vcdr 2012 Platform
Budget and Policy Priorities - As Passed by the VCDR Board of Governors
The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights presents our legislative platform for 2012. The member organizations of VCDR recognize that rebuilding from Tropical Storm Irene will be an important part of the legislative session. We saw - and in some cases shared - the losses experienced by so many Vermonters. We saw and celebrate the examples of community spirit and services shown by so many Vermonters following the devastation. The creativity, generosity and goodwill that emerged in those difficult days represent the strength of Vermont and the values that can and should shape the decisions we make in the days ahead.
Rebuilding from this disaster offers opportunities as well as challenges. For example, Vermont has the opportunity to move mental health services from an outdated state hospital to smaller, individualized and more community based options. We also have the opportunity to address accessibility and eliminate architectural barriers as we rebuild Vermont roads and rebuild and restore our community spaces so that they work for all Vermonters.
Health care will be another important focus of legislative activity and we will be at the Statehouse to share our ideas and concerns as health reform moves forward. We ask that both the Administration and the Legislature support policies and services that make independence, community participation and health possible for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
As we look for new solutions for the state's infrastructure and health systems, we also want to preserve the best from the past. VCDR will work to protect Medicaid benefits and long term care services that individuals with disabilities of all ages depend on to maintain health and independence. We will continue to advocate for successful peer directed services and other mental health, children and family services, transportation and economic development initiatives, legal resources, educational services, and other state and community programs that promote self determination, community participation, health and employment.
We look forward to working with both the Administration and the legislature to ensure that the work of this legislative session addresses the hopes and needs of Vermonters with disabilities and results in policies and programs that are beneficial to all Vermonters.
POLICY BILLS
Civil Rights
Respectful language legislation follow up: All legislative drafting offices and state agencies should use respectful language when referring to individuals with disabilities in the preparation of legislation and rules provided that no changes in terminology are made that might negatively impact individual eligibility for services.
Safeguarding mental health rights and protections: VCDR will monitor and oppose legislative proposals that may diminish the civil rights of people with mental health issues, particularly those that might relate to forced treatment.
Transporting individuals with mental health issues to hospitals: Vermont law relating to the transport of individuals with mental health issues between hospitals should be amended to require, whenever possible, methods less traumatizing than those that currently employ shackles.
Values in developmental services: People with intellectual disabilities served by the Vermont's developmental service system should be protected from abuse and neglect, have choices, and be able to be full participants in community life, and the values of self determination and community integration in Vermont's Developmental Disabilities Act be should be adhered to in related laws, regulations, policies and in the provision of services and supports.
Opposition to physician-assisted suicide legislation: VCDR opposes legislating physician-assisted suicide. We are particularly concerned that this campaign is happening at a time when there are so many unresolved inequities in our current health care systems. Vermont can – and should – create needed options and real choices for individuals at the end of life by ensuring equal access to the programs, practices and protections that will make quality palliative care, hospice, and community supports at the end of life a real choice for all Vermonters.
Education
Early intervention: An equitable, needs-based funding formula should be mandated to provide developmentally beneficial, evidenced-based early intervention services for all of Vermont's children 0-3.
Integrated Family Services: VCDR will monitor the actual budget and policy actions being implemented under the Integrated Family Services initiative to ensure that actions are consistent with stated goals and the outcomes that have been set (Design and implement a family and child centered system of early intervention, treatment, and support; flexible funding based on best practices and family needs; early intervention in a preventive fashion, and provide services to the family unit, not just the child)
LEA Monitoring: The Legislature should monitor Vermont's local education agencies (LEAs) to ensure that they continue to fully include and support students with disabilities to access the general education curriculum and achieve their maximum potential including the accountability measures such as assessing students with disabilities and motivating students with disabilities in a more rigorous course of study.
Education for awareness in schools: Disability and Deaf awareness education in Vermont schools should be promoted and the third week of October should be designated as Disability History month. No actions are required of schools but this would promote disability awareness and perhaps serve as a focus for support by educational leadership.
Seclusion & Restraint in Schools: Efforts should be continued to ensure enforcement and to get appropriate, comprehensive rules or legislation promoting Positive Behavior Supports in Schools, and limiting Restrictive Behavioral Interventions.
Medicaid & Budget
Preserve Medicaid: Vermont's current Medicaid Program (including eligibility, benefits, and cost sharing as delineated in the SFY 2012 budget) should be maintained and current levels of long term care and other supports for people with disabilities, including people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues, should be maintained or enhanced.
Medicaid funding for Palliative & Curative Care: The anticipated DVHA budget proposal to finance concurrent palliative and curative care for children with life limiting illnesses on Medicaid should be monitored to insure that children with life limiting illnesses can receive palliative care without stopping curative services.
EPSDT Medicaid: The state should review funding levels for mandated EPSDT services (especially case management and rehabilitative therapies) for Vermont's Medicaid eligible children.
Family Funding & CSHN Respite: Appropriations should be made to Flexible Family Funding and the Department of Health/Children with Special Health Needs Respite Program in order to restore the programs to past funding levels, and to bring the programs to parity.
Long term care & supports: A realistic level of long term supports must be available to those with serious needs. This includes developmental services, especially those oriented towards transition to adulthood, and services for individuals with serious mental health issues to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to the opportunity to participate in all aspects of society.
Work Incentives: Efforts by the administration and/or the Legislature to expand Vermont's work incentive benefits, including expanding eligibility and asset protections in Vermont's Medicaid for Working People with Disabilities Program should be monitored and supported when they effectively eliminate disincentives to work.
Services & New Initiatives
Support for Peer Initiatives: The state should continue and expand support for Peer initiatives and organizations like VPS, GMSA and Another Way.
Peer Navigation for families with complex needs: Vermont should reinstate this program in which people with lived experience of complex needs in their OWN families assisted other families to find their way through the complex system of social and economic programs. Formerly federally funded for 6 years (Family Support 360 Project), peer navigation has a documented record of success in supporting more informed choices and positive outcomes for families with children and/or parents with disabilities.
Insurance coverage for Hearing Aids: Private insurance should be required to provide some reasonable level of coverage for hearing Aids.
Insurance for PKU: Loopholes in the current law requiring private insurance to cover supplements for people with PKU should be closed and a requirement should be added for payment for medically modified foods.
Van Modification: Funding should be provided to assist families with expenses related to modifying a van or other vehicle to make the vehicle accessible to children whose medical condition requires adaptive equipment and/or a wheelchair.
21st Century Communications: The administration and/or the Legislature should insure access to a complete electronic communication infrastructure, including unified data/voice/video communication modalities and technologies that utilize location-based and voice transcription services.
Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund: A trust fund should be established by legislation, and funded by a surcharge on vehicle registration or other DMV penalties, to provide a source of revenue dedicated to filling the gaps in services and support for people with brain injuries and to develop programs designed to reduce the incidence of brain injury in Vermont.
VCDR thanks the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, VCDR members and friends for their contributions and support of our work. For more information about particular bills and other VCDR advocacy activities, or to share your recommendations and concerns, contact us
Contact VCDR
To Contact VCDR by mail:
VCDR
11 East State St., Suite 2
Montpelier, VT 05602
VCDR can be contacted by phone via VCIL at:
Phone: 1-800-639-1522