ACTION ALERT!

Hello Everyone,

Here we go.  Now is the time!  SB 1060 by Senator Ellis is supposed to go to the Senate floor for a vote this Thursday.  SB 1060 is the companion bill to Rep. Rose's HB 1589.  These bills represent the legislation that Community Now! and many other groups have been working very hard to get out this Session. These companion bills call for a strategic plan to address long term care issues and would work to get the waiting lists down to just 2 years, create a waiver system based on need, create a system that is based on the principles of self determination and person centered planning.  The plan would also address quality and accountability for community services.  Although this bill was amended to remove specific language regarding closure of state institutions, the plan would include components to review the services in state institutions. 

IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR SENATOR (link to find your senator) AND ASK FOR HIS/HER SUPPORT OF SB 1060 BEFORE THE VOTE THURSDAY!!!  HERE ARE SOME TALKING POINTS:

1. SB 1060 provides for a strategic plan for long term care for people with disabilities.  Texas has never had a plan like this and it is important that we have a road map to ensure the highest quality services are available to Texans with disabilities.

2. This plan would address the critical need to ensure individuals on waiting lists for community services do not have to wait for more than 2 years.

3.  This plan ensures the choice of where services are provided and puts the power of these choices for services in the hands of the individual or his/her family.

4.  This plan will create benchmarks to ensure community services are exceptional and accountable.

5.  Tell your story...my child or I have been on a waiting list for... and we need to ensure his/her choice is honored to receive exceptional services based on his/her needs. 

6.  There are 88,000 Texans on waiting lists for community services.  They do not have choice but to wait.  An institutional setting is not a choice for our loved one.  Please respect and honor the choices of the 88,000 people who are waiting to pursue their goals and dreams to be productive members of their communities.  

I KNOW YOU GET MANY, MANY REQUESTS TO MAKE CALLS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION.  SB 1060 IS THE BILL THAT COMMUNITY NOW! HAS WORKED HARD TO BECOME A REALITY. MAKE YOUR CONTACTS NOW!