NC COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Agency Update National Employment - The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on bi-partisan legislation to increase opportunities for people with disabilities. Leaders from the House and Senate have introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Senate passed WIOA on June 25th by a vote of 95-3. The House is scheduled to take up WIOA on July 9, 2014. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (H.R. 803) and (S. 1356) will reauthorize the WIOA and add to its purpose in the following key ways: • Maximize opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities, for competitive integrated employment, • Increase employment opportunities and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, including through encouraging meaningful input by employers and vocational rehabilitation service providers on successful and prospective employment and placement strategies, and • Ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that youth with disabilities and students with disabilities who are transitioning from receipt of special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et. seq.) and receipt of services under section 504 of this Act are either continuing their education or employed in competitive integrated employment independently. A link to the bill is here: http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3494f891-634a-4550-8a14-1e571dd5b72c/wioa-substitute-amendment-to-hr803-kin14310.pdf Olmstead Act Celebrates 15th Anniversary: On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Olmstead v. L.C., ruling that "unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination" and reaffirming the rights of persons with disabilities to live in the community, in “the least restrictive setting. State NC General Assembly Considers bill on Medical/Health Home Pilot: The North Carolina General Assembly is considering a pilot program in the Cardinal catchment area for a medical/health home for persons with I/DD. This pilot would provide both medical and behavioral health services to individuals with I/DD. The Council has asked that any final report on this pilot incorporate the findings that the Council is currently funding with their initiative on a medical/health home with Easter Seals/UCP. Council NCCDD welcomes Chris Egan as the new Executive Director: Chris Egan, formerly a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, UNC Chapel Hill, and Clinical Coordinator for the Developmental Disabilities Training Institute within the Jordan Institute for Families in the School of Social Work, became NCCDD’s Executive Director on June 30. Egan brings a multitude of skills and expertise to his new position with NCCDD including person centered thinking and planning, a commitment to personal outcomes and supports for people with disabilities and volunteer leadership with The Arc of the US and of NC, the NC Developmental Disabilities Consortium and the ECU School of Social Work Board of Advisors. Shar’ron Williams joins NCCDD as Business Services Coordinator: Shar’ron is joining the fiscal staff in her new role as Business Services Coordinator. Shar’ron comes from DHHS-Public Health and brings with her extensive experience in accounting and with DHHS’ contracts database called Open Window. She will be responsible for processing contractor invoices and monthly fiscal processing. Initiatives Update The Systems Change Managers have been busy after the May Council meeting with new contracts and implementing new quality assurance procedures for NCCDD grantees. During the May 2014 Council meeting, the members authorized National Disability Institute to be the approved contractor for the NCCDD Upward to Financial Stability initiative. Funding is approved for up to $75,000 and will begin on October 1. First in Families of NC was authorized as the contractor for the NCCDD Sibling Support initiative. Funding is approved for up to $50,000 and will begin October 1. In addition to the two new grants, the Council approved re-authorization funding for the following contracts: • Adult Care Home Transition to Community Initiative (Contractor - Disability Rights NC). Approve funding for up to $75,000. • Enhancing Disability Stakeholder Engagement in Managed Long-Term Services/Supports and Primary/Acute Care Systems Coordination Initiative (Contractor - National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services). Approve funding for up to $160,000. • Medical and Health Homes for People with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities: Coordination, Collaboration and Community Initiative (Contractor - Easter Seals/UCP). Approve funding for up to $75,000. • Emergency Preparedness Initiative (Contractor - North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management). Approve funding for up to $125,000. • Reaching the Summit of Success: Transition to Work and Employment First Initiative. (Contractor - University of Massachusetts, Institute for Community Inclusion). Approve funding for up to $50,000. • Learning and Earning After High School: The Role of Transition Services in Raising Expectations and Attitudes for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Initiative (Contractor – Western Carolina University). Approve funding for up to $180,000. • Advancing Strong Leaders in Developmental Disabilities Initiative (Contractor – University of Delaware). Approve funding up to $200,000. • Partners in Policymaking Initiative (Contractor – Advocacy Institute, Inc.). Approve funding up to $205,000. The Council has authorized the staff to draft an RFA for consideration at the August Council meeting to meet the state plan objective for guardianship. The Council released a request for bids through the Department of Health and Human Services for a comprehensive marketing and communications contractor. A selection committee will make a recommendation at the August Council meeting for a contractor to fulfill this role. Nominations are being solicited for the Council’s two prestigious awards: • Hefner Award – Awarded to a person with a developmental disability or a family member to celebrate the vision and achievement of North Carolina's families and people with developmental disabilities. • Helen C. Riddle Award – Awarded for a professional in the field of I/DD who has made a significant contribution in improving the systems and services here in North Carolina. Applications are being accepted through September 26th. Winners of these awards will be recognized at the November Council meeting. For an application, please visit our website at www.nccdd.org or call the office at 919-850-2901 to have an e-mail or paper copy.