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| State Passes Budget |
| On September 23rd, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law California's fiscal year 2008-2009 state budget, ending a standoff of more than 80 days between the governor and state lawmakers. As we have reported in previous editions of PASC E-News, the governor's initial budget proposals for the fiscal year included several cuts to the IHSS Program, including a reduction in hours for domestic services for certain consumers, a reduction in state participation in IHSS provider wages, the elimination of the state's IHSS share of cost buyout program, and a reduction in funding for the administration of IHSS. Fortunately, only one of the governor's proposed cuts to the IHSS Program was included in the final budget, which is the reduction of funding for administration by 5%. (The governor originally proposed a 10% reduction.)
Although IHSS seems to have been spared for the most part, several other state-sponsored programs/services available to seniors and persons with disabilities will be impacted by the new budget. Some of the programs/agencies that will see a reduction in funding are the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, Alzheimer's Resource Centers, CalWORKs, Adult Protective Services, the Deaf Access Program, the Congregate Nutrition Program, the Linkages Program, the Brown Bag Program, the Healthy Families Program, the Senior Legal Hotline, and more.
The state now has an operating budget that will be in place until June 30, 2009. However, many lawmakers, including the governor, believe that this budget only offers a temporary fix to California's financial situation. IHSS and other programs throughout the state are likely to face proposed cuts again next year.
More information on the state budget and many of the cuts mentioned above will be posted on the California Health & Human Services Agency's website during the first week of October. The web address is www.chhs.ca.gov.
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| Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! |
| Avoiding a Foreclosure |
| Foreclosures seem to be in every newscast and newspaper lately. If you are facing a foreclosure, you should speak with your lender to discuss your financial situation. Lenders are required by law to explore options to keep borrowers in their homes. Below are several options that may assist you.
1. Ask for a reinstatement. This is where the owner can pay the lender the entire past due amount owed and any late fees or penalties, by an agreed-upon date.
2. Ask for a repayment plan. This will allow the owner to pay an amount in addition to the regular monthly payment until the past due amount is paid.
3. Ask for a forbearance. This is a formal agreement between the owner and lender to reduce or suspend the mortgage payments for an agreed-upon period. At the end of the period, a lump sum or additional payments over several months must be made.
4. Ask for a loan modification. This means rewriting the terms of the mortgage to make the payments smaller. The changes could include lowering the interest rate, extending the term of the loan or adding missed payments to the loan balance.
When facing a foreclosure, it is recommended that you avoid using private companies that offer assistance for a fee. Many of the services that these companies provide may be available through either your lender or a housing counselor for free. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office can refer you to a local counselor who will give you suggestions on your particular situation.
If you have any questions or would like further advice on avoiding a foreclosure, call HUD at 800-569-4287, or visit their website at www.hud.gov/foreclosure.
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| Resource Spotlight: The L.A. County Housing Resource Center |
| The L.A. County Housing Resource Center (LACHRC) is a web-based referral system that provides information on affordable, special needs, accessible, and/or emergency housing. This site, which is sponsored by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and co-managed by the L.A. County Chief Executive Office and Community Development Commission, lists apartment vacancies throughout the county. There is no charge to use the site.
For more information on the Center, or to search for an apartment to rent, please visit the LACHRC website at http://housing.lacounty.gov.
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Tell us about your provider!
Has your provider worked for you for 2, 5, 10 years? Have you hired a provider who is much more than your employee? Here at PASC, we get calls from consumers when they need a list of potential caregivers, but, once a provider gets hired, we usually don't get a call back to hear how things are going. If you have had success with finding the ideal provider, we would like to hear about it. Please e-mail your story to us at e-news@pascla.org, or mail us a hard copy at
Personal Assistance Services Council
Attn.: Registry Outreach Coordinator
4730 Woodman Avenue, Suite 405
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 |
| Resource Spotlight: Cityride |
| Do you need assistance finding inexpensive transportation? The L.A. Department of Transportation (LADOT) offers a service called Cityride for seniors and persons with disabilities throughout the City of L.A. This program allows qualified individuals to receive Metro passes, taxi rides, and/or dial-a-ride trips at a substantial discount by purchasing transit scrip in advance.
For more information on the Cityride program, visit the LADOT website at www.ladottransit.com.
Please note that Cityride services are only available to residents of the City of L.A. For information on alternative transportation in other areas, please call PASC at 877-565-4477 and ask to speak to a representative in the Information and Referral Office.
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| Diabetes Awareness Part 3: Gestational Diabetes |
| In the last two editions of PASC E-News (click here for past editions), we highlighted the two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, including common symptoms and treatments. This month we conclude this three-part series by focusing on a type of diabetes unique to women called gestational diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a rare form of diabetes that develops in some women during the late stages of pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, are generally diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, but it is believed that hormones from the placenta block the action of the insulin produced by the diagnosed mother. As a result of this blockage, the body is not able to make and use all the insulin that it needs for pregnancy. Many women with gestational diabetes do not experience any symptoms.
Because gestational diabetes can have a negative impact on both the mother and the baby, it is critical that it is treated appropriately. Treatment for gestational diabetes generally includes special meal plans, scheduled physical activity, and daily blood glucose testing. It may also require insulin injections, depending on the severity of the diagnosis.
Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby and requires no further treatment. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. Maintaining a reasonable body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes.
For more information on diabetes, please visit the American Diabetes Association's website at www.diabetes.org.
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| Coupons for Farmers' Markets |
| The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is a federally funded program that is designed to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for food at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs. The program defines low-income seniors as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines (published each year by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services).
The PASC Information and Referral Office has a current list of Certified Farmers' Markets in L.A. County that accept the coupons for purchasing produce. Individual booths at the farmers' markets have signs stating whether they accept the coupons or not and have information about what can be purchased with them. The coupons will buy $20.00 worth of produce and are available for free at your local Senior Nutrition Center.
To locate either a Certified Farmers' Market or a Senior Nutrition Center in your area, call PASC at 877-565-4477 and ask to speak to a representative in the Information and Referral Office.
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| Seminar on Exercise and Fall Prevention |
| On September 18th, PASC, along with Partners In Care, Inc., and AbilityFirst, held its first seminar on exercise and fall prevention. The seminar taught participants simple ways to reduce their risk of falling by becoming more aware of environmental factors in their homes that contribute to falls, and taught them simple exercises that can be done in the home without any expensive equipment. The seminar also covered what to do if you fall, the cycle of what happens after someone falls, and the myths and barriers regarding exercise for older adults and people with disabilities. We will be offering this seminar again in 2009.
For more information on this free seminar or other trainings sponsored by PASC, give us a call at 877-565-4477.
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| Upcoming Trainings and Events
Click on training for more information |
For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org.
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| Legislation Watch
Click on bill for more information |
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