The Department of Human Services has officially confirmed that the proposed amendments will not proceed as originally written. This result preserves the essential employment opportunities that our community relies upon daily. I appreciate the dedication shown by all who participated in this effort to protect these vital services.
May 31, 2015
Final supporters
We represent a group (Save our Choice) of family members
and advocates of adult children who have I/DD (Intellectual/Developmental
Disabilities). The U.S. Centers for Medicareand Medicaid (CMS) has developed a new rule on allowable settings in which Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver services may be provided. Based on the
information we have to date, we are concerned that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will be developing Medicaid Amendments that will result in an "overly restrictive" implementation of this new rule. This overly restrictive approach will likely result in the closure of many pre-vocational workshops across Pennsylvania that are the chosen, and possibly the only, opportunities that a large portion of adults with I/DD depend upon for their employment.
It is an appropriate goal to assure that all of the adult individuals with I/DD who are capable of employment in integrated/competitive employment settings with or without employment supports are identified and
provided these employment opportunities.
However, there will still be a large number of adult individuals with
I/DD who are not capable of working in integrated/competitive employment
settings even with substantial employment supports.
These remaining adults have the same right as others to the satisfaction of employment "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." This means that the most appropriate setting for these individuals is not fully integrated/competitive employment even with employment supports but rather may be pre-vocational workshops or similar opportunities.
We are requesting you assist us in supporting an
individual's right to choose the services they meet to meet their needs. By signing this petition you are showing your
support and that is much appreciated!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 23, 2015
May 14, 2015
The growth of this petition reached a significant milestone today. This progress confirms that many people understand the importance of preserving diverse employment options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Reached 100 supporters
May 13, 2015
105 Comments
I work as the VP of Rehab Services at Progressive Workshop in Kittanning, PA. I wish the people trying to close workshops down would actually take a visit to one to see exactly how freeing and appropriate they are.
People with IDD and their families deserve the right to CHOOSE where they receive services and what type of services they receive. Due to safety issues, not everyone can work in the community!!
My daughter is thriving at the Clelian workshop. It is not possible for her to work in the Community because of safety issues. She would need a constant one on one support in the community. Come visit our Clelian Workshop and see how well these adults are thriving and love being in this environment!!!
So many adults with Downs and similar disabilities have no family left to care for them. They need facilities like Clelian Heights - a safe environment with love, care and support available - and the only "choice" for some. Our legislature should support organizations like this as a wise use of our tax dollars.
I have a 9 yo Severely Autistic son, who will be a Severe Autistic Adult sooner than later. We will be depending on these waivers to help our children not get list in the cracks.
This facility serves a very important purpose!! Keep it open!
Good luck!
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The Department of Human Services has officially confirmed that the proposed amendments will not proceed as originally written. This result preserves the essential employment opportunities that our community relies upon daily. I appreciate the dedication shown by all who participated in this effort to protect these vital services.
May 31, 2015
Final supporters
We represent a group (Save our Choice) of family members
and advocates of adult children who have I/DD (Intellectual/Developmental
Disabilities). The U.S. Centers for Medicareand Medicaid (CMS) has developed a new rule on allowable settings in which Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver services may be provided. Based on the
information we have to date, we are concerned that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will be developing Medicaid Amendments that will result in an "overly restrictive" implementation of this new rule. This overly restrictive approach will likely result in the closure of many pre-vocational workshops across Pennsylvania that are the chosen, and possibly the only, opportunities that a large portion of adults with I/DD depend upon for their employment.
It is an appropriate goal to assure that all of the adult individuals with I/DD who are capable of employment in integrated/competitive employment settings with or without employment supports are identified and
provided these employment opportunities.
However, there will still be a large number of adult individuals with
I/DD who are not capable of working in integrated/competitive employment
settings even with substantial employment supports.
These remaining adults have the same right as others to the satisfaction of employment "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." This means that the most appropriate setting for these individuals is not fully integrated/competitive employment even with employment supports but rather may be pre-vocational workshops or similar opportunities.
We are requesting you assist us in supporting an
individual's right to choose the services they meet to meet their needs. By signing this petition you are showing your
support and that is much appreciated!
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 23, 2015
May 14, 2015
The growth of this petition reached a significant milestone today. This progress confirms that many people understand the importance of preserving diverse employment options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Reached 100 supporters
May 13, 2015
105 Comments
Anybody who wants to get rid of these programs need to spend a day at a workshop. My sister absolutely loves going to work at the Clelian Heights' workshop, and she rarely likes to leave the house unless necessary.
I work as the VP of Rehab Services at Progressive Workshop in Kittanning, PA. I wish the people trying to close workshops down would actually take a visit to one to see exactly how freeing and appropriate they are.
People with IDD and their families deserve the right to CHOOSE where they receive services and what type of services they receive. Due to safety issues, not everyone can work in the community!!
My daughter is thriving at the Clelian workshop. It is not possible for her to work in the Community because of safety issues. She would need a constant one on one support in the community. Come visit our Clelian Workshop and see how well these adults are thriving and love being in this environment!!!
So many adults with Downs and similar disabilities have no family left to care for them. They need facilities like Clelian Heights - a safe environment with love, care and support available - and the only "choice" for some. Our legislature should support organizations like this as a wise use of our tax dollars.
I have a 9 yo Severely Autistic son, who will be a Severe Autistic Adult sooner than later. We will be depending on these waivers to help our children not get list in the cracks.
This facility serves a very important purpose!! Keep it open!
Good luck!
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Anybody who wants to get rid of these programs need to spend a day at a workshop. My sister absolutely loves going to work at the Clelian Heights' workshop, and she rarely likes to leave the house unless necessary.