Governor LePage has submitted his budget that will have a significant impact on services to people with cognitive disabilities.

This link details the cuts and their costs:

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/budget/index.shtml

The sections that most affect people with cognitive disabilities are:

Targeted Case Management:

The Governor is calling for the complete elimination of this service.

Almost every person with a cognitive disability (also known as developmental disability) has a case manager; this will eliminate both state case workers and case managers who work for private agencies.

Because there is a wait list for all other services, for many individuals and families, this is the only service they receive. A case manager assists families and individuals to access the services they need.  This includes insuring that clients remain eligible for Social Security and state benefits as well as help with doctors and other appointments.

We particularly need your help in fighting the cut to this service- It will not only affect families and those receiving the services, but also those graduating from high school, they will literally be left with no supports, the safety net will gone. 

We need your help in stopping this cut!

Below is a link that provides the name of your legislator, including their email and phone number. While any contact is important, a legislator will tell you a phone call is the most effective.

PNMI:  The Governor’s proposed budget calls for the elimination of this program. The good news is the Legislature appears to have rejected this outright. PNMI, or Private Non Medical Institution, is a Medicaid funding source that has been used by Maine as a catch-all to provide a wide range of services to people, including those with Alzheimer’s, mental illness, and people with developmental disabilities.

MR Waiver: The Waiver is the funding source for over 90% of residential and day services for people with cognitive disabilities.  The waiver s is the single largest portion of the budget that goes to people with cognitive disabilities.

The Governor is proposing:

-A 10% cut in funding for residential services.

-A cap on what can be spent for one individual receiving residential supports. -Elimination of medical and behavioral add-ons. This allows agencies to request additional funds for people with high medical needs or challenging behaviors.

These cuts would have a significant impact on agencies.  There is a budget deficit and we need to work with both the Governor and Legislator to find ways to reduce the cost of services that have the least impact on the people who receive services. 

Please contact your legislator, the link below will give your their contact information

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_list_alpha.htm

** In the Governor’s budget proposal it identifies the saving for each cut.  The saving is state dollars.  Those dollars actually bring in about an additional 2/3rds in federal Medicaid funds.  For instance, in Targeted Case Management the saving is listed as 2.2 million, the actual reduction is closer to 6 million dollars.

STRIVE's newest offering, Next STEP (STRIVE's Transitional Education Program) is an unique private-pay program focused on education, recreation, and leisure. Next STEP consists of two daily components--Education and Recreational Development--and students will spend their time learning and growing at both the STRIVE Center and in the local community.

To learn more about this exciting new program, please visit our Next STEP page here.  The Next STEP information page also features a downloadable information sheet and application forms.

For more information on this exciting new program, please contact Bill Hughes at bhughes@pslservices.org or 207-774-6278.

 Thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped out STRIVE throughout the year! Whether you have helped out with our events, fundraisers, or miscellaneous projects, each of you has played a huge role in helping STRIVE continue to thrive in this community!

Our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held on Monday, May 24th and featured a fine Italian feast.  STRIVE packed the house with its incredible volunteers and presented awards to the volunteers and businesses of the year.  Overall, it was a wonderful evening and a great opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who make STRIVE possible!

STRIVE also received its official "3 points for STRIVE" check from the Maine Red Claws and Hammond Lumber.  The grand total: $12,500 for STRIVE!

On March 6th and 7th, dancers and volunteers filled the USM Sullivan Gym all for one cause--to dance their hearts out for STRIVE! This year's event raised $30,000 for the STRIVE programs, and it was a night filled with bands, DJs, inflatable fun, food, games, psychics, henna, and of course, DANCING.  For more information and pictures from this year's event, please visit our fan page at: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/STRIVE/129076679535 or our Dance Marathon page at www.pslstrive.org/striverocks.

Keep an eye out for next year's Dance Marathon packets in January!