Achieve with us.

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Previous Executive Directors were Lynn C. Warner, Margaret H. Dignoti, Tom Nerney, Parker Hodgman, Ann Switzer, John McGuire, and Harold Bingham.

2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP

BUDGET

On the last night of the 2010 legislative session, the House and Senate compromised on a budget that eliminated the 2011 deficit and balanced the biennial budget. There were no increases in the income, sales or corporate tax.

Highlights of the FY11 budget

    •    $140 million in FY10 surplus

    •    $163 million in spending cuts

    •    Issuing $956 million in low interest Economic Recovery Revenue Bonds

    •    No cuts to Municipal Aid

    •    $240 million of the Rainy Day Fund scheduled to be used in FY11 used in FY10

    •    $165.8 million in FY11 by switching SAGA program from a purely state-funded program to one where the federal government picks up 61.5% of the tab

    •    Cut $10 million from Citizens Election Fund

    •    Cut $3.5 million from Biomedical Research Trust Fund

    •    Cut $5 million from Tobacco and Health Trust Fund

    •    Cut $2.3 million in Public, Educational and Government Programming

    •    Cut approximately $20 million in DCF, DMHAS and DDS services

 

DDS Line Item Breakdown

According to The Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), the following is the DDS line item reductions. DDS has NOT issued a report from their office outlining the fiscal impact. I will continue to look for the report and forward it when it is out.

    •    1,696,390 Adjust Voluntary Services Program Funding to Reflect Caseload Decreases   

    •    1,190,748 Consolidation (close 2 bldgs) at Southbury Training School

    •    251,946 Redirect Birth to Three Provider Incentive Payments

    •    2,386,800 Reduce Overtime in DDS Operated Settings

    •    3,211,338 Reduce Personal Services Through Attrition

To view the entire OFA report, follow this link:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/FN/2010HB-05545-R01-FN.htm

 

SALE OF SEASIDE PROPERTY

According to Mark Steiner, the developer initiating the purchase of property that housed Seaside Regional Center, The Department of Public Works issued a press release saying the State and Mr. Steiner have entered into a purchase agreement. The Arc of Connecticut worked closely with Mr. Steiner and legislators with the Seaside property in their districts to expedite this agreement.

Mr. Steiner will be honoring those who lived at the regional centers with memorial plaques describing the center and what happened there. He has also agreed to offer one unit of housing for an individual with a disability supported through The Arc of New London County. This unit will be dedicated to an individual with a developmental disability in perpetuity.

 Legislation was introduced to move the sale forward but it did not pass.   See the bill tracking report below for more details.

 

NONPROFIT GUBERNATORIAL FORUM

On May 10th the Nonprofit Human Services Cabinet hosted a gubernatorial forum at Manchester Community College. It was well attended and three out of the five gubernatorial candidates were present.

To read the full story from CT News Junkie, follow this link: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/malloy_griebel_and_marsh_offer_ideas_at_nonprofits_forum_in_manchester/#more

 

BILL TRACKING

The Democratic House of Representatives or “Legislative Leadership” issues an end of legislative session report every year and I’ve included the link to the DRAFT report. Please use caution when printing; it is 65 pages. This report offers a look at all committees and reports on what leadership found important. It is worth looking through. http://www.housedems.ct.gov/2010_EOS_Summary.pdf

There are a number of bills I’d like to highlight and then I will report on the bills that The Arc of Connecticut tracked all session.

Bills of Interest that Passed

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION ON NONPROFIT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
This bill will create a commission to study the disparity of funding for private sector providers and make recommendations to the legislature for real fiscal solutions to the crisis.

AN ACT CONCERNING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF HOMEMAKER-COMPANION AGENCIES AND HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
This bill passed both the Senate and the House and will enhance background check requirements for employees of homemaker-companion agencies. Specifically, it will require anyone seeking a certificate of registration as a homemaker-companion to undergo a state and national criminal background history check.

AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES OF STATE AGENCIES PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES
The legislature passed a law that requires the Office of Policy and Management (the budget arm of Connecticut) to report on the cost effectiveness of social services programs, the importance of these services to individuals they serve and what effect the elimination of services has on them. It is effective July 1, 2010.

AN ACT CONCERNING INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
This bill establishes a task force to study individualized educational programs that are mandated through federal and state special education requirements. This bill will address problems associated with the development of IEPs such as the assessment of student ability and access to the general curriculum. Other changes include examining training standards for teachers, developing audit practices for school boards and establishing methods to address noncompliance by personnel and school districts.

AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL EDUCATION
This bill establishes standards for licensed or certified behavior analysts providing applied behavior analysis for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The legislation also makes changes to the Advisory Council for Special Education as it reduces the membership from 37 to 30 and requires members to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the children represented.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
This bill expands the statutory definition of “parent” to include grandparents, legal guardians and foster parents. They exempted these caretakers from existing monthly fees in Birth-to-Three early intervention services.

Bills of Interest that DID NOT pass

SB 315 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PERSONS WHOSE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE LACK OF CONSENT IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED did not pass.  It would have protected people with disabilities regarding sexual assault.

SB 219 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE CONTRACT REDUCTIONS did not pass.  This bill would have permitted private providers with state contracts to adjust their budgets when the state reduced their funding by 5%.

SB 287 AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESSIBLE VOTING FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES OR NEEDING ASSISTANCE did not pass.

The Arc Of Connecticut Bill Tracking Report

HB-5057 AN ACT CONCERNING AN INCREASE IN MEDICAID PROVIDER RATES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES DEAD

HB-5089 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRIVATIZATION OF A PORTION OF THE STATE'S SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS DEAD

HB-5098 AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING DEAD

HB-5142 AN ACT CONCERNING CONSOLIDATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS DEAD

HB-5145 AN ACT CONCERNING AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED BY STATE AGENCIES DEAD

HB-5160 AN ACT CONCERNING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL CONNECTICUT CHILDREN AND REQUIRING AN ANNUAL REPORT CARD EVALUATING STATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IMPACTING CHILDREN DEAD

HB-5245 AN ACT CONCERNING A REPORT ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF GROUP HOMES DEAD

HB-5308 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NONPROFIT WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY DEAD

HB-5318 AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS DIED WAITING FOR A HOUSE VOTE

HB-5356 AN ACT CONCERNING PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS DIED WAITING FOR A HOUSE VOTE

HB-5380 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PERSONS PLACED OR TREATED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEAD /  NEVER MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE

HB-5382 AN ACT CONCERNING REAL ESTATE LICENSING FOR NONPROFIT HOUSING CORPORATIONS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

HB-5390 AN ACT CONCERNING FISCAL REFORMS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

HB-5395 AN ACT CONCERNING BENCHMARKS FOR STATE-FUNDED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

HB-5397 AN ACT CONCERNING REAL ESTATE LICENSING FOR NONPROFIT HOUSING CORPORATIONS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF HOUSING COMMITTEE

HB-5411 AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID DEAD / DIED FOR TIMELINES REFERRING FROM HOUSE TO APPROPRIATIONS

HB-5413 AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES OF STATE AGENCIES PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES PASSED * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

HB-5425 AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL EDUCATION PASSED * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

HB-5426 AN ACT CONCERNING INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PASSED * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

HB-5430 AN ACT CONCERNING THE TRANSFER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES TO THERAPEUTIC GROUP HOMES AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE STATE DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A HOUSE VOTE

HB-5448 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES PASSED * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

SB-28 AN ACT CONSOLIDATING STATE AGENCIES AND ELIMINATING CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF GAE COMMITTEE

SB-36 AN ACT INCREASING QUALIFYING INCOME AND TAX REDUCTIONS UNDER THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TAX RELIEF PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN ELDERLY AND DISABLED HOMEOWNERS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF AGING COMMITTEE

SB-42 AN ACT CONCERNING A TAX CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF FINANCE, REVENUE & BONDING COMMITTEE

SB-46 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRIVATIZATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

SB-79 AN ACT CONCERNING AGENCY CONSOLIDATION AND THE OUTSOURCING OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF GAE COMMITTEE

SB-113 AN ACT CREATING TAX CREDITS FOR EMPLOYERS WHO HIRE DISABLED PERSONS  DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE

SB-134 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OF THE FORMER SEASIDE REGIONAL CENTER PROPERTY DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF GAE COMMITTEE

SB-219 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE CONTRACT REDUCTIONS DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-230 AN ACT CONCERNING THE VIDEOTAPING OF CUSTODIAL INTERROGATIONS DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

SB-269 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE CONCERNING AN INITIATIVE TO SHARE AGENCY DATA TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-282 AN ACT CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ATTENDANCE-BASED RATE SYSTEM BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

SB-287 AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESSIBLE VOTING FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES OR NEEDING ASSISTANCE DEAD * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

SB-291 AN ACT CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF DEPARTMENT HEADS DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-315 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PERSONS WHOSE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE LACK OF CONSENT IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED DEAD * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

SB-316 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION ON NONPROFIT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PASSED * SEE ABOVE BILL ANALYSIS

SB-355 AN ACT CONCERNING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEAD / MOVED TO THE FOOT OF THE SENATE CALENDAR

SB-357 AN ACT CONCERNING REDUCTIONS TO STATE CONTRACTS DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-375 AN ACT CONCERNING EXPENDITURES OF STATE AGENCIES PROVIDING PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEAD / LOST TIMELINES WHEN REFERRED FROM SENATE TO FINANCE, REVENUE & BONDING COMMITTEE

SB-403 AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-409 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM USING CIVILIAN VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL LAWS CONCERNING PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THAT LIMIT OR IMPAIR THE ABILITY TO WALK AND PERSONS WITH BLINDNESS DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-410 AN ACT CONCERNING PERSONS WHO TRANSPORT PATIENTS OR CLIENTS UNDER THE CARE, CONTROL OR CUSTODY OF A STATE AGENCY DEAD / LOST TIMELINES WHEN REFERRED FROM SENATE TO APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

SB-422AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES' PILOT PROGRAM DEAD / DIED WAITING FOR A SENATE VOTE

SB-424 AN ACT CONCERNING AGENCY CONSOLIDATION AND THE CREATION OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONSOLIDATION STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE EXTENSION OF A PILOT PROGRAM DEAD / LOST TIMELINES WHEN REFERRED FROM SENATE TO GAE COMMITTEE

SB-428 AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED STATUTES PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS, SEE CGA WEBSITE FOR SPECIFICS

SB-472 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE AGENCY PERMISSIVE IN-STATE CONTRACTING PREFERENCES AND A PILOT PROGRAM FOR JANITORIAL EMPLOYEES DEAD / NEVER MADE IT OUT OF GAE COMMITTEE

SB-473 AN ACT CONCERNING STATE CONTRACTING, A PILOT PROGRAM AND THE PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS DEAD / LOST TIMELINES WHEN REFERRED FROM SENATE TO TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE