Major Recent Events

Autism: Senate Passes Autism Care Act

On September 19, the Senate passed the House version of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019 (H.R.1058) by unanimous consent. The Arc strongly supports this bill to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act, which funds critical autism research, surveillance, and education programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), respectively. This reauthorization includes a greater focus on the needs of people with autism and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Additionally, it increases the minimum number of self-advocates on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). The bill now awaits President Trump’s signature.

Direct Support Professionals: Direct CARE Opportunity Act Introduced

On September 19, Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act (S.2521/H.R.4397). This bill provides grants to 15 entities to develop and implement strategies relating to recruitment, retention, and career advancement for direct care workers. The Arc strongly supports this bill.

Budget & Appropriations: House Passes Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown While Senate Committees Release Funding Bills

On September 19, the House passed a continuing resolution (H.R.4378) to keep the government funded from the start of fiscal year (FY) 2020 on October 1 through November 21. Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-NY) released a draft of the FY 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill the day before. Most of The Arc’s priority programs receive the same funding level as in FY 2019 in the proposed Senate bill, however some programs receive increases such as Lifespan Respite Care Act (49%) and Special Olympics Education Programs (14%). Funding levels for The Arc’s priority programs can be found here.

Employment: Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Labor Nominee

On September 19, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Eugene Scalia to be Secretary of Labor. The Department of Labor is the agency responsible for the implementation of federal labor and employment laws, including those relating to wages and hours. Additionally, it includes the Office of Disability Employment Policy which is a non-regulatory agency that promotes employment of people with disabilities. Visit the Committee web site for more information or to access video of the hearing.

Announcements

Miscellaneous News: Registration Open for The Arc’s National Convention

Are you ready to join advocates from all over the country? Registration is officially open for The Arc’s 2019 National Convention in Washington, DC. Whether you’re a professional looking to develop skills, a person with I/DD or family member trying to expand your advocacy and support network, or an ally interested in getting more involved in the disability community, we have a program that will speak to you! You’ll connect with other passionate advocates from across the country and learn how to navigate and work to improve employment, education, housing, technology, criminal justice, and more. Register today at convention.thearc.org!Correction: The September 16 issue of Capitol Insider stated that Rep. Raul Grijalva was represented New Mexico. However, he represents Arizona. The Arc regrets this error.

Be Informed. Be Heard. VOTE. To help ensure that our elected representatives understand the issues affecting people with developmental disabilities, and to give our community a chance to hear directly from Candidates on the topics important to you, we are hosting a series of events designed to engage Candidates with their constituents. Be Informed. Core Public Policy Platform – Adopted by our Membership at this year’s annual meeting in July of 2019. Stories from People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families – Watch our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel for weekly stories leading up to the Elections. To share your story, contact info@thearcofva.org. Candid Candidates Video Series – HEAR directly from the Candidates as they are invited to share their perspectives on the Disability System in Virginia with short videos that we will publish on our Facebook and Youtube Channel. Be Heard Candidate Forums – Take part in one of the Candidate Forums across the State, and share your questions with candidates about what matters to you most. To see if there is a Forum in your area click here. Post Election Candidate Education – Following elections, we will host educational meetings with elected members, particularly focusing on areas where the Delegate or senator is newly elected or were not in an area where a Forum was held. VOTE – November 5th is Election Day for all 140 Seats of the Virginia General Assembly. Find your Candidates for VA General Assembly HERE. The Arc of Virginia is a 501(c)3 non profit organization, and does NOT endorse, support or promote any Party or Candidates. All Candidates running in Virginia were invited to share their views on Disability through these various opportunities. Reminders & Updates Are You on the DD Waiver Wait List? The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) is designed to assist individuals on the Developmental Disability(DD) Waiver Wait List and their families to access short-term, person/family centered resources, supports and services. These services and items funded through the IFSP are intended to support the individual in their own or family home in the community. Individuals may submit applications to apply for IFSP from Oct. 1 @ 9:00 am until Oct. 11, 2019 @ 5:00 pm. Applicants may be prepared now by creating and saving a draft application. This is a first come first served program so do not delay. For more information and how to apply go to: https://tinyurl.com/yxwwvfnw. Electronic Visit Verification – Transition Period Announced In case you haven’t heard, Virginia is implementing Electronic Visit Verification(EVV) for Medicaid Waiver attendants and Employers of Record(EOR) who provide personal/attendant care, respite and companion services. EVV is a technology system to verify that an attendant/caregiver provides services by clocking in and clocking out of their shift. Attendants and EORs need to prepare now if they haven’t already for this new system that is required so that attendants will be paid. The EVV system is required in order for attendants to be paid effective January 1, 2020. The VA Dept. of Medical Assistance Service will have a transition period for EVV from10.1 -12.31.19 to allow providers additional time to come into compliance with the EVV requirements. During this transition period agency directed providers and consumer directed attendants will continue to be reimbursed for services that do not meet EVV compliance. For claims submitted on or after January 1, 2020, EVV will be required and reimbursement will be denied for services not compliant with EVV requirements. *Please read the Medicaid Bulletin issued on Sept. 25 here and get prepared now. The EVV system is required in order for attendants to be paid effective January 1, 2020. Training Opportunities Medicaid Waiver Workshops for You Medicaid Waivers are a lifeline for many people with developmental disabilities. The Arc ofVirginia will be presenting Medicaid Waiver workshops in October in Prince William County and Roanoke. To learn more about these free presentations and how to register click here. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all members of The Arcoof Virginia are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM. For specific ideas about how you can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month. In the next edition of The Insider… Stay Tuned to find out!