PLEASE take time to comment on Proposed Changes that the Commonwealth is planning to make on individuals with an intellectual disability.
These changes will eliminate an individual’s CHOICE on where they want to work.
The deadline to comment is January 17, 2017.
Here is the information that you can use to comment on these changes.
As a concerned resident of the Commonwealth, I would like to take this opportunity to Comment on Appendices A through H of the Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waiver Renewals, effective July 1, 2017 (PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 16-2086). My comment will specifically focus on Appendix C pertaining to the service known as “Community Participation”.
I firmly believe that ALL individuals with developmental disabilities should have a CHOICE to achieve greater independence and opportunity in their lives. As you are well aware, this is also the mission of the Office of Developmental Programs. The most important piece of this statement is CHOICE. I do not agree with limitations placed on ones CHOICE in Appendix C pertaining to Community Participation.
The following limitations placed on attendance in Vocational or Adult Training Facility settings take away ones CHOICE.
- From 1/1/18 to 6/30/18, a participant may not receive Community Participation Support services in a licensed Adult Training Facility or a licensed Vocational Facility for more than 75 percent of his or her support time, on average, per week.
- From 7/1/18 to 12/31/18, a participant may not receive Community Participation Support services in a licensed Adult Training Facility or a licensed Vocational Facility for more than 50 percent of his or her support time, on average, per week.
- Starting 1/1/19, a participant may not receive Community Participation Support services in a licensed Adult Training Facility or a licensed Vocational Facility for more than 25 percent of his or her support time, on average, per week.
The amount of time an individual wants to attend Vocational or Adult Training Facility settings should be the CHOICE of each individual and should not be mandated.
Please contact Governor Tom Wolf at Office of the Governor, 508 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or call 717-787-2500 or fax 717-772-8284.
You may also email your comment to RA-odpcomment@pa.gov
If you want to get more involved, contact Tim Miller at tmiller@wcbainpa.org or at 724-837-1250, ext. 16
