CSLN Network Leaders Oppose Cuts to SLS Services

CSLN Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chairs Jacquie Dillard-Foss and Carol McKinney worked fiercely throughout the year to preserve SLS services in the face of massive state cuts to services to people with developmental disabilities.  Drastic changes to SLS services proposed at the outset by the Department were replaced with less harsh changes to preserve the integrity of SLS services.  

CSLN Training Committee Presents Regional Training Forums

Four Regional Training Forums were presented throughout California during the Fall of 2009.  Technical advice and updates on current budgetary issues and regulatory changes were presented, while all shared resources and information.

CLSN Leaders Hold Quarterly Meetings with DDS Director

The leaders of the California Supported Living Network continued to meet with DDS Director Terri Delgadillo on a quarterly basis.  These meetings have presented a unique opportunity for the Network to provide input to the Department and to shape SLS policy.  As the California State Budget continues to cut services to people with developmental disabilities, these positive meetings continued to serve our need to provide input and cost-effective ideas to the Department, while allowing the Department to “float” ideas and to receive experiential data from our membership.

CSLN Presents the 8th Annual Leadership Conference

Over 100 participants attended the 8th Annual Leadership Conference with keynote speaker Dr. Ruth Meyers.  Break-out sessions included sessions on supported living best practices, cost-effective ideas for the business aspect of providing supported living, and, of course, our traditional “State of the State” panel focusing on where we have come in the past year, and where we are going.

ILS Providers Welcomed into the Network

This year CSLN extended an invitation for ILS providers to join with CSLN, acknowledging our common mission to provide services and supports to individuals so that they can live in homes of their own.  We have much in common and much to share. 

Ongoing Dialogue with DDS Leadership

Leaders of CSLN continue to meet quarterly with Terri Degadillo, Director of Developmental Services to elevate the concerns of the membership related to budgetary cut backs, IHSS, cost-effective services, and proposed changes to the SLS regulations.  Ms. Degadillo has been invited back to the 2009 Leadership Conference.

Regional Forums Piloted

In an effort to outreach to more of our CSLN members, Regional Forums have been organized in Northern California, the Bay Area, and in the South State.  Feedback has been excellent and these forums will continue and expand next year.

Annual CSLN Leadership Conference a Success

The 2008 CSLN Leadership Conference in San Diego was our best attended conference ever and highlighted by the Director of Developmental Services, Terri Degadillo’s keynote address.  Tom Pomeranz inspired us to reach higher in providing supported living services.

Outreach to Stakeholder Groups

Network leaders continue to dialogue with the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), Disability Rights Association (formerly known as Protection and Advocacy, Inc.), and the California Disability Services Association (formerly known as the California Rehabilitation Association) to represent the interests of supported living providers, and to join in efforts to overcome barriers to the growth of supported living services around the state.  Steering Committee members also participated in such state-wide forums as the Lanterman Coalition.

CSLN Incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization

CSLN became a 501 C6 which gives corporate structure to the Network and enables us to have a stronger presence in disability rights and issues in the State of California through permitted lobbying activities.  This will be crucial in 2009 given the projected budget crisis as there is no other advocacy group in California that solely represents issues related to supported living.

Revised CSLN Website and List Serve

The CSLN website and the list serve will be changing and will have even more information  to equip you with the most up to date information related to key issues of concerns related to business practices, legislation, and the provision of quality supported living services.

CSLN Network successfully opposes AB 1427

Linked in partnership with other stakeholders and partners, CSLN Leadership educated legislative leaders and policy makers regarding the deficits of AB 1427.  The coalition argued that AB 1427 was a cumbersome and unnecessary vehicle to provide funding for vital wage increases and funding for best-practices training methods. It was argued that there were far more efficient and effective methods of achieving these same goals.  Through the efforts of the coalition, and the compelling testimony of many CSLN members, we were ultimately successful in having the Governor veto this bill.

Community Living Workgroup added to CRA Structure

In an effort to have CRA more comprehensively lobby for the interests of supported living, a workgroup was formed within CRA that seeks to provide a forum for CRA members who provide supported living to bring forth legislative agendas that favor promoting quality supported living services within California.

SLS ”Think Tank” Co-sponsored by CSLN

In conjunction with Jay Nolan Center, a gathering of the best and brightest of California supported living providers and advocates was held in Sacramento.  While maintaining the focus on defending against the many threats facing supported living’s continuing viability, the “Think Tank” also resulted in some exciting commitments to work together to increase regional SLS training and peer mentoring opportunities.

CSLN Holds Regular Meetings with DDS Director

The leaders of the California Supported Living Network were invited to meet on a quarterly basis with the new Department of Developmental Services Director, Terri Delgadillo.  These meetings have presented a unique and unprecedented opportunity for the Network to provide input to the Department, and to extend the Network’s assistance in solving the very real challenges facing supported living.

CSLN Presents the 7th Annual Leadership Conference

With over 130 participants attended the 7th Annual CSLN Leadership Conference in San Diego, this year’s conference was the best attended. Business practices, service delivery, and best practice break-out sessions were capped by our traditional “State of the State” SLS perspective panel.  Chaired by representatives from the Leadership of the California Supported Living Network, Association of Regional Centers, California Rehabilitation Association, the Department of Developmental Services, and Protection and Advocacy, the current status of supported living services in California was examined in what is always a lively exchange of information and perspectives. As always, our evening mixer provided a great opportunity to network with SLS leaders from across California.

CSLN Advocates for SLS Rate Increase

CSLN continued to monitor that overnight wage rates to SLS providers were increased as a result of DDS’s 2007 budget increase for this purpose.  In January of 2008, SLS providers received an additional $.50 per hour increase beyond the $.75 handed down in July 2007.