Advocates come in all ways

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GCDD response to Freels

Posted by: "na " sumitchell@... susannacmitchell

Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:07 am (PST)

October 12, 2006Dear Mr. Freels:We are in receipt of an e-mail you recently sent out over several list serves. We feel it is important to respond and correct several pieces of information that you presented in your e-mail. We hope you will use this letter to correct the information you have sent out. It might also result in more people being sympathetic to your message.1. The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is NOT under the Governor's office. By State Law (O.C.G.A. 30-8-1) the Council is established as independent entity attached to the Department of Human Resources for administrative purposes only. Our funding is almost entirely federal in order to keep us independent and not subject to pressure from the State. The Council would not support any legislation that would change this status.2. As the immediate past president of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, son can attest that there are onl

y two Councils in the country who are not state agency entities: Florida and Montana. The rest are embedded in state agencies that are the equivalent of the Department of Human Resources or are established similar to us, while several are in the Office of the Governor. The United State Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities has expressed concern about those agencies that have become non-profits and has halted efforts to allow Councils to become independent of state government.3. Public Law 106-402 (Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights and Assistance Act) says that the purpose of Council is to "engage is systems change, capacity and advocacy to contribute to a coordinated, consumer- and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed, comprehensive system that includes needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families." The Act also gives the Governor sole authority for the appointment of the Council members.4. Sonny Perdue, GovernorTom Seegmuller, Chairperson E. son, Executive Director Twenty-Sixth Floor, Suite 246Two Peachtree Street, N.W.Atlanta, Georgia 30303(404) 657-2126Fax (404) 657-2132TDD (404) 657-2133Toll Free (888) 275-4233Contrary to what you presented, the Council has worked very closely with Heidi and other parent advocates around the changes in the Deeming Waiver ( Beckett) and now Medicaid changes being implemented through the Care Management Organizations initiative. We have supported parents to testify before the Department of Community Health board and legislative committees. The Council staff has fielded hundreds of phone calls and assisted families who were notified of termination to appeal decisions and helped others to get back onto the rolls. In addition, we have met with the Department, the Governor's office, legislators and the me

dia to voice concerns about these changes and suggest solutions to the problem.5. The Georgia Advocacy Office is NOT under the Governor's office. In fact, it is a non-profit organization with an independent board. Almost all Protection and Advocacy agencies established under Public Law 106-402 are non-profits. While you have presented some arguments and ideas that have merit, the antagonistic attitude that you presented them with makes it very difficult for many who may want to work with you to address issues and concerns. It takes many kinds of advocacy to create change in any system * there is no right or wrong way. Instead, a spectrum exists from civil disobedience, to legal advocacy, to legislative advocacy. All are necessary and in fact, the DD Act incorporates these ideas and empowers Councils to work on legislative advocacy and self-advocacy, and empowers Protection and Advocacy agencies to use individual advocacy, policy advocacy and legal advocacy to address areas where th

ere are concerns of neglect and abuse. You probably did not receive the same negative responses from parents and others when you decided to file a law suit. Ms. and her circle have decided to undertake a different kind of advocacy and should be afforded the same respect as you would want. In fact, your letter only assists those who want a fractured community and what we need is a community that works together toward common goals. Sometimes this means that compromise is necessary even when you don't get the answer you wanted to hear.You and Ms. are to be commended for the work you have done on behalf of children with disabilities in the State. We, at the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities look forward to working with parents to create the changes necessary to improve the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Sincerely,Tom Seegmueller E. sonChairperson Executive Director