It's June, time for vacation and summer fun.  While you are having fun, CDRC will continue to work for you!  CDRC has GOOD NEWS that we will be talking about in this newsletter among other issues.  This newsletter is packed with GOOD NEWS!!!!!!

 CDRC would like to CONGRATULATE CDRC members Little John and Sarah Basehart Sorensen for having their first baby.  Amelia Katherine Sorensen was born June 2nd.  Both mother and baby are doing fine. Little Daddy, on the other hand, is having trouble getting his shirts buttoned because he has just “busted his buttons” with pride and joy!

BIG NEWS!!

 The Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) has asked CDRC to write a continuation proposal for a year 7. We will be submitting the proposal in late July. First we will work with Beth Greenland, Beth will meet with our Board Of Leadership and some other CDRC members, to discuss the details regarding the work for next year and beyond.   Then Barbara McCord will meet with CDRC's full membership at our June membership meeting to get everyone’s input as well. Barbara McCord worked with CDRC while we wrote our proposal last year. Thank you Barbara for being such a big CDRC supporter!!!

Money Follows the Person  (MFP)

 

Here's an update on the pilot peer to peer outreach for people in nursing facilities Request For Proposal (RFP). Maryland only received one response for the pilot peer outreach RFP and the one response was not for the whole state, it was just for Baltimore City only.

 

So here's what the department  decided to do, in order to get outreach going as soon as possible, they are dropping the pilot peer RFP and focusing on the long-term contract. The department will now be issuing 2 long-term RFPs for peer efforts. One will be focused on outreach only and the other will be focused on the ongoing peer supports, “Peer Mentoring” that we have been discussing in the last few meetings. Since the department is still working to clarify how to design/define  ongoing peer support/mentoring, MFP will separate Peer support/mentoring from the outreach so it won't delay that part of the work from beginning. The department aims to have a long term (three years) outreach RFP in the procurement process this month. CDRC continues to be ready to work with prospective bidders and offer our experience with the Sun Shine Folks.

 

Right To Be Informed  (RTBI)

As you know, The Right To Be Informed is CDRC’s Bill from 2005 that says every year during an individual’s IP meeting, a discussion must take place about what the most integrated setting would be.  Most integrated setting is defined as “a setting that enables individuals with disabilities to interact with non-disabled person.”  The letters finally went out last week announcing the start date of June 9 for all IPs to reflect a discussion of the most integrated setting for individuals served by DDA providers. The supporting Regulations were published in the Maryland Register, which can be accessed through the DDA web site.

Bill Signing with Governor O’Malley

CDRC members were able to get their picture taken with Maryland ’s Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for the amendment that was added to HB 218 Living At Home Waiver Program.  As you recall, CDRC is very proud that after two or three years of trying to get the Living at Home Waiver expanded to include people in their early 60’s through policy advisory meetings, we finally got it done in the legislature!!! Also, a few of our suggested bill amendments to improve the LAHW Advisory Committee did not pass into law but DHMH has shown a commitment to work with CDRC members and other stakeholders to make some of those improvements and to increase consumers’ full participation. You can view the HB218 photo at www.thecdrc.org

CDRC meeting

CDRC’s JUNE MEETING IS A BIG ONE!!! We need your voice there. Two big things:

1. CDRC is combining its June membership meeting with a training.  CDRC is inviting Toastmasters to present to CDRC again.  (Toastmaster teaches people how to speak in public), CDRC had Toastmasters present last year to CDRC, but due to transportation problems half of the CDRC members missed the presentation, the people who missed Toastmaster’s presentation asked if CDRC could have Toastmasters present again. When you raise your voice for Freedom, you will be heard even better.

2. Barbara McCord will be discussing CDRC’s continuation proposal..  So this is YOUR time to raise your voice to decide our work next year (October)

The Next CDRC meeting / training will be:
Date:  June 22, 2008
Location:  1010 Eastway Glen Bernie Md.
Time:  1:00 – 4:00