Maybe some of you have noticed that my blog has been on a
summer hiatus. Others may not have
noticed because, like me, you’ve been in a doesn’t-seem-like-a-pandemic-but-not-sure-what-it-is
mode, still trying to get oriented in a newly “hybrid” world. I continue to live much of my life online,
but am also venturing out to in-person meetings and other gatherings –
sometimes masked, sometimes not. I have
a sneaking feeling that there is going to be more mandatory masking in our
future, though – the virus just isn’t done with us yet.
As you know, back in the spring we finally achieved passage
of the DDERAA, and having cleared Congressional review, it became law on May 18
(https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B24-0268). Throughout the summer, DC’s Department on
Disability Services has been working out the details on how the new eligibility
criteria will be implemented and preparing to recruit new staff to handle the intake
workload. As of July 25, DDS was about
to meet with the federal CMS (Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services – see https://www.ddinwdc.com/p/blog-page.html for this and other important organizations and terms)
to make sure proposed amendments to DC’s Medicaid waiver, the source of most
funding for DDS long-term supports, meet with its approval. At the now-monthly Friday forums (https://dds.dc.gov/node/1519506),
there also have been presentations on this planning (see Power Points, DDS's “Eligibility Determination DDERAA 2022” as well as the “DDERAA Powerpoint” backgrounder
by Sandy Bernstein of Disability Rights DC, both at the above link). DDS is still targeting October 1 as the start
date for revised eligibility, and has indicated that applications can be
submitted somewhat earlier than that, although I haven't seen an official announcement to confirm that.
While working with other advocates to help DDS shape this more
inclusive future, I’ve also been supporting my own son, who receives long-term
supports in DC, as well as talking with others who have family members in the
DDS system. Policy-level planning meetings
often attract the best and brightest of DDS staff and provider-agency
representatives, but it can be discouraging to see how much the day-to-day
system still focuses on paperwork requirements and compliance while losing
sight of how best to support people to live their best life. DDS and DHCF are moving (too) slowly to meet
the challenge of paying DSPs the fair wages they deserve, but this will not
remedy deep-seated institutional habits in both DDS and provider agencies that too often get in the way of a reimagined future for DC residents with
developmental disabilities (https://www.dcqualitytrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Looking-Back-A-Collaborative-Longitudinal-Analysis-FINAL-12-15-21.pdf).
An essential part of a reimagined future is meaningful work
for our neighbors with disabilities.
We’re told that jobs are there for the taking in the US economy right
now, and we need to see that people with disabilities in our community benefit
accordingly. I’ve spent the summer
working closely with a group planning for a major fall event at the MLK library
that will mark the 10-year anniversary of DC’s designation as an “Employment
First” state. This summit will take stock of progress on the employment
front while kick-starting a broader, community-based commitment to including people
with disabilities in the DC workforce. Expanding the number and types of employers; broadening types of work and customizing
jobs (more intentional “job carving” and more part-time offerings); and
ensuring the DC government is in the vanguard of community efforts: these are some of the exciting issues that we
are trying to incorporate into the Summit, under the leadership of the Developmental
Disabilities Council’s Kevin Wright. Put
October 20 and 21 on your calendar now, and watch for the EventBrite invitation! We’re anticipating 250-300 participants, and
the exhibits, in addition to plenary presentations and breakout groups, will
set the stage for a transformational difference over the next ten years – but
only if YOU come and participate!
Finally, if you’re interested in technology options that can
help improve supports for people in DC and beyond, you may want to take in this
“Tech First” event that will be sponsored by DDS at the MLK library on August
16: https://dds.dc.gov/event/dds-tech-fest-flyer
(in person or online, of course!).
Carol A. Grigsby is the mother of a young man
who receives long-term disability supports from DC’s Department on Disability Services. I advocate in support of Washington, DC residents with developmental
disabilities, and currently co-chair the Advocacy and Public Policy
committee of the DC Developmental Disabilities Council. I also strongly
support statehood for DC, where I have lived since 1978. Comments and
opinions in this blog are my own, and you can also find me on Twitter, @DDinWDC!