Update from the Arc of Illinois

[Guest guest]

The Arc of Illinois

January 10, 2009

Leaders in The Arc:

I am on my way to Washington D.C. to meet with Berns Executive

Director of The Arc of the United States. I wanted to catch up

on events and issues within The Arc of Illinois in relation to our

national office.

I also wanted to review with you our Public Policy Agenda for 2009

which was approved at our board meeting this Saturday. Here is a summary.

The board discussed priorities for new legislation. Susy Woods,

Chairperson Public Policy Committee stated that funding for this

fiscal year needs to be our top priority, especially prompt payments

to our chapters. In addition we must push and support system redesign.

Susy also recommended that as we work with the Congress and the

Illinois General Assembly, we need to push for human services jobs,

including the employment of individuals with disabilities as part of

any economic stimulus package or capital bill.

In addition to the above Arc initiatives, The Arc will also support

legislation that moves people off the waiting list; indexes a cost of

doing business increase; increases wages and benefits for direct care

professionals; increases community rates and appropriations bills that

will implement the " Blueprint for System Redesign. "

The following will be considered in the new legislative session:

The Special Education Transition Services bill that includes the new

federal language including a provision for follow up after graduation

on the status of graduates. We had agreement on this bill last year

with the State Board of Education.

The Arc will work with IARF to amend the Prompt Payment Act to

specifically include community providers.

Work with the administration to set aside a portion on the

Neighborhood Stabilization Grant for the development of CILA's for

four people or less. This could be similar to our CILA Privacy

legislation we introduced a few years back. Plays on our 51st ranking

for lack of small community living options in Illinois.

The Arc will work with Rep. Ryg and other legislators to push for a

change in the DD Medicaid Trust Fund allocation so that if there is an

increase in Illinois' FMAP rate, there shall be a proportionate

increase in the maximum amount of federal Medicaid funds deposited

into the Trust Fund and used for community-based services.

Tony auski

The Arc of Illinois

815-464-1832

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