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!  

a call to action!

HB 1589 by Rep. Rose and SB 1060 by Senator Ellis will be heard in the House Human Services Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee this Thursday, April 16th. These bills are companion bills which means they are exactly the same. The exact time of these bill will be heard is difficult to determine at this time. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.  Please contact the list of Committee Members on the house and senate committeesrequesting their support of these bills.  We must blitz these folks beginning this Monday.  

Bill Summary:
HB 1589 and SB 1060 call for a long term care reform through the development of a strategic plan to:
*  Create a system of services based on need not disability through self determination and consumer direction
*  Increase monitoring and accountability of community services and supports
*  Create a Steering Committee to close and consolidate some state institutions as the population decreases over an 8 year period
*  Redirect resources from state institution closures to fund thewaiting lists.
This is an amazing bill and will carefully and judiciously put a plan in place to bring more equity to the provision of long term servicesfor Texans with disabilities.  This plan calls for a Strategic Plan to look at many, many issues including consolidation of state institutions.  Although there are other good bills out there regarding reform, HB 1589 and SB 1060 have a vision of comprehensive reform. These bills could set in motion a paradigm shift that will look to fund the waiting lists with existing resources by closing some of the state institutions.  This bill is fiscally sound and speaks to maintaining the facilities needed to provide services for those who choose to remain in a state institution while shifting resources through closure of the facilities no longer needed. 

 

When you call or email, here are some suggested talking points:
*.  I need your support of this bill (SB 1060 or HB 1589) to bring equity and real choice to people with disabilities and where they would like to live.  
*   Texans with disabilities can immediately go into an institution which is their choice, however those on waiting lists do not have a choice but to WAIT.  This is not a real choice
*  Please protect the CHOICE of those on waiting lists to live in the community
*  WE need a long range strategic plan to re-balance long term care by consolidating the state institutions we no longer need and re-directing funds to the waiting lists.
*  We need a system that provides services based on needs not disability labels.
*  We need to make sure that community services are exceptional and accountable.
*  We need you to know that community services are less expensive than institutional care as evidenced by the Legislative Budget Board report.
*  We need you to care about the 88,000 people waiting with as much passion as you care about those living in institutions.
*  Will you support this bill?

Senate Health and Human Services Committee Members (SB 1060)
Senator Nelson, Chair 512-463-0112jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Deuell, Vice Chair 512-463-0102bob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Huffman 512-463-0117 joan.huffman@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Nichols 512-463-0103 robert.nichols@ senate.state.tx.us
Senator Patrick 512-463-0107 dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Shapleigh 512-463-0129eliot.shapleigh@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Uresti 512-463-0119 carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us
Senator West 512-463-0123 royce.west@senate.state.tx.us
Senator Zaffirini 512-463-0121 judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

House Human Service Committee Members (HB 1589)
Rep. Rose, Chairman 512-463-0647patrick.rose@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Herrero, Vice Chairman 512-463-0462abel.herrero@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Darby 512-463-0331 drew.darby@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Elkins 512-463-0722 gary.elkins@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Hernandez 512-463-0614 ana.hernandez@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Hughes 512-463-0271 bryan.hughes@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Legler 512-463-0460 ken.legler@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Naishtat 512-463-0668 elliott.naishtat@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Walle 512-463-0924 armando.walle@house.state.tx.us

If you live in one of these legislators districts, please let them know that you are a constituent from their district. Also, be direct and brief and add your own personal story into the mix.  Please carve out some time to make these calls and/or emails.  It is critical to the success of the pushing these bills through the process. 

ACTION ALERT: Demand Accountability for the Hate Crimes at Corpus Christi State School

Call the Governor's office and your state Representative and Senator and request the following:

• Formally request the Federal authorities to investigate the alleged perpatrators of these horrific acts at the Corpus Christi State institution as Hate Crimes. It is critical that these individuals be held accountable to send a strong message that this type of behavior against our most vulnerable citizens is unacceptable.

• Immediately call for the closure of Corpus Christi State institution and safely transition the individuals to another setting of their choice based on availability. This facility cannot be fixed.

• Ensure are levels of management are held accountable for these horrific allegations of abuse and exploitation.
  

The Governor's office number is: 512-463-2000 or 512-463-0039. 

email: rick.perry@governor.state.tx.us

Also, Bob Kafka suggests we contact these folks:

Iva Benson, Corpus Christi SS Superintendant

Phone: 361-844-7648

Iva.Benson@dads. state.tx. us

Adelaide Horn, DADS Commissioner

Phone: 512-438-3035
Fax: 512.438.4220

adelaide.horn@ dads.state.tx.us

Albert Hawkins, HHSC Executive Commissioner 

Phone:  512-424-6502

Fax: 512-424-6587

albert.hawkins@hhsc.state.tx.us

Lt Gov Dewhurst 

Phone:(512) 463-0001

Fax: 512) 463-0677

david.dewhurst@ltgov.state.tx.us

Speaker Joe Straus

Phone: 512-463-1000

Fax: 512-463-0675

joe.straus@house. state.tx.us

Senator Jane Nelson 

Phone: 512-463-0112

Fax: 512-463-0923

Jane.Nelson@senate.state.tx.us

Representative Jim Pitts

Phone: 512-463-0516

Fax: 512-463-1051

jim.pitts@house. state.tx.us

Senator Steve Ogden

Phone: 512-463-0105
Fax: 512-463-5713

Steve.Ogden@senate.state.tx.us

Representative Patrick Rose

Phone: 512-463-0647, 

Fax: 512-473-9946

patrick.rose@house.state.tx.us