LaCAN Advocacy Results
Community and Family Support System (1989, Act 378)
12,000 people with waiver slots
2,000 receive Flexible Family Fund
3,000 receive state funded supports in their own homes
LaCAN is also responsible for
Act 481 of 2007which established the
NOW Trust Fundcreating a funding source for
NOW slots
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment. As with all children, children with developmental disabilities need families and family relationships to develop to their fullest potential.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES Cont’d.
Adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and to live in typical homes and communities where they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Developmental Centers…From 9 to 1 in 7 years
Privatized Northlake Northwest Acadiana Leesville
Closed Northeast Bayou Columbia Metropolitan
Pinecrest census at 399
Louisiana Ranks First!Louisiana has the highest number of people per capita living in ICFs/DD in the country.*
107 of every 100,000 Louisianans live
in an ICF/DD
28 per 100,000 is the national
average!
* As of June 30, 2010 MFP 3
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Provides comprehensive supports for people with developmental disabilities
to live independently or with their families
NOW Recipients receive services based on need
Most cost effective and better quality of life than congregate care
New Opportunities Waiver vs. Residential Costs Average annual costs:
NOW Recipient New: $45,149Current: $52,310
Resident of ICF/DD:
(1-8 bed) $58,035 - $73,109
(33+ bed) $47,486 - $58,914
New Opportunities Waiver
Waiver waiting list:
9,600+ Average length of
wait for NOW:
8+ years NOW slots currently
funded:
8,664 NOW slots cut by
legislature last year:
168
Flexible Family Fund Resources cover extraordinary costs
for families of children with the most severe disabilities
Families Supported (FY12): 1,961
Waiting List: 6,628 State General Fund Program
Program is in danger of elimination!
Individual/Family Support Critical lifeline of support Avoids out-of-home placement Safety net as families of individuals with
extreme needs wait for other services Flexible and immediate access No menu of services
Program has been reduced drastically in some regions of the state due to budget cuts. It is in danger of additional cuts!
It Matters Where You Live
Individuals/Families across the state do not have access to the same level of Individual and Family Support
Budget cuts have disproportionately affected districts and authorities
Individual and Family Support has been drastically reduced in many areas of the state
2013 per Capita Total Budget by Human Services Districts and Authorities
MHSDCAHSD
SCLHSAAAHSD
FPHSAJPHSA
$-
$10.00
$20.00
$30.00
$40.00
$50.00
$60.00
$70.00
$80.00
$90.00 Other Funding
State General Fund
March2005
August2012 Change
Percentage Change
MHSD (1) $ 1,298,137 $ 1,054,495 $ (243,642) -19%
CAHSD (2) $ 1,057,601$ 440,974
$ (616,627) -58%
Region 3 / SCHSA* $ 751,050 $ 674,741 $ (76,309) -10%
Region 4 / AAHSD* $ 1,131,824 $ 579,082* $ (552,742) -49%
Region 5 $ 503,135 $ 494,808 $ (8,327) -2%
Region 6 $ 653,219 $ 632,040 $ (21,179) -3%Region 7 $ 805,739 $ 835,506 $ 29,767 4%Region 8 $ 789,444 $ 756,600 $ (32,844) -4%
FPHSA (9) $ 762,462 $ 261,067 $ (501,395) -66%
JPHSA (10) $ 1,500,000* $ 475,832 $ (1,024,168) -68%
Districts and Authorities
$ 6,501,074 $ 3,486,191 $ (1,990,715) -46%
OCDD Regional Offices
$ 2,751,537 $ 2,718,954 $ (32,583) -1%
Individual and Family Supports Budgets
MHSD (1
)
CAHSD (2)
SCHSA (3)
AAHSA (4)
Region
5
Region
6
Region
7
Region
8
FPHSA (9)
JPHSA (1
0) $-
$0.50
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
$3.00
IFS
Bud
get
per
capi
ta
Per Capita Individual and Family Support Budgets by Region (SFY13)
MHSD (1
)
CAHSD (2)
SCHSA (3)
AAHSA (4)
Region
5
Region
6
Region
7
Region
8
FPHSA (9)
JPHSA (1
0)-0.02%
0.00%
0.02%
0.04%
0.06%
0.08%
0.10%
0.12%P
erc
en
t o
f P
op
ula
tion
Se
rve
d
Percent of Population Served (SFY 2012) Individual and Family Support by Region
Shift to Local Control
By July 1, 2013 decentralization will be completed in all regions
All remaining regions will become districts/authorities
Employment Services
Since 2009 Louisiana has given up almost
$89 million in federal Vocational Rehabilitation funding
Over $18.4 million for FY12 alone
2,821 individuals on waiting list Limited to those with the most significant
disabilities
La. Rehabilitation Services
Match is nearly a $4 to $1 For every dollar the state
invests in Vocational Rehabilitation services, there is an estimated $9 return to Louisiana
Other states get funds Louisiana does not use
LaCAN’s 2013 Legislative Agenda
368 NOW Slots: End the Wait! Protect & Restore Funding for
Individual and Family Support Protect Flexible Family Funds Access Full Vocational
Rehabilitation Grant Funds
LaTEACH(Louisiana Together Educating All Children)
A statewide grassroots advocacy network created for the purpose of systems change.
Modeled after LaCAN in 2004 Over 1,300 members strong!
LaTEACH’s Mission
LaTEACH promotes appropriate, inclusive education for all students.
We work to make parents, educators, the general public, and state leadership informed and supportive of research based and effective practices being used appropriately for each student.
LaTEACH Advocacy Results
Act 328 of 2011 regulated the use of restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities in Louisiana schools.
Louisiana Alternate Assessment 2 (LAA-2) recognized as an exit exam to meet requirements for graduation (2008).
Representation on Governor’s Commission for High School Redesign
Parental Options Vouchers to Private Schools Charter Schools Course Choice
School enrollment is competitive and no longer based on where a child lives
Traditional Public School Systems still serve students based on their geographic residence
Parental Options have fragmented responsibility for educating students
Parental Options?
In the movement of creating parental options many parents of children with the most significant disabilities are finding themselves with more and more restricted options.
Parental Options are NOT Inclusive
AdmissionsPercentage of Students with Disabilities:
Traditional Public Schools 12%
Charter Schools 8%
Private Schools 3%
Services
Charter Schools vs. LEAsPercentage of Percentage of
Charter Schools Traditional Districts (LEAs)
NOT Serving Students NOT Serving Students
With Significant DisabilitiesWith Significant Disabilities
Autism 59% 1%
Emotional Disturbance 44% 1%
Multiple Disabilities 91% 4%
Orthopedic Impairment 75% 3%
Traumatic Brain Injury 84% 20%
Visual Impairment 84% 16%
Data from 2009 Special Education Profile (most recent data available).
School Accountability SystemDis-incentivizes Inclusion School performance scores result in
highest of stakes – school takeover Schools have high incentive to not include
students who: Tend not to produce high academic scores Do not make ‘enough’ academic progress Require “more than typical” amount of support
and use of resources
Result: More magnet programs, selective recruiting and ‘counseling out’ students
Charter School Law Intent: Serve At-Risk Students
The intent of the Charter School Law is to serve at-risk students – including students with disabilities
Unfortunately there are no standards that require charter schools to serve a representative portion of students with disabilities
Segregated Schools/Settings
Schools serving specific disabilities Charter Schools serving select
populations Draft legislation would further expand
segregation La. Special Education Center
Transitioned overage residents out Advertised to fill the beds
LaTEACH ‘s 2013Advocacy Agenda
Guarantee Equal Access and Services
Prevent the Formation of Segregated Schools