Lutheran Services in America Disability Network

07/27/2020

Providing a Pandemic Safety Net, Nonprofits Need Their Own

Thank you to The New York Times for shining a light on the need for Congress to provide financial relief in the next legislative package for nonprofits like Lutheran Services in America Disability Network members during this unprecedented #COVID crisis. Nonprofits need forgivable loans, among other vital support, to ensure they can continue serving our nation's most vulnerable people. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/24/business/economy/nonprofits-coronavirus-economy.html

Even as the economic crisis creates new demand for their services, organizations with millions of workers are resorting to layoffs as revenues dry up.

07/15/2020

www.c-c-d.org

As we prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we hope you'll participate in an upcoming Congressional briefing hosted on 7/23 by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities entitled "The ADA at 30: A Vision for a Future with Full Inclusion and Equity" 11-12 ET. Get more information about speakers and topics, and register to participate: https://bit.ly/3fA6ukE #ADA30

07/06/2020

www.lutheranservices.org

Voters in Oklahoma on June 30 approved with 50.5% support a ballot measure extending Medicaid coverage to tens of thousands of low-income adults. Oklahoma, with the nation’s second-highest uninsured rate, had been one of just 14 states that hadn't expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. By adding Medicaid expansion to Oklahoma’s constitution, the newly-passed measure may prevent Gov. Kevin Stitt from implementing his plan, if approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to add per capita caps and work requirements to the state’s Medicaid program. Lutheran Services in America has submitted comments in opposition to these proposed changes, given their likelihood to reduce patients’ access to critical benefits and services and add administrative and financial barriers to the program that would undoubtedly lead to coverage losses. https://bit.ly/3guxVfZ

07/01/2020

In June 2020, Lutheran Services in America launched the Strength & Service Series, an ongoing, interactive, virtual gathering of the best minds in our space, laser-focused on examining and tackling the unintended consequences and uncertainties in today’s climate. Don't miss our next webinar sessions:
• July 23, 12–1 p.m. EDT: Impact of COVID-19 on Employer Health Care Costs https://bit.ly/2Zwj6Tn
• July 28, 1–3 p.m. EDT: Workshop on the Path to Become More Racially Aware Leaders—Foundational Elements for the Journey https://bit.ly/3dLdkSM

06/23/2020

Lois Curtis: Disability Rights in Black 2020 - NDRN

Moving tribute to Lois Curtis, plaintiff in the landmark Olmstead #SCOTUS decision: https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib-2020-lois-curtis/

It’s day 6 of our Disability Rights in Black series and we are beyond elated to celebrate Lois Curtis!

06/22/2020

Olmstead: Community Integration for Everyone -- About Us Page

Today is the 21st Anniversary of the #OlmsteadvLoisCurtis Supreme Court decision. On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court held that public entities must provide community-based services to persons with disabilities when (1) such services are appropriate; (2) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and (3) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the public entity and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the entity. To find out more about the case go to: https://www.ada.gov/olmstead/olmstead_about.htm

The ADA Home Page provides access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for businesses and State and local governments, technical assistance materials, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, links to Federal agencies with ADA responsibilities and information, updates on new ADA requirem...

03/30/2020

GovPredict - Take Action

Congress has passed 3 relief packages to address the COVID-19 crisis, but more work remains. Act now! Tell Congress to bolster the direct service workforce and include supports for people with disabilities in future #COVID19 relief packages: https://bit.ly/2Ut5JC4 #WeAreEssential

03/28/2020

Check out the latest DN weekly. In this issue, a closer look at COVID-19's impact on people with disabilities: https://bit.ly/2JlyJFj

03/23/2020

Collaborative on Faith and Disability Webinar Series | Collaborative on Faith and Disability

Check out the following webinar on March 25 from the Collaborative on Faith and Disability http://faithanddisability.org/webinar/

2020 Webinar Series The following webinars are free and held 11pm Pacific / 12pm Mountain / 1pm Central/ 2pm Eastern. Click the link to register or to view the archived webinar. Wednesday, January 22, 2020: An Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse for Faith Community Leaders: Tools to Support Peop...

03/23/2020

Opinion | The GOP just smuggled another awful provision into the stimulus

“It’s a huge problem,” said Nicole Jorwic, senior director of public policy at The Arc, a national advocacy organization for the disabled. “Our chapters who provide services would all be impacted,” Jorwic continued, making it harder to “provide home and community-based services all over the country." https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/23/gop-just-smuggled-another-awful-provision-into-big-stimulus-bill/?fbclid=IwAR1InMyLsbfbpOrkB-f90k26oxZRi9_JTQI2ehZ-VY5IOxnBu-cLP1y9lsc

The corporate "slush fund" is one problem. Here's another.

03/23/2020

GovPredict - Take Action

Take Action Now! New House #Coronavirus relief bill MUST make nonprofits who get Medicaid reimbursements eligible for financial relief: nonprofits are on frontlines of this fight + under severe financial stress https://bit.ly/2QGr6NN

03/23/2020

Take action now! Tell Congress to include the needs of the disability community in COVID-19 relief packages. https://bit.ly/3a9s8cS

03/18/2020

Ed Department Offers More Special Education Guidance Amid COVID-19

Department of Education issues guidance on accessibility for students with disabilities during COVID-19: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2020/03/18/ed-department-offers-more-special-education-guidance-amid-covid-19/28000/

As schools across the nation shutter in response to coronavirus, federal officials are giving educators additional insight on how to handle the needs of students with disabilities.

03/17/2020

Check out the latest DN Weekly, with action items and the latest news on important topics including COVID-19: https://bit.ly/39ZUCpk.

03/17/2020

Take action now! During Developmental Disability Awareness month help support legislation that would allow DSPs to provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during a short term hospital stay: https://bit.ly/3b2O8WR. #DDAwareness2020

03/17/2020

LSA-DN Spring Meeting Registration Form

Due to COVID-19, LSA-DN will be hosting it's spring meeting virtually, instead of in-person. The meeting will be half a day long, on April 23, and will involve usual LSA-DN business. We will also hear from Washington policy experts on issues that are important to LSA-DN. Please register here: https://forms.gle/c9yNGy9xG4QCoA196. Note, even if you were registered for the in-person meeting, we're still asking you to fill out this form.

03/04/2020

It was fantastic to hear from Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Donna Shalala at the National Council on Independent Living's Congresional briefing yesterday.

03/03/2020

REV UP Campaign

In honor of Super Tuesday, we remind you to check out AAPD's Rev Up campaign, which LSA-DN supports: https://www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/.

The REV UP Campaign aims to increase the political participation of the disability community while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues.

02/26/2020

Attending the LSA-DN Spring Meeting? Remember you must reserve your hotel room before March 6, 2020 (that's NEXT FRIDAY) to get the group rate! Register now: https://bit.ly/2HA1NrU

02/21/2020

Don't miss the latest LSA-DN Weekly Update. Highlights this week: senators push the FDA to ban shock devices used on those with disabilities, accessibility was a big problem at the Iowa caucuses, and the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 30.
http://ow.ly/DDGN50ysyC7

02/19/2020

REGISTER NOW for the LSA-DN Spring Meeting: https://bit.ly/2HA1NrU! Our meeting will take place in Washington, DC from April 22-24, 2020. Because April is prime tourist season in DC, you must book your hotel room by March 6, 2020 to guarantee the group rate.

02/14/2020

Check out the latest LSA-DN Weekly: Lutheran Services
will hold a Hot Topics call featuring
Kaiser Family Foundation's Robin Rudowitz, CMS proposes allowing states to use waiver process to alter Medicaid, and President Trump hits Medicaid/food stamps in a push to slash spending.
http://ow.ly/ot8h50ymX0J

02/10/2020

Report: Turnover for direct support staff for Americans with disabilities reaches 'crisis' level

Had the opportunity to attend the release of The Case for Inclusion last Thursday. Good information in this report: https://bit.ly/2vi3Hur

The number of workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities integrated into the workforce has largely plateaued in the past year, and the national turnover rate for those providing direct support for such people is nearing 45 perce

02/10/2020

Check out the latest LSA-DN Weekly that includes important Medicaid news and an action alert: https://bit.ly/37cxYb1

02/04/2020

Check out last week's DN Weekly which came out during the LSA-DN Winter Meeting https://bit.ly/2GRy3q0

02/04/2020

Thank you to Holly Rhodenhizer of Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc., Cody Lewton of Lutheran Services in Iowa and Nate Hundt of Aptiv for their insightful presentations at the Culture and Engagement gathering at the LSA-DN Winter Meeting.

02/03/2020

A snapshot of some of the workgroups at this year's LSA-DN Winter Meeting focusing on innovative solutions grow and develop the Direct Support Professional Workforce. Kudos to LSA-DN Moderator Bill Kallestad for his thoughtful moderating during this session.

Image description: Three pictures of round tables, with tabletop easels and markers. People at this tables are deep in discussion and writing on the easels. The fourth picture is of LSA-DN Convener Bill Kallestad holding a microphone.

02/03/2020

Thank you to LSA-DN members Pam Schuessler of KenCrest; Dan Conners of St Joseph Home Of Cincinnati; Terri Rodriguez of Lutheran Ministries of Mercy; and Marlin Wilkerson of Mosaic for sharing best practices in development at the LSA-DN Winter Meeting.

Image description: Four panelists are seated at a long table, with a micrphone, in front of a screen.

02/03/2020

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that it will now allow states to use the #Medicaid waiver process to change how the over 17 million people in 37 states who are covered under the Medicaid expansion receive healthcare coverage, putting at risk their current benefits and eligibility. CMS should not use the waiver process to remove coverage for vulnerable people for services including treatment for substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. Ask your lawmakers to tell CMS not to use the waiver process to cut Medicaid coverage. https://bit.ly/2Si6FXH

01/21/2020

In the latest DN weekly news, Social Security has issued a new proposed rule that would cut benefits for people with disabilities, Pennsylvania grapples over the closure of two state institutions, disability rights take center stage as Minnesota's legislature convenes and so much more. https://bit.ly/37hwGwn

01/07/2020

Congratulations to LSA-DN leader Marian Baldini of KenCrest for receiving the Philadelphia Business Journal award for Most Admired CEO, which recognizes Phila.'s most respected chief executives. Marian shares why courage is key for leadership and how to confront the fear of change.
https://bit.ly/2tz40jF

01/06/2020

Appeals Court Rules ACA’s Individual Mandate Unconstitutional | Lutheran Services in America

Right before the holidays the 5th CIrcuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that the individual mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act is now Unconstitutional. Check out our blog: https://bit.ly/39OHVhJ

Last week, the fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that requires individuals to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional, but declined to rule on the status of the rest of the law. The Appeals Court sent back to the court that had previously heard the case th...

01/06/2020

Federal Funding for Fiscal Year 2020 Finalized | Lutheran Services in America

The end of 2019 saw Congress finalize fiscal funding for FY 2020: https://bit.ly/39NdEj1

On Dec. 19, the Senate passed the two bills which will fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2020 (through September 30, 2020.) The President is expected to sign both bills into law before the expiration of current funding authority at midnight on December 20. While H.R. 1158....

01/03/2020

Check out the latest DN Weekly with news and updates that include Elizabeth Warren's disability plan, an Ohio judge refuses to accept a state settlement on ICF facilities, and a new data brief on the National Core Indicators and more.

http://ow.ly/MjP550xMrMB

12/20/2019

Advocacy and Legislative Update: Federal Funding Finalized, ACA Ruling Issued, Older Americans Act Reauthorization

Just in time for Christmas: read our legislative update on finalization of federal funding for this fiscal year, a ruling on the constitutionality of part of the Affordable Care Act, and the next step in reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
http://bit.ly/36Tkl0M

Lutheran Services in America is the national network of Lutheran social ministry organizations—connecting over 300 health and human services nonprofit service providers located throughout the country. With over $22 billion in annual revenue, Lutheran Services in America is one of largest nonprofit...