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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01121993 - 1.51 Independent RECEIVED C. Living II DEC 7 IResource December 4, 1992 CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA CO. Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez, CA 94553 0 Dear Supervisors: On behalf of the staff and the Boarcb of Directors at the Independent Living Center, for Contra Costa and Solano counties, I want to personally thank the Board of Supervisors, for their decision not to contract with outside, for profit care provider agencies. o The " Individual Provider Mode" of coordinated care affords the disabled and elderly consumers the basic right to coordinatetheir own care. This has positive impact in avoiding the unnecessary institutionalization of the consumers we serve. s Due to the twelve percent funding cuts in In-Home Support Services Y and the availability of Title 19 funds, Independent Living Resource and other concerned service agencies would like to- address this issue at your Board Meeting on January 12, 1993. • We request that the County Supervisor's clerk provide ILR with a copy of your agenda for the January 12 Meeting. Again, thank you! Sincerely, ANNE BEST xecutive Director • 1 Copy - Each Supervisor 1 Copy - Clerk's Office CC: BOARD MEMBERS (Provided) o o • •2637 Pleasant Hill Road • Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 0 (510) 935-4571 • Voice I TDD 935-4571 j DATE: REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the'lBoard. NAME: �� �1 I.J PHONE: ADD.: 13, W3 Crnr: I am speaking formyself OR organization: (NAME OF ORGANIZ-XTION) Check one: I wish to speak on Agenda Item # My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. DATE: REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. NAM DDU -5 2-1:EiONE �I v r ADDRESS: Crry: I am speaking formyself OR organization: Check one: (NAME of ORGANIZATION) I wish to speak on Agenda Item # Illvd My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of �eJ I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the B J o consider. Y Social Service Department Contra Please reply to: 1305 Macdonald Avenue James A.RydingswOrd CostaRichmond,California 94801-3120 Director s County ❑ 3630 San Pablo Dam Road EI Sobrante, CA 94803-2730 ❑ 3431 Macdonald Avenue e s•__,c_•of Richmond,California 94805-2184 ❑ 3045 Research Drive Richmond,California 94806-5206 srq•coun`� January 12, 1993 Members of the Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County County Administration Building 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA Dear Chair: Today is the last opportunity for you to ,take action to reverse your decision of December 22, 1992 authorizing the layoff of approximately thirty (30) filled Social Service positions. There are compelling reasons why you must reverse your decision of December 22. There is sufficient funding available for these positions! On April 1, 1993, a statewide infusion of Title XIX, Medicaid funding will begin which will pick up 50 % of the costs the counties had previously paid for both the salaries of In-Home Supportive Services staff and for the payroll of the attendants who provide those services in the home for the disabled and the frail elderly. When this Personal Care Option becomes available statewide on April 1, 1993, it will also be required that the counties restore the 12% decreased from providers' salaries this fall as mandated by legislation accompanying the adoption of the budget. In its budget allocation Contra Costa had already provided for this restoration, making this a non-issue for implementation of the program. What Contra Costa had not projected in this 92-93 allocation of $656,618 monthly for its county share of the attendant costs was the phenomenal savings during each calendar month of this fiscal year that this program is implemented. If, using the state's conservative estimate that 70% of a county's IHSS caseload would be eligible, halving the County's obligation would save $229,817 in County dollars monthly, a total of $689,451 for the three month period. And this figure is only for the attendant costs --it does not include the savings in staff salaries. Totalled should easily approximate the $ 800,000 projected to be saved through staff cuts! You as a Board have heard a lot of concerns with regard to this program-- distrust of the state, lack of program specifics and program cost projections that range incredibly from a loss of $914,000 to a gain of $639,000! Board of Supervisors Jan. 12, 1993 page two Perhaps it is time for this Board to talk to its counterparts in surrounding counties where you would learn: -Not only are they prepared for Personal Care Option implementation on April 1 but several of them are gearing up for early implementation on February 1. They are planning to maximize federal dollars, not give up this unprecedented opportunity. -As of last Friday, draft regulations, not only for the California Dept. of Social Services, but for the Department of Health were made available. All other counties are viewing this program as an opportunity for revenue enhancement, not as another trick up the state's sleeve: 1. While other counties are hiring social workers in anticipation of start up, we are laying off! 2. What is going on in this County that we are so far from seizing the day that we are moving in a direction away from preparation for this program? The IHSS caseloads after the projected layoff of five IHSS staff will stand at over 300; before this addition of 84 cases to the caseload of each of the few remaining staff, the caseloads in Contra Costa County were higher than any other Bay Area County. In the past four months, the number of disabled and frail elderly who have not been seen by a social worker in the past year has grown astronomically. And yet.in order for a case to be certified as eligible to receive Personal Care Option money, the client must have had a personal assessment by the social worker in the past year. Does anyone think that the addition of 84 cases to an already laughable caseload will facilitate this assessment occurring? It can't, when clearly the first priority is to grant the cases of persons who are applying for services. So while other counties are gearing up, our gears are completely broken. And this Board which has evidenced such concern for the plight of services in the face of cutbacks needs to know that the current program direction assures two things: - Services will not be provided. - We will not receive federal funding to which we would otherwise be eligible. And these services to which I allude are in both Children and Adult Services, since the restoration of the 50o County share should allow all thirty positions to remain funded! Board of Supervisors Jan. 12, 1993 page three This Board has stated that its first priority for Social Service Programs is protection - protection for children, protection for those adults unable to care for themselves. But in order to protect the children and the adults, you must first protect the program. Further, it is time for this Board to acknowledge that the recession that is affecting our cities and our County should not and cannot be solved on the backs of the social workers and their clients. The responsibility for the funding of our General Assistance program needs to be upon every department and individual in our County. To ask the Social Service staff and clients to solve society's problem is counterproductive-- during time of stress and turmoil such as these we should be providing greater services not less. I ask that you act to reverse your original decision today. We all ask that of you. Sincerely yours, KATHLEEN J. DOROSZ Social Work Supervisor I KD:mrs DATE: I Z1 REQUEST TO* SPEAK '' ORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. NAME: -0)A et;A24PHONE: Si o- ADDRESS: �,� . 5� �-'3 CITY: P.77 -�", c I am speaking formyself OR organization: U s (NAME OF ORGANIZATION) Check one: I wish to speak on Agenda Item # My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. l SI BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: 1-12-93 I AM HERE, AS A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA COALITION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS TO REQUEST THE RESTORATION OF THE FUNDING CUT FROM IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES. THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT SERVED AS A TRIGGER TO ALLOW THE DISBURSEMENT OF TITLE 19 PERSONAL CARE OPTION FUNDS FOR THE DISABLED AND FRAIL ELDERLY COMMUNITIES. WE ARE SEEKING YOUR HELP IN EXPEDITING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL TITLE 19 FUNDS WHICH WILL RESTORE THE 12% FUNDING CUT FROM IN HOME SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED COMMUNITIES. LAST YEAR'S BUDGET TRAILER BILL, 1773, BY ASSEMBLEMEN MOORE, PROVIDES THAT THE 12% CUTS BE RESTORED "AS SOON AS THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE CERTIFIES THAT THE 70 MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL WILL BE RESTORED BY THE PERSONAL CARE OPTION FUNDS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH TITLE 19" . AS OF THIS DATE, CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN VERBALLY APPROVED TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS. WRITTEN NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED ANY DAY. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS WELL AS THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE DIRECTOR OF IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, FAST-TRACT THE APPROPRIATION OF THESE AVAILABLE FEDERAL FUNDS THROUGH THE STATE. NOT ONLY WILL TITLE 19 FUNDS RESTORE THE IHSS CUTS, BUT WILL ADD POSITIONS TO DECREASE THE CASE LOAD THE COUNTY WORKERS ARE NOW FACING. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE EDLERLY AND DISABLED TO REMAIN IN THEIR OWN HOMES SAFELY AND AVOID PLACEMENT IN INSITUTIONS. i {�►d ?fie RECEIVED JAN I I I�^3 CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROPOSED RESOLUTION I CONTRA COSTA CO. Re : Attendant Services for People With Disabilities and Alternatives to Institutionalization WHEREAS, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and most major advocacy groups representing older and disabled Americans has recommended that individuals and their families should have self-directed community based attendant service options and alternatives to institutional and nursing home services . WHEREAS, the number of older and /or disabled Americans who want and need these self-directed, community-based, non-medical attendant services is growing every year, WHEREAS, historical and current funding patterns of our State and Federal governments have put substantially more dollars into institutional and nursing home services than into self-directed community-based attendant services alternatives, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Contra Costa County will adopt policies and programs that will promote the : - redirection of current Federal and State institutional and nursing home dollars to self-directed community-based attendant service alternatives , - allocation of all new Federal and State dollars in a way that lowers the ratio between institutional and nursing home program dollars and self-directed, community-based attendant services options, - removal of all regulations , funding incentives and legislative initiatives that promote an environment which encourages institutional and nursing home programs over self-directed community-based attendant service alternatives , - to establish the Individual Provider mode (IP) as the primary In-Home support model, - work with other County and State agencies to provide case management services under the IP mode. It would serve our communities of seniors/disabled better, to house case management in other agencies, �11dgq� J�G`U,�l�nq lYc�ji -more- Page, 2-3 - work to end "local option" in IHSS and return to a state-run program. It is evident that, "Local Option," generates greater problems resulting in time consuming litigation and costly mistakes due to inconsistencies of interpretation and management. Transportation and voting are primary examples of this. - establishment of a permanent advisory commission to the Board of Supervisors during the planning, development, implementation and operation phases of a, "Managed Care Program," and to advise on the Title XIX monies when they become available to the State of California, thereby to Contra Costa County, acting as a review panel for grievances to be heard, (as an option to a recipient) , prior to a request for a State of California Hearing and to act as advisors to the Board of Supervisors, County personnel and to be comprised of, three recipients, (2 Medi-Cal recipients, 1 Contra Costa Health Plan recipient, non-Medi-Cal) , one agency to represent the senior population, one agency to represent the disabled and three recipients, ( 1 Medi-Cal; 1 IHSS recipient, 1 SSI/AFDC recipient) , 1 public interest attorney representative, 1 Social Worker from each Dept . of Social Services (no Supervisors or Mangement) ; the Director of Health Services, the Director Social Services or their single appointed representative. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Contra Costa County will work with local advocacy groups for the implementation of new Federal policies that will change our long term care system from one that promotes the institutional and nursing home model to one that provides incentives for the development of self-directed, community-based attendant services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that .Contra Costa County will make this position known to the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, Louis Sullivan and the newly appointed and confirmed, In-coming Secretary; Pete Wilson, Governor of California; the California State Legislature and the American Health Care Association among others. -30- Respectfully submitted by: C. C. Central Committee's, Democrats With Disabilities Club, A quorum vote: Executive Board, Co-Chairs, Richard Stickney, Maggie -more- Page 3-3 Dowling; Secretary/Treasure, Tamarah Lucio; Members: Evers, Hoffart, Fowble, Scott, Ludwig, Gilmore, Guy, Peterson, C. Huff, J. Huff, Pejovich, Spenser Revision: Page 2 and add, page 3, January 9, 1993 RESOLUTION NUMBER BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF , STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION REQUESTING RESTORATION OF 12% REDUCTIONS TO THE IHSS PROGRAM AND FOR NEW STATE FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE PROGRAM AND IMPLEMENT PROVISIONS OF S.B. 485 (Chapter 722, Statutes of 1992) . RESOLVED, by the. Board of Supervisors of the County of , State of California, that WHEREAS, in the State Budget Act for Fiscal Year 1992-93 and as authorized in a "budget trailer bill, " the hours of. service provided to consumers through the In-Home Supportive Services(IHSS) program was reduced by 12% effective October 1, 1992; and WHEREAS, many recipients of IHSS receive SSI/SSP cash benefits, which were reduced as a result of action taken in the annual budget; and WHEREAS, the older persons and those with disabilities who are "at risk" of out-of home and institutional placements took reductions which endanger their independence and ability to live in their communities; and WHEREAS, the State of California through its Health and Welfare Agency has received written notification of approval of its Medicaid State Plan Amendment No. 92-11, which will bring in significant new federal funding under this "Personal Care Option; " and WHEREAS, the Governor and Legislature approved provisions in S.B. 485 ( 1992) which authorizes a county to establish a "public authority" or consortium of nonprofit corporations to administer a "registry" which will result in improved conditions and effectiveness of the IHSS program by utilizing support models which build on the Individual Provider (IP) mode of delivery without trading off cuts in hours to consumers and workers: Page 2 NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDER THAT this Board of Supervisors requests the Health and Welfare Agency of the State of California to take all necessary steps to ensure that the 12% reductions in IHSS may be restored forthwith for all recipients receiving such reductions and that no further cuts be made in the IHSS program during this or subsequent fiscal years, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Board of Supervisors directs its department responsible for the IHSS program to submit a plan to the Department of Social Services (DSS) which reflects -the county's (1) intent to restore such reductions, (2) plan and timetable to comply with all requirements under the Medicaid Personal Care Option and (3) planning process to create a "public authority" or contract with a nonprofit consortium as authorized by Chapter 722, Statues of 1992. . � S1 i. IHSS COALITION "Keep What Works, Fix What's Wrong, and Fund It" December 7, 1992 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: At the state and the county level, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers, workers, family members, and community supporters have formed the IHSS Coalition. We are writing to ask for your help. The recent state budget cuts to seniors-and people with disabilities have had a devastating impact on our community. Many people had their IHSS hours—which were already pegged to a minimum basic standard--cut 12%,their SSVSSP cut 5.8%,and lost their health insurance by losing categorical Medi-Cal status due to the SSI reduction. One thing can be done right away. California has been verbally approved for new federal funds--from the Title XIX Personal Care Option.-for IHSS. Written notification is expected any day. Last year's budget trailer bill, AB 1773 (Moore), provides that the 12*IHSS cut must be restored AS SOON AS the Department of Finance certifies that the current year shortfall of $70 million will be made up by bringing in at least that much in Personal Care Option funds for this year. _ IF THE COUNTIES AND THE STATE FAST-TRACK IMPI MENTATION OF THE PERSONAL CARE OPTION, WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE 12% CUT CAN BE RESTORED RIGHT AWAY. WE ASI: YOUR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN. We also need your help in planning for the future of the county's IHSS program. In January, the state will ask the county to submit a Mid year IHSS Plan Update. The county plan will detail how, and how much money it will cost, to implement the Personal Care Option for IHSS locally. - • `'.. The IHSS Coalition is asking the state legislature to budget the Personal Care Option funds in 1993-94 to fully fund IHSS caseload so that this year's 12% cut is not repeated. We are also asking that counties receive enough funds to create a registry system,through either a public authority or nonprofit consortium,to screen workers, do referrals, and coordinate training for consumers and workers. It is essential that our county's plan request the full funding we need to make best use of this "once in a lifetime" opportunity to qualitatively improve IHSS and the quality of life for so many in our community. To make IHSS work right for consumers and their families, several changes are necessary: higher wages and benefits to recruit and retain qualified workers; a registry system to match clients and workers; training for consumers and workers; and taking the fust steps to direct IHSS to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. just as important is protecting the valuable aspects of IHSS, which took years of hard work to attain: consumer independence and choice, uniform statewide assessment, and the valuable role of family providers. Making IHSS work right will take a lot of work. We ask you to join with us to improve IHSS. Representatives of the coalition will be calling soon. Thank you for your attention, consideration, and support. For your information, we are enclosing a copy of the IHSS Coalition 1993 State Legislative and Budget Program. AAn d t - RECEIVED • JAN 111� 3 CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROPOSED RESOLUTION I CONTRA COSTA CO. Re : Attendant Services for People With Disabilities and Alternatives to Institutionalization WHEREAS, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and most major advocacy groups representing older and disabled Americans has recommended that individuals and their families should have self-directed community based attendant service options and alternatives to institutional and nursing home services . WHEREAS, the number of older and /or disabled Americans who want and need these self-directed, community-based, non-medical attendant services is growing every year, WHEREAS, historical and current funding patterns of our State and Federal governments have put substantially more dollars into institutional and nursing home services than into self-directed community-based attendant services alternatives, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Contra Costa County will adopt policies and programs that will promote the : . - redirection of current Federal and State institutional and nursing home dollars to self-directed community-based attendant service alternatives, - allocation of all new Federal and State dollars in a way that lowers the ratio between institutional and nursing home program dollars and self-directed, community-based attendant services options, - removal of all regulations, funding incentives and legislative initiatives that promote an environment which encourages institutional and nursing home programs over self-directed community-based attendant service alternatives, to establish the Individual Provider mode (IP) as the primary In-Home support model, - work with other County and State agencies to provide case management services under. the IP mode. It would serve our communities of seniors/disabled better, to house case management in other agencies, ��� •����� -more- e Page, 2-3 work to end "local option" in IHSS and return to a state-run program. It is evident that, "Local Option," generates greater problems resulting in time consuming litigation and costly mistakes due to inconsistencies of interpretation and management. Transportation and voting are primary examples of this. establishment of a permanent advisory commission to the Board of Supervisors during the planning, development, implementation and operation phases of a, "Managed Care Program," and to advise on the Title XIX monies when they become available to the State of California, thereby to Contra Costa County, acting as a review panel for grievances to be heard, (as an option to a recipient) , prior to a request for a State of California Hearing and to act as advisors to the Board of Supervisors, County personnel and to be comprised of, three recipients, (2 Medi-Cal recipients, 1 Contra Costa Health Plan recipient, non-Medi-Cal) , one agency to represent the senior population, one agency to represent the disabled and three recipients, (1 Medi-Cal; 1 IHSS recipient, 1 SSI/AFDC recipient) , 1 public interest attorney representative, 1 Social Worker from each Dept. of Social Services (no Supervisors or Mangement) ; the Director of Health Services, the Director Social Services or their single appointed representative. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Contra Costa County will work with local advocacy groups for the implementation of new Federal policies that will change our long term care system from one that promotes the institutional and nursing home model to one that provides incentives for the development of self-directed, community-based attendant services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Contra Costa County will make this position known to the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, Louis Sullivan and the newly appointed and confirmed, In-coming Secretary; Pete Wilson, Governor of California; the California State Legislature and the American Health Care Association among others. -30- Respectfully submitted by: C. C. Central Committee's, Democrats With Disabilities Club, A quorum vote: Executive Board, Co-Chairs, Richard Stickney, Maggie -more- .ti Page 3-3 Dowling; Secretary/Treasure, Tamarah Lucio; Members: Evers, Hoffart, Fowble, Scott, Ludwig, Gilmore, Guy, Peterson, C. Huff, J. Huff, Pejovich, Spenser Revision: Page 2 and add, page 3, January 9, 1993 DATE: cl REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. NAME: J 64 Y\-Yl e- Bc-:E� PHONE: ADDRESS: 96'-3-7 e l ef"SQ' lnr lCITY: Pl ea s o vx+ I am speaking formyself OR organization: � o e l.._i vk Luc, Chec 'one: (NAM OF ORGANIZATION) Ch7ec J I wish to speak on Agenda Item # I. 5 My comments will be: general for against I wish to s eak on the sub ect of Fed-q�, P J ���E�r��ds-��S�sS I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.