tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post111564569184991255..comments2023-09-16T05:17:59.903-07:00Comments on Developmental Disability System Reform: What's the matter with the Self-Directed Services Program, Part IIDoug The Unahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753071669562594194noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115962584775463132005-05-12T22:36:00.000-07:002005-05-12T22:36:00.000-07:00Sunil, thanks. Opinionated is closer, but you're ...Sunil, thanks. Opinionated is closer, but you're kind.Doug The Unahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753071669562594194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115951063766337272005-05-12T19:24:00.000-07:002005-05-12T19:24:00.000-07:00You are one knowledgeable man!You are one knowledgeable man!Sunil Natrajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984168725303450883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115695943364587552005-05-09T20:32:00.000-07:002005-05-09T20:32:00.000-07:00I'll look forward to hearing from you later. I th...I'll look forward to hearing from you later. I think I just realized who you are. If I'm right, you and your son helped deepen my interest in self-determination. It's a big part of why I want this all to happen. I'm absolutely certain of the quality of care your son would receive if your family were given a sufficient budget, and I know frustrating things have been for you under the current system.Doug The Unahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753071669562594194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115672499076981952005-05-09T14:01:00.000-07:002005-05-09T14:01:00.000-07:00Anonymous but visible her again.....In the last th...Anonymous but visible her again.....<BR/><BR/>In the last three years of this ten year journey with my son,<BR/>I expected the system to improve and get better......<BR/>This year I only hope it will get better.<BR/>And if supports to developmentally disabled continues this trend I have seen in which OUR RC sees clients as a challenge for targeted "reduction", or institutionalization in the case of my son..........<BR/>Next year <BR/>next year<BR/> I may be disppointed and find totally unacceptable implementation by reluctant or recalcitrant nonprofits known as Regional Centers, thru counterproductive IPPs, purchase or service policies, notices of proposed actions, and local plans that serve better the agency or the state and not clients or providers of service.<BR/>I however expect better.<BR/>And refuse not to care, not only about my son, but others assigned to this Lewis Carroll service delivery model.....that point was brought to bear last week from someone involved in this system as a "provider" who asked/suggested that IF we could get my son all that he needed, then would I be OK/satisfied????<BR/>In isolation, all by itself(services), all by himself(in segregated classrooms or a group home)....those services, the law, the basic human and civil rights should be, must be provided to my son, for his family, to raise him in our community.<BR/>We are not there yet in the San Gabriel Valley by a long stretch.<BR/>God help the parents whose child has been born into California's arcane form of support to special needs children.<BR/>As my son and I were downtown today, an acquaintance who knows us was asking for support by us to a disabilities issue we can bring some attention to.....and in knowing how we are challenged at every twist and turn to "prove this and prove that"......I said...life would be almost a dream if XXXX(my son) were only disabled.<BR/><BR/>Trust me.<BR/>Both sides of the aisle. Each side of the issues.<BR/>Read the Lanterman Act(THE Design)<BR/>and then apply it to the needs of our 180,000 developmentally disabled Californians (THE Build)($3 billion allocated every year)<BR/>How about we make May 2005 one in which the answer to "how was your day?" started with the words<BR/>for clients("The Regional Center helped us get.......)<BR/>and Regional Centers began sentences with "We helped our client(s) get).<BR/>That is why $3,000,000,000 is a great opportunity to help those with special needs.<BR/>Therapy and meds to be given....<BR/>And a son to hold and hug.....<BR/>continued laterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115652775708769412005-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:002005-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:00Anonymous, before I respond specifically, let me s...Anonymous, before I respond specifically, let me say I truly appreciate your posting your point of view to this weblog. It's a much richer, more interesting site thanks to you.<BR/><BR/>I'm eager for SDS, but agree with you that an elegant version rolled out in 2007 is better than a bad one in 2006, voluntary or not. That said, I think its important to realize that right now you're shopping at a company store using the merchant's shopping list. I suspect the 10% reduction will, after a year or two be achievable while the clients get more than they do now. As a vendor, I expect to provide services more sustainably at lower cost and pay my employees better under SDS. <BR/><BR/>If SDS works like I expect it to, I think your son will be surprised at how much support he can have. Of course, people who primarily use POS for durable medical equipment would be examples of those who I expect to fare better in the traditional system.Doug The Unahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753071669562594194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7400857.post-1115650615267542862005-05-09T07:56:00.000-07:002005-05-09T07:56:00.000-07:00As a consumer's parent I hear the state qualifying...As a consumer's parent I hear the state qualifying "voluntary" as a great offer for those who are unhappy at their existing Regional Center supports(rather than address the internal failings)....and in the SDS service delievery allow clients/families to make their own decisions.<BR/>What seems to consternate is the fact that the state is offering this equivalent, and then wondering why there aren't more "volunteers"(and presuming that is because the existing supports are OK/fine/adequate)....<BR/>The offer as many see it<BR/>if the current IPP provides "a cake a month" to the client SDS will now allow the client to make<BR/>his/her own cake(minus the undefined 10% reduction or undefined Caps)---which ingredients can be done without?Eggs, sugar, milk, oven, mixing bowl?<BR/> Is this a "have your cake and be unable to eat it too?" cost saving measure?<BR/>There are some absolutes folks.<BR/>Just overheard a service provider and vendor at a clinic trying to decide what a famly's child needed more ....foot orthotics(with existing too small) or a prone stander(for weight bearing and orthopedic issues)...with the issue being, for them, who would be willing to pay(not who is able/required)....CCS(DHS); RC(DDS); LES(CDE)....what is a client supposed to give up when the answer is neither, but one must "volunteer" to do so? Left shoe this fiscal year and right shoe the next?<BR/>Self Directed in the latesr design/plan should never be built but unfortunately may be anyway.<BR/>If the teleconferences are not getting that point across then nothing else can at this point in time.<BR/>Maintain and make better the existing system with its 99.99% of total system's expenditures, while designing a better, more elegant and functional alternative that expects "better", not just a placebo for the presumably "unhappy client".<BR/>We need a better design/build team then current DDS and SB proposals.<BR/>Each of the 5:150 RCs should convene their families so we who might want to consider/enroll have access to the experts with 6 years' experience.<BR/>If this is good for goose/gander, why am I not hearing that DDS and RC staff will be 'given" a 10% reduction in their salary(before their checks are calculated) and then with the remaining self directed paychecks, they will have submit distributions to state/fed/local tax, SS, FICA and need to find resources to independently find "vendors" to allow staff things like benefits(sick leave, vacation, retirement)<BR/>...all within the "average"(do I hear $24,000)formula calculated not on individual, but collective salaries of all involved?<BR/>Oh yes, we will have to have a system to audit expenditures by those staff of the monies the state "gave" them.<BR/>I, for one would like a more elegant iteration of DD client needs predicated upon the tenets, intent and safeguards of the Lanterman Act.....more closely intending to be Da Vinci like than a Rube Goldberg program.<BR/>I hope SDS California is a "2007 or Bust" proposal as the journey to make this happen in 2006 as currently scouted will leave too many beyond or bereft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com