On Target is a monthly publication
of the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities.
We welcome your suggestions for newsletter content and
ideas concerning the actions of the Council. On Target is made available
in accessible formats upon request.
Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director
Christine Dahlberg
Associate Director
Paul Shankland
Grants Manager |
Report outlines state's progress toward home and community-based care
A new report shows Indiana is making significant progress in transitioning from institutional to home and community-based care for people with disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Services in Indiana: 2004 Progress Report includes statistics on state and federal spending, residential placements and more.
The report, prepared by David Braddock and Richard Hemp, can help Indiana residents "gauge their state's progress toward implementing appropriate services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families" from 2000 to 2004, according to the executive summary.
The report's key findings include:
- For 2004, Indiana will have an institutional placement rate of nine per 100,000 people. That is below the projected national rate of 10 per 100,000.
- Federal Medicaid spending for the Home and Community-based Services Waiver in Indiana increased 360 percent from 2000 to 2004, while spending for intermediate care facilities/mental retardation (ICF/MR) dropped 16 percent.
- The number of people with develop-mental disabilities served in home and community-based settings increased 34 percent from 2000 to 2004. At the same time, the percentage of people with disabilities living in homes with six or fewer residents increased from 44 percent of all people served in 2000 to 67 percent of all people served in 2004.
- Waiver spending in 2004 will place Indiana above the projected national average and above projected spending levels in similar states, such as Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
- Spending for home and community-based services in Indiana grew 80 percent from 2000 to 2004.
"In America, the community represents all that is good, a 'can do' spirit, caring neighbors and a place where everyone can contribute their talents," said Council Executive Director Suellen Jackson-Boner. "It is rewarding to see the progress that has been made toward creating communities that can support all of their members. We must continue to work toward this effort, so everyone is part of a caring community."
The report outlines specific recommendations to help Indiana continue to improve its home and community-based services for people with disabilities. Those recommendations include:
- Continue to downsize state-operated institutions.
- Focus attention on the more than 1,700 Hoosiers with disabilities inappropriately placed in nursing facilities. The state's rate of nursing home placement - 30 per 100,000 people - was the highest in the nation in 2002.
- Expand waiver services to meet the needs of more than 10,000 people on waiting lists.
- Develop additional support programs for families. For example, similar states offer cash subsidy programs to families.
- Increase wages and benefits for personal care attendants to address high turnover and low service quality.
The Developmental Disabilities Services in Indiana: 2004 Progress Report was sponsored by the Council, Association of Rehabilitation Facilities of Indiana, Arc of Indiana and Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.
Council may offer electronic 'On Target'
You may soon have an exciting new way to get important disability news and features. The Council is exploring the possibility of offering the On Target newsletter in an e-mail format for those who prefer that option.
Not only is an e-mail newsletter more convenient for some people, but it also allows the Council to reduce printing, postage and handling fees. Content for the print and e-mail versions will be identical, and the e-mail version will be available in a text-only format for those who use assistive technology.
If you're interested in switching from the print version to the e-mail version, please send your name, street address and e-mail address to ontarget@gpcpd.org (e-mail).
As always, if you have article suggestions for On Target, please send them to Ashley Petry at apetry@bjmpr.com (e-mail), (317) 631-6499 (fax) or Ashley Petry, c/o Borshoff Johnson Matthews, 47 S. Pennsylvania St., Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
President issues New Freedom Initiative report
Three years after President George W. Bush launched the New Freedom Initiative, a new progress report highlights the program's achievements. Released in March, New Freedom Initiative: A Progress Report focuses on such issues as assistive technology, education, employ-ment, and home and community-based care.
Some of the achievements highlighted in the report include:
- Securing $120 million for the development of assistive technology and the creation of financing programs.
- Launching DisabilityInfo.gov, an online resource of disability-related programs and services.
- Obtaining $3.7 billion in additional funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Establishing the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education and the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.
- Creating a number of demonstration projects in the areas of transportation, assistive technology, education, employment, and home and community-based care.
- Working with the Department of Health and Human Services to create the Office on Disability, which coordinates a variety of federal disability programs.
- Awarding nearly $160 million in Real Systems Change Grants.
Visit www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html for a copy of the report.
Ms. Wheelchair pageant crowns Kelly Craig
In late March, Indiana crowned its new Ms. Wheelchair, Kelly Craig, who will represent the state at the 32nd annual Ms. Wheelchair America pageant in Richmond, Va., next month.
The Ms. Wheelchair pageant honors the abilities and achievements of women who use wheelchairs. Contestants are judged on their accomplishments, communication skills and performance in public speaking, as well as personal and on-stage interviews. Winners serve as advocates for disability issues across the nation.
Election-year politics stalls disability bills
With the election only a few months away, Congressional activity has been characterized by partisan disagreements.
That political posturing has stalled a number of disability-related bills, and advocates do not anticipate progress until after the election.
"Congress is intensely gridlocked at this point, perhaps as much as it has been in the past decade," said June Lyle, AARP associate state director for public policy. "I don't anticipate much will come out of Congress until after November elections."
Complicating the issue is that this year's summer recess will be longer than usual to accommodate the parties' national conventions. The legislative schedule also includes a number of long weekends during which legislators up for re-election can return home to campaign.
In its shortened time frame, one of Congress' most important priorities will be fiscal year 2005 budget resolutions and appropriations. The House and Senate bills disagree on a number of proposed cuts to disability-related programs and services.
"The budget continues to be of concern," Lyle said. "Those of us who work with the neediest populations are really going to need to watch what happens."
Visit thomas.loc.gov to follow the progress of disability-related bills.
Camps offer programs for children with disabilities
School might be over for the summer, but children with disabilities have many options for fun and education at residential summer camps across the state.
Camp Crosley YMCA (North Webster)
Provides traditional camping activities in a lakefront setting, with specific programs for children with asthma or diabetes. Cost varies. Visit www.campcrosley.org or call (877) 811-6189 (voice).
Camp Isanogel (Muncie)
Outdoor recreation activities and arts and crafts for both children and adults with disabilities. Cost varies. Visit www.isanogelcenter.org or call (765) 288-3103 (voice).
Camp Riley (Martinsville)
Offers a recreational camping experience for children and youth with disabilities. Cost is $350 to $650 per week. Visit www.bradwoods.org or call (765) 342-2915 (voice).
Camp Millhouse (South Bend)
Features fun, adventurous outdoor activities. Cost is $200 to $350 per week. Call
(574) 233-2202 (voice).
Deaf Children's Camp (Milford)
Features nature center, two beaches and a variety of traditional camping activities.
Cost is $265. Visit www.deafcamps.org or call (574) 658-4831.
Happy Hollow Children's Camp (Nashville)
Focuses on African-American culture and provides specific programs for children with asthma or diabetes. Cost varies. Visit www.happyhollowcamp.org or call (317) 638-3849 (voice).
Visit www.ncpad.org/discover/resources.html for camp links and tips for getting campers ready for the experience. Or visit doe.state.in.us/exceptional/speced/pdf/Camplist2004.pdf for information on other summer camp programs for children and adults with disabilities.
Council announces evaluation drawing winners
Congratulations to the following people, whose names were drawn from among those who submitted Disability Awareness Month 2004 evaluation forms. The Council relies on feedback from the evaluation forms to improve future Disability Awareness Month campaigns.
Winners will receive a free copy of Riding the Bus with My Sister by Rachel Simon, who was a keynote speaker at the 2003 Annual Conference for People with Disabilities.
- Deb Blatz, Warsaw Community Schools (Warsaw)
- Rick Forrester, Salamonie School Library (Warren)
- Lois Greene, William Borden Elementary School (Borden)
- Amy HarrisDelta, Sigma Omicron (Terre Haute)
- Amy Link, Jay-Randolph Developmental Services (Portland)
- John Meyers, ARC of Wabash County, Inc. (Wabash)
- Shirley Slutz, Meridian Elementary/Clay Community Schools (Brazil)
- Gay Marie Weir, Boonville High School Library (Boonville)
- JoAnne Werling, Blackford County Schools/Southside Elementary (Hartford City)
- Kari C. Wilson, North Miami Elementary School (Denver)
Of Note
Breaking news: Supreme Court upholds ADA
In a 5-4 decision on Monday, May 17, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of people with disabilities in the case of State of Tennessee v. Lane and Jones. In its ruling, the Court said Congress does have the constitutional authority to give private citizens with disabilities the right to seek monetary damages in federal court when state courthouses and services are not accessible to them. Advocates believe the same rationale could be used to allow private suits against states on other grounds. See the July issue of On Target for in-depth coverage of the ruling.
Register for 2004 Indiana Buddy Walk
Join people with disabilities from across the state in the 2004 Buddy Walk, a family event to raise awareness about Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk is Saturday, Oct.16, at Military Park in Indianapolis. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at noon. Visit www.indianadsf.org/events/registration.htm to register.
Apply now for Washington Center internship
Undergraduate students with disabilities should apply now for the Washington Center Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Applications for fall internship positions are due June 14. For more information or an application, visit http://www.aapd.com/Internships/washintern.html#app or call J.T. Taransky at (202) 457-0046 (voice/TT).
Save the date:
APSE conference in July Register now for the 15th annual APSE (Association for Persons in Supported Employment) Conference, July 11-14 in Indianapolis. Conference highlights include a "Supported Employment 101 Institute" and "theme tracks" addressing topics such as leadership, best practices, public policy and more. Visit www.apse.org for more information or to register.
Save the date!
The 2004 Conference for People with Disabilities will be held Nov. 8-9.
Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities
150 West Market Street, Suite 628
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-7770 voice
(317) 232-7771 TT
E-mail: GPCPD@gpcpd.org
Web site: www.state.in.us/gpcpd
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