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The Arc of Virginia — 2008 Legislative Agenda
The Arc of Virginia is dedicated to creating a community where people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities can live "A Life Like Yours," remaining connected to family and friends. The Arc of Virginia will work with other advocacy partners to ensure that appropriate supports and services are in place to achieve that goal.
Legislative priorities for the 2008 General Assembly session as stated in The Arc of Virginia's Community Living Action Plan:
- 800 MR Waiver slots each year of the biennium along with related start up costs for those on the Urgent Care Wait List as part of a multi-year plan to achieve waiting list predictability.
- $5 Million for individualized support services for 1,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities who are not eligible for or are not receiving Medicaind Waiver services.
- $50 Million in capital funds to build community housing in every region of the Commonwealth.
- Implementation of an annual cost of living inflator in Medicaind waiver rates.
- Improvements in the MR Waiver program to make it more person-centered and responsive to self-advocate/'family needs.
Other legislative priorities:
- 300 DD Waiver slots each year of the biennium.
- ADjust the Medicaid individual supported employment rate to parallel the rates assigned to each employment services organization by DRS.
- $3.4 Million each year of the biennium to cover additional infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities in recognition of a consisten growth in referrals to the Part C/Early Intervention system. Maximize funds by expanding services under EPSDT to infants and toddlers.
- Request a JLARC study on the direct care workforce, focusing on recruitment and retention of direct care professionals, including providers of consumer-directed services, to reduce turnover and improve quality of care.
Approved by The Arc Board of Directors, September 15, 2007
