Accomplishments
ABCD continue its advocacy, progress and change for people with multiple physical and developmental disabilities. ABCD successes extend over a variety of areas concerning grassroots advocacy, public policy meetings with the Executive and Legislative branches of State government, State Task Forces, Work groups, coalitions, and the budget.
ABCD has issued an annual report for 2006-2007 (July 2006-June 2007). This report, and its appendix on the Early Intervention Providers Association, delineates ABCD's work over the fiscal year and begins to lay out some of its agenda for the coming year.
Early Intervention Providers Assocation (EIPA) Accommplishments
ABCD successes include:
Grassroots Advocacy
- Community Care Waiver- led campaign to maximize federal funding through the Medicaid Waiver, resulting in $30 million in additional federal funds;
- NJ WorkAbility- leadership role in the creation of a Medicaid buy-in program for people with disabilities who work.
Public Policy meetings with Executive & Legislative Branches
- Initiated and led meetings on Medical Day Care for individuals with developmental disabilities with policy staff from the Governor's Office and the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners and Division Directors from the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Human Services;
- As part of the Disability Budget Coalition, ABCD met with the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to discuss issues concerning accessibile housing for people with disabilities in the new State Rental Assistance Program and other DCA programs;
- Meet regularly with Assistant Commissioner for Family Health Services on Early Intervention concerns of providers and on funding issues; and
- Meet regularly with Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Division Directors of the Department of Human Services on policy and programmatic changes impacting people with developmental disabilities.
Advancing Legislation
- P.L. 2005, C. 252: Requires DHS to apply for a federal Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for DDD and provide status reports to Legislature;
- S223: Requires DHSS to apply for federal Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for certain Early Intervention services; and
- P.L. 2006, C.61: Ensures that the State complies with US Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by mandating a plan by May 2007, with public input, regarding people living in Developmental Centers jhave the opportunity to live in the community.
State Task Forces and Work Groups
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- Medical Assistance Advisory Council, Vice-Chair;
- Governor's Policy Advisory Council on Human Services Restructuring;
- Dialogue with the Division, Subcommittee on Waiver;
- DHS Provider Task Force: Subcommittee on Streamlining Operations and Workgroup on Deemed Status for Accreditation;
- Early Intervention Steering Committee; and
- Early Intervention Workgroup on Regulations.
Coalitions
- Anti-Poverty Network-Steering Committee;
- Cost of Providing Care Coalition-Steering Committee;
- Disability Budget Coalition-Founding Member and Steering Committee;
- Housing and Community Development Network-Policy Committee;
- New Jersey Family Support Coalition;
- Active member of Homes for New Jersey Campaign; and
- Direct Support Professionals Workforce Coalition-Steering Committee;
Recent Budget Success
- Cost of Providing Care- active leader in coalition campaign that resulted in 3.5% increase for provider contracts in SFY'04 and 1.5% in SFY'05; and in SFY'08 3% beginning in Janaury 2008
- ABCD was a lead advocate in eliminating the proposed Medicaid co-pays that were in the Governor's proposed budget for prescription drugs; .and
- A wrap-around program for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, whose prescription drug coverage under Medicaid ends December 31, 2005. The New Jersey Legislature, in the FY 2006 budget, included $20.6 million in funding for the wrap-around program.
Updated August 24, 2007