PA Waiting List Report Summary, June 25, 2008
PA Waiting List Report Summary, June 25, 2008
Today, a press conference was held by state Representative George Kenney unveiling the report completed by the House Resolution 159 Waiting List Advisory Committee. The Arc of PA was represented on the advisory committee by Steve Suroviec - Steve was also one of the speakers during today's press conference.This report is timely given that the Governor and Legislature are in the final weeks of state budget negotiations. Among the 5 key recommendations contained in the report, one calls on the end of the emergency waiting list in 2 years and the critical waiting list in 5 years, and another calls for an annual COLA so that current service capacity can be sustained and waiting lists are not made longer.
The following is a summary of the recommendations. (There is a link at the bottom where you can view the entire report.)
Recommendation 1: The General Assembly and the Governor should make the elimination of the waiting list a priority. Providing supports and services to Pennsylvanians with mental retardation is a core function of Pennsylvania state government. State officials should commit - in word and in action - sufficient funds and other resources that will a) eliminate the emergency waiting list within 2 years b) eliminate the critical waiting list within 5 years, and c) anticipate future need so that all Pennsylvanians with mental retardation have their service needs met within a reasonable period of time.
Recommendation 2: The General Assembly and the Governor should build on their investment in special education and dedicate annual funding to ensure students with mental retardation who are transitioning to adult life receive services they need.
Recommendation 3: The General Assembly and the Governor should establish a fiscal policy that includes a reasonable and consistent increase annually based on actual costs of maintaining existing service capacity.
Recommendation 4: The executive branch should be directed to convene relevant state agencies and stakeholders to identify methods for predicting and communicating needs to the appropriate agencies, and make sufficient information available to inform the budget process.
Recommendation 5: The General Assembly should direct the executive branch to conduct a process - with stakeholder involvement - to examine ways to find greater efficiencies, including more community-integrated and consumer-controlled service models.
See Full Report at:
http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/MR%20Report%205%2030%202008.pdf