North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Ex Officio Report Current Initiatives: Adult Care Home Transition The Council partnered with Disability Rights NC to carry out the goals of this initiative. Now in its third and final year, Disability Rights has wrapped up the work on the initiative and will be presenting the final report and recommendations at the August Council meeting. At present, no state funding has been allocated to help the transition of the reported 1500 residents with I/DD from the ACHs into the community. In order to facilitate this transition, NCCDD is promoting the development of a “blueprint” that will incorporate the diverse needs of individuals across the state within the existing policy and budget restraints. Guardianship The DHHS Division of Aging and Adult Services along with the UNC School of Social Work Jordan Family Institute have been working on this initiative. Representatives from all agencies who have a stake in improving the self-determination of those with a guardianship order or at risk of having a guardian will have control over their lives. Family members and self-advocates are also part of this group. New members are invited to be part of this group. Thanks to Keith Greenarch for representing the Centers for Independent Living in this workgroup. Copies of the first year are report are available in print and online: http://bit.ly/1RvF5T9 Medical/Health Homes for individuals with I/DD The Medical/Health Homes initiative is in its final year of funding and has made several recommendations that have been incorporated into Medicaid reform and still continues to influence the work in the State around Medicaid services for individuals with I/DD. This fall, the initiative will sponsor a forum that on integrated health. More information will be sent to the group prior to the date of the forum which is TBD. The work of this important initiative has been successful in: * The establishment of an NC chapter of DD Nurses Association; * Working with the dental association to train practices on the serving patients with I/DD and promoting the integration of oral health as part of medical health homes; and * Bringing other states’ models of medical/health homes to North Carolina policy makers at a recent summit on “Medical Health Homes and Managed Care for People with I/DD. The work of this initiative continues to inform policy makers as they consider major changes in Medicaid. Emergency Preparation The council has been working with the NC Department of Public Safety to build capacity for disaster preparation, emergency response, and related procedures and systems. The NC DPS has been successful in building additional capacity and promoting the changes made to emergency response in national meetings of other states. There are copies of the Show Me publication available at the meeting today. Conference Funding Support The NC Council supports individual with disabilities and their caregivers to participate in educational opportunities that will enhance their ability to be a better advocate or increase independence through the Jean Wolff Rossi Fund. This fund will provide financial support to attend conferences that will meet the goals of the Rossi Fund Program. Those interested in applying for funds may visit the NCCDD website for an application at www.nccdd.org or call the office at 919-850-2901 to have an application mailed. Self-advocates and family members who want to attend any of that national IL conferences such as APRIL in October are encouraged to apply for support though the Jean Wolff Rossi Fund! 5 Year Plan goals have been approved The Council works from a five year plan. At the February 2016, Council members endorsed the three goals for the next Five Year Plan. The Five Year Plan must be submitted to Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) for approval by August 15, 2016. The new Five Year Plan will take effect on October 1, 2016. The three large goals in the plan revolve around financial asset development, community living, and advocacy development. Funding for initiatives in the next 5 years will address these key goals. To download a copy of the plan, you can visit the Council’s website or click the link below: http://bit.ly/1MRMuGL Council Meetings are open to the Public and members of the general public are invited to attend The Council meets four times per year. The remaining two Council meetings in 2016 are: August 11-12 November 16-18 Agendas and handouts from the meeting are available on the Council website at www.nccdd.org. There is a public comment period on Friday where visitors can address the Council. Thanks to John Marens for addressing the Council at the May meeting. Meetings are held at the Hilton Garden Inn at 131 Columbus Avenue, Cary, NC. Please see our website for more information.