2012 Public Policy Priorities

BUDGET INFORMATION

The care and protection of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a core responsibility of government. The Arc of Pennsylvania is deeply concerned about Governor Corbett’s proposed budget’s impact on services necessary to carry out this core responsibility.
The proposed budget would move social and human service program funds, including intellectual and developmental services, into the Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) Block Grant. The block grant provides flexibility, but it comes with an overall funding reduction of 20-30%. The Arc of PA:

1. Appreciates the concepts of flexibility and local control, however, the flexibility will not generate a 20% savings and will likely divert intellectual and developmental disability funding to other human services. There is also insufficient implementation time to ensure current protections would be maintained under the new funding method.
2. Opposes the proposed cuts for essential services while funding for state centers increases, and it remains alarmed that the waiting list for services is still not being addressed.
3. Request that the legislature not continue the authority given to the Department of Public Welfare (Act 22) to impose new regulations without sufficient time to gain input from individuals with disabilities and their families.  
4. Applauds the Governor for including initial funding for Adult Protective Services.

REFORM SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA
Pennsylvania spends $1 billion annually on special education. Yet academic performance and readiness for adult life wanes for young people with disabilities. One contributing factor is the unnecessary segregation of students with disabilities. Pennsylvania ranks 39th in the nation for educating children with disabilities alongside their typically developing peers in their neighborhood, schools, and classrooms.

• The Arc of Pa supports Representative Bernie O’Neill’s House Bill 704 and Senator Patrick Browne’s Senate Bill 1115 that provide: 1) Adequate funding for special education, 2) Financial incentives to increase school district compliance with federal and state inclusion requirements, and 3) Greater accountability and oversight to protect taxpayers to ensure public special education funding is being used to properly prepare Pennsylvania students with disabilities for adult life in the community.

WHAT CAN YOU DO:

Write or visit the Governor, your Legislators, and County Commissioners.
Talking points:

• Funding for the Waiting List Initiative: adequate funding for our high school graduates, aging caregivers, and individuals and their families who need support.
  
• Autism funding is cut.
• STOP the Block Grant and fully restore the proposed 20% cut to Community Based funding.
• Cuts to all intellectual and developmental disabilities services must be stopped.
• We reject state institutions as an option for our family members.

 

 ***

Governor Corbett Issues Proclamation for 2012 Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month

The Arc Celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

About The Arc
The Arc is the largest advocacy organization in the United States for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. The Arc of Pennsylvania is the state chapter of The Arc.
The Arc’s mission is to work to include all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community.  We promote active citizenship and inclusion in every community.

In conjunction with its local chapters and the national organization, The Arc of Pennsylvania works every day to carry out its mission -
to work to include all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every community.

Local chapters of The Arc focus on providing resources and individual advocacy services.

The Arc of Pennsylvania focuses on systems advocacy and governmental affairs, demonstrating leadership and guidance among all disability organizations in Pennsylvania.