Read Executive Director Jim Copeland's Op-Ed on the New Mexico Family Infant Toddler Program. (click here)
Program a Good FIT for Kids
02/08/2010 10:10AM
Perfect Beauty
12/07/2009 12:54PM
- Joanne Green
The Great Sphynx of Egypt has, over the years,
Lost her nose.
Venus de Milo has no arms,
And the Liberty Bell sports a great, wide crack.
And yet each of these is considered to be a thing of beauty,
A standard of perfection.
And so it must be that we do not,
as one might imagine,
Look to perfection in order to see beauty,
But rather, we look to beauty,
And thereby see perfection.
Special Session Uncertainty
12/07/2009 12:39PM
by Jim Copeland
As I am writing this, the Special Session is over. The purpose of the Special Session was to eliminate the shortfall for Fiscal Year 2009 and balance the budget for Fiscal Year 2010. There were several bills sent to the Governor for his consideration. He has until November 12, 2009 to sign, veto, or partially veto the legislation.
Where does that leave Alta Mira? The short answer is we don’t know until the Governor has acted on the legislation. The legislation he received had a $16 million reduction in Medicaid. The reduction was made up with other state and federal funding. If the Governor vetoes all or part of the legislation, that could increase the amount of money to be reduced in Medicaid. There may not be sufficient money to cover an increased reduction.
What does that mean to Alta Mira? The short answer is, at this time, we don’t know. It would depend on the implementation of any other legislation or budget reductions in Medicaid.
When will we know? The short answer is we may not know for sure until the regular session of the legislature is over in February. I would like to say that Alta Mira will not be impacted at all. I don’t think that will be the case. I don’t want to become the Executive Director of “doom and gloom”, but I also don’t want to be Pollyanna.
There is a serious budget deficit in state government in New Mexico. The easiest way to fix that deficit is to reduce spending. Any state government spends the majority of its money on providing services to the citizens of the state. When spending has to be reduced, it is generally services to the citizens that bear the brunt of the reductions. There are other ways to fix budget deficits. The usual one is to increase taxes. There are numerous theories on the pros and cons for increasing taxes. But, once again, the burden of the solution falls on the citizens of the state.
The Management Team and the Board of Directors will be reviewing potential adjustments to the possible revenue reductions. I have misplaced my crystal ball so I don’t have a clear view of the future. I do know the longer we wait for an answer to the questions, the shorter amount of time we have to adjust Alta Mira expenditures. I also know that the Alta Mira families, providers, contractors, employees, and Board members will continue to make decisions based on sound information.
I don’t believe that it will be painless. I think everyone will share in the pain. I believe that the organization will come out the other side stronger and more resilient. As always, if you have questions, comments, or a crystal ball, please feel free to contact me. I may be reached by e-mail at jcopeland@AltaMiraNM.org or by direct telephone line at 366-2117.
Heart Pounding News
09/01/2009 02:32PM
by Jim Copeland
It seems like every time I am asked to write something, there is some sort of crisis. This month is no exception. There are a number of things taking place right now that are somewhat stress producing. There is the state budget shortfall and all the associated press related to it. There is the projected Medicaid budget deficit and the laundry list of issues related to cost containment. There is the upcoming Developmental Disabilities Waiver re-write. Each of these things by themselves are enough to cause at least a rapid heart rate. But, when you add them all together, they are enough to cause, at least for me, heart attack or stroke related symptoms.
In a recent public meeting, the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) reported that the DD Waiver has to change. This need is due to increasing demand and limited resources. The system needs to increase the overall cost effectiveness and maximize the impact of available funds while maintaining person centered services. The average cost of supporting someone on the waiver for Fiscal Year 2009 was $73,500. The projection for Fiscal Year 2010 is $75,300. The average cost for eight other states with similar waiver programs ranged from $14,500 to $58,500 per person.
82% of all individuals on the DD Waiver are receiving a residential service. The cost of those services accounted for 66% of the total cost of the Waiver expenditures in Fiscal Year 2008. The purpose of the waiver is to prevent the need for institutional care and lead to greater independence from paid supports, to provide meaningful social integration, and promote the development of daily living skills essential to a successful, inclusive life in the community.
While almost 4000 individuals are currently receiving supports, there are more than 4,650 waiting for supports. The wait for services currently exceeds 7 years. The waiver is designed to be a lifespan program. The current service package is focused primarily on adults. It is reported that the majority of the 4,650 waiting for services are children under the age of 18.
We need to prepare for some changes. The changes that will be implemented will be effective July 1, 2010. Now is the time to have your voice heard. Please give your input to your Service Coordinator, to the DDSD staff, to the Human Services Department, or your elected representatives.
Change is coming. Without your input, you leave yourself open to the whims of the system. Even with your input, you will be open to the whims of the system, but at least you will have had your say. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. I may be reached at 366-2117 or by e-mail at jcopeland@altamiranm.org.
Thanks for your continued support and interest in Alta Mira.
A Day in the Life
07/07/2009 11:22AM
by Nancy Hunt
Morning begins with the first handful of folks, coffee in hand, good morning greetings. In the reception area things begin to buzz. The Trainer quickly pulls together tools and handouts for today’s daylong training session. The HR Director is preparing for a day of interviews for a current job vacancy, four 1 ½ hour periods will fill up the day. The Director and the Program Manager from the Early Intervention program join her for the interview process. The Receptionist greets everyone with a smile and checks in both trainees and interviewees as they arrive. While all of this is happening, a family arrives for therapy and Family Living, Substitute Care and Respite Providers are arriving to drop off their monthly paperwork.
In the midst of this hive, Early Intervention Staff prepare for a day of evaluations, home visits and paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. It is the beginning of the month, so hand written documentation for every visit and contact with families is due to the Data Specialist. Early Intervention services are based on face to face contact, so every contact must be documented precisely. Thousands of bits of data will be entered into the computer system by the 8th of each month to eventually result in payment to contractors, billing to the state system, and eventually payment to keep the whole thing going. After it is processed, each piece of this handwritten data will be filed by the File Clerk in each individual child’s file.
The Translator has requests lined up for forms and service plans to be translated to accommodate our Spanish-speaking families. She works diligently to ensure families can clearly understand everything they will need to know about their child’s services.
Over in another building, Family Support Services staff members arrive and begin preparing for a staff meeting. New regulations from the state need to be presented so that everyone is clear on the changes. An entire process will need to be reviewed, to determine any effects these changes will have. After the meeting, Service Coordinators will scramble to head out on home visits or get to their computers to complete reports. The Administrative Assistant begins to assemble paperwork which now needs to be changed and replaced in the many areas in which it appears, all the while assisting others with a multitude of tasks. The Nursing staff meets briefly to review consumer needs and the home visit schedule before taking off to begin their visits.
Up in the Fiscal offices things are heating up. The Fiscal Assistant and the Billing Specialist are speedily processing hundreds of Respite, Substitute Care and Family Living vouchers which have all just arrived. These vouchers must be organized, reviewed for accuracy and availability of hours. They will then be entered into the computer by the 10th of the month, in time for provider paychecks to be processed and sent to the state and other funding sources for payment. Meanwhile the Comptroller begins processing staff paychecks, due out by the end of the week. This month’s race is on.
The Development Director is beginning her day with phone calls in an attempt to acquire donations, sponsorships and golfers for the upcoming golf tournament. In a difficult economy every phone call is a new challenge. The Executive Director prepares to leave the office for an all day meeting with state officials and other provider agency representatives to discuss how to meet the ever increasing needs of families with a less than adequate state budget. The Systems Director monitors a new server upgrade, which the entire billing process currently in progress, is dependent upon. At the same time, he is researching phone systems as the aged system now in place is showing signs of serious illness. The Maintenance Specialist begins his day by moving a staff member from one office to another. Afterward, he will paint the office that has been vacated.
At the Respite Home, the Staff is busy assisting the two participants who stayed overnight through their morning routine and out the door to their daily activities. The housekeeper arrives and begins to clean and freshen up the house, ready to be a home away from home when the next short-term residents arrive.
Staff members representing both Early Intervention and Family Support Services, stop in to the office in Estancia to prepare for the day. The Administrative Assistant makes sure they have everything they need before taking off in all directions for home visits all over Torrance County. It’s a large and spread out area, but a small community. Families who receive services are often already familiar, maybe friends or distant family to staff members.
The work continues day after busy day. Each and every day an individual who is challenged is encouraged to get over the next obstacle and move forward. A mom or dad takes some time to renew themselves while a competent provider spends time with their loved one. A friend is made, a new skill is learned, hope is renewed over and over again in a day in the life at Alta Mira.
Dollars and Sense
06/05/2009 03:26PM
by Jim Copeland
Well, it is that time of year when most agencies are going through the stress that is known as budget preparation. It is not a pretty sight. You look at every dollar that is spent. Where was it spent? What was it spent for? Do we have to spend that dollar again this year? The answer to that last question is usually yes, but it’s $1.25 this year. Then the question becomes, where are we going to get the $1.25 this year?
What most people may or may not know is that the money for the most part, at least for Alta Mira, comes from contracts/provider agreements with the Department of Health. Also, another concern is the Department of Health doesn’t include cost of living adjustments in those agreements. What does that mean? It is just like your own family budget. The cost of living; groceries, gas, utilities, insurance, property taxes, clothing, and anything else you purchase or have to have goes up, but your salary stays the same. How do you handle those situations? Credit cards society has painfully discovered are not the first solution. At some point, you have to pay the piper. The first thing you do is look at where you can reduce your spending.
In our case, the fixed costs cannot be reduced. Workers Compensation, unemployment, property, liability and health insurance, and utilities, etc. are fixed. (Well, actually they aren’t fixed. They seem to go up every year.) Because Alta Mira is primarily a service provider, we have to employ the people to provide the services. That is where we spend approximately 85 – 90% of our budget. To reduce spending, means to reduce what we pay or the benefits we provide to our employees. Neither of those options seems viable at this time. Those options would most likely have one impact. They would create turnover. Turnover disrupts the services that families receive at critical times in their lives. One other option is to secure the funding needed through grants, fund raisers, gifts, bequests, or in-kind support.
We are pursuing the fund-raising options. Monday, August 10, Alta Mira is scheduled to have its first Alta Mira golf classic. Vicki Assaad, the Alta Mira Board of Directors, and the entire Alta Mira staff are working to secure donations and support for this effort.
We are pursuing the grants options. We are receiving funding from the United Way, the Governor’s Commission on Disability, and other foundations and individuals. We have submitted applications to funding sources to seek additional support for the valuable programs that Alta Mira provides. We are also looking at expanding our services to see if we can diversify our income streams.
Well, enough of hearing about our problems. You probably have problems of your own. But, if one of your problems is what to do with all that excess money, I think I may be able to offer some advice. If you could see yourself helping to support a family who is struggling with a family member with a developmental disability or delay, we might be just the right fit for you. If you are interested in assisting us in any of these efforts, please contact Vicki Assaad, (505) 366-2132 or me (505) 366-2117.
Life Goes On
05/05/2009 04:18PM
by Jim Copeland
Well it’s that time again. It’s time for me to strain my brain and try to figure out what information I can share with you this month. There is still a lot of stuff going on. As for Senate Bill 227, the FIT Sustainability Funding Formula, it received a pocket veto. That means the Governor didn’t sign the bill. He didn’t veto it. He just didn’t sign it. Life goes on. Alta Mira will continue to provide the valuable supports and services that these kids and their families need with or without adequate funding as long as we can afford it. Thanks to anyone who contacted the Governor’s office to ask him to sign the bill.
Well it’s that time again. It’s time for me to strain my brain and try to figure out what information I can share with you this month. There is still a lot of stuff going on. As for Senate Bill 227, the FIT Sustainability Funding Formula, it received a pocket veto. That means the Governor didn’t sign the bill. He didn’t veto it. He just didn’t sign it. Life goes on. Alta Mira will continue to provide the valuable supports and services that these kids and their families need with or without adequate funding as long as we can afford it. Thanks to anyone who contacted the Governor’s office to ask him to sign the bill.
We have received notice of our preliminary award from the United Way of Central New Mexico. We didn’t receive as much funding as we requested. In this current economic environment I don’t know of any agency that did. What we will receive will be used to supplement our Respite Program. The State General Fund respite program limits the number of hours that families may be allocated. The United Way money will allow us to serve more families and in some cases provide more than the limited number of hours currently allowed.
We are currently waiting (more of that waiting I discussed last month) on our provider agreements from the Department of Health for next fiscal year. We are also waiting on our 3rd quarter amendment notification for this current fiscal year. These agreements provide the funding for part of our Early Intervention program, our Respite Home, and our State General fund individual respite program.
We have been informed by the Department of Health that the good news is the Department of Health budget for next year, at this time, has not been cut. The bad news is that it hasn’t been increased either. Again, in this current economic environment, we consider a flat budget with no reductions a HUGE win.
There is a big effort by lots of organizations to capitalize on the economic stimulus funds that are currently available. In a service based organization like Alta Mira, I am not sure that is a positive decision. If you get the money, you have to provide services to get it. Once you start providing the services, you feel morally and ethically responsible for continuing those services. When the stimulus money goes away, reportedly in December 2010, how do you fund those services? I believe the economic stimulus funding is important in some occupations. I don’t believe that building services for families on temporary money is a sound idea.
If you are interested in discussing this further, please feel free to contact me. I may be reached by e-mail at jcopeland@altamiranm.org or by direct phone line at (505) 366-2117.
Wait A Second!
04/10/2009 10:32AM
by Jim Copeland
Well, the legislative session is over. The waiting has begun:
Well, the legislative session is over. The waiting has begun:
- Waiting to see what legislation the Governor will sign and what he won’t sign.
- Waiting to see what the Budget looks like for next year
- Waiting to see what the Stimulus money will be used for
- Waiting to see if the “Waiting” list is reduced
- Waiting to see if “good things REALLY come to those who wait”
The Governor has until April 10 to take action on the bills that were passed in the legislative session. There is a page on the Governor’s website, that gives you an update on all the legislation he has signed. Under Latest News on the left side of the page, there is a link to Governor Bill Richardson’s Bill Action. It is the second item in the list. If you click that link, you will be taken to a page that lists the action he has taken on all legislation through April 3. You can also see a list of all the bills that are left to be considered. It is a long list.
There are not many bills that impact services that Alta Mira provides. There is one bill, Senate Bill 227, that we are following. This bill would establish a funding formula for the early intervention program. The bill establishes a per child cost of providing early intervention services. The wording says the Department of Health may consider the formula when determining the funding necessary to provide these important services. It doesn’t guarantee funding if there is no funding available. It does keep the importance of early intervention on the table. We are waiting to see if the Governor signs the bill.
Early Intervention is included in the federal stimulus package. New Mexico will receive almost $3 million more in Federal funding between now and December 31, 2010. We are waiting on guidelines from the Feds about what the money may be spent on.
Meanwhile, there are more and more people being placed on the waiting list. There is word that there will be 280 individuals taken off the waiting list for the next fiscal year. There is more waiting for the folks that will still be on the waiting list.
Wait, what’s that I hear? Oh, more waiting! Waiting is a good thing. Good things come to those who wait. Tips come to waiters in restaurants don’t they? The early bird gets the worm. That seems to be a reward for waiting. You don’t have to eat the worm. There’s a room for waiting at the doctor’s office. The culture of New Mexico is about waiting isn’t it? Mañana doesn’t necessarily mean tomorrow, it just means not today. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
Caring, Compassion and Crystal Balls
03/03/2009 10:20AM
by Jim Copeland
The Legislative Session ends on March 21, 2009 at noon. What will be the outcome? Has anyone found the crystal ball that would tell us what is going to occur? I have been to the Roundhouse several times this session. I have spoken with legislators about the current situation. As the session continues, it is amazing to me the attitude of those elected to represent us. They continue to show up for work in what has got to be the most difficult of times in recent memory. They continue to want to hear from the folks back home. (It might be more the “misery loves company” adage than anything else.)
I am continually impressed with the overall compassion and caring that these men and women show for all the citizens of New Mexico, not just their constituents. Times are tough. People are hurting, homeless, and hungry. The legislature knows there is little money, but they keep showing up for work. They keep listening to people, lobbyists, organizations, and everyone else asking for help, support, or assistance with each and every one of the needs.
Believe it or not, there are situations more pressing than those of the families that Alta Mira supports. There are situations that have the potential to impact the very world we live in. The environment that we will leave to our children and grandchildren is being constructed with today’s financial crisis. The infrastructure; streets, highways, and schools are being impacted by the current economic situation.
I have stated before that the current system of services to the families Alta Mira supports is not sustainable. Revisions are going to be necessary to all services. It is my hope that Alta Mira can take a lead role in the input into what those revisions will look like. We see the service delivery system from a unique perspective. Alta Mira provides supports in all of the program areas for people with developmental disabilities. We provide early intervention (Family Infant Toddler – FIT), developmental disability waiver, and state general fund services. Our staff have a composite view of the needs of people we serve in the Albuquerque metro region.
There will be changes coming to these programs. It is incumbent on all of us, people receiving services, people on the waiting list, and people who aren’t even born yet who will need these services, to develop a service delivery model that will be sustainable. We are looking at developing sustainable energy, green buildings and jobs, and reducing global warming all toward the idea of being around for years to come. We should do no less for services for people with developmental disabilities.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I may be reached by direct phone line at 366-2117 or by e-mail at jcopeland@altamiranm.org.
Executive Directors Get the Best Mail
02/23/2009 09:50AM
by Vicki Assaad
Executive directors get the best mail (they probably also get the worst mail, but that's a different topic for another day!). Check out this letter our executive director, Jim Copeland, received recently. It's priceless!
Executive directors get the best mail (they probably also get the worst mail, but that's a different topic for another day!). Check out this letter our executive director, Jim Copeland, received recently. It's priceless!
Genie in a Bottle
01/30/2009 04:00PM
by Jim Copeland
If I had three wishes from the proverbial genie in the bottle, I would use one of them to know the results of the current legislative session. Once I had the answer to that question, I would use the other two. For those of you who just returned from your winter trip to Mars or somewhere, New Mexico is in the middle of a budget crisis. There are no definitive answers to the myriad of questions that are circulating in the Roundhouse. There is hope and speculation that the President’s economic stimulus package will include the increased funding for the Medicaid program that will in turn generate some $1.5 billion for New Mexico.
If I had three wishes from the proverbial genie in the bottle, I would use one of them to know the results of the current legislative session. Once I had the answer to that question, I would use the other two. For those of you who just returned from your winter trip to Mars or somewhere, New Mexico is in the middle of a budget crisis. There are no definitive answers to the myriad of questions that are circulating in the Roundhouse. There is hope and speculation that the President’s economic stimulus package will include the increased funding for the Medicaid program that will in turn generate some $1.5 billion for New Mexico.
I have been told the budget deficit figure changes almost on a daily basis. Apparently, there are no areas of expense that are safe from the potential budget axe. The Medicaid and State General Fund programs each face their own “cost containment” measures. Cost containment is the politically correct way of saying “budget cuts”. The $10 million appropriated during the Special Session to reduce the DD Waiver waiting list, at last report, is safe. Please know and understand, until the Session is over and the Governor has signed, not signed, or vetoed legislation, no money is guaranteed safe.
These are critical times. Funding for all programs is in peril. I have heard the legislature is pinning some of their hopes to the federal Medicaid funding proposals. You will hear about something called the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP). The FMAP compares each state’s per capita income to U.S. per capita income and provides higher reimbursements to states with lower per capita incomes. The statutory minimum FMAP is 50% and the maximum is 83%. The lower the FMAP, the more money a state has to spend to draw down the federal match. An FMAP of 50% means a state has to spend 50 cents to get the matching 50cents from the federal government. New Mexico’s FMAP for 2009 is currently scheduled at 70.88%. This means New Mexico has to spend 29.12 cents to draw down 70.88 cents from the feds. The current Medicaid proposals would increase New Mexico’s FMAP. This means we would have to spend less in state dollars to draw down more federal dollars. In times of economic crisis, this sounds like a good deal to me. However, the federal proposal is limited to a two year increase. Any growth in the system or services would have to be sustainable with the expiration of the two year provision.
While nothing is guaranteed, I can guarantee that e-mails, phone calls, personal visits, and letters to your State and Federal elected officials do not go unnoticed. These are the folks who will ultimately decide the future of our services. Unless someone reading this has a genie in their pocket, I would encourage you to contact your officials and relate to them the impact that budget cuts or reductions in services will have on your families.
Child's Domain
01/16/2009 10:14AM
Child's Domain
by Sandy Lujan
The author of this poem, Cindy Sotelo, has two daughters who have benefitted from services at Alta Mira. Cindy also served on Alta Mira's board of directors. This poem was written during a very trying time, before Cindy found help at Alta Mira. Cindy believes that all adults should spend more time in the world of acceptance and laughter that is every child's domain. Cindy has been asked to sell the copyright to this poem, but has chosen to share it with the families and friends of Alta Mira.
Child's Domain
Take heed, adults, as you draw near
This is a child's domain
And once you choose to enter in
You can't remain the same
This is the land where fairies dance
Where fancy reigns supreme
Where yesterday's a smile
And tomorrow's still a dream
Tickles are the currency
Laughter they afford
And memories are the vessels
In which happiness is stored
Learning and fun combine into one
Filling the hours with play
Merry tunes accompany
The mischief of the day
When you return to Grown-Up Land
Your words here will remain
Tread lightly please, as you come in
This is a child's domain
by Sandy Lujan
The author of this poem, Cindy Sotelo, has two daughters who have benefitted from services at Alta Mira. Cindy also served on Alta Mira's board of directors. This poem was written during a very trying time, before Cindy found help at Alta Mira. Cindy believes that all adults should spend more time in the world of acceptance and laughter that is every child's domain. Cindy has been asked to sell the copyright to this poem, but has chosen to share it with the families and friends of Alta Mira.
Child's Domain
Take heed, adults, as you draw near
This is a child's domain
And once you choose to enter in
You can't remain the same
This is the land where fairies dance
Where fancy reigns supreme
Where yesterday's a smile
And tomorrow's still a dream
Tickles are the currency
Laughter they afford
And memories are the vessels
In which happiness is stored
Learning and fun combine into one
Filling the hours with play
Merry tunes accompany
The mischief of the day
When you return to Grown-Up Land
Your words here will remain
Tread lightly please, as you come in
This is a child's domain
My Hat's Off
11/20/2008 08:33AM
by Vicki Assaad
Most of our services are provided in natural environments, so those of us who work at Alta Mira in areas other than direct service don't get to enjoy the privilege of daily contact with the individuals and families that we serve. But once in a while, we get lucky and a family comes in for services, or to drop off paperwork, or just to say "hi." It's a treat for all of us when they do -- a real day brightener. That just happened this morning, and the family's visit here for early childhood services prompts me to dedicate the following to them and to all the families we serve:
My hat's off
to all of those
who still unscrew
their Oreos,
who'd rather giggle
than outright laugh,
who always prefer
the larger half,
who can't stand to walk
when they can run,
who roll in the snow
and dance in the sun.
To those whose eyes are clear and bright,
who'd rather not go where it's not very light,
who like their peanut butter gooey,
their white bread soft,
and their bubble gum chewy,
who marvel at all that everyone knows,
whose hugs can warm us
from our heads to our toes.
Most of our services are provided in natural environments, so those of us who work at Alta Mira in areas other than direct service don't get to enjoy the privilege of daily contact with the individuals and families that we serve. But once in a while, we get lucky and a family comes in for services, or to drop off paperwork, or just to say "hi." It's a treat for all of us when they do -- a real day brightener. That just happened this morning, and the family's visit here for early childhood services prompts me to dedicate the following to them and to all the families we serve:
My hat's off
to all of those
who still unscrew
their Oreos,
who'd rather giggle
than outright laugh,
who always prefer
the larger half,
who can't stand to walk
when they can run,
who roll in the snow
and dance in the sun.
To those whose eyes are clear and bright,
who'd rather not go where it's not very light,
who like their peanut butter gooey,
their white bread soft,
and their bubble gum chewy,
who marvel at all that everyone knows,
whose hugs can warm us
from our heads to our toes.
$10 Million Dollar Dilemma
11/03/2008 01:54PM
by Jim Copeland
I have heard the Human Services Department has determined the $10 million appropriation from the Special Session will be used to serve people on the DD Waiver Waiting List. $9 million is going for services. $1 million is going to the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division in the Department of Health for infrastructure development. This is the latest information I have been able to determine. There is supposed to be a press release from the Human Services Department, but I have not seen it as of the writing of this piece.
I have also heard the $10 million may not be available when the legislature meets in January. The price of a gallon of gasoline has dropped significantly over the past month. That is good news for those of us who drive. It could be terrible news for those citizens of New Mexico who are waiting for services. The New Mexico economy is based significantly on the price of oil and gas. With the drop in the price of gasoline there is a significant drop in the expected revenue for state coffers. This revised revenue projection caused the Governor to mandate reductions in state expenditures throughout state government.
How will this ultimately effect the $10 million appropriation? We won’t be sure until the legislative session is over in March. Who will be impacted? We won’t know until the allocations have been made (or not made). When will the price of gasoline go back up? We only know that it WILL go back up. It is difficult to need things to happen and know the consequences both if they do happen and if they don’t happen. In general, people need cheap gasoline to get to and from their jobs and other responsibilities. In particular, people on the DD Wavier waiting list need more expensive gasoline so they can get to their lives. Never have there been more divergent needs on the same coin (or dollar).
Tune in next month to see where we are, what we know, and how it will probably impact all of us.
General
10/21/2008 02:39PM
Peter Pan Children
by Sandy Lujan
Years ago, a woman who worked in our Early Childhood program shared the following with us. She had memorized this poem (author unknown) when she was in elementary school. This ex-employee dedicated her life's work to serving people with developmental disabilities. And, she even went on to adopt children with developmental disabilities. We wanted to share this with you. Enjoy.
Peter Pan Children
They'll never grow up.
We think of that, as they trustingly hold our hand.
And we slow our pace to walk with them
In their never-never land.
"Never grow up." "Unfinished." "Imperfect."
Or so the "wise" men say.
But we know their souls
Grow taller and more beautiful every day.
Minds and bodies must turn to dust.
It will be the soul alone of Peter Pan children
And the rest of us
When we stand before God's Throne.
So weep not for these children
Or for those with the privilege
Of walking beside a Peter Pan child
And holding his hand, and LOVE.
by Sandy Lujan
Years ago, a woman who worked in our Early Childhood program shared the following with us. She had memorized this poem (author unknown) when she was in elementary school. This ex-employee dedicated her life's work to serving people with developmental disabilities. And, she even went on to adopt children with developmental disabilities. We wanted to share this with you. Enjoy.
Peter Pan Children
They'll never grow up.
We think of that, as they trustingly hold our hand.
And we slow our pace to walk with them
In their never-never land.
"Never grow up." "Unfinished." "Imperfect."
Or so the "wise" men say.
But we know their souls
Grow taller and more beautiful every day.
Minds and bodies must turn to dust.
It will be the soul alone of Peter Pan children
And the rest of us
When we stand before God's Throne.
So weep not for these children
Or for those with the privilege
Of walking beside a Peter Pan child
And holding his hand, and LOVE.
Anyone know any really good magicians?
10/13/2008 02:10PM
by Jim Copeland
The Advisory Council on Quality, or ACQ, advises the state on matters of importance in the area of developmental disability in NM, and our most recent meeting was last week. Here are a few statistics revealed at last week’s meeting:
There are currently 4,380 people on the Central Registry Waiting List for DD Waiver services. This does not include individuals who are in the “pending” category. (“Pending” is for folks who, for whatever reason, haven’t established eligibility. Usually, it is for the functional piece of eligibility.) Last fiscal year, there were 3,776 people receiving services at a total cost of $267,000,000. That is an average per year cost of $70,709 per person. There are currently more people on the waiting list than are being served.
The next allocations for the Metro Region will be for people who were put on the Registry as of May 30, 2001. That’s already more than a 7 year wait for services. Seven years. It gets worse when you consider the following: New Mexico allocates approximately 150 people per year. Let’s see, 4,380 divided by 150 =29.2. Twenty-nine point two. That’s the number of years a person who was placed on the Registry on October 1, 2008 is likely to have to wait before receiving services.
You can draw your own conclusions, but for all of us at the ACQ meeting, the numbers made one thing crystal clear: We have a system we can’t sustain. The chore is to figure out how we reduce costs without a perceived reduction in services. Anyone know any really good magicians?
$10 Million Appropriation
10/06/2008 11:55AM
by Jim Copeland
It is becoming more difficult to determine what is actually going to happen and this isn’t even going to be about politics. There has been much press about the special legislative session and the $10 million appropriation. Emotions are running pretty high. People are making plans for what services they will receive when they get allocated to the DD Waiver from the waiting list. In most cases these families have been waiting for at least 3 or 4 years. These families have been struggling with the demands of providing supports for an individual with developmental disabilities for a much longer period of time.
At a recent meeting with Department of Health personnel, I was informed that there has been no final decision as to the $10 million and how it is going to be expended. That doesn’t mean that the money will not ultimately be used to allocate people from the waiting list. It just means to me that no decision has been made. This is contrary to the majority of opinions that have surfaced on the internet and in coffee shop conversations. As they say in the south, I don’t have a dog in this fight. But, I do have feeling that it is absolutely necessary that people receive accurate information. When you have been living your life with the stress and pressure of having to make arrangements for the care and support of a family member with a disability you begin to look for any sign that help is on the way.
Alta Mira has been that help since 1985. Albuquerque Special Preschool and Esperanza Para Nuestros Niños were that help prior to that. We have seen and been involved with lots of stories about that needed help and the impact it made in the lives of families. We are continually looking for new ways to provide the help to more families. If you have suggestions about how we might be of help, please feel free to contact me. If you want to become involved in helping us help others, I would love to talk with you. I may be reached by e-mail at jcopeland@altamiranm.org or by direct telephone at (505) 366-2117.
