Budget Update - 2009
The Governor signed a new budget for California effective Tuesday, July 28, 2009, that included over $15 billion in new spending reductions. The Governor also used his veto authority to make additional reductions of $489 million. One of the Governor’s reductions was to cut regional center funding by an additional $50 million for services to children up to age five. The Governor calls for this additional reduction to the regional center budget to be replaced by funding from the California Children and Families First Commission; however, the reduction would remain even if the Commission declines to make up the cut.
Attached are links to the
Trailer Bill Language [PDF] and the
Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS’) summary of the statutory changes
[PDF].
There are many implementation questions that RCOC will be working out in the coming days and weeks. Here are RCOC’s next steps: What is
RCOC doing in response to budget cuts?
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RCOC's leadership team will develop the procedures necessary to implement the new law.
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RCOC’s Service Coordinators and other staff will receive information and training about the changes and the procedures that RCOC will use to implement the new law.
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A general letter providing a broad summary of the changes in the law and how the changes to specific services will affect the people we serve and their families will be communicated to all RCOC stakeholders the week of August 10.
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Letters to individual persons served and their families who are immediately impacted by the changes in the law will be sent, along with information about appeal rights.
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Individual planning team meetings will be scheduled on an as needed basis and as appropriate.
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RCOC will participate with Area Board XI and Disability Rights California (Clients Rights Advocates) in a series of meetings to educate the community about the changes.
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RCOC service providers will receive specific information and direction, as appropriate and necessary, on the changes in the law.
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RCOC will be regularly updating the information on our website and adding a "Frequently Asked Questions" section related to the changes in the law.
Please share this information with your distribution lists.
Thank you.
Larry
Landauer
Executive Director
