ARTICLE
Just before midnight, the Indiana General Assembly completed their work for the 2015 Session by approving the $31 billion state budget. We are honored and humbled to share that our request for additional resources to restore cuts from 2010 were a part of that budget. Specifically, these include resources to phase in full restoration for Residential Habilitation and Support, Level 2 and for full restoration for the Supervised Group Living program. These requests were in addition to the Administration’s proposed budget which included investments to address several key areas. These included phase in of full restoration for Respite, Facility Habilitation Individual, and Community Habilitation Individual, and Residential Habilitation and Support, Level 1. It also included resources to transition to the Daily Rate under the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver; to transition to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Hybrid Model; to study the manner in which the First Steps’ Systems Point of Entry and ongoing services are funded; and to virtually eliminate the Family Support Waiver wait list. We are appreciative of the Family and Social Services Administration and the Divsion of Disability and Rehabilitative Services' focus on including these important initiatives in their proposal. Taken together, this demonstrates a significant investment of resources to help the service delivery system recover from years of sustained cuts. As we shared in testimony supporting our request for additional resources to restore RHS20 and Supervised Group Living, “challenges remain and more is likely needed, but this investment will provide a break in what has seemed an interminable storm that will permit self-advocates, families, providers, and our partners in state government time to develop longer-term strategies and solutions.” We are tremendously grateful that the Indiana General Assembly responded to this request – providing that much needed break. It is now our opportunity to demonstrate the wisdom of that decision by investing those resources in ways that address the challenges of ensuring access to quality services and supports through recruiting, retaining, and supporting staff at all levels. For our part, INARF is committed to working with you to develop resources, training, and other tools to support our members in this endeavor. Beyond our supporters within the legislature, the list of those to thank is delightfully long. As a first matter, we are grateful to so many of our members and other providers who were a vital part of this effort. From responding to requests for data to reaching out to legislators, your involvement was critical. Next, we are so thankful to John Dickerson, Kim Dodson, and the team at The Arc of Indiana, including Michael Leppert with Taft Stettinius & Hollister. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside such a passionate and dedicated team of advocates. We are also thankful to INARF's Government Relations team including the guidance and grassroots efforts of our Governmental Affairs Committee, as well as the support and expertise of our staff and consultants including Katy Stafford-Cunningham, Vice President of Public Policy, and our lobbying and public policy consultants - Kelli Waggoner, Glenna Shelby, and Tracy Mitchell. In addition, thanks to the network of lobbyists affiliated with various member agencies whose sustained partnership helped expand our outreach efforts, including; Amy Levander and Ashley Miller with Krieg DeVault; Joe Loftus with Barnes and Thornburg; and Allison Taylor with Hall Render. In the next few months, our efforts will focus on implementation of these various priorities. As always, we will keep you up-to-date as new information and details are available. We are also planning various ways to recognize the many Senators and Representiatives who supported this effort. As these plans come into focus, we will be certain to let you know, so that you can join us in expressing our appreciation.