2010 VOR Annual Conference and Washington Initiative

The event held June 4 - 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C. was a great success.

This annual event would not be possible without the generous support of our many Sponsors. Please see the listing below for all those who provided financial support to make our meeting happen. THANK YOU SPONSORS.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Conference Exhibitor

WhisperGLIDE Swing Company: Accessible swings for everyone. A great additition to your home, group home or ICFs/MR. See the WhisperGLIDE website for complete product information

Conference Recognition Participant

Lutheran Home Association:  The mission of The Lutheran Home Association is to provide for the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional needs of people entrusted to our care.

Platinum Sponsor

• Anonymous

Gold Sponsors

• Parent Hospital Association – Sonoma Developmental Center
An association of Families and Friends for the residents of Sonoma Developmental Center in California.

•  American Health Care Association
The American Health Care Association represents the long term care community, the government, business leaders and the general public. It serves as a force for change within the long-term care field.

• Walter E. Fernald Corporation
A Massachusetts Charitable Corporation Established in 1850. Founders of the First Public Facility in North America to Serve People with Mental Retardation in 1848. Still Under Siege. The Walls Are Crumbling

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
We Make America Happen.

Silver Sponsors

• Mary McTernan – VOR Immediate Past President
This sponsorship is given for Participant Breakfast Vouchers

Bronze Sponsor

• The Sims Family – Robin is VOR President

Capitol Hill Reception

• Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded
To Promote the General Welfare of the Retarded, Wherever They May Be

• Family and Friends Association
North Lake Supports and Services
Hammond, LA

•Association for Hunterdon DC Center, Inc
Bound Brook, NJ

Congressional Leave-Behind Folders (Copying & Labor)

•  Larry Innis
VOR Washington Representative
Innis Associates
Arnold, MD

Break Sponsors

• Fairview Families and Friends
Costa Mesa, CA

• Advocacy Network Incorporated
Amherst, MA

• Edward H. Bumbaum, Esq.
Novack Burnbaum Crystal LLP
New York, NY

• Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund 

Session Sponsors

• Erickson Communities: Discover the many ways we can make your life experience even better! More than just a beautiful place to live!!     

• NVTC Parents and Associates - VA

• Bob and Jane Anthony – Past VOR Board Member, VA

• Julie Huso and Family, VOR Staff Member

• Print Turnaround, Arlington Heights, IL

• VBS Financial Services, Boston, MA

• CNStarz Productions, Sioux Falls, SD

Participant Sponsors

The sponsorships by these organizations and individuals were dedicated to helping to make a trip to Washington, D.C. possible for one or more Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative participant(s).

Advocacy Network, Inc (MA)
Action for Developmental Disabilities (WA)
AFSCME Local 116, Council 24 (WI)
AFSCME Local 634, Council 24 (WI)
Bellefontaine Habilitation Center Parents Association (MO)
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CA)
California Association of State Hospital Parent Councils for the Retarded (CASHPCR)
Concerned Citizens for the Mentally Retarded (MA)
Concerned Families of Hazelwood ICF/MR (KY)
Conway Human Developmental Center Parents Group (AR)
Conway Human Developmental Center Volunteer Council (AR)
East Central Georgia Family Council (GA)
DSI/DDC Supporters Inc./ Supporters for Residential Choice (FL)
FF/CFR, State of Arkansas
Families and Friends of North Lake Supports & Services Association (LA)
Fairview Family and Friends (CA)
Friends of Fircrest (WA)
Elbirda Haley
Jonesboro, AR HDC Parents Group
Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded
Mount St. Joseph Family Association (IL)
Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center (IL)
Parents and Relatives of Oakwood Facility (KY)
Parents Coordinating Council & Friends (Lanterman Parent Hospital Association) (CA)
Parent Hospital Association of Sonoma Developmental Center (CA)
Sandra Reeves
Wisconsin Parents Association for the Retarded
Woodbridge Developmental Center Parents Association (NJ)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SPONSORS!!

VOR Submits Federal Comments on Medicaid and Community

On August 17, 2009, VOR submitted its comments in response to the federal Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and  Human Services which oversees Medicaid programs. The ANPRM asked for comments relating to allowing states to combine home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers for people with different disabilties who have similar functional needs. CMS also sought input on how to define "community."

In its comment, VOR expressed significant concern that current state budget woes and administrative conveniences would prove too great of temptations to States, leading to dangerous comingling of people with incompatable disability-types, leading to tragic consequences. Many real life examples were cited to reinforce VOR's stated concerns. With regard to defining community, VOR pointed out that both facilities and smaller settings can be "integrated." Our comments reinforce the need for choice, and Olmstead's support for choice.

Sign VOR's CHOICE Petition

VOR has launched a Petition which calls for “Support for a Full Array of Residential and Support Options for People with Developmental Disabilities.” VOR seeks thousands of signatures in support of the Petition, which will be presented to Congress.

To review the complete Petition and SIGN THE PETITION go to:  http://www.petitiononline.com/DDchoice/petition.html

VOR supports at common sense approach to public policy on behalf of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD).

Diluting Guardianship Rights

TO: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
RE: RECENT EFFORTS TO DILUTE THE RIGHTS OF LEGAL GUARDIANS OF PERSONS WITH PROFOUND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
DATE: January 14, 2009

I represent VOR, a national advocacy organization representing people with developmental disabilities, and their families.

Nearly all of our members have family members with severe and profound mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Our loved ones need substantial support in every aspect of life including walking, communicating, bathing, eating and toileting. They function at an infant or toddler’s level although fully grown; they also endure multiple disabilities, chronic medical conditions and/or behavioral challenges. Many also have seizure disorders, mental illness, visual or hearing impairments, or have a combination of these conditions.

In most cases, our loved ones and their peers have been adjudicated incompetent and a legal guardian has been appointed for them, usually a parent or close relative.

We have a serious concern which falls within the Commission’s work on legal issues relating to “capacity, guardianship and surrogate decision-making,” as well as within “disability and individual rights.” 

Policy Recommendations to Obama

As part of the new Obama Administration's transition efforts, in January 2009, VOR submitted its Policy Recommendations in support of a full array of residential and support options for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Check With Families Before Evicting Retarded Residents

By Edward Carraway, Supporters for Residential Choices for the Developmentally Disabled
St. Petersburg Times, February 5, 2007

The names and numbers are familiar: 2164 W First St., 5820 Buckingham Road, 3255 Hemingway Blvd., 3700 Williams Drive, 100 Bayou Drive and 1621 NE Waldo Road.

These are the addresses of people's homes - hundreds of people. They all happen to be planned communities, homes to people with similar interests and needs. Some are retirement communities, and some are upscale living centers located by the water and golf courses.

The people whose homes are at those addresses also are Floridians who have profound mental retardation, have multiple physical disabilities, are medically fragile and/or experience significant behavioral challenges.

Like Florida seniors and others who embrace planned communities, residents of Florida's residential campuses for people with profound mental retardation - Gulf Coast Fort Myers, Sunland (Marianna) and Tachachale (Gainesville) - have safe and comfortable accommodations, with ample opportunity to socialize with peers and neighbors. They receive compassionate life-sustaining support from specialists and direct care staffers, some of whom have worked with residents for decades.