National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
NDSC Representatives Meet with Justice Department
On March 26, 2013, NDSC's Executive Director David Tolleson, Governmental Affairs Director Susan Goodman, and Affiliate Relations Director Sue Joe, along with Patti Saylor, mother of Ethan Saylor, who died while being restrained by off-duty police officers, met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice. Also attending the meeting were Dr. George Capone, NDSC Board and Professional Advisory Council member, and representatives from NDSS, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Frederick County, Maryland's Down syndrome parent organization).
Discussion at the meeting centered around the training of law enforcement officials across the country, and possible investigations of police practices by the DOJ. NDSC will continue its active advocacy efforts, and will keep readers informed of our work. NDSC appreciates the passion this case has ignited in our community. We will continue to apprise you of developments and ask for your involvement in advocacy as we move forward. |
|
|
|
|
|
Congress Rewrites IDEA Funding Rule
In March, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) which keeps government programs funded for several months in the absence of a budget. Within that government spending bill, Congress included language explaining "maintenance of effort" provisions that the states must follow or risk having their Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding reduced.
A few states have come under fire in recent years for slashing their special education budgets without federal approval. As a result, they faced permanent reductions in their allocations from the Department of Education. However, Congress has clarified that any penalties assessed for failing to meet maintenance of effort should only apply for the year or years that the requirement is not met.
Without clarification of the maintenance of effort provisions, special education funding could be significantly reduced or become completely unavailable. However, with the clarification, states will now only lose funding for the year they were out of compliance. |
|
|
|
|
|
National Council on Disability Releases Recommendations on Managed Care for People with Disabilities
The number of states enrolling Medicaid beneficiaries in managed care plans has steadily increased in the last two decades, according to a report commissioned by the National Council on Disability (NCD).
Increasingly, states are beginning to enroll people with disabilities in these plans. Today more than two-thirds of the 70 million Medicaid beneficiaries receive at least a portion of their services through a managed care plan.
A few of the factors leading to this growth of people with disabilities in managed care plans include states' serious budget shortfalls, and a desire to control the high costs of seniors and people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
The impact of this change on long-term support services for people with disabilities could be profound. The NCD released new recommendations to implement "Medicaid Managed Care for People with Disabilities: Policy and Implementation Considerations for State and Federal Policymakers." The report outlines twenty- two principles that are aimed to guide the design and implementation of managed care for people with disabilities around the country. View the full report at NCD.gov. |
|
|
