Steps to Support for All        

Steps to Support for All was honored to receive the Texas Association on Mental Retardation President's Award for "Making Significant Contributions on Behalf of Persons with Mental Retardation".
July 13, 2006
Texas Association on Mental Retardation Conference
Omni Hotel
Corpus Christi, TX 76039

4. Attend Forums and Hearings:

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK / BE PREPARED
  
  Don’t speak in generalities. Know the statistics and their sources, if you are going to cite numbers, history, rules, or prior legislation. You want to be confident that you are using credible, valid and current information that is not outdated or misleading. Be prepared for questions regarding your testimony. Prepare written testimony, if time permits, and be sure to make an adequate number of copies for all members of the committee. Make extra copies to leave in the offices of your own representatives, if they do not sit on the committees you testify before.
   
• COORDINATE YOUR TESTIMONY WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
  
  Sometimes (frequently) an issue is very complex and needs to addressed in various ways and on many points. Share the load to make sure all pertinent points are conveyed. This is a good time management technique, as well.
   
• DON’T REPEAT
  
  When testifying, it’s tempting to hit an important point over again, for emphasis. Resist the temptation, as your time is limited and the committee members will appreciate that you are respecting their valuable time as well. If a previous speaker hits all your points, it is still important for you to make a public appearance and state that you want to go on record with your position regarding the proposed legislation. State briefly why you hold that position and indicate that a prior speaker has already articulated your points. It is best if you can identify that speaker by name.
   
• STICK TO THE FACTS
  
  Stay on track and don’t deviate from what is specifically germane to the proposed legislation you are concerned about. Though many of our issues and concerns are inter-related, it is not useful to digress into other “related” issues during public testimony. The members of the committee will be concerned about time and it will distract from your message regarding the question at hand.
  
  Do not “stretch” the truth or exaggerate the facts. The last thing you want is to compromise your credibility and lose the trust you may have earned from members of the legislature who will decide the important questions.
   
• TRY TO RELATE THE ISSUE TO A HUMAN ELEMENT
  
  Dry numbers, statistics and rules are compelling arguments, specifically when they are related to finances. But just as compelling is the human factor. Legislators are representatives of the People and are politically motivated, and as much as being “good stewards” of your tax dollars plays in the press, so does helping their own constituents. They need to know the consequences of their decisions on the districts they represent. That’s why the local, grassroots efforts are as important as Capitol visits during session.
   
• BE MINDFUL OF YOUR TIME
  
  Particularly when potentially controversial legislation is proposed, many people show up to testify in support of their position. When this occurs, the committee chair will limit the time allotted for each speaker during public testimony (usually three to five minutes each). Your presentation may require more time, so you should be prepared to summarize and truncate your presentation, articulating the most important points. This is one of the reasons it’s a good idea to coordinate with other stakeholders who share your position and why you should prepare written testimony as well. In these situations, it is also wise to be mentally prepared to spend long periods of time (hours) waiting for your turn to testify.
   
• BE PROFESSIONAL, POLITE AND RESPECTFUL
  
  No matter how hot an issue or how strongly you feel about your concern, it cannot be stressed strongly enough that inappropriate language, improper (condescending/disrespectful) attitude, or rude behavior will completely undermine your efforts with members of a committee. Many members of a house or senate committee may not be aware of the issues as you are (which is why they hold public hearings) and will be distracted from your issue by unprofessional, impolite or rude conduct. Remember, you are an ambassador for your cause and as such, you will want to make the most positive impression possible. Thank the members and especially the chairperson, for giving you their time and attention.
  
  
  Preparing to testify at a hearings
  
  view the House of Representatives Chamber or Committee meetings live or archived.
   
• Suggestions for Testifying at a Forum or Hearing

   

• Richard Hernandez Tips for Testifying at a Forum or Hearing

   

  If you cannot attend, help a friend or family member attend

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  4. Write Your Legislators regarding funding issues: [What do we write?]     [Who do we write?]     [When do we write?] What do we write?   Individuals: Write a letter with an example of a specific need or telling of a particular individual, have others also sign that letter. We have been told that a single letter with multiple signatures has more impact than being flooded with email posts, or having a form letter come in mass to legislators.   Support groups/organizations: Write a letter representing those in your support group or organization. Have members sign the letter. This is a target step for the success of Steps to Support for All. It is important that our law and policy makers understand it is not just one small group of constituents that are calling for funding, but rather many groups, having various needs. Make your letters reflect the particular needs your members have which are not being met. Make sure your self-advocates also sign the letter.   Self-advocates: Write a letter expressing your needs and those of your friends. Have your friends who are also self-advocates sign the letter. These letters are probably the most powerful.   Please stress in your letters your specific needs, but also make it clear that additional funding is called for, not just the transferring of funds from another human services program to another. Stress there is an need for Services for ALL! We do not want gain for one group to be at the expense of another. Who do we write?   Your legislators (locate your legislators)   Legislative Budget Board (members' contact information) The Honorable David Dewhurst Co-Chairman Lieutenant Governor State Capitol, Room 2E.13 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail:The Honorable David Dewhurst The Honorable Tom Craddick, Co-Chairman Speaker of the House of Representatives State Capitol, Room 2W.13 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Tom Craddick The Honorable Steve Ogden Chairman, Senate Finance Committee State Capitol, Room GE.4 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Steve Ogden The Honorable Jim Pitts Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations State Capitol, Room 4S.6 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Jim Pitts The Honorable Robert Duncan State Senator, appointed State Capitol, Room 3E.12 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Robert Duncan The Honorable James Keffer, Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means State Capitol, Room E2.418 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable James Keffer The Honorable John Whitmire State Senator, appointed State Capitol, Room 1E.13 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable John Whitemire The Honorable Fred Hill State Representative, appointed State Capitol, Room 1W.3 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Fred Hill The Honorable Judith Zaffirini State Senator, appointed State Capitol, Room 1E.12 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Judith Zaffirini The Honorable Vilma Luna State Representative, appointed State Capitol, Room E1.304 Austin, Texas 78701 E-mail: The Honorable Vilma Luna When do we write?   Watch this site for future hearing or meeting dates.   Watch for future alerts to [Write each of them a letter]   6. Visit Your Legislators regarding funding issues: Locate your legislators Meeting with aids is helpful, too. They are often your best avenue for support. They help make schedules and call attention to particular issues. Don't be afraid to call on the telephone for information or to share new facts, etc. 7. Share your information:   Encourage others to help effect changes necessary for all to have services and options   Send them the petition, ask that they read it carefully and sign if they elect to do so   Alert them to hearing dates, encourage them to go   Help those who will be using the services to become strong self-advocates   8. Stay informed! Ask the Experts: Marty Skinner, LMSW-ACP, ACSW Program Director - MR Community Outreach (was MHMR of Tarrant County- Essential Services) 1300 Circle Drive Fort Worth, TX 76119 Phone: (817) 569-4016 Fax: (817) 569-5474 E-mail: Martha Skinner   Kathryn Craven, P.C. Attorney and Counselor at Law. Very strong advocate for those with disabilities. Very knowledgable about those with disabilities, the services and resources avaiable as well as well versed with Special Needs Trust and Wills to protect the benefits for those elegible for SSI, SSDI and Social Security. 1518 8th Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76104 Phone: (817) 923-5557 Fax: (817) 922-9234 E-mail: kcraven@kcravenlaw.com Website: http://www.kcravenlaw.com Lifepath Systems/Mental Retardation Services Collin County Mary Fredericks, M.S. PO Box 828 McKinney, TX 75070 Phone: 972-727-9133 Allen, TX E-mail: Mary Fredericks Crisis Line: 866-260-8000   Planning the Future:   0 Planning Handbook for Persons with Disabilities Website: http://www.thearc.org/publications/futureplanninghandbook.doc To add an individual with disabilities to the CLASS list so they may eventually receive HCS (Home and Community-based Services) funding. Telephone: (877) 438-5658 How to qualify for a disability: Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm How to apply for a disability: Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm   Public/Government Agencies and Resources:   Medicare Website: www.medicare.gov HHSC - Texas Health and Human Services Commission HHSC is comprised of several agencies, mostly legacy Texas Department of Human Services, Eligibility/TANF/Food Stamps/Medicaid. Website: www.txstars.net/servlet/HSGServlet?page=home D.A.D.S. - Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (was TDMHMR) D.A.D.S. is comprised of legacy TDMHMR, MR Services; Texas Department of Aging; Texas Department of Human Services - Long Term Care Services. Website: www.dads.state.tx.us Texas Medicaid Website: www.hhsc.state.tx.us/medicaid/index.html Texas Rehab Website: www.rehab.state.tx.us/services.html Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (was TDMHMR) State of Texas agency, part of Texas Health and Human Resources Commission Website: www.mhmr.state.tx.us/   Services for ALL: I am Martha Kate Downey. My family and I live in Euless, Texas. We have a daughter who is 22 and has autism. She is active in her community and needs community-based services, those funds which follow the individual. If the Medicaid Waiver waiting list continues to be under-funded as it is today she has at least a decade before she may receive those funds and live independently. Not an easy pill to swallow for Kate and her friends who have worked to gain the skills to live as independently as possible. I once met a family whose last name was Smith. They were a dysfunctional family. Another family I met was named Jones, they were a happy and healthy one: Therefore, all families with the last name of Smith are dysfunctional, and all families with the last name of Jones are healthy and happy ones. Is that a reasonable deduction? How can we, then, make the same illogical generalizations about all housing or all services being either good ones or bad ones for those individuals needing care. You have heard stories of those who had negative experiences in group homes, other stories of those who had negative experience in state schools. We hear on television and read in our newspapers horror stories of the care withheld from those with disabilities in their own family's homes. A place of residence is only as safe, as good, as positive as the caregivers in the residence at that exact moment. These arguments regarding who can provide the best care have kept us distracted from the actual problem: Proper funding for all those having exceptional needs, including those who are aging, need accessible guardians, in need of foster care, or protection. There is a need for state schools and other facilities like them and there is also a need for community-based services. In addition to caring for individuals with very limited cognitive capacity, state schools currently care for those having cognitive delays who need long term medical care, or those having significant behavioral disorders in need of long-term placements with very close supervision. Many of these individuals with mental retardation needing long-term care are placed in state schools after leaving a state hospital or are sent by the courts if they are deemed to be of danger to themselves or others. There will always be a need for facilities which care for individuals with those significant needs. Most of the current community-based services are not yet able to care for those individuals due to insufficient funding which determines appropriate facilities and staff. According to a study prepared for Advocacy, Inc. in August, 2004 Texas ranked 51st among the states in the rate at which it furnished community-based waiver services. And in 2003, Texas ranked 47th among the states in the rate at which it furnished Medicaid long term services (the combination of HCBS waiver and ICF/MR services). We're heading into an even greater crisis, if that is possible, as this population ages. The special needs population is living longer than ever before and developing additional health care needs. "Regular" assisted living centers will not have the knowledge to care for a person with cognitive delays as well as aging disorders. Some of those who are choosing to live in community-based housing today may one day need the more specialized care that residential programs may provide. Their needs will change just as surely as everyone's needs change through their life time. In the past, we have fought over the sparse funds set aside for those having disabilities. We thought the only way we could get the funds needed for our programs was to take them from someone else's program. It is time we acknowledge that ALL of our programs need adequate funding. We can't rob Peter to pay Paul... Peter's broke! We need proper funding for all of the programs. It has been long-time tradition of which the legislators of Texas are quite proud that they require the least amount of taxes in the United States. It doesn't seem to matter to them, that in so doing, they are therefore providing the least amount of services to those in need. The legislators are not properly reflecting Texans' values of generosity and responsibility for fellow citizens in need. During the recent world crisis, the citizens of Texas freely gave enormous amounts of money to Tsunami victims (without benefits of either tax receipts or even thank you notes!) It is quite apparent that Texans greatly value human life and their compassion is greater than their greed. There is no longer time to battle about which programs will receive funding. It is now time to work together to insure that all of those needing services will have the opportunity to receive them. We are calling for the funding of all programs provided by DADS and other HHSC in the state of Texas which serve those who have disabilities or are elderly. In the past, those services receive from the AAA have been adequate and well accessed. It is imperative that we do not move funding from programs working well to other less funded programs. Then there will simply be one more group of Texas citizens in need of better services. This may seem like a tall order to some legislators, but if most other states provide sufficient services for their citizens, I would think Texans could arrive at a solution to the dilemma as well. If we can't do it well, can't we at least be average!? Martha Kate Downey February 9, 2005 Join Steps to Support for All: In order that change take place, it is important that the legislators see a united mission. The mission of this coalition is to unite all those individuals and organizations which provide support to those having disabilities. Each organization which participates in the coalition will have it's own particular stand on issues and population it is servicing - that is important to maintain, but we all share in the common goal of working to ensure proper funding for services. By joining together, we share knowledge and strength in numbers as we work to effect critically needed change. Please join our association in our call for critically need funding of the programs and services already in approved by our legislators. Those programs by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, as well as those which help individuals in other HHS systems which service those with disabilities must receive sufficient financial support to be viable services to the eligible recipients. A program or service without appropriate funding is not a program at all, just a pipe dream. It is time to do more than dream. I would like to join or learn more about Steps to Support for All I would like add information to this site For further resources for those with special challenges, click on the "Resources and Links" button on the left of this page.     Copyright © 2007, All Rights Reserved If you have information you like to have added to this site, or questions regarding this program, please write to: Martha Kate Downey, 505 Anthony, Dr. Euless, TX 76039 or send an email to mk@mkdowney.com