Our communities came together in unprecendented strength and with incredible success as we put "People First" and protested further 9C cuts. At the Provider's Council meeting last week, the Governor addressed us with a message mixed with equal parts warning, hope & a request that each of us share in the role of shouldering the burden we face in the current economy.
We all have been planning for months for the worst case scenarios. In doing so, we inevitably have had to think 'outside the box' about how we do things, and have made changes to our operations to try to minimize the impact on those we support.
What better way to be proactive as NPO's than to share the things we have done, both successful and not?
What has your organization done to meet the challenges of fewer dollars, declining resources, and increasing need?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
YOU DID IT!
Governor Patrick makes budget decision based on values
reductions
Feared $60 million cut reduced to $7.7 million
Responding to the passionate request of consumers, families and advocates on behalf of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, Governor Deval Patrick has shielded the bulk of DDS services and supports from an earlier anticipated reduction that would have cut services for thousands of people with developmental disabilities.
The Governor is expected to announce at 12:30 p.m. today, specific details regarding his plan to trim $600 million from the current fiscal year budget. I was privileged, along with Leo Sarkissian of The Arc of Massachusetts, to be included in a 6 person conference call with the Governor at 11:00 a.m. today. The Governor said he made his budget decisions based upon what he believed were the core principles and values of the people of the Commonwealth and his Administration. He indicated that he sees and understands the human and personal impact behind each and every budget decision.
Earlier this month, all state agencies were directed to submit deep budget cut alternatives, with impact statements to help the Governor and his Administration make their final decisions. Original targets had suggested that EOHHS might have to absorb nearly $300 million in spending cuts with $60 to $70 million coming from DDS supports and services. The actual cut to EOHHS is now only at $82 million.
Led by The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change, and supported by ADDP, hundreds of consumers, family members and advocates participated in a 12 day Vigil to Save the Safety Net that brought personal stories into the offices of the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
Members of the Administration report that the Governor was deeply affected by the moving and passionate individual and family stories he encountered as he met with consumers and family in his office. The Speaker of the House, Bob DeLeo, who met with both Leo Sarkissian and me this past Tuesday, told me that he was also deeply moved by the Vigil participants.
Specific 9C DDS budget impacts are as follows:
Family Support, no reductions
Day & Work Programs, no reductions
T-22, no reductions
Facilities, no reductions
Transportation, reduced by $1.5 million
Community Residential, reduced by $4.8 million
Administration, reduced by $1.3 million
T-22, no reductions
Facilities, no reductions
Transportation, reduced by $1.5 million
Community Residential, reduced by $4.8 million
Administration, reduced by $1.3 million
The Governor's decision represents an extraordinary effort by the Governor to make his budget reflect the compassion and values of the Commonwealth. Without the Governor's action today, thousands of people with developmental disabilities would have lost essential services. Though there some cuts that will be challenging to absorb, the Governor has demonstrated tremendous leadership, compassion and values in saving the lives of thousands of families across the Commonwealth.
ADDP members and advocates are encouraged to call the Governor's Office and express their appreciation. His office number is 617.725.4005 or you may be able to leave a message on his website.
To implement the Governor's 9C decisions, the Legislature must still grant the Governor expanded 9C authority.
Please continue to urge your individual legislator to support expanded 9C authority. You may do so by sending an instant email to your legislator through the ADDP Action Center.
reductions
Feared $60 million cut reduced to $7.7 million
Responding to the passionate request of consumers, families and advocates on behalf of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, Governor Deval Patrick has shielded the bulk of DDS services and supports from an earlier anticipated reduction that would have cut services for thousands of people with developmental disabilities.
The Governor is expected to announce at 12:30 p.m. today, specific details regarding his plan to trim $600 million from the current fiscal year budget. I was privileged, along with Leo Sarkissian of The Arc of Massachusetts, to be included in a 6 person conference call with the Governor at 11:00 a.m. today. The Governor said he made his budget decisions based upon what he believed were the core principles and values of the people of the Commonwealth and his Administration. He indicated that he sees and understands the human and personal impact behind each and every budget decision.
Earlier this month, all state agencies were directed to submit deep budget cut alternatives, with impact statements to help the Governor and his Administration make their final decisions. Original targets had suggested that EOHHS might have to absorb nearly $300 million in spending cuts with $60 to $70 million coming from DDS supports and services. The actual cut to EOHHS is now only at $82 million.
Led by The Arc of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change, and supported by ADDP, hundreds of consumers, family members and advocates participated in a 12 day Vigil to Save the Safety Net that brought personal stories into the offices of the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
Members of the Administration report that the Governor was deeply affected by the moving and passionate individual and family stories he encountered as he met with consumers and family in his office. The Speaker of the House, Bob DeLeo, who met with both Leo Sarkissian and me this past Tuesday, told me that he was also deeply moved by the Vigil participants.
Specific 9C DDS budget impacts are as follows:
Family Support, no reductions
Day & Work Programs, no reductions
T-22, no reductions
Facilities, no reductions
Transportation, reduced by $1.5 million
Community Residential, reduced by $4.8 million
Administration, reduced by $1.3 million
T-22, no reductions
Facilities, no reductions
Transportation, reduced by $1.5 million
Community Residential, reduced by $4.8 million
Administration, reduced by $1.3 million
The Governor's decision represents an extraordinary effort by the Governor to make his budget reflect the compassion and values of the Commonwealth. Without the Governor's action today, thousands of people with developmental disabilities would have lost essential services. Though there some cuts that will be challenging to absorb, the Governor has demonstrated tremendous leadership, compassion and values in saving the lives of thousands of families across the Commonwealth.
ADDP members and advocates are encouraged to call the Governor's Office and express their appreciation. His office number is 617.725.4005 or you may be able to leave a message on his website.
To implement the Governor's 9C decisions, the Legislature must still grant the Governor expanded 9C authority.
Please continue to urge your individual legislator to support expanded 9C authority. You may do so by sending an instant email to your legislator through the ADDP Action Center.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Governor announces his cuts tomorrow!
Follow the link to the ARC of Massachusetts for an update on their vigil - what they have done to assist the cause and fight further cuts has been inspiring. So have the efforts of everyone who has been following our blog & Facebook updates. THANK YOU for keeping up the fight and giving us the strength & support to do our part.
Tomorrow is a big day; we'll be in touch. Hang in there, we are all in this together and we will prevail.
Tomorrow is a big day; we'll be in touch. Hang in there, we are all in this together and we will prevail.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
TODAY IS THE DAY! - Letter from the Provider's Council
Twenty organizations, including the Providers' Council, have signed onto the People First! campaign and TODAY is the day of action!
All of the organizations have pledged to work with their members and make calls to the governor and legislature to ask that human services be spared from budget cuts.
Please take 15 minutes TODAY and DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Call the Governor at 617.725.4005. E-mail the Governor as well using his web form. Remember to tell him you're calling from your organization, which is part of the "People First! campaign"
2. Call your state representative and senator. If you need contact information, click here to find the number for your representative or senator. Remember to tell them you're calling from your organization, which is part of the "People First! campaign"
3. Consider using new media technology to contact officials as well. You can use Twitter to tweet the Governor (@MassGovernor) and ask him to put people first, you can sign our Twitter petition (http://act.ly/ov) or contact the governor via his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick).
If you sent a press release to a local paper earlier in the week, please follow up with the reporter there and talk to him or her about how many calls your organization placed to the governor and your state legislators. If you want more information about this, contact Bill Yelenak.
Complete information is available at our website. If you have any questions, e-mail Michael Ripple.
Once again, thank you for being a part of the People First! campaign. Your participation is critical. Please join these organizations in putting People First! and standing up for human services.
People First! Partners
Action for Boston Community Development
The Children's League of Massachusetts
Disability Policy Consortium
Family Service of Greater Boston
Lynn Nonprofit Business Association
Mass. Alliance on Teen Pregnancy
MASSCAP (Mass. Association for Community Action)
MAAPS (Mass. Association of 766 Approved Private Schools)
Mass. Coalition for the Homeless
Mass. Council for Home Care Aid Services
Mass. Early Intervention Consortium
Mass. Family Planning Association
Mass Home Care
Mass. Organization for Addiction Recovery
Mass. Psychiatric Society
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts
National Alliance of Social Workers
Providers' Council (Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, Inc.)
Western Massachusetts Service Providers
Again, thank you for your efforts on this campaign, and thank you for putting People First! Please call to make sure our voices and the voices of those we serve at heard at the State House TODAY.
Sincerely,
Michael Weekes
President/CEO
Providers' Council
All of the organizations have pledged to work with their members and make calls to the governor and legislature to ask that human services be spared from budget cuts.
Please take 15 minutes TODAY and DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Call the Governor at 617.725.4005. E-mail the Governor as well using his web form. Remember to tell him you're calling from your organization, which is part of the "People First! campaign"
2. Call your state representative and senator. If you need contact information, click here to find the number for your representative or senator. Remember to tell them you're calling from your organization, which is part of the "People First! campaign"
3. Consider using new media technology to contact officials as well. You can use Twitter to tweet the Governor (@MassGovernor) and ask him to put people first, you can sign our Twitter petition (http://act.ly/ov) or contact the governor via his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick).
If you sent a press release to a local paper earlier in the week, please follow up with the reporter there and talk to him or her about how many calls your organization placed to the governor and your state legislators. If you want more information about this, contact Bill Yelenak.
Complete information is available at our website. If you have any questions, e-mail Michael Ripple.
Once again, thank you for being a part of the People First! campaign. Your participation is critical. Please join these organizations in putting People First! and standing up for human services.
People First! Partners
Action for Boston Community Development
The Children's League of Massachusetts
Disability Policy Consortium
Family Service of Greater Boston
Lynn Nonprofit Business Association
Mass. Alliance on Teen Pregnancy
MASSCAP (Mass. Association for Community Action)
MAAPS (Mass. Association of 766 Approved Private Schools)
Mass. Coalition for the Homeless
Mass. Council for Home Care Aid Services
Mass. Early Intervention Consortium
Mass. Family Planning Association
Mass Home Care
Mass. Organization for Addiction Recovery
Mass. Psychiatric Society
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts
National Alliance of Social Workers
Providers' Council (Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, Inc.)
Western Massachusetts Service Providers
Again, thank you for your efforts on this campaign, and thank you for putting People First! Please call to make sure our voices and the voices of those we serve at heard at the State House TODAY.
Sincerely,
Michael Weekes
President/CEO
Providers' Council
Monday, October 19, 2009
TIME TO TAKE ACTION - HERE'S HOW
As Human Service providers and members of the Provider’s Council, we at HMEA are committed to assisting in the People First Campaign tomorrow.
FACT: The Governor is planning to cut additional funds to balance the state budget.
FACT: Human Services and the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth have already had to shoulder the burden of a disproportionately high amount of cuts.
TAKE ACTION: On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, everyone in the human services sector has the opportunity to take part in the People First! Campaign, and participate in a virtual protest with 185,000 of their colleagues across the state.
We anticipate this campaign continuing through the FY ’11 budget process.
The Governor and legislature must know about the potential dangers of making any further cuts to the human services sector. To come together and make the greatest impact, it is important that everyone participates in the People First! campaign over the course of one day to make our voices heard. The rally will be virtual and can be done from your desk, but we stress the grave importance of participating. If many choose not to participate and we do not show the Governor the collective strength of our sector, we are in danger of losing more crucial funding for vital human services.
TAKE ACTION TODAY, MONDAY OCTOBER 19TH:
1.If you are on Facebook, join the cause “Stop Further Cuts to People with Disabilities” and spread the cause to your friends (suggested script below)
2.Catch up with the action on our blog www.hmeaupdates.blogspot.com
TAKE ACTION TOMORROW, TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH:
1.Make 3 phone calls - the Governor’s office, your State Senator, your Representative (a script you may use is provided below- if you have time for only one phone call, please make it to the Governor’s office).
2.Send 1 email to the Governor (verbiage below)
3.If you are on Twitter, sign the Twitter petition at (http://act.ly/ov)
4.If you are on Facebook, become a fan of the Governor’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick) and send the message below
PHONE SCRIPT: CALL THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AT 617.725.4005 OR 888.870.7770
Hello, I’m part of the People First Campaign, and I’m calling to protest further cuts to people with disabilities. Thank you.
(Do not expect to be able to tell a personal story due to the staff taking such a high volume of phone calls; however, if you can engage the staff person on the phone, have a brief personal message about what services you receive or provide, what they receive that they couldn’t manage without, and if you work at an organization – how supporting the people at your job allows their families to stay productive at their jobs)
EMAIL MESSAGE: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR’S EMAIL BY GOING TO www.mass.gov; CLICK ON ‘DEVAL PATRICK, GOVERNOR’, CLICK ON ‘CONTACT INFORMATION’ AND FILL OUT THE FORM – PASTE THIS IN THE MESSAGE CONTENT BLOCK:
I am part of the People First Campaign, and I’m writing to ask you not to make any further budget cuts that will affect people with disabilities (you may continue with ‘like my child’ or ‘like the people I support at my job’ and you may also write a personal message about what effects further cuts will have to them personally…what services do they receive that they couldn’t manage without, and why?). Government should not balance the budget on the backs of the people for whom it should be doing the most. It is unfair to ask our sector to give and give a disproportionately high amount every single time.
TWITTER MESSAGES: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR’S TWITTER PAGE @MassGovernor
1.People First! Do not further cut supports to the disabled. I vote!
2.People First! My family cannot provide for our child with disabilities if you cut more.
3.People First! I work with people with disabilites, and my job allows their families to work!
FACEBOOK MESSAGES: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR ON HIS PAGE www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick
1.I(choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. Too often, the state has cut services to the most vulnerable individuals among us. The Commonwealth’s obligation is to protect this population, not cut services to them. People First!
2.I (choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. People First!
3.I (choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. It is up to our leaders in government, who we have elected, to run the state and provide care for the most vulnerable and to think of all solutions that do not sacrifice the quality of care we provide. People First!
FACT: The Governor is planning to cut additional funds to balance the state budget.
FACT: Human Services and the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth have already had to shoulder the burden of a disproportionately high amount of cuts.
TAKE ACTION: On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, everyone in the human services sector has the opportunity to take part in the People First! Campaign, and participate in a virtual protest with 185,000 of their colleagues across the state.
We anticipate this campaign continuing through the FY ’11 budget process.
The Governor and legislature must know about the potential dangers of making any further cuts to the human services sector. To come together and make the greatest impact, it is important that everyone participates in the People First! campaign over the course of one day to make our voices heard. The rally will be virtual and can be done from your desk, but we stress the grave importance of participating. If many choose not to participate and we do not show the Governor the collective strength of our sector, we are in danger of losing more crucial funding for vital human services.
TAKE ACTION TODAY, MONDAY OCTOBER 19TH:
1.If you are on Facebook, join the cause “Stop Further Cuts to People with Disabilities” and spread the cause to your friends (suggested script below)
2.Catch up with the action on our blog www.hmeaupdates.blogspot.com
TAKE ACTION TOMORROW, TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH:
1.Make 3 phone calls - the Governor’s office, your State Senator, your Representative (a script you may use is provided below- if you have time for only one phone call, please make it to the Governor’s office).
2.Send 1 email to the Governor (verbiage below)
3.If you are on Twitter, sign the Twitter petition at (http://act.ly/ov)
4.If you are on Facebook, become a fan of the Governor’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick) and send the message below
PHONE SCRIPT: CALL THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AT 617.725.4005 OR 888.870.7770
Hello, I’m part of the People First Campaign, and I’m calling to protest further cuts to people with disabilities. Thank you.
(Do not expect to be able to tell a personal story due to the staff taking such a high volume of phone calls; however, if you can engage the staff person on the phone, have a brief personal message about what services you receive or provide, what they receive that they couldn’t manage without, and if you work at an organization – how supporting the people at your job allows their families to stay productive at their jobs)
EMAIL MESSAGE: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR’S EMAIL BY GOING TO www.mass.gov; CLICK ON ‘DEVAL PATRICK, GOVERNOR’, CLICK ON ‘CONTACT INFORMATION’ AND FILL OUT THE FORM – PASTE THIS IN THE MESSAGE CONTENT BLOCK:
I am part of the People First Campaign, and I’m writing to ask you not to make any further budget cuts that will affect people with disabilities (you may continue with ‘like my child’ or ‘like the people I support at my job’ and you may also write a personal message about what effects further cuts will have to them personally…what services do they receive that they couldn’t manage without, and why?). Government should not balance the budget on the backs of the people for whom it should be doing the most. It is unfair to ask our sector to give and give a disproportionately high amount every single time.
TWITTER MESSAGES: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR’S TWITTER PAGE @MassGovernor
1.People First! Do not further cut supports to the disabled. I vote!
2.People First! My family cannot provide for our child with disabilities if you cut more.
3.People First! I work with people with disabilites, and my job allows their families to work!
FACEBOOK MESSAGES: SEND TO THE GOVERNOR ON HIS PAGE www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick
1.I(choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. Too often, the state has cut services to the most vulnerable individuals among us. The Commonwealth’s obligation is to protect this population, not cut services to them. People First!
2.I (choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. People First!
3.I (choose one: am a family member of a person with disabilities/am a caregiver for a person with disabilities/work for an agency that provides support to people with disabilities) and I protest further budget cuts to people with disabilities. It is up to our leaders in government, who we have elected, to run the state and provide care for the most vulnerable and to think of all solutions that do not sacrifice the quality of care we provide. People First!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday update - action steps to TBA shortly
From the Provider’s Council:
October 16, 2009
We are all aware of the threats facing human services. We must respond.
Just yesterday, we witnessed Governor Patrick announce more than half a billion dollars that need to be cut from the budget. We must ensure that the Governor and the Legislature remember to put People First!
On October 20, we are asking you to generate as many phone calls and emails to the Governor and the Legislature as possible. We have posted a guide to the People First! campaign and talking points on our website at http://www.providers.org/peoplefirst.
The Council is working with a broad coalition of human service providers to implore the Governor and Legislature to put People First! when considering any 9C cuts to the state budget. This campaign will continue through the FY 2011 budget deliberations. The People First! campaign will have many messages, but one banner to reflect the solidarity of our mission-driven work. You will be hearing more about this campaign in the days to come.
For more information, you can visit this page on the Council website, which also has links to the supporting documents.
In the meantime, please forward this message to your families and networks, to let them know that human service budgets have been taken to the cutting board too many times. Without volume, we won't be heard.
Thank you. Your participation is critical.
Michael Weekes
President/CEO
Providers' Council
October 16, 2009
We are all aware of the threats facing human services. We must respond.
Just yesterday, we witnessed Governor Patrick announce more than half a billion dollars that need to be cut from the budget. We must ensure that the Governor and the Legislature remember to put People First!
On October 20, we are asking you to generate as many phone calls and emails to the Governor and the Legislature as possible. We have posted a guide to the People First! campaign and talking points on our website at http://www.providers.org/peoplefirst.
The Council is working with a broad coalition of human service providers to implore the Governor and Legislature to put People First! when considering any 9C cuts to the state budget. This campaign will continue through the FY 2011 budget deliberations. The People First! campaign will have many messages, but one banner to reflect the solidarity of our mission-driven work. You will be hearing more about this campaign in the days to come.
For more information, you can visit this page on the Council website, which also has links to the supporting documents.
In the meantime, please forward this message to your families and networks, to let them know that human service budgets have been taken to the cutting board too many times. Without volume, we won't be heard.
Thank you. Your participation is critical.
Michael Weekes
President/CEO
Providers' Council
Governor's Update - yesterday afternoon
From the ADDP: The Governor announced today that he will be required to trim $600 million from the current budget. In his speech he mintioned the consumers and family members who have visited his office during the vigil and said he wants to spare essential services. Details on cuts in 2 weeks.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thank you for visiting our legislative updates site!
The People First Campaign is underway; together with agencies like ours from all over Massachusetts, we are calling on everyone with a phone, email access, Facebook & Twitter accounts to join us as we blast the Governor's office with 10,000 messages protesting further cuts to people with disabilities next Tuesday, October 20th.
Please visit our site here daily as we update you on the current situation and provide you with instructions on how you can become a part of this critical call to action. You may also email us at cchan@hmea.org for more instructions - just say "Yes, I'm in!" We'll give you all the tools you need!
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