person Find an Agency

Expanding Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities to Live in their Homes

Governor O’Bannon’s

Executive Order 00-25

For: Expanding opportunities for person with disabilities to live in their home and communities to all to whom these presents come, Greetings:

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state of Indiana to support persons with disabilities to achieve equality, independence, and economic and social self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the State of Indiana recognizes that delivering services to persons with disabilities in their communities promotes independence and fosters social acceptance and understanding of persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the State of Indiana is committed to developing alternatives to institutional care for disabled citizens who may benefit from community placement with consumer choice as a significant factor; and

WHEREAS, this Governor during his administration has promoted and significantly improved community based alternatives to institutional care for persons with developmental disabilities by moving over 350 persons from developmental centers into the community; and

WHEREAS, current programs such as the "317" initiative (which allocated $39.3 million for state fiscal year 2000-2001) provide funding for community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities, thereby helping these persons to realize a better quality of life; and

WHEREAS the CHOICE program is currently serving 9500 individuals in their homes and communities who would have been institutionalized in nursing homes without such funding; and

WHEREAS, through the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs (Aged and Disabled, Autism, ICF-MR and Medically Fragile Children), an additional 4500 persons are receiving services in community settings; and

WHEREAS, the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option has added another $257 million in federal dollars for community mental health services since 1995; and

WHEREAS, in a new initiative begun in January 2000, Indiana is targeting for transition into the community individuals who have received long-term treatment in our state mental hospitals for over three years; and

WHEREAS, Indiana must build upon this firm foundation of integration, to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to move out of institutions into more appropriate settings and to prevent future unnecessary institutionalization;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FRANK O’BANNON, Governor of the State of Indiana, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this State, do hereby order the following:

  1. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) shall conduct a comprehensive study of all services and programs available to people with disabilities in Indiana. In this effort, FSSA shall evaluate current systems of service delivery, identify the array of current services available in Indiana to the disabled, assess the demand and desire for receiving these services in a less restrictive setting, and identify barriers to achieving total integration into the community where the demand exists. These issues should be examined in light of the United States Court’s decision in the Olmstead v L.C. case.
  2. FSSA shall seek the input of advocacy groups, consumers, providers, appropriate task forces and commissions, and other state agencies in conducting the study. FSSA shall also coordinate its effort: with the Governor’s Council on State-Operated Facilities, Indiana Protection and Advocacy, and with the Governor’s Council on Persons with Disabilities.
  3. All affected agencies and other public entities shall cooperate fully with the FSSA’s study, analysis and presentation of its findings.
  4. FSSA shall submit to the Governor as expeditiously as possible, a report containing specific recommendations on how Indiana, during the state fiscal year 2001-02, may improve the system of service delivery to accomplish the goal of integration into the community of persons with mental, physical and developmental disabilities. This report shall also contain specific recommendations for funding from the 2001 General Assembly. In addition, this report should identify the barriers to achieving effective community integration, and make recommendations for eliminating or reducing those barriers, including legislative or administrative action.
  5. FSSA shall submit to the Governor by June 1, 2001, its written findings on how Indiana may, in the long-term, improve the system of service delivery to accomplish the goal of integration into the community of persons with mental, physical and developmental disabilities. This report should identify the long-term barriers to achieving effective community integration, and make recommendations for eliminating or reducing those barriers, including legislative or administrative action.
  6. The final reports to the Governor will be made available to the public pursuant to IC 5-14-3.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Indiana on this 18th day of September, 2000.

Frank O’Bannon
Governor of the State of Indiana