Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities of Georgia
Lynnette Bragg, Acting-Chair
Eric E. Jacobson, Executive Director
2 Peachtree Street, Suite 3-210
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 657-2126  (888) 275-4233
TDD (404) 657-2133  Fax (404) 657-2132
E-Mail gcdd@...


POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Posted August 2, 1999
Position Closes: August 15, 1999
Monthly Salary $2,178

General Description

The Program Associate is responsible for coordinating all
administrative, programmatic, and advanced secretarial/clerical support
to Program Coordinators.  Responsible for assisting the professional
staff and Council  in office operations, travel arrangements,
secretarial support and coordinating/arranging committee meetings.
Responsible for assisting the professional staff in programmatic
activities such as supporting grant and project development and
implementation (e.g. conducting research for policy analysis, providing
technical assistance to contractors, assisting in contract budget
monitoring and data analysis; fielding consumer calls; and attendance
and/or participation in public meetings/forums).

Principal Responsibilities

· Organizes and coordinates travel, meetings, activities, workflow, and
   information for Program Coordinators
· Researches and analyzes program/operation data; generates regular and
ad
   hoc statistical informational reports
· Implements and monitors projects related to the program/operation
with
   input from Program Coordinators
· Maintains financial, personnel, or related records of the
program/operation.
· Establishes and maintains filing and record-keeping systems in
support of   program/operation
· Creates memos, correspondence, forms and other documents for Program
  Coordinators

A copy of the complete job description for this position is available
from the Department of Human Resources Office of Human Resource
Management at the address below, or on the Internet at
ftp://ga-ddcouncil.org/jobposting8-99.doc http://www.egroups.com/docvau
lt/ga-advalert/jobposting8-99.doc or http://www.TheJobSite.State.Ga.Us/
jobsearch

Preferred Qualifications

Successful completion of Bachelors degree from an accredited college or
university, preferably in the area of psychology, social work,
sociology, or public administration, and/or at least four years
experience in day-to-day administrative functions in a similar field.

Knowledge of programs, available services, laws, regulations, and
issues related to developmental disabilities, preferred.

Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Access, WordPerfect, and
general spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, and E-mail programs.

Ability to demonstrate excellent administrative, organizational,
prioritizing, research, writing, communication, and computer (word
processing and database management) skills.

Application Instructions

RESUMES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES BY 5:00 P.M. August 15, 1999, TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE
POSITION.

For further information, please contact:

Georgia Department of Human Resources
Office of Human Resource Management
Applicant Services
2 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Voice:  (404) 656-4999

The following is an announcement from  Janet Hill at the GA Department of Labor.

Tune in to GPTV on Wednesday, June 23 (8-11PM).  Employers will get
information about several non-traditional resources for recruiting employees.
The segment on the employment of people with disabilities will air after 10PM. 
There will be a video of a young man who works at Home Depot In Athens, then
I (Ms. Hill) will be interviewed regarding the encouraging outlook for people
with disabilities in the workforce.  Next will be a segment on High School/
High Tech (a program of the President's Committee).   Jill Sloan, a special
education teach, and I will give lots of information on this wonderful
program for High School Students.


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Below is information regarding the funeral services of the late Council
Chairperson, Carl Cunningham.

Donald Trimble Mortuary
1876 Second Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30032
404.371.0772

The Services will be Monday at 1:00 at the Following:

Ray of Hope Christian Church
3936 Rainbow Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30032
404.288.4673

Cards can be sent to Carl's sister at the following address:

Bernice Swift
1691 Valencia Road
Decatur, Georgia 30032
404.244.0480


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The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities will be holding a Public
Forum on Friday, July 9, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. at the Georgia Depot, 65 Martin
Luther King, Jr., Drive in Atlanta. Advocates are invited to discuss issues of
concern with the Council.


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I am seeking the approximate number of all American parents with a physical
disability (visual, audio, and mobility impairment) and a university professor
or chair from a large school willing to interview on the benefits that a
physical disability can bring to parenting (i.e., slowing down, being
more pleasant to child). I am also looking for representative parents
to interview for this 1,500 word piece. I am a hard-of-hearing
individual who uses a TDD for a phone.

Marisa Moks-Unger
<write622@...> Fax: 814-459-4042
Phone: Please dial 1-800-654-5988, then ask operator to key in 814-459-0411

REDESIGNING CUSTOMER SERVICE. I am seeking information on innovative ways
companies are providing customer service to disabled customers. Redesigning
Customer Service is a trade newsletter published by the Organizational
Development Corporation. Kara Stefan <karacom@...>


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The Work Incentives Improvement Act - HR 1180 was passed by the House Commerce
Committee on May 19th and now awaits a full house vote. The bill has 163
Co-sponsors including Rep. Nathan Deal in the 9th District. Below is a
statement released by his office.

A companion bill in the Senate - S.331, has seventy-six co-sponsors and has been
passed by the Senate Committee on Finance. Senate Majority leader Trent Lott
however has yet to allow a vote on the bill.


STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN NATHAN DEAL
THE WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT
MAY 25, 1999

I am a cosponsor and strongly support the Work Incentives Improvement Act,
HR 1180.  We must enable people with disabilities to assume greater control over
their lives and allow them to contribute more fully to society.  Rapid
technological advancements continue to provide important new tools to help
individuals with disabilities become more independent and participate in
activities related to home, school, work, and community. However, current health
care programs create barriers to individuals with disabilities
trying to increase their independence and productivity through work. I thank
Representative Lazio for introducing this legislation and will work for the
passage of HR 1180 in the 106th Congress.


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The Department of Medical Assistance is holding forums to discuss their budget
for FY2001.  This is an opportunity to recommend they unlock waiting lists by
increasing the funding for home and community based services.  By the way,
nursing homes got $70 million in state and federal funds in the FY99 and FY2000
budgets.

Monday, May 17 Columbus
Columbus State University (Columbus Room of Student Center)
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
706-568-2316

Wednesday, May 19 Augusta
Medical College of Georgia (Alumni Center)
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
706-721-2121

Friday, May 21  Macon
River Edge Behavioral Health Center Assembly Room
1:00 - 3:00

Monday, May 24 Waycross
Satilla Regional Medical Center Annex
1:00 - 3:00
912-287-2590

Tuesday, May 25 Savannah
Memorial Medical Center - Auditorium
11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
912-350-8000

Thursday, May 27  Atlanta
Moorhouse school of Medicine
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
404-752-1500


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Applications for Partners in Policymaking are currently available.  To
receive an application, call Dawn Randolph, Project Manager, at
404-881-9777, ext. 213, or Terry Butler, Project Coordinator, at
ext. 203, or send an email request to dawn@... or terry@....
The application is also available at www.aadd.org.  The deadline for
submitting an application is July 9, 1999.

Partners in Policymaking is an innovative leadership and advocacy training
program for people with developmental disabilities and parents of children
with disabilities.  It is funded by the Governor's Council on Developmental
Disabilities and is administered in Georgia by the Atlanta Alliance on
Developmental Disabilities.  When the seventh class completes its training
in May, Georgia will have over 200 graduates of the program.

Applicants from across the state of Georgia will apply for the 35 slots
available in the upcoming eighth class of Partners in Policymaking.
Applicants may apply individually or as a couple.

The program presents best practice using national and local speakers in the
areas of History of Disability, People First Language, Inclusive Education
Practice and Law, State and Federal Process and Policy, Parliamentary
Procedure, Community Building, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA).  During the course of the training, participants will complete one
major project and present "mock testimony" to state legislators, along with
fulfilling monthly homework assignments.

Participants will attend eight two-day weekend sessions at a metro Atlanta
area hotel over a nine-month period.  Sessions begin September 1999 and
conclude in May 2000, with no December session.

Applicants receive scholarships covering the costs of child care, attendant
care, transportation, lodging and meals, and other costs incidental to the
training, based on a negotiated agreement.  In most cases, there is no
significant out-of-pocket cost to participants.

For more information, contact Dawn Randolph, Project Manager, at
404-881-9777, ext. 213, or Terry Butler, Project Coordinator, at ext. 203.


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To those interested:

The National Center for Learning Disabilities thought you might be
interested in learning that they will be webcasting "Keys to Successful
Learning: A National Summit on Research in Learning Disabilities."

Those members of the education community who are unable to attend in
DC may now be a part of this historic gathering of policymakers, educators,
researchers, and organizational leaders by using the internet and email.  Below
you will find information on how to log on and join the
conversation on special education.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) Summit to Reveal Keys to
Learning Success for All Children.
Watch the Live VIDEO webcast of the entire summit:
http://www.ncld.org or http://www.connectlive.com/events/learningsummit
Thursday, May 6 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EDT) and Friday, May 7 (9 a.m. - noon EDT)
Questions can be sent via e-mail (before and during the event) to:
summit@...


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During its spring meeting, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
will be hosting a Community Reception, which is open to the public. The
reception will be held at the Continuing Education Center at the University of
Georgia in Athens on Friday, April 30, 1999 at 7:00 P.M.

The purpose of the reception is to honor the Council's Legislator of the Year
recipients, as well as to present awards to legislators for regional leadership,
and to honor winners of the More the Same Than Different contests.

Winners of the Council's Legislator of the Year Awards include: Senators Eddie
Madden, 47th; Nadine Thomas, 10th; and Representatives Judy Manning, 32nd; and
Georganna Sinkfield, 57th. Recipients of the Regional Leadership Award include:
Representatives Louise McBee, 88th; Keith Heard, 89th; and Senator Paul Broun,
46th.

In addition, the Council will award the winners of the statewide More the Same
Than Different essay and art contests sponsored annually. The essay contest,
promoted in middle and high schools, reinforces either the theme of "More the
Same Than Different," or "Dismissing the 'Dis' in Disability," to instill the
awareness that people with disabilities are just like people without
disabilities. The middle school winner is Melissa Cruz, a 7th grader from
Winder, Georgia, and the winning high school entry was submitted by Obinna Mba,
an 11th grader from Stone Mountain, Georgia. The art contest asks elementary
school students to pictorialize the same themes. The art contest winner is
Karisa Lynn West, a 4th grader from Cave Spring, Georgia.
The contests are open to students in both public and private schools across the
state. Winners will receive plaques, and will be recognized by the Council, the
Department of Education, and the Institute for Human Development and Disability:
A University Affiliated Program, housed at the University of Georgia. Teachers
of the winning students will also be honored at the same time.

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is a twenty-three member
planning and advisory group. Established in 1971, the Council's mission is to
collaborate with other individuals, families, advocacy organizations, policy
makers and service providers to promote public policies that enhance the quality
of life of people with developmental disabilities and their families through
advocacy and education, funding and project implementation, and research and
policy analysis.

Event: DD Council Community Reception
Date: Fri Apr 30, 1999
Description: Georgia Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Honors
Legislators of the Year, Regional Leaders, and Hosts Celebration of Youth.


To add this event to your personal calendar, simply click on this link:
http://preview.egroups.com/cal?md=accept&eid=63087

If you have any other comments, you can reply to this message.

eGroups.com Calendar

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The DD Council needs your opinion on the "Moving Forward" newsletter they
produce each year during the legislative session. Your suggestions will
help make the publication better serve it's purpose.

Please take a moment to fill out the short survey on the Council website at:
http://www.ga-ddcouncil.org/survey99.htm

Thanks

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Moving Forward
March 26, 1999
Volume 4, Number 12

On Wednesday the Georgia General Assembly adjourned "Sine Die" which
translated literally means "without a day specified for future meeting."
Now is your opportunity to establish a relationship with your legislators.  Meet
with them and tell them about your concerns and listen to theirs.
Another session is in the books, but the advocacy does not end here.
You did a great job, rest up, but don't rest!  THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS!

Be sure and visit our website and give us your opinion of the Moving
Forward newsletter, and your suggestions on how we can improve it next year.
http://www.ga-ddcouncil.org/survey99.htm

SUCCESSES

Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
Funding for this Campaign encompasses:

Department of Medical Assistance requests for:
1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)
**Conferees' Decision-$817,000 (35 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below
Department of Human Resources request for:

1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver) (Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for
these services)--$2.8 M (addition+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)
**Conferees' Decision--$2,935,714 (147 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)
Conferees' Decision--$1,210,231 (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
**Conferees' Decision--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Supported Employment
In the Governor's budget, 461 slots were slated for supported employment;
that number remained in the budget.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.
Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
**Conferees' Decision: $200,000
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Babies Can't Wait Funding
The Department of Human Resources proposed FY 2000 budget would have reduced
state funds for the Babies Can't Wait Program by $746,985. This would have meant
that 350 children and their families would have been denied early intervention
services. All the monies for this program were restored.

House Appropriations FY 2000--HB 144
Conferees restored $5 M to the DHR budget for Personal Services and left the
reduction in DMA's budget at $12 M, instead of increasing it to $15 M.
Sponsors: Reps. Murphy, 18; Coleman, 142; Walker, 141; Smyre, 136; Smith, 175.
Status: Passed Senate; awaits Governor's signature.

OTHER VICTORIES
The Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act--SB 163
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Starr, 44; Walker, 22.
Status: Passed House; awaits Governor's signature.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
Sponsors: Reps. Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125;
Bordeaux, 151; Scheid, 17.
Status: Passed Senate; awaits Governor's signature.

Blindness Education, Screening & Treatment Programs-HB 812
Sponsors: Reps. Sauder, 29; Murphy, 18; Walker, 141; Coleman, 142; Parham, 122,
Smyre, 136.
Status: Passed Senate; awaits Governor's signature.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139 (See HB 269)
Sponsor: Sen. Madden, 47.
Status: Passed House; awaits Governor's signature.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--
HB 269
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 passed the House late in the session and was assigned to the
Health and Human Services Committee in the Senate. It cleared that committee and
moved on to Senate Rules. Due to the number of bills on the Senate Calendar, HB
269 was not going to reach the Senate floor. In the meantime, SB 139 cleared the
Senate and was assigned to House Health and Ecology. It
cleared the H&E Committee and moved to House Rules, where it was placed
on the calendar to be voted on floor of the House.  Seeing that HB 269
was not going to have enough time to pass this session the author, Rep.
Judy Manning, decided that she would add her bill onto SB 139 as an
amendment.  That measure was voted on by Representatives and cleared
the House. As per the rules of procedure, any bill that has passed one
chamber and then is changed by the other chamber is required to be sent
back the original chamber for its agreement. In this case, SB 139, as
amended by the House, had to be sent back to the Senate for their
agreement. The Senate voted unanimously to agree to the measure and now
this Bill goes to the Governor's desk for signature with the language of
SB 139 and of HB 269 combined into one piece of legislation.

LEGISLATION THAT CAN NOT PASS THIS YEAR

Basic Bathroom Standards Act of 1999--HB 1075
Sponsors: Reps. Martin 47; Buckner 95.
Status: Assigned to House Health & Ecology.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
Sponsor: Sen. Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance
Abuse Services Delivery Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: In Senate Rules.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of
Human Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers, 13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168;
Powell, 23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Favorably reported out of Senate Insurance and Labor; in
Senate Rules.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 567
Sponsors: Reps. Skipper, 137; Buck, 135; Jamieson, 22; Felton, 43;
Irvin, 45; Royal, 164.
Status: In House Ways and Means; Bill ordered engrossed.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE) Priorities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--
SB 131 & HB 758
Sponsor: SB 131--Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
HB 758--Sponsor: Rep. Henson, 65.
Status: In House Human Relations & Aging.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.


For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia
Council on Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.
Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for Income Tax Credits--HB 204
Sponsors: Reps. Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Rep. Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
Sponsors: Reps. Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Reps. Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65;
Bordeaux, 151; Williams, 114.
Status: Passed House; will go to Senate committee.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
Sponsors: Reps. Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
Sponsors: Reps. Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Access to Disabled Adults and Elder Persons in Imminent Danger--SB 199
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Jackson, 50; Hill, 4.
Status: On House General Calendar.

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Moving Forward
Volume 4, Number 11
Friday, March 19, 1999


Monday, March 22 marks the 38th day of the legislative session. This means that
unless an unexpected recess is called, Wednesday will be the day the gavels come
down for "sine die." You have worked long and hard on Unlock the Waiting Lists;
no matter the outcome, no one can dispute that the coalition built around this
issue was strong and a real presence.  The next issue of Moving Forward will
document the results of the session.

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:

Department of Medical Assistance requests for:

1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:

1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver)
(Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these services)--$2.8 M
(addition+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS

Supported Employment
Refinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds to
serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE

Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
Sponsor: Sen. Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services Delivery
Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: In Senate Rules.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Passed House; assigned to Senate Insurance and Labor.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 567
Sponsors: Reps. Skipper, 137; Buck, 135; Jamieson, 22; Felton, 43; Irvin, 45;
Royal, 164.
Status: In House Ways and Means; Bill ordered engrossed.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--HB 11
and HB 269
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 favorably reported out of Senate Health & Human Services; in
Senate Rules.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and Funding for
Home and Community-Based Services, (See Budget) the Coalition will be sponsoring
the following legislation of interest to people with disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--SB 131 &
HB 758
Sponsor: SB 131--Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
HB 758--Sponsor: Rep. Henson, 65.
Status: In House Human Relations & Aging.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.
For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME
Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for Income Tax Credits--HB 204
Sponsors: Reps. Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Rep. Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
Sponsors: Reps. Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Reps. Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux,
151; Williams, 114.
Status: Passed House.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
Sponsor: Sen. Madden, 47.
Status: On House General Calendar.

The Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act--SB 163
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Starr, 44; Walker, 22.
Status: Favorably reported out of House Special Judiciary; on House General
Calendar.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
Sponsors: Reps. Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
Sponsors: Reps. Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
Sponsors: Reps. Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125; Bordeaux,
151; Scheid, 17.
Status: In Senate Health & Human Services; reported favorably out of committee.

Blindness Education, Screening & Treatment Programs-HB 812
Sponsors: Reps. Sauder, 29; Murphy, 18; Walker, 141; Coleman, 142; Parham, 122,
Smyre, 136.
Status: Passed House; In Senate Health & Human Services.

Access to Disabled Adults and Elder Persons in Imminent Danger --SB 199
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Jackson, 50; Hill, 4.
Status: On House General Calendar.

House Appropriations FY 2000--HB 144
The House version of HB 144 reduces Personal Services for DHR by an additional
$5 M. A cut of this magnitude would have to be taken in hospital services for
people with mental illness and mental retardation. Additionally, the reduction
to DMA's budget for community-based mental health services for adults and
children is being increased from $12 M to $15 M. DHR is requesting that $5 M be
restored in personal services, and that $3 M in community-based services
for people with mental illness be restored to provide adequate services to the
state's consumers.
Sponsors: Reps. Murphy, 18; Coleman, 142; Walker, 141; Smyre, 136; Smith, 175.
Status: Favorably reported out of Senate Appropriations.

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Moving Forward
March 12, 1999
Volume 4, Number 10

Wednesday, March 10th signaled the passing of the "33rd day" of the legislative
session. Henceforth, only House bills that have already passed the House will be
debated by the Senate, and vice-versa, until the conclusion of the General
Assembly session.  As the legislature moves towards adjournment--the action will
be fast and furious.  Please continue to call your legislators asking that
additional funding be provided in the budget for the "Unlock the Waiting Lists"
campaign.


BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:

Department of Medical Assistance requests for:
1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver)
(Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these services)--$2.8 M
(addition+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M(enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS
Supported Employment
Refinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds to
serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
Sponsor: Sen. Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and
Substance Abuse Services Delivery
Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: In Senate Rules.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Passed House; assigned to Senate Insurance and Labor.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 567
Sponsors: Reps. Skipper, 137; Buck, 135; Jamieson, 22; Felton, 43; Irvin, 45;
Royal, 164.
Status: In House Ways and Means; Bill ordered engrossed.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--HB 11
and HB 269
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 passed House; assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and Funding for
Home and Community-Based Services, (See Budget) the Coalition will be sponsoring
the following legislation of interest to people with disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--SB 131 &
HB 758
Sponsor: SB 131--Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
HB 758--Sponsor: Rep. Henson, 65.
Status: In House Human Relations & Aging.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.
For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME

Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for Income Tax Credits--HB 204
Sponsors: Reps. Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Rep. Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
Sponsors: Reps. Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Reps. Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux,
151; Williams,
114.
Status: Assigned to House Industry.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
Sponsor: Sen. Madden, 47.
Status: Passed Senate; assigned to House Health & Ecology.

The Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act--SB 163
Provides that certain provisions of law shall not be construed to deny law
enforcement personnel who are conducting an investigation into any criminal
offense in which an elder person is a victim from having access to such records;
to change certain provisions relating to penalties; to provide
that a violation of Code Section 30-5-8 shall constitute a separate offense; and
to repeal conflicting laws.
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Starr, 44; Walker, 22.
Status: Passed Senate; In House Special Judiciary.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
Sponsors: Reps. Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
Sponsors: Reps. Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
Sponsors: Reps. Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125; Bordeaux,
151; Scheid, 17.
Status: Passed House.

Blindness Education, Screening & Treatment Programs-HB 812
This Bill relates to patient access to eye care, and provides for a blindness
education, screening, and treatment program, subject to availability of funds
derived from voluntary contributions from the application and fees from motor
vehicle drivers' licenses.
Sponsors: Reps. Sauder, 29; Murphy, 18; Walker, 141; Coleman, 142; Parham, 122,
Smyre, 136.
Status: Passed House; In Senate Health & Human Services.

Access to Disabled Adults and Elder Persons in Imminent Danger --SB 199
This bill relates to investigation of reporters of need for protective services
and authorizes the director of the county department of family and children
services or the director's designee to file a petition in the superior court to
seek immediate access to a disabled adult or elder person who may be in imminent
danger as a result of abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
Sponsors: Sens. Hecht, 34; Jackson, 50; Hill, 4.
Status: Passed Senate; in House Human Relations & Aging.

House Appropriations FY 2000--HB 144
The House version of HB 144 reduces Personal Services for DHR by an additional
$5 M. A cut of this magnitude would have to be taken in hospital services for
people with mental illness and mental retardation. Additionally, the reduction
to DMA's budget for community-based mental health services for adults and
children is being increased from $12 M to $15 M. DHR is
requesting that $5 M be restored in personal services, and that $3 M in
community based services for people with mental illness be restored to provide
adequate services to the state's consumers.
Sponsors: Reps. Murphy, 18; Coleman, 142; Walker, 141; Smyre, 136; Smith, 175.
Status: Passed House; in Senate Appropriations.

For those whho are not subscribed to the Unlock the Waiting Lists egroup,
and would like up to date alerts as to the status of the budget items for home
and community based services, send a blank email to:
unlock-list-subscribe@egroups.com or visit the egroup homepage at
http://www.egroups.com/list/unlock-list

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Moving Forward
Volume 4, Number 9
March 5, 1999

1999 Supplemental Budget News: Advocates educated lawmakers, and the community
will receive 25 slots for the Independent Care Waiver, 30 slots for the Mental
Retardation Waiver; and an additional 125 slots for the Community Care Services
Program. We appreciate the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to achieve
these goals--spending every waking hour at the Capitol last weekend to make our
presence known. There's more work to be done...the year 2000 budget looms ahead!

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:
Department of Medical Assistance requests for:

1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M

Governor's Budget--See DHR Below Department of Human Resources request for:

1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver)
(Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these services)--$2.8 M
(addition+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community
Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M(enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS

Supported Employment
Refinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds to
serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
More information will follow.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
Sponsor: Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services Delivery Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: Pending Senate Floor action.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Passed House; assigned to Senate Insurance and Labor.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 567
Sponsors: Reps. Skipper, 137; Buck, 135; Jamieson, 22; Felton, 43; Irvin, 45;
Royal, 164.
Status: In House Ways and Means; Bill ordered engrossed.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--HB 11
and HB 269
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 passed House; assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and Funding for
Home and Community-Based Services, (See Budget) the Coalition will be sponsoring
the following legislation of interest to people with disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--SB 131 &
HB 758
Sponsor: SB 131--Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
HB 758--Sponsor: Rep. Henson, 65.
Status: In House Human Relations & Aging.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME
Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for Income Tax Credits--HB 204
Sponsors: Reps. Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Rep. Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
Sponsors: Reps. Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Reps. Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux,
151; Williams, 114.
Status: Assigned to House Industry.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
Sponsor: Sen. Madden, 47.
Status: Passed Senate; assigned to House Health & Ecology.

Penalties for Hate Crimes--SB 153
Sponsors: Sens. Fort, 39; Polak, 42; Scott, 36.
Status: Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
Sponsors: Reps. Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
Sponsors: Reps. Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
Sponsors: Reps. Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125; Bordeaux,
151; Scheid, 17.
Status: Passed House.

Health Care Info and Bills:

A Rally will be held on the LOB side of the Capitol, 12-1:30, Tuesday,
March 9th.  For additional information, call 404-533-6906.

This bill would create the Consumers' Insurance Advocate Office in the
Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs --SB 200

"Patient Choice" bill--SB 210
This bill allows a patient to see any health care provider or hospital
under a managed care plan if the enrollee selects the Consumer Choice
Option and the provider is willing to accept the payment, quality assurance
and other reasonable criteria as required by the health plan.

"Health Super-Agency" bill--SB 24
This bill creates a new Department of Community Health.  The new Department
would assume the powers and duties of DMA, SHPA and the health benefits
function of the State Merit System.

L.C. v. Olmstead  Decision Could have Major Impact on People with MR
On December 14, 1998, the Supreme Court agreed to review the lower court rulings
in the case of L.C. & E.W. v. Olmstead. The case involved two people with
disabilities living in a state hospital. These individuals challenged their
placement in an institutional setting rather than a community setting because
they felt that being institutionalized in their cases was unnecessary.
Both individuals were found by facility staff to be capable of benefiting from
care in a home and community-based setting. The two individuals remained in the
facility because the state did not have adequate funding available at the time.

The federal district court for northern Georgia ruled and the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the 11th District held that the state had violated the individuals'
rights under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to
place them in the most integrated setting.

The 11th Circuit sent the case back to the trial judge to restudy the case to
determine whether community placements could be made without fundamentally
altering the state's programs. The court emphasized that a community placement
could be required as a reasonable accommodation to the needs of individuals with
disabilities, and that denial of community placement could not be
justified simply because of state fiscal concerns. The court recognized that the
ADA does not necessarily require a state to serve everyone in the community, but
that decisions regarding services and where they are to be provided must be
based on whether community-based placement is appropriate for a particular
individual.

Georgia asked the Supreme Court to hear the case before its reconsideration by
the trial judge. In accepting the case, the Supreme Court agreed to hear
arguments on whether the public-service portion of the ADA compels a state to
provide treatment and habilitation for people with mental disabilities in a
community setting, when appropriate treatment and habilitation also can be
provided in an institution. The Court is set to hear the case April 21, 1999.
For more information contact Bob Roubach-404-885-1234 or 800-537-2329.

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Moving Forward
Volume 4, Number 8
February 26, 1999

Advocates--you have every reason to be proud of the efforts you have made in
educating legislators about the Unlock the Waiting Lists Campaign. In the
remaining 14 days of the Session, please continue to call, write, email, and fax
your legislators. The 13,000 people on the Waiting Lists are counting on your
support and continued involvement!

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)
Funding for this Campaign encompasses:

Department of Medical Assistance requests for:
1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)
2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver) (Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these
services)--$2.8 M (addi-tion+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)
2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)
3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS
Supported Employment
Refinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds to
serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
More information will follow.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
Sponsor: Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services Delivery Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: Pending Senate Floor action.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Favorably reported out of House Industrial Relations; in House Rules.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 46
Sponsor: Rep. Irvin, 45.
Status: Rolled into HB 567, a Bill  relating to exemptions from state sales
and use tax, so as to provide for an exemption with respect to sales to housing
authorities; to provide for an exemption for certain sales to or by nonprofit
organizations having as their primary purpose the raising of
funds for books, materials, and programs for public libraries; to provide for an
exemption with respect to the sale or use of wheelchairs and certain related
equipment; and for other purposes.
Sponsors: Reps. Skipper, 137; Buck, 135; Jamieson, 22; Felton, 43; Irvin, 45;
Royal, 164.
Status: In House Ways and Means; Bill ordered engrossed.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--HB 11
and HB 269
Advocates should monitor these Bills; the language is enabling legislation to
establish a timetable to Unlock the Waiting Lists.
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 will be on House agenda 3/1/99.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and Funding for
Home and Community-Based Services, (See Budget) the Coalition will be sponsoring
the following legislation of interest to people with disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--SB 131 &
HB 758
Sponsor: SB 131--Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
HB 758--Defines and provides a new category of facilities designated as assisted
living facilities that includes categories assisted living facility Level I and
assisted living facility Level II.
Sponsor: Rep. Henson, 65.
Status: In House Human Relations & Aging.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.
For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME
Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
This Bill has bearing on the funding of Unlock the Waiting List and other health
care concerns.
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for IncomeTax Credits--HB 204
This legislation would use tobacco settlement proceeds for tax credits rather
than health care programs and services.
Sponsors: Reps. Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Rep. Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
This  legislation would have an impact on any legislation proposed to gain basic
access in new home construction.
Sponsors: Reps. Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Reps. Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux,
151; Williams, 114.
Status: Assigned to House Industry.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
Sponsor: Sen. Madden, 47.
  Status: Pending Senate Floor action.

Penalties for Hate Crimes--SB 153
Sponsors: Sens. Fort, 39; Polak, 42; Scott, 36.
Status: Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
Sponsors: Reps. Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
Sponsors: Reps. Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
Sponsors: Reps. Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125; Bordeaux,
151; Scheid, 17.
Status: Assigned to House Health & Ecology, favorably reported out of committee
with substitution; in House Rules.

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Excerpt from "Senior Issues Newsletter" 2/15/99

Budget Process Simplified (similar for supplemental and general budgets)

Agencies submit their requests to the Governor, who then prepares his
proposal.  Next, the House begins its budget preparation.  Th budgets of the
various state agencies are assigned to subcommittees, which make
reccommendations to the House Appropriations Committee.  The House Human
Development Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Georganna Sinkfield, makes
recommendations regarding DHR's budget, and the Medicaid Subcommittee,
chaired by Rep. Mickey Channell, makes recommendations regarding DMA's
budget.  Following input from House leadership, including Speaker Murphy,
the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. Terry Coleman, votes on
the House version.  Their proposal is then presented to the full House for a
vote.

The Senate follows similar steps in developing its budget proposal. The
Human Development Subcommittee , chaired by Sen. Nadine Thomas, presents its
recommendations regarding the DHR and DMA budgets to the Senate
Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. George Hooks.  After input from
Senate leadership, including Lt. Governor Taylor, the Appropriations
Committee votes on its proposal.  Their proposal is then offered to the full
Senate for approval.  Finally, three members of each chamber, with input
form the Governor's budget advisors (Office of Planning and Budget), meet to
work out differences between the House, the Senate and the Governor's
budgets.  The three conferees from the House will likely be Terry Coleman,
Larry Walker and Tom Buck.  The conferees from the Senate will likely be
George Hooks, Charles Walker and Terrell Starr.

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Excerpt from "Senior Issues Newsletter" 2/15/99

Budget Process Simplified (similar for supplemental and general budgets)

Agencies submit their requests to the Governor, who then prepares his
proposal.  Next, the House begins its budget preparation.  Th budgets of the
various state agencies are assigned to subcommittees, which make
reccommendations to the House Appropriations Committee.  The House Human
Development Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Georganna Sinkfield, makes
recommendations regarding DHR's budget, and the Medicaid Subcommittee,
chaired by Rep. Mickey Channell, makes recommendations regarding DMA's
budget.  Following input from House leadership, including Speaker Murphy,
the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. Terry Coleman, votes on
the House version.  Their proposal is then presented to the full House for a
vote.

The Senate follows similar steps in developing its budget proposal. The
Human Development Subcommittee , chaired by Sen. Nadine Thomas, presents its
recommendations regarding the DHR and DMA budgets to the Senate
Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. George Hooks.  After input from
Senate leadership, including Lt. Governor Taylor, the Appropriations
Committee votes on its proposal.  Their proposal is then offered to the full
Senate for approval.  Finally, three members of each chamber, with input
form the Governor's budget advisors (Office of Planning and Budget), meet to
work out differences between the House, the Senate and the Governor's
budgets.  The three conferees from the House will likely be Terry Coleman,
Larry Walker and Tom Buck.  The conferees from the Senate will likely be
George Hooks, Charles Walker and Terrell Starr.

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Moving Forward
February 19,1999
Volume 4 Issue 7

Please call your Representatives and Senators, and members of the
Appropriations, Rules , and Budget Committees, asking them to support additional
funding for waivers for Home and Community-Based Services in the
FY '99 Supplemental Budget and also in the FY 2000 Budget. Calls, or letters,
faxes, emails also need to be made/sent to the Governor, Lt. Governor, and
Speaker of the House. If you can get one or two others to call or write--maybe
those who can't get out much--that would be terrific!!

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services(Note: Governor's
Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and what is on the
Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)
Funding for this Campaign encompasses:Department of Medical Assistance requests
for:
1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 MCampaign requests increasing
to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)
2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver) (Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these
services)--$2.8 M (addition+enhancement)Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M
(265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)
2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)Campaign
requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)
3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS
Supported EmploymentRefinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots
with Medicaid funds to serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
More information will follow.Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144Sponsor: Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services Delivery Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.Status:
Assigned to Senate Rules.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
This legislation would amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to labor and industrial relations, so as to transfer the Division of
Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human Resources to the Department
of Labor; and for other purposes.
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Favorably reported out of House Industrial Relations; in House Rules.p

HB 46 - Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment
Sponsor: Rep. Irvin, 45.Status: Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 11 and HB 269 - Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the
Waiting Lists
Advocates should monitor these Bills; the language is enabling legislation to
establish a timetable to Unlock the Waiting Lists.
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: HB 269 favorably reported out of House Health & Ecology; in House Rules.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and Funding for
Home and Community-Based Services, (See Budget) the Coalition will be sponsoring
the following legislation of interest to people with disabilities:

SB 131 - Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
Sponsor: Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME

Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
This Bill has bearing on the funding of Unlock the Waiting List and other health
care concerns.
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for IncomeTax Credits--HB 204
This legislation would use tobacco settlement proceeds for tax credits rather
than health care programs and services.
Sponsors: Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.HB 14--Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
This  legislation would have an impact on any legislation proposed to gain basic
access in new home construction.Sponsors: Randall, 127; Dean, 48;
Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
Sponsors: Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux, 151;
Williams, 114th.
Status: Assigned to House Industry.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
Sponsor: Madden, 47.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.

Penalties for Hate Crimes--SB 153
This Bill would provide enhanced criminal penalties in cases where a person 
intentionally selects the person against whom an offense is committed or selects
property that is damaged based on the actor's belief regarding the race, gender,
religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry of
that person, whether or not that belief or perception was correct.
Sponsors: Fort, 39; Polak, 42; Scott, 36.
Status: Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

Greater Accessibility in Public Buildings--HB 497
This Bill would require the Safety Fire Commissioner to adopt certain
regulations regarding the accessibility of government buildings, public
buildings, and facilities to persons with disabilities in wheelchairs; and for
other purposes.
Sponsors: Martin, 145; Jamieson, 22.
Status: Assigned to House Human Relations & Aging.

Provision of Qualified Sign Language Interpreters --HB 666
This Bill would authorize state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and courts
to obtain directly the services of qualified interpreters required by this
article; and for other purposes.
Sponsors: Williams  83; Ray, 128; Hugley, 133.
Status: Assigned to House Judiciary.

Universal Hearing Screenings for Newborns--HB 717
This Bill would establish an advisory committee on newborn infants and provide
for its selection, compensation, powers, qualifications, and duties; and for
other purposes.
Sponsors: Harrell, 62; Randall, 127; Trense, 44; Graves, 125; Bordeaux, 151;
Scheid, 17.

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Moving Forward
Volume 4 Number 6
February 12, 1999


Momentum is building for the Unlock the Waiting Lists Campaign. Your prescence,
your letters, and your calls to your legislators all contribute heavily to the
effort. Please continue your active support for this worthwhile endeavor. For
daily summaries of legislative activity, visit: http://www.state.ga.us/

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:
Department of Medical Assistance requests for:

1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M

Governor's Budget.

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver) (Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these
services)--$2.8 M (addition+enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

OTHER BUDGET ITEMS
Supported Employment
Refinance 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds to
serve people with mental retardation or mental illness.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
More information will follow.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System--SB 144
This Bill would amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to health care facilities, so as to provide for a short
title; to provide for legislative purpose, intent, and findings; to provide for
definitions; to provide for the development and functioning of a consumer
centered system for access to long-term care services to help Georgians of all
ages better access home and community based services, home health care,
hospice care, private home care, licensed residential care facilities, and other
long-term care services.
Sponsor: Polak, 42.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Other Legislation of Interest
Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services Delivery Study Committee--SR 32
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: Assigned to Senate Rules.

Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Human
Resources to the Department of Labor--HB 172
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Assigned to House Industrial Relations.

Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment--HB 46
Sponsor: Rep. Irvin, 45.
Status: Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.

Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists--HB 11
and HB 269
Advocates should monitor these Bills; the language is enabling legislation to
establish a timetable to Unlock the Waiting Lists.
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: Both Bills have been assigned to House Health & Ecology.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System, the Coalition
will be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people with
disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options--SB 131
This legislation would provide for a new category of facilities to be designated
as assisted living facilities and to include assisted living facilities - Level
I and assisted living facilities - Level II within such category; to amend Code
Section 10-1-393 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to unfair
or deceptive practices, so as to change certain
provisions relating to providing personal care services.
Sponsor: Sens. Polak, 42; Land, 16; Fort, 39.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
The funding requested is part of the Unlock the Waiting Lists campaign.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website
at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME
Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund--HB 174
Advocates should monitor this Bill, as it has a bearing on the funding of Unlock
the Waiting List and other health care concerns.
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for IncomeTax Credits--HB 204
Advocates should closely monitor this Bill; the legislation would use tobacco
settlement proceeds for tax credits rather than health care programs and
services.
Sponsors: Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174; Stancil,
16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years--HB 191 & HB 14
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.
HB 14--Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

Housing Affordability Impact Note--HB 58
This  legislation would have an impact on any legislation proposed to gain basic
access in new home construction.
Sponsors: Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Watson, 70.
Status: In House Rules.

Automatic Door Openers for Buildings which have Ramps--HR 264
This Resolution urges the Department of Community Affairs to consider amending
the State Minimum Standard Building Codes to require that all buildings that are
required to have ramps for access for disabled and senior adults also have
automatic door openers; and for other purposes.
Sponsors: Hembree, 98; Childers, 13; Ehrhart, 36; Henson, 65; Bordeaux, 151;
Williams, 114th.
Status: Assigned to House Industry.

Protections for Community Service Board Employees--SB 139
This legislation would amend Code Section 37-2-6 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to community mental health, mental retardation, and
substance abuse boards, so as to provide that no officer of a community service
board shall take any action against an employee who makes a complaint to the
board or to a member of the General Assembly concerning any fraud, waste, or
abuse relating to the board's operation.
Sponsor: Madden, 47.
Status: Assigned to Senate Health & Human Services.

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From Grace Fricks <fricks@...>:

To find out the phone number or fax of your State Representative call House
Information at 404-656-5082.

To find out the phone number or fax of your State Senator call Senate
Information at 404-656-0028.

All mail to legislators, Speaker Murphy, Governor Barnes, or Lt. Governor
Taylor should be addressed to State Capitol, Atlanta, GA
30334.

Below are lists of legislators who are critical to where the campaign is
right now in the budget process. In one week we will provide you with the
list of members who are on the full Appropriations Committee.  The ones you
have here are on the subcommittees.  If you think about any groups you have
ever participated in  the small subcommittee work out the details, then
their recommendations go to the larger committee.  Same principal in the
budget process.

Members of House Appropriations subcommittee for Human Development (DHR and
DMA budget) are:
Chair- Georganna Sinkfield - Fulton
Buddy Childers- Rome
Keith Heard- Athens
David Lucus- Macon
Jim Martin- Fulton
Ann Mueller- Savannah
Billy McKinney- Fulton
Judy Manning- Cobb
Gail Buckner- Clayton
Mickey Channell- Milledgeville (Chair of DMA subcommittee)
Nan Orrock- Fulton
Robin Williams- Augusta
Michelle Henson- DeKalb
Vernon Jones- DeKalb
Jay Shaw- Lowndes, Clinch, Lanier

Members of House budget committee (All budget)
Tom Buck- Columbus
Terry Coleman- Eastman
Jack Connell- Augusta
Jeanette Jameison- Toccoa
David Lucus- Macon
Bob Holmes- Fulton
Butch Parrish- Swainsboro
Calvin Smyre- Columbus
Ralph Twiggs- Hiawasee
Larry Walker- Perry
Bill Cummings- Polk, Rockmart

Members of the Senate Appropriations subcommitte for human development (DHR
and DMA budgets)

Chair Nadine Thomas- DeKalb
Joe Burton- DeKalb, Gwinnett
Robert Lamutt- Cobb
Connie Stokes- DeKalb
Eddie Madden- Hart, Franklin, Elberton, Banks, Jackson, Madison

Members of Senate budget committee (all budget)
Charles Walker- Augusta
George Hooks- Americus
Terrell Starr- Clayton

Others most critical to unlocking the budget are:
Speaker Tom Murphy- Bremen
Lt. Governor Mark Taylor- Albany
Governor Roy Barnes- Mableton

Call  the Unlock the Waiting List number 1-800-590-5920 for legislative
committee schedules and updates related to the budget.

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From Grace Fricks <fricks@...>

The Unlock the Waiting List Campaign is focused at securing needed state
funds (most which is used for federal Medicaid matching funds) for home and
community-based services for 13,000 Georgians who are on waiting lists.
The Governor' FY 2000 budget recommends the following:

1. Services for 30 persons from 400 waiting persons who have severe physical
disabilitie/traumatic brain injuries (ICWP- Independent Care Waiver
Program).   Advocates are asking for 50 persons for next year.

2.  Services for 117 persons from 2000 waiting persons who have mental
retardation/developmental  disabilities (MRWP- Mental Retardation Waiver
Services).  Advocates are asking for 265 persons for next year.

3. Services for ($1.95 million) 750 persons from 11,000 waiting persons who
have disabilities and older Georgians (CCSP- Community Care Services Program).
Advocates are asking for $16.6 million.

Until  the end of the legislative session (middle of March), advocates are
asking legislators to increase funding to the abovementioned levels
identified by advocates.  These levels are over and above what the Governor
has recommended.

Both the House and the Senate develop their own recommendations. The
legislative leadership reviews all the recommendations including the
Governor's and comes up with a budget for final vote by all legislators and
submission to the Governor for him to sign or veto.  There are multiple
committees and steps throughout this budget process.

This week the legislature should finish the supplemental budget which is
typically used for one-time expenditures and for mid-year adjustments for
the present year we are in.  However, since there are so many people who
need community-based services now,advocates are asking for some additional
monies in the supplemental budget.

This week the House begins working on the FY 2000 budget (Big budget).
Advocates are asking for additional monies here also.

The Unlock the Waiting Lists Campaign is monitoring budget committees and
helping to organize constituents to educate and communicate with their
individual legislators.

If you do not know whether your legislators are supportive of unlocking the
budget to unlock the waiting lists, you need to call,  write, fax, see  them
at home on the weekend, or come to Atlanta to see them.  If you need
additional information or support please call us at 1-800-590-5920.

Legislative Committee Schedule for this week:
1).  House Appropriations Subcommittee on Medicaid (DMA)chaired by
Representative Mickey Channell from Milledgeville meets Tuesday at 3:30 in
Room 506 LOB to begin working on Big budget.

2).  Senate Appropriations Subcommitee chaired by Senator Nadine Thomas from
DeKalb meets Tuesday , tentatively at 3:30, location unknown at this time to
work on the supplemental budget recommendations.

3). House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Development (DHR budget and
DMA budget) chaired by Representative Georganna Sinkfield from Fulton will
work on the Big Budget.  Date, time and location unknown at this time.


Capitol Visit Schedule for Advocates:

2/16  DeKalb  10:00 am
2/18  Center Director's Association 8:30 am-10:30 am
2/22  Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton 10:00 am
2/23  Fulton, Clayton, Cobb, Spaulding, Butts, Carroll, Coweta,
Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriweather, Pike, Troup, Upson
10:00 am and 11:00 am

Meet at the double elevators on the 3rd floor of the capitol.  If you are
late for the 10:00 we will check at the elevators again at 11:00.
Fact sheets, buttons, and guides will be provided.  You are welcome to come
even if you are not from the above counties.

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The Senate Appropriation Committees are negotiating the Supplemental Budget at
this time, and it should be passed at least by next week.
Contact Sen George Hooks, Phone: (404) 656-0065, Fax: (404) 657-7094, or by
E-mail: ghooks@... and let him know you want the funding for
the MRWP, IRWP, & CCSP programs that was recommended by the House to be included
in this year's Supplemental budget.

The following is a list of Regional Days at the Capitol.  All briefing sessions
are held on the 3rd floor of the Capitol, around the double elevator doors at 10
and 11.  Look for a Campaign Guide, they're wearing Unlock the Waiting Lists
Campaign buttons.

-23rd, Cobb-Douglas Day, Beth Tumlin, 770-992-2132

-23rd, Fulton County Day, Erin Swinson, 404-627-1522

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Tomorrow, advocates across the country will be:

-either delivering a Valentine card to their Governor to say thanks for not
signing on or thanks for dropping off the Olmstead case, or confronting their
Governor for staying or signing on.

Here in Georgia, our new Governor will be asked AGAIN to distance himself
from the previous Administration by RIGHTING A WRONG, and we need your help.

Take 5 minutes to contact Governor Barnes, and ask him to "HAVE A
HEART."  Ask him to support integration, support life in the community, and
support the Americans with Disabilities Act.  ASK HIM TO ASK THE SUPREME
COURT TO DISMISS THE APPEAL of Olmstead vs. LC.  Call (404) 656-1776,
404-656-7119 fax or email him at his comment page at:
http://ganet.org/governor/contact.html

Start phoning, faxing or emailing at 2:30.
Forward this message to your networks.

For more information on the Olmstead vs. LC case, visit
http://www.mindspring.com/~adaptgazan/adapt-ga.htm

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Moving Forward
Volume 4 Number 5
February 5, 1999

Now is the time to contact your legislators regarding the Unlock the Waiting
Lists campaign. Contact the Council or the Campaign at 1-800-590-5920 for
further information. Advocacy efforts can make a difference. For daily summaries
of legislative activity, you may access http://www.state.ga.us/

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System
This Bill is also supported by CO-AGE.Sponsor: Sen. Polak (42)
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's requested increase list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:
Department of Medical Assistance requests for:

1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
Campaign requests increasing to--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver) (Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these
services)--$2.8 M (addition+enhancement)Campaign requests increasing to--$5 M
(265 slots)Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)
2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests total CCSP Medicaid-eligible funding increasing to- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)
3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Campaign requests increasing to--$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Increase Funding for Supported Employment
Expand supported employment for 461 with mental retardation or mental illness by
refinancing 100% state-funded MR supported employment slots with Medicaid funds.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Other Legislation of Interest

SR 32 - Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance
Abuse Services Delivery Study Committee
Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: Assigned to Senate Rules.

HB 172 - Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of
Human Resources to the Department of Labor
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168;
Powell, 23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Assigned to House Industrial Relations.

HB 46 - Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment
Sponsor: Rep. Irvin, 45.
Status: Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System, the Coalition
will be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people with
disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
The funding requested is part of the Unlock the Waiting Lists campaign.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council on
Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/

PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME

HB 11 and HB 269
Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of the Waiting Lists
Advocates should monitor these Bills; the language is enabling legislation to
establish a timetable to Unlock the Waiting Lists.
Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: Both Bills have been assigned to House Health & Ecology.

HB 174 - Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund
Advocates should monitor this Bill, as it has a bearing on the funding of Unlock
the Waiting List and other health care concerns.
Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.

HB 204 - Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for IncomeTax Credits
Advocates should closely monitor this Bill; the legislation would use tobacco
settlement proceeds for tax credits rather than health care programs and
services.
Sponsors: Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

HB 191 & HB 14 - Reduction of Individual Income Tax Over a Period of Years
This Bill would amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to revenue and taxation, so as to provide for a gradual reduction in
the income tax rate for individuals over a period of years; to abolish the
individual income tax and the income tax on fiduciaries and partnerships, and to
repeal certain provisions relating to the Home Delivered Meals, Transportation
Services for the Elderly, and Preschool Children with Special Needs Fund, and
for other purposes. HB 191 specifies that the tax cut would commence January 1,
2009. Since advocates worked for the enactment of the voluntary check-off box on
state tax returns for contributions to the fund mentioned above, they will want
to watch the progress of this Bill.
Sponsors: HB 191--Reps. Irvin, 45; Wiles, 34; Lewis, 14;  Pinholster, 15;
Ehrhart, 36; Evans, 28.HB 14--Kaye, 37.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

HB 58 - Housing Affordability Impact Note
This Bill would amend Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to financial affairs of the General Assembly, so as to
provide for issuance of a housing affordability impact note for any legislation
or rule that affects the cost of constructing aresidential unit of housing; and
for other purposes. This  legislation would have an impact on any legislation
proposed to gain basic access in new home construction.
Sponsors: Randall, 127; Dean, 48; Jones, 71; Watson, 70.
Status: Received a "do pass" from House Special Judiciary Committee;
in House Rules.

Your hard work is paying off. On Tuesday, the Human Development Subcommittee,
chaired by Rep. Georganna Sinkfield, (57) 404-656-9210, and the Medicaid
Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Mickey Channell, (111) 404-656-0213, decided to
appropriate funds in the Supplemental Budget for: 30 Mental Retardation Waiver
slots, 200 slots for the Community Care Service Program, and 10 slots for the
Independent Care Waiver Program. This budget has yet to be voted on and is
subject to change until it is passed by both houses. If you know any of the
Representatives who serve on these committees, you may wish to drop them a line
and express your appreciation for their efforts. If you don't know the
Legislators on these sub-committees, you can call the Chairpersons of the
committees stated above to find out.

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Tonight on GPTV's Lawmaker's 98', advocate Elizabeth Linda Brown and her
daughter will be shown.

As I understand it, the show followed them around one afternoon as they visited
Legislators and advocated for disability issues.

Don't miss it.  The show starts at 7 p.m.

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Moving Forward
Volume 4, Number 4
January 29, 1999

Every year advocates visit the General Assembly to discuss public policy
issues with members of the legislature. Here is your opportunity. On Tuesday,
March 2, 1999, advocates will meet at the Capitol for the "Governor's Council
on Developmental Disabilities Day."  Please mark your calendars and join us....

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System
This Bill is also supported by CO-AGE.
Sponsor: Sen. Polak (42)
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
(Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are requesting and
what is on the Campaign's wish list, and are in bold.)

Funding for this Campaign encompasses:
Department of Medical Assistance requests for:

1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
On Campaign's Wish List--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)

2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below


Department of Human Resources request for:

1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (Mental
Retardation Waiver)(Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for
these services)--$2.8 M (addition+enhancement)
On Campaign's Wish List--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)

2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
On Campaign's Wish List- $12.9 M
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)

3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
On Campaign's Wish List-$3.7 M
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Increase Funding for Supported Employment
Two-hundred and sixty-nine new supported employment slots could be created
if Department of Human Resources (DHR) budget request for $2 million were
funded.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.


Other Legislation of Interest

SR 32 - Creation of the Senate Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance
Abuse Services Delivery Study Committee

This Resolution would establish a Senate study committee to consider House
Bill 100 of 1993, which reorganized the delivery of mental health, mental
retardation, and substance abuse services to make it more responsive to
the needs of consumers and their families. The Resolution recognizes the
strides the reorganization into regional boards HB 100 has made, especially
in moving people from institutional to community settings. However, SR 32
states "there is a need to investigate how effectively the reorganization
has worked to determine if some minor adjustments might substantially
improve the services."

Sponsors: Sens. Madden, 47; Dean, 31; Gillis, 20, and others.
Status: Assigned to Senate Rules.


HB 172 - Transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services from the Department of
Human
Resources to the Department of Labor

This legislation would amend Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to labor
and industrial relations, so as to transfer the Division of Rehabilitation
Services from the
Department of Human Resources to the Department of Labor; and for other
purposes.
Sponsors: Reps. Coleman, 142; Childers,13; Sinkfield, 57; Dixon, 168; Powell,
23; Dukes, 161.
Status: Assigned to House Industrial Relations.


HB 46 - Tax Exemptions for Wheelchairs and Other Related Equipment

This legislation would amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from state sales and use tax,
so as to provide for an exemption with respect to the sale or use of
wheelchairs and certain related equipment; and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Irvin, 45.
Status: Assigned to House Ways and Means Committee.


The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)

CO-AGE has decided to merge its issues on the Funding for Adult Protective
Services and an Emergency Relocation Fund. The merged summary follows. Along
with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System, the Coalition will
be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people with
disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
The funding requested is part of the Unlock the Waiting Lists campaign.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council
on Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/


PLEASE WATCH THIS LEGISLATION--DO NOT TAKE ACTION AT THIS TIME

HB 11 and HB 269 - Establishing Planning Guidelines for the MR Portions of
the Waiting Lists.

Both pieces of legislation would amend code section 37-2-7 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state plan for disability services.
Legislation would establish guidelines for "short-term" and "long-term" state
planning lists for the acquisition of certain disability services when such
services are not available at the time of the request. The guidelines will
provide for the commencement of services, as soon as practical but no later
than 180 days following a request for services. The guidelines will also
include criteria for individuals on a planning list to receive emergency
services when requested.  HB 269 requests the first plan be formulated and
published to provide services for those who have been placed on a waiting
list for services or are on a short-term planning list before July 1, 2004.
Likewise, HB 269 establishes that provisions for services shall be phased-in
over a period of not less than four years nor more than six years and
services must commence no later than January 1, 2005.

Sponsor: Rep. Manning, 32; and others.
Status: Both Bills have been assigned to House Health & Ecology.


HB 174 - Placing Tobacco Settlement Funds into the Indigent Care Trust Fund

The Bill would amend Article 6 of Chapter 8 of Title 31 of the Official Code
of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Indigent Care Trust Fund, providing for
the deposit of all revenues which are proceeds received by the state from the
settlement of the lawsuit filed by this state against certain tobacco
companies. All revenues shall be deposited into the Indigent Care Trust Fund.
The legislation establishes provisions for appropriating all funds and for
the retention of said funds in the event the funds are not appropriated by
the end of the fiscal year.

Sponsors: Reps. Mobley, 69; McClinton, 68; Taylor, 134; Teague, 58.
Status: Assigned to House Appropriations.


HB 204 - Utilizing Tobacco Settlement Funds for IncomeTax Credits

This legislation would amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the rate of tax computation
and exemptions with respect to personal income taxes.  Legislation would
provide for an income tax credit regarding tobacco settlement proceeds
received by the state from the settlement of the lawsuit filed by the
state against certain tobacco companies. Such tax credits will be established
ach year by the Commissioner of Revenue. Taxpayers will not receive a tax
credit that exceeds their income tax liability and any unused tax credit
will not be permitted to carry over to the following year's personal income
tax liability. Advocates will want to watch this Bill as well, as it may
directly have an impact on the funding for the Waiting Lists campaign.

Sponsors: Wiles, 34; Irvin, 45; Ehrhart, 36; Lewis, 14; Scarlett, 174;
Stancil, 16.
Status: Assigned to House Ways & Means.

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Moving Forward
Volume 4, Number 3

The initial weeks of the General Assembly session have focused on the
Governor's budget recommendations. Governor Barnes will deliver his
"State of the State" address on January 27, at 11:00 am.  For daily
summaries of legislative activity, you may access information at
http://www.state.ga.us/

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
This legislation would provide for basic  access for people of all ages with
mobility impairments in newly-constructed, SPECULATIVE-only,* single family
dwellings, duplexes, and triplexes. (*spec--home is a home designed for sale
to the public for use as a private place of residence which was  purchased
after the framing of the residence.) Basic access means: 34-inch bathroom
doors; blocking between the bathroom wall studs around the toilet, shower
and tub allowing the addition of grab bars, if needed by the resident; one
no-step entrance on homes built on a concrete slab (at the front, side or
back of house); and, all electrical outlets at reachable heights.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System
This legislation would create a consumer-centered long-term system to screen,
assess, and educate people about the range of options in services and settings;
provide uniform tools, assessment criteria and information about services
available, consumers would then choose their services; phase-in the
implementation and budgeting of the consumer-centered long-term care
system of a period of several years; implement data collection and outcome
measures to educate the state's long-term care services; and, provide that
Medicaid funding would follow the eligible recipient to finance their choice
of an appropriate long-term care plan. This Bill is the same one proposed by
CO-AGE (see below).
Sponsor: Sen. Polak (42)
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

BUDGET
Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
Home and community-based services are more cost-efficient than care in an
institution or nursing home. In 1997, using Medicaid Waiver home and
community-based services instead of institutional care saved the state
$110,098,477. (DMA). Paying now to help people remain with their families
makes better economic sense than paying expensive nursing home or hospital
costs later. Advocates from the Georgia Council on Aging are supporting this
Campaign. (Note: Governor's Budget items are below what Departments are
requesting, and in some cases, what is on the Campaign's wish list, and are
in bold.) Funding for this Campaign encompasses:

Department of Medical Assistance requests for:
1) 400 new slots in the Independent Care/Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
benefiting people with severe disabilities--$8 M
On Campaign's Wish List--$1.17 M (50 slots)
Governor's Budget--$700,323 (30 slots)
2) 4,600 new slots in the Community Care Services Program Waiver benefiting
people who are frail and older and some people with disabilities--$9.3 M
Governor's Budget--See DHR Below

Department of Human Resources request for:
1) 150 slots with mental retardation/developmental disabilities
(Mental Retardation Waiver)
(Note: there are 2,000 people on the waiting list for these services)--$2.8 M
(addition+enhancement)
On Campaign's Wish List--$5 M (265 slots)
Governor's Budget--$2.2 M (117 slots)
2) 1315 slots for Medicaid-eligible people who are older and/or who have
disabilities (Community Care Services Program)--$3.5 M (enhancement)
Governor's Budget--$1.2 M (375 slots)
3) 1500 slots for non-Medicaid eligible people who are older and have
disabilities--$3 M (enhancement)
Governor's Budget--$750,000 (375 slots)
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD
or Campaign Office Toll Free Message Line: 1-800-590-5920.

Increase Funding for Supported Employment
Two-hundred and sixty-nine new supported employment slots could be created if
Department of Human Resources (DHR) budget request for $2 million were funded.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Restoring Funding to the Babies Can't Wait Program
The Department of Human Resources proposed FY 2000 budget would reduce state
funds for the Babies Can't Wait Program by $746,985. This would mean that 350
children and their families would be denied early intervention services. These
children will have a greater need for therapy and special education services
as they get older because they did not receive early intervention.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Other Legislation of Interest
The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
CO-AGE has decided to merge its issues on the Funding for Adult Protective
Services and an Emergency Relocation Fund. The merged summary follows. Along
with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System, the Coalition will
be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people with
disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
This legislation would create additional long term care residential options by
changing the term personal care homes to Assisted Living Facilities. It would
also create a second level of care known as Assisted Living Level II that
permits nursing assistance for residents. It would support consumer choices
that are accessible to private pay as well as to Medicaid-eligible consumers,
by using Medicaid funds to pay for Level II care. This legislation would also
reduce the number of people who are placed in a level of care higher than is
necessary when options are not available.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
This budget item is part of the Unlock the Waiting List campaign. Advocates
seek to reduce the waiting list and provide assistance for people in need of
home and community-based services. This budget item asks for $12.9 million for
the Community Care Services Program from the Departments of Medical Assistance
and Human Resources budgets, which would serve recipients who are Medicaid
eligible. It also asks for $3.7 million for Non-Medicaid Home and Community-
Based Services which would serve older people and people with disabilities.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services and Emergency Relocation Fund
Five-hundred thousand dollars would allow the Department of Human Resources
(DHR) to provide initial and on-going, in-depth training for Adult Protective
Services caseworkers and would provide specified funding for an emergency
relocation fund for abused adults to be administered by DHR.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council
on Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org/


This week's advocacy tip!
Engage members of your organization in the process of educating legislators
on issues and informing them of how a proposed bill would affect you or your
organization.  Moreover, always thank a legislator who votes in your favor in
committee and/or on the floor.


"We can learn to soar only in direct proportion to our determination to rise
above doubt and transcend the limitation."
--David McNally--Even Eagles Need a Push

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Moving Forward
January 15, 1999
Volume 4, Number 2

On Monday, January 11, 1999, before a vocal crowd of elected officials, close
personal friends, family members and well-wishers, Roy Barnes (D) was sworn
in as Georgia's 80th Governor. Governor Barnes will deliver his "state of the
state" address on January 27, at 11:00 am. For daily summaries of legislative
activities, you can access information at http://www.state.ga.us/services/leg/.
You can create a list of bills to follow, and much more.

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
This legislation would provide for basic  access for people of all ages with
mobility impairments in newly-constructed, SPECULATIVE-only,* single family
dwellings, duplexes, and triplexes. (*spec--home is a home designed for sale
to the public for use as a private place of residence which was  purchased
after the framing of the residence.) Basic access means: 34-inch bathroom
doors; blocking between the bathroom wall studs around the toilet, shower
and tub allowing the addition of grab bars, if needed by the resident; one
no-step entrance on homes built on a concrete slab (at the front, side or
back of house); and, all electrical outlets at reachable heights.
Sponsor:
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
Home and community-based services are more cost-efficient than care in an
institution or nursing home. In 1997, using Medicaid Waiver home and
community-based services instead of institu-tional care saved the state
$110,098,477. (DMA). Paying now to help people remain with their
families makes better economic sense than paying expensive nursing
home or hospital costs later.
Sponsor:
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD
You can also join the Unlock the Waiting Lists email list by sending
a blank email to unlock-list-subscribe@egroups.com

Creating a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System
This legislation would create a consumer-centered long-term system to screen,
assess, and educate people about the range of options in services and settings;
provide uniform tools, assessment criteria and information about services
available, consumers would then choose their services; phase-in the
implementation and budgeting of the consumer-centered long-term care
system of a period of several years; implement data collection and
outcome measures to educate the state's long-term care services; and,
provide that Medicaid funding would follow the eligible recipient to
finance their choice of an appropriate long-term care plan. This
Bill is the same one proposed by CO-AGE (see below).
Sponsor: Sen. Polak (42)
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

BUDGET
Increase Funding for Supported Employment
Two-hundred and sixty-nine new supported employment slots could be created
if Department of Human Resources (DHR) budget request for $2 million were
funded.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Restoring Funding to the Babies Can't Wait Program
The Department of Human Resources proposed FY 2000 budget would reduce state
funds for the Babies Can't Wait Program by $746,985. This would mean that 350
children and their families would be denied early intervention services.
These children will have a greater need for therapy and special education
services as they get older because they did not receive early intervention.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Other Legislation of Interest

The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and being a
part of the Unlock the Waiting List Campaign through their request of a
budget item on funding home and community-based services, the Coalition
will be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people with
disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
This legislation would create additional long term care residential options
by changing the term personal care homes to Assisted Living Facilities. It
would also create a second level of care known as Assisted Living Level II
that permits nursing assistance for residents. It would support consumer
choices that are accessible to private pay as well as to Medicaid-eligible
consumers, by using Medicaid funds to pay for Level II care. This
legislation would also reduce the number of people who are placed in a
level of care higher than is necessary when options are not available.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348

Emergency Relocation Fund
This legislation would create a fund to pay for emergency housing for older
and/or disabled adults who have been abused or whose long-term care facility
has been closed. It would also specify that funds collected from state
licensed health care providers, other than nursing homes, be deposited
into an emergency relocation fund.
Sponsor:
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
This budget item is part of the Unlock the Waiting List campaign. Advocates
seek to reduce the waiting list and provide assistance for people in need of
home and community-based services. This budget item asks for $12.9 million
for the Community Care Services Program from the Departments of Medical
Assistance and Human Resources budgets, which would serve recipients who
are Medicaid eligible. It also asks for $3.7 million for Non-Medicaid Home
and Community-Based Services which would serve older people and people with
disabilities.
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services
This budget item would hire and train additional Adult Protective Services
caseworkers. Advocates are asking for $500,000 to allow the Department of
Human Resources to employ 10 additional Adult Protective Services caseworkers
and train them.
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council
on Aging's website at: http://www.gcoa.org

BUDGET ADDRESS NEWS

With the House gallery filled to capacity, on Wednesday, January 13, 1999,
Governor Roy Barnes(D) presented his FY 2000 Budget to Lieutenant Governor
Taylor, Speaker Murphy and members of the General Assembly. Of particular
interest to the disability community in the Governor's budget proposal were
the following items: (1) a recommendation to expand community-based services
to 117 individuals with mental retardation who are currently on the waiting
list by providing $2,166,000 in new funding; (2) a recommendation for a
$1,960,000 funding increase to expand community-based services for 750
elderly and disabled citizens; (3) a recommendation which does not eliminate
funding for the Babies Can't Wait program; (4) a recommendation for the
expansion of Supported Employment for 461 clients with mental retardation
or mental illness by refinancing 100% state-funded MR supported employment
slots with Medicaid funds; and (5) $700,300 in state funds to expand the
Independent Care Waiver Program by 30 slots.

We know you can do it--you've done it before--be bold, be courageous--
and never give up!!!

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We apologize for the delay.

Moving Forward
January 8, 1999
Volume 4, Number 1

The gavels for the opening of the 1999 Legislative Session will sound on
January 11. Governor Barnes will deliver his "state of the state" address
on January 27, at 11:00 am, and his budget recommendations on January 13
at 11 am. For daily summaries of legislative activities, you may
access information at http:\\www.state.ga.us\

LEGISLATIVE
Basic Access in New Home Construction--1999
This legislation would provide for basic  access for people of all ages with
mobility impairments in newly-constructed, SPECULATIVE-only,* single family
dwellings, duplexes, and triplexes. (*spec--home is a home designed for sale
to the public for use as a private place of residence which was purchased
after the framing of the residence.) Basic access means: 34-inch bathroom
doors; blocking between the bathroom wall studs around the toilet, shower
and tub allowing the addition of grab bars, if needed by the resident; one
no-step entrance on homes built on a concrete slab (at the front, side or
back of house); and, all electrical outlets at reachable heights.
Sponsor:
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Unlock the Waiting Lists for Home and Community-Based Services
Home and community-based services are more cost-efficient than care in an
institution or nursing home. In 1997, using Medicaid Waiver home and
community-based services instead of institutional care saved the state
$110,098,477. (DMA). Paying now to help people remain with their
families makes better economic sense than paying expensive nursing home
or hospital costs later.
Sponsor:
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD

Creating a Conumer-Centered Long-Term Care System
This legislation would create a consumer-centered long-term system to screen,  
assess, and
educate people about the range of options in services and settings; provide
uniform tools, assessment criteria and information about services available,
consumers would then choose their services; phase-in the implementation and
budgeting of the consumer-centered long-term care system of a period of
several years; implement data collection and outcome measures to educate
the state's long-term care services; and, provide that Medicaid funding
would follow the eligible recipient to finance their choice of an
appropriate long-term care plan. This Bill is the same one
proposed by CO-AGE (see below).
Sponsor: Sen. Polak (42)
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

BUDGET
Increase Funding for Supported Employment
Two-hundred and sixty-nine new supported employment slots could be created
if Department of Human Resources (DHR) budget request for $2 million were
funded.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Restoring Funding to the Babies Can't Wait Program
The Department of Human Resources proposed FY 2000 budget would reduce state
funds for the Babies Can't Wait Program by $746,985. This would mean that 350
children and their families would be denied early intervention services.
These children will have a greater need for therapy and special education
services as they get older because they did not receive early intervention.
Contact: Jerry Stedman-404-657-2126, 888-ASK-GCDD.

Other Legislation of Interest
The  Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
Along with supporting a Consumer-Centered Long-Term Care System and being a
part of the Unlock the Waiting List Campaign through their request of a
budget item on funding home and community-based services, the Coalition
will be sponsoring the following legislation of interest to people
with disabilities:

Assisted Living--Create Additional Long-Term Care Residential Options
This legislation would create additional long term care residential options
by changing the term personal care homes to Assisted Living Facilities. It
would also create a second level of care known as Assisted Living Level II
that permits nursing assistance for residents. It would support consumer
choices that are accessible to private pay as well as to Medicaid-eligible
consumers, by using Medicaid funds to pay for Level II care. This legislation
would also reduce the number of people who are placed in a level of care
higher than is necessary when options are not available.
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348

Emergency Relocation Fund
This legislation would create a fund to pay for emergency housing for older
and/or disabled adults who have been abused or whose long-term care facility
has been closed. It would also specify that funds collected from state
licensed health care providers, other than nursing homes, be deposited
into an emergency relocation fund.
Sponsor:
Contact: Melanie McNeil-404-657-5348.

Funding for Home and Community-Based Services
This budget item is part of the Unlock the Waiting List campaign. Advocates
seek to reduce the waiting list and provide assistance for people in need of
home and community-based services. This budget item asks for $12.9 million
for the Community Care Services Program from the Departments of Medical
Assistance and Human Resources budgets, which would serve recipients who
are Medicaid eligible. It also asks for $3.7 million for Non-Medicaid Home
and Community-Based Services which would serve older people and people with
disabilities.
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

Funding for Adult Protective Services
This budget item would hire and train additional Adult Protective Services
caseworkers. Advocates are asking for $500,000 to allow the Department of
Human Resources to employ 10 additional Adult Protective Services caseworkers
and train them.
Contact: Melanie McNeill-404-657-5348.

For full explanations of CO-AGE's issues, you may access the Georgia Council
on Aging's website at: http:\\www.gcoa.org\

EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY
People with disabilities their family members and other advocates have made
great strides in creating systems change in Georgia because of their active
participation in the legislative process. Effective advocacy with legislators
is essential in creating that systemic change. Below are some tips for
effective advocacy:

"  Be truthful, responsive and respectful
"  Know the players
"  Know the committees
"  know what public policy rationale is on the issue
"  prepare materials--do your homework
"  Anticipate opposition
"  Be solicitous for your political allies
"  Understand the process: the rules of procedure and the rule of compromise
"  Enlist the support of allies
"  Become cross-partisan eyes and ears
"  Observe basic controversies

We know you can do it--you've done it before--be bold, be courageous--
and never give up!!!

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